Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of radiation exposures to personnel in fluoroscopic X-ray facilities.

Personnel monitoring data reported in the literature at selected monitoring sites for personnel working in fluoroscopic X-ray facilities are analyzed. The results are used to attempt to more realistically estimate the potential organ doses for X-ray personnel wearing protective devices such as lead aprons and protective eyeglasses when these personnel wear only one dosimeter positioned outside the apron at the collar. The applicability of these results to current U.S. dose standards and the ICRP weighted dose equivalent concept is discussed.
Social Integration and Mortality in Patients With Coronary Heart Disease: Findings From the Heart and Soul Study

Objective To determine why lower social integration predicts higher mortality in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD). Methods The association between social integration and mortality was examined prospectively in 1019 outpatients with stable CHD from the Heart and Soul Study. Baseline social integration was assessed with the Berkman Social Network Index. Cox proportional hazards models were used to determine the extent to which demographic and disease-relevant confounders and potential biological, behavioral, and psychological mediators explained the association between social integration and mortality. Results During a mean (standard deviation) follow-up period of 6.7 (2.3) years, the age-adjusted annual rate of mortality was 6.3% among socially isolated patients and 4.1% among nonisolated patients (age-adjusted hazard ratio [HR] = 1.61, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.26–2.05, p < .001). After adjustment for demographic and disease-relevant confounders, socially isolated patients had a 50% greater risk of death than did nonisolated patients (HR = 1.50, 95% CI = 1.07–2.10). Separate adjustment for potential biological (HR = 1.53, CI = 1.05–2.25) and psychological mediators (HR = 1.52, CI = 1.08–2.14) did not significantly attenuate this association, whereas adjustment for potential behavioral mediators did (HR = 1.30, CI = 0.91–1.86). C-reactive protein and hemoglobin A1c were identified as important biological and omega-3 fatty acids, smoking, and medication adherence as important behavioral potential mediators, with smoking making the largest contribution. Conclusions In this sample of outpatients with baseline stable CHD, the association between social integration and mortality was largely explained by health-related behavioral pathways, particularly smoking.
Development of a twin-feedhorn for dual linear DBS reflector antennas

We have developed a high performance twin feedhorn antenna structure with excellent input match, very high isolation, low cross polarization, and high efficiency characteristics over a relatively wide frequency range. The developed structure is optimized for the 11.7 to 12.7 GHz DBS satellite band, and can easily be scaled to any other frequency range. Radiation patterns are symmetric in both the E and H-planes. And the antenna efficiency exceeds 80% with low cross-polarization. The developed twin-feed structure is surrounded by grooves (corrugation) that have been optimized to minimize mutual coupling, and the centers of the two horns have been accurately positioned to produce dual beams when used to feed the reflector.
Cytological effects of pesticides. VIII. Effects of the carbamate pesticides "IPC", "Rogor", and "Duphar" on Vicia faba.

The effects of the insecticide O,O-dimethyl-N-methyl carbamido methyl dithio phosphate "Rogor" and "Duphar"1 (inhibitor of potato sprouting), on the mitosis of Vicia faba and Gossypium barbadense have been recently studied (Amer and Farah 1974a,b). Though much work has been carried out on the influence of the well known herbicide o-isopropyl-N-phenyl carbamate "IPC" on meristematic cells of different plants (Ennis 1948, Doxey 1949, Derenne 1953, Canvin and Friesen 1959, Herichova 1968, 1970, and Amer and Farah 1974 b), yet nearly no work has been mentioned in the literature dealing with the effect of "IPC" on meiosis. In the present investigation the effects of "Rogor", "IPC", and "Duphar" have been studied on: meiosis, pollen viability, yield and root-mitosis of Vicia faba
Cost-Effectiveness of Repeat Medical Procedures

