Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Women physicians are early adopters of on‐line continuing medical education

Introduction: On‐line continuing medical education (CME) provides advantages to physicians and to medical educators. Although practicing physicians increasingly use on‐line CME to meet their educational needs, the overall use of on‐line CME remains limited. There are few data to describe the physicians who use this new educational medium; yet, they clearly are the innovators and early adopters who will facilitate the growth of this educational technology. It would be useful to instructional designers and CME developers to better understand the characteristics of this influential group. Methods: We studied the actual use of several different on‐line CME programs within three different groups of physicians. The on‐line programs were developed as part of research studies funded by the National Institutes of Health, with no relationship to commercial interests. They were presented to physicians using mass mailouts (two physician groups) or personal contact and were accompanied by incentives to reduce resistance to the new technology. We compared the characteristics of physicians who chose to use these on‐line programs with demographic data from larger populations representing the groups from which these users originated. Results: We found that physicians who used these on‐line CME programs were younger than average and, importantly, more likely to be female than expected. This finding was consistent across different types of physician populations and different types of CME programs. Discussion: Based on data reflecting actual use of on‐line CME, younger physicians appear to be adopting on‐line CME more rapidly than others, and women physicians appear to be adopting on‐line CME at a faster rate than their male counterparts. This latter finding conflicts with the impression provided by some survey‐based studies that male physicians are more likely than female physicians to use on‐line CME. The data suggest that the growth of on‐line CME is most likely occurring in diffusion networks dominated by relatively new medical school graduates and, possibly, women physicians. These results provide valuable insight to those who seek to develop and market on‐line CME and those who seek to reach women physicians with CME programs.
The canonic linear-phase FIR lattice structures

The Linear phase(LP) Finite Impulse Response(FIR) filters are widely used in many signal processing systems which are sensitive to phase distortion. In this article, we obtain a canonic lattice structure of a LP-FIR filter with a complex impulse response. This lattice structure is based on some novel lattice stages obtained from some properties of symmetric polynomials. This canonic lattice structure exploits the redundancy in the zeros of a LP-FIR filter.
Generalized Transport Coefficients of Multicomponent Low-Temperature Plasmas

We present an efficient solution strategy for the calculation of the transport coefficients of a multicomponent nonequilibrium low-temperature plasma based on a generalized heavy-particle transport model. In this regime, the chemical and thermal properties show that the plasma is not in equilibrium. However, the heavy particles themselves are expected to be in a local thermal equilibrium. Hence, we use a fluid-dynamic approach. The transport properties of the heavy particles are derived using kinetic methods. We expand the deviation from equilibrium into tensorial Hermitian polynomials, which leads to a description of transport variables similar to known transport models. An effective solution strategy is being developed for the calculation of the transport parameters. Our results deviate of less than 3% from other references for Ar. The typical structure of the transport phenomena will be discussed.
Mosaic deletion 11p13 in a child with dopamine beta‐hydroxylase deficiency—Case report and review of the literature

Dopamine beta‐hydroxylase (DBH) deficiency is characterized by a lack of sympathetic noradrenergic function. Affected individuals exhibit profound deficits in autonomic regulation of cardiovascular function. The diagnosis of DBH deficiency is based on clinical findings, biochemical studies, and sequencing of DBH gene. We report here the characterization of a mosaic cytogenetic abnormality detected by array‐CGH in a 16‐year‐old female with primary DBH deficiency together with dysmorphic features. These features could not be explained by DBH deficiency leading to further investigation. Karyotype was reported normal (46,XX), while a targeted genomic array‐CGH revealed a mosaic loss for a segment of at least 1 Mb across 11p13. This segmental loss included the PAX6 and WT1 genes within the WAGR syndrome critical region. Interestingly, the derivative chromosome 11 was observed only in about 28% of cells analyzed. Utilizing a genome‐wide oligonucleotide‐based array, the deletion segment was estimated to encompass a segment of ∼10 Mb. Mosaic deletions of 11p13 in WAGR are extremely uncommon. In this case it is distinctly possible that the patient's bilateral iris colobomata might be a manifestation, albeit abbreviated, of the haploinsufficiency for PAX6. This case highlights the importance of cytogenetic analysis when a mutation alone cannot account for the complete phenotype. It also emphasizes the enhanced ability of high‐resolution array‐CGH techniques in accurately detecting subtle rearrangements in a mosaic form. Finally, it demonstrates the possible phenotypic effects of low‐level PAX6 haploinsufficiency in a dosage‐sensitive manner. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Construction Work: Evolving Discourses of the "Worker" in Management Textbooks, 1920s to the First Decade of the 21st

