Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Ramelteon for prevention of delirium in hospitalized older patients.

Delirium is a transient global disorder of cognition and is very common in hospitalized patients. Nearly 30% of older patients (age >65 years) experience delirium at some time during hospitalization, and 40% of older patients admitted to intensive care units will have delirium.1 Risk factors for delirium include dementia, stroke, Parkinson disease, and sensory impairment. Polypharmacy (particularly the use of psychoactive drugs), infection, dehydration, the use of restraints, and catheters have been associated with the development of delirium. The underlying mechanism of delirium is not fully understood. The leading hypothesis is that reversible impairment of cerebral oxidative metabolism occurs along with neurotransmitter abnormalities. In the brain, for example, a relationship exists between cholinergic and dopaminergic pathways. Impaired cholinergic transmission occurs when anticholinergic drugs are used or Alzheimer disease is present, resulting in heightened susceptibility for delirium. This is also seen when dopaminergic transmission is increased. In addition to eliminating or minimizing potentially contributing factors, the mainstay of current treatment for delirium treatment is symptom control with antipsychotic or sedative medications. Although these medications may provide short-term symptom relief, the drugs may prolong the duration of delirium and worsen clinical outcomes; they have a variety of adverse effects and do not improve a patient’s overall prognosis.1 Antipsychotic agents are often used off-label in older patients.2 Package inserts for antidopaminergic medications commonly used for treating delirium, such as haloperidol, risperidone, olanzapine, and quetiapine, state that their use for delirium in older patients is not recommended. These medications are not recommended for this use because of an increased risk of mortality in older patients associated with the use of antipsychotics.3 Because symptom control for delirium is not optimal, new preventive and supportive strategies are needed. Improving and ensuring better sleep quality may be a helpful approach. Diurnal dysregulation involves disruption of the circadian cycle and sleep stages from an imbalance in the melatonergic pathway and may lead to delirium.4 This pathway may be affected by ramelteon, a medication approved for use in patients with insomnia. In the JAMA Psychiatry, Hatta et al5 report results from a randomized trial assessing the effect of ramelteon for preventing deJAMA PSYCHIATRY
High-Dimensional MANOVA Via Bootstrapping and Its Application to Functional and Sparse Count Data

Abstract We propose a new approach to the problem of high-dimensional multivariate ANOVA via bootstrapping max statistics that involve the differences of sample mean vectors. The proposed method proceeds via the construction of simultaneous confidence regions for the differences of population mean vectors. It is suited to simultaneously test the equality of several pairs of mean vectors of potentially more than two populations. By exploiting the variance decay property that is a natural feature in relevant applications, we are able to provide dimension-free and nearly parametric convergence rates for Gaussian approximation, bootstrap approximation, and the size of the test. We demonstrate the proposed approach with ANOVA problems for functional data and sparse count data. The proposed methodology is shown to work well in simulations and several real data applications.
On Thompson Sampling and Asymptotic Optimality

We discuss some recent results on Thompson sampling for nonparametric reinforcement learning in countable classes of general stochastic environments. These environments can be non-Markovian, non-ergodic, and partially observable. We show that Thompson sampling learns the environment class in the sense that (1) asymptotically its value converges in mean to the optimal value and (2) given a recoverability assumption regret is sublinear. We conclude with a discussion about optimality in reinforcement learning.
Peran Permission Email Marketing dalam Memediasi Pengaruh Trust terhadap Purchase Intention (Studi pada Konsumen Althea Korea di Indonesia dan Malaysia)

