Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Outpatient Appointment Scheduling Given Individual Day-Dependent No-Show Predictions

This paper examines the combined use of predictive analytics, optimization, and overbooking to schedule outpatient appointments in the presence of no-shows. We tackle the problem of optimally overbooking appointments given no-show predictions that depend on the individual appointment characteristics and on the appointment day. The goal is maximizing the number of patients seen while minimizing waiting time and overtime. Our analysis leads to the definition of a near-optimal and simple heuristic which consists of giving same-day appointments to likely shows and future-day appointments to likely no-shows. We validate our findings by performing extensive simulation tests based on an empirical data set of nearly fifty thousand appointments from a real outpatient clinic. The results suggest that our heuristic can lead to a substantial increase in performance and that it should be preferred to open access under most parameter configurations. Our paper will be of great interest to practitioners who want to improve their clinic performance by using individual no-show predictions to guide appointment scheduling.
EBAG9 is a tumor‐promoting and prognostic factor for bladder cancer

Upregulation of EBAG9 expression has been observed in several malignant tumors such as advanced breast and prostate cancers, indicating that EBAG9 may contribute to tumor proliferation. In the present study, we assess the role of EBAG9 in bladder cancer. We generated human bladder cancer EJ cells stably expressing FLAG‐tagged EBAG9 (EJ‐EBAG9) or empty vector (EJ‐vector), and investigated whether EBAG9 overexpression modulates cell growth and migration in vitro as well as the in vivo tumor formation of EJ transfectants in xenograft models of BALB/c nude mice. EBAG9 overexpression promoted EJ cell migration, while the effect of EBAG9 to cultured cell growth was rather minimal. Tumorigenic experiments in nude mice showed that the size of EJ‐EBAG9‐derived tumors was significantly larger than EJ‐vector‐derived tumors. Loss‐of‐function study for EBAG9 using small interfering RNA (siRNA) in xenografts with parental EJ cells showed that the intra‐tumoral injection of EBAG9 siRNA markedly reduced the EJ tumor formation compared with control siRNA. Furthermore, immunohistochemical study for EBAG9 expression was performed in 60 pathological bladder cancer specimens. Intense and diffuse cytoplasmic immunostaining was observed in 45% of the bladder cancer cases. Positive EBAG9 immunoreactivity was closely correlated with poor prognosis of the patients (p = 0.0001) and it was an independent prognostic predictor for disease‐specific survival in multivariate analysis (p = 0.003). Our results indicate that EBAG9 would be a crucial regulator of tumor progression and a potential prognostic marker for bladder cancer. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Minealocorticoid receptors and 11 beta-steroid dehydrogenase activity in renal principal and intercalated cells.

Aldosterone exerts complex effects on the cortical collecting duct (CCD): it increases Na+ and K+ transport, and it also influences H+ and HCO3 transport. Whether these latter effects represent direct action of aldosterone on intercalated cells (ICC) or are secondary to changes in the transport of other electrolytes is unclear. Because the presence of specific receptors is the prerequisite of a direct steroid action, and mineralocorticoid receptors (MR) have not yet been demonstrated in ICC, in this study we determined the density of MR directly in isolated principal cells (PC) and beta-ICC. Purified populations of these two cell types were obtained from rabbit renal cortex by immunodissection and fluorescence-activated cell sorting. We found that both PC and beta-ICC contained a significant number of MR, although receptor density was higher in PC than in beta-ICC (6,704 +/- 912 vs. 2,181 +/- 388 MR sites/cell; P < 0.001). 11 beta-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11 beta-OHSD), an enzyme that is present predominantly in mineralocorticoid target cells, exhibited a distribution similar to that of MR in the two cell types. 11 beta-OHSD activity, determined by measuring the rate of conversion of [3H]corticosterone to 11-dehydrocorticosterone, was 1.08 +/- 0.14 and 0.34 +/- 0.08 fmol.min-1 x 1,000 cells-1 (P < 0.001) in intact PC and beta-ICC, respectively. 11 beta-OHSD in both cell types utilized NAD as cofactor. These results suggest that beta-ICC are potential direct targets of aldosterone and that MR in both PC and beta-ICC are protected by 11 beta-OHSD.
Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in adults with acute respiratory distress syndrome