The purpose of this article is to explore and critically evaluate how the concept of “worker” is produced in management textbooks. In other words, we seek to reveal hitherto underanalyzed discourses regarding workers and the employment relationship. Further, we seek to track the evolution of these discourses over time, linking the evolving construction of the worker to shifts in the political, economic, and social context in which the textbooks were created. Adopting the theory and method of critical discourse analysis, our analysis will reveal the underlying power relations at play within the text, as well as their consequences for education in management and organization studies (MOS).
Ultra-Fast Stabilizing Model Predictive Control via Canonical Piecewise Affine Approximations

This paper investigates the use of canonical piecewise affine (PWA) functions for approximation and fast implementation of linear MPC controllers. The control law is approximated in an optimal way over a regular simplicial partition of a given set of states of interest. The stability properties of the resulting closed-loop system are analyzed by constructing a suitable PWA Lyapunov function. The main advantage of the proposed approach to the implementation of MPC controllers is that the resulting stabilizing approximate MPC controller can be implemented on chip with sampling times in the order of tens of nanoseconds.
EFL teachers’ recruitment and dynamic assessment in private language institutes of Iran

The critical role and effect of teacher assessment in ELT has been ratified by researchers among whom are Darling-Hammond (2000); Knox (2002); Bailey (2006); Davison & Cummins (2007); and Blum (2009). Taking this issue into account, this exploratory study seeks to investigate the underlying criteria of both recruiting and assessing in-service EFL teachers in private language institutes of Iran. To this aim, five of the most well-known and expanded language institutes in this country were selected. Their procedures for employing teacher applicants and later on assessing their in-service performance have been obtained, analyzed and discussed in this study. Interviews with the supervisors along with analysis of application forms, observation sheets and other relevant documents illuminated the procedures and criteria of teacher entry and assessment in the target setting. Findings are presented more in depth in the Results and discussion section.
Expression of a human multidrug resistance cDNA (MDR1) in the bone marrow of transgenic mice: resistance to daunomycin-induced leukopenia

The human multidrug resistance gene (MDR1) encodes a drug efflux pump glycoprotein (P-glycoprotein) responsible for resistance to multiple cytotoxic drugs. A plasmid carrying a human MDR1 cDNA under the control of a chicken beta-actin promoter was used to generate transgenic mice in which the transgene was mainly expressed in bone marrow and spleen. Immunofluorescence localization studies showed that P-glycoprotein was present on bone marrow cells. Furthermore, leukocyte counts of the transgenic mice treated with daunomycin did not fall, indicating that their bone marrow was resistant to the cytotoxic effect of the drug. Since bone marrow suppression is a major limitation to chemotherapy, these transgenic mice should serve as a model to determine whether higher doses of drugs can cure previously unresponsive cancers.
Comparison of tests for glycated haemoglobin and fasting and two hour plasma glucose concentrations as diagnostic methods for diabetes

