Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
PREVALENCE AND PREDICTORS OF FATIGUE IN MIDDLE‐AGED AND OLDER ADULTS: EVIDENCE FROM THE HEALTH AND RETIREMENT STUDY

than 11 out of 15 and a MMSE score of 23 or less out of 30 (correlation coefficient 5 .783). In a study of a two-questions screening test for depression in patients without cognitive impairment (defined as a MMSE score 26), a score of 1 or greater had a sensitivity of 84%, a specificity of 61%, and a NPV of 95% compared with a 15-item Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15) score of 5 or greater. To assess functional status, the Older Americans Resources and Services (OARS) questionnaire, with a score ranging from 0 to 28 and taking approximately 5 minutes to administer is the most used in North America. Although the cutoff is not clearly determined, each point under the maximum score indicates a functional disability that must be taken into account for further interventions or advises. The one-leg balance test is a short and simple test during which the patient has just to be able to stand up. The inability to perform this task doubles the risk for an injurious fall during the next 3 years. Concerning malnutrition, there is no validated test that can be routinely used in the ED, and the measurement of body mass index, frequently included in nutritional scores, is difficult to perform in the ED. It is also critical to take advantage of the ED visit to review and improve the medication list to reduce adverse drug events. The Beer’s criteria are a widely accepted list that can help to identify potentially inappropriate medication in older patients and can be used to simplify treatments. In conclusion, older patients admitted to the ED should be screened for risk of adverse outcomes. In patients at high risk of adverse outcomes, the CGA should be administered with brief tools validated in the ED. This two-step intervention has been shown to decrease the rate of functional decline, readmission, and institutionalization. Further research is needed to validate this approach in different populations, such as in Europe or Asia.
Fixation stability of the upward gaze in patients with myasthenia gravis: an eye-tracker study

Objective To quantify fixation stability of the upward gaze in patients with myasthenia gravis (MG) using an eye tracker. Methods and analysis In this study, 21 normal subjects, 5 patients with MG with diplopia, 5 patients with MG without diplopia and 6 patients with superior oblique (SO) palsy were included. Subjects fixated on a target in the upward direction for 1 min. The horizontal (X) and vertical (Y) eye positions were recorded using an eye tracker. Fixation stability was first quantified using the bivariate contour ellipse areas (BCEA) of fixation points as an index of whole stability. Then, the SDs of the X and Y eye positions (SDX and SDY, respectively) were quantified as indices of directional stability, with the data divided into three 20 s fractions to detect temporal fixation fluctuation. Results BCEAs were larger in patients with MG (both with and without diplopia) than normal subjects and patients with SO palsy, without significant differences among the three 20 s fractions. Compared with normal subjects, SDXs were larger only in patients with MG with diplopia; SDYs were larger in both patients with MG with and without diplopia. In addition, SDYs in patients with MG with diplopia were larger than those in patients with MG without diplopia and patients with SO palsy. Furthermore, a significant difference among the three 20 s fractions was detected for SDYs in patients with MG with diplopia. Conclusion Patients with MG, especially those with diplopia, exhibit fixation instability in the upward gaze. Non-invasive quantification of fixation stability with an eye tracker is useful for precisely identifying MG-specific fatigue characteristics. Trial registration number UMIN000023468; pre-results.
Exposure of healthcare workers in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland to bloodborne viruses between July 1997 and June 2000: analysis of surveillance data

The transmission of bloodborne viruses to healthcare workers can have serious consequences not only for clinical practice but also, because of the requirements of health and safety legislation, for their employers.1 In spite of guidance and education,2 however, many healthcare workers continue to be exposed to bloodborne viruses from percutaneous, mucocutaneous, or other injuries. An enhanced system of surveillance of occupational exposure to bloodborne viruses was introduced in mid-1997, developing the passive system that was set up after the first reported case (in 1984) in the United Kingdom of HIV seroconversion associated with needlestick injury.3 Since July 1997 occupational health departments have been requested to complete a brief form outlining the circumstances of any work related exposure to potentially infectious material from patients who are known to be positive for HIV antibodies or hepatitis C antibodies, or for hepatitis B surface antigens. For exposures to HIV or hepatitis C virus, the follow up at six weeks includes more information about the incident, baseline testing of both …
Heart period variability as mental effort monitor in Human Computer Interaction

Elementary steps of H uman Computer Interaction (HCI), like users' mental actions followed by a series of keystrokes and mouse-clicks, are the basic components of using information technological systems. This is why examination methods capable of assessing users' actual mental effort corresponding to these elementary steps during HCI in a scientifically sound way have great importance. It is known that under certain circumstances, Heart Period Variability (HPV) could be a measure of actual mental effort. This paper gives a short overview of applications of HPV in ergonomics in general and, based on empirical evidence intends to prove that this methodology, after a careful adaptation, could be powerful technique for monitoring mental effort in HCI. The paper outlines the main components of the INTERFACE testing workstation and the related methodology for investigatingamong others-users mental effort. A detailed application example is also provided.
Linking power, risk, and governance: a survey research in new product development relationships

