Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Hospital variation and risk factors for bronchopulmonary dysplasia in a population-based cohort.

IMPORTANCE Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) remains a serious morbidity in very low-birth-weight (VLBW) infants (<1500 g). Deregionalization of neonatal care has resulted in an increasing number of VLBW infants treated in community hospitals with unknown impact on the development of BPD. OBJECTIVE To identify individual risk factors for BPD development and hospital variation of BPD rates across all levels of neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) within the California Perinatal Quality Care Collaborative. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS Retrospective cohort study (January 2007 to December 2011) from the California Perinatal Quality Care Collaborative including more than 90% of California's NICUs. Eligible VLBW infants born between 22 to 29 weeks' gestational age. EXPOSURES Varying levels of intensive care. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Bronchopulmonary dysplasia was defined as continuous supplemental oxygen use at 36 weeks' postmenstrual age. A combined outcome of BPD or mortality prior to 36 weeks was used. Multivariable logistic regression accounting for hospital as a random effect and gestational age as a risk factor was used to assess individual risk factors for BPD. This model was applied to determine risk-adjusted rates of BPD across hospitals and assess associations between levels of care and BPD rates. RESULTS The study cohort included 15,779 infants, of which 1534 infants died prior to 36 weeks' postmenstrual age. A total of 7081 infants, or 44.8%, met the primary outcome of BPD or death prior to 36 weeks. Combined BPD or death rates across 116 NICUs varied from 17.7% to 73.4% (interquartile range, 38.7%-54.1%). Compared with level IV NICUs, the risk for developing BPD was higher for level II NICUs (odds ratio, 1.23; 95% CI, 1.02-1.49) and similar for level III NICUs (odds ratio, 1.04; 95% CI, 0.95-1.14). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE Bronchopulmonary dysplasia or death prior to 36 weeks' postmenstrual age affects approximately 45% of VLBW infants across California. The wide variability in BPD occurrence across hospitals could offer insights into potential risk or preventive factors. Additionally, our findings suggest that increased regionalization of NICU care may reduce BPD among VLBW infants.
Optimal Risk—Sharing Policies

After an insurance policy is purchased, the costs of various activities alter for the insured. The insured has an incentive to "cheat" on submitted claims, while the insurer has an incentive to monitor. The conflict of interest between the insurer and the insured is often referred to as a "moral hazard", e.g. Arrow (1963, 1965) and Raviv (1979). Since it is usually costly to contractually control the actions of the insured, the moral hazard prob lem may arise and affect his activities. Insur ance companies recognize that insureds' in centives change when insurance is acquired, so they develop several mechanisms to con trol the insured. One such mechanism to control the insured is to include a risk-sharing provision in a prespecified formula for pay ments. Risk-sharing is a standard provision of a third-party reimbursement plan in most
Lysozyme Activity in Cystic Fibrosis

Summary: The activity of lysozyme in saliva and serum was determined in 51 patients with cystic fibrosis. Measurements were made on two occasions at least 1 month apart and compared to those of 25 normal healthy individuals of the same ages, sex, and race.The mean serum lysozyme activity of normal individuals was 5.8 μg/ml (S.E. = 0.4), whereas that of cystic fibrosis patients was 10.8 μg/ml (S.E. = 0.5). The difference is significant (P < 0.05). Initial mean values compared to those of repeated samples from the cystic fibrosis group were similar, whereas individual fluctuations occurred between test periods.The mean lysozyme activity of the saliva sample of normal individuals was 63.5 μg/ml (S.E. = 9.3) and the mean value from cystic fibrosis patients was 82.7 (S.E. = 6.9). This difference was not significant (P > 0.1). Mean values from specimens obtained a month or longer after the initial saliva samples were similar for the two episodes.There was no correlation between the serum and salivary values and the age, sex or race of the subjects, the Shwachman-Kulczycki scores, colonization with Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus or Haemophilus influenzae or absolute white blood cell counts.In vitro studies failed to demonstrate bactericidal activity for mucoid and nonmucoid strains of P. aeruginosa or for S. aureus.Speculation: Elevated lysozyme activity in cystic fibrosis may be related to either an increased granulocyte turnover because of chronic bacterial infection of the respiratory tract or to a basic defect in the lysosomal membrane allowing an increased release of the enzyme, or a combination of both.
Influence of admission functional status on functional gain and efficiency of rehabilitation in first time stroke patients.

