Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Elderly Medicare inpatients with substance use disorders: characteristics and predictors of hospital readmissions over a four-year interval.

OBJECTIVE (1) To describe the characteristics and 4-year readmissions of elderly Medicare inpatients with substance use disorders; (2) to determine whether their readmissions are elevated relative to case controls'; and (3) to examine gender differences in characteristics and predictors of readmissions among elderly inpatients with substance use disorders. METHOD Health Care Financing Administration Medicare Provider Analysis and Review data were used to identify elderly patients with substance use disorders and their case controls, and to determine patient characteristics and readmissions over a 4-year interval following hospital discharge. RESULTS Of elderly inpatients with substance use disorders (N = 22,768), 37% were women, 11% were black, 22% had previous, substance-related hospitalizations, 14% had concomitant psychiatric disorders and 9% had accident-related diagnoses. Among surviving patients with substance use disorders (N = 12,417), 73% were rehospitalized, a higher rate than among case controls (69%). Women with substance use disorders were more likely to have a psychiatric or accident diagnosis at the index episode than were men with substance use disorders. CONCLUSIONS Many women and a disproportionate number of blacks constitute elderly Medicare inpatients with substance use disorders. These patients often have prior substance-related hospitalizations, psychiatric comorbidities, and accidents involving poisoning, adverse drug reactions and falls. They make costly, relatively heavy use of inpatient health services. Elderly women with substance use disorders may benefit from treatment that focuses on their psychiatric disorders and accident risk. Diagnostic information available at discharge can be used to identify patients at higher risk for subsequent rehospitalization and to plan treatment accordingly.
Drug-induced neuroprotection from global ischemia is associated with prevention of persistent but not transient activation of nuclear factor-kappaB in rats.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) is an oxidative stress responsive transcription factor that is transiently activated in most forebrain neurons in response to transient global ischemia. However, in hippocampal CA1 neurons destined to die, NF-kappaB remains persistently activated. The present study was performed to determine whether an antioxidant (LY231617) that afforded neuroprotection in previous studies had any effect on NF-kappaB activation in hippocampal CA1 neurons after global ischemia. METHODS Rats were subjected to 30 minutes of forebrain ischemia by 4-vessel occlusion (4-VO) and killed at 24 and 72 hours after ischemia. LY231617 was administered orally at a dose of 50 mg/kg 30 minutes before 4-VO and again 4 hours after 4-VO. Neuronal damage was evaluated in sections stained with cresyl violet. Other sections were immunostained with antibodies to NF-kappaB p50 to assess nuclear localization. An electrophoretic mobility shift assay was performed on nuclear extracts from sham- and LY231617-treated rats at 24 and 72 hours after ischemia. RESULTS The administration of LY231617 had a significant protective effect on hippocampal CA1 neurons at 72 hours after ischemia (control group, 16 +/- 7 neurons/mm; treated group, 294 +/- 35 neurons/mm, P<.02) and prevented nuclear translocation of activated NF-kappaB as normally seen at 72 hours after ischemia in untreated controls. In contrast, the untreated controls showed activated NF-kappaB at 72 hours after ischemia. At 24 hours after ischemia, both the control group and the LY231617 group showed intense nuclear localization of NF-kappaB. CONCLUSIONS Activation of NF-kappaB in vitro has been reported to promote proapoptotic as well as antiapoptotic mechanisms, depending on the cell type being investigated. In the present in vivo study, the role of the transient activation of NF-kappaB observed at 24 hours may be responsible for the induction of protective factors in neurons that survive the ischemic insult, whereas the persistent activation of NF-kappaB in hippocampal neurons could be responsible for the induction of proteins that result in CA1 neuronal death.
Effectiveness of a dynamic usage based computer assisted language program

The current paper explores whether a Dynamic Usage Based (DUB) approach – which takes authentic meaningful language use with repetition and scaffolding for comprehension as its basis – can also be implemented in a CALL environment. The effectiveness of the DUB-CALL program was tested in a semester-long experiment, comparing it with a teacher-fronted DUB program (using the same materials as the CALL program) and a traditional CLT program; 228 university undergraduates in Sri Lanka participated. Language gains were assessed in a pre-post design with an objective General English Proficiency (GEP) test and a writing task. The results show that the students in the DUB-CALL condition performed significantly better on the GEP test than the students in the two teacher-fronted classes. The results of the writing tests show that all groups improved significantly, but here there were no differences among groups.
Implementing a Transitional Care Program for High‐Risk Heart Failure Patients: Findings from a Community‐Based Partnership Between a Certified Home Healthcare Agency and Regional Hospital