Purpose – Inter‐organizational arrangements are increasingly playing an important role in new product development (NPD). This article aims to investigate the links among power, risk, and governance in these kinds of relationships.Design/methodology/approach – The authors investigated the links based on the data collected from 112 respondents representing 112 different NPD relationships.Findings – The results of structural equation modeling revealed that, in the situation where coercive power is imbalanced between partner firms, the weaker partner perceives relational risk while imbalances in non‐coercive power do not influence relational risk perception significantly. The results also showed that relational risk perception is strongly associated with governance modes in such a way that negatively influences trust and the norm of information sharing, and positively affects vertical control, respectively. Further investigations revealed that the influence of power bases on governance modes was mediated thro.
Conserved modular design of an oxygen sensory/signaling network with species-specific output

Principles of modular design are evident in signaling networks that detect and integrate a given signal and, depending on the organism in which the network module is present, transduce this signal to affect different metabolic or developmental pathways. Here we report a global transcriptional analysis of an oxygen sensory/signaling network in Caulobacter crescentus consisting of the sensor histidine kinase FixL, its cognate response regulator FixJ, the transcriptional regulator FixK, and the kinase inhibitor FixT. It is known that in rhizobial bacteria these proteins form a network that regulates transcription of genes required for symbiotic nitrogen fixation, anaerobic and microaerobic respiration, and hydrogen metabolism under hypoxic conditions. We have identified a positive feedback loop in this network and present evidence that the negative feedback regulator, FixT, acts to inhibit FixL by mimicking a response regulator. Overall, the core circuit topology of the Fix network is conserved between the rhizobia and C. crescentus, a free-living aerobe that cannot fix nitrogen, respire anaerobically, or metabolize hydrogen. In C. crescentus, the Fix network is required for normal cellular growth during hypoxia and controls expression of genes encoding four distinct aerobic respiratory terminal oxidases and multiple carbon and nitrogen metabolic enzymes. Thus, the Fix network is a conserved sensory/signaling module whose transcriptional output has been adapted to the unique physiologies of C. crescentus and the nitrogen-fixing rhizobia.
Measurement of vancomycin hydrochloride concentration in the exudate from wounds receiving negative pressure wound therapy: a pilot study

It has been reported that negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) is effective in the treatment of contaminated wounds. We hypothesised that systemically administered antibiotics migrate to wound site effectively by NPWT, which provides the antibacterial effect. We measured and compared the concentrations of vancomycin in the exudate and blood serum. Eight patients with skin ulcers or skin defect wounds who were treated with NPWT and were administered an intravenous drip of vancomycin were enrolled in this study. The wound surfaces were muscle, muscle fascia or adipose tissue. We administered vancomycin intravenously to NPWT patients (1–3 g/day). The exudate was obtained using 500 ml V.A. C. ATS® canisters without gel. Three days later, the concentrations of vancomycin were measured. The mean concentration of vancomycin in the exudate from NPWT was 67% of the serum vancomycin concentration. We found that concentrations of vancomycin in NPWT exudates are higher than the previously reported concentrations in soft tissue without NPWT. The proactive use of NPWT might be considered in cases of suspected wound contamination when a systemic antibiotic is administered.
The customer trust and customer commitment of e-customer relationship management: study at Jordan of mobile phone services

E-customer relationship management (e-CRM) performance aims to lay the groundwork for the relationship between customer and service providers. The relevant tangible and intangible results of such performance include repeat purchase, word of mouth, retention, brand loyalty and customer satisfaction. Two customer factor components namely customer trust and customer commitment were tested in the present study as the major antecedents of e-CRM performance and the analysis findings confirmed that both are positively and significantly related to e-CRM performance. The present paper provided an overview of the relevant literature review, a discussion of the research model development based on Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), data collection, sample, hypothesis and results. The researcher supported the study model with empirical and statistical evidences that can be utilised for the prediction of actual e-CRM and provided suggestions to managers in the way e-CRM performance can be improved particularly in the context of mobile phone services.
Diversification and performance: evidence from East Asian firms

We examine the impact of diversification on performance for firms operating in different institutional environments during a relatively stable period and during a major economy-wide shock. We locate our study in six Asian countries at different levels of institutional development. Results indicate that diversification negatively impacts performance in more developed institutional environments while improving performance only in the least developed environments. Even in the least developed institutional environments, diversification offers limited benefits when an economy-wide shock strikes. Though successful diversifiers are sometimes affiliated with business groups, diversification is associated with poorer performance for both affiliated firms and independent firms. In sum, we find that the outcomes of diversification are influenced by institutional environments, economic stability and affiliation with business groups. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Automatic ROI for Remote Photoplethysmography using PPG and Color Features

