Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Structure identification of generalized adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference systems

This paper presents a method to identify the structure of generalized adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference systems (GANFISs). The structure of GANFIS consists of a number of generalized radial basis function (GRBF) units. The radial basis functions are irregularly distributed in the form of hyper-patches in the input-output space. The minimum number of GRBF units is selected based on a heuristic using the fuzzy curve. For structure identification, a new criterion called structure identification criterion (SIC) is proposed. SIC deals with a trade off between performance and computational complexity of the GANFIS model. The computational complexity of gradient descent learning is formulated based on simulation study. Three methods of initialization of GANFIS, viz., fuzzy curve, fuzzy C-means in x/spl times/y space and modified mountain clustering have been compared in terms of cluster validity measure, Akaike's information criterion (AIC) and the proposed SIC.
Factors Affecting Employee Satisfaction of the Public and Private Sector Organizations of Pakistan

The purpose of this study is to find out the factors that affect employee satisfaction and how much is the intensity. Specifically, we took Working conditions, pay & promotion, Job safety and security, Training and development and employee empowerment as the antecedents to see their impact on employee satisfaction and further the impact of employee satisfaction on Job performance and employee turnover intention. This can help us to better understand about the satisfaction level of employees and how we can motivate employees to perform their job efficiently and effectively. The Sample was collected from different organizations of Bahawalpur City (Punjab, Pakistan). Two main clusters were targeted to collect the sample data university employees and some private organizations in the city. The questionnaire was distributed among 200 respondents in Bahawalpur City. 155 questionnaires were selected and rests of the questionnaires were not included in the further analysis due to incomplete or invalid responses.The survey study addresses two major purposes; first is to analyze the relationship of different variables with employee satisfaction, second to collect information about the different characteristics. After collecting the completed questionnaires, these questionnaires were coded and entered into SPSS sheet and the hypothesiswas tested using regression analysis. Result of our study show significant relationship of working conditions, Job Safety and security, Training and Development and Employee Empowerment on Employee Satisfaction and Job Performance. However, Pay and promotion has no significant relation with Job Performance. Employee Satisfaction has a significant negative relation with turnover intention.
Some peculiarities of the Na(+)-Ca2+ exchange reaction in choline, tetramethylenammonium and Tris media.

N a + C a 2 + exchange has been well defined in the membranes of excitable tissues. Its main role is suggested to be the extrusion of calcium from the cells at the expense of t ransmembrane electrochemical sodium gradient. T h e system has been studied in detail m vitro in membrane vesicles loaded with sodium ions and transferred into media containing ions other t h a n sodium (e.g. Philipson 1985; DiPolo and Beaugé 1988; Reeves 1985; Sanchez-Armass and Blaustein 1987). The highest rates of the N a + C a 2 + exchange were observed in media containing potassium ions. W i t h a high probability, this is due to the fact t h a t in potassium medium two independent systems part icipate in calcium accumulation: voltage dependent calcium channels and N a + C a 2 + exchange (Coutinho et al. 1983; Duarte et al. 1991; Tagliatella et al. 1990). On the contrary, in our experiments with N a + C a 2 + exchanger from crayfish striated muscle reconstituted into asolectin phospholipids we observed higher 4 5 C a 2 + accumulation in vesicles incubated in choline medium as compared with potass ium medium (unpublished results). The experiments with the rat brain nerve endings and microsomes presented herein as well as those with the crayfish striated muscle membranes have shown t h a t not only choline, but also te t ramethylammonium and Tris ions in the external medium exhibited a higher 4 5 C a 2 + accumulation via N a + 4 5 C a 2 + exchange as compared with the external potassium medium.
The relationship between Person-Organization Fit, burnout, and turnover Intention among CIC academic staff

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between person organization fit (P-O fit), burnout ( as a whole and its three dimensions) , and turnover intention, between CIC (Canadian International College) academic members, or how can the misfit between the academic member and his/her organization causes burnout, which is in turn leads to a desire to leave work or turnover intention . The findings of the study confirmed the role of P-O misfit as an antecedent to burnout in general and to each one of its three dimensions (emotional exhaustion ,depersonalization and reduced personal accomplishments), meanwhile the existence of turnover intention as a consequence to burnout in general and to its three dimensions (emotional exhaustion ,depersonalization and reduced personal accomplishments), as well as the strong negative relationship between P-O fit and turnover intention .
Compliance With Isolation Precautions at a University Hospital

