Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Variation Among US hospitals in Inpatient Mortality for Cirrhosis

Background & Aims— Little is known about geographic variations in health care for patients with cirrhosis. We studied geographic and hospital-level variations in care of patients with cirrhosis in the United States (US), using inpatient mortality as an outcome for comparing hospitals. We also aimed to identify features of patients and hospitals associated with lower mortality. Methods— We used the 2009 US Nationwide Inpatient Sample to identify patients with cirrhosis, based on ICD-9-CM diagnosis codes for cirrhosis or 1 of its complications (ascites, hepatorenal syndrome, upper gastrointestinal bleeding, portal hypertension, or hepatic encephalopathy). Multilevel modeling was performed to measure variance among hospitals. Results— There were 102,155 admissions for cirrhosis in 2009, compared to 74,417 in 2003. Overall inpatient mortality was 6.6%. On multivariable-adjusted logistic regression, patients hospitalized in the Midwest had the lowest odds ratio (OR) of inpatient mortality (OR, 0.54; P <. 001). Patients who were transferred from other hospitals (OR, 1.49; P <.001) or had hepatic encephalopathy (OR, 1.28; P <.001), upper gastrointestinal bleeding (OR, 1.74; P <.001), or alcoholic liver disease (OR, 1.23; P =.03) had higher odds of inpatient mortality than patients without these features. Those who received liver transplants had substantially lower odds of inpatient mortality (OR, 0.21; P <.001). Multi-level modeling showed that 4% of the variation in Publisher's Disclaimer: This is a PDF file of an unedited manuscript that has been accepted for publication. As a service to our customers we are providing this early version of the manuscript. The manuscript will undergo copyediting, typesetting, and review of the resulting proof before it is published in its final citable form. Please note that during the production process errors may be discovered which could affect the content, and all legal disclaimers that apply to the journal pertain. mortality could be accounted for at the hospital level ( P <.001). Adjusted mortality among hospitals ranged from 1.2% to 14.2%. Conclusions— Inpatient cirrhosis mortality varies considerably among US hospitals. Further research is needed to identify hospital- and provider-level practices that could be modified to improve outcomes. cirrhosis as well as outpatient management with a goal of decreasing admissions and readmissions represent necessary next steps in research. Our findings indicate that there are substantial differences in inpatient cirrhosis mortality between different regions of the US and between hospitals, which could have national policy implications given the high percentage of patients insured by Medicare and Medicaid. Further research into both inpatient and outpatient factors leading to inpatient mortality variation are needed to shed light on the causes of this variation and determine ways to improve survival.
End of life considerations in older patients with lung disease

The goal of palliative care is to prevent suffering and manage symptoms, maintain quality of life, and to provide physical, emotional, and spiritual support for patients and their loved ones. Currently, palliative care measures focus largely on patients with cancer and these models have not been effectively applied to patients with chronic lung disease. Patients with lung disease have a reduced quality of life and a burden of symptoms that is at least as great, if not greater than, patients with cancer, and they commonly experience significant pain, dyspnea, and fatigue. In addition, dementia and delirium can often play a significant role in older patients. Research suggests that patients with chronic lung disease receive suboptimal palliative care due in large part to inadequate communication with their physicians. When patients have made decisions about life-sustaining therapies, physicians often either don’t know the patients’ wishes or misunderstand them. Additionally, depression, which is common in older patients with chronic illness, may influence patients’ decisions about end-of-life care. Clinicians should realize that the vast majority of patients want more information about end-of-life care and that efforts to initiate and improve communication with their patients are important. This article reviews the potential for enhanced palliative care for older patients with chronic lung disease.
Performance evaluation of different membrane types in the textile mercerization wastewater treatment

This study investigates the performance of three ultrafiltration membranes, i.e. a submerged polyethylene (PE) hollow fibre membrane, a multibore polyethersulfone (PES) membrane and a tubular multichannel ceramic membrane in the textile mercerization wastewater treatment. Experiments were carried out on two laboratory dead end membranes and on a cross flow membrane set‐up using wastewater with and without the addition of MgCl2 as a coagulant. Investigation into energy consumption was also carried out. According to the obtained results, the submerged membrane could be used as the pretreatment of mercerization wastewater to significantly reduce the amount of suspended solids, to remove organic carbon and to decrease turbidity. The results showed that the tested membranes could be used for the treatment of wastewater from the textile mercerization process in terms of permeate quality. The cross‐flow ultrafiltration consumes far more energy than the dead‐end process.
RACK1 Regulates Directional Cell Migration by Acting on G (cid:1)(cid:2) at the Interface with Its Effectors PLC (cid:1) and PI3K (cid:2)