Remote photoplethysmography (rPPG) enables contact-less monitoring of the blood volume pulse using a regular camera, thus providing valuable information about the cardiovascular system. However, the quality of the acquired rPPG signal is strongly affected by the region of skin where the analysis is carried out and, therefore, to be confident of obtaining valid information, a pre-selection of the region-of-interest (ROI) for the PPG analysis is necessary. In this paper, we propose a method for the automatic extraction of this ROI combining the local characteristics of the PPG-signal with the color information using fuzzy logic. Results of the quality of the ROI extraction and its application on pulse rate detection are provided
The Performance Puzzle: Understanding the Factors Influencing Alternative Dimensions and Views of Performance

There is a large literature on the determinants of organizational performance, and its multi-dimensional nature is well-recognized. However, little research examines how different organizational and environmental factors influence different stakeholders’ performance assessments of the same service. We address this gap by comparing the factors influencing performance evaluations by different constituencies of child care centers in Ohio. We operationalize performance using: (1) regulatory violations documented during state licensing inspections, (2) satisfaction with the center’s quality reported by center directors, (3) satisfaction with the center’s quality reported by teachers, and (4) satisfaction with care quality reported by parents. Our findings suggest that different organizational and environmental factors are associated with the performance assessments of different constituencies. In addition, some of these constituency assessments appear to influence each other.
Modulation of the glycine response by Ca2+‐permeable AMPA receptors in rat spinal neurones

1 In acutely isolated rat sacral dorsal commisural nucleus (SDCN) neurones, application of kainate (KA) reversibly potentiated glycine‐evoked Cl− currents (IGly) in a concentration‐dependent manner. 2 The cellular events underlying the interaction between non‐NMDA receptors and glycine receptors were studied by using nystatin‐perforated patch and cell‐attached single‐channel recording modes. 3 The action of KA was not accompanied by a shift in the reversal potential for IGly. In dose‐response curves, KA potentiated IGly without significantly changing glycine binding affinity. 4 GYKI 52466 blocked while NS‐102 had no effect on the KA‐induced potentiation of IGly. 5 The potentiation was reduced when KA was applied in a Ca2+‐free extracellular solution or in the presence of BAPTA AM, and was independent of the activation of voltage‐dependent Ca2+ channels. 6 Pretreatment with KN‐62, a selective Ca2+‐calmodulin‐dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) inhibitor, abolished the action of KA. Inhibition of calcineurin converted the KA‐induced potentiation to a sustained one. 7 Single‐channel recordings revealed that KA decreased the mean closing time of glycine‐gated single‐channel activity, resulting in an increase in the probability of channel opening. 8 It is proposed that Ca2+ entry through AMPA receptors modulates the glycine receptor function via coactivation of CaMKII and calcineurin in SDCN neurones. This interaction may provide a new postsynaptic mechanism for control of inhibitory synaptic signalling and represent one of the important regulatory mechanisms of spinal nociception.
Effect of postruminal glucose or protein supplementation on milk yield and composition in Friesian cows in early lactation and negative energy balance

1. Two experiments were carried out with lactating Friesian cows with a potential for high milk production. Within 3 d after calving they were fitted with a catheter to allow infusions to be given into the abomasum. During each experiment the milk yields and intake of the cows were such that they were calculated to be in negative energy balance. 2. In the first experiment three cows were infused daily with 10 l, the infusate being water, a suspension providing 300 g casein, or a solution providing 300 g glucose. The cows were offered a diet of barley straw, rolled barley and urea ad lib. during the first 60 d, after which they were fed to a calculated yield of 7 kg fat-corrected milk (FCM) less than their previous yield to ensure a negative energy balance. Infusion of casein increased yield by up to 3 kg FCM in comparison with glucose or water infusion. It also increased the concentration of crude protein in milk by approximately 13%. There was no consistent effect on milk fat concentration. 3. In the second experiment four cows were used in a trial of Latin-Square design. The basal ration was sufficient for a yield of 10 kg FCM/d. Four levels of casein and glucose infused into the abomasum daily were (g) 0, 750; 250, 500; 500, 250; 750, 0. The yields of FCM (kg/d) were 18.9, 22.7, 25.2 and 26.1, the concentration of protein (g/kg) was 25.2, 28.4, 29.6 and 31.5 and the concentration of milk fat (g/kg) was 48.2, 49.8, 51.0 and 54.8 for the four treatments respectively. In each instance the increases in values obtained with increasing level of casein infusion were significant. Infusion of casein was calculated to increase the extent of net energy deficit from 20.5 to 41.0 MJ/d. The possible protein limitations for cows in negative energy balance were discussed.
Surviving the first year of peritoneal dialysis: enduring hard times.