Compliance with isolation precautions recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) was evaluated in 3 hospital-wide observational surveys. The compliance rate, by type of isolation, was as follows: droplet transmission, 100% (4 observations); airborne transmission, 61.5% (13 observations); contact isolation, 73.3% (165 observations); and protective isolation, 73.6% (72 observations). As with hand hygiene, there is suboptimal compliance with recommended isolation precautions.
Lipopolysaccharide-induced Expression of Interferon-β Mediates the Timing of Inducible Nitric-oxide Synthase Induction in RAW 264.7 Macrophages*

The production of nitric oxide by macrophages has been implicated as a host defense mechanism against microbial pathogens and tumor cells. Recent reports have implicated interferon-α/β (IFN-α/β) as an autocrine/paracrine signal critical for the induction of murine iNOS. In this report we have systematically investigated the role of IFN-β in the induction of iNOS in the murine macrophage cell line, RAW 264.7. First, we demonstrate that IFN-β expression is highly up-regulated, and is secreted in response to lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Treatment of RAW macrophages with LPS results in a time-dependent phosphorylation of STAT-1 on both tyrosine residue 701 (Tyr-701) and serine residue 727 (Ser-727) that is consistent with the timing of endogenous IFN-β expression. LPS also induces interferon regulatory factor-1 expression with similar kinetics. We further demonstrate that exogenous IFN-β accelerates the induction of iNOS by LPS. The acceleration of iNOS induction is observed at the levels of transcription, protein expression, and NO formation. Accordingly, we propose that the cytokine environment of macrophages may determine the rate and magnitude of nitric oxide production, thereby regulating the cytotoxic response to pathogen challenge.
Pregnancy after adolescent and adult cancer: A population‐based matched cohort study

Despite fertility‐preserving initiatives, postcancer reproduction is expected to be lower than that of the general population. Using data from the Cancer Registry and the Medical Birth Registry of Norway, postcancer pregnancy rates were analyzed in 27,556 survivors and compared to those from a matched comparison group (“controls”) from the general population. All were born after 1950, diagnosed from 1967 to 2004 at age of 16–45, and had an observation time from the date of diagnosis (assigned date for controls), until pregnancy, death, age 46, or December 31, 2006. Cox regression was used to estimate pregnancy rates, after adjusting for educational level, parity and diagnostic period. Overall, cancer survivors had a lower pregnancy rate than the controls, but the rate for survivors was higher in males than in females [hazard rate (HR) = 0.74 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.71–0.78) and HR = 0.61 (95% CI 0.58–0.64), respectively]. However, the rates did not differ between controls and survivors of malignant melanoma or thyroid cancer. By contrast, the lowest HRs for pregnancy occurred in survivors of leukemia, cervical or breast cancer. Increased pregnancy rates during the study period were detected for ovarian cancer [HR = 0.2 (95% CI 0.1–0.3) to HR = 0.7 (95% CI 0.5–0.9)], testicular cancer [HR = 0.6 (95% CI 0.4–0.9) to HR = 0.8 (95% CI 0.7–0.8)], and Hodgkin lymphoma diagnosed in men [HR = 0.7 (95% CI 0.5–0.9) to HR = 0.9 (95% CI 0.7–1.0)]. In summary, fertility‐preserving attempts have succeeded in patients with ovarian or testicular cancer and in males with Hodgkin lymphoma. Male survivors initiated pregnancies in a higher degree than female survivors.
Hydrogen sensors based on GaN diodes: The sensing mechanism

In this paper, interaction mechanism of hydrogen with GaN metal-insulator-semiconductor (MIS) diodes has been investigated, focusing on the metal/semiconductor interfaces. As a result, the following three points are revealed: First, MIS Pt-SiO2-GaN diodes show a marked improvement in detection sensitivity, suggesting that the device interface plays a critical role in sensing. Second, exposure of the diodes to hydrogen is found to change the conduction mechanisms from Fowler-Nordheim tunneling to Pool-Frenkel emission. Third, interface trap level density of the diodes is found to be reduced by hydrogen exposure even at room temperature. These results support the validity of the hydrogen-induced dipole layer model.
Yearly Burden of Skin Cancer in Non-Caucasian and Caucasian Solid-organ Transplant Recipients.