The constraints on medical-care resources can give rise to the question of the cost- effectiveness of permitting repeat medical procedures when some patients may die without undergoing even a first procedure. Using kidney transplantation as an example, this study estimates the cost-effectiveness of patients' having available the option of a repeat medical procedure in the event the first procedure fails. Specifically, the anal ysis examines the effect on transplant candidates of having the option of kidney re transplantation, if and when retransplantation might be needed. Data sources include the U.S. Renal Data System (USRDS) Case-Mix Severity Study, Health Care Financ ing Administration (HCFA) data, and a MEDLINE search. Outcome measures include life expectancy, quality-adjusted life expectancy, lifetime costs of medical care, and mar ginal cost-effectiveness from a societal perspective. By avoiding lifelong dialysis after graft failure, first-transplant candidates gain an average of 47 quality-adjusted days with a retransplantation policy, despite the prolongation of time to first transplant by an average of 30 quality-adjusted days. The lifetime cost of medical care per first- transplant candidate is $1,210 higher with a retransplantation policy compared with the no-retransplantation policy; its societal cost-effectiveness is estimated to be $9,656 per quality-adjusted life-year saved. The retransplantation policy provides the greatest improvement in quality-adjusted life expectancy for younger candidates. In the case of kidney transplantation, the cost-effectiveness of a repeat transplant, on average, com pares favorably with those of other medical strategies in common practice. As re sources become increasingly constrained, this study demonstrates a framework for considering the cost-effectiveness of repeat medical procedures. Key words: kidney transplantation; decision analysis; cost-effectiveness analysis; ethics; rationing. (Med Decis Making 1997;17:363-372))
Tacit knowledge acquisition and processing within the computing domain: an exploratory study

Given that Articulate Knowledge has long been codified and substantiated for daily usage, the role of articulable Tacit knowledge needs to be examined in greater detail with an emphasis on its usage in the public sector. What needs to be born in mind however is that the codification of Tacit Knowledge is a reality and that eventually almost all Tacit Knowledge becomes so. This process is not necessarily immediate but takes place in a stepwise format passing through partial to full codification. The authors also argue that codification is more prevalent today due to the need for organisations to be more accountable. Accountability requires accurate reporting and quantitative interpretations of information which in turn demand codified knowledge, not tacit ambiguities.
Coordination of trigeminal axon navigation and patterning with tooth organ formation: epithelial-mesenchymal interactions, and epithelial Wnt4 and Tgfβ1 regulate semaphorin 3a expression in the dental mesenchyme

During development, trigeminal nerve fibers navigate and establish their axonal projections to the developing tooth in a highly spatiotemporally controlled manner. By analyzing Sema3a and its receptor Npn1 knockout mouse embryos, we found that Sema3a regulates dental trigeminal axon navigation and patterning, as well as the timing of the first mandibular molar innervation, and that the effects of Sema3a appear to be mediated by Npn1 present in the axons. By performing tissue recombinant experiments and analyzing the effects of signaling molecules, we found that early oral and dental epithelia, which instruct tooth formation, and epithelial Wnt4 induce Sema3a expression in the presumptive dental mesenchyme before the arrival of the first dental nerve fibers. Later, at the bud stage, epithelial Wnt4 and Tgfβ1 regulate Sema3a expression in the dental mesenchyme. In addition, Wnt4 stimulates mesenchymal expression of Msx1 transcription factor, which is essential for tooth formation, and Tgfβ1 proliferation of the dental mesenchymal cells. Thus, epithelial-mesenchymal interactions control Sema3a expression and may coordinate axon navigation and patterning with tooth formation. Moreover, our results suggest that the odontogenic epithelium possesses the instructive information to control the formation of tooth nerve supply.
Population dose distribution due to soil radioactivity concentration levels in 18 cities across Nigeria

