Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of socioeconomic group on incidence of, management of, and survival after myocardial infarction and coronary death: analysis of community coronary event register

Abstract Objective: To investigate the effect of socioeconomic group (with reference to age and sex) on the rate of, course of, and survival after coronary events. Design: Community coronary event register from 1985 to 1991. Setting: City of Glasgow north of the River Clyde, population 196 000. Subjects: 3991 men and 1551 women aged 25-64 years on the Glasgow MONICA coronary event register with definite or fatal possible or unclassifiable events according to the criteria of the World Health Organisation's MONICA project (monitoring trends and determinants in cardiovascular disease). Main outcome measures: Rate of coronary events; proportion of subjects reaching hospital alive; case fatality in admitted patients and in community overall. Results: Event rates increased with age for both sexes and were greater in men than women at all ages. The rate increased 1.7-fold in men and 2.4-fold in women from the least (Q1) to the most (Q4) deprived socioeconomic quarter. The socioeconomic gradient decreased with age and was steeper for women than men. The proportion treated in hospital (66%) decreased with age, was greater in women than men, and decreased in both sexes with increasing deprivation (age standardised odds ratio 0.82 for Q4 v Q1) Case fatality in hospital (20%) increased with age, was greater for women than men when age was standardised, and showed no strong socioeconomic pattern. Overall case fatality in the community (50%) increased with age, was similar between the sexes, and increased from Q1 to Q4 (age standardised odds ratio 1.12 in men, 1.18 in women). Conclusions: Socioeconomic group affects not only death rates from myocardial infarction but also event rates and chance of admission. This should be taken into account when different groups of patients are compared. Because social deprivation is associated with so many more deaths outside hospital, primary and secondary prevention are more likely than acute hospital care to reduce the socioeconomic variation in mortality. Key messages Socioeconomic variation in rates of coronary events was greater for women than men The largest social class gradient was in the proportion of deaths occurring outside hospital Overall, 68% of all people who died of coronary events did so before admission Acute hospital care applied to only 66% of all cases and therefore could affect only 32% of all deaths Reduction in socioeconomic variation in mortality from coronary disease is best addressed by reducing the variation of event rates-that is, by primary and secondary prevention Allocation of resources for reduction of coronary mortality should take account of social class differences and the relative potential effect of hospital care and primary and secondary prevention
Adjuvant endocrine therapy for postmenopausal women with early stage breast cancer

While surgery and radiation offer local control of the primary breast tumor, the principal aim of systemic adjuvant therapies is to prevent or delay distant metastases. A large number of randomized clinical trials over the past 20 years have demonstrated the importance of adjuvant endocrine therapy in reducing breast cancer mortality. For postmenopausal hormone receptor-positive patients, tamoxifen has been the standard of care in the adjuvant setting, however, recent developments have led to the introduction of new endocrine agents such as the third-generation aromatase inhibitors. Ongoing studies are evaluating the optimum duration of treatments and the combination and sequencing of different agents to prevent drug-resistance.
A GaAs RF transceiver IC for 1.9 GHz digital mobile communication systems

A 3.4 V single power supply GaAs single-chip RF transceiver IC for 1.9 GHz digital mobile communication systems such as the Japanese Personal Handy Phone System (PHS) consists of both analog and digital circuits. The analog circuits contain a power amplifier (PA), an SPDT switch (SW), two attenuators (ATTs) for transmitting and receiving modes, and a low-noise amplifier (LNA). The digital circuits contain a negative voltage generator (NVG) for single voltage operation and a logic circuit to control the analog circuits and the NVG.
Profiling the metabolome changes caused by cranberry procyanidins in plasma of female rats using (1) H NMR and UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap-HRMS global metabolomics approaches.

