Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Airway reactivity changes in asthmatic patients undergoing blinded food challenges.

To investigate the possible pathogenic role of food allergy in asthma, airway hyperresponsiveness was measured by methacholine inhalation challenges (MIC) performed before and after double-blind, placebo-controlled food challenges (DBPCFC) in 26 food-allergic, asthmatic patients. Airway hyperresponsiveness was classified as severe in two cases (PD20FEV1 < 2 breath units, BU), moderate in 18 (PD20FEV1: 2-20 BU), and mild in six (PD20FEV1 > 20 BU). Medications included albuterol (81%), inhaled steroids (38%), cromolyn (35%), and theophylline (23%). MICs were performed in the afternoon after DBPCFC. Of the 22 positive DBPCFC, 12 involved chest symptoms (cough, wheezing, or both). Another 10 positive DBPCFCs included laryngeal, gastrointestinal, and/or skin symptoms without any chest symptoms. Significant increases in airway hyperresponsiveness were evident in seven of 12 patients experiencing chest symptoms during DBPCFC. Significant increases in airway hyperresponsiveness were observed in one patient without chest symptoms during a positive DBPCFC and one patient after a negative DBPCFC. However, this last patient had a negative MIC with the same antigen 1 yr later. These studies indicate that food-induced allergic reactions can increase airway reactivity, and may do so without inducing acute asthma.
Transplantation of embryonic stem cell-derived neural stem cells for spinal cord injury in adult mice

Abstract Aims: To investigate the efficacy of embryonic stem cell-derived neural stem cells (NSCs) for spinal cord injury (SCI) in mice and whether a combination treatment with thyroid hormone provides a more effective ES cell-based therapy. Methods: Nestin-positive NSCs were induced from undifferentiated mouse ES cells by a step-by-step culture and used as grafts. Thirty-six mice were subjected to an SCI at Th10 and divided into three groups of 12. Graft cells were transplanted into the injury site 10 days after injury. Group 1 mice were left under observation without receiving graft cells, while mice in Group 2 received 2 × 104 graft cells, and those in Group 3 received 2 × 104 graft cells and were treated with a continuous intraperitoneal injection of thyroxin using osmotic mini-pumps. Behavioral improvement was assessed by a scoring system throughout the experimental period until post-transplantation day (PD) 28. Results: Mice in Groups 2 and 3 demonstrated an improved behavioral function, as compared to those in Group 1 after PD 14. There was no significant difference in behavioral recovery between Groups 2 and 3. Conclusions: Transplantation of ES-NSCs into the injury site was effective for SCI, while thyroxine did not deliver additional effectiveness.
An effective encoder fault detection in PMSM drives at different speed ranges

Incremental encoder is widely used as a rotor speed and/or position sensor for electric machines control. It gives the exact rotor speed and/or position for electric motors closed-loop operating. However, a faulty sensor may lead to the loss of motor control. In this paper, an improved detection of encoder information loss fault in Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor (PMSM) drives is presented. The information loss fault detection has been performed at different speed ranges, from very low-speeds to high-speeds. For this purpose, two detection approaches have been used. The first approach is based on Luenberger observer, and the second approach is the Discrete Wavelet Transform - based MultiResolution Analysis (DWT-MRA). Basing on the obtained results, discussion and analysis are given in order to highlight the effectiveness of the proposed methods for incremental encoder faults detection in PMSM drives.
Crystal methamphetamine use among young adults in the USA.

AIMS To examine the prevalence and correlates of crystal methamphetamine use among young adults in the USA. DESIGN Cross-sectional analyses of nationally representative data of young adults from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health). SETTING In-home interviews conducted in 2001-02. PARTICIPANTS A total of 14,322 respondents aged 18-26 years. MEASUREMENTS Past year and 30-day crystal methamphetamine use; crime/violence (ever arrested, past year drug selling, past year violent behavior) and sexual risk behaviors (multiple partners, poor condom use, regretted sex, sex for money). FINDINGS Prevalence of past year crystal methamphetamine use was 2.8%; past month was 1.3%. White or Native American race, residence in the west or south, having an ever-incarcerated father, marijuana, cocaine, intravenous drug use and high novelty seeking were associated with greater likelihood of past year use in multivariate analyses. Compared to marijuana and cocaine users, crystal methamphetamine users were more likely to be male, unemployed, reside in the west or south, have an ever-incarcerated father and less likely to be black or Hispanic. Frequent users were no different from occasional users, except being more likely to have dropped out of school. Although crystal methamphetamine use was associated with crime and risky sex, controlling for covariates greatly diminished this relationship. CONCLUSIONS Most users are occasional users, but any past year use is associated with risky and antisocial behaviors, including other illicit drug use. Further research is needed to examine how other drug addiction is associated with methamphetamine use, and to identify longitudinal antecedents for prevention.
Early prediction of phenotypic survival to the second lactation in Dutch and Flemish Holstein heifers using genomic and phenotypic data

