Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Comparison of Lung Functions between Supine , Comfortable Sleeping Positions and Uncomfortable Sleeping Positions in Adult Males

Introduction: There are areas of the lung which have differences of ventilation and perfusion and certainly there are different degrees of ventilation and perfusion matches and mismatches, which can contribute to the final outcome of oxygenation . The lung functions can change by the position . It is a known fact that an individual adapts different positions to sleep . This probably may be related to the most well ventilated areas and probably the best matched perfusion as well. Finding this relationship might have importance in clinical practice to improve oxygenation in respiratory compromised patients. Methods: This study was designed to detect whether the lung functions are changed by adopting the patient’s normal sleeping posture including the body, head and arm positions. The study was carried out at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Peradeniya as a descriptive cross sectional study including 30 consenting male medical students in 20 – 25 years age group. The subjects suffering from asthma, COPD, acute lung infections or any chest deformity were excluded. Spontaneous Tidal Volume (STV), Forced Vital capacity (FVC), were measured in supine position and after adopting their most comfortable sleeping posture with body, head and arm position and uncomfortable sleeping posture. Results: Mean age, height, weight and BMI of the sample did not show significant difference. Paired t test was used to analyze the lung functions in all three positions. With regard to STV and FVC there was a significant difference between the supine and most comfortable sleeping positions (p value p0.0355and p-0.034 respectively). The Tidal volumes observed in Supine and uncomfortable positions were again significantly different. P 0.0341(p<0.05) The comfortable and uncomfortable positions varied with a non-significance to the tidal volume 0 . 302 but significance to the vital capacity 0.007 Conclusions: Lung functions are improved by adopting the individual’s most comfortable sleeping position compared to supine and uncomfortable sleeping positions. It should be possible to use this in clinical practice to improve oxygenation in respiratory compromised patients.
Statistically driven identification of focal metabolic abnormalities in temporal lobe epilepsy with corrections for tissue heterogeneity using 1H spectroscopic imaging

1H spectroscopic imaging of N‐acetyl‐aspartate, creatine, and choline has proven to be a sensitive indicator for the lateralization of seizure foci in temporal lobe epilepsy. Previous studies have used right–left comparisons to identify the epileptogenic tissue assuming that alterations due to the disease process outweigh the effects of tissue heterogeneity. To evaluate the effectiveness of tissue heterogeneity corrected analyses, we evaluated three criteria for lateralization of the seizure focus: 1) a statistically driven method adjusted for tissue composition, 2) a single valued threshold, and 3) a single global index of the hippocampus. The statistically driven analysis lateralized all eight patients correctly, whereas the single threshold method incorrectly lateralized one case and the global index failed to identify a significant difference in two cases. These findings indicate that increased accuracy and sensitivity can be obtained by correcting for tissue heterogeneity when analyzing spectroscopy studies of temporal lobe epilepsy. Magn Reson Med 43:359–367, 2000. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Staying the Course: Mutual Fund Investment Style Consistency and Performance Persistence

While a mutual fund’s investment style influences the returns it generates, little is known about how a manager’s execution of the style decision might affect performance. Using multivariate techniques for measuring the consistency of a portfolio’s investment mandate, we demonstrate that more style-consistent funds tend to produce higher total and relative returns than less consistent funds, after controlling for past performance and portfolio turnover. These findings are robust across fund investment style classifications, the return measurement period, and the model used to calculate expected returns. We document a positive relationship between measures of fund style consistency and the persistence of its future performance, net of momentum and past performance effects. We conclude that the decision to maintain a consistent investment style is an important aspect of the portfolio management process.
Octahedral-Shaped Fe3O4 Nanoparticles With Enhanced Specific Absorption Rate and  ${R}_{2}$  Relaxivity