The aim of this research are identifying and explaining the influence of trust toward permission email marketing , the influence of trust toward purchase intention, the influence of permission email marketing toward purchase intention andidentifying and explaining whether Indonesian and Malaysian consumers havedifferent perspective or not aboutpermission email marketing role in the mediating of trust toward purchase intention. This research was explanatory research and using quantitive approach . Questionnaire was used in order to gather the 113 respondent’s data which consists of Indonesian and Malaysian respondents and purposive sampling was the sampling method of this research . The results of this research were trust affected significantly towards permission email marketing, trust affected significantly towards purchase intention, permission email marketing affected significantly towards purchase intention, and there is no different perspective among Indonesian and Malaysian Althea Korea’s Consumer about permission email marketing role in the mediating of trust toward purchase intention. Based on the results, Althea Korea should make a consideration by giving its consumer choices to decide how many emails that they really want to receive. Then, Althea Korea should have a referral program in order to increase the number of Althea Korea’s Consumer. Keywords: Permission EmailMarketing, Trust, Purchase Intention ABSTRAK Penelitian ini memiliki tujuan untuk mengetahui dan menjelaskan pengaruh trust terhadap permission email marketing , pengaruh trust terhadap purchase intention , pengaruh permission email marketing terhadap purchase intention ,dan mengetahui dan menjelaskan ada atau tidaknya perbedaan persepsi mengenai peran permission email marketing dalam memediasi pengaruh trust terhadap purchase intention antara konsumen di Indonesia dan di Malaysia.Penelitian ini merupakan penelitian eksplanatori ( explanatory research ) dengan pendekatan yang digunakan adalah pendekatan kuantitatif. Kuesioner digunakan sebagai instrumen pengumpulan data dari 113 sampel penelitian yang terdiri dari responden Indonesia dan responden Malaysia dan purposive sampling digunakan sebagai teknik sampling . Hasil dari penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa t rust memiliki pengaruh yang siggnifikan terhadap permis sion email marketing , trust berpengaruh secara signifikan terhadap purchase intention , permission e - mail marketing berpengaruh signifikan terhadap purchase intention dan tidak terdapat perbedaan persepsi mengenai peran permission email marketing dalam memediasi pengaruh trust terhadap purchase intention antara konsumen Althea Korea di Indonesia dan di Malaysia. Berdasarkan hasil penelitian ini, sebaiknya Althea Korea memperimbangkan untuk memberikan keleluasaan kepada konsumen untuk menentukan jumlah email yang ingin diterima oleh konsumen dan mengadakan program referral untuk meningkatkan personal trust konsumen pada Althea Korea. Kata kunci: Permission Email Marketing, Trust, Purchase Intention
Chronic Hypoxemia Absent Bacterial Infection Is One Cause of the Fetal Inflammatory Response Syndrome (FIRS)

The object of the investigation was to determine whether chronic fetal hypoxemia triggers a systemic fetal inflammatory response absent bacterial infection. Chronically hypoxemic (10.5% O2) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS; 400 μg/kg of maternal body weight) injected intrauterine (but extra-amniotic) treated pregnant guinea pigs were used with appropriate controls. The presence of bacteria in the amniotic cavity was sought using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Interleukin 6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) protein levels were measured in fetal sera and amniotic fluid (AF) by a commercially available, sensitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA; IL-6 and TNF-α messenger RNA (mRNA) were also quantified in multiple fetal organs using real-time PCR. Prokaryotic DNA was not amplified from any sample, confirming the animals were not infected. Chronic hypoxemia dramatically increased IL-6 and TNF-α proteins in fetal sera and mRNA in lung, heart, and brain. There were no significant changes in either cytokine observed in the AF, fetal membranes, or fetal liver. Intrauterine but extra amniotic LPS also increased IL-6 and TNF-α protein in fetal sera and mRNA in lung, heart, and brain, plus increased the levels of both cytokines (protein/mRNA) in AF, fetal membranes, and fetal liver. Thus, an elevation in fetal blood IL-6 is not a specific marker of infection-induced fetal inflammatory response syndrome (FIRS). And in contrast to the fetal blood, an elevation in AF IL-6 seems associated only with LPS-induced FIRS.
Gene therapy of metastatic pancreas cancer with intraperitoneal injections of concentrated retroviral herpes simplex thymidine kinase vector supernatant and ganciclovir.

OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to determine the efficacy of intraperitoneal (IP) injections of a new concentrated herpes simplex thymidine kinase (HS-tk) retroviral vector and ganciclovir (GCV) for peritoneal metastases from pancreas cancer. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA Metastatic pancreas cancer is fatal. Gene therapy may provide a novel approach for this disease. Gene therapy with adeno- or retroviral-mediated transfer of the HS-tk gene into tumor cells renders the cells susceptible to GCV. Intratumoral or intracavity injections of retroviral vectors have been ineffective in previous studies. METHODS Pancreatic cancer B x PC3 cells (3 x 10(7)) were injected into the tail of pancreas in nude mice. Mice received IP injections of a concentrated HS-tk vector (5 x 10(7)) cfu/mliters) or a control vector (G1Na) without the tk gene for 10 days and GCV (100 mg/kg) for 14 days. To determine whether the vector would survive in the milieu of the peritoneal cavity, the authors examined the effects of ascitic fluid on the vector. Pancreas cancer cells were transduced in vitro with HS-tk vector in presence of media or ascitic fluid and treated with GCV. RESULTS Highly significant reductions in the mass of metastatic peritoneal tumor deposits were found in HS-tk-treated group (124 +/- 27 mg; n = 11) compared with G1Na vector controls (910 +/- 168 mg; n = 8; p < 0.0001). Results of polymerase chain reaction analysis demonstrated integration of the vector in the tumors, and on immunohistochemistry, expression of the TK protein was seen in the number of surviving colonies (representing nontransduced cells) were similar in both groups, suggesting that the vector effectively transduced tumor cells bathed in the ascitic fluid. CONCLUSIONS Results demonstrate that IP administration of concentrated retroviral HS-tk vectors is effective treatment for pancreas cancer metastatic to the peritoneal cavity; furthermore, the vector is active in the presence of ascitic fluid. Intraperitoneal retroviral HS-tk may provide a novel approach to treatment of metastatic pancreas cancer.
Medical photoacoustic beamforming using minimum variance-based delay multiply and sum

Delay-and-Sum (DAS) beamformer is the most common beamforming algorithm in Photoacoustic imaging (PAI) due to its simple implementation and real time imaging. However, it provides poor resolution and high levels of sidelobe. A new algorithm named Delay-Multiply-and-Sum (DMAS) was introduced. Using DMAS leads to lower levels of sidelobe compared to DAS, but resolution is not satisfying yet. In this paper, a novel beamformer is introduced based on the combination of Minimum Variance (MV) adaptive beamforming and DMAS, so-called Minimum Variance-Based DMAS (MVB-DMAS). It is shown that expanding the DMAS equation leads to some terms which contain a DAS equation. It is proposed to use MV adaptive beamformer instead of existing DAS inside the DMAS algebra expansion. MVB-DMAS is evaluated numerically compared to DAS, DMAS and MV and Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) metric is presented. It is shown that MVB-DMAS leads to higher image quality and SNR for about 13 dB, 3 dB and 2 dB in comparison with DAS, DMAS and MV, respectively.
A Unified State-Space Model of Constant-Frequency Current-Mode-Controlled Power Converters in Continuous Conduction Mode

While current-mode control of dc-dc converters provides numerous benefits over voltage-mode control, previous models of the control strategy have been limited to the form of classical control models. Through the use of a state-space averaged (SSA) model of current-mode control, both the open-loop and closed-loop circuit parameters of open-loop control-to-output frequency response, conducted susceptibility, input admittance, output impedance, and any other desired response can be easily obtained. In this paper, SSA models of current-mode-controlled converters are derived and presented for buck, boost, and flyback topologies operating in continuous conduction mode. The new model allows for simpler and more accurate modeling than possible with previous methods, facilitates the modeling of cascaded converters, and allows for the use of state-variable feedback and other modern control methods in applications that use current-mode control.
The Microbiome of Ehrlichia-Infected and Uninfected Lone Star Ticks (Amblyomma americanum)

