Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of a urine cortisol:creatinine ratio as a screening test for hyperadrenocorticism in dogs.

The authors collected urine specimens in 31 normal dogs, 25 dogs with hyperadrenocorticism, 21 dogs in which hyperadrenocorticism was suspected but was not present, and 28 dogs with a variety of severe, nonadrenal diseases. Cortisol and creatinine were measured in unextracted urine by radioimmunoassay and spectrophotometry, respectively, and the cortisol:creatinine ratio was calculated for each specimen. The mean +/- SD urine cortisol:creatinine concentration ratio in the dogs with hyperadrenocorticism (103.1 +/- 100.7) was significantly (P < 0.001) higher than that in the normal dogs (13.1 +/- 7.0). The mean urine cortisol:creatinine ratio in dogs initially suspected of having hyperadrenocorticism (16.3 +/- 7.0) was significantly (P < 0.001) lower than the ratio in dogs with hyperadrenocorticism, but was not significantly different than that in the normal dogs. The mean urinary cortisol:creatinine ratio in the dogs with nonadrenal disease (82.8 +/- 97.7) was significantly (P < 0.001) higher than that in both the normal dogs and dogs in which hyperadrenocorticism was initially suspected, but was not different than the ratio in the dogs with hyperadrenocorticism. The sensitivity of the urine cortisol:creatinine ratio as a diagnostic test for hyperadrenocorticism was 0.92. The specificity was high in the normal dogs (0.97) and the dogs initially suspected of having hyperadrenocorticism (0.95), with < or = 5% having false-positive results. However, the specificity was very low (0.21) in the dogs with moderate to severe nonadrenal disease, with 79% having false-positive results. Similarly, both positive and negative predictive values and diagnostic efficiency were high in the normal dogs and dogs suspected of having hyperadrenocorticism but were low in the dogs with nonadrenal illness. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Adoption readiness, personal innovativeness, perceived risk and usage intention across customer groups for mobile payment services in India

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to accomplish two objectives – to test the functional relationship between adoption readiness (AR), perceived risk (PR) and usage intention for mobile payments in India and to investigate the stability of proposed structural relationships across different customer groups. Design/methodology/approach – The literature concerning major attributes of technology acceptance were systematically reviewed to develop construct of AR. Post that a comprehensive model consisting of AR, personal innovativeness and PR was put together. The model was then empirically tested using structural equation modelling. Findings – On appraising the proposed model, five out of six hypotheses were fully supported while one hypothesis was partially supported. Test of invariance showed significant variance among users and non-users. Research limitations/implications – The results of the study may vary with national context, service offerings, regulatory framework and other customer personal varia.
Post-traumatic stress disorder and illness perceptions over time following myocardial infarction and subarachnoid haemorrhage.

OBJECTIVES This study investigated post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms and illness perceptions in people who suffered the acute medical trauma of a myocardial infarction (MI) or a subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH). The study tested hypotheses regarding changes in PTSD symptoms and illness perceptions over time, associations between PTSD and illness perceptions and cognitive predictors of PTSD. DESIGN AND METHOD The study employed a longitudinal design and measured the illness perceptions and PTSD symptoms of an MI group (N=17) and a SAH group (N=27). Data were collected within 2 weeks of admission (T1), 6 weeks after admission (T2) and 3 months after admission (T3). Statistical analysis was undertaken to examine associations between illness perceptions and PTSD and to examine cognitive predictors of PTSD. RESULTS The prevalence of PTSD within the total acute medical trauma sample was 16% at 2 weeks, 35% at 6 weeks and 16% at 3 months. Illness perception factors of identity, timeline (acute/chronic), consequences and emotional representation were strongly correlated with PTSD at all three time points. PTSD symptoms and illness perceptions were shown to have changed over time. The results also showed that several illness perception factors are significant predictors of PTSD. CONCLUSIONS Both PTSD symptoms and illness perceptions changed significantly over time following an MI or SAH. Illness perception factors are significant predictors of PTSD.
Seroprevalence of enteric and nonenteric adenoviruses in Bangladesh

Single serum samples obtained from infants between 0 and 24 months of age admitted to a diarrheal disease hospital in Bangladesh were tested for the presence of adenovirus-specific immunoglobulin G (IgG) and IgA antibodies by using enzyme immunoassay and neutralizing antibodies to adenovirus types 2, 40, and 41. IgG antibodies were more prevalent than IgA antibodies, and neutralizing activity to enteric adenovirus was found in serum samples from 50% of infants who had reached 2 years of age.
The Epidemiology of Prostate Cancer in Western Jamaica: Risk Factors, Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices.

Objectives To investigate the epidemiology of prostate cancer (PCa) in western Jamaica and describe the health-seeking behaviour of at-risk men. Methods This study contained both quantitative and qualitative components. The quantitative portion consisted of a retrospective, matched case-control study of two hundred and four men attending outpatient clinics who completed an interviewer-administered questionnaire. The qualitative component consisted of two focus group discussions designed to further investigate health-seeking behaviour and preferred educational channels regarding PCa. Results Four risk factors were identified: family history of PCa (OR 3.39, 95% CI 1.73, 6.66), age (OR 1.97, 95% CI 1.41, 2.74), any sexually transmitted disease (STD) history (OR 2.02, 95% CI 1.07, 3.83) and alcohol consumption (OR 1.86, 95% CI 1.00, 3.47). Knowledge of primary risk factors was low, especially for race (37%). Although 81% of controls knew tests were available, a stigma was associated with testing. The screening rate was higher than previously reported but still low (56% of controls), and PCa in the western region is discovered by symptoms 61% of the time. Focus group participants blamed a "male mentality" that is antagonistic to routine medical care and preventive testing. Conclusions Family history, age, STDs and alcohol consumption were identified as risk factors for PCa in western Jamaica. Sexually transmitted disease history and alcohol consumption are interesting results that merit further investigation. Prostate cancer continues to be diagnosed primarily by symptoms, indicating that routine testing is not widespread enough to catch the disease in its early stages when treatment is most effective. A negative image of prostate screenings persists, and targeted educational interventions are needed to improve outcomes.
Metabolic fate of radioactive thyroid hormones in normal and propylthiouracil-treated rats.

INJECTION of I131-labelled thyroxine into normal white mice (Gross and Leblond 1951a) was shown to result in the appearance, in all tissues studied, of at least four radioactive substances: thyroxine, iodide, and two unidentified compounds. One of these unidentified compounds was later shown to be 3:5:3″-triiodothyronine (Gross and Pitt-Rivers, 1952a, 1953a). Since then, clinical and experimental evidence has accumulated, suggesting that triiodothyronine is the form in which the thyroid hormone is active in other tissues (Gross and Pitt-Rivers, 1952b and 1953b; Gross, Pitt-Rivers and Trotter, 1952; Rawson, et al., 1953; Lerman, 1953). However, no direct confirmation has been reported until recently (Kalant, Lee and Sellers, 1954; Flock and Bollman, 1954) of the occurrence of triiodothyronine in tissues or tissue fluids. The present communication is an amplification of the first of these recent abstracts.
Experience with epidural hydromorphone for post-thoracotomy pain relief.

Narcotics administered via the lumbar epidural route are useful in providing pain relief and preserving pulmonary function in patients who have undergone thoracotomies (1-3). Hydromorphone (Dilaudid), a hydrogenated ketone derivative of morphine, has been given epidurally for postoperative analgesia (2), but no large series of cases has been reported using this drug for relief of post-thoracotomy pain. A possible advantage of hydromorphone when adrinistered by the epidural route is its segmental effect, similar to that seen with the epidural injection of local anesthetics (4). When compared to other agents, this segmental effect should result in fewer side effects.
Safety and Efficacy of Intradermal Injection of Botulinum Toxin for the Treatment of Oily Skin