The natural radioactivity concentrations in soil samples collected from 186 locations across 18 cities in the six geo-political zones of Nigeria have been determined using gamma-ray spectrometry. Results show that the concentrations of 40K, 238U and 232Th in the soil samples varied from below detection limits (BDL) to 1459.4 Bq kg−1 with a mean of 73.3 ± 18.5 Bq kg−1 for 40K, whereas for 238U and 232Th values varied from 9.2 to 113.7 Bq kg−1 with a mean of 33.9 ± 7.4 Bq kg−1 and from BDL to 175.7 Bq kg−1 with a mean of 12.4 ± 3.1 Bq kg−1, respectively. The average gamma absorbed dose rate in air across the cities ranged between 19 ± 5 and 88 ± 44 nGy h−1 and the gross mean was 42.0 ± 21.0 nGy h−1. Using available population data in the study areas, about 2.84% of the population is exposed to a radiation dose rate of less than 20 nGy h−1, 52.40% to a radiation dose rate between 20 and 30 nGy h−1, 31% to a radiation dose rate between 30 and 60 nGy h−1 and about 13.76% to dose rates greater than 60 nGy h−1.
Rotavirus vaccine and health care utilization for diarrhea in U.S. children.

BACKGROUND Routine vaccination of U.S. infants with pentavalent rotavirus vaccine (RV5) began in 2006. METHODS Using MarketScan databases, we assessed RV5 coverage and diarrhea-associated health care use from July 2007 through June 2009 versus July 2001 through June 2006 in children under 5 years of age. We compared the rates of diarrhea-associated health care use in unvaccinated children in the period from January through June (when rotavirus is most prevalent) in 2008 and 2009 with the prevaccine rates to estimate indirect benefits. We estimated national reductions in the number of hospitalizations for diarrhea, and associated costs, by extrapolation. RESULTS By December 31, 2008, at least one dose of RV5 had been administered in 73% of children under 1 year of age, 64% of children 1 year of age, and 8% of children 2 to 4 years of age. Among children under 5 years of age, rates of hospitalization for diarrhea in 2001-2006, 2007-2008, and 2008-2009 were 52, 35, and 39 cases per 10,000 person-years, respectively, for relative reductions from 2001-2006 by 33% (95% confidence interval [CI], 31 to 35) in 2007-2008 and by 25% (95% CI, 23 to 27) in 2008-2009; rates of hospitalization specifically coded for rotavirus infection were 14, 4, and 6 cases per 10,000 person-years, respectively, for relative reductions in the rate from 2001-2006 by 75% (95% CI, 72 to 77) in 2007-2008 and by 60% (95% CI, 58 to 63) in 2008-2009. In the January-June periods of 2008 and 2009, the respective relative rate reductions among vaccinated children as compared with unvaccinated children were as follows: hospitalization for diarrhea, 44% (95% CI, 33 to 53) and 58% (95% CI, 52 to 64); rotavirus-coded hospitalization, 89% (95% CI, 79 to 94) and 89% (95% CI, 84 to 93); emergency department visits for diarrhea, 37% (95% CI, 31 to 43) and 48% (95% CI, 44 to 51); and outpatient visits for diarrhea, 9% (95% CI, 6 to 11) and 12% (95% CI, 10 to 15). Indirect benefits (in unvaccinated children) were seen in 2007-2008 but not in 2008-2009. Nationally, for the 2007-2009 period, there was an estimated reduction of 64,855 hospitalizations, saving approximately $278 million in treatment costs. CONCLUSIONS Since the introduction of rotavirus vaccine, diarrhea-associated health care utilization and medical expenditures for U.S. children have decreased substantially.
GINS and Sld3 Compete with One Another for Mcm2-7 and Cdc45 Binding*

Sld3 is essential for the initiation of DNA replication, but Sld3 does not travel with a replication fork. GINS binds to Cdc45 and Mcm2-7 to form the replication fork helicase in eukaryotes. We purified Sld3, Cdc45, GINS, and Mcm2-7 and studied their interaction and assembly into complexes. Sld3 binds tightly to Cdc45 in the presence or absence of cyclin-dependent kinase activity. Furthermore, Sld3 binds tightly to the Mcm2-7 complex, and a ternary complex forms among Cdc45, Mcm2-7, and Sld3, with a 1:1:1 stoichiometry (CMS complex). GINS binds directly to Mcm2-7, and GINS competes with Sld3 for Mcm2-7 binding. GINS also binds directly to Cdc45, and GINS competes with Sld3 for Cdc45 binding. Cdc45, Mcm2-7, and GINS form a ternary complex with a stoichiometry of 1:1:1 (CMG complex). Size exclusion data reveal that when Sld3, Cdc45, Mcm2-7, and GINS are added together, the result is a mixture of CMS and CMG complexes. The data suggest that GINS and Sld3 compete with one another for Mcm2-7 and Cdc45 binding. Our results are consistent with a model wherein GINS trades places with Sld3 at a replication origin, contributing to the activation of the replication fork helicase.
Measuring Kindness at School: Psychometric Properties of a School Kindness Scale for Children and Adolescents.