Herein, we have synthesized citric acid functionalized monodisperse (6-12 nm) octahedral-shaped Fe<sub>3</sub>O<sub>4</sub> nanoparticles (NPs). The as-prepared octahedral-shaped Fe<sub>3</sub>O<sub>4</sub> NPs exhibit a bulk-like magnetization (~92 emu/g) value due to lesser surface spin disorder. In addition, compared with spherical morphology, these octahedral NPs (Oct-NPs) exhibit much higher specific absorption rate (SAR) value as a potential candidate for hyperthermia treatment and higher R<sub>2</sub> value as an efficient contrast agent for magnetic resonance imaging. The enhanced R<sub>2</sub> relaxivity and SAR values are attributed to the higher saturation magnetization (MS) value and a larger surface area of Oct-NPs. The R<sub>2</sub> value of 12 nm-sized Oct-NPs suspension is 353 mM<sup>-1</sup>s<sup>-1</sup>, which is 3.5 times higher than that of the commercial contrast agent. With increase in size (6-12 nm), the R<sub>2</sub> value gradually increases from 198 to 353 mM<sup>-1</sup>s<sup>-1</sup>; this increase is a consequence of the MS enhancement as well as the surface area.
Differential protective effects of O‐phenanthroline and catalase on H2O2‐induced DNA damage and inhibition of protein synthesis in endothelial cells

The respective roles of H2O2 and ·OH radicals was assessed from the protective effects of catalase and the iron chelator o‐phenanthroline on (1) the inhibition of protein synthesis, and (2) DNA damage and the related events (activation of the DNA repairing enzyme poly(ADP) ribose polymerase with the associated depletion of NAD and ATP stores) in cultured endothelial cells exposed to the enzyme reaction hypoxanthine‐xanthine oxidase (HX‐XO) or pure H2O2. Catalase added in the extracellular phase completely prevented all of these oxidant‐induced changes. O‐phenanthroline afforded a complete protective effect against DNA strand breakage and the associated activation of the enzyme poly(ADP) ribose polymerase. By contrast, iron chelation was only partially effective in maintaining the cellular NAD and ATP contents, as well as the protein synthetic activity. In addition, the ATP depletion following oxidant injury was much more profound than NAD depletion. These results indicate that: (1) ·OH radical was most likely the ultimate O2 species responsible for DNA damage and activation of poly‐(ADP) ribose polymerase; (2) both H2O2 and ·OH radicals were involved in the other cytotoxic effects (inhibition of protein synthesis and reduction of NAD and ATP stores); and (3) NAD and ATP depletion did not result solely from activation of poly(ADP) ribose polymerase, but other mechanisms are likely to be involved. These observations are also compatible with the existence of a compartmentalized intracellular iron pool.
Diversity , metabolismandmicrobial ecologyof butyrate-producing bacteria fromthehuman large intestine

Butyrate-producing bacteria play a key role in colonic health in humans. This review provides an overview of the current knowledge of the diversity, metabolism and microbial ecology of this functionally important group of bacteria. Human colonic butyrate producers are Gram-positive firmicutes, but are phylogenetically diverse, with the two most abundant groups related to Eubacterium rectale/ Roseburia spp. and to Faecalibacterium prausnitzii. Five different arrangements have been identified for the genes of the central pathway involved in butyrate synthesis, while in most cases butyryl-CoA : acetate CoA-transferase, rather than butyrate kinase, appears to perform the final step in butyrate synthesis. Mechanisms have been proposed recently in non-gut Clostridium spp. whereby butyrate synthesis can result in energy generation via both substrate-level phosphorylation and proton gradients. Here we suggest that these mechanisms also apply to the majority of butyrate producers from the human colon. The roles of these bacteria in the gut community and their influence on health are now being uncovered, taking advantage of the availability of cultured isolates and molecular methodologies. Populations of F. prausnitzii are reported to be decreased in Crohn’s disease, for example, while populations of Roseburia relatives appear to be particularly sensitive to the diet composition in human volunteer studies.
Effort–reward imbalance at work, over-commitment personality and diet quality in Central and Eastern European populations

