Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Long-term treatment of patients with Alzheimer's disease in primary and secondary care: results from an international survey

Abstract Objective: The International Outcomes Survey in Dementia (IOSID) was initiated to observe the effects of current standard of care for Alzheimer’s disease (AD) on patient outcomes and caregiver burden in a real-life setting. Research design and methods: This 2-year, international, prospective, longitudinal and observational cohort survey involved patients with mild-to-moderate AD (Mini-Mental State Examination [MMSE] scores of 10–26 points) living in an ordinary household at baseline. There was no intervention with regard to patient management. Primary informal caregivers were also included in the survey. Main outcome measures: Patient parameters assessed included the MMSE, Disability Assessment for Dementia (DAD), Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI), and Clinical Global Impression (CGI). Caregiver burden was evaluated with the Zarit Burden Interview and caregiver distress was assessed as part of the NPI. Adverse events (AEs) were monitored. Results: Of 2288 patients recruited, 1382 (60.4%) completed the survey. At baseline, the majority (79.3%) of patients were receiving treatment with acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (AChEIs) or/and memantine. MMSE, DAD, NPI and CGI scores all showed that patients experienced deterioration of AD symptoms during the survey. MMSE scores declined less steeply than might have been expected based on historical data. Scores on the four outcome scales were significantly correlated at all time points. Mean caregivers’ feeling of strain and caregiver distress increased during the survey. AEs occurring in more than 2% of patients were nausea (3.0%), injury (2.6%), fall (2.4%), depression (2.2%) and urinary tract infection (2.2%). Conclusions: Community patients with AD experience progressive and interconnected decline in cognition, behaviour and functioning over time, placing increased burden on caregivers. However, improved care in recent years, including AChEI use, might be reflected in slower rates of patient decline than were evident in the past. Overall, relatively low rates of AEs were apparent during the survey. Limitations of this survey included a smaller than anticipated number of recruited patients confounding the possibility of performing comprehensive subgroup analyses, and the lack of randomisation inherent in the survey methodology.
A Fast Orthogonal Signal-Generation Algorithm Characterized by Noise Immunity and High Accuracy for Single-Phase Grid

Conventional orthogonal signal-generation methods for single-phase grid suffer from long response time, approximation errors, and/or noise amplification. To remedy this problem, a novel orthogonal signal-generation algorithm, which is characterized by remarkable response speed, high accuracy, noise immunity, and easy implementation, is developed in this paper. The developed algorithm can precisely calculate the orthogonal signal within about 2.5 ms when the amplitude/phase of the grid signal changes suddenly, under the premise of not significantly increasing the computational burden compared with the conventional methods. Far more important is that the high accuracy of the proposed method is independent of the system sampling frequency; hence, effectively avoiding the approximation errors in a wide range of sampling frequencies. In addition, it is shown how the noise amplification issue caused by the developed algorithm, which is nearly equal to that of the first-order differentiating method, can be effectively solved by proper time-span scaling and restricted into an acceptable range. Finally, the validity and advancement of the developed algorithm are verified by experimental results.
Floating numeral quantifiers as an unaccusative diagnostic in native, heritage, and L2 Japanese speakers

ABSTRACT This study investigates the knowledge of unaccusativity in Japanese native, heritage, and second/foreign language speakers with respect to licensing of floating numeral quantifiers (FNQs) by unaccusative and unergative subjects (the FNQ diagnostic). Two acceptability judgment experiments were conducted to examine (i) whether and how judgments of the three populations differ with respect to the FNQ paradigm and (ii) whether and how manipulations of agentivity of subjects and telicity of events affect their judgments of the FNQ diagnostic. Our findings show that (i) the native and heritage speakers’ knowledge about the FNQ diagnostic are largely indistinguishable from each other, (ii) some L2 speakers’ judgments show signs of initial development of the knowledge of the FNQ diagnostic, and (iii) telicity shows clear effects on the FNQ diagnostic with all three groups, while the effects of agentivity are subtle and detectible only with the native and heritage speakers.
Effects of transformational and transactional leadership on cognitive effort and outcomes during collaborative learning within a virtual world