SCOPE The objective was to investigate the metabolome changes in female rats gavaged with partially purified cranberry procyanidins (PPCP) using (1) H NMR and UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap-HRMS metabolomics approaches, and to identify the contributing metabolites. METHODS AND RESULTS Twenty-four female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly separated into two groups and administered PPCP or partially purified apple procyanidins (PPAP) for three times using a 250 mg extracts/kg body weight dose. Plasma was collected 6 h after the last gavage and analyzed using (1) H NMR and UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap-HRMS. No metabolome difference was observed using (1) H NMR metabolomics approach. However, LC-HRMS metabolomics data show that metabolome in the plasma of female rats administered PPCP differed from those gavaged with PPAP. Eleven metabolites were tentatively identified from a total of 36 discriminant metabolic features based on accurate masses and/or product ion spectra. PPCP caused a greater increase of exogenous metabolites including p-hydroxybenzoic acid, phenol, phenol-sulphate, catechol sulphate, 3, 4-dihydroxyphenylvaleric acid, and 4'-O-methyl-(-)-epicatechin-3'-O-beta-glucuronide in rat plasma. Furthermore, the plasma level of O-methyl-(-)-epicatechin-O-glucuronide, 4-hydroxy-5-(hydroxyphenyl)-valeric acid-O-sulphate, 5-(hydroxyphenyl)-ϒ-valerolactone-O-sulphate, 4-hydroxydiphenylamine, and peonidin-3-O-hexose were higher in female rats administered with PPAP. CONCLUSION The metabolome changes caused by cranberry procyanidins were revealed using an UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap-HRMS global metabolomics approach. Exogenous and microbial metabolites were the major identified discriminate biomarkers.
Isothermal microcalorimetry as a tool for studying oxidation stability of insulating liquids

The application of an isothermal microcalorimeter for the investigation of the oxidation stability of insulating liquids has been studied. We propose that the total integral heat signal (area below the calorimeter curves) is a good indicator of the degree of oxidation taking place in the sample during the experiment. Known and unknown insulating liquids have been used in this study, and the amount of available oxygen in the samples has been varied. The results show that isothermal microcalorimetry is well suited for characterizing the oxidation stability of insulating liquids.
Direct identification of Staphylococcus aureus in blood culture fluid with a commercial latex agglutination test

A commercial latex agglutination slide test (SeroSTAT Staph, Scott Laboratories, Inc., Fiskeville, R.I.) accurately identified Staphylococcus aureus when applied directly to blood culture fluid containing staphylococci. This latex agglutination test exhibited 100% accuracy when 30 seeded aerobic and anaerobic radiometric blood cultures (15 strains of S. aureus, 15 strains of other staphylococcal species) were tested blindly. In 36 actual clinical specimens yielding 16 isolates of S. aureus and 20 isolates of Staphylococcus epidermidis, 94.4% accuracy was achieved. The latex agglutination test provided positive test results before objective criteria of blood culture positivity such as radiometric growth indices and Gram stains became positive.
Darkness during early postnatal development is required for normal circadian patterns in the adult rat

Early light experience influences the brain during development. Perinatal light exposure has an important effect on the development of the circadian system, although the role of quantity versus quality of light in this process is still unclear. We tested the development of the circadian rhythm of locomotor activity under constant bright light from the day of weaning, of six groups of rats raised under different light conditions during suckling. Results indicated that when rats received daily darkness during suckling (rats reared under constant darkness or light-dark cycles with dim or bright light) became arrhythmic when exposed to continuous bright light after weaning. However, those rats reared in the absence of darkness (constant dim or bright light, or alternating dim and bright light) developed a circadian rhythm, which was stronger and had a shorter period depending on the quantity of light received during suckling. Vasointestinal polypeptide immunoreactivity in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) was higher in those rats with weaker rhythms. However, no apparent differences among these groups were found in the melanopsin-expressing retinal ganglion cells, which provide the SCN with light input in the photoentrainment process. When bright light was shifted to dim light in three of the groups on day 57 after weaning, all of them generated a circadian rhythm with a longer period in those rats previously arrhythmic. Our results indicate the importance of the amount of light received at the early stages of life in the development of the circadian system and suggest that darkness is needed for the normal development of circadian behaviour.
In vivo assessment of emphysema in mice by high resolution X‐ray microtomography

High resolution X‐ray microtomography (micro‐CT) was used for the detection of emphysema in live mice. Emphysema was induced in C57BL/6 J mice by intratracheal instillation of different amounts of porcine pancreatic elastase. This emphysema could be clearly detected by micro‐CT seven weeks post‐treatment: analysis of the whole data set of virtual cross‐sections showed the presence of a dose‐dependent level of emphysema.
The effects of aripiprazole on electrocardiography in children with pervasive developmental disorders.

