Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Guided medication dosing for elderly emergency patients using real-time, computerized decision support

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the impact of a real-time computerized decision support tool in the emergency department that guides medication dosing for the elderly on physician ordering behavior and on adverse drug events (ADEs). DESIGN A prospective controlled trial was conducted over 26 weeks. The status of the decision support tool alternated OFF (7/17/06-8/29/06), ON (8/29/06-10/10/06), OFF (10/10/06-11/28/06), and ON (11/28/06-1/16/07) in consecutive blocks during the study period. In patients ≥65 who were ordered certain benzodiazepines, opiates, non-steroidals, or sedative-hypnotics, the computer application either adjusted the dosing or suggested a different medication. Physicians could accept or reject recommendations. MEASUREMENTS The primary outcome compared medication ordering consistent with recommendations during ON versus OFF periods. Secondary outcomes included the admission rate, emergency department length of stay for discharged patients, 10-fold dosing orders, use of a second drug to reverse the original medication, and rate of ADEs using previously validated explicit chart review. RESULTS 2398 orders were placed for 1407 patients over 1548 visits. The majority (49/53; 92.5%) of recommendations for alternate medications were declined. More orders were consistent with dosing recommendations during ON (403/1283; 31.4%) than OFF (256/1115; 23%) periods (p≤0.0001). 673 (43%) visits were reviewed for ADEs. The rate of ADEs was lower during ON (8/237; 3.4%) compared with OFF (31/436; 7.1%) periods (p=0.02). The remaining secondary outcomes showed no difference. LIMITATIONS Single institution study, retrospective chart review for ADEs. CONCLUSION Though overall agreement with recommendations was low, real-time computerized decision support resulted in greater acceptance of medication recommendations. Fewer ADEs were observed when computerized decision support was active.
Moving target detection and tracking in wireless sensor networks

Wireless sensor networks (WSNs) are receiving an increasing interest because of their ease of deployment, autonomous re-configuration capabilities, and small cost. They can be employed in a large variety of applications, from military and surveillance to environmental monitoring. Since on board batteries only provide a limited energy resource to nodes and often they cannot be replaced, when designing WSN-based applications a fundamental issue is the reduction of power consuming operations. In this paper we exploit a WSN for detecting and tracking moving targets. Such a network would waste energy if all nodes were kept constantly active, since at every time instant the target is in the range of only a subset of them. For this reason an autonomous target detection algorithm and a cooperative selective-activation tracking algorithm are proposed, and the use of Kalman filtering techniques for motion estimation is discussed. In particular, the problem of fusing the data obtained from different sensors is considered. Simulations results in different scenarios are presented.
Rao’s quadratic entropy and maximum diversification indexation

This paper proposes a new formulation of the maximum diversification indexation strategy based on Rao’s Quadratic Entropy. It clarifies the investment problem underlying this diversification strategy, identifies the source of its out-of-sample performance, and suggests new dimensions along which this performance can be improved. We show that these potential improvements are quantitatively important and are robust to portfolio turnover, portfolio risk, estimation window, and covariance matrix estimation.
Cost-Effectiveness of Testing Hepatitis B–Positive Pregnant Women for Hepatitis B e Antigen or Viral Load

