Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Mycophenolate mofetil for induction and maintenance of remission in microscopic polyangiitis with mild to moderate renal involvement--a prospective, open-label pilot trial.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Microscopic polyangiitis (MPA) is a systemic small-vessel vasculitis associated with anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA), often targeting myeloperoxidase (MPO). Cyclophosphamide (CYC) plus corticosteroids (CS) is considered standard therapy for patients with renal involvement, but treatment response is not satisfactory in all patients and CYC has well recognized toxicity. This prospective pilot trial explored whether mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) represents an effective alternative to CYC for induction and maintenance of remission in MPA with mild to moderate renal involvement. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, & MEASUREMENTS Seventeen P-ANCA/MPO-ANCA-positive patients with MPA with mild to moderate renal involvement received MMF (1000 mg orally, twice daily) and CS (intravenous methylprednisolone, 1 to 3 g, followed by oral prednisone at 1 mg/kg per day). Oral CS were discontinued by month 6; MMF was continued through month 18. The primary outcome measure was remission by month 6 and stable renal function. Secondary endpoints included major relapses necessitating a switch to CYC plus CS, minor relapses requiring an increase in CS dosage, and adverse events. RESULTS Thirteen of 17 patients enrolled achieved the primary outcome, and 4 failed because of insufficient response, relapse, or MMF intolerance. Twelve patients remained in remission through month 18, renal function remained stable, and proteinuria improved. Side effects of MMF were mild, transient, and responsive to dose adjustments in all patients except one. CONCLUSIONS MMF represents an alternative to CYC for induction and maintenance of remission in patients with MPO-ANCA-associated MPA with mild to moderate renal disease.
Calculus removal from multirooted teeth with and without surgical access. II. Comparison between external and furcation surfaces and effect of furcation entrance width.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of furcation entrance width on the efficacy of calculus removal from furcation areas as well as to compare this efficacy between external and furcation surfaces after closed root planing, open root planing and use of a rotary diamond for the furcation area. 30 first and second lower molars scheduled for extraction with a calculus index > or = 2 and a degree II or III furcation involvement were divided into 3 groups: 10 molars were scaled and root planed using a closed approach: 10 molars were scaled and root planed using an open approach; 10 molars were scaled and root planed with an open approach and rotary diamond was used for removal of deposits in the furcation area. After extraction, the width of the furcation entrance was measured buccally and lingually 2 mm apical from the bifurcation and furcations were categorized as wide (width > 2.4 mm) or narrow (width < 2.4 mm). The teeth were assessed in a stereomicroscope and the % of residual calculus on external and furcation surfaces was calculated. The width of the furcation entrance influenced the efficacy in root planning in the open group (p = 0.0015). The use of rotary diamond was the most effective method for removing calculus both for narrow and wide furcations. The effectiveness of open root planning in the mesial root was related to the width of the furcation entrance where the % of residual calculus was significantly higher for narrow furcations (p = 0.008). (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
DCOPF-Based Marginal Loss Pricing With Enhanced Power Flow Accuracy by Using Matrix Loss Distribution

On current days, many of the power markets are adopting the practice of marginal loss pricing. The DC optimal power flow (DCOPF) model is still mostly used for the purpose of market clearing owing to its simplicity, robustness and higher speed of convergence. Within the DCOPF framework, transmission line losses are represented as additional external loads on the system. In the classical DCOPF model of marginal loss pricing, as implemented in the New England market, the aggregated network loss is distributed over the system nodes in a fixed ratio. To gain more design flexibility in the distribution of system losses, a matrix loss distribution (MLD) framework is developed in this paper maintaining compatibility with financial transmission rights. In MLD, each individual line is considered separately for the purpose of loss distribution. The ratio in which the power loss in a certain line is distributed can be different from that in which the power loss in another line is distributed. The additional design flexibility thus obtained assists in making a more accurate representation of the power flow. The benefit of MLD is illustrated through a case study. An energy reference independent application of MLD is also suggested.
WOMEN’S EMPOWERMENT AND GENDER INEQUALITY IN ADOLESCENT NUTRITIONAL STATUS: EVIDENCE FROM THE INDONESIAN FAMILY LIFE SURVEY