OBJECTIVES Psychotropic medications, including the atypical antipsychotics, have historically been scrutinized for cardiac effects and risk of sudden death. Aripiprazole is an atypical antipsychotic approved for pediatric use in schizophrenia, bipolar I disorder, and autistic disorder. Adult studies have evaluated aripiprazole's effects on electrocardiograms, but no pediatric studies have been published to date. METHODS Electrocardiographic data were collected from children and adolescents participating in a 14-week, prospective, open-label study (n=25) of aripiprazole for irritability in pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified and Asperger's disorder. A 12-lead electrocardiogram was obtained at the baseline and end point visits. The electrocardiograms were evaluated for abnormal findings, and the PR, QRS, QT(c), and RR intervals were recorded. The QT interval was corrected using Bazett's, United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Pharmacology Division, and Fridericia's formulas. RESULTS Twenty-four subjects received both baseline and posttreatment electrocardiograms. The mean age was 8.6 years (range 5-17 years). The average final aripiprazole dose was 7.8 mg/day (range 2.5-15 mg/day). There were no significant differences noted with the PR, QRS, RR, and QT(c) intervals after aripiprazole therapy. Also, there was no significant correlation between the dose given and the percent change in the QT(c). No post-treatment QT(c) exceeded 440 ms. CONCLUSIONS To our knowledge, this is the first systematic evaluation of the cardiac effects of aripiprazole in children and adolescents. The results are consistent with previously published literature in adults that aripiprazole has no significant cardiac effects and can be deemed a low risk for causing sudden death. It will be important to confirm these findings in a randomized controlled trial.
Penicillin-binding protein 2 is essential in wild-type Escherichia coli but not in lov or cya mutants

Penicillin-binding protein 2 (PBP2), target of the beta-lactam mecillinam, is required for rod morphology and cell wall elongation in Escherichia coli. A new temperature-sensitive PBP2 allele and an in vitro-constructed insertion deletion allele were shown to be lethal in wild-type strains, establishing that the activity of this protein is essential. Mutations in the lov or cya genes, conferring mecillinam resistance, compensated for the deleterious effect of the absence of PBP2. The resulting double mutants grew as spheres. In a cya mutant lacking PBP2, the restoration of a Cya+ phenotype by addition of cyclic AMP caused lethality and a block in cell division. These results show that in wild-type cells, PBP2 is essential for growth and division.
Beyond classical economics: Exploring the impact of social-psychological factors on preference for speed over price and willingness to pay for a faster wireless service plan

With the rapid adoption of Internet and wireless technology, the demand for a faster and reliable speed has been dramatically increasing. Identifying influential factors in consumers wireless technology adoption and willingness to pay for a faster Internet speed across various settings has been an important and focal interest in wireless communication for both researchers and practitioners. By using both experimental and survey methods, this study empirically tested the impact of social influence and demographics factors on individuals preference for Internet speed over price and willingness to pay for a faster plan. Results of the experiment showed that friends preference for a slower but cheaper Internet significantly decreased peoples own willingness to pay for a faster Internet. Results of path modeling further revealed that perceived usefulness of Internet led to a higher level of preference for speed, which in turn led to a higher level of willingness to pay. Computer self-efficacy had a small and negative relationship with willingness to pay for a faster Internet; people with a liberal political orientation reported stronger willingness to pay for a faster Internet. This study makes contribution to the theoretical and empirical understanding of consumers adoption intention and willingness to pay for a specific wireless service.
Senior Nursing Students' Clinical Judgments in Pain Management