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the cost-effectiveness of testing pregnant women with hepatitis B (hepatitis B surface antigen [HBsAg]-positive) for hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) or hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA, and administering maternal antiviral prophylaxis if indicated, to decrease breakthrough perinatal HBV transmission from the U.S. health care perspective. METHODS: A Markov decision model was constructed for a 2010 birth cohort of 4 million neonates to estimate the cost-effectiveness of two strategies: testing HBsAg-positive pregnant women for 1) HBeAg or 2) HBV load. Maternal antiviral prophylaxis is given from 28 weeks of gestation through 4 weeks postpartum when HBeAg is positive or HBV load is high (108 copies/mL or greater). These strategies were compared with the current recommendation. All neonates born to HBsAg-positive women received recommended active-passive immunoprophylaxis. Effects were measured in quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) and all costs were in 2010 U.S. dollars. RESULTS: The HBeAg testing strategy saved $3.3 million and 3,080 QALYs and prevented 486 chronic HBV infections compared with the current recommendation. The HBV load testing strategy cost $3 million more than current recommendation, saved 2,080 QALYs, and prevented 324 chronic infections with an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of $1,583 per QALY saved compared with the current recommendations. The results remained robust over a wide range of assumptions. CONCLUSION: Testing HBsAg-positive pregnant women for HBeAg or HBV load followed by maternal antiviral prophylaxis if HBeAg-positive or high viral load to reduce perinatal hepatitis B transmission in the United States is cost-effective.
What can environmental narratives tell us about forestry conflicts? The case of REDD+

The aim of the article is to introduce three environmental narratives – ecological modernization, civic environmentalism, and radical environmentalism – to analyse them from the point of view of their normative presuppositions, and then to show how this narrative/normative apparatus can be used as a heuristic device to explain a set of conflicts afflicting market-based forestry policies. Using this narrative/normative apparatus as a template, the article provides a review of academic and grey literature on REDD+ projects, in order to show how conflictual situations in the implementation phase of market-based forestry policies can be explained by the competing systems of values of the different actors involved, as well as by their strategic positioning in relation to dominant ideas in environmental politics. The article is useful to REDD+ practitioners, helping them appreciate how the stories people tell about the environment and how these are used by different actors can shape policies on the ground.
MDR1 gene expression and drug resistance of AML cells

We investigated the cellular drug resistance to aclarubicin (Acla), cytosine arabinoside (Ara‐C), daunorubicin (Dau), doxorubicin (Dox), etoposide (Etop) and mitoxantrone (Mitox) using the MTT assay at time of disease presentation in 93 cases of acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). In 31 cases we concomitantly investigated MDR1 (multiple drug resistance 1 gene) expression (semi‐quantitative competitive RT‐PCR) of the leukaemic cells. Drug resistance towards Dau, Dox and Etop was correlated to the MDR1 expression of the AML cells (P < 0.05) with high MDR1 expression being associated with high drug resistance towards these drugs. Although the data did not allow firm conclusions to be drawn on the correlation between MDR1 expression and drug resistance towards Ara‐C and Mitox, the drug resistance towards Acla clearly was not correlated to, or dependent on, the MDR1 expression level of the AML blast cells. In addition, when examining the cross‐activities among the six drugs distinct patterns emerged. Thus, high to very high degrees of cross‐activity were found to exist between Dau, Dox, Etop and Mitox, whereas Ara‐C had moderate cross‐activity with the other drugs except Acla, which showed absent to moderate cross‐activity with the other drugs. We conclude that MDR1 gene expression is of significance for cellular drug resistance towards specific (MDR1‐related) drugs in AML, whereas it is not of significance regarding drug resistance towards other drugs, which is the case with the anthracycline Acla. We suggest that in the place of other more or less complicated ways to circumvent MDR1‐mediated drug resistance, Acla may be used to replace Dau, Dox and other MDR1‐related drugs if proven as potent as the drug it is to substitute.
LireSolr: A Visual Information Retrieval Server

In this paper, we present LireSolr, an open source image retrieval server, build on top of the LIRE library and the Apache Solr search server. With LireSolr, visual information retrieval can be run on a server, which allows better distribution of workloads and simplifies applications in several areas including mobile and web. Furthermore, we showcase several example scenarios how LireSolr can be used to point out the broad range of possibilities and applications. The system is easy to install and setup, and the large number of retrieval tools either provided by LIRE or by other Apache Solr is made easily available on the search server. Moreover, our tool demonstrates how predictions from CNNs can easily be used to extend the visual information retrieval functionality.
Vertical Integration, Market Structure and Competition Policy: Experiences of Indian Manufacturing Sector during the Post Reform Period