Purpose of reviewTo evaluate the last 2 years’ publications for evidence supporting use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) for critically ill adults with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Recent findingsFirst, there are no new prospective studies comparing ECMO and other therapy in adults with ARDS. Second, the number of review articles and case descriptions published in the last 2 years suggests increased interest in ECMO. Third, recently published retrospective cohort studies analyzing patients from the H1N1 epidemic report conflicting conclusions. SummaryIntensivists may have increased their utilization of ECMO. Credible evidence for mortality benefit of ECMO is lacking. A prospective randomized controlled trial designed to evaluate the efficacy of ECMO for ARDS is overdue.
Using collaborative two‐stage examinations to address test anxiety in a large enrollment gateway course

Large enrollment foundational courses are perceived as “high stakes” because of their potential to act as barriers for progression to the next course or admittance to a program. The nature of gateway courses makes them ideal settings to explore the relationship between anxiety, pedagogical interventions, and student performance. Here, two‐stage collaborative examinations were implemented to improve test‐taking skills and address widespread test anxiety in an introductory human anatomy course. Test anxiety data were collected (using the Motivated Strategies for Learning Questionnaire) before the first examination and last examination. Most students experienced decreased test anxiety over the course of the semester; however, some students may have experienced performance limiting conditions due to test anxiety at the end of the semester based on academic ability in the course (in “C” students when compared to “A” students: P < 0.00006 and “B” students: P < 0.05), overall academic ability (in academically weaker students: P < 0.025), and demographic factors (in women: P < 0.025). The strongest performances on examinations were primarily observed in already academically strong students (mean individual performance: P < 0.000, mean group performance: P < 0.000). Furthermore, changes in test anxiety were not significantly associated with the group portion of the examinations. Patterns of changes in test anxiety over the course of the semester underscore a complex interaction between test anxiety, student background, and student performance. Results suggest that pathways for test anxiety in “high stakes” courses may be separate from the mechanisms responsible for the benefits of collaborative testing. Anat Sci Educ 10: 409–422. © 2017 American Association of Anatomists.
Production of insulin‐like growth factor II (IGF‐II) and different forms of IGF‐binding proteins by HT‐29 human colon carcinoma cell line

The serum‐free medium conditioned by the human colon cancer cell line HT‐29 contains insulin‐like growth factors (IGF) that are entirely complexed to binding proteins (IGF‐BP). Gel filtration in acid conditions of the cell‐conditioned medium permits separation of IGF‐BP from two molecular forms of IGF of 15,000 and 7,500 Mr. As determined by ligand blotting, IGF‐BP are heterogeneous and constituted of three molecular forms of 31,000, 28,000, and 26,000 Mr. Using IGF‐I and IGF‐II radioreceptor assays, IGF‐I radioimmunoassay (RIA), and competitive protein‐binding assay specific for IGF‐II, it is shown that the IGF‐type eluting in 15 K and 7.5 K position from gel filtration is restricted to IGF‐II. Its concentration is ∼6 ng/106 HT‐29 cells with 60% present as a high‐molecular‐weight form of IGF‐II. This large 15 K IGF molecule is devoided of any IGF‐binding activity and might represent incomplete processing of pro‐IGF‐II peptide. By contrast, the level of IGF‐I detected by RIA is barely measurable and considered negligible (0.57 pg/106 HT‐29 cells). Although these IGF‐II‐like peptides exhibit a growth‐promoting activity on FR3T3 fibroblasts, they cannot stimulate, as recombinant IGF‐I or IGF‐II, 3H‐thymidine incorporation into DNA of HT‐29 cells, whatever the experimental conditions used. Finally, we have shown that IGF binding is restricted predominantly to the basolateral domain of the cell membrane by using HT‐29‐D4 clonal cells, derived from the parental HT‐29 cell line, maintained in a differentiated state by culture in a medium in which glucose is replaced by galactose.
The practice of laparoscopic liver surgery in Belgium: a national survey