Sustained improvement in pain management depends on new nurses entering the healthcare system with strong practice knowledge and competent clinical judgment. The recent call to revamp nursing education to meet practice realities recommended integrating classroom and clinical teaching using a variety of pedagogies to develop students' clinical judgment skills. Understanding the pain management clinical judgments occurring in practice helps to methodically construct meaningful teaching interventions and guide faculty support of students. The authors discuss their study, and its outcomes, related to the pain management clinical judgments of senior students.
Hippocampal Volumes in Adolescents with and without a Family History of Alcoholism

Background and Objectives: The hippocampus may be vulnerable to the effects of heavy alcohol use during adolescence, which is a time of continued neurodevelopment. However, differences in hippocampal volume may be due to risk factors such as a family history (FH) of alcoholism. We examined hippocampal volumes in youth with and without a FH of alcoholism prior to the initiation of alcohol use. Methods: Participants were demographically matched adolescents (aged 12–14) with positive (n = 15; FHP) and negative (n = 15; FHN) FH of alcoholism. Each group consisted of 10 males and 5 females with minimal previous substance use. Manual hippocampal tracings were completed on high-resolution magnetic resonance images by reliable raters, and intracranial volumes were controlled in analyses. Results: FH groups did not differ on memory or hippocampal volumes, but group x gender interactions (p < .05) indicated that FHP males had larger left hippocampi than FHN males. Females showed greater left versus right hippocampal asymmetry, while males showed larger right versus left asymmetry. For all adolescents, larger right hippocampal volumes predicted poorer delayed visual memory (p < .01). Conclusion and Significance: Alcoholism risk factors, such as family history of alcoholism, may differentially influence adolescent hippocampal development for boys as compared to girls. Results suggest that FH does not account for prior findings of reduced left hippocampal volumes in heavy drinking youth. Findings are preliminary, but suggest that future studies examining the effects of alcohol use on the adolescent brain should consider the influence of FH, especially among boys.
Resource Allocation Strategies for Secure WPCN Multiantenna Multicasting Systems

This paper investigates a secure wireless-powered multiantenna multicasting system, where multiple power beacons (PBs) supply power to a transmitter in order to establish a reliable communication link with multiple legitimate users in the presence of multiple eavesdroppers. The transmitter has to harvest radio frequency (RF) energy from multiple PBs due to the shortage of embedded power supply before establishing its secure communication. We consider two different scenarios. In the first, the PBs and the transmitter belong to the same operator, where we formulate the resource allocation problem as the minimization of the total transmit power subject to the target secure rate constraint. The solution of this problem yields both the optimal power and energy transfer time allocation. Due to the non-convexity of this problem, we propose a two-level approach, where the inner level problem can be recast as a convex optimization framework via conic convex reformulation, while the outer level problem can be handled by using one-dimensional (1D) search. The second scenario considers the case where the transmitter and the PBs belong to different service suppliers. Hence, we formulate the resource allocation problem where we consider incentives for the PBs to assist the transmitter. This leads to the formulation of a Stackelberg game for the secure wireless-powered multiantenna multicasting system. The transmitter has to pay for the energy services from these multiple PBs in order to facilitate secure communications. In this game, the transmitter and the PB are modelled as leader and follower, respectively, in which both of them try to maximize their own utility function. The closed-form Stackelberg equilibrium of the formulated game is then derived. Finally, numerical results are provided to validate our proposed schemes.
Hyperspherical Fuzzy clustering for online document categorization