Abstract: Provisions within the recently passed health reform law provide support for new approaches to reducing the high cost of care for clinically complex patients. This article describes the characteristics of a recent transitional care pilot initiative that aims to reduce hospital readmissions among high‐risk heart failure patients. The program was designed and implemented through a joint collaboration between a Certified Home Healthcare Agency and regional hospital. As a preliminary assessment of the impact of this program on patient outcomes, we compare the odds of rehospitalization among patients who received the transitional care services (n = 223) and a similar group of patients who received usual home care services (n = 224). Analyses indicated that patients who received the transitional care services were significantly less likely to be readmitted to the hospital than the patients in the control group. Although preliminary, our findings suggest that providing transitional care services to high‐risk heart failure patients can be an effective deterrent against patterns of rehospitalization. The opportunities and challenges associated with implementing this pilot program are discussed.
S-Glutathiolation in life and death decisions of the cell

Abstract Reversible S-glutathiolation of specific proteins at sensitive cysteines provides a powerful mechanism for the dynamic, post-translational regulation of many cellular processes, including apoptosis. Critical in ascribing any regulatory function to S-glutathiolation is its reversibility, mainly regulated by glutaredoxins. Apoptosis is a controlled form of cell death that plays fundamental roles during embryonic development, tissue homeostasis and some diseases. Much of what happens during the demolition phase of apoptosis is orchestrated primarily by caspases, the final executioners of cell death. Recent findings support an essential role for S-glutathiolation in apoptosis, often at the level of caspases or their inactive precursors, and several studies have demonstrated the importance of glutaredoxins in protecting against apoptosis. These observations have contributed to recent advances in apoptosis research. However, the effective relevance of protein S-glutathiolation and the precise molecular targets in apoptotic signalling remain unresolved and a key challenge for future research.
Cardiovascular complications adversely affect survival during extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

OBJECTIVES Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) has been used in the management of infants with cardiorespiratory failure. ECMO causes a decrease in load-dependent measures of cardiac performance that have not been demonstrated to affect patient outcome, while other cardiovascular complications occur which may affect outcome. The purpose of this study was to describe the cardiovascular complications associated with ECMO, and to determine their relationship to survival. DESIGN Data were obtained, retrospectively, from the medical records of 500 consecutive newborns treated with ECMO at our institution since 1984. RESULTS Hypertension (mean arterial pressure of >65 mm Hg) was the most common complication, requiring medical intervention in 192 infants. Myocardial stun, the near-total absence of systolic function during ECMO, occurred in 59 infants. Rhythm abnormalities, including noncannulation-related bradycardia, occurred in 43 infants, cardiac arrest, and pericardial effusion in 17 infants, and noninfective thrombosis in 9 infants. Only one infant required ligation of a patent ductus arteriosus during ECMO. Infants with at least one cardiovascular complication had a lower survival rate, compared with those infants without a complication. Survival rates were decreased in infants with myocardial stun, arrhythmia, and cardiac arrest. Hypertension and pericardial effusion were not associated with decreased survival. CONCLUSION These findings suggest that some cardiovascular complications during ECMO are more common than previously thought, and cardiovascular complications may adversely impact outcome.
Rethinking agrammatism: Factors affecting the form of language elicited via clinical test procedures

Current approaches to assessing agrammatism use data from restricted contexts, such as picture description and story telling tasks. There is evidence in the conversation analysis literature to suggest that conversational grammar may differ markedly from the grammar of such elicited language samples. The disparity between conversational and test grammar suggests that it is possible for the form of an agrammatic utterance to be motivated by the context in which it occurs. Thus, behaviours previously considered to be symptoms of agrammatism may be adaptations to talking in different environments. This study analyses two distinctive test response forms made by two agrammatic speakers, and discusses whether they might be strategic adaptations to testing rather than symptoms of impairment.
Stereotype Threat Deconstructed

More than a decade of research has demonstrated that individuals underperform in situations that remind them that they are stereotyped to do poorly. This paper explores the psychological processes that underlie these stereotype threat effects. Specifically, reminders of negative stereotypes cue uncertainty and a search for evidence that one might be confirming the stereotype. This process of monitoring for failure and suppressing negative thoughts and feelings hijacks the very cognitive mechanism—working memory—that is necessary for success on complex cognitive tasks where group differences in performance are a concern. Fortunately evidence suggests that when stigmatized individuals reappraise their experience, group differences in performance can be reduced if not eliminated.
Pengaruh Penambahan Bubuk Angkak Terhadap Karakteristik Selai Kolang-Kaling Markisa