Abstract Background: Laparoscopic liver surgery (LLS) gained popularity bringing several advantages including decreased morbidity and reduction of length of hospital stay compared to open. Methods: To understand practice and evolution of LLS in Belgium, a 20-questions survey was sent to all members of the Royal Belgian Society for Surgery, the Belgian Section of Hepato-Pancreatic and Biliary Surgery and the Belgian Group for Endoscopic Surgery. Results: Thirty-seven surgical units representing 61 surgeons performing LLS in Belgium responded: 50% from regional hospitals, 28% from university and 22% from peripheral hospitals. Replies from high volume centers (>50 liver-surgery/year) were 19%. More than 25% of liver procedures were performed laparoscopically in 35% of centers. LLS is adopted since more than 15-years in 14.5% of centers with an increasing rate reported in 59%. Low relevance of LLS in the hospital organization (26.5%) and lack of time in surgical schedules (12%) or of specific training (9%) are the main barriers for further diffusion. More than 80% of the responders agreed to participate to a national prospective registry. Conclusion: LLS is mainly performed in experienced HPB units with an increasing interest in peripheral centers. A prospective national registry will be useful by providing real data in terms of indications, morbidity and overall evolution.
Impaired CCR7 Expression on Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cells of HIV-Infected Children and Adolescents With Immunologic and Virologic Failure

Background:Defects of plasmacytoid (p) and myeloid (m) dendritic cells (DCs) occur in HIV infection. The aim of this study was to evaluate the maturation and function of DCs in children with perinatal HIV infection who were on antiretroviral therapy. Materials and Methods:Twenty HIV-infected children (median age = 12.9 years) classified as immunologic/virologic responders and failures were evaluated in a whole-blood assay with resiquimod (RSQ), a potent agonist to Toll-like receptors 7 and 8, as the DC stimulant. Results:In comparison to controls, pDC and mDC numbers were decreased in patients, but RSQ stimulation resulted in upregulation of CD83, CD80, and tumor necrosis factor-α in both DC subsets and upregulation of interferon (IFN)-α in pDCs. Patients with immunologic and virologic failure demonstrated a selective impairment in upregulation of lymph node homing marker CCR7 in pDCs. Plasma virus load was negatively correlated with IFNα and CCR7 expression, whereas CD4 percentage correlated only with CCR7 expression in pDCs. Conclusions:A novel defect of pDCs, impaired CCR7 upregulation, is described in association with immunologic or virologic failure. This deficiency could impair homing of pDCs to lymph nodes, leading to secondary defects of mDC maturation and poor T-cell activation.
Seroepidemiology of hepatitis A in patients with chronic liver disease

Summary. Hepatitis A virus (HAV) rarely causes fulminant hepatic failure in the general population. Yet it is a cause of significant morbidity and mortality in patients with chronic liver disease (CLD), in whom routine HAV vaccination is recommended. However, studies of HAV seroprevalence and exposure predictors in populations with CLD are scarce. We have studied a cohort of 473 patients with various causes of CLD between July 2000 and June 2002. Patients were stratified on the basis of age, gender, ethnicity and aetiology of liver disease. The HAV seroprevalence in patients with CLD was compared with that in the general population. We used a logistic regression analysis to identify independent predictors of HAV exposure. Of the 473 patients studied, HAV seroprevalence was available for 454 individuals. HCV, HBV, alcohol, and HCV and alcohol were the causes of CLD in 337, 72, 37 and eight patients, respectively. The overall HAV seroprevalence was 55% in the studied cohort. The age‐stratified HAV prevalence for ages 21–30, 31–40, 41–50, 51–60, 61–70 and greater than 70 years was 44, 51, 44, 63, 65 and 64%, respectively. Hispanic ethnicity, Asian ethnicity, alcohol use and ages of 51–70 years were found to be independent predictive variables of prior exposure to HAV. HAV infection in patients with CLD causes considerable morbidity and mortality. We demonstrated that age‐stratified seroprevalence of HAV in patients with CLD of various aetiologies is significantly higher than that of the general population, and identified several independent predictors of HAV prior exposure.
Altered Sulfur Amino Acid Metabolism In Immune Cells of Children Diagnosed With Autism