The Lone Star tick, Amblyomma americanum, transmits several bacterial pathogens including species of Anaplasma and Ehrlichia. Amblyomma americanum also hosts a number of non-pathogenic bacterial endosymbionts. Recent studies of other arthropod and insect vectors have documented that commensal microflora can influence transmission of vector-borne pathogens; however, little is known about tick microbiomes and their possible influence on tick-borne diseases. Our objective was to compare bacterial communities associated with A. americanum, comparing Anaplasma/Ehrlichia -infected and uninfected ticks. Field-collected questing specimens (n = 50) were used in the analyses, of which 17 were identified as Anaplasma/Ehrlichia infected based on PCR amplification and sequencing of groEL genes. Bacterial communities from each specimen were characterized using Illumina sequencing of 16S rRNA gene amplicon libraries. There was a broad range in diversity between samples, with inverse Simpson’s Diversity indices ranging from 1.28–89.5. There were no statistical differences in the overall microbial community structure between PCR diagnosed Anaplasma/Ehrlichia-positive and negative ticks, but there were differences based on collection method (P < 0.05), collection site (P < 0.05), and sex (P < 0.1) suggesting that environmental factors may structure A. americanum microbiomes. Interestingly, there was not always agreement between Illumina sequencing and PCR diagnostics: Ehrlichia was identified in 16S rRNA gene libraries from three PCR-negative specimens; conversely, Ehrlichia was not found in libraries of six PCR-positive ticks. Illumina sequencing also helped identify co-infections, for example, one specimen had both Ehrlichia and Anaplasma. Other taxa of interest in these specimens included Coxiella, Borrelia, and Rickettsia. Identification of bacterial community differences between specimens of a single tick species from a single geographical site indicates that intra-species differences in microbiomes were not due solely to pathogen presence/absence, but may be also driven by vector life history factors, including environment, life stage, population structure, and host choice.
Splitting of Spin Waves in Strain Reconfigurable Magnonic Stripe

We report on the study of the spin wave (SW) propagation in the magnonic waveguide which consists of an irregular magnetic thin film and a piezoelectric layer. We demonstrate that the use of a finite-width piezoelectric layer on the top of a magnetic waveguide leads to controllable SW splitting. By means of numerical simulation, we demonstrate the functionality of the proposed structure. We show that the switching of SW power is possible due to electric field variation and thus the proposed structure can act as a frequency-selective multichannel SW splitter and multiplexer.
Molecular characterization of the cDNA and localization of the mRNA encoding the prohormone convertase PC5‐A in the European green frog

The structure and distribution of PC5‐A, a prohormone convertase that is thought to be involved in post‐translational processing of peptide hormone and neuropeptide precursors, have not been investigated in submammalian vertebrates. In the present study, we characterized the cDNA encoding PC5‐A in the European green frog Rana esculenta. The frog PC5‐A cDNA encodes a 913‐amino acid protein that encompasses a 28‐amino acid signal peptide, the Asp/His/Ser catalytic triad found in all serine proteinases of the subtilisin family, and two potential N‐linked glycosylation sites located in a C‐terminal cysteine‐rich domain. Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction amplification showed that PC5‐A mRNA is expressed in various organs including the brain, spinal cord, pituitary, lung, liver, intestine, and testis, but not in the stomach and pancreas. The distribution of PC5‐A mRNA in the frog brain was studied by in situ hybridization histochemistry. Intense expression was observed in the mitral cellular layer of the olfactory bulb, the nucleus of the diagonal band of Broca, the anterior preoptic area, and the suprachiasmatic and ventral hypothalamic nuclei. The expression pattern of PC5‐A mRNA in the central nervous system of anuran amphibians was consistent with the implication of this prohormone convertase in the processing of various neuropeptide precursors. J. Comp. Neurol. 456:60–72, 2003. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Cloud modernization assessment framework: Analyzing the impact of a potential migration to Cloud