Computer-supported collaborative learning is a common e-learning activity. Instructors have to create appropriate social and instructional interventions in order to promote effective learning. We performed a study that examined the effects of two popular leadership interventions, transformational and transactional, on cognitive effort and outcomes during collaborative learning within a virtual world. Our results indicate that while transformational leadership increases cognitive effort, transactional leadership reduces it. Cognitive effort, in turn, improves decision quality but it also lengthens the discussion and reduces discussion satisfaction. Transformational and transactional leadership also affect discussion satisfaction directly and positively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Glucose challenge test: Screening threshold for gestational diabetes mellitus and associated outcomes

Objective. To examine whether women with an 1-hour 50-g glucose challenge test (GCT) for gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) between 120 and 140 mg/dL and ≥140 mg/dL are at risk of perinatal complications. Study design. A retrospective cohort study of women with singleton pregnancies screened for GDM between 1988 and 2001 with a 1-hour 50-g GCT. Values of GCT were stratified into four subgroups: <120, 120–129, 130–139, and ≥140 mg/dL. Perinatal outcomes were compared using the Chi-square test and multivariable logistic regression analysis. Results. There were 13 901 women meeting the study criteria. Compared to women with a GCT of <120 mg/dL, women with a GCT of 130–139 mg/dL and ≥140 mg/dL were more likely to have preeclampsia and operative vaginal or cesarean deliveries. Neonates born to women with a GCT of 130–139 mg/dL also had higher odds of having a 5-minute Apgar score <7 (odds ratio (OR) = 1.51, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.01–2.29), shoulder dystocia (OR = 2.02, 95% CI 1.16–2.55), birth trauma (OR = 1.47, 95% CI 1.06–2.02), and composite morbidity (OR = 1.25, 95% CI 1.03–1.51). Women with a GCT of ≥140 mg/dL had higher odds of macrosomia (OR = 1.32, 95% CI 1.13–1.54) and shoulder dystocia (OR = 1.68, 95% CI 1.11–2.55). Conclusion. Women with GCT results of 130–139 mg/dL appear to be at increased risk for perinatal morbidity. Thus, utilizing a diagnostic test in women with a GCT above 130 mg/dL should be considered.
Sperm morphology and aneuploidies: defects of supposed genetic origin

As individuals with genetic sperm defects are intracytoplasmic sperm injection candidates, the study of the chromosomal constitution of their spermatozoa is of great interest. This study is a review of the current literature concerning fluorescence in situ hybridisation studies in spermatozoa with genetic sperm defect as ‘round head’, ‘dysplasia of fibrous sheath’ (DFS), ‘primary ciliary dyskinesia’ (PCD), the ‘detached tail’ and the ‘absence of fibrous sheath’. Regarding sperm head defects, elevated XY disomy and diplodies were detected. Genetic defects affecting the sperm tail seemed to have a different correlation with chromosome meiotic segregation. Only chromosome 18, among the autosomes, was studied and the percentage of frequency of disomy was generally within the normal range. In the more frequently studied defect, DFS, the alterations in gonosome disomy and diploidy were recorded by different groups. Regarding PCD defects, elevated frequencies of disomy of sex chromosomes and diploidy were observed, whereas the absence of the fibrous sheath and the detached tail did not show any meiotic disturbance. The problem of genetic sperm defects should be seriously considered when these sperm are used for assisted reproduction, owing to the high risk of transmission of chromosomal imbalance and of mutations that could cause genetic sperm defects in offspring.
Posterior Scleritis: Analysis of Epidemiology, Clinical Factors, and Risk of Recurrence in a Cohort of 114 Patients