Due to uncertainty about survival and future performance of replacement heifers, many farmers rear a surplus of heifers. By predicting survival at an early age, uncertainty about heifer survival could be reduced, and fewer replacement heifers would be needed. A dataset of 1907 Holstein heifers born between 2012 and 2013 with 50 genomic breeding values (GEBV) and various phenotypic variables was used to predict survival to second lactation, at two moments in life; at birth, and at age of 18 months. While it was not possible to reliably predict survival outcome of individual heifers, the surviving heifers ranked higher on average than non-surviving heifers at birth (0.87 (SD = 0.047) vs 0.84 (SD =0.059), and at 18 months (0.89 (SD =0.066) vs 0.85 (SD = 0.080). The best prediction of survival in both cases was obtained by combining phenotypic information and gEBV, demonstrating the potential for farmers to combine both information sources to predict the probability of survival for their replacement heifer management. Keywords: phenotypic prediction, dairy cattle, survival
Patterns of Shoulder Muscle Coordination Vary Between Wheelchair Propulsion Techniques

This study investigated changes in the coordination patterns of shoulder muscles and wheelchair kinetics with different propulsion techniques by comparing wheelchair users' self-selected propulsion patterns with a semicircular pattern adopted after instruction. Wheelchair kinetics data were recorded by Smart Wheel on an ergometer, while EMG activity of seven muscles was recorded with surface electrodes on 15 able-bodied inexperienced participants. The performance data in two sessions, first using a self-selected and then the learned semicircular pattern, were compared with a paired t-test. Muscle coordination patterns across seven muscles were analyzed by principal component analysis. The semicircular pattern was characterized by significantly lower push frequency, significantly longer push length, push duration and push distance (p <; 0.05, all cases) without a significant increase in push force, when compared with the self-selected pattern. In addition, our results show that in the semicircular propulsion technique, synergistic muscles were recruited in distinct phases and displayed a clearer separation between activities in the push phase and recovery phase muscles. An instruction session in semicircular propulsion technique is recommended for the initial use of a wheelchair after an injury.
The Impact of Clustering on Firm Innovation

Are firms in clusters more innovative and productive than firms operating in more isolated areas? This article combines two rich firm-level data sets to analyze the effect of a dense geographical concentration of industries on the innovativeness and productivity of firms. The results show that increased concentration of employment in the same industry (localization) is associated with higher innovation output and higher productivity. At the same time, however, a higher number of firms in the same industry are associated with lower innovation output and lower productivity. These two findings are visible within a distance of 500 m away from the respective firms, but then vanish for longer distances. Furthermore, the article finds no evidence that increased concentration of employment in other industries (urbanization) is positively related to higher innovation output. In contrast, increased concentration of employment in other industries is strongly related to higher productivity, whereby this effect extends to large distances of up to 10 km. The results of the article thus suggest that those agglomeration externalities operating over longer distances, such as labor market pooling, work mostly across industries, while the comparatively more local knowledge spillovers tend to work mostly within industries.
Hemodynamic impact of a positive end-expiratory pressure setting in acute respiratory distress syndrome: Importance of the volume status*