In the context of declining degrees of vertical integration in major industries of Indian manufacturing sector during the post - reform period, the present paper is an attempt to examine how such â€˜vertical disintegrationâ€™ has affected firmsâ€™ market power and its implications for competition policy. Using panel dataset of 49 m ajors industries of Indian manufacturing sector for the period 2003 - 04 to 2010 - 11 and applying the system GMM approach to estimate of dynamic panel data models, the paper finds that vertical integration does not cause any significant impact on average mark et power of firms in an industry. Instead, it is influenced by market size, and selling and technology related efforts. While selling intensity has a positive impact on market power, the impact of market size and technology intensity is found to be negativ e. Notably, like vertical integration, market concentration, import to export ratio, and capital intensity also do not have any significant impact on market power. The findings of this paper, therefore, have important implications for competition law and p olicy in general and policies and regulation relating to technology development and international trade in particular.
Neuromuscular Properties and Functional Aspects of Taped Ankles

We used electromyographic and goniometric methods to test 40 subjects to describe the neuromuscular and biomechanical adaptation of the ankle with respect to application of two different adhesive tapes and to exercises. The neuromuscular responses to inversion injury simulation, together with the mechanical displacements of the joint complex, were analyzed before and after controlled athletic exercises. The proprioceptive amplification ratio was calculated on the basis of the integrated reflex electromyographic results and on the maximum inversion amplitude. Relevant stability gains were achieved immediately after applying tape. There was reduced tape stability after athletic exercise for one of the two tape materials tested. No further loosening was detected, even after prolonged wearing of tape (24 hours). Compared with the unprotected ankle, the taped ankle had a significant increase in the proprioceptive amplification ratio. Both fatigue and mechanical loosening may be responsible for the significant reduction in this ratio immediately after exercise. After the 24-hour interval, the ratio was increased, which could be explained by physiologic neuromuscular regeneration and mechanical restabilization of the tape itself. The sensitivity of the proprioceptive amplification ratio, both to external stabilization and to internal fatigue, supports its potential value to quantify functional joint stability.
Disparities in housing status among veterans with general medical, cognitive, and behavioral health conditions.

OBJECTIVE The study explored disparities in housing status among veterans with general medical, cognitive, and behavioral health conditions. METHODS Multinomial mixed-effects models estimated the relationship between medical, cognitive, and behavioral health comorbidities and housing instability among veterans enrolled in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) (N=1,582,125) who responded to the Homelessness Screening Clinical Reminder for homelessness and risk during a three-month period. RESULTS Veterans were two or more times as likely to screen positive for homelessness or risk if they had a diagnosis of a cognitive or behavioral health conditions in the study. Findings related to general medical conditions were inconsistent. CONCLUSIONS The study found disparities in housing instability among VHA outpatients with cognitive and behavioral health conditions, suggesting the need to identify veterans with these conditions experiencing housing instability and the need to develop appropriate interventions to mitigate homelessness or risk.
Valuing cargo flexibility in oil transportation

ABSTRACT The seaborne oil transportation market is served by two main types of vessels—crude oil tankers and product tankers. Product tankers are designed to move refined oil products, yet they can also opportunistically carry ‘dirty’ products such as crude and heavy fuel oil, subject to the cost of tank cleaning when re-entering the clean products trade. We apply an entry-exit real option model with a stochastic freight rate differential to derive optimal triggers for switching between the two cargo types and estimate the value of the switching option. We show that the value of active switching has grown over time, and generally exceeds the additional construction cost of a product tanker. Our findings are important both from a practical point of view and for our understanding of market integration in the tanker freight market. Specifically, shipowners can use our model as a basis for optimizing chartering policy for clean product tankers. We also show that there are periods where the dirty market is persistently stronger, and discuss the possible reasons for such apparent inefficiencies.
Lack of expression of c‐KIT in ovarian cancers is associated with poor prognosis