Abstract Purpose: To describe the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of patients with posterior scleritis, and to analyze the response to treatment and time to relapse. Methods: Retrospective study of 114 cases of posterior scleritis from two tertiary care, university-affiliated, referral centers in the United Kingdom and India between 2004 and 2013. Data included sociodemographic factors, medical history, clinical, laboratory and ultrasound findings, therapies, and outcomes. LogMAR visual acuity at presentation and final visit and time to relapse were the main outcome measures. Results: The mean age was 45.9 ± 16.8 years, 71.1% were women, and 18 (15.8%) patients had bilateral disease; 71 (62.3%) cases were idiopathic. Rheumatoid polyarthritis (12.28%), systemic lupus erythematous (4.38%) and pANCA+ systemic vasculitis (5.26%) were the most frequent systemic associations. VA improved by 0.24 ± 0.36 LogMAR between presentation and last follow up (p < 0.001). The median time to remission was 210 days (95% CI: 184–256 days). Recurrences after remission were observed in 36.63%. The observed incidence rate of posterior scleritis relapse after remission was 15.81% per person-year (95% CI: 11.78–20.77%). Systemic disease was present significantly in patients more than 50 years of age (OR = 2.29; 95% CI: 1.01–5.17; p = 0.044). Conclusion: Posterior scleritis is an uncommon disease causing pain and visual loss. In around 40% of the cases, it can be associated with other systemic diseases. Median time to relapse was 210 days. Relapses may occur in around 1 in 3 patients, with an incidence rate of 15.81% per person/year.
The Incidence of Peripheral Nerve Injury in Extremity Trauma

Taylor CA, Braza D, Rice JB, Dillingham T: The incidence of peripheral nerve injury in extremity trauma. Am J Phys Med Rehabil 2008;87:381–385. Objective:To examine the incidence of peripheral nerve injury within 90 days of a limb trauma diagnosis in patients who have presented to the hospital or outpatient clinic. Design:This study is a retrospective, descriptive study that uses the 1998 MarketScan Commercial Claims and Encounters Database (The MEDSTAT Group) to track peripheral nerve injuries in extremity trauma. We selected our sample by using ICD9 codes for limb trauma during the first 9 mos of 1998. Nerve injuries within 90 days after limb trauma were the main outcome measure. Finally, we report how the rates of trauma and accompanying nerve injuries were contrasted by gender and age group, using univariate and bivariate statistics. All data analyses were conducted using Stata 9.0 statistical software. Results:Out of 16 million insureds in the database, 220,593 (1.4%) were diagnosed with limb trauma. Eighty-three percent of the patients were less than 55 yrs old, and 50% were male. The total incidence of nerve injuries within 90 days of upper- or lower-limb trauma was 1.64%. The type of extremity trauma with the highest incidence of nerve injury within 90 days of the diagnosis was a crush injury at 1.9%. Approximately 50% of our sample was selected because of a dislocation, which had an associated nerve injury prevalence of 1.46%. Conclusions:When looking at the population sampled, rates for peripheral nerve injury in people incurring limb trauma are low. Crush injuries seem to have the highest rate of associated nerve injury. Further studies are needed to observe outcomes for people with nerve damage after trauma.
Association of Preoperative Risk Factors with Postoperative Acute Renal Failure

We performed a systematic review of 28 studies that examined preoperative risk factors for postoperative renal failure. Included in the studies were 10,865 patients who underwent either vascular, cardiac, general, or biliary surgery. No two studies used the same criteria for acute renal failure. Variability in definitions of renal failure, lack of consistent criteria for establishing risk factors, and nonuniformity in the statistical methods employed result in a literature that is not adequate to support a comprehensive quantitative review. Of the 30 variables considered in the studies, preoperative renal risk factors, such as increased serum creatinine, increased blood urea nitrogen, and preoperative renal dysfunction were repeatedly found to predict postoperative renal dysfunction. The literature provides little quantitative information concerning the degree of risk associated with other factors. Cardiac risk factors, such as left ventricular dysfunction, were reported to be predictive of postoperative renal failure more consistently than was advanced age.
Frequency of genetic polymorphisms of COX1, GPIIIa and P2Y1 in a Chinese population and association with attenuated response to aspirin.