In this study, we sought to create and validate a brief measure to assess students’ perceptions of kindness in school. Participants included 1,753 students in Grades 4 to 8 attending public schools in a large school district in southern British Columbia. The School Kindness Scale (SKS) demonstrated a unidimensional factor structure and adequate internal consistency. The pattern of associations of the SKS to a corpus of theoretically relevant constructs obtained via student self-reports (classroom supportiveness, optimism, happiness, prosocial and social goals, satisfaction with life, and academic self-efficacy) provided evidence for convergent and discriminant validity. Furthermore, the SKS was significantly and positively associated with teacher reports on students’ empathy, social skills, and peer acceptance. Analyses by gender and grade indicated that girls perceived significantly higher levels of kindness in school than did boys, and that students’ perceptions of kindness in school decreased from fourth to eighth grade, with fourth-grade students reporting the highest levels of kindness in school and eighth-grade students reporting the lowest levels. The theoretical importance of investigating students’ perceptions of kindness in the school context and the practical implications of this research for informing educational efforts to promote social and emotional competencies in school communities are discussed. C � 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
OXIDATIVE STRESS REPRODUCES PLACENTAL ABNORMALITIES OF PREECLAMPSIA

Objective: The activities of placental superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), but not catalase, are lower than normal in preeclampsia, which could contribute to the uncontrolled placental production of lipid peroxides and thromboxane (TX). Oxidative stress, hyperlipidemia and increased iron levels in the maternal compartment in preeclampsia could be responsible for these placental changes by causing oxidative stress in the placenta. Methods: We tested this possibility in vitro by exposing a trophoblast-like cell line, ED27, to a combination of linoleic acid (LA, 90 μM) and an oxidizing solution composed of hypoxanthine, xanthine oxidase and ferrous sulfate (OxLA) for 6 days. For these studies, the cells were treated with dexamethasone (10−8 M) for the first 72 hr. This was done to differentiate the cells into a phenotype more like syncytiotrophoblast cells as evidenced by production of β-human chorionic gonadotropin (β-hCG). Results: After 6 days of exposure to OxLA, the activities of SOD and GSH-Px were significantly decreased as compared to exposure to LA alone. In contrast, catalase activity was increased by OxLA. The OxLA-induced decreases in SOD and GSH-Px activities were attenuated by deferoxamine, an iron chelator, suggesting a role for Fe2+ in the decreased activities. Compared to LA, OxLA significantly increased TX secretion and lipid peroxidation in cells and media at 2, 4 and 6 days. Deferoxamine inhibited the OxLA-induced increase in lipid peroxidation, but not the increase in TX. Isolation of trophoblast cells and villous core tissue from term placentas verified that antioxidant enzyme activity was localized primarily to the trophoblast cell compartment lending validity to the in vitro findings. Conclusions: These data mimic the changes in placental SOD, GSH-Px, catalase, TX and lipid peroxidation that occur in preeclampsia suggesting that maternal hyperlipidemia and increased iron levels may be responsible for placental oxidative stress and abnormalities in antioxidants and thromboxane.
Mouse Ror2 receptor tyrosine kinase is required for the heart development and limb formation

A mouse receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK), mRor2, which belongs to the Ror‐family of RTKs consisting of at least two structurally related members, is primarily expressed in the heart and nervous system during mouse development. To elucidate the function of mRor2, we generated mice with a mutated mRor2 locus.
Antenatal detection of Down syndrome by sonography.