The purpose of this study was to determine whether the admission functional status influences the functional gain and efficiency of stroke rehabilitation. We prospectively studied 105 first time stroke patients consecutively admitted to the inpatient rehabilitation department of a university hospital during 1997. Functional status was assessed with the Functional Independence Measure (FIM) instrument on admission and discharge of inpatient rehabilitation program. The patients were stratified into three groups according to their FIM total scores on admission, i.e., 18 to 36, 37 to 72, and 73 to 126. One-way ANOVA with Tukey's studentized range tests indicated that patients with FIM total scores of > or = 73 at admission were significantly younger (58.2 +/- 12.3 yr) and scored lower functional gain (16.6 +/- 11.7) than those who scored of < or = 36 (66.3 +/- 9.4 yr) of age and functional gain of (27.6 +/- 23.3). However, there were no significant differences on rehabilitation efficiency among the three groups. The findings of this study suggest that the functional groups stratified by admission FIM score seem to predict the degree of functional gain for first time stroke patients after inpatient rehabilitation.
Feasibility of Interactive Biking Exercise System for Telemanagement in Elderly

Inexpensive cycling equipment is widely available for home exercise however its use is hampered by lack of tools supporting real-time monitoring of cycling exercise in elderly and coordination with a clinical care team. To address these barriers, we developed a low-cost mobile system aimed at facilitating safe and effective home-based cycling exercise. The system used a miniature wireless 3-axis accelerometer that transmitted the cycling acceleration data to a tablet PC that was integrated with a multi-component disease management system. An exercise dashboard was presented to a patient allowing real-time graphical visualization of exercise progress. The system was programmed to alert patients when exercise intensity exceeded the levels recommended by the patient care providers and to exchange information with a central server. The feasibility of the system was assessed by testing the accuracy of cycling speed monitoring and reliability of alerts generated by the system. Our results demonstrated high validity of the system both for upper and lower extremity exercise monitoring as well as reliable data transmission between home unit and central server.
DETERMINING RELATIVE WEIGHTS OF INFLATION UNCERTAINTY IN TURKEY VIA CPI AND ITS COMPONENTS

This study aims to investigate the interaction of main expenditures groups of CPI with the fluctuations taking place at the level of general prices and calculate the relative weights of theirs uncertainties within inflation uncertainty. Since there might be structural breaks in the investigated variables, Bai-Perron test, GARCH-type models are constructed by including the breaks in the fluctuation measurement and ARDL approach has been used to determine the long-term relationship between the variables. Contrary to expectations, it was revealed that the expenditure group having the greatest impact on inflation uncertainty is not “food, beverage and tobacco” expenditure group but “transportation”.
Field tests of a medium-voltage single-core cable lying on the ground surface

The calculation of transients in power cables requires both the use of accurate simulation models and proper formulations for the representation of the imperfect earth. However, the scarcity of available field tests in the literature leads to questionable results in several simulation cases. In this paper a set of field measurements is presented, which has been conducted on a medium-voltage single-core cable lying on the ground surface. The cable is excited by various types of voltage sources, while several grounding and termination scenarios are implemented. The examined cable is further modified and modeled in order to simulate transient phenomena, using a recently developed frequency-domain universal model, including different earth formulations. The simulation results are compared with the corresponding field measurements, leading to significant remarks. An improvement in the calculation of the frequency dependent per-unit-length parameters is also proposed, which may lead to the more accurate modeling of cables lying on the ground surface.
Folate deficiency is associated with nutritional anaemia in Lebanese women of childbearing age