OBJECTIVE To examine the skin cancer tumor accrual rates in non-Caucasian and Caucasian post-transplant recipients. DESIGN/SETTING/PARTICIPANTS Retrospective chart review of solid-organ transplant patients who presented to the outpatient dermatology clinic at the University of Chicago and have had at least one skin biopsy to rule in/out skin cancer in the 10-year period from January 1, 2003, to December 31, 2012. One hundred fifty-two solid-organ transplant recipients were identified through a natural language search in CoPathPlus. MEASUREMENTS Each transplant patient's skin cancer accrual rates, defined as the number of skin cancers per person per year, were examined. The average accrual rates for non-Caucasians and Caucasians were compared and analyzed. RESULTS Of the 152 post-transplant patients identified, 58 were non-Caucasian and 94 were Caucasian. Eight (13.8%) non-Caucasians developed skin cancer, compared to 61 (64.9%) Caucasians (P< 0.001). Non-Caucasian post-transplant patients had lower skin cancer accrual rates with an overall skin cancer accrual rate of 0.13, squamous cell carcinoma accrual rate of 0.10, and basal cell carcinoma accrual rate of 0.01 versus 1.13 (P< 0.001), 0.96 (P< 0.001), and 0.15 (P< 0.001), respectively, for Caucasian patients. Comparison of post-transplant non-Caucasian and Caucasian patients who developed skin cancer revealed lower overall (0.96 vs. 1.74; P=0.25), squamous cell carcinoma (0.75 vs. 1.49; P=0.16), and basal cell carcinoma (0.06 vs. 0.24; P=0.13) accrual rates in non-Caucasians. CONCLUSION The authors' findings highlight the importance of annual total body skin exams for post-transplant patients and the need to identify and further educate those transplant patients with a higher risk for skin cancer development.
PROLONGED RESPONSE TO NATURAL VS SYNTHETIC SURFACTANT IN PRETERM RABBITS: EFFECTS ON LUNG WATER CLEARANCE. 2049

To compare the effects of two natural surfactant preparations [term fetal rabbit surfactant (FRS) and adult rabbit surfactant (ARS)] and two commercially available preparations [apoprotein-based Survanta® (S) and totally synthetic Exosurf® (E)] on lung water clearance in preterm rabbits following prolonged ventilation (3 hr), pups were delivered at 27 days gestation, treated with one of the surfactant preparations (FRS, ARS: 1250μg phospholipid per pup; S,E: according to manufacturer's directions), ventilated with 100% oxygen for 180 min, sacrificed and their extravascular lung water (EVLW) (ml H2O per g dry lung) determined. EVLW content was also determined on pups which did not survive the 180 min ventilation period. Untreated, ventilated pups served as controls.
Time structure of the activity in neural network models.

Several neural network models in continuous time are reconsidered in the framework of a general mean-field theory which is exact in the limit of a large and fully connected network. The theory assumes pointlike spikes which are generated by a renewal process. The effect of spikes on a receiving neuron is described by a linear response kernel which is the dominant term in a weak-coupling expansion. It is shown that the resulting ``spike response model'' is the most general renewal model with linear inputs. The standard integrate-and-fire model forms a special case. In a network structure with several pools of identical spiking neurons, the global states and the dynamic evolution are determined by a nonlinear integral equation which describes the effective interaction within and between different pools. We derive explicit stability criteria for stationary (incoherent) and oscillatory (coherent) solutions. It is shown that the stationary state of noiseless systems is ``almost always'' unstable. Noise suppresses fast oscillations and stabilizes the system. Furthermore, collective oscillations are stable only if the firing occurs while the synaptic potential is increasing. In particular, collective oscillations in a network with delayless excitatory interaction are at most semistable. Inhibitory interactions with short delays or excitatory interactions with long delays lead to stable oscillations. Our general results allow a straightforward application to different network models with spiking neurons. Furthermore, the theory allows an estimation of the errors introduced in firing rate or ``graded-response'' models.
Inhibition by CCK of ascending contraction elicited by mucosal stimulation in the duodenum of the rat