Abstract The aims of this study were to investigate the associations between work stress defined by the effort–reward imbalance (ERI) model and diet quality and to examine the potential role of over-commitment (OC) personality in ERI–diet relationships. A cross-sectional study was conducted in random population samples of 6340 men and 5792 women (age 45–69 years) from the Czech Republic, Russia and Poland. Dietary data were collected using FFQ. The healthy diet indicator (HDI) was constructed using eight nutrient/food intakes (HDI components) to reflect the adherence to WHO dietary guideline. The extent of imbalance between effort and reward was measured by the effort:reward (ER) ratio; the effort score was the numerator and the reward score was multiplied by a factor adjusting for unequal number of items in the denominator. Logistic regression and linear regression were used to assess the associations between exposures (ER ratio and OC) and outcomes (HDI components and HDI) after adjustment for confounders and mediators. The results showed that high ER ratio and high OC were significantly associated with unhealthy diet quality. For a 1-sd increase in the ER ratio, HDI was reduced by 0·030 and 0·033 sd in men and women, and for a 1-sd increase in OC, HDI was decreased by 0·036 and 0·032 sd in men and women, respectively. The modifying role of OC in ERI–diet relationships was non-significant. To improve diet quality at workplace, a multiple-level approach combining organisational intervention for work stress and individual intervention for vulnerable personality is recommended.
A Comparative Study of Four Methods for the Detection of Nematode Eggs and Large Protozoan Cysts in Mandrill Faecal Material

Coproscopical methods like sedimentation and flotation techniques are widely used in the field for studying simian gastrointestinal parasites. Four parasites of known zoonotic potential were studied in a free-ranging, non-provisioned population of mandrills (Mandrillus sphinx): 2 nematodes (Necatoramericanus/Oesophagostomum sp. complex and Strongyloides sp.) and 2 protozoan species (Balantidium coli and Entamoeba coli). Different coproscopical techniques are available but they are rarely compared to evaluate their efficiency to retrieve parasites. In this study 4 different field-friendly methods were compared. A sedimentation method and 3 different McMaster methods (using sugar, salt, and zinc sulphate solutions) were performed on 47 faecal samples collected from different individuals of both sexes and all ages. First, we show that McMaster flotation methods are appropriate to detect and thus quantify large protozoan cysts. Second, zinc sulphate McMaster flotation allows the retrieval of a higher number of parasite taxa compared to the other 3 methods. This method further shows the highest probability to detect each of the studied parasite taxa. Altogether our results show that zinc sulphate McMaster flotation appears to be the best technique to use when studying nematodes and large protozoa.
Hazards of Hospitalization: Hospitalists and Geriatricians Educating Medical Students About Delirium and Falls in Geriatric Inpatients

ABSTRACT Geriatric patients are at increased risk for complications from delirium or falls during hospitalization. Medical education, however, generally places little emphasis on the hazards of hospitalization for older inpatients. Geriatricians conducted a faculty development workshop for hospitalists about the hazards of hospitalization for geriatric patients, focusing on two common geriatric syndromes: delirium and falls. The hospitalists then ran workshops for third-year medical students during their inpatient medicine clerkship, introducing two simple tools for assessing fall risk and diagnosing delirium. Students used these tools to evaluate their own patients and then reviewed cases with a geriatrician at the end of one month. A total of 101 students participated in the project and completed a post-intervention multiple choice test, and 73 (72.2%) returned the records of 278 patient evaluations. Compared to the control group from the end of the previous year, test scores increased by an average of 0.84 out of 9 points (9.3% increase, p = 0.005, t 117,.05/2 = 2.87, p = 0.0048). Students also identified 81 patients with delirium and 65 patients at high risk for falling. Hospitalists and geriatricians can effectively partner to increase students' knowledge of two major hazards of hospitalization for geriatric patients.
Impact of Provider Continuity on Quality of Care for Persons With Diabetes Mellitus

