Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Coronary artery calcium score combined with Framingham score for risk prediction in asymptomatic individuals.

CONTEXT Guidelines advise that all adults undergo coronary heart disease (CHD) risk assessment to guide preventive treatment intensity. Although the Framingham Risk Score (FRS) is often recommended for this, it has been suggested that risk assessment may be improved by additional tests such as coronary artery calcium scoring (CACS). OBJECTIVES To determine whether CACS assessment combined with FRS in asymptomatic adults provides prognostic information superior to either method alone and whether the combined approach can more accurately guide primary preventive strategies in patients with CHD risk factors. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS Prospective observational population-based study, of 1461 asymptomatic adults with coronary risk factors. Participants with at least 1 coronary risk factor (>45 years) underwent computed tomography (CT) examination, were screened between 1990-1992, were contacted yearly for up to 8.5 years after CT scan, and were assessed for CHD. This analysis included 1312 participants with CACS results; excluded were 269 participants with diabetes and 14 participants with either missing data or had a coronary event before CACS was performed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE Nonfatal myocardial infarction (MI) or CHD death. RESULTS During a median of 7.0 years of follow-up, 84 patients experienced MI or CHD death; 70 patients died of any cause. There were 291 (28%) participants with an FRS of more than 20% and 221 (21%) with a CACS of more than 300. Compared with an FRS of less than 10%, an FRS of more than 20% predicted the risk of MI or CHD death (hazard ratio [HR], 14.3; 95% confidence interval [CI]; 2.0-104; P =.009). Compared with a CACS of zero, a CACS of more than 300 was predictive (HR, 3.9; 95% CI, 2.1-7.3; P<.001). Across categories of FRS, CACS was predictive of risk among patients with an FRS higher than 10% (P<.001) but not with an FRS less than 10%. CONCLUSION These data support the hypothesis that high CACS can modify predicted risk obtained from FRS alone, especially among patients in the intermediate-risk category in whom clinical decision making is most uncertain.
Further cytogenetic characterization of multiple myeloma confirms that 14q32 translocations are a very rare event in hyperdiploid cases

Translocations involving the immunoglobulin heavy‐chain genes are frequent in multiple myeloma (MM), which can be separated into two groups according to the chromosome number pattern. 14q32 translocations 14q32t are more frequent in hypodiploid than in hyperdiploid karyotypes. However, conventional cytogenetics (CC) misses cryptic translocations, especially t(4;14)(p16;q32). Furthermore, recent interphase fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) studies found 14q32t in as many as 75% of MM cases. To identify in which CC group we failed to detect translocations, we designed a study by use of FISH with a dual‐color IGH probe on previously R‐banded metaphase cells, allowing the detection of both 14q32t and overall chromosomal abnormalities, in a new series of 55 MM with abnormal karyotypes: 4/29 hyperdiploid (14%) and 19/26 hypodiploid (73%) cases had a 14q32t. The t(4;14) was found in 2 hyperdiploid (7%) and 10 hypodiploid (39%) cases. We therefore confirm that 14q32t are much more frequent in hypodiploid than in hyperdiploid MM (P < 0.0001) and that cryptic t(4;14)(p16;q32) is strongly associated with hypodiploid karyotypes (P < 0.01). Through the use of this reliable assay, only 42% of MM had 14q32t. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Evaluation of a linear model of directional selectivity in simple cells of the cat's striate cortex

Abstract We have compared the responses of simple cells to laterally moving sinusoidal gratings and to stationary temporally-modulated gratings. From the amplitudes and temporal phases of the responses to stationary gratings of different spatial phases, it should be possible to predict the preferred direction of movement, the amplitudes of the responses to gratings moving in the preferred and nonpreferred directions and, thence, the degree of directional preference (Reid et al., 1987). The preferred direction can be predicted reliably. However, the magnitude of the directional preference cannot be predicted, since the measured amplitude of the response in the nonpreferred direction of movement is very much less than that predicted by a linear theory. Nonlinearities in the relationship between response amplitude and contrast may contribute to the failure of the predictions, but this contribution is small. We conclude that the magnitude of the directional preference seems to be determined predominantly by nonlinear suppression of the response in the nonpreferred direction of movement.
Sequence and transcriptional start site of the Pseudomonas aeruginosa outer membrane porin protein F gene