Migration of cells up the chemoattractant gradients is mediated by the binding of chemoattractants to G protein–coupled receptors and activation of a network of coordinated excitatory and inhibitory signals. Although the excitatory process has been well studied, the molecular nature of the inhibitory signals remains largely elusive. Here we report that the receptor for activated C kinase 1 (RACK1), a novel binding protein of heterotrimeric G protein (cid:1)(cid:2) (G (cid:1)(cid:2) ) subunits, acts as a negative regulator of directed cell migration. After chemoattractant-induced polarization of Jurkat and neutrophil-like differentiated HL60 (dHL60) cells, RACK1 interacts with G (cid:1)(cid:2) and is recruited to the leading edge. Down-regulation of RACK1 dramatically enhances chemotaxis of cells, whereas overexpression of RACK1 or a fragment of RACK1 that retains G (cid:1)(cid:2) -binding capacity inhibits cell migration. Further studies reveal that RACK1 does not modulate cell migration through binding to other known interacting proteins such as PKC (cid:1) and Src. Rather, RACK1 selectively inhibits G (cid:1)(cid:2) -stimulated phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (cid:2) (PI3K (cid:2) ) and phospholipase C (PLC) (cid:1) activity, due to the competitive binding of RACK1, PI3K (cid:2) , and PLC (cid:1) to G (cid:1)(cid:2) . Taken together, these ﬁndings provide a novel mechanism of regulating cell migration, i.e., RACK1-mediated interference with G (cid:1)(cid:2) -dependent activation of key effectors critical for chemotaxis.
Seismic Behavior of Liquid Storage Tanks Using Complex and Simple Analytical Models

Performance-based seismic evaluation is usually done by considering simplified models for the liquid storage tanks therefore, it is important to validate those simplified models before conducting such evaluation. The purpose of this study is to compare the seismic response results of the FSI (fluid-structure interaction) model and the simplified models for the cylindrical liquid storage tanks and to verify the applicability of the simplified models for estimating failure probability. Seismic analyses were carried out for two types of storage tanks with different aspect ratios (H/D) of 0.45 and 0.86. FSI model represents detailed 3D fluid-structure interaction model and simplified models are modeled as cantilever mass-spring model, frame type mass-spring model and shell type mass-spring model, considering impulsive and convective components. Seismic analyses were performed with modal analysis followed by time history analysis. Analysis results from all the models were verified by comparing with the results calculated by the code and literature. The results from simplified models show good agreement with the ones from detailed FSI model and calculated results from code and literature, confirming that all three types of simplified models are very valid for conducting failure probability analysis of the cylindrical liquid storage tanks.
MINIATURIZATION OF THREE-SECTION BRANCH-LINE COUPLER USING DIAMOND-SERIES STUBS MICROSTRIP LINE

A three-section branch-line coupler is miniaturized using diamond-series stubs microstrip lines. The modified coupler is capable of operating from 1.6 GHz to 3 GHz with a return loss of less than −20 dB, phase imbalance of less than 2.5◦, insertion loss and coupling of −4.5±1.5 dB and −2.5±0.5 dB, respectively over the operating range. The bandwidth of the coupler has been extended up to 1.4 GHz. In addition, it achieves up to 83.3% size reduction as compared to the conventional three-section coupler. Furthermore, its performance and circuit size are compared with another modified coupler with normal open-stubs microstrip lines. Significantly, this study focuses on analyzing and discussing the effects of diamond structure and number of stubs. Furthermore, the achieved results are superior to the previous studies.
Multiple‐frequency range imaging using the OSWIN VHF radar: Phase calibration and first results

This paper demonstrates the multiple‐frequency range imaging (RIM) which was implemented recently on the OSWIN VHF atmospheric radar (54.1°N, 11.8°E), Germany. A simple but practical phase calibration method is introduced. We validate the RIM technique and the proposed calibration method successfully by examining various radar experiments with different pulse lengths, mono and coded pulses, evenly and unevenly spaced frequencies, and receiver filter bandwidths. The proposed calibration method not only mitigates the phase imbalance between the echoes received at different transmitting frequencies, but also provides a likely value of standard deviation (σz) of the Gaussian range‐weighting function for correcting the range‐weighting effect. Moreover, it is found that σz can be adaptive to signal‐to‐noise ratio when it is employed in practice; this procedure improves the continuity of the imaged powers of RIM around the boundaries of range gates, and an empirical expression has been proposed for this. With the improved power distribution around gate boundaries, we can obtain more available estimates of layer altitudes and exhibit the pass of the layer through gate boundaries clearly. Two observations are shown to demonstrate the maturation of the RIM technique used with the radar: convective cells and double‐layer structures. These atmospheric structures cannot be seen clearly in the original presentation of signal‐to‐noise ratio (or height‐time intensity) of the radar echoes having 150‐m or 300‐m range resolution.
Site-specific S-nitrosylation of Integrin α 6 Increases Prostate Cancer Cell Migration by Increasing Integrin β 1 Association and Reducing Adherence to Laminin-1