For document data which are typically represented as high dimensional and sparse vectors, cosine distance based Hyperspherical Fuzzy C-Means(HFCM) has been shown to be more effective than classic Euclidean distance based fuzzy c-means(FCM) for document categorization. The existing HFCM approach assumes a static dataset and performs clustering in a batch mode. This design makes HFCM no more suitable when the dataset keeps increasing in its size or is too large to be loaded wholly. In this paper, we work on fuzzy clustering approaches for online document clustering. Specifically, we propose to perform hyperspherical fuzzy c-means in an online manner based on the stochastic gradient method. In this Online Hyperspherical Fuzzy C-Means(OnHFCM), documents are assumed to come one by one and centroids of clusters are updated immediately when each document is arrived. Such a formulation allows OnHFCM to be applicable to large datasets which may be incrementally changing in size. Two variants of OnHFCM with different objective functions are presented in this paper. In addition to the classic online algorithm which processes documents one by one, mini-batch algorithm that handles a small batch of documents at a time is also provided. Experimental results on real-world benchmarks demonstrate that the proposed OnHFCM algorithms achieved better performance than existing ones in online document categorization.
Altered mTOR signaling in senescent retinal pigment epithelium.

PURPOSE Mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR)-mediated pathways play central roles in regulating aging. The purpose of the present study was to characterize the mTOR cascade in human retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells and to investigate its potential roles in controlling RPE senescence. METHODS Expression of major components of the mTOR signaling networks was evaluated by Western blot analyses. Formations of the two signaling complexes of mTOR, mTORC1, and mTORC2 were determined by coimmunoprecipitation. The activation of mTORC1 was monitored by measuring the phosphorylation status of the downstream substrate protein S6. Senescence of the cultured human RPE cells was assessed by measuring both the senescence associated-β-galactosidase (SA-β-Gal) activity and the expression level of p16, a cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor. RESULTS Human RPE cells contained functional mTORC1 and mTORC2 signaling complexes. The assembly and activity of mTORC1 were regulated by upstream nutrient and growth factor signals. The sensitivity of mTORC1 to extracellular nutrient stimuli increased in RPE cells that had developed in vitro senescence. Suppression of the mTORC1 by rapamycin prevented the appearance of senescence markers in the RPE. CONCLUSIONS The mTOR pathway presented age-associated changes in human RPE cells, and downregulation of mTORC1 could delay the aging process of the RPE.
Predictors of health care seeking for irritable bowel syndrome: a population based study

Background—It has been suggested that psychological factors rather than symptoms drive subjects with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) to seek medical care, but this issue has not been tackled in a population based study. Aim—To identify whether psychological factors or abuse explain health care seeking for IBS. Methods—A sample of residents of Penrith (a Sydney suburb representative of the Australian population) selected randomly from the electoral rolls (that by law include the entire population ⩾18 years) was mailed a validated self-report questionnaire. Measured were gastrointestinal symptoms including the Manning (and Rome) criteria for IBS, health care seeking, neuroticism (Eysenck Personality Questionnaire), psychological morbidity (General Health Questionnaire: GHQ) and sexual, physical and emotional abuse (including the standardised Drossman questions). Results—Among 730 subjects, 96 (13%, 95% confidence interval (CI) 11–16%) had IBS by the Manning criteria. Of those with IBS, 73% (95% CI 63–81%) had sought medical care for abdominal pain or discomfort. Only increasing pain severity (odds ratio (OR) = 2.10, 95% CI 1.11–3.95) and duration of pain (OR=1.53, 95% CI 1.10–2.13) were independently associated with seeking health care for IBS. Pain severity was also predictive of recent care seeking (OR=1.74, 95% CI 1.12–1.96). Neuroticism, psychological morbidity and abuse history were not significant predictors. Conclusion—Psychological factors do not seem to explain health care seeking among community subjects with IBS.
Measuring and Analysis of Nonlinear Characterization of Lithium-Ion Batteries Using Multisin Excitation Signal

This paper introduces a novel methodology for analysis in the frequency domain. This methodology looks to the battery from a different point of view and covers aspects of the battery that is often neglected in other works and analysis battery precisely. Using periodic signals such as random phase multisine for system identification, allows separating noise and nonlinear distortions from the linear part of the system’s response. In addition to a shorter test time in comparison with conventional single sine EIS, by performing extra periods and different phase realizations, transients are eliminated and noise disturbance and also nonlinear distortion is detected.