Down syndrome represents one of the most common and best understood cytogenetic diseases in humans [1 ]. Sonographically guided amniocentesis is now a widely used procedure that allows a safe and definitive prenatal diagnosis of this disease. The literature on sonographic detection of anomalies commonly found in affected fetuses has focused on those malformations (e.g., duodenal atresia, annular pancreas) producing duodenal obstruction. We report the sonographic detection of proximal small-bowel obstruction and an endocardial cushion defect in the fetus of a 44-year-old multigravida patient who was first seen for medical evaluation at 22 weeks of gestation. Recognition of this combination of abnormalities was pivotal in suggesting the diagnosis of Down syndrome and thus permitting legal pregnancy termination.
Teleconsultation ultrasonography: a new weapon to combat cholangiocarcinoma

Although cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is usually a rare cancer, in northeast Thailand it kills 20 000 or more people every year. The prognosis is very poor owing to late stage diagnosis, with palliative treatment often representing the only option. In this area of predominantly rural Thailand, CCA is associated with infection with the liver fluke, Opisthorchis viverrini, which is classified as a group 1 carcinogen. Up to 6 million Thais are infected with this fluke. The Cholangiocarcinoma Screening and Care Program (CASCAP) was initiated in 2014 with the aim of detecting early stage CCA, allowing curative surgery, by using ultrasound (US) screening of prospectively 500 000 at risk individuals. In order to assess the massive number of radiological images, a teleconsultation system was set-up. This allows US images to be sent to a dedicated server where they can be viewed by an expert radiologist who then provides a provisional diagnosis, recommending more advanced diagnostic techniques (CT and MRI) for suspected cases. To date, 250 000 people have been screened, and 2000 cases of CCA diagnosed. This innovative information transfer procedure will also be made available to Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam, where O. viverrini infection is also common.
Análisis de los criterios de la comisión nacional evaluadora de la actividad investigadora (CNEAI) para la concesión de los tramos de investigación en educación

La evaluacion de la Educacion Superior ha ganado gran importancia en los ultimos anos. Entre las causas que han generado un incremento en el numero de evaluaciones destacan la creacion del Espacio Europeo de Educacion Superior y las nuevas Leyes Organicas espanolas y sus desarrollos por las que se establecen complementos retributivos y procedimientos de acreditacion del profesorado. Aunque se hayan realizado varios estudios relacionados con criterios, parametros e indicadores para dicha evaluacion, son muy pocos los trabajos dedicados a analizar los criterios para la concesion de los sexenios. Por ello, el objetivo del presente estudio consiste en llevar a cabo dicho analisis, prestando especial atencion al campo de la Educacion. Los resultados ponen de manifiesto que el criterio mas claro para conseguir la evaluacion positiva es la aportacion de articulos publicados en revistas incluidas en el Journal Citation Reports (JCR). Aunque se acepta en la normativa la valoracion de otras aportaciones no incluidas en el JCR, siempre y cuando cumplan, a juicio del Comite Asesor, una serie de criterios de calidad que se mencionan en las convocatorias a partir del 2005, se demuestra que los criterios son poco especificos y que no existe ningun baremo objetivo que pueda ser aplicado a la hora de valorar los meritos aportados por los solicitantes. Esta situacion provoca una enorme tasa de fracaso en terminos absolutos y en comparacion con otras areas. En conclusion, se incluyen una serie de recomendaciones para mejorar el sistema de evaluacion de la productividad investigadora en el futuro.
Does Firm Size Affect The Firm Profitability? Evidence from Turkey

The aim of this study is to investigate the affect of firm size on profitability. In this study, data of 200 companies which were active in Istanbul Stock Exchange (ISE) between the years 2008-2011 has been used. “Return on Assets” (ROA) has been used as indicators of firm profitability and total assets, total sales and number of employees have been used as indicators of size. Multiple regression and correlation methods have been used in empirical analyses. The result of analysis indicates a positive relation between size indicators and profitability of firms. Control variables as the age of the firms and leverage rate have been found in a negative relation with ROA, but liquidity rate and ROA have been determined to have a positive relation. Keywords: Firm size, Profitability, Firm Performance, Turkey