Objective To evaluate the safety and efficacy of intradermal injection of abobotulinumtoxinA for the treatment of oily skin. Methods and Materials Twenty‐five patients with oily skin were treated in the forehead region with intradermal injections of botulinum toxin. Baseline and post‐treatment sebum production was measured using a sebometer. Photographs were taken. Patients were also asked to rate their satisfaction with the treatment in terms of improvement in their oily skin. Results Treatment with botulinum toxin resulted in significantly lower sebum production at 1 week and 1, 2, and 3 months after injection (p < .001, t‐test). Twenty‐one patients (91%) reported that they were satisfied (50–75% improvement) with intradermal botulinum toxin as a treatment for oily skin. [Correction added after online publication 7‐Jan‐2013: the number of satisfied patients has been updated] Conclusion Intradermal injection of botulinum toxin significantly reduced sebum production in the forehead region, with a high degree of patient satisfaction. Intradermal botulinum toxin may be an effective treatment to reduce sebum production in patients with oily skin. Larger, randomized, blinded, placebo‐controlled studies are warranted.
More than 200 mW blue light source from an integrative ring cavity

An integrative external-enhancement ring cavity has been designed to acquire 461 nm blue light source with high output power. Using a 30-mm-long quasi-phase-matched periodically-poled KTP doubling crystal, we have obtained total more than 210 mW blue light from 287 mW coupling incident power with the net conversion efficiency over 70%.
Ten Lessons Learned from Integrating Interaction Design and Agile Development

Agile development have a distinct culture that at first glance seems to conflict with Interaction Design. Therefore, integrating these two areas becomes a challenging task. There is little guidance about integrating them. Very limited empirical evidence exists on Agile development and Interaction Design being combined in practice. In order to better understand how these approaches are combined in practice, a multiple-case study of Agile teams working with Interaction Designers was performed. In the paper, we present a set of ten lessons learned from these studies.
New repetitive X-ray generator using magnetic field controlled POS

The paper represents new results in repetitive pulsed power production using inductive storage and Plasma Opening Switch operating in applied magnetic field. A design of new compact X-ray production facility capable of producing 4–5 MV pulsed electron beam is proposed. The facility is intended for radiation sterilization technology, food and wastes decontamination.
The influence of nonlocal exchange terms on Fisher-KPP propagation driven by a line of fast diffusion

A new model to describe biological invasion influenced by a line with fast diffusion has been introduced by H. Berestycki, J.-M. Roquejoffre and L. Rossi in 2012.The purpose of this article is to present a related model where the line of fast diffusion has a nontrivial range of influence, i.e. the exchanges between the line and the surrounding space has a nontrivial support. We show the existence of a spreading velocity depending on the diffusion on the line. Two intermediate model are also discussed. Then, we try to understand the influence of different exchange terms on this spreading speed. We show that various behaviour may happen, depending on the considered exchange distributions.
Does hospital performance on process measures directly measure high quality care or is it a marker of unmeasured care?

OBJECTIVE Quality measures may be associated with improved outcomes for two reasons. First, measured activities may directly improve care. Second, success on these measures may be a marker for other unmeasured aspects of high quality care. Our objective is to test the contribution of both possible effects. DATA SOURCES 2004 Medicare data on hospital performance from Hospital Compare and risk-adjusted mortality rates from Medicare Part A claims. STUDY DESIGN We studied 3,657 acute care U.S. hospitals and compared observed differences in condition-specific hospital mortality rates based on hospital performance with expected differences in mortality from the clinical studies underlying the measures. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS Differences in observed mortality rates across U.S. hospitals are larger than what would be expected if these differences were due only to the direct effects of delivering measured care. CONCLUSIONS Performance measures reflect care processes that both improve care directly and are also markers of elements of health care quality that are otherwise unmeasured. This finding suggests that process measures capture important information about care that is not directly measured, and that these unmeasured effects are in general larger than the measured effects.
The Early Slavs. Culture and Society in Early Medieval Eastern Europe