CCK released by intraluminal stimuli modifies duodenal activity contributing to a decrease in gastric emptying. However, the neural mechanisms by which CCK controls motility are not well known. The aim of this study was to investigate the interaction between CCK and the enteric nervous system through the study of the effects of CCK‐8 on ascending excitation. Anaesthetized Sprague‐Dawley rats were prepared with a strain‐gauge sutured to the duodenum wall. An electrode holder was placed in the duodenum lumen to elicit ascending contraction. Electrical field stimulation of the duodenal mucosa (4 Hz, 0.6 ms, 30 V) induced an ascending excitation which was blocked by hexamethonium (10 mg kg–1; n=5) and atropine (0.3 mg kg–1; n=5), but enlarged by L‐NNA (10–5 mol kg–1; n=5). CCK‐8 (3 × 10–9 mol kg–1 10 min–1) blocked ascending excitation and an inhibition of the induced phasic activity was observed instead (n=18). Individually, none of the CCK receptor antagonists (L‐364 718 and L‐365 260) (3 × 10–7 mol kg–1; n=6 each) blocked the inhibition of ascending excitation induced by CCK‐8. However, simultaneous infusion of both antagonists abolished CCK‐8 effect on electrical stimulation (n=5). Similarly, none of the CCK‐8 agonists (A‐71623, A‐71378, gastrin) modified the ascending excitation. In contrast, the simultaneous infusion of A‐71623 and CCK‐4 (n=4) induced an effect similar to CCK‐8. In conclusion, CCK‐8 blocked ascending contraction elicited by electrical field stimulation of duodenal mucosa by means of simultaneous activation of CCK‐A and CCK‐B receptors.
Manganese in cerebrospinal fluid and blood plasma of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Neurotoxic properties of manganese (Mn) are well documented. It is less known that Mn contributes to the development of neurodegenerative disorders in the general population. This study presents Mn data from patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in a well-defined cohort diagnosed by electrophysiological methods. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and plasma were collected from patients and controls. Mn concentrations were analyzed by high-resolution inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Concentrations of Mn were significantly higher in ALS CSF (median 5.67 μg/L) than in CSF from controls (median 2.08 μg/L). Also, ALS CSF Mn concentrations were higher than ALS plasma Mn concentrations (median 0.91 μg/L), suggesting transport of Mn into the central nervous system. The properties of barrier systems between blood and the brain are discussed and the possibility of Mn accumulation contributing to the relentless course of ALS is introduced.
Ilizarov hip reconstruction for the late sequelae of infantile hip infection.

BACKGROUND The late sequelae of infantile hip infection include absence of the femoral head and neck, proximal migration of the femur, lower-extremity length discrepancy, abnormal gait, and pain. The Ilizarov hip reconstruction includes an acute valgus and extension osteotomy at the proximal part of the femur combined with gradual distraction for realignment and lengthening at a second, more distal, femoral osteotomy. The purpose of this study was to determine whether this technique can successfully treat the sequelae of infantile hip infection. METHODS We performed a retrospective review of a series of eight consecutive patients with a Type-IV or V hip deformity, according to the classification system of Hunka et al., after an infantile hip infection. The patients' mean age at surgery was 11.2 years. All hips were unstable, with a mean of 3.8 cm of proximal migration. A mean valgus angulation of 44 degrees and a mean extension angulation of 19 degrees were created with the proximal osteotomies. Distal femoral lengthening averaged 5.7 cm, and distal femoral varus angular correction averaged 10 degrees. The mean time in the Ilizarov frame was 4.7 months. Outcomes were evaluated clinically and radiographically. The clinical evaluation included gait analysis and the use of a modified Harris hip score. RESULTS At the time of follow-up, at a mean of five years, the mean lower-extremity length discrepancy had improved from 4.6 cm preoperatively to 0.7 cm. The mean modified Harris hip score had improved from 51 points to 73 points (p = 0.007). All extremities were well aligned, with a mean pelvic mechanical axis angle of 89 degrees. The mean deviation of the mechanical axis was 2 mm in a lateral direction. The mean stance-time asymmetry improved from 16% to 5.4% (p = 0.0037), and the mean ground-reaction force (second peak) improved from 102% of body weight to 122% of body weight (p = 0.0005). CONCLUSIONS The Ilizarov hip reconstruction can successfully correct a Trendelenburg gait and simultaneously restore knee alignment and correct lower-extremity length discrepancy. When the procedure is performed on a young patient, remodeling of the proximal osteotomy site and development of lower-extremity length discrepancy should be expected and the procedure may need to be repeated.
Crystallization of urine mineral components may depend on the chemical nature of Proteus endotoxin polysaccharides.

