Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Access to health care and community social capital.

OBJECTIVE To test the hypothesis that variation in reported access to health care is positively related to the level of social capital present in a community. DATA SOURCES The 1996 Household Survey of the Community Tracking Study, drawn from 22 metropolitan statistical areas across the United States (n = 19,672). Additional data for the 22 communities are from a 1996 multicity broadcast media marketing database, including key social capital indicators, the 1997 National Profile of Local Health Departments survey, and Interstudy, American Hospital Association, and American Medical Association sources. STUDY DESIGN The design is cross-sectional. Self-reported access to care problems is the dependent variable. Independent variables include individual sociodemographic variables, community-level health sector variables, and social capital variables. DATA COLLECTION/EXTRACTION METHODS Data are merged from the various sources and weighted to be population representative and are analyzed using hierarchical categorical modeling. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS Persons who live in metropolitan statistical areas featuring higher levels of social capital report fewer problems accessing health care. A higher HMO penetration rate in a metropolitan statistical area was also associated with fewer access problems. Other health sector variables were not related to health care access. CONCLUSIONS The results observed for 22 major U.S. cities are consistent with the hypothesis that community social capital enables better access to care, perhaps through improving community accountability mechanisms.
Evidence for Increased Magnetic Resonance Imaging Signal Intensity and Morphological Changes in the Brachial Plexus and Median Nerves of Patients With Chronic Arm and Neck Pain Following Whiplash Injury

• BACKGROUND: Whiplash following a motor vehicle accident can result in chronic neck and arm pain. Patients frequently present with cutaneous hypersensitivities and hypoesthesia, but without obvious clinical signs of nerve injury. T2‐weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has previously been used to identify nerve pathology. • OBJECTIVES: To determine whether there are signs of peripheral nerve pathology on MRI in patients with chronic arm and neck pain following whiplash injury. • METHODS: This cross‐sectional study used T2‐weighted MRI to examine the brachial plexus and median nerve in patients and age‐matched, healthy control subjects. Clinical examination included tests of plexus and nerve trunk mechanical sensitivity. • RESULTS: The T2 signal intensity was greater in the brachial plexus and median nerve at the wrist in the patient group (mean intensity ratio = 0.52 ± 0.13 and 2.09 ± 0.33, respectively) compared to the control group (mean intensity ratio = 0.45 ± 0.07 and 1.38 ± 0.31, respectively; P<.05). Changes in median nerve morphology were also observed, which included an enlargement (mean area: patient group, 8.05 ± 1.29 mm2; control group, 6.52 ± 1.08 mm2; P<.05) and flattening (mean aspect ratio: patient group, 2.46 ± 0.53; control group, 1.62 ± 0.30; P<.05) at the proximal carpal row. All patients demonstrated signs of nerve trunk mechanical sensitivity. • CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that patients with chronic whiplash may have inflammatory changes and/or mild neuropathy, which may contribute to symptoms.
Backward SDEs for optimal control of partially observed path-dependent stochastic systems: A control randomization approach

We introduce a suitable backward stochastic differential equation (BSDE) to represent the value of an optimal control problem with partial observation for a controlled stochastic equation driven by Brownian motion. Our model is general enough to include cases with latent factors in mathematical ﬁnance. By a standard reformulation based on the reference probability method, it also includes the classical model where the observation process is affected by a Brownian motion (even in presