Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparison of Patient Outcomes in Magnet® and Non-Magnet Hospitals

Objective: This study compared patient outcomes and staffing in Magnet® and non-Magnet hospitals. Background: The pursuit of Magnet designation is a highly regarded program for improving staff and patient outcomes. Research has confirmed that Magnet hospitals provide positive work environments for nurses. Research related to patient outcomes in Magnet hospitals is scarce, and results vary. Methods: The University Health Systems Consortium provided the clinical and operational databases for the study. Using bivariate and multivariate analyses, a comparison of patient outcomes and nurse staffing in general units and ICUs of Magnet and non-Magnet hospitals was studied. Outcomes: Non-Magnet hospitals had better patient outcomes than Magnet hospitals. Magnet hospitals had slightly better outcomes for pressure ulcers, but infections, postoperative sepsis, and postoperative metabolic derangement outcomes were worse in Magnet hospitals. Magnet hospitals also had lower staffing numbers. Conclusions: Magnet hospitals in this study had less total staff and a lower RN skill mix compared with non-Magnet hospitals, which contributed to the outcomes.
A Real-Time Parking Prediction System for Smart Cities

A methodological framework for multiple steps ahead parking availability prediction is presented. Two different types of predictions are provided: the probability of a free space to continue being free in subsequent time intervals, and the short-term parking occupancy prediction in selected regions of an urban road network. The available data come from a wide network of on-street parking sensors in the “smart” city of Santander, Spain. The sensor network is segmented in four different regions, and then survival and neural network models are developed for each region separately. Findings show that the Weibull parametric models best describe the probability of a parking space to continue to be free in the forthcoming time intervals. Moreover, simple genetically optimized multilayer perceptrons accurately predict region parking occupancy rates up to 30 minutes in the future by exploiting 1-minute data. Finally, the real time, Web-based, implementation of the proposed parking prediction availability system is presented.
RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN CHILD AND ADULT PSYCHIATRIC DISORDERS

It is frequently assumed that adult psychiatric disorders have their roots in childhood and child psychiatrists have sometimes claimed that psychiatric treatment at an early age ‘goes a long way toward guaranteeing emotional health in the adult’ (Howells (1965) ). Would that it did, but unfortunately there is not a scrap of evidence that this is the case. Nevertheless, information on continuities and discontinuities from child psychiatric disorder to adult mental illness is of importance to both child and adult psychiatrists. The present paper considers the topic in terms of recent research findings-mostly from epidemiological investigations (Rutter et al. (1971) ) and long-term follow-up studies (Robins (1971)). A development approach will be followed in an attempt to delineate possible mechanisms underlying the relationships between child and adult psychiatric disorders. Possible links with childhood will be examined, taking each of the main adult psychiatric syndromes in turn-starting with the schizophrenic psychoses.
A note on a fractal architecture for modelling and controlling flexible manufacturing systems

Cast in a fractal architecture, the model of FMS admits a natural hierarchical decomposition of highly decoupled units with similar structure and control. As a consequence, this model manages the structural complexity and coordination of an FMS hierarchy by maximizing local functionality and minimizing global control. Most significantly, the software that governs the behavior of the basic fractal unit, from which this architecture is built, is based on a common template that allows for a high degree of abstraction, object orientation, and reuse across the hierarchy. >
The Effective Mechanical Advantage of A.L. 129‐1a for Knee Extension

The functional significance of shape differences between modern human and australopithecine distal femora remains unclear. Here, we examine the morphological component of the effective mechanical advantage (EMA) of the quadriceps muscle group in a sample of hominins that includes the fossil A.L. 129‐1a (Australopithecus afarensis) and modern humans. Quadriceps muscle moment arms were calculated from three‐dimensional computer models of specimens through a range of knee flexion. All hominins were compared using the same limb positions to allow us to examine, in isolation, the morphological component of the lengths of the pertinent moment arms. After taking into account the differences in bicondylar angle, the morphological component of the EMA was calculated as the ratio of the quadriceps muscle and ground reaction force moment arms. Our analyses reveal that A.L. 129‐1a would have possessed a morphological component of the quadriceps muscle EMA expected for a hominin of its body mass. Anat Rec, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Behavioral Pharmacology of the μ/δ Opioid Glycopeptide MMP2200 in Rhesus Monkeys