The c‐KIT protooncogene encodes a tyrosine kinase receptor, KIT, that is expressed in many normal and cancerous tissues. In this study, we have examined the expression of c‐KIT and its ligand, stem cell factor (SCF), in human epithelial ovarian tumors, in normal ovaries and in cultured ovarian surface epithelium (OSE). Cultured cells, normal tissues and tumors were analyzed by Northern and Western blot analyses, reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry. Normal OSE expressed SCF, but not c‐KIT; however, epithelial invaginations and inclusion cysts often expressed KIT protein. Of 15 benign ovarian tumors and tumors of low malignant potential, 87% expressed c‐KIT, and 92% of these co‐expressed SCF, suggesting the possibility of autocrine growth regulation. Of 35 malignant ovarian cancers, 71% expressed c‐KIT (92% co‐expressed SCF), with a trend for decreased c‐KIT expression in advanced stage disease. Of 34 patients with malignant tumors for whom follow‐up information was available (median follow‐up time of 24 months), 9 had tumors that did not express c‐KIT, 8 (89%) of whom have died and the remaining 1 has recurrent disease. Of the 25 patients with tumors expressing c‐KIT, 56% are still alive. Eight of the patients have no evidence of disease and all had KIT‐expressing tumors. Statistical analysis indicated that patients whose tumors did not express c‐KIT had a significantly shorter (p < 0.05) disease‐free survival time than patients who had KIT‐expressing tumors. Our results suggest that c‐KIT may play a role in early ovarian tumorigenesis, and that loss of c‐KIT expression is associated with poor prognosis. Int. J. Cancer 89:242–250, 2000. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
IgG subclasses of anti‐FVIII antibodies during immune tolerance induction in patients with hemophilia A

The eradication of inhibitory antibodies in patients with haemophilia A can be accomplished by frequent administration of high or intermediate doses of factor VIII (FVIII), so‐called immune tolerance induction (ITI). This study monitored the distribution of IgG subclasses of anti‐FVIII antibodies during ITI. FVIII‐specific antibodies of subclass IgG1 were detected in all inhibitor patients tested, anti‐FVIII IgG4 in 16, IgG2 in 10 and IgG3 in one of 20 patients analysed. Levels of anti‐FVIII IgG1 and IgG4 correlated well with inhibitor titres as measured by Bethesda assay. In low‐titre inhibitor patients, anti‐FVIII antibodies consisted primarily of subclass IgG1 whereas, anti‐FVIII antibodies of subclass IgG4 were more prominent in patients with high titre inhibitors who needed prolonged treatment or who failed ITI. Longitudinal analysis of 14 patients undergoing ITI revealed that the relative contribution of IgG subclasses was constant for most of the patients analysed. In two patients, the relative contribution of IgG4 increased during ITI. Overall, our findings document the distribution and dynamics of anti‐FVIII IgG subclasses during ITI. Future studies will need to address whether monitoring the relative contribution of anti‐FVIII subclasses IgG1 and IgG4 may be useful for the identification of patients who are at risk of failing ITI.
Kinetics of viremia and acute liver injury in relation to outcome of neonatal woodchuck hepatitis virus infection