BACKGROUND Many patients with diabetes fail to receive recommended monitoring tests. One reason might be inadequate continuity of care. This study examined the association between provider continuity and completion of monitoring tests for patients with diabetes mellitus. METHODS A cross-sectional analysis was conducted on claims data from a private national health plan for 1 year (January 1,1999, through December 31,1999). Participants had a diagnosis of diabetes mellitus and at least 2 outpatient visits during the study year (N = 1,795). The association was measured between continuity of care with an individual provider and completion of 3 diabetes monitoring tests: a glycosylated hemoglobin test, a lipid profile, and an eye examination. RESULTS Eighty-one percent of patients had a glycosylated hemoglobin test, 66% had a lipid profile, and 28% had an eye examination during the study year. After controlling for demographics, number of diabetes visits, case mix, and diabetes complications, provider continuity was not significantly associated with the receipt of a glycosylated hemoglobin test (odds ratio [OR] = 0.61, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.32-1.16), a lipid profile (OR = 0.97, 95% CI, 0.57-1.64) or an eye examination (OR = 0.60, 95% CI, 0.30-1.19). When continuity was measured only among primary care providers, there was no significant association for receipt of a glycosylated hemoglobin test (OR = 0.73, 95% CI, 0.41-1.33), a lipid profile (OR = 0.88, 95% CI, 0.53-1.47) or an eye examination (OR = 0.70, 95% CI, 0.35-1.36). CONCLUSIONS This study found no association between provider continuity and completion of diabetes monitoring tests in a national privately insured population. Whereas continuity might benefit other aspects of health care, it does not appear to benefit improved monitoring for diabetes.
Variations of Somatotype in elderly Sardinians

Somatotyping is an effective technique for the study of anthropometric variations and body composition in elderly subjects, even though it has not often been used in this field. The present study was conducted on a sample of 280 healthy Sardinians (134 men and 146 women) of age 60–89 years, subdivided into three age classes (60–69 years; 70–79 years; and 80–89 years). Somatotypes were computed according to Carter and Heath (Somatotyping—Development and Applications. Cambridge, England: Cambridge University Press; 1990). The results show a dominance of the endo‐ and mesomorphic components in the elderly subjects, with less development of ectomorphy than in younger individuals. In a comparison with other populations, our sample shows strong development of endomorphy and especially of mesomorphy, while ectomorphy values are generally low. Age‐related variations are significant in both sexes and consist in a progressive reduction of the endomorphic component, particularly in the 80–89‐year class (endomorphy in the three age classes: 6.4, 6.1, and 5.3 in men; 8.1, 7.8, and 6.8 in women). The mesomorphic component is characterized by stability (age variations: 6.4, 6.4, and 5.9 in men; 6.3, 6.4, and 6.3 in women) and the ectomorphic component by a slight increase (age variations: 0.5, 0.6, and 0.8 in men; 0.4, 0.3, and 0.5 in women). Sex differences are significant and especially large for the endomorphic component, with generally higher values in women. The sexual dimorphism tends to decrease with age. The results are discussed with regard to the biology of aging, with emphasis on the potential application of somatotype to studies of the elderly population. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 17:403–411, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Comparison of rofecoxib, celecoxib, and naproxen on renal function in elderly subjects receiving a normal‐salt diet

This study compared directly the renal effects of two selective cyclooxygenase (COX)‐2 inhibitors (rofecoxib and celecoxib) with naproxen (dual COX‐1/COX‐2 inhibitor) and placebo in healthy elderly subjects on a sodium‐replete diet.
Carrier portfolio management for shipping seasonal products

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UCB-PTH-03 / 25 Bound states and the Bekenstein bound