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui pengaruh penambahan bubuk angkak terhadap karakteristik selai dan mengetahui konsentrasi penambahan bubuk angkak yang tepat dalam pembuatan selai kolang kaling markisa. Penelitian ini menggunakan rancangan acak lengkap (RAL) terdiri dari 5 perlakuan dan 3 kali ulangan yaitu A (tanpa penambahan bubuk angkak (0%)), B (penambahan bubuk angkak 1%), C (penambahan bubuk angkak 2%), D (penambahan bubuk angkak 3%) dan E (penambahan bubuk angkak 4%). Data dianalisis secara statistik dengan menggunakan analisis of varian (ANOVA) dan dilanjutkan dengan Duncan New Multiple Range Test (DNMRT) pada taraf 5%. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa penambahan bubuk angkak berpengaruh nyata terhadap kadar air, kadar abu, nilai pH, total padatan terlarut, kadar sakarosa, aktivitas antioksidan, derajad kecerahan, angka lempeng total dan organoleptik. Penambahan bubuk angkak 1% merupakan perlakuan terbaik berdasarkan analisis sensori dengan karakteristik kadar air 28,18%, kadar abu 0,09%, nilai pH 3,65, total padatan terlarut 59,33%, kadar sakarosa 55,42%, nilai aktivitas antioksidan 20,58%, 0Hue 11,99, angka lempeng total 1,0 x 103 cfu/g dan Lovastatin 3,09 ppm. Kata kunci- Bubuk angkak, Karakteristik, Selai
Demo: Modular Multi-radio Wireless Sensor Platform for IoT Trials with Plug&Play Module Connection

In the paper we present and demonstrate the modular prototyping platform designed for trialing the Internet of Things (IoT) applications. The new devices are constructed by stacking together the various hardware modules encapsulating power sources, processing units, wired and wireless transceivers, sensors and actuators, or sets of those. The main processing unit automatically identifies all the attached modules and adjusts own operation accordingly. The demo will showcase how the platform can be used for building up multi-radio technology enabled wireless devices which will automatically form a heterogeneous wireless sensor and actuator network (WSAN). The possible use case scenarios and the ongoing research activities around the platform will be highlighted as well.
Barriers to Access to Palliative Care

Despite significant advances in understanding the benefits of early integration of palliative care with disease management, many people living with a chronic life-threatening illness either do not receive any palliative care service or receive services only in the last phase of their illness. In this article, I explore some of the reasons for failure to provide palliative care services and recommend some strategies to overcome these barriers, emphasizing the importance of describing palliative care accurately. I provide language which I hope will help health care professionals of all disciplines explain what palliative care has to offer and ensure wider access to palliative care, early in the course of their illness.
EEG Responses to Incremental Self-Paced Cycling Exercise in Young and Middle Aged Adults

International Journal of Exercise Science 12(3): 800-810, 2019. Electroencephalography (EEG) is a noninvasive method of measuring electrical activity of the brain during exercise. There is conflicting evidence as to how neural activity changes in relation to incremental exercise testing (IET), or if age has any effect. The purpose of this study was to determine 1) how brain activity changes throughout an IET, and 2) if age affects this response. 13 younger (age: 24.9 ± 2.6 years, 9 males) and 10 middle-aged (49.1 ± 3.2 years, 3 males) recreationally active individuals volunteered for this study. A self-paced, perceptually regulated IET was performed, while subjects wore an EEG electrode strip. Power spectral density (PSD) was calculated; alpha (8-13 Hz) and beta (13-30 Hz) activity from the prefrontal and motor cortices was compared to baseline measures. A one-way repeated-measures ANOVA with age as a between-subjects factor was used to determine the effect of test stage and age on PSD. Relative PSD in both the alpha and beta frequency bands increased with exercise intensity. In the prefrontal and motor cortices there was a main effect of stage (both p < .05), and PSD increased markedly at the end of the test. There was no difference between age groups (all p > .05). The lack of a downregulation in neural activity in the final stage of the test is in contrast to some studies but corroborates others. A likely cause for the differences between studies is exercise modality preference. There was no age effect, which may be due to the subjects used (middleaged regular exercisers).
The processes underlying flexibility in childhood

It is now well established in the adult literature that the ability to engage in flexible thought and action is a complex skill that relies on a number of underlying processes. The development of this skill has received growing interest in recent years. However, theories explaining children's ability to switch between different tasks typically focus on a single underlying process and are rarely extended to explain development beyond the preschool years. This article reviews the current literature on set shifting in children in comparison with task switching in adults, in order to highlight the range of factors that impact on children's ability to flexibly shift between tasks. In doing this we hope to set the scene for future research that can begin to establish the relationships between these processes and how they change with age.
Adaptive Neural Network Control of an Uncertain Robot With Full-State Constraints