The increased mortality in prostate cancer is usually the result of metastatic progression of the disease from the organ-confined location. Among the major events in this progression cascade are increased cell migration and loss of adhesion. Moreover, elevated levels of nitric oxide (NO) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) found within the tumor microenvironment are hallmarks of progression for this cancer. To understand the role of nitrosative stress in prostate cancer progression, the effects of NO/iNOS on prostate cancer cell migration and adhesion were investigated here. Our results indicate that ectopic expression of iNOS in prostate cancer cells increased cell migration, which could be blocked by selective ITG α 6- blocking antibody or iNOS-inhibitors. Furthermore, iNOS was found to cause S-nitrosylation of ITG α 6 at Cys86 in prostate cancer cells. By comparing the activities of the wild-type ITG α 6 with a Cys86 mutant, we showed that treatment of prostate cancer cells with NO increased ITG α 6 heterodimerization with ITG β 1, but not with ITG β 4. Finally, S-nitrosylation of ITG α 6 decreased its binding to laminin- β 1, and reduced the adhesion of prostate cancer cells to laminin-1. In conclusion, S-nitrosylation of ITG α 6 increased prostate cancer cell migration, which could be a potential mechanism of NO/iNOS– induced
Age exaggerates proinflammatory cytokine signaling and truncates STAT3 signaling following ischemic stroke in the rat

Neuroinflammation is associated with glial activation following a variety of brain injuries, including stroke. While activation of perilesional astrocytes and microglia following ischemic brain injury is well documented, the influence of age on these cellular responses after stroke is unclear. This study investigated the influence of advanced age on neuronal degeneration, neuroinflammation, and glial activation in female Sprague-Dawley rats after reversible embolic occlusion of the middle cerebral artery (MCAO). Results indicate that in comparison to young adult rats (3 months), aged rats (18 months) showed enhanced neuronal degeneration, altered microglial response, and a markedly increased expression of proinflammatory cytokines/ chemokines following MCAO. In addition, the time-course for activation of STAT3, the signaling mechanism that regulates astrocyte reactivity, was truncated in the aged rats after MCAO. Moreover, the expression of SOCS3, which is associated with termination of astrogliosis, was enhanced as a function of age after MCAO. These findings are suggestive of an enhanced proinflammatory response and a truncated astroglial response as a function of advanced age following MCAO. These data provide further evidence of the prominent role played by age in the molecular and cellular responses to ischemic stroke and suggest that astrocytes may represent targets for future therapies aimed at improving stroke outcome. and traumatic brain injuries, our findings are in agreement with prior findings showing an enhanced inflammatory response is associated with, but not required for, the induction of astrogliosis 2008). Our findings also suggest that a truncated astroglial response to injury is associated with and, perhaps, can lead to, increased neuropathology following MCAO in the aged rat.
Green supply chain practice adoption and firm performance: manufacturing SMEs in Uganda

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to assess the relationship between five green practices and firm performance. In addition, this paper investigates the influence of each green practice on environmental performance, economic benefits, and economic costs. Design/methodology/approach Data were collected based on a cross-sectional survey of owner/managers of 200 manufacturing SME firms in Uganda, Africa. SPSS was used to find descriptive means and test relationships between green practices and performance outcomes. Structural equation modelling was used to test for the influence of each practice on performance outcomes. The structural equation modelling results were obtained using the Covariance-Based Structural Equation Modelling software. Results were compared with similar studies conducted in developing countries. Findings Different green practices affect different performance dimensions in different ways across different industries. For example, eco-design and internal environmental management practices significantly influence environmental performance; green purchasing and internal environmental management practices significantly influence economic benefits; and internal environmental management practices affect economic costs. Overall internal environmental management is the key to positive outcomes across the three performance criteria. The authors show how the results obtained vary from similar studies conducted in developing countries and explain possible reasons for the difference. Research limitations/implications Africa is a rapidly industrialising nation faced with difficult choices between economic growth and increased pollution. Because SMEs represent the majority of manufacturing firms, they are the main polluters. Hence, better understanding of the costs and benefits, both environmental and economic, is important to encourage green practice adoption for the betterment of community health and prosperity. Originality/value Despite numerous studies on the relationships between green practice adoption and performance outcomes, only a few studies include both economic costs and benefits in addition to environmental performance. The study covers five green supply chain practices, whereas most similar studies are limited in the number of practices examined. The African context is unique and important because industrial development and environmental protection goals are in conflict. Similar studies are predominant in an Asian context which is more developed than Africa. The findings and comparisons raise important questions for further research in relation to the roles of national regulations, geographical markets and industry types in furthering green practices in manufacturing.
Evaluation of the lubricating power of sweet almond oil without additives