Objective:The hemodynamic impact of positive end-expiratory pressure in acute respiratory distress syndrome and the underlying mechanisms have not been extensively investigated during low stretch ventilation. Our aim was to evaluate the hemodynamic effect of increasing positive end-expiratory pressure when tidal volume and the plateau pressure are limited and to explore the underlying mechanisms. Design:Prospective study. Setting:Medical intensive care unit. Patients:Twenty-one acute respiratory distress syndrome patients ventilated with a tidal volume of 6.0 ± 0.5 mL/kg of predicted body weight. Intervention:Positive end-expiratory pressure was significantly increased from 5 ± 1 cm H2O to 13 ± 4 cm H2O for reaching a plateau pressure of 30 ± 1 cm H2O. At high positive end-expiratory pressure, passive leg raising was performed for increasing the central blood volume. Measurements:We performed echocardiography and pulmonary artery catheterization during positive end-expiratory pressure increase and during passive leg raising at high positive end-expiratory pressure. Main Results:With positive end-expiratory pressure elevation, the cardiac index decreased by 13% ± 9%. The right ventricular end-diastolic area, right atrial pressure, and pulmonary vascular resistance increased by 13% ± 20%, 34% ± 24% and 32% ± 31%, respectively (p < .01; p = .04; and p < .01 vs. baseline, respectively). The transpulmonary pressure difference (mean pulmonary artery pressure – pulmonary artery occlusion pressure) increased (p < .05). Both at low and high positive end-expiratory pressure, an acute cor pulmonale was observed in the same three (14%) patients. At high positive end-expiratory pressure, the passive leg raising significantly increased the right and left ventricular end-diastolic areas and right atrial pressure. Passive leg raising also decreased the transpulmonary pressure difference (p < .05), increased the cardiac index by 14% ± 10%, and decreased the pulmonary vascular resistance by 21% ± 20% (both p < .01 vs. baseline). Conclusions:In acute respiratory distress syndrome patients, a positive end-expiratory pressure increase with limited tidal volume and plateau pressure reduced cardiac output by increasing the right ventricular afterload. Passive leg raising restored cardiac output by reducing the transpulmonary pressure difference and the pulmonary vascular resistance. This suggests that some pulmonary microvessels were collapsed by positive end-expiratory pressure elevation and were recruited by increasing the central blood volume.
Recurrent glioma clinical trial, CheckMate-143: the game is not over yet

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common, and aggressive, primary brain tumor in adults. With a median patient survival of less than two years, GBM represents one of the biggest therapeutic challenges of the modern era. Even with the best available treatment, recurrence rates are nearly 100% and therapeutic options at the time of relapse are extremely limited. Nivolumab, an anti-programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) monoclonal antibody, has provided significant clinical benefits in the treatment of various advanced cancers and represented a promising therapy for primary and recurrent GBM. CheckMate 143 (NCT 02017717) was the first large randomized clinical trial of PD pathway inhibition in the setting of GBM, including a comparison of nivolumab and the anti-VEGF antibody, bevacizumab, in the treatment of recurrent disease. However, preliminary results, recently announced in a WFNOS 2017 abstract, demonstrated a failure of nivolumab to prolong overall survival of patients with recurrent GBM, and this arm of the trial was prematurely closed. In this review, we discuss the basic concepts underlying the rational to target PD pathway in GBM, address implications of using immune checkpoint inhibitors in central nervous system malignancies, provide a rationale for possible reasons contributing to the failure of nivolumab to prolong survival in patients with recurrent disease, and analyze the future role of immune checkpoint inhibitors in the treatment of GBM.
Namghar: Aesthetics and Identity of Social Cultural Institutional Architecture in Assam, India

This paper concerns the application of visual ethnographic research to preserve the cultural identity of structures like Namghar located at the banks of Brahmaputra in Assam. Namghar are an important socio-cultural institution, whose design elements are essential and symbolic for binding the entire community especially belonging to various areas of Assam. However, rapid urbanization and changing lifestyle has led to variations in design elements of Namghar. This study on these variations in design elements will be essential in preserving the essence, harmony among diverse communities as well as heritage of Assam. The objectives of this study are to compare variations in design elements especially colour variations of Namghar located at different locations within Assam. Field observations of outer overall structure, elements as well as interior structure were made. Colour palate was identified and the visuals were analyzed. Similarities and differences among key architectural elements will be compared and discussed. Cultural aesthetics elements were explored with visual ethnography on architectural elements among Namghars in various locations. It is identified, discussed with reference to semiotics and semantics of cultural construction. This paper seeks to arouse the issues of cultural loss of Namghar and possibility of colour as a binding design element among the architecture of
Bronchial hyperresponsiveness in young children with allergic rhinitis and its risk factors

Background: Subjects with allergic rhinitis but no clinical evidence of asthma have greater bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR), and several factors have been implicated as its determinants. However, studies in young children are lacking. The aims of this study were to evaluate the prevalence of BHR in young children with allergic rhinitis and to investigate its risk factors.
Musculoskeletal underpinnings to differences in killing behavior between North American accipiters (Falconiformes: Accipitridae) and falcons (Falconidae)