This paper studies the tracking control problem for an uncertain ${n}$ -link robot with full-state constraints. The rigid robotic manipulator is described as a multiinput and multioutput system. Adaptive neural network (NN) control for the robotic system with full-state constraints is designed. In the control design, the adaptive NNs are adopted to handle system uncertainties and disturbances. The Moore-Penrose inverse term is employed in order to prevent the violation of the full-state constraints. A barrier Lyapunov function is used to guarantee the uniform ultimate boundedness of the closed-loop system. The control performance of the closed-loop system is guaranteed by appropriately choosing the design parameters. Simulation studies are performed to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed control.
Lessons from the Trenches of Metatriangulation Research

In this paper we describe our application of a relatively untried research approach called metatriangulation. Metatriangulation is a three-phased, qualitative meta-analysis process that may be used to explore variations in the assumptions of alternative paradigms, gain insights into these multiple paradigms, and address emerging themes and the resulting theories. In applying this method we encountered difficulties in selecting a sample, in reaching agreement among coders, and in our attempts to build theory from our results. From our experiences we developed a modified version of the metatriangulation method. We did find metatriangulation to be an excellent tool in understanding theoretical perspectives in MIS research and believe the use of our modified method will aid future researchers in this pursuit.
Effect of different phosphorus concentrations on growth and biochemical composition of Chaetoceros muelleri

Chaetoceros muelleri is one of the most widely used microalgae species in aquaculture in northwestern Mexico as food for fish and crustaceans. Its importance is due to its fast growth, nutritional quality and lipid accumulation under nutrient-limiting conditions. However, the biochemical and molecular mechanisms of uptake of phosphorus (P) limiting conditions for this species is still unknown. This study aimed to analyze the growth and biochemical composition of C. muelleri in response to different phosphorus concentrations. Four treatments under different phosphorus conditions were used: control (72 μM P), excess (144 μM P) and two treatments with phosphorus limitation, limited A (18 μM P) and limited B (7 μM P). The highest cell concentration was observed in control and excess of P (>3.4×10 6 cells mL -1 ). The highest dry mass concentration and chlorophyll-a content were found in control medium (72 μM P) whereas the highest total lipid (4.42%) was found in the lowest P-concentration medium (7 μM P). No significant differences were found in the total protein content, but we did find differences between the treatments with phosphorus limitation (7 and 18 μM P).
Potent inflammatory cytokine response following lung volume recruitment maneuvers with HFOV in pediatric acute respiratory distress syndrome.

OBJECTIVE Lung volume recruitment maneuver (LVRM) may improve gas exchange but inflating the lungs to nearly vital capacity may cause further lung injuries. Our aim was to determine the potent inflammatory cytokine response following lung volume recruitment (LVRM) with high frequency oscillator ventilation (HFOV) in pediatric acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). METHODS We prospectively recruited pediatric patients (age >1 month - <15 year old) with a diagnosis of ARDS within 72 hrs of PICU admission. They underwent the LVRM protocol combined with HFOV. Any enrolled subject who had a 20% improvement in PaO2/FiO2 (PF ratio) 1 hr after the LVRM we classified as a responder. Baseline clinical data were recorded. Blood was also drawn at baseline, 1 & 24 hrs after LVRM and kept for further sICAM-1, IL-6 & IL-8 analysis. RESULTS Eighteen children with ARDS were enrolled. Their mean age was at 6.8 +/- 6.1 years (mean +/- SD). The initial oxygen index (iOI) was at 26.8 +/- 17.8 (11.5-84.9). There was no significant differences in sICAM-1, IL-6 and IL-8 levels at baseline; (34 +/- 17.5, 121.7 +/- 115.15, 601.5 +/- 675 pg/ml); 1 hr (39.6 +/- 28.7, 99.8 +/- 75.5, 617.4 +/- 692.5 pg/ml) and at 24 hrs (44.23 +/- 34.4, 109.4 +/- 63.9, 737.6 +/- 922.3 pg/ml) following LVRMs, respectively. However, there was significant difference in the elevation of sICAM-1 levels (%change) from baseline in responders (-1.8 +/- 12.2%) vs. non-responders (47.65 +/- 43.5%) at 1 hr. Additionally, sICAM-1 levels were also significantly higher at baseline, 1 hr and 24 hrs in non-survivors as compared with survivors. CONCLUSION There was no significant elevation of potent inflammatory cytokines that may indicate further lung injuries in the majority of our patients. However, there was significant elevation of sICAM-1 levels in non-responders and in those who did not survive that may indicate more lung injuries in these individuals.