H2N-Tyr-d-Thr-Gly-Phe-Leu-Ser-(O-β-d-lactose)-CONH2 (MMP2200) is a novel glycopeptide opioid agonist with similar affinities for μ and δ receptors. Glycosylation promoted brain penetration and production of centrally mediated behavioral effects in mice; however, it is unknown whether the magnitude of enhanced brain penetration is sufficient to permit central mediation of drug effects and production of synergistic μ/δ antinociceptive interactions after systemic administration in primates. To address this issue, the present study compared the effects of MMP2200 and the μ-agonist morphine in four behavioral procedures in rhesus monkeys. In an assay of thermal nociception, morphine (1.0–5.6 mg/kg) produced dose-dependent antinociception, whereas MMP2200 (10–56 mg/kg) was ineffective. In an assay of capsaicin-induced thermal allodynia, both morphine (0.01–1.0 mg/kg) and MMP2200 (0.032–3.2 mg/kg) produced dose-dependent antiallodynic effects. MMP2200-induced antiallodynia was blocked by the moderately μ-selective antagonist naltrexone (0.01 mg/kg), the δ-selective antagonist naltrindole (1.0 mg/kg), and the peripherally selective opioid antagonist quaternary naltrexone (0.32 mg/kg). In an assay of schedule-controlled behavior, both morphine (0.01–1.0 mg/kg) and MMP2200 (10–56 mg/kg) decreased response rates. Morphine effects were antagonized by naltrexone (0.001–0.01 mg/kg); however, the effects of MMP2200 were not antagonized by either naltrexone (0.01 mg/kg) or naltrindole (1.0 mg/kg). In an assay of drug self-administration, morphine (0.0032–0.32 mg/kg/injection) produced reinforcing effects, whereas MMP2200 (0.032–0.32 mg/kg/injection) did not. These results suggest that systemically administered MMP2200 acted as a peripheral, μ/δ-opioid agonist with limited distribution to the central nervous system in rhesus monkeys. These results also suggest the existence of species differences in the pharmacokinetics and brain penetration of glycopeptides.
MORTALIDADE POR CAUSAS EXTERNAS EM UMA CIDADE DO INTERIOR DA BAHIA

As causas externas vem se configurando uma das principais causas de morbimortalidade no mundo em razao do crescente numero de pessoas que morrem a cada ano em decorrencia da violencia. Objetivou-se descrever o perfil epidemiologico de mortalidade por causas externas no municipio de Jequie, Bahia. Trata-se de um estudo descritivo, transversal, que utiliza dados secundarios do Departamento de Informacao em Saude (DIS) da Secretaria de Saude do Estado da Bahia (Sesab), disponivel no Sistema de Informacao de Mortalidade (SIM), referentes a Jequie no periodo de 2006 a 2010, fundamentando-se nos eventos vitais (morte). Dos dados obtidos foram calculados numeros absolutos, proporcoes e taxas de concordância bruta, no indicador de mortalidade, utilizando-se o programa Epi-info versao 3.5. 1. Para ajustar o efeito da estrutura etaria sobre o Coeficiente Geral de Mortalidade (CGM), empregou-se o metodo direto de padronizacao. Os resultados apontam que, no periodo avaliado, o risco de morrer por causas externas aumentou 46,93%. Os homicidios e acidentes de transportes foram responsaveis por 79,9% dos obitos. Quanto ao perfil, em 2010, 82,57% ocorreram em individuos do sexo masculino, 44,95% com idade entre 20 e 39 anos, 71,56% da raca negra e 41,28% ocorreram em ambiente hospitalar. Conclui-se que, em residentes de Jequie, aumentou o risco de morrer por causas externas, sendo o valor obtido superior ao do estado da Bahia, vitimando principalmente homens jovens.
Quantification of Organic Carbon in Soils: A Comparison of Methodologies and Assessment of the Carbon Content of Organic Matter