Porin F is one of the major proteins of the outer membrane of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. It forms water-filled pores of variable size. Porin F is a candidate for a vaccine against P. aeruginosa because it antigenically cross-reacts in all serotype strains of the International Antigenic Typing Scheme. We have isolated the gene for porin F from a lambda EMBL3 bacteriophage library by using oligodeoxynucleotide hybridization probes and have determined its nucleotide sequence. Different peptide sequences obtained from isolated porin F confirmed the deduced protein sequence. The mature protein consists of 326 amino acid residues and has a molecular weight of 35,250. The precursor contains an N-terminal signal peptide of 24 amino acid residues. S1 protection and primer extension experiments, together with Northern (RNA) blots, indicate that the mRNA coding for porin F is monocistronic with short untranslated regions of about 58 bases at the 5' end and about 47 bases at the 3' end. The sequences in the -10 and -35 regions upstream of the transcriptional start site are closely related to the Escherichia coli promoter consensus sequences, which explains why the porin F gene is expressed in E. coli under the control of its own promoter. The amino acid sequence of porin F is not homologous to the different E. coli porins OmpF, OmpC, LamB, and PhoE. On the other hand, a highly homologous region of 30 amino acids between the OmpA proteins of different enteric bacteria and porin F of P. aeruginosa was detected. The core region of the homology to E. coli OmpA had 11 of 12 amino acid residues in common.
On the use of QC-LDPC code for data transfer using short and medium block length

Quasi Cyclic Low Density Parity Check codes (QC-LDPC) is proposed to reduce the complexity of the Low Density Parity Check codes (LDPC) further while obtaining the similar performance. Our proposed QC-LDPC presents an improved construction of circulant sub-matrices based QC-LDPC at high SNR. The proposed construction yields a performance gain of about 1 dB at a 0.0003 bit error rate (BER). Proposed code is tested on 4 types of decoding algorithm and compared. Proposed algorithm is also compared with the existing QC-LDPC and the proposed approach outperforms the existing one at high SNR. Simulation is also performed varying the number of horizontal submatrix and the result shows that the parity check matrix with smaller horizontal concatenation shows better performance.
Effect of using static ultrasound technique on peripherally inserted central catheters’ insertion success rate in neonates in a neonatal intensive care unit

Background: Peripheral insertion of central catheters can be difficult in neonates. We compared the success rates of peripherally inserted central catheters by two methods of using static ultrasound and traditional technique (vein visualization and palpation) in neonates. Materials and Methods: In a prospective randomized, controlled trial, 52 neonates with birth weight lower than 1500 g in a level 3 neonatal intensive care unit were enrolled. Neonates were randomized to undergo peripherally inserted central catheter placement using a traditional technique (n = 27) versus static ultrasound-guided technique (n = 25). In the ultrasound group, vein localization was performed and the skin overlying the target vessel was marked. Insertion of catheter was then immediately performed. We recorded and compared success rates in the groups. Results: Success rate after the first attempt was 68% in ultrasound group and 60% in traditional group. These rates for the second attempt were 50% and 40%, respectively. The overall success rates after two attempts were 84% and 76% in ultrasound and traditional groups, retrospectively (P = 0.24). Conclusions: There was no significant difference between the two groups regarding PICC success rates, probably because in the present study, most of the subjects were premature neonates whose vasculature was visually detectable.
The Effects of Green Tea Consumption on Incidence of Breast Cancer and Recurrence of Breast Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Background: Green tea is widely used by women for the prevention and treatment of breast cancer. The authors aimed to determine the efficacy of green tea ingestion on the risk of breast cancer development and the risk of breast cancer recurrence. Methods: The authors conducted a systematic review and meta-analyses of observational studies from systematic searches of 8 electronic data sources and contact with authors. They included studies assessing breast cancer incidence and recurrence. Results from cohort studies and case-control studies were pooled separately using a random effects model with testing of a priori hypotheses to explain heterogeneity. Results: The pooled relative risk (RR) of developing breast cancer for the highest levels of green tea consumption in cohort studies was 0.89 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.71-1.1; P = .28; I2= 0%), and in case control studies, the odds ratio was 0.44 (95% CI, 0.14-1.31; P = .14; I2= 47%). The pooled RR of cohort studies for breast cancer recurrence in all stages was 0.75 (95% CI, 0.47-1.19; P = .22; I2= 37%). A subgroup analysis of recurrence in stage I and II disease showed a pooled RR in cohort studies of 0.56 (95% CI, 0.38-0.83; P = .004; I2= 0%). Dose-response relationships were evident in only 3 of the 7 studies. Conclusion: To date, the epidemiological data indicates that consumption of 5 or more cups of green tea a day shows a non-statistically significant trend towards the prevention of breast cancer development. Evidence indicates that green tea consumption may possibly help prevent breast cancer recurrence in early stage (I and II) cancers. However, conclusions as to the potential therapeutic application of green tea are currently impossible to make due to the small number of studies conducted, the lack of any clinical trial evidence, the lack of a consistent dose-response relationship, and the potential for interaction with standard care.
Diversity and Seasonal Dynamics of Actinobacteria Populations in Four Lakes in Northeastern Germany