Abstract Objective : To compare the ability of tests measuring two hour plasma glucose, fasting plasma glucose, and glycated haemoglobin concentrations in predicting the specific microvascular complications of non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus. Design : Cross sectional and longitudinal analysis of the relation between complications and concomitant results of the three tests. Setting : Gila River Indian Community, Arizona. Subjects : Pima Indians (cross sectional, n=960),aged 25 years or above who were not receiving insulin or oral hypoglycaemic treatment at the baseline examination. Main outcome measures : Development of retinopathy and nephropathy. Results : Cross sectionally, frequency distributions of logarithms of the three sets of results were bimodal, with the prevalence of retinopathy and nephropathy being, respectively, 12.0-26.7 and 3.9-4.2 times as high above as below cut off points which minimised overlap (two hour plasma glucose concentration 12.6 mmol/l; fasting plasma glucose concentration 9.3mmol/l; glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) concentration 7.8%). Longitudinally, each of the three measures of glycaemia significantly predicted the development of retinopathy (P<0.0001) and nephropathy (P<0.05). Receiver operating characteristic curves showed that two hour plasma glucose concentration was superior to fasting plasma glucose concentration (P<0.05) for prevalent cases of retinopathy, but otherwise no variable had a significant advantage for detecting incident or prevalent cases of either complication. Conclusions : These findings suggest that determination of glycated haemoglobin or fasting plasma glucose concentrations alone may be acceptable alternatives to measuring glucose concentration two hours after challenge with 75 g glucose for the diagnosis of diabetes.
Real‐time RT‐PCR for the detection and quantification of AML1/MTG8 fusion transcripts in t(8;21)‐positive AML patients

AML1/MTG8 was quantified relative to the expression of the GAPDH housekeeping gene by real‐time RT‐PCR in 22 patients with t(8;21)‐positive acute myeloblastic leukaemia (AML) at initial diagnosis and in seven of these patients also during/after chemotherapy and allogeneic bone marrow transplantation. Real‐time PCR was able to specifically detect and quantify AML1/MTG8 over a 5 log range. The detection limit for t(8;21)‐positive cells was a dilution of 1:105. The AML1/MTG8 expression varied considerably among the 22 AML patients at intial diagnosis with a ratio AML1/MTG8:GAPDH of 0.5135±0.536 (range 0.1–2.14, median 0.318). In six patients with t(8;21)‐positive AML a marked decline of AML1/MTG8 could be induced by chemotherapy. These patients are in ongoing complete haematological remission (CR) with a constant low‐level AML1/MTG8 expression. In another patient a rapid rise of AML1/MTG8 transcripts could be detected in CR after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation and the patient relapsed 10 weeks later. In conclusion, real‐time RT‐PCR is a suitable approach for the quantification of AML1/MTG8 transcripts in the monitoring of AML patients with t(8;21) during/after chemotherapy and can provide data of prognostic relevance.
Profiling Eph receptor expression in cells and tissues

The Eph receptor tyrosine kinase family includes many members, which are often expressed together in various combinations and can promiscuously interact with multiple ephrin ligands, generating intricate networks of intracellular signals that control physiological and pathological processes. Knowing the entire repertoire of Eph receptors and ephrins expressed in a biological sample is important when studying their biological roles. Moreover, given the correlation between Eph receptor/ephrin expression and cancer pathogenesis, their expression patterns could serve important diagnostic and prognostic purposes. However, profiling Eph receptor and ephrin expression has been challenging. Here we describe a novel and straightforward approach to catalog the Eph receptors present in cultured cells and tissues. By measuring the binding of ephrin Fc fusion proteins to Eph receptors in ELISA and pull-down assays, we determined that a mixture of four ephrins is suitable for isolating both EphA and EphB receptors in a single pull-down. We then used mass spectrometry to identify the Eph receptors present in the pull-downs and estimate their relative levels. This approach was validated in cultured human cancer cell lines, human tumor xenograft tissue grown in mice, and mouse brain tissue. The new mass spectrometry approach we have developed represents a useful tool for the identification of the spectrum of Eph receptors present in a biological sample and could also be extended to profiling ephrin expression.
A Study of the Correlation between Religious Attitudes and Quality Of Life in Students at Jahrom University of Medical Sciences in 2014.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE General health is not simply determined by whether or not an individual is sick, but is dependent on physical, mental and social factors too. One such important factor is an individual's religious inclination. The present study aims to explore the correlation between religious beliefs and quality of life in the students at Jahrom University of Medical Sciences. METHOD This is a descriptive, cross-sectional study conducted in 2014. The sample consisted of 273 students who were randomly selected. Data were collected using Religious Attitude Questionnaire and a quality of life scale. The collected data were analyzed using Pearson's correlation coefficient and SPSS v. 23. RESULT The students' average age was 21.36±2.15. The means of their quality of life scores and religious attitude scores were 87.23 and 146.31 respectively. The results of Pearson's correlation test showed that there was a significant relationship between quality of life and its subscales on one hand and religious attitude and its indexes on the other; in other words, the students' mental well-being was found to correlate with their religious beliefs. CONCLUSION Since religious beliefs affect college students' mental well-being and quality of life, it is suggested that through organized education, students' religious awareness be raised.
Chemostat Enrichments of Human Feces with Resistant Starch Are Selective for Adherent Butyrate-Producing Clostridia at High Dilution Rates