BACKGROUND Aspirin is a frequently prescribed drug for primary and secondary prevention of myocardial infarction, stroke and cardiovascular death. However, aspirin resistance may affect up to 45% of the population. Little is known on the role of genetic factors that contribute to resistance or augmented response to aspirin in different human populations. METHODS In a large sample of nonsmoker, medication-free healthy volunteers from mainland China (n = 323; age: 22.1 +/- 2.0 years) (mean +/- standard deviation), we determined the frequency of polymorphisms in cyclooxygenase 1 (COX1) (A-842G and C50T), glycoprotein IIIa (GPIIIa) (PLA1/A2) and purinergic receptor P2Y (P2Y1) (C893T and A1622G) genes. These candidate genes were chosen on the basis of their impact on platelet physiology and aspirin mode of action. A four panel P2Y1 genotype-stratified sample of healthy volunteers (n = 24 in total), identified from the large study sample above, prospectively received a 100 mg daily oral dose of aspirin for 7 days. We measured changes in platelet aggregation before and after aspirin treatment. As a comparison reference group, 6 out of 24 subjects in the prospective aspirin trial had the P2Y1 CT893/AG1622 genotype that displays a low frequency (<7%) in the Chinese population. RESULTS COX1 A-842G, C50T and GPIIIa PLA1/A2 genetic polymorphisms were not observed in our sample from mainland China. Allele frequencies of P2Y1 893T and 1622G were 3.5 and 30.6%, respectively. The heterozygosity for the P2Y1 A1622G polymorphism observed in the present study was different to Caucasians; Chinese displayed a higher allele frequency for the 1622G allele. After aspirin treatment, the net decrease in arachidonic acid-induced platelet aggregation was significantly larger in the P2Y1 CT893/AG1622 genotype panel (83.4 +/- 3.7%, net reduction by aspirin expressed as percentage of baseline) compared with CC893/GG1622 (68.2 +/- 13.5%), CC893/AG1622 (68.9 +/- 9.6%) and CC893/AA1622 (65.1 +/- 9.1%) genotypic groups (p = 0.012, 0.025 and 0.004, respectively; statistical power = 77%). There was no significant difference in antiplatelet effect of aspirin among the CC893/GG1622, CC893/AG1622 and CC893/AA1622 genotypes (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS The COX1 A-842G, C50T and GPIIIa PLA1/A2 polymorphisms are rare in Chinese. In contrast to previous studies in Caucasian populations, these candidate functional polymorphisms are unlikely to be significant contributors to aspirin pharmacodynamics in Chinese persons. Importantly, the presence of the P2Y1 893CC genotype appears to confer an attenuated antiplatelet effect during aspirin treatment in healthy Chinese volunteers. These data collectively underscore the importance of population-to-population variability in clinical pharmacogenetics research and provide a basis for further long-term studies of aspirin response and P2Y1 genetic variation in patients with cardiovascular risk.
Effect of dentin primer application on regional bond strength to cervical wedge-shaped cavity walls.

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of multiple applications of self-etching primer on regional tensile bond strength (microTBS) to artificial wedge-shaped cavities (i.e., occlusal vs gingival wall). Eighteen extracted noncarious human molars were used to measure microTBS, and four additional teeth were used for scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of the interface. Wedge-shaped defects were prepared in the buccal cervical dentin. The teeth were mounted on their distal surface, simulating the supine position of the teeth during dental treatment. The teeth were divided into two groups according to the bonding systems [Clearfil Liner Bond II (LB) or Imperva Fluoro Bond (FB)], and again divided into two subgroups for bonding. One group (Group S) was treated once with the primer according to the manufacturer's instructions. For the other group (Group M), the primer was applied several times for the period recommended by the manufacturer. The adhesive bonding resins were then applied to the cavity walls, and restored with a low-viscosity resin composite (Protect Liner F), and stored in 37 degrees C water for 24 hours. The resin-bonded teeth were serially sliced parallel to the long axis of the tooth. The adhesive interface of each slice was trimmed alternately at the occlusal or gingival wall, and a microtensile testing method was used to compare resin bond strength to each wall. With both adhesive systems and primer application methods, tensile bond strength to the gingival wall was significantly lower than to the occlusal wall (P < 0.05). Tensile bond strength of LB to each cavity wall of a wedge-shaped defect increased significantly by multiple primer application (P < 0.05); however, bond strengths of FB were not significantly different after multiple primer applications.
Delaying S‐phase progression rescues cells from heat‐induced S‐phase hypertoxicity