We explore the validity of the generalized Bekenstein bound, S ≤ πMa. We define the entropy S as the logarithm of the number of states which have energy eigenvalue below M and are localized to a flat space region of width a. If boundary conditions that localize field modes are imposed by fiat, then the bound encounters wellknown difficulties with negative Casimir energy and large species number, as well as novel problems arising only in the generalized form. In realistic systems, however, finitesize effects contribute additional energy. We study two different models for estimating such contributions. Our analysis suggests that the bound is both valid and nontrivial if interactions are properly included, so that the entropy S counts the bound states of interacting fields.
FERRABLE CONTINUOUS REINFORCEMENT LEARNING

Transferring learned knowledge from one environment to another is an important step towards practical reinforcement learning (RL). In this paper, we investigate the problem of transfer learning across environments with different dynamics while accomplishing the same task in the continuous control domain. We start by illustrating the limitations of policy-centric methods (policy gradient, actorcritic, etc.) when transferring knowledge across environments. We then propose a general model-based value-centric (MVC) framework for continuous RL. MVC learns a dynamics approximator and a value approximator simultaneously in the source domain, and makes decision based on both of them. We evaluate MVC against popular baselines on 5 benchmark control tasks in a training from scratch setting and a transfer learning setting. Our experiments demonstrate MVC achieves comparable performance with the baselines when it is trained from scratch, while it significantly surpasses them when it is used in the transfer setting.
Collagen of umbilical cord arteries and its alterations in EPH-gestosis

We decided to investigate the EPH-gestosis--connected alterations in collagen of the umbilical cord arteries. The samples of arterial walls were submitted to histological and biochemical studies. It was found that umbilical cord arteries taken from newborns of mothers with EPH-gestosis contain more than twice the amount of collagen in comparison to corresponding arteries of newborns from normal pregnancies. An increase of collagen content in these vessels in accompanied by a slight decrease of its solubility. Types I, III, IV, V and VI collagens were found both in normal umbilical cord arteries and in those of newborns delivered by mothers with EPH-gestosis but their proportional relationships were different. EPH-gestosis is accompanied by an increase of a proportional amount of type III-collagen and a decrease of type I collagen in umbilical cord arteries. It seems that these changes in the umbilical cord arteries may be responsible for the decrease of blood flow in fetus of woman with EPH-gestosis.
Corporate Governance and Delisting Risk of French IPO Firms

This paper examines the association between corporate governance mechanisms of IPO firms and the likelihood of becoming involuntarily delisted from the French market. Based on a sample of 139 French IPOs over the period 1999-2007, including 38 failures, it is concluded that a significant negative association between the likelihood of exchange delisting and the proportion of independent directors, the size of the board, and the quality of audit. Research also finds that the CEO/Chair role duality increases the likelihood of exchange delisting. However, research finds no evidence to suggest that the IPO failure risk declines with the presence of an independent audit committee at the IPO time.
The effect of biological agents on work participation in rheumatoid arthritis patients: a systematic review

This study reviewed the effect of biological agents on participation in paid work among patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). A systematic literature search was performed to identify published articles reporting the effect of biological agents on employment status, sick leave and/or presenteeism. The quality of included articles was assessed according to the guidelines as proposed by the Dutch Cochrane Centre. Narrative summaries were used to present the data separately for randomised controlled trials (RCTs) as well as controlled and uncontrolled cohort studies. 19 studies (six uncontrolled cohorts, seven controlled cohorts and six RCTs) were included, in which 11 259 patients were treated with biological agents. Employment status improved in four out of 13 studies, absence from work in all 10 studies and presenteeism in seven out of nine studies that reported this outcome. For absenteeism and presenteeism the statistical significance of change or difference was not always provided and results within studies were sometimes conflicting when using different time frames or alternative outcomes. The large heterogeneity in terms of population, design, analyses and most important in outcome measures limits interpretation of the data. RCTs as well as cohort studies showed positive results of biological agents on both absenteeism and presenteeism compared with other disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARD), continuing the failing DMARD, the general population or the situation before the start of biological agents. The effect on employment status was more conflicting, but 50% of studies that addressed patients with early methotrexate-naive RA showed a positive result on employment status.