Abstract Renewed interest in temporal soil organic carbon (SOC) stock changes has stressed the importance of reliable methods for quantitative assessment of organic compound (OC) content. Particularly with the establishment of modern dry‐combustion analyzers, which are replacing the traditional wet‐oxidation methods, the need for correct relationships between both is of crucial importance for comparison of past and current SOC data in long‐term SOC stock change studies. Dry combustion with a Variomax CNS‐analyzer was the standard to evaluate three other methods for Belgian agricultural soils. Excellent linear relationships were found with the Walkey and Black method and the Springer and Klee method, whereas a Shimadzu TOC‐analyzer slightly underestimated the OC content. Precision of the investigated methods was comparable and tended to be dependent on the sample size used for measurement. The OC oxidation efficiency of the most widely applied method of Walkey and Black for the soils in this study was very close to the generally accepted 75%. Mass loss on ignition at 800°C could be very well related to the soil OC content and the clay content. The traditional factor of 1.724 used to convert OC measurements to organic matter percentages is not valid for the investigated soils, which demonstrates that rather regional‐specific factors (in this study 1.911) should be determined and adopted.
The Developmental Trajectory of Toddlers’ Comprehension of Unfamiliar Regional Accents

Efficient language use involves the capacity to flexibly adjust to varied pronunciations of words. Although children can contend with some accent variability before their second birthday, it is currently unclear when and how this ability reaches its mature state. In a series of five experiments, we examine the developmental trajectory of toddlers’ comprehension of unfamiliar regional accents. Experiments 1 and 2 reveal that Canadian-English-learning 25-month-olds outperform their 20-month-old peers on the recognition of Australian-accented words and that this effect is likely driven by 25-month-olds’ larger vocabulary size. Experiments 3 to 5 subsequently show that 25-month-olds’ recognition of familiar words holds regardless of prior exposure to the speaker or accent. Taken together, these findings suggest that children’s ability to cope with accent variation improves substantially as their vocabulary expands in the second year of life and once it does, children recognize accented words on the fly, even without experience with the accent.
Ischemic Complications After Pancreaticoduodenectomy: Incidence, Prevention, and Management

Objective:To assess prevalence, prevention, and management strategy of visceral ischemic complications after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD). Background:Ischemic complications after PD resulting from preexisting celiac axis (CA), superior mesenteric artery (SMA), stenosis, or intraoperative arterial trauma appear as an underestimated cause of death. Their prevention and adequate management are challenging. Methods:From 1995 to 2006, 545 PD were performed in our institution. All patients were evaluated by thin section multidetector computed tomography (CT) with arterial reconstruction to detect and class SMA or CA stenosis. Hemodynamical significance of stenosis was assessed preoperatively by arteriography for atherosclerotic stenosis and intraoperatively by gastroduodenal artery clamping test for CA compression by median arcuate ligament. Significant atherosclerotic stenosis was stented or bypassed, whereas CA compression was treated by median arcuate ligament division during PD. Multidetector-CT accuracy to detect arterial stenosis, results of revascularization procedures, and both prevalence and prognosis of ischemic complications after PD were analyzed. Results:Among 62 (11%) stenoses detected by multidetector-CT, 27 (5%) were hemodynamically significant, including 23 CA compressions by median arcuate ligament, 2 CA, and 2 SMA atherosclerotic stenoses, respectively. All atherosclerotic stenoses were successfully treated by preoperative stenting (n = 3) or bypass (n = 1). Among the 23 cases who underwent median arcuate ligament division, 3 (13%) failed due to 1 CA injury and 2 misdiagnosed intrinsic CA stenoses. Overall, 6 patients developed ischemic complications, due to intraoperative hepatic artery injury (n = 4), unrecognized SMA atherosclerotic stenosis (n = 1), or CA fibromuscular dysplasia (n = 1). Five (83%) of them died, representing 36% of the 14 deaths of the whole series (overall mortality = 2.6%). Overall, CT detected significant arterial stenosis with a 96% sensitivity and determined etiology of CA stenosis with a 92% accuracy. Conclusions:Ischemic complications are an underestimated cause of death after PD and are due to preexisting stenoses of CA and SMA, or intraoperative hepatic artery injury. Preexisting arterial stenoses are detected by routine multidetector CT. Preoperative endovascular stenting for intrinsic stenosis, division of median arcuate ligament for extrinsic compression, and meticulous dissection of the hepatic artery can contribute to minimize ischemic complications.
Mice plan decision strategies based on previously learned time intervals, locations, and probabilities