Accipiters (Accipiter spp.) and falcons (Falco spp.) both use their feet to seize prey, but falcons kill primarily with their beaks, whereas accipiters kill with their feet. This study examines the mechanistic basis to differences in their modes of dispatching prey, by focusing on the myology and biomechanics of the jaws, digits, and distal hindlimb. Bite, grip, and distal hindlimb flexion forces were estimated from measurements of physiological cross‐sectional area (PCSA) and indices of mechanical advantage (MA) for the major jaw adductors, and digit and tarsometatarsal flexors. Estimated bite force, total jaw adductor PCSA, and jaw MA (averaged over adductors) tended to be relatively and absolutely greater in falcons, reflecting their emphasis on biting for dispatching their prey. Differences between genera in estimated grip force, total digit flexor PCSA, and digit MA (averaged over inter‐phalangeal joints and digits) were not as clear‐cut; each of these parameters scaled positively allometric in accipiters, which may reflect the scaling of both prey size, and the proportion of mammalian prey consumed by this lineage with increasing body size. Estimated tarsometatarsal force was greater in falcons than in accipiters, due to their greater MA, which may reflect selection for incurring greater forces during prey strikes. Conversely, the comparatively lower tarsometatarsal MA in accipiters reflects their capacity for greater foot speed potentially necessary for grasping elusive prey. Thus, this study elucidates how differences in jaw and hindlimb musculoskeletal morphology of accipiters and falcons are reflected in differences in their killing modes, and through differences in their force‐generating capacities. J. Morphol. , 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Exploring decentralisation in Canada: Devolution of labour market policy.

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Teleconsultation and Training of VHA Providers on Transgender Care: Implementation of a Multisite Hub System.

BACKGROUND The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is piloting a national program providing teleconsultation and training to clinicians to increase knowledge and comfort with treating transgender veterans and to expand clinical capacity. This program is based on Project ECHO and uses specialist expertise to train and educate front-line clinicians. Over time, the front-line clinicians increase knowledge and skills, enabling them to provide care locally and obviate need for patient travel. This program is innovative in its national scope, interdisciplinary team model, and multihub structure. This article describes development of the program and initial results for the first cohort of learners. MATERIALS AND METHODS Five interdisciplinary clinical teams participated in the 14-session, 7-month program. Most teams had some experience treating transgender veterans prior to participation. RESULTS The teams completed at least 12 of 14 sessions. Thirteen of 33 participants completed an evaluation. In general, respondents found the teleconsultation program very helpful and credited the experience with improving their team functioning. Furthermore, respondents reported a significant increase in confidence to treat transgender veterans by the end of the program (59% versus 83%). We explored whether it is possible to recruit VHA clinical teams to participate in lengthy training on a low prevalence but complex condition. CONCLUSIONS Early results support the feasibility and effectiveness of this national VHA teleconsultation and training program for transgender care. Lessons learned from the first group of learners have been applied to two concurrent groups with positive results.
The Match of Non-Environmental Preferences of Job Interviewers and Job Applicants: A Descriptive Analysis of Natural Resource Intensive Businesses in Turkey

This study explores the extent to which the environmentally-friendly job preferences of human resource managers (interviewers) and job applicants (interviewees) match in case of Turkey’s resource-dependent business organizations. The study covers 63 human resource managers from 11 medium/large-sized businesses that have several joint-plants producing cement and variety of sorts of metal/mineral supplies in different cities in Turkey and 75 job applicants that these human resource managers interviewed. Consequently, 138 participants were asked to quantitively rank the importance of 22-item criteria when they choose where to work. The comparison of the mean scores demonstrates that both interviewers and interviewees are not that concerned with the green workplace, green business, and eco-friendliness. Rather, salary and other benefits, promotion and career opportunities, organizational reputation, and match of skills/qualifications to job requirements are found as the key factors affecting the work/job decisions of both interviewers and interviewees. Moreover, the only demographic difference is found in gender among interviewers that female managers more tend to prefer environmentally-friendly jobs/works. Emphasizing the roles of regulations and environmental standards to make business organizations greener, the study concludes with recommendations for practice within the green human resource management and green business perspective.
Designing effective public participation

ABSTRACT This paper reviews the various connections that can exist between the design of participatory processes and the different kind of results that they can entail. It details how effective participatory processes can be designed, whatever are the results that participation is deemed to elicit. It shows the main trends pertaining to design choicesand considers how to classify different arrangements in order to choose from among them. Then the paper deals with the main dilemmas that tend to arise when designing participatory processes. Thanks to this review, the paper argues that participatory processes tend to display a certain degree of ambivalence that cannot be completely overcome through the design choices.
Positive Solutions for Fractional Differential Equations from Real Estate Asset Securitization via New Fixed Point Theorem

We study a fractional differential equation dynamics model arising from the analysis of real estate asset securitization by using the generalized fixed point theorem for weakly contractive mappings in partially ordered sets. Based on the analysis for the existence and uniqueness of the solution and scientific numerical calculation of the solution, in further study, some optimization schemes for traditional risk control process will be obtained, and then the main results of this paper can be applied to the forefront of research of real estate asset securitization.