Summary In contrast to the extensive knowledge on the association between women’s empowerment and the nutritional status of children under the age of five, relatively little is known about the influence of women’s empowerment on adolescents’ nutritional status. This study aimed to assess the association between women’s empowerment and gender inequalities in adolescent nutritional status. Data were from the Indonesian Family Life Survey (IFLS) covering the period 1997 to 2015, and consisted of 16,683 observations from 13,396 adolescents between the ages of 10 and 19 years born in 6781 families. Three indicators of women’s empowerment were used: mother’s education, mother’s bargaining power and mother’s working status. Multivariate linear regression with robust standard errors was used to examine whether and how these indicators of women’s empowerment influenced adolescent nutritional status. Interaction terms were added to analyse how the association between women’s empowerment and adolescent nutritional status differed by gender. The results showed that mother’s education and mother’s working status were significantly associated with adolescent nutritional status, particularly with height-for-age. Adolescents of well-educated mothers had a higher height-for-age while those who were raised by mothers with a blue-collar job had a lower height-for-age. Although no gender differences were found for height-for-age, gender differences for BMI-for-age were obvious, with boys having a lower BMI-for-age than girls. Interactions between indicators of mother’s empowerment and gender showed that the gender gap in BMI-for-age was smaller for adolescents of more educated mothers. However, further analyses of food consumption patterns showed that boys whose mothers were more educated consumed more fast food and had higher instant noodle consumption than girls, thus suggesting gender bias in new disguise.
Problems presented by medical students seeking support: A possible intervention framework

Background: Academically bright and ambitious medical students must cope with a combination of curriculum, assessment, career choice, personal, family and social pressures. Many seek support, and some present complex problems that consume substantial resources. A few continue unresolved into postgraduate life and may affect future professional performance. Early intervention may be helpful in minimising the impact on both individual students and school resources. Aim: To develop a broad classification framework for personal problems presented by medical students to student support services. Methods: We report a study of more complex student problems presenting to student support services. A three stage iterative process, involving student support faculty from several international medical schools, discussed case scenarios based on pooled experience and developed a framework for categorising and considering management. Results: Seven profiles of student problems were developed, based on composites of unidentified cases drawn from participants’ experiences, reflecting: immaturity; learning skills; organisational skills; health or personal issues and poor insight. Broad characteristics and brief prognostic comments are provided for each profile. Discussion: While profiles may overlap and each student may have a unique set of issues, there appears to be similarities that allow some categorisation for management strategies and prognostic features in both undergraduate and postgraduate medical education. Further work is needed to develop ‘diagnostic’ assessments that might guide intervention. Conclusion: This classification may assist early intervention into personal problems presented by medical students to student support services.
Hydrolyzed Formulas for Allergy Prevention

Objectives: The aim of the present review was to provide recommendations on the use of hydrolysates in infants when formula feeding is initiated. Methods: We performed an overview of reviews followed by a systematic review of subsequently published trials. Results: We found 8 systematic reviews; only 1 study of limited quality was published afterwards. Certain extensively hydrolyzed casein and certain partially hydrolyzed whey formulas are appropriate for reducing the risk of allergy in infants at high risk when formula feeding is initiated. Conclusions: In high-risk infants, when breast-feeding is not possible, hydrolysates of documented safety and efficacy have an indication in infant feeding up to the age 4 to 6 months.
A new intensity-hue-saturation fusion approach to image fusion with a tradeoff parameter

A useful technique in various applications of remote sensing involves the fusion of panchromatic and multispectral satellite images. Recently, Tu et al. introduced a fast intensity-hue-saturation (IHS) fusion method. Aside from its fast computing capability for fusing images, this method can extend traditional three-order transformations to an arbitrary order. It can also quickly merge massive volumes of data by requiring only resampled multispectral data. However, fast IHS fusion also distorts color in the same way as fusion processes such as the IHS fusion technique. To overcome this problem, the minimization problem for a fast IHS method was considered and the method proposed by Gonza/spl acute/lez-Aud/spl inodot//spl acute/cana et al. is presented as a solution. However, the method is not efficient enough to quickly merge massive volumes of data from satellite images. The author therefore uses a tradeoff parameter in a new approach to image fusion based on fast IHS fusion. This approach enables fast, easy implementation. Furthermore, the tradeoff between the spatial and spectral resolution of the image to be fused can be easily controlled with the aid of the tradeoff parameter. Therefore, with an appropriate tradeoff parameter, the new approach provides a satisfactory result, both visually and quantitatively.
Temperature and calibration corrections to puff volume measurements in cigarette smoking.

Quantitative data on cigarette smoking often include measurements of puffing indices such as puff volume, flow and duration. Workers have used miniature flow (pneumotachograph) heads to monitor the flow of cigarette smoke and integrated this to obtain puff volume. However, if flow heads are calibrated at one fixed temperature and account is not taken of variations in smoke temperature during puffing, an error in the measurement of puff volume is introduced. In order to investigate the magnitude of this error, known puff volumes have been measured. Corrections for variations in smoke temperature and instrument calibration for the flow head used are described and have been applied to the cigarette puff volume measurements.
α‐Thrombin‐induced inositol phosphate formation in go‐arrested and cycling hamster lung fibroblasts: Evidence for a protein kinase C‐mediated desensitization response