En esta investigacion se evaluo el poder lubricante del aceite de almendras dulces (Prunus amygdalus var. dulcis) mediante ensayos de desgaste preventivo (AW) y presion extrema (EP) en un tribometro cuatro bolas. Los resultados obtenidos, se compararon con el comportamiento de dos aceites minerales de diferente viscosidad, blanco tecnico y plastificante delta 360, sin aditivos. Se determino que el aceite de almendras dulces posee mayor poder lubricante con respecto a los aceites minerales. Las esferas lubricadas con aceite de almendras presentaron menor diametro promedio de la huella de desgaste y menor coeficiente de friccion. Ademas, el aceite de almendras dulces presento mejor desempeno en condiciones de extrema presion, mostrando un punto de soldadura mayor que los aceites minerales. Finalmente, mediante el analisis por espectroscopia FT-IR, se determino que en las condiciones en las que se realizaron los ensayos el aceite de almendras no se oxida.
Modeling the respiratory motion of solitary pulmonary nodules for investigating SPECT tumor imaging

We have modeled the respiratory motion of solitary pulmonary nodules (SPN) based on the change of location of anatomic structures in the lungs determined from breath-held CT images of volunteers acquired at two different stages of respiration. The resulting 3D data was visualized in summed coronal, sagittal, and transaxial projections by drawing an arrow showing the direction and magnitude of motion during inspiration. The findings reveal that there is a three-dimensional component of the motion of structures within the lung and that the magnitude and direction vary based on the specific anatomic region of the lung. This information on respiratory motion within the lungs was combined with the NCAT phantom to allow the creation of source and attenuation maps for investigating the impact of respiratory motion in single photon emission computed tomographic (SPECT) imaging for SPN with Tc-99m labeled NeoTect. With the source and attenuation distribution thus defined, the SIMIND Monte Carlo program is used to produce SPECT projection images for the normal background Tc-99m NeoTect distribution and each of the tumors separately. These projections can be combined according to the desired tumor contrast and employed to investigate the impact of respiratory motion of SPN detection using human-observer localization receiver operating characteristics (LROC) studies.
Examining the association of autism and adverse childhood experiences in the National Survey of Children’s Health: The important role of income and co-occurring mental health conditions

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are risk factors for mental and physical illness and more likely to occur for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The present study aimed to clarify the contribution of poverty, intellectual disability and mental health conditions to this disparity. Data on child and family characteristics, mental health conditions and ACEs were analyzed in 67,067 youth from the 2011–2012 National Survey of Children’s Health. In an income-stratified sample, the association of ASD and ACEs was greater for lower income children and significantly diminished after controlling for child mental health conditions, but not intellectual disability. Findings suggest that the association of ACEs and ASD is moderated by family income and contingent on co-occurring mental health conditions. ACEs in children with ASD and financial insecurity), a pattern discernable by stratification. The present study aimed to elucidate the potential role of poverty and child clinical characteristics on the increased adversity reported for children with ASD from the NSCH in recent studies. Such analyses have important implications for how we understand the relationship of ACEs and ASD. They will also help identify which children with ASD are most likely to experience adversity and inform our hypotheses as to why.
Tau PET in autosomal dominant Alzheimer disease: small windows, big picture

The introduction of positron emission tomography (PET) tracers that can identify paired helical filaments of hyperphosphorylated tau, i.e.neurofibrillary tangles (NFT), has been met with tremendous optimism in the field of Alzheimer disease(AD) research. For example, a search in PubMed.gov indicates that the number of publications related to “tau PET” has increased from 39 in 2010 to over 270 in the past two years, and tau PET scans are now being integrated into large observational and clinical trial studies. This optimism is based on the expectation that these tracers will provide a deeper understanding of the biology of the disease, and may also provide a surrogate biomarker measure that is related to the cognitive impairment of the disease. topographical of pathologies