The mechanism by which a cell protects itself from the lethal effects of heat shock and other stress‐inducing agents is the subject of much research. We have investigated the relationship between heat‐induced damage to DNA replication machinery and the lethal effects of heat shock, in S‐phase cells, which are more sensitive to heat shock than either G1 or G2. We found that maintaining cells in aphidicolin, which prevents the passage of cells through S‐phase, can rescue S‐phase HeLa cells from the lethal effects of heat shock. When S‐phase, HeLa cells were held for 5–6 h in 3 μM aphidicolin the measured clonogenic survival was similar to that for exponentially growing cells. It is known, that heat shock induces denaturation or unfolding of proteins, rendering them less soluble and more likely to co‐isolate with the nuclear matrix. Here, we show that enhanced binding of proteins involved in DNA replication (PCNA, RPA, and cyclin A), with the nuclear matrix, correlates with lethality of S‐phase cells following heat shock under four different experimental conditions. Specifically, the amounts of RPA, PCNA, and cyclin A associated with the nuclear matrix when cells resumed progression through S‐phase correlated with cell killing. Heat‐induced enhanced binding of nuclear proteins involved with other aspects of DNA metabolism, (Mrell, PDI), do not show this correlation. These results support the hypothesis that heat‐induced changes in the binding of proteins associated with DNA replication factories are the potentially lethal lesions, which become fixed to lethal lesions by S‐phase progression but are repairable if S‐phase progression is delayed. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Consuming Your Way to Efficiency: Public Goods Provision Through Non-Distortionary Tax Lotteries

We revisit the classical result that taxation of private consumption is distortionary and therefore precludes the efficient provision of public goods. We introduce a nonlinear consumption tax which we call a ‘tax lottery’. Under this scheme, an ad-valorem consumption tax is supplemented with a lottery in which consumers can win cash prizes. The winning probabilities in this lottery depend on all consumers' private good consumption decisions. We show that for a given ad-valorem tax, an appropriately designed lottery can implement an efficient allocation in pure-strategy Nash equilibrium. The lottery component corrects the distortion in private consumption due to the ad-valorem tax, while the resulting tax revenue is sufficient to efficiently provide the public good and pay out the lottery prize.
PPCoin: Peer-to-Peer Crypto-Currency with Proof-of-Stake

A peer-to-peer crypto-currency design derived from Satoshi Nakamoto’s Bitcoin. Proof-of-stake replaces proof-of-work to provide most of the network security. Under this hybrid design proof-of-work mainly provides initial minting and is largely non-essential in the long run. Security level of the network is not dependent on energy consumption in the long term thus providing an energyefficient and more cost-competitive peer-to-peer crypto-currency. Proof-of-stake is based on coin age and generated by each node via a hashing scheme bearing similarity to Bitcoin’s but over limited search space. Block chain history and transaction settlement are further protected by a centrally broadcasted checkpoint mechanism.
Left-Arm Dominance in Active Positioning

The relative accuracy of the left and the right arms in active positioning was studied in a group of 24 male right-handed undergraduates. The task required active positioning of the left and right arms at each of the four angular positions (30°, 45°, 60°, and 75°). The left arm was more accurate in active positioning than the right arm. There was a progressive increase in error for both arms as the arms flexed more in reducing the angle at the joint. Results are discussed in light of suggestions concerning the superiority of the right hemisphere in the processing of kinesthetic and proprioceptive information.
Symptom Management for Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial of Acupuncture/Moxibustion

The purpose of this pilot study was to assess the effect of an individualized traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) acupuncture and moxibustion (Acu/Moxa) treatment on symptom control in patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in a preliminary, randomized, sham/placebo-controlled trial. Twenty-nine men and women with IBS were randomized to either individualized Acu/Moxa (treatment group) or sham/placebo Acu/Moxa (control group). All subjects were assessed by a diagnostic acupuncturist for a TCM evaluation and individualized point prescription. Only those subjects assigned to the experimental group received the individually prescribed treatment. The diagnostic acupuncturist did not administer treatments and was blind to treatment assignments. All subjects kept a symptom diary for the duration of the study, enabling measurement of symptom frequency, severity, and improvement. The Clinical Global Impression Scale was administered preintervention to establish baseline severity and on completion of the 4-week, eight-session treatment intervention. After 4 weeks of twice-weekly Acu/Moxa treatment, average daily abdominal pain/discomfort improved whereas the control group showed minimal reduction. This between-group difference adjusted for baseline difference was statistically significant. The intestinal gas, bloating, and stool consistency composite score showed a similar pattern of improvement. The findings indicate that Acu/Moxa treatment shows promise in the area of symptom management for IBS.