Significance A fundamental question is whether experience shapes appropriate behavior by selective reinforcement of that behavior or whether it instills knowledge of environmental parameters, which knowledge may then be deployed to direct behavior in novel situations. We initially trained mice on three different environmental parameters (time intervals, locations, and probabilities) and then confronted these mice for the first time with the situation that required them to combine and use these parameters to predict reward. Mice deployed this knowledge to inform an appropriate behavioral strategy. Their behavioral strategies appeared immediately and did not improve further. These results suggest that mice can directly apply their prior knowledge about time intervals, locations, and probabilities to their decisions without any need for trial and error. Animals can shape their timed behaviors based on experienced probabilistic relations in a nearly optimal fashion. On the other hand, it is not clear if they adopt these timed decisions by making computations based on previously learnt task parameters (time intervals, locations, and probabilities) or if they gradually develop their decisions based on trial and error. To address this question, we tested mice in the timed-switching task, which required them to anticipate when (after a short or long delay) and at which of the two delay locations a reward would be presented. The probability of short trials differed between test groups in two experiments. Critically, we first trained mice on relevant task parameters by signaling the active trial with a discriminative stimulus and delivered the corresponding reward after the associated delay without any response requirement (without inducing switching behavior). During the test phase, both options were presented simultaneously to characterize the emergence and temporal characteristics of the switching behavior. Mice exhibited timed-switching behavior starting from the first few test trials, and their performance remained stable throughout testing in the majority of the conditions. Furthermore, as the probability of the short trial increased, mice waited longer before switching from the short to long location (experiment 1). These behavioral adjustments were in directions predicted by reward maximization. These results suggest that rather than gradually adjusting their time-dependent choice behavior, mice abruptly adopted temporal decision strategies by directly integrating their previous knowledge of task parameters into their timed behavior, supporting the model-based representational account of temporal risk assessment.
Stromal-Derived Factor-1 (CXCL12) Regulates Laminar Position of Cajal-Retzius Cells in Normal and Dysplastic Brains

Normal brain development requires a series of highly complex and interrelated steps. This process presents many opportunities for errors to occur, which could result in developmental defects in the brain, clinically referred to as malformations of cortical development. The marginal zone and Cajal-Retzius cells are key players in cortical development and are established early, yet there is little understanding of the factors resulting in the disruption of the marginal zone in many types of cortical malformation syndromes. We showed previously that treatment with methylazoxymethanol in rats causes marginal zone dysplasia with displacement of Cajal-Retzius cells to deeper cortical layers. Here we establish that loss of activity of the chemokine stromal-derived factor-1 (SDF1) (CXCL12), which is expressed by the leptomeninges, is necessary and sufficient to cause marginal zone disorganization in this widely used teratogenic animal model. We also found that mice with mutations in the main receptor for SDF1 (CXCR4) have Cajal-Retzius cells displaced to deeper cortical layers. Furthermore, by inhibiting SDF1 signaling in utero by intraventricular injection of a receptor antagonist, we establish that SDF1 signaling is required for the maintenance of Cajal-Retzius cell position in the marginal zone during normal cortical development. Our data imply that cortical layering is not a static process, but rather requires input from locally produced molecular cues for maintenance, and that complex syndromes of cortical malformation as a result of environmental insults may still be amenable to explanation by interruption of specific molecular signaling pathways.
No technical understanding required: helping users make informed choices about access to their personal data