Many software companies have in mind jumping into the Cloud in order to take advantage of this technical paradigm as well as the innovative business models associated (such as SaaS). However, taking this leap becomes a hard task since it implies a high uncertainty and a raised risk without knowing when or even if the investment will be recovered. This paper presents the solution proposed by the ARTIST project to assess companies which are considering the migration of their products to Cloud, and provide estimations of the costs, ROI, efforts and migration tasks that this process could imply. The envisioned solution comprises a pre-migration phase through which 1) the maturity (to migrate to Cloud) of the application and the company will be measured, 2) a feasibility analysis both at technical and business level will be performed. In addition to the general approach of the proposed solution, this paper presents the first results obtained by means of a theoretical exercise conducted with the PetStore Java application.
Hydrostatic fluid pressure enhances matrix synthesis and accumulation by bovine chondrocytes in three‐dimensional culture

Monolayer cell cultures and cartilage tissue fragments have been used to examine the effects of hydrostatic fluid pressure (HFP) on the anabolic and catabolic functions of chondrocytes. In this study, bovine articular chondrocytes (bACs) were grown in porous three‐dimensional (3‐D) collagen sponges, to which constant or cyclic (0.015 Hz) HFP was applied at 2.8 MPa for up to 15 days. The effects of HFP were evaluated histologically, immunohistochemically, and by quantitative biochemical measures. Metachromatic matrix accumulated around the cells within the collagen sponges during the culture period. There was intense intracellular, pericellular, and extracellular immunoreactivity for collagen type II throughout the sponges in all groups. The incorporation of [35S]‐sulfate into glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) was 1.3‐fold greater with constant HFP and 1.4‐fold greater with cyclic HFP than in the control at day 5 (P < 0.05). At day 15, the accumulation of sulfated‐GAG was 3.1‐fold greater with constant HFP and 2.7‐fold with cyclic HFP than the control (0.01). Quantitative immunochemical analysis of the matrix showed significantly greater accumulation of chondroitin 4‐sulfate proteoglycan (C 4‐S PG), keratan sulfate proteoglycan (KS PG), and chondroitin proteoglycan (chondroitin PG) than the control (P < 0.01). With this novel HFP culture system, 2.8 MPa HFP stimulated synthesis of cartilage‐specific matrix components in chondrocytes cultured in porous 3‐D collagen sponges. J. Cell. Physiol. 193: 319–327, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Ownership Structure and Capital Structure: A Study of Vietnamese Listed Firms

This paper examines the relationships between ownership structure and capital structure for non-financial listed firms in Vietnam during the period 2007–2012. Although different approaches are applied in this research, all results from those models are consistent. The study finds that while foreign ownership has a negative impact on leverage, state ownership has a positive influence. Managerial ownership has a positive relation with debt level, while the effect of large ownership on debt level is not conclusive.
International mergers and acquisitions: an Australian study on post agreement integration

This study of six Australian organisations explores four post MA developing effective communication with personnel; and relationship building. This paper is a work in progress. Material in the paper cannot be used without permission of the author. DEPARTMENT OF MANAGEMENT WORKING PAPER SERIES I S S N 1 3 2 7 – 5 2 1 6
Fluorescence-quenching and resonance energy transfer studies of lipid microdomains in model and biological membranes (Review)

Measurements of contact-dependent fluorescence quenching and of fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) within bilayers provide information concerning the spatial relationships between molecules on distance scales of a few nm or up a few tens of nm, respectively, and are therefore well suited to detect the presence and composition of membrane microdomains. As described in this review, techniques based on fluorescence quenching and FRET have been used to demonstrate the formation of nanoscale liquid-ordered domains in cholesterol-containing model membranes under physiological conditions, and to investigate the structural features of lipids and proteins that influence their partitioning between liquid-ordered and liquid-disordered domains. FRET-based methods have also been used to test for the presence of ‘raft’ microdomains in the plasma membranes of mammalian cells. We discuss the sometimes divergent findings of these studies, possible modifications to the ‘raft hypothesis’ suggested by studies using FRET and other techniques, and the further potential of FRET-based methods to test and to refine current models of the nature and organization of membrane microdomains.