ABSTRACT The phylogenetic diversity and seasonal dynamics of freshwater Actinobacteria populations in four limnologically different lakes of the Mecklenburg-Brandenburg Lake District (northeastern Germany) were investigated. Fluorescence in situ hybridization was used to determine the seasonal abundances and dynamics of total Actinobacteria (probe HGC69a) and the three actinobacterial subclusters acI, acI-A, and acI-B (probes AcI-852, AcI-840-1, and AcI-840-2). Seasonal means of total Actinobacteria abundances in the epilimnia of the lakes varied from 13 to 36%, with maximum values of 30 to 58%, of all DAPI (4′,6′-diamidino-2-phenylindole)-stained cells. Around 80% of total Actinobacteria belonged to the acI cluster. The two subclusters acI-A and acI-B accounted for 60 to 91% of the acI cluster and showed seasonal means of 49% (acI-B) and 23% (acI-A) in relation to the acI cluster. Total Actinobacteria and members of the clusters acI and acI-B showed distinct seasonal changes in their absolute abundances, with maxima in late spring and fall/winter. In eight clone libraries constructed from the lakes, a total of 76 actinobacterial 16S rRNA gene sequences were identified from a total of 177 clones. The majority of the Actinobacteria sequences belonged to the acI and acIV cluster. Several new clusters and subclusters were found (acSTL, scB1-4, and acIVA-D). The majority of all obtained 16S rRNA gene sequences are distinct from those of already-cultured freshwater Actinobacteria.
Block-Diagonal and LT Codes for Distributed Computing With Straggling Servers

We propose two coded schemes for the distributed computing problem of multiplying a matrix by a set of vectors. The first scheme is based on partitioning the matrix into submatrices and applying maximum distance separable (MDS) codes to each submatrix. For this scheme, we prove that up to a given number of partitions the communication load and the computational delay (not including the encoding and decoding delay) are identical to those of the scheme recently proposed by Li et al., based on a single, long MDS code. However, due to the use of shorter MDS codes, our scheme yields a significantly lower overall computational delay when the delay incurred by encoding and decoding is also considered. We further propose a second coded scheme based on Luby transform (LT) codes under inactivation decoding. Interestingly, LT codes may reduce the delay over the partitioned scheme at the expense of an increased communication load. We also consider distributed computing under a deadline and show numerically that the proposed schemes outperform other schemes in the literature, with the LT code-based scheme yielding the best performance for the scenarios considered.
Preoperative CA19-9 Levels and Lymph Node Ratio Are Independent Predictors of Survival in Patients with Resected Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma

Background: The aim of this study was to identify whether preoperative CA19-9 levels might represent an independent prognostic marker for overall survival in patients undergoing resection for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, and to describe the relationship between CA19-9 and tumour histology. Methods: 109 patients who had a pancreatoduodenectomy for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma with recorded preoperative CA19-9 levels were identified from a prospectively maintained database (1997–2006). Multivariate analysis was conducted using a Cox proportional hazards model with continuous covariates where possible. Results: The median survival of 64 patients with a preoperative CA19-9 level >150 kU/l was 10.4 months while in 45 patients with a CA19-9 level ≤150 kU/l this was 22.1 months (corrected p = 0.012). Also significant on univariate analyses were overall lymph node status (p = 0.011), lymph node ratio (p = 0.003) and tumour diameter (p = 0.004). Preoperative CA19-9 levels >150 kU/l were associated with a larger, more poorly differentiated tumour along with an increased likelihood of a positive resection margin status (all p < 0.05). Preoperative CA19-9 levels (p = 0.030) and lymph node ratio (p = 0.042) emerged as independent predictors of survival on multivariate analysis. Conclusions: Preoperative CA19-9 levels and lymph node ratio were significant predictors of survival in resected pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.
Combination of transfection agents and magnetic resonance contrast agents for cellular imaging: Relationship between relaxivities, electrostatic forces, and chemical composition

The purpose of this study was to investigate the changes in electrostatic and magnetic resonance (MR) properties observed when MR contrast agents (CAs) (Feridex®, MION‐46L, or G5‐dendrimer‐DOTA‐Gd) are combined with transfection agents (TAs) under various conditions for use as a CA‐TA complex basis for cellular labeling and MRI. CAs were incubated with various classes of TAs for 0–48 hr in solutions of varying concentrations and pH values. NMR relaxation rates (1/T1, 1/T2), MRI and zeta potential (ZP) of CA‐TA solutions were measured. TAs decreased the 1/T1 and 1/T2 of G5‐DOTA‐Gd, Feridex®, and MION‐46L by 0–95%. Altering the pH of G5‐DOTA‐Gd‐TA decreased the T1‐weighted signal intensity (SI) on MRI from 0 to 78%. Measured ZP values for G5‐DOTA‐Gd, Feridex®, and MION‐46L were −51, −41, and −2.0 mV, respectively. The TA LV had a negative ZP, while the other TAs had ZPs ranging from +20 to +65 mV. The alteration of the ZP and NMR relaxivities of the MR CAs, Feridex®, MION‐46L, and G5‐DOTA‐Gd by TAs has been demonstrated. These results enhance our understanding of the relationship between electrostatic and MR properties. Magn Reson Med 50:275–282, 2003. Published 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The Influence of the Time of Day on Core Temperature and Lower Body Power Output in Elite Rugby Union Sevens Players

Abstract West, DJ, Cook, CJ, Beaven, MC, and Kilduff, LP. The influence of the time of day on core temperature and lower body power output in elite rugby union sevens players. J Strength Cond Res 28(6): 1524–1528, 2014—Core temperature typically displays a low circadian in the morning before peaking later in the day, and these changes occur within small physiological ranges. Body temperature plays an important role in physical performance, and some athletes may be required to train and compete in both the morning and evening. However, the influence of the circadian change in body temperature and its influence on physical performance in elite athletes are unclear. This study examined the effects of the time of day on core temperature and lower body power output in elite rugby union sevens players. Sixteen elite rugby union sevens players completed morning (in AM) countermovement jump and core temperature (Tcore) measurement, which were then repeated later the same day (in PM). Countermovement jump was processed for peak power output (PPO). Data were analyzed using paired samples t-test and Pearson's product moment correlation and are presented in mean ± SD. Tcore significantly increased from AM to PM (AM, 36.92 ± 0.23 vs. PM, 37.18 ± 0.18° C; P < 0.001) with PPO significantly increasing from AM to PM in all 16 players (AM, 5248 ± 366 vs. PM, 5413 ± 361 W; P < 0.001). The delta change in Tcore (0.26 ± 0.13° C) and PPO (164 ± 78 W) was significantly related (r = 0.781; P < 0.001). In conclusion, small circadian changes in core temperature can influence physical performance in elite athletes. Coaches should seek to use strategies, which may raise morning body temperature to offset the circadian low in the morning.
THE IMPACT OF MATH BACKGROUND ON PERFORMANCE IN MANAGERIAL ECONOMICS AND BASIC FINANCE COURSES