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a behaviorally defined neurodevelopmental disorder whose etiology is poorly understood. Recent studies have shown that autistic children may be experiencing increased inflammation and oxidative stress. Altered immune regulation may be one contributing factor to inflammation and oxidative stress in autistic children. Sulfur amino acid (SAA) metabolism plays a critical role in regulating blood leukocyte functions and oxidative stress. However, it is not known whether autism impacts SAA metabolism in peripheral immune cells. To address this question, a novel liquid chromatography linked tandem mass spectrometric (LC/MS/MS) method was used to determine the levels of SAA metabolites in peripheral blood mononuclear cells obtained from 11 healthy controls and 31 autistic children. Improved detection sensitivity and selectivity of the LC/MS/MS method allowed accurate quantification using small samples. Results show that leukocytes from autistic children contained significantly lower concentrations of S-adenosylmethionine (-35%; p = 0.01), and elevated levels of intracellular homocysteine content (+80%; p=0.003). Additionally, the levels of intracellular total cysteine and glutathione (GSH) were reduced by 39% (p=0.004) and 25% (p=0.01), respectively. These autism-associated changes were leukocyte specific in that no significant alterations in SAA metabolite concentrations were detected in the plasma samples. Our results provide novel evidence for altered metabolism in immune cells; furthermore, this data suggest the involvement of inflammation in autism. Dietary differences between controls and patients, however, remain a potential confounder.
Pharmacodynamics and Safety of a New Calcium Sensitizer, Levosimendan, and Its Metabolites during an Extended Infusion in Patients with Severe Heart Failure

Levosimendan is a new calcium sensitizer developed for the short‐term intravenous treatment of congestive heart failure. The aims of the present open‐label, nonrandomized study were to determine the tolerability, hemodynamic effects, and the basic pharmacokinetics of levosimendan and its metabolites during an extended continuous infusion of levosimendan. Twenty‐four patients with New York Heart Association (NYHA) III‐IV heart failure in two groups of 12 patients were exposed to either 0.05 μg/kg/min or 0.1 μg/kg/min of levosimendan for 7 days. Heart rate and blood pressure were measured, and blood samples for the determination of plasma concentrations of the parent drug and its metabolites were drawn daily during the infusion and the 10 to 15 days' follow‐up. The 7‐day infusion was well tolerated and no premature discontinuations occurred. Both systolic and diastolic blood pressure decreased maximally by 6 mmHg in the lower and by 11 mmHg in the higher levosimendan dose groups during the infusion period (p < 0.05 for both groups). The mean heart rate values increased maximally by 18 and 26 beats/min in the lower and higher levosimendan dose groups, respectively (p < 0.001 for both groups). The hemodynamic effects peaked at the end of the infusion period and thereafter slowly declined during the follow‐up. After the recommended infusion period of 24 hours, the mean heart rate increase was only 2 and 6 beats/min in the lower and higher levosimendan dose groups, respectively. The elimination half‐life of levosimendan was approximately 1 hour and of the metabolites 70 to 80 hours. It can be concluded that levosimendan, even administered considerably longer than the recommended 24 hours, was well tolerated. The 7‐day infusion induced a prolonged increase in heart rate and a minor decrease in blood pressure. The long‐lasting effects are probably explained by the active metabolite.
Exact adjoint sensitivity analysis for neural based microwave modeling and design

For the first time, an adjoint neural network method is introduced for sensitivity analysis in neural-based microwave modeling and design. Exact first and second order sensitivities are systematically calculated for generic microwave neural models including variety of knowledge based neural models embedding microwave empirical information. A new formulation allows the models to learn both the input/output behavior of the modeling problem and its derivative data simultaneously. Examples for passive and active microwave modeling and simulation are presented.
Sensor‐Based Electromagnetic Navigation to Facilitate Implantation of Left Ventricular Leads in Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy

Implantation of cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) devices can be challenging, time consuming, and fluoroscopy intense. To facilitate placement of left ventricular (LV) leads, a novel electromagnetic navigation system (MediGuide™, St. Jude Medical, St. Paul, MN, USA) has been developed, displaying real‐time 3‐D location of sensor‐embedded delivery tools superimposed on prerecorded X‐ray cine‐loops of coronary sinus venograms. We report our experience and advanced progress in the use of this new electromagnetic tracking system to guide LV lead implantation.
Quantification in structural descriptions: Attested and unattested patterns

This paper represents a contribution to the theory of 'substance free' phonology. The need for quantificational statements to express identity and nonidentity conditions in phonology entails the rejection of feature geometry. Feature geometric representation is insufficiently powerful, and must be replaced by an algebraic form of representation that allows the use of variables and indices for the purposes of identity checking. An attempt is made to explain apparent gaps in attestation of certain combinations of posited phonological primitives on phonetic grounds, instead of appealing to constraints on phonological computation. The paper challenges the empirical arid conceptual validity of the Obligatory Contour Principle.
Effects of Land Crabs on Leaf Litter Distributions and Accumulations in a Mainland Tropical Rain Forest1

ABSTRACT The effect of the fossorial land crab Gecarcinus quadratus (Gecarcinidae) on patterns of accumulation and distribution of leaf litter was studied for two years in the coastal primary forests of Costa Rica's Corcovado National Park. Within this mainland forest, G. quadratus achieve densities up to 6 crabs/m2 in populations extending along the Park's Pacific coastline and inland for ca 600 m. Crabs selectively forage for fallen leaf litter and relocate what they collect to burrow chambers that extend from 15 to 150 cm deep (N = 44), averaging (±SE) 48.9 ± 3.0 cm. Preference trials suggested that leaf choice by crabs may be species-specific. Excavated crab burrows revealed maximum leaf collections of 11.75 g dry mass—2.5 times more leaf litter than collected by square-meter leaf fall traps over several seven-day sampling periods. Additionally, experimental crab exclosures (25 m2) were established using a repeated measures randomized block design to test for changes in leaf litter as a function of reduced crab density. Exclosures accumulated significantly more (5.6 ± 3.9 times) leaf litter than did control treatments during the wet, but not the dry, seasons over this two-year study. Such extensive litter relocation by land crabs may affect profiles of soil organic carbon, rooting, and seedling distributions.
Creating Effective Self-Management for Older Adults with Type 2 Diabetes and Cognitive Impairment

The primary objective of the study was to determine whether a distanced-based educational in-tervention would result in positive health outcomes for persons with both DM and cognitive impairment. Older adults with Type 2 diabetes (Diabetes Mellitus—DM) who also have cognitive impairment such as Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) or early stage dementia are both challenged and at risk when attempting to live independently. The ability to effectively monitor blood glucose levels and diet and exercise regimens often is severely constrained by the combination of DM and the presence of Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) or early stage dementia. We describe an exploratory study funded by the National Institute of Diabetes Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) in which Certified Diabetic Educators (CDEs) were linked with 40 older adult with DM and cognitive impairment using iPads and the internet. CDEs presented personalized education sessions to participants, and 18 of the participants also received a cognitive intervention called Spaced Retrieval (SR), which is designed to train the effective use of strategies to enhance medication compliance and reach other goals. Blood glucose and cholesterol measures were assessed at baseline and at 2-, 4-, and 6-month post intervention. Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels initially declined from baseline after treatment but returned to baseline levels after 6 months. For low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, a significant interaction effect was found for the Group × Time interaction. LDL levels increased from baseline after treatment for the control group, but showed decline after baseline in the SR group. Goals that were initially learned were retained, in general, at short-term follow-up, and self-efficacy increased significantly after training. Results show the need for follow-up and support after initial treatment, as well as the need to see if the effects produced by SR can be replicated and sustained with continued contact.
Integration of the African Stock Markets to the Global Markets: Case Study of South Africa

The paper empirically investigates the extent to which the South African stock market is integrated to other African stock market as well as the developed markets as represented by the US, Japan and German. The study employs the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) approach to cointegration because it is a more reliable method than other conventional cointegration approaches and is also applicable even if the series are integrated of different orders, as long as none is of order 2 or more. It is also more robust and performs well for small sample sizes unlike the conventional approaches which are valid for large sample sizes. The results of empirical tests suggest that the South African stock market is fully integrated to the developed markets. However, the South African stock market is not fully integrated to other African stock markets. This suggests that investors can diversify their portfolios by investing in other African stock markets. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2014. v5n2p619