Address correspondence to Kamyar Kalantar-Zadeh, MD, MPH, PhD, Harold Simmons Center for Kidney Disease Research and Epidemiology, Division of Nephrology & Hypertension, University of California Irvine Medical Center, 101 The City Dr S, City Tower, Ste 400-ZOT: 4088, Orange, CA 92868-3217. E-mail: kkz@uci.edu 2014 by the National Kidney Foundation, Inc. 0272-6386/$36.00 http://dx.doi. org/10.1053/j.ajkd. 2014.08. 002 Related Article, p. 761
Occupational Safety and Environmental Risks Scenario of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs): An Analysis of the Situation in Harare Chemical Industries, Zimbabwe

Aims: To analyze the nature and peculiarities of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Zimbabwe chemical industry with reference to safety and environmental risks. Study Design: This study took a survey approach. Place and Duration of Study: Graniteside (GR), Willowvale (WV), Southerton (ST), Workington (WN) and Msasa (MS) industrial areas in Harare Zimbabwe between June 2011 and October 2012. Methodology: We administered a survey-questionnaire to collect primary data from respondents coming from 49 SMEs using proportional sampling (7 GR, 10 ST, 12 WN, 11 WV and 9 MS); 6 Large Enterprises (LEs) and 5 key informants from government and industry associations. Other data was obtained from document analysis from libraries and websites of industrial association and observations made on industrial visits. Results: Results showed that 85.6%, 93.8%, 95.9% and 93.8% of SMEs did not have Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) policies, risk analysis strategy, staff welfare facilities and did not keep accident records respectively. Moreover, most premises were not appropriate for chemical handling; processing and storage due to the fact that the Research Article American Chemical Science Journal, 3(2): 98-110, 2013 99 enterprises had shunned government designated areas. The LEs interviewed had comprehensive approach to safety and environmental management, though most of them struggle mainly with risk analysis. Analysis showed that the current SME OHS scenario was due to lack of national legislation governing their operation. This results in SME operations being informal, up to individual organization’s discretion and without regard to OSH and environmental management. Conclusion: Though SMEs largely contribute to Zimbabwean economy and to output of chemical industry, their operations are out rightly OSH and environmentally irresponsible. The OSH scenario of SMEs could be improved by involvement of all stakeholders in policy formulation and support. Collaboration, information disclosure and benchmarking with long established large enterprises can enhance SMEs OHS and environmental management.
Private food standard certification: analysis of the BRC standard in Italian agri-food

Purpose – The aim of this paper is to assess the applicability and impact of private food standards – specifically that of the BRC (British Retail Consortium) – in a European country context, and to classify food companies into groups on the basis of their different perceptions regarding the Global Standard for Food safety impacts. Design/methodology/approach – The research is developed in two stages: a qualitative investigation based on in-depth interviews with quality managers (QMs); a quantitative investigation with a structured questionnaire: with response from 192 food processors in Italy, selected through a probabilistic random sampling method. Data were elaborated with descriptive statistical techniques and subsequently with multivariate analysis (factor and cluster analysis). Findings – QMs agree with most of the assumptions with regard to the impact elements of the BRC food standard. Some characteristics, such as geographic location, size, and type of processing and adoption of ISO 9001, seem to .
Impact of a cash-for-work programme on food consumption and nutrition among women and children facing food insecurity in rural Bangladesh.

OBJECTIVE To determine whether a cash-for-work programme during the annual food insecurity period in Bangladesh improved nutritional status in poor rural women and children. METHODS The panel study involved a random sample of 895 households from over 50,000 enrolled in a cash-for-work programme between September and December 2007 and 921 similar control households. The height, weight and mid-upper arm circumference of one woman and child aged less than 5 years from each household were measured at baseline and at the end of the study (mean time: 10 weeks). Women reported 7-day household food expenditure and consumption on both occasions. Changes in parameters were compared between the two groups. FINDINGS At baseline, no significant difference existed between the groups. By the study end, the difference in mean mid-upper arm circumference between women in the intervention and control groups had widened by 2.29 mm and the difference in mean weight, by 0.88 kg. Among children, the difference in means between the two groups had also widened in favour of the intervention group for: height (0.08 cm; P<0.05), weight (0.22 kg; P<0.001), mid-upper arm circumference (1.41 mm; P<0.001) and z-scores for height-for-age (0.02; P<0.001), weight-for-age (0.17; P<0.001), weight-for-height (0.23; P<0.001) and mid-upper arm circumference (0.12; P<0.001). Intervention households spent more on food and consumed more protein-rich food at the end of the study. CONCLUSION The cash-for-work programme led to greater household food expenditure and consumption and women's and children's nutritional status improved.