Upper division finance courses require students to have a fundamental background in mathematics. This background is considered important to a student's successful mastering of the material in higher level finance courses. Schaffer and Calkins [1] find that performance in prerequisites are related to performance in introductory business finance. The purpose of this research is to focus on an additional area of students' academic background as a determinant of performance in upper level finance courses their background in mathematics. Class instructors perpetually search for the underlying reasons for the failure of students to master finance concepts. The failure to master material because of deficient mathematical skills
Applications of Dynamic Contrast Enhanced MRI in Oncology: Measurement of Tumor Oxygen Tension

A new model based on an extension of the Krogh's cylindrical model was developed to calculate tumor oxygen tension (pO2) from the H-1 dynamic contrast enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI) measurements. The model enables one to calculate the tumor pO2 using the vascular volume fraction (fb) obtained by the DCE-MRI. The proposed model has three parameters. For small values of fb one assumes that there exists a linear relationship between and fb. The constant of proportionality in this case is given by C1 — the oxygen tension per vascular volume fraction. For larger values of fb a modified version of Krogh model using two parameters is developed and here C2 — is the integrated blood oxygen tension, and C3 -given by the combination of the oxygen diffusion coefficient, solubility of oxygen in the tissue, capillary radius, and tissue metabolic consumption rate. The parameters of the model can be determined by performing simultaneous in-vivo F-19 MRI oxygen tension measurement and dynamic Gd-DTPA enhanced MRI on the same tumor. Dynamic MRI data can be used with a compartmental model to calculate tumor vascular volume fraction on a pixel by pixel basis. Then tumor oxygen tension map can be calculated from the vascular volume fraction by the extended Krogh model as described above. In the present work, the model parameters were determined using three rats bearing Walker-256 tumors and performing simultaneous F-19 and DCE MRI on the same tumor. The parameters obtained by fitting the model equation to the experimental data were: C1 = 983.2+ 133.2torr, C2 = 58.20 + 2.4 torr, and C3 = 1.7 + 0.1 torr. The performance of the extended Krogh model was then tested on two additional rats by performing both F-19 and DCE-MRI studies and calculating the pO2 (H-1) using the model and comparing it with the pO2 (F-19) obtained from the F-19 MRI. It was found that the measurements obtained by both techniques had a high degree of correlation [pO2 (H-1) = (1.01 + 0.07) pO2 (F-19) + (0.91 + 0.05) and r=0.96], indicating the applicability of the proposed model in determining pO2 from the DCE-MRI.
The US traveler’s familiarity with and perceived credibility of lodging ecolabels

Despite the proliferating numbers and types of ecolabels for lodging in the United States, little is known about consumer reactions toward them. Thus, this study examines the US adult travelers’ familiarity with and perceived credibility of six ecolabels used by lodging firms in the market today, which vary in terms of industry scope (lodging only vs. multi-industry) and issuer type (profit, nonprofit, or government): Audubon International, Green Key Eco, TripAdvisor’s GreenLeaders, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, Energy Star, and Green Business Bureau. Results based on 392 responses collected from a national online survey in April 2014 show that Energy Star and GreenLeaders had the highest levels of familiarity and perceived credibility, while familiarity and credibility levels for the other four ecolabels were relatively low, indicating critical needs for better marketing about ecolabels, overall. These results also provide lodging managers with important insight into consumer reactions toward the ecolabels currently existent and utilized by lodging firms and identify which ecolabels, if any, to pursue.
Role of ArgR in Activation of the ast Operon, Encoding Enzymes of the Arginine Succinyltransferase Pathway in Salmonella typhimurium

ABSTRACT The ast operon, encoding enzymes of the arginine succinyltransferase (AST) pathway, was cloned from Salmonella typhimurium, and the nucleotide sequence for the upstream flanking region was determined. The control region contains several regulatory consensus sequences, including binding sites for NtrC, cyclic AMP receptor protein (CRP), and ArgR. The results of DNase I footprintings and gel retardation experiments confirm binding of these regulatory proteins to the identified sites. Exogenous arginine induced AST under nitrogen-limiting conditions, and this induction was abolished in an argR derivative. AST was also induced under carbon starvation conditions; this induction required functional CRP as well as functional ArgR. The combined data are consistent with the hypothesis that binding of one or more ArgR molecules to a region between the upstream binding sites for NtrC and CRP and two putative promoters plays a pivotal role in modulating expression of theast operon in response to nitrogen or carbon limitation.