contributions in the volume attribute periods of rapid cultural change to climate change. This is another mechanistic habit of CIS archaeological interpretation – rarely do we see a detailed explanation of exactly how climate change would have encouraged the specific cultural shifts visible in the archaeological record. Metzner-Nebelsick’s article is a welcome exception to this rule. Interesting individual discoveries noted in these articles include a Sauromatian grave at Aksai containing a Greek amphora like those from Olbia, dated c. 550 BC. It is the first one found as far east as the Don-Volga steppes, and from the oldest Sauromatian phase. Also from later graves here were swords with Chinesestyle hilts, connected by the authors to the migrations caused by the Hunnic expansion in the East around 200–100 BC. Koryakova and Daire suggest that Iron Age steppe pastoralism was locally varied, and included settled, seminomadic, and nomadic aspects that varied over time and between regions – a needed corrective to the facile characterization of steppe economies as ‘nomadic’. Davis-Kimball excavated a unique site, the Beiram mound in the Mongolian Altai, a ritual stone mound surrounded by a stone ring enclosure with radiating stone ‘spokes’ at the cardinal points. The stone mound contained 4000 votive objects deposited between the Iron Age and the year 1625 (a votive box dated by inscription), but no graves. F. Allard (not in this volume) at the University of Michigan has recently excavated a series of somewhat similar concentric stone ritual enclosures, but with many sacrificed animals and a few human graves, in central Mongolia. This is a new type of site. One of the encouraging aspects of this volume is the level of international cooperation represented. There are Franco-Russian, USRussian, US-Kazakh, and US-Mongolian projects (but strangely, no articles from the German-Russian or other collaborative projects of the Eurasien-Abteilung). Western and Soviet archaeologies developed in different directions over the 40 years before 1991, so a question that is now quite immediate is, how do westerners take advantage of two generations of work by Soviet and post-Soviet archaeologists? Can their interpretations be joined profitably with ours? This volume suggests that some bridgebuilding remains to be done in both directions, but the teams are close enough to shake hands. David Anthony Department of Anthropology, Hartwick College, Oneonta, NY, USA
Development of Eating Behavior by Japanese Toddlers in a Nursery School: Relation to Independent Walking

The eating behavior of 32 toddlers in a nursery school at 10, 12, and 14 months old was observed in relation to the age at onset of independent walking. With increasing age, the frequency at which the toddlers ate food given by a teacher decreased, and the frequency at which the toddlers ate by themselves increased. The toddlers who started walking earlier also advanced faster in the development of eating behavior. The time when the frequency of eating by oneself surpassed the frequency of passive eating coincided with the time when the toddlers started walking.
Clonal patterns in phaeochromocytomas and MEN‐2A adrenal medullary hyperplasias: histological and kinetic correlates

The relationship among histological features, cell kinetics, and clonality has not been studied in adrenal medullary hyperplasias (AMHs) and phaeochromocytomas (PCCs). Thirty‐four PCCs (23 sporadic and 11 MEN‐2A (multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2A)‐related tumours, the latter associated with AMH) from females were included in this study. Representative samples were histologically evaluated and microdissected to extract DNA and evaluate the methylation pattern of the androgen receptor alleles. At least two tissue samples (from the peripheral and internal zones in each tumour) were analysed with appropriate tissue controls run in every case. The same areas were selected for MIB‐1 staining and in situ end labelling (ISEL). Malignant PCCs were defined by histologically confirmed distant metastases. All monoclonal AMH nodules from the same patient showed the same X‐chromosome inactivated. Six sporadic PCCs revealed liver metastases (malignant PCC) and eight additional sporadic PCCs showed periadrenal infiltration (locally invasive PCC). All informative PCCs were monoclonal, except for five locally invasive PCCs and one benign PCC that revealed polyclonal patterns. Those cases also showed a fibroblastic stromal reaction with prominent blood vessels, focal smooth muscle differentiation, and significantly higher MIB‐1 (126.8±29.9) and ISEL (50.9±12.8) indices. Concordant X‐chromosome inactivation in nodules from a given patient suggests that MEN‐2A AMH is a multifocal monoclonal condition. A subgroup of PCCs characterized by balanced methylation of androgen receptor alleles, high cellular turnover, and stromal proliferation also shows locally invasive features. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The EPS Matrix: The “House of Biofilm Cells”