Abstract Objective The objective of this study was to identify the determinants of anaemia in Lebanese women of childbearing age attending health centres in Lebanon. Design Cross-sectional study carried out between May and December 2003. Anthropometric measurements as well as sociodemographic, health and dietary intake data were collected using a questionnaire. Haemoglobin (Hb), plasma ferritin, plasma folate and vitamin B12 were assessed using standard laboratory methods. Setting Governmental health centres in Lebanon. Subjects Four hundred and seventy non-pregnant Lebanese women aged 15–45 years. Results Anaemia (Hb <12 g dl−1) and iron deficiency (ferritin <15 μg l−1) were prevalent in 16.0 and 27.2% of the study sample, respectively. Of the total sample, 7.7% had iron-deficiency anaemia. The percentage of women with either Hb or ferritin deficiency or both was 35.6%. Plasma folate and vitamin B12 deficiency was reported in 25.1 and 39.4%, respectively, and 12.6% of the women had both folate and vitamin B12 deficiencies. Of the anaemic group, 48.0% of the women had iron deficiency. The intake of iron was lower in iron-deficient than in non-deficient women and a positive relationship was shown between folate intake and its corresponding serum levels. Regression analysis showed that ferritin, plasma folate and family history of anaemia were significant determinants of the anaemia in the sample of women. Conclusions Anaemia not related to iron deficiency was partly explained by plasma folate deficiency. Measures to control folate and iron deficiency should be considered.
Osmotic pressure, water kinetics and volatile fatty acid absorption in the rumen of sheep sustained by intragastric infusions

The effects of changing rumen osmotic pressure (OP) upon water kinetics and volatile fatty acid (VFA) absorption in the rumen of sheep were studied in two 4 × 4 Latin square experiments, each using four lambs with a rumen cannula and an abomasal catheter. In both experiments the lambs were sustained by the intragastric infusion of all nutrients (VFA, Ca, P, Mg and a buffer solution into the rumen, and casein, vitamins and trace elements into the abomasum). On experimental days, which were at least 1 week apart, drinking water and the casein infusion were withdrawn, and the ruminal OP was changed and held constant for 9·5 h, by incorporating NaCl at different concentrations in the buffer solution being infused. In Expt 1 the target OP values were 300, 340, 380 and 420 mosmol/kg, and in Expt 2 were 261 (no saline addition), 350, 420 and 490 mosmol/kg. Using soluble non-absorbable markers (PEG in continuous infusion and Cr-EDTA injected in pulse doses) rumen volume, liquid outflow rates, apparent water absorption through the rumen wall and VFA absorption rates were estimated at six sampling times corresponding to the 1·5 h intervals during the last 7·5 h following the change in rumen OP. Liquid outflow rate (F; ml/h) showed a significant and positive linear relationship with the rumen OP (mosmol/kg), resulting in the equation F = 1·24 OP (SE 0·096)–36·5 (SE 36·6) (r2 0·96). Similarly, water absorption rate (W; ml/h) was significantly affected by rumen OP, and this relationship was given by W = 395 (SE 39·9) −1·16 OP (SE 0·105) (r2 0·95), which means that for an OP of 341 mosmol/kg the net movement of water across the rumen wall would be zero, and either a net efflux or a net influx of water would be observed with lower or higher OP respectively. In Expt 2 there was a significant linear effect of OP on rumen volume (P <0·01), with higher OP being associated with increases in rumen liquid contents of about 10–20%. As rumen OP was increased there was also a decline in the absorption rate of VFA (from 232 mmol VFA/h for OP 350 to 191 mmol/h for OP 490 mosmol/kg), resulting in the accumulation of VFA (especially acetate) in the rumen and a consequent fall in rumen pH. Rumen OP seems to be important in defining water movement across the rumen wall and, hence, partitioning between absorption and outflow.
High-pressure phases of hydrogen cyanide: formation of hydrogenated carbon nitride polymers and layers and their electronic properties