ABSTRACT Resistant starch (RS) enrichments were made using chemostats inoculated with human feces from two individuals at two dilution rates (D = 0.03 h−1 and D = 0.30 h−1) to select for slow- and fast-growing amylolytic communities. The fermentations were studied by analysis of short-chain fatty acids, amylase and α-glucosidase activities, and viable counts of the predominant culturable populations and the use of 16S rRNA-targeted oligonucleotide probes. Considerable butyrate was produced at D = 0.30 h−1, which corresponded with reduced branched-chain fatty acid formation. At both dilution rates, high levels of extracellular amylase activity were produced, while α-glucosidase was predominantly cell associated. Bacteroides and bifidobacteria predominated at the low dilution rate, whereas saccharolytic clostridia became more important atD = 0.30 h−1. Microscopic examination showed that within 48 h of inoculation, one particular bacterial morphotype predominated in RS enrichments at D = 0.30 h−1. This organism attached apically to RS granules and formed rosette-like structures which, with glycocalyx formation, agglomerated to form biofilm networks in the planktonic phase. Attempts to isolate this bacterium in pure culture were repeatedly unsuccessful, although a single colony was eventually obtained. On the basis of its 16S rDNA sequence, this RS-degrading, butyrate-producing organism was identified as being a previously unidentified group IClostridium sp. A 16S rRNA-targeted probe was designed using this sequence and used to assess the abundance of the population in the enrichments. At 240 h, its contributions to total rRNA in the chemostats were 5 and 23% at D = 0.03 and 0.30 h−1, respectively. This study indicates that bacterial populations with significant metabolic potential can be overlooked using culture-based methodologies. This may provide a paradigm for explaining the discrepancy between the low numbers of butyrate-producing bacteria that are isolated from fecal samples and the actual production of butyrate.
Genomics of homoploid hybrid speciation: diversity and transcriptional activity of long terminal repeat retrotransposons in hybrid sunflowers

Hybridization is thought to play an important role in plant evolution by introducing novel genetic combinations and promoting genome restructuring. However, surprisingly little is known about the impact of hybridization on transposable element (TE) proliferation and the genomic response to TE activity. In this paper, we first review the mechanisms by which homoploid hybrid species may arise in nature. We then present hybrid sunflowers as a case study to examine transcriptional activity of long terminal repeat retrotransposons in the annual sunflowers Helianthus annuus, Helianthus petiolaris and their homoploid hybrid derivatives (H. paradoxus, H. anomalus and H. deserticola) using high-throughput transcriptome sequencing technologies (RNAseq). Sampling homoploid hybrid sunflower taxa revealed abundant variation in TE transcript accumulation. In addition, genetic diversity for several candidate genes hypothesized to regulate TE activity was characterized. Specifically, we highlight one candidate chromatin remodelling factor gene with a direct role in repressing TE activity in a hybrid species. This paper shows that TE amplification in hybrid lineages is more idiosyncratic than previously believed and provides a first step towards identifying the mechanisms responsible for regulating and repressing TE expansions.
Identification of Two Distinct Subpopulations of Leishmania major-Specific T Helper 2 Cells