In resting Chinese hamster fibroblasts (CCL39) α‐thrombin rapidly induces the breakdown, of phosphoinositides. Accumulation of inositol phosphates (IP), measured in the presence of Li+, is detectable within 5s (seconds) of thrombin stimulation. Formation of inositol tris‐ and bisphosphates slightly precedes that of inositol monophosphate, indicating that thrombin activates primarily the phospholipase C‐mediated generation of inositol trisphosphate from phosphatidylinositol 4,5‐bisphosphate. Initial rates of IP production increase with thrombin concentration, with no apparent saturability over the range 10−4‐10 U/ml. Thrombin‐induced phosphoinositide hydrolysis rapidly desensitizes (t1/2 < 5 min), but a residual activity, corresponding to about 10% of the initial stimulation is sustained for at least 9 h, in contrast with the undetectable activity of G0‐arrested cells. This apparent desensitization may be due to a feedback regulation by protein kinase C, since pretreatment with the phorbol ester 12‐O‐tetradecanoyl phorbol 13‐acetate (TPA) markedly inhibits (by up to 70%) subsequent thrombin‐induced inositol phosphate formation. Conversely, growth factor deprivation of CCL39 cells results in a progressive increase of thrombin‐induced phosphoinositide hydrolysis, from the very low level of exponentially growing cells to the maximal level of G0‐arrested cells. This “up regulation” was found maximal in A51, a very well growth‐arrested CCL39 derivative, and reduced or virtually abolished in two tumoral and growth factor‐relaxed derivatives of CCL39. Although preliminary, this observation suggests that a persistent activation of phosphatidyl inositol breakdown might operate in variants selected for autonomous growth.
Key Ideas in Nursing's First Century

OVERVIEWThis article identifies some of the major ideas underpinning modern American nursing in its first 100 years, and postulates that distinct periods in nursing's early formal development were dominated by a particular theme or set of ideas. The themes, which were largely determined by social priorities, scientific advances, and national emergencies, overlapped, enriched each other, and provided an impetus for nursing to evolve into the highly skilled profession it has become.
The Relationship Between E2F Family Members and Tumor Growth in Colorectal Adenocarcinomas: A Comparative Immunohistochemical Study of 100 Cases

The mammalian E2F family of transcription factors comprises a group of 8 proteins, which either activate or repress transcription of numerous target genes, playing a role in cell-cycle progression and apoptosis. We have collectively investigated the immunohistochemical expression of E2F1, E2F2, and E2F4 transcription factors and their relation to cell kinetic parameters using serial section analysis in a series of 100 cases of human colorectal adenocarcinomas. E2F1 and E2F4 expressed nuclear immunopositivity in all cases. The range of their expression was 2% to 80% (mean 21%±15%) and 2% to 90% (mean 66%±20%), respectively. E2F2 was expressed in 41 cases at low levels (range, 1% to 5%, mean 2%±9%). A statistically significant direct association between E2F4 and cell proliferation, as expressed by high levels of Ki-67 labeling index, was shown. A mutually exclusive immunostaining pattern between E2F1 and E2F4 and a direct correlation of E2F1 and apoptosis were also highlighted. Our results point to a possible direct tumor-promoting role for E2F4 in the context of colorectal carcinogenesis. The inverse immunohistochemical relationship between E2F1 and E2F4 indicates a possible mechanistic interlink in colorectal cancer. Low expression of E2F2 may reflect functional redundancy between members of the E2F family, in this case between E2F1 and E2F2.
The Triggering Receptor Expressed on Myeloid Cells 2: A Molecular Link of Neuroinflammation and Neurodegenerative Diseases*

The triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells (TREM) 2 is a member of the immunoglobulin superfamily of receptors and mediates signaling in immune cells via engagement of its co-receptor DNAX-activating protein of 12 kDa (DAP12). Homozygous mutations in TREM2 or DAP12 cause Nasu-Hakola disease, which is characterized by bone abnormalities and dementia. Recently, a variant of TREM2 has also been associated with an increased risk for Alzheimer disease. The selective expression of TREM2 on immune cells and its association with different forms of dementia indicate a contribution of this receptor in common pathways of neurodegeneration.
The effects of clozapine and risperidone on spatial working memory in schizophrenia.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the effects of clozapine and risperidone on spatial working memory in patients with schizophrenia. METHOD Spatial working memory performance was evaluated at baseline and after 17 and 29 weeks in 97 patients with schizophrenia participating in a multisite trial. RESULTS Compared with baseline performance while receiving conventional antipsychotic medication, risperidone improved, and clozapine worsened, spatial working memory performance. CONCLUSIONS The differential effects of these medications on spatial working memory may be due to the anticholinergic effects of clozapine and prefrontal dopamine-enhancing effects of risperidone.
PFC interleaved buck-boost converter for telecom power application