We have performed a set of first-principles simulations to consider the possible phase transitions in molecular crystals of HCN under high pressure. Our calculations reveal several transition paths from the orthorhombic phase to tetragonal and then to triclinic phases. The transitions from the orthorhombic to the tetragonal phases are of the second order, whereas those from the tetragonal to the triclinic phases turn out to be of the first-order type and characterized by an abrupt decrease in volume. Our calculations show that, by adjustment of the temperature and pressure of the HCN molecular crystal, novel layered and polymeric crystals with insulating, semiconducting or metallic properties can be found. Based on our simulation results, two different crystal formation mechanisms are deduced. The stabilities of the predicted structures at ambient pressure are further assessed by performing phonon or MD simulations. In addition, the electron transport properties of the predicted polymers are obtained using the non-equilibrium Green’s function technique combined with density functional theory. The results show that the polymers have metallic-like I–V characteristics.
Bacterial effectors target the plant cell nucleus to subvert host transcription

In order to promote virulence, Gram-negative bacteria have evolved the ability to inject so-called type III effector proteins into host cells. The plant cell nucleus appears to be a subcellular compartment repeatedly targeted by bacterial effectors. In agreement with this observation, mounting evidence suggests that manipulation of host transcription is a major strategy developed by bacteria to counteract plant defense responses. It has been suggested that bacterial effectors may adopt at least three alternative, although not mutually exclusive, strategies to subvert host transcription. T3Es may (1) act as transcription factors that directly activate transcription in host cells, (2) affect histone packing and chromatin configuration, and/or (3) directly target host transcription factor activity. Here, we provide an overview on how all these strategies may lead to host transcriptional re-programming and, as a result, to improved bacterial multiplication inside plant cells.
Bone Metastasis in Primary Endometrial Carcinoma: Features, Outcomes, and Predictors

Objectives This study aimed to describe the clinicopathologic characteristics and outcomes and to assess the predictors associated with prognosis in endometrial carcinoma that developed bone metastasis. Methods A retrospective review of medical records was performed to identify the patients with endometrial carcinoma who developed bone metastasis between October 1994 and May 2012. Results Of the 1185 patients with endometrial carcinoma, 22 (1.8%) were identified with bone metastasis, and 21 patients were analyzed in the study. Seventeen (80.9%) patients had advanced-stage disease (2009 International Federation of Gynecologists and Obstetricians stages III-IV). Four (19.0%) patients had a bone lesion at the diagnosis of endometrial cancer. The median time of recurrence to the bone in 17 patients was 9 months (range, 2–43 months). The median overall survival (OS) and survival after bone metastasis of the entire cohort were 33 months (range, 9–57 months) and 15 months (range, 12–17 months), respectively. The patients with bone metastasis at recurrence had significantly longer OS than those patients with bone metastasis at diagnosis of endometrial cancer (36 vs 13 months; P = 0.042). Metastasis to extrapelvic bone was significantly associated with longer OS (46 vs 19 months; P = 0.001) and longer survival after bone metastasis (25 vs 12 months; P = 0.002). Isolated bone recurrence without extraosseous metastases and extrapelvic bone metastasis revealed independent predictors for survival after bone metastasis (hazard ratio, 0.09; 95% confidence interval, 0.01–0.67; P = 0.019 and hazard ratio, 0.07; 95% confidence interval, 0.01–0.53; P = 0.01). Conclusions In endometrial carcinoma that develops bone metastasis, isolated bone recurrence and extrapelvic bone metastasis are significant predictors of prolonged survival after the diagnosis of bone metastasis. Further researches on the optimal treatment modality and factors that have the clinical implications are warranted.
Two sides of the same coin no longer

Nociceptive sensitization is a conserved form of neuronal plasticity that serves an important survival function, as it fosters behavior that protects damaged tissue during healing. This sensitization may involve a lowering of the nociceptive threshold (allodynia) or an increased response to normally noxious stimuli (hyperalgesia). Although nociceptive sensitization has been intensively studied in vertebrate models, an open question in the field is the extent to which allodynia and hyperalgesia, which almost always occur in tandem, are truly separate events at the mechanistic level. We recently introduced a genetically tractable model for damage-induced nociceptive sensitization in Drosophila larvae, and identified a conserved cytokine signaling module that mediates development of allodynia following UV irradiation. This pathway includes the Drosophila homolog of Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNFα), Eiger, which is released from damaged epidermal cells and acts directly on its receptor, Wengen, located on nociceptive sensory neurons. Here we show that although Eiger and Wengen are both required for the development of thermal allodynia, they are dispensable for thermal hyperalgesia, suggesting, contrary to what is commonly assumed, that these two forms of hypersensitivity are initiated by separate genetic pathways.
Optimal placement and sizing of DG for power loss minimization and VSI improvement using bat algorithm