Formation of infectious urinary calculi is the most common complication accompanying urinary tract infections by members of the genus Proteus. The major factor involved in stone formation is the urease produced by these bacteria, which causes local supersaturation and crystallization of magnesium and calcium phosphates as carbonate apatite [Ca(10)(PO(4))(6). CO(3)] and struvite (MgNH(4)PO(4). 6H(2)O), respectively. This effect may also be enhanced by bacterial polysaccharides. Macromolecules of such kind contain negatively charged residues that are able to bind Ca(2+) and Mg(2+), leading to the accumulation of these ions around bacterial cells and acceleration of the crystallization process. The levels of Ca(2+) and Mg(2+) ions bound by whole Proteus cells were measured, as well as the chemical nature of isolated LPS polysaccharides, and the intensity of the in vitro crystallization process was compared in a synthetic urine. The results suggest that the sugar composition of Proteus LPS may either enhance or inhibit the crystallization of struvite and apatite, depending on its chemical structure and ability to bind cations. This points to the increased importance of endotoxin in urinary tract infections.
Safety of Biologic Agents in Elderly Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis

Objective. To clarify the safety of biologics in elderly patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Methods. Biologics were analyzed for safety in relation to age in 309 patients. Results. Young (< 65 yrs old, n = 174), elderly (65–74 yrs old, n = 86), and older elderly patients (≥ 75 yrs old, n = 49) were enrolled. Although the incidence of adverse events causing treatment withdrawal was significantly higher in elderly and old elderly compared with young patients, no difference was found between elderly and older elderly patients. Pulmonary complications were independent risk factors. Conclusion. Old patients require special attention, although the safety of biologics in those ≥ 75 years old and 65–74 was comparable.
Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 2 with restless legs syndrome

Article abstract In a series of 44 consecutive patients with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT), we found restless legs syndrome (RLS) in 10 of 27 CMT type 2 (CMT2) patients (37%) and in none of 17 CMT type 1 patients (p = 0.004). In the CMT2 patients, RLS was associated with positive sensory symptoms (10/10 versus 10/17; p = 0.026). This finding supports the view that a disorder of sensory input plays a role in the pathogenesis of RLS. Symptomatic treatment may benefit these patients.
Effects on leg muscular performance from whole‐body vibration exercise: a systematic review

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects on leg muscular performance from whole‐body vibration exercise. Literature search was performed on the databases Pubmed, Cinahl, ISI web of science (Sci‐expanded, SSCI) and Embase (Rehab & Physical Med). Rating of 19 relevant studies was performed (14 on long‐term exercise and five on short‐term exercise) using a score system for the methodological quality. Several randomized‐controlled trial studies of high to moderate quality show similar improvements from long‐term regimen on muscular performance in the legs after a period of whole‐body vibration exercise. As there were few studies on short‐term exercise and as they had no control groups, the same convincing improvements regarding muscular performance were not achieved. Preliminarily, there is strong to moderate evidence that long‐term whole‐body vibration exercise can have positive effects on the leg muscular performance among untrained people and elderly women. There is no clear evidence for effects on muscular performance after short‐term vibration stimuli.