At present, the field of power factor corrected (PFC) rectifiers are very much matured. Typically a single phase PFC converter requires measurements from three independent sensors i.e. input voltage, input current and output voltage. By considering a need of farther compact and more flexible in terms of input to output voltage gain, a new UPF rectifier with two buck-boost converter operating in interleaved condition with use of only one output voltage sensor is presented. The proposed control technique uses only integrator to compensate the error between measured voltage and reference voltage and it is very simple to implement. The proposed Buck-boost converter operates in Discontinuous Conduction Mode (DCM) to achieve UPF at AC input. The required buck-boost inductance in DCM operation is quite small. In contrast to this, the current ripple of buck-boost inductor is quite high. Interleaving is the viable option to reduce the inductor current ripple, component stress, input filter size and enhances the power density. To verify the feasibility of the proposed scheme, the proposed converter is repeatedly simulated in PSIM and in real time platform OP4510. A scaled down lab prototype is built and experimental results are presented to verify the suitability of the proposed converter for the practical application.
Characterization of genome methylation patterns in the desert locust Schistocerca gregaria

SUMMARY DNA methylation is a widely conserved epigenetic modification. The analysis of genome-scale DNA methylation patterns in various organisms suggests that major features of animal methylomes are widely conserved. However, based on the variation of DNA methyltransferase genes in invertebrates, it has also been proposed that DNA methylation could provide a molecular mechanism for ecological adaptation. We have now analyzed the methylome of the desert locust, Schistocerca gregaria, which represents an organism with a high degree of phenotypic plasticity. Using genome-scale bisulfite sequencing, we show here that the S. gregaria methylome is characterized by CpG- and exon-specific methylation and thus shares two major features with other animal methylomes. In contrast to other invertebrates, however, overall methylation levels were substantially higher and a significant fraction of transposons was methylated. Additionally, genic sequences were densely methylated in a pronounced bimodal pattern, suggesting a role for DNA methylation in the regulation of locust gene expression. Our results thus uncover a unique pattern of genome methylation in locusts and provide an important foundation for investigating the role of DNA methylation in locust phase polyphenism.
Strategic Alignment Between Business and Information Technology: A Knowledge-Based View of Behaviors, Outcome, and Consequences

Senior executives continue to be concerned about factors influencing the business effect of information technology (IT). Prior research has argued that business-IT strategic alignment facilitates business effect of IT and that contextual factors affect business-IT alignment. However, the role of knowledge considerations in the relationship between contextual factors and alignment, and the role of IT projects in the relationship between alignment and business effects of IT, have not been explicitly examined. Therefore, this paper pursues the following two research questions: (1) Based on knowledge considerations, how do planning behaviors (specifically, IT managers' participation in business planning and business managers' participation in IT planning) and top management knowledge of IT mediate the effects of two contextual factors—organizational emphasis on knowledge management and centralization of IT decisions—on business-IT strategic alignment? (2) How do aspects of IT projects (specifically, quality of IT project planning and implementation problems in IT projects) mediate the relationship between business-IT strategic alignment and business effects of IT? Results from a survey of 274 senior information officers indicate that organizational emphasis on knowledge management and centralization of IT decisions affect top managers' knowledge of IT, which facilitates business managers' participation in strategic IT planning and IT managers' participation in business planning, and both of these planning behaviors affect business-IT strategic alignment. Moreover, the results indicate that quality of IT project planning and implementation problems in IT projects mediate the relationship between business-IT strategic alignment and business effect of IT. These findings highlight the importance of considering the planning and implementation of IT projects when examining the effects of business-IT strategic alignment, and highlight the importance of considering shared domain knowledge (i.e., top managers' knowledge of IT) and planning behaviors when examining the effects of contextual factors on business-IT strategic alignment. Managers can use these results to develop more comprehensive action plans for achieving greater business-IT strategic alignment, and for translating alignment into enhanced IT effects on business performance.
Incorporating duration and region association information in trajectory classification

Trajectory classification is the process of predicting the class label of moving objects based on their trajectories and other features. Existing works on building trajectory classification model discover features by using spatial distribution and shape of sub-trajectory. However, they do not utilise duration and region association information available in trajectory data during feature generation. In this study, trajectory features are generated using spatial distribution, duration and region association information of trajectories. In particular, two types of features, region rules and path rules, are generated from trajectories for classification. Region rules consider the spatial distribution of trajectories, the time spent (duration) by the trajectories in the region and the association information with other regions. Path rules differentiate objects based on their travelling patterns and speed. Efficient algorithms are devised to obtain region rules and path rules. Based on the discovered rule, trajectory classification model is built to predict the class label of new trajectory. Experimental results on various real-world data-sets show that incorporating duration and region association information in trajectory classification improves accuracy.