Over the last few years, Distribution Generations (DGs) are fast finding their importance in solving growing environmental problems and rising energy demands. However, installation of DG in distribution network may have positive or negative impacts on power system depending on system configuration and local issues. Bat Algorithm (BA) with varying loudness and pulse rate is proposed in this paper for the optimal location and sizing of DG in radial distribution system in order to minimize real power losses and maximize voltage stability index (VSI), along with improving voltage profile within the range of the voltage constraint. Two cases based on either real or both real and reactive power generating capability of DG is considered. Both the cases include single as well as multiple DG units for performance analysis of DG on IEEE 69 bus systems. To verify the efficiency of proposed method a comparison is made with Standard Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO). The simulation results reveal that Bat Algorithm (BA) is better than PSO in terms of power losses, VSI and quality of solution.
Family of Class 1 Integrons Related to In4 from Tn1696

ABSTRACT The class 1 integron In28, found in the multidrug resistance transposon Tn1403, was found to be located in theres site of the backbone transposon and is flanked by a 5-bp direct duplication, indicating that it reached this position by transposition. In28 has a backbone structure related to that of In4, but has lost internal sequences, including the sul1gene, due to an IS6100-mediated deletion. In28 also lacks the partial copy of IS6100 found in In4 and contains different gene cassettes, blaP1, cmlA1, andaadA1. In1, the class 1 integron found in the multidrug resistance plasmid R46, is also located in a putativeres site and belongs to the In4 group. In1 has a shorter internal deletion than In28 and has also lost one end. Additional integrons with structures related to In4 were also found in databases, and most of them had also lost either one end or internal regions or both. Tn610 belongs to this group.
A Note on the Relationship between Financial Asset Returns and Well-Being

This note considers the effect of changes in the well-being of U.S. residents owing to changes in the value of various financial assets. Ordinary least squares estimates reveal that equity market returns have a significant, and asymmetric, impact on well-being. This result is likely the result of a wealth effect whereby rising (falling) stock markets increase (decrease) the ability to meet basic needs and this contributes to a shifting assessment of life-situation and overall well-being.
Select and treat at laparoscopy and dye test improves the spontaneous pregnancy

Abstract Infertility affects 1 in 7 couples in the UK. Tubal patency tests are an important part of infertility investigations. We conducted this observational study to determine the interval between a laparoscopy and dye test and spontaneous conception in women with unexplained infertility and minimal to mild endometriosis and pelvic adhesions treated during the procedure. The clinical records of 432 women coded as having had a laparoscopy and dye test or laparoscopy and tubal patency test between April 2007 and March 2010 were retrieved from a computerised theatre database. Pregnancies were identified through a computerised maternity booking system. Spontaneous pregnancies were recorded in 162 women following surgery (37.5%). There was a significant difference in conception rates between women with unexplained infertility and those with minor abnormalities treated at the time of diagnosis (43% vs. 58%, p = 0.019). Eighty percent of women who conceived spontaneously achieved their pregnancy within 18 months of surgery. A high proportion of women with unexplained infertility or minor abnormalities treated at the time of a laparoscopy and dye test conceived spontaneously within 12 months.
R&D Investment,R&D Efficiency and Enterprise Performance under the Restriction of Endogenous——The Sample of High-tech Segment Industries of China

The paper takes the system GMM estimate to inspect the relationship between the RD input,RD efficiency and enterprise performance from dynamic endogenous perspective.The study finds:RD efficiency has significant positive correlation with RD input,but the stock capital investment and RD investment still have obvious disadvantages;RD efficiency is still low,while its contribution to the enterprise performance appears;RD efficiency is the intermediary variable in the framework of the RD input,RD efficiency and enterprise performance,and enterprise's investment improves RD efficiency,so as to further improve the performance of the enterprise,which has obvious feedback effect to the RD investment.