Many smartphone apps collect personal information used for a variety of purposes. Users, however, are often unaware of this kind of access even though they must grant the required permissions upon app installation. We have identified three reasons for this unawareness. First, relevant permissions can be missed in long lists of permissions. Second, apps that access personal information for functionality may appear suspicious even if they don't have the ability to disclose that information. Finally, updates to apps can lead to new permissions, accessing personal data, being granted. We modified the Google Play permissions interface to include a quantitative measure (sensitivity score) of an app's ability to disclose personal information and to highlight the relevant permissions that contributed to this score in order to focus the user's attention on permissions that have the ability to access personal data. These improvements are easily integratable within the current structures and policies of the Android permissions interface and have been designed to allow inexperienced users to understand the permission interface and make informed and conscious decisions about access to their personal data. We validated the effectiveness of this approach with a study of 125 Android smartphone users. We compared the current and improved versions of the interface and found that our improved permission interface led participants - especially inexperienced ones - to choose apps with less possible access to their personal data.
Nucleotides and nucleic acids.

Brief History. 1869 Miescher – Isolated nuclein from soiled bandages 1902 Garrod – Studied rare genetic disorder: Alkaptonuria; concluded that specific gene is associated with absence of a specific enzyme. 1903 Sutton – Chromosome structure 1913 Morgan – Gene mapping 1926 Sumner – Purified Urease; identified enzyme to be proteins 1928 Griffith – Transforming Principle – a chemical transferred from dead bacteria to living cells caused genetically converted strains (“transformation”) 1944 Avery, McCarty, and Macleod – Identified Griffith’s “transformation principle” as DNA 1947 Chargaff – Base pairing 1950’s Franklin – X-ray of DNA
Distinct cellular properties of identified dopaminergic and GABAergic neurons in the mouse ventral tegmental area

Non‐technical summary The lower mid‐brain of rodent is home to addiction and hedonism of substances of abuse. Due to overlapping physiological properties among different types of nerve cell within this brain region, it has been difficult to selectively study the physiology of a single type of nerve cell. Here, using gene technology together with selective antibody detection, we have exclusively identified the two dominant populations of nerve cells and found dopamine‐containing cells five times more abundant. We found clear non‐overlapping cellular characteristics between the two types that are unequivocal predictors for selection of nerve cells, whilst other previously employed cellular criteria were found to be less useful.
Nifedipine trials: effectiveness and safety aspects

Nifedipine (Adalat) is marketed as an anti‐hypertensive agent. Nifedipine inhibits voltage‐dependent L‐type calcium channels, which leads to vascular (and other) smooth muscle relaxation and negative inotropic and chronotropic effects on the heart. Vasodilation, followed by a baroreceptor‐mediated increase in sympathetic tone then results in indirect cardiostimulation. Nifedipine was introduced as a tocolytic agent at a time when β‐agonists and magnesium sulphate dominated the arena for the prevention of preterm birth. The oral administration route, the availability of immediate and slow‐release preparations, the low incidence of (mild) side effects, and its limited costs explain the attraction to this medication from the obstetric field and its rapid and widespread distribution. Currently, over 40 studies have been published on nifedipine's tocolytic effectiveness, including seven meta‐analyses. The quality of the studies suffers particularly from performance bias because the majority of them failed to ensure adequate blinding to treatment both for providers and patients. Concerns about other methodological flaws include measurements, outcome assessment and attrition bias. In particular, the safety aspects of nifedipine for tocolysis have been underassessed. Conclusions from the meta‐analyses, favouring the use of nifedipine as a tocolytic agent, are not supported by close examination of the data. The tocolytic effectiveness and ‘safety’ of nifedipine has been studied primarily in normal pregnancies. Based on its pharmacological properties, one should be cautious to administer nifedipine when the maternal cardiovascular condition is compromised, such as with intrauterine infection, twin pregnancy, maternal hypertension, cardiac disease, etc. Life‐threatening pulmonary oedema and/or cardiac failure are definite risks and have been reported. Under such circumstances, the baroreceptor‐mediated increase in sympathetic tone may not balance the cardiac‐depressant activity of nifedipine.