The kinetics of serum viral responses and acute liver injury were studied during neonatal woodchuck hepatitis virus (WHV) infection in relation to the chronic or resolved outcome. The mean concentrations of serum WHV DNA and surface antigen were significantly higher by week 10 post infection in chronic infections compared to resolving infections, and diverged even further by the time of peak viral load development in serum (week 12). After week 12, these viral markers were detected less frequently with time and at lower concentrations in the resolved outcome. In both outcomes, mean serum activities of hepatic enzymes became increased significantly above baseline by weeks 10–12, peaked at week 14, and normalized by weeks 20–22, thus indicating transient acute liver injury. The increasing liver injury responses were comparable between outcomes at week 12, when serum viral load was markedly higher in the developing chronic infections. This suggested a deficiency in early non‐cytolytic control of infection in the chronic outcome. At week 14, liver injury was significantly greater in the resolved outcome and associated with higher mean Fas ligand (FasL) and perforin messenger RNAs (mRNAs) in liver compared to the chronic outcome. This indicated greater immune‐mediated killing of infected hepatocytes during resolution. Thus, chronicity as an outcome of neonatal WHV infection develops relatively early during the acute phase of infection due to reduced immune‐mediated clearance of infected hepatocytes by both cytolytic and non‐cytolytic processes. J. Med. Virol. 72:406–415, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
AsgD, a new two‐component regulator required for A‐signalling and nutrient sensing during early development of Myxococcus xanthus

Myxococcus xanthus has a complex life cycle that includes fruiting body formation. One of the first stages in development has been called A‐signalling. The asg (A‐signalling) mutants have been proposed to be deficient in producing A‐signal, resulting in development arresting at an early stage. In this paper, we report the identification of a new asg locus asgD. This locus appears to be involved in both environmental sensing and intercellular signalling. Expression of asgD was undetected during vegetative growth, but increased dramatically within 1 h of starvation. The AsgD protein is predicted to contain 773 amino acids and to be part of a two‐component regulatory system because it has a receiver domain located at the N‐terminus and a histidine protein kinase at the C‐terminus. An asgD null mutant was defective in fruiting body formation and sporulation on CF medium. However, the defects of the mutant were complemented extracellularly when cells were mixed with wild‐type strains or with bsgA, csgA, dsgA or esgA mutants, but were not complemented extracellularly by asgA, asgB or asgC mutants. In addition, the mutant was rescued by a subset of A‐factor amino acids. Surprisingly, when the mutant was plated on stringent starvation medium rather than CF, cells were able to form fruiting bodies. Thus, it appears that AsgD is directly or indirectly involved in sensing nutritionally limiting conditions. The discovery of the asgD locus provides an important sensory transduction component of early development in M. xanthus.
Vision based gesturally controllable human computer interaction system

Human computer interaction with simple hand gesture recognition system as the interface using computer vision techniques has been developed. Usage of visually interpreted hand gestures as the interface makes it a more natural and intuitive human computer interaction (HCI) system. In this system model, interfacing by traditional methods in virtual environments like a joystick, mouse, and keyboard and even if the modern method like touch screen is also replaced by using hand gestures. Here the computer is able to visually recognize hand gestures from the video obtained using a webcam. In the hand gesture recognition system, the skin colour thresholding model is used for segmentation. Various features are extracted and then classified using an efficient classifier to generate more accurate and better result. Apart from HCI, this vision based hand gesture recognition can also be used for applications like industrial robot control, sign language translation, in the rehabilitation device for people with upper extremity physical impairments etc.
Exploring learning experiences of business undergraduates in Strategic Design module

The paper explores the delivery of a strategic design module within an undergraduate business education in UK. In light of the recent discourses to promote change in design education (Friedman, 2001; Cassim, 2013; Norman and Klemmer, 2014; Souleles, 2013), the learner’s journey and their decisionmaking process undertaken in the strategic design module are being investigated to highlight the potential of design process in contributing to business and management education. The paper follows participatory action research and draws on observations of learners’ engagement in a design process substantiated by insights from staff delivering on the module. The aim is to understand the nature of decisions the learners undertake in order to generate more effective learning and teaching strategies highlighting the value of strategic design. The insights gained illuminate learners recognition of the value of decisions grounded in empathy in addressing contemporary organisational challenges, whilst highlighting their avoidance of risk in decision-making and lack of perceived interconnectedness of those decisions. Thus, it is argued that the resulting awareness around decision-making can become a very useful tool in helping learners conceptualise what strategic design requires and understand their own learning experience.