ABSTRACT It is widely accepted that a strong Th2 response is responsible for nonhealing Leishmania major infections in BALB/c mice. This Th2 response has been thoroughly documented by measuring the levels of Th2 cytokines produced by CD4+ T cells present in the lymphoid organs by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and PCR. However, the cytokine profile of L. major-specific Th2 cells has never been determined. In this study, we used the recently described Th2 marker T1/ST2 to characterize Th2 cells during the course of nonhealing L. major infection. We analyzed the intracellular cytokine profile of CD4+ T1/ST2+ T cells and showed that they clearly displayed a Th2 phenotype, as they expressed interleukin 4 (IL-4), IL-10, and IL-5. In addition, we detected another population of Th2 cells among the CD4+ T1/ST2− T cells that expressed IL-4 and IL-10 but excluded IL-5. In summary, we show here that two type 2 subpopulations are present in the lymphoid organs of L. major-infected BALB/c mice; Th2 cells from both subsets expressed IL-4 and IL-10, but they could be distinguished by their expression of IL-5 and T1/ST2.
School Nurses’ Perceptions of Self-Efficacy in Providing Diabetes Care

The purpose of this study was to measure school nurses’ perceived self-efficacy in providing diabetes care and education to children and to identify factors that correlate with higher self-efficacy levels in the performance of these tasks. The results of this study revealed that the surveyed school nurses perceived a moderate level of self-efficacy in providing diabetes education. Significant findings in this study were positive relationships between self-efficacy and 3 variables: (a) participating in the care of children with diabetes, (b) having type 1 diabetes children in the school system, and (c) supervising children with blood glucose meter testing. There was a significant relationship between higher self-efficacy scores and having a diabetes curriculum. However, only nine school nurses reported having a diabetes curriculum. School nurses can benefit by understanding what factors increase self-efficacy related to diabetes education designed to enhance school-age children’s knowledge of diabetes and its management.
Lipid- and protein-mediated multimerization of PSD-95: implications for receptor clustering and assembly of synaptic protein networks

Postsynaptic density protein 95 (PSD-95/SAP-90) is a palmitoylated membrane-associated guanylate kinase that oligomerizes and clusters ion channels and associated signaling machinery at excitatory synapses in brain. However, the mechanism for PSD-95 oligomerization and its relationship to ion channel clustering remain uncertain. Here, we find that multimerization of PSD-95 is determined by only its first 13 amino acids, which also have a remarkable capacity to oligomerize heterologous proteins. Multimerization does not involve a covalent linkage but rather palmitoylation of two cysteine residues in the 13 amino acid motif. This lipid-mediated oligomerization is a specific property of the PSD-95 motif, because it is not observed with other palmitoylated domains. Clustering K+ channel Kv1.4 requires interaction of palmitoylated PSD-95 with tetrameric K+ channel subunits but, surprisingly, does not require multimerization of PSD-95. Finally, disrupting palmitoylation with 2-bromopalmitate disperses PSD-95/K+-channel clusters. These data suggest new models for K+ channel clustering by PSD-95 – a reversible process regulated by protein palmitoylation.
A new variable step size method for the LMS adaptive filter

In this paper, a new cost function for improving the performance of the least mean square (LMS) method is proposed. The proposed cost function is convex. The first derivative of the proposed cost function is continued. The proof of the convexity of the function is presented. The theoretical study of the convergence characteristic shows that lower error and faster convergence can be obtained by using the proposed function. The proposed function provide large weighting factor when the error is small. On the hand, when the error is large, a small weighting factor is applied. By doing so, the effect of the noise can be reduced. The simulation results show that indeed we can lower final error and faster convergence when small alpha is applied