In response to a suggestion by the Biofilms 2007 organizing committee to hold an evening session on biofilm extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), an exceptionally inspiring event followed contributions by Ken Bayles, Alan Decho, Martina Hausner, Jan Kreft, Thomas Neu, Per Nielsen, Ute Romling,
Team dynamics and team empowerment in health care organizations

Background: Despite the growing pervasiveness of team-based job designs in health care organizations, there is a degree of uncertainty and ambiguity about the process through which teams affect outcomes. Purpose: This research adds to our understanding of the process by which team dynamics affects team member attitudes. It investigates the role of team empowerment as a mediator in the relationships between team context, team atmosphere, job satisfaction, and organizational commitment. Methodology: Multiple regression analysis is used to test for the mediating effect of team empowerment in the relationships that team context and team atmosphere have with job satisfaction and organizational commitment. Findings: Team empowerment mediates the relationships of team context and team atmosphere with job satisfaction and organizational commitment. Practice Implications: Although adopting team-based job designs is an important first step, attention must also be paid to the context and atmosphere of such teams. Better outcomes will be achieved when team members perceive a supportive team atmosphere and an empowering team context with clear and jointly developed goals, an appropriate mix of skills and expertise, and rewards linked to team performance.
pH‐dependent disruption of Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 and model membranes by the human antimicrobial peptides hepcidin 20 and 25

The human hepcidin 25 (hep‐25) and its isoform hepcidin 20 (hep‐20) are histidine‐containing, cystein rich, β‐sheet structured peptides endowed with antimicrobial activity. We previously reported that, similar to other histidine‐containing peptides, the microbicidal effects of hep‐25 and hep‐20 are highly enhanced at acidic pH. In the present study, we investigated whether pH influences the mode of action of hep‐25 and hep‐20 on Escherichia coli American Type Culture Collection 25922 and model membranes. A striking release of β‐galactosidase by hepcidin‐treated E. coli was observed at pH 5.0, whereas no inner membrane permeabilization capacity was seen at pH 7.4, even at bactericidal concentrations. Similar results were obtained by flow cytometry when assessing the internalization of propidium iodide by hepcidin‐treated E. coli. Scanning electron microscope imaging revealed that both peptides induced the formation of numerous blebs on the surface of bacterial cells at acidic pH but not at neutral pH. Moreover, a phospholipid/polydiacetylene colourimetric vesicle assay revealed a more evident membrane damaging effect at pH 5.0 than at pH 7.4. The leakage of entrapped dextrans of increasing molecular size from liposomes was also assessed at pH 7.4. Consistent with the lack of β‐galactosidase release from whole E. coli observed at such a pH value, evident leakage of only the smallest 4‐kDa dextran (and not of dextrans of 20 or 70 kDa) was observed, indicating a poor ability of hepcidin peptides to permeabilize liposome vesicles at pH 7.4. Altogether, the data obtained in the present study using different approaches strongly suggest that the ability of hepcidins to perturb bacterial membranes is markedly pH‐dependent.
The Beck Anxiety Inventory–Trait (BAIT): A Measure of Dispositional Anxiety Not Contaminated by Dispositional Depression

We describe development of the Beck Anxiety Inventory–Trait (BAIT), a measure of trait anxiety. In Study 1 with 191 undergraduates, the BAIT correlated higher with another trait-anxiety measure than with state anxiety and trait depressiveness and lower with depressiveness than the other trait-anxiety measure did. In Study 2 (Ns of 149 undergraduates initially and 107 at 3 weeks later), the BAIT demonstrated convergent validity against the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI; Beck, Epstein, Brown, & Steer, 1988) and self-rated trait anxiety plus discriminant validity against abstract curiosity. In Study 3 (Ns of 161 undergraduates initially and 121 at 3 weeks later), the BAIT correlated more highly with another anxiety measure than with depression, stress, positive affect, and negative affect. It also showed good internal consistency across studies and high stability in Studies 2 and 3, higher than the BAI's in Study 2. Factor analyses across studies all supported 2 factors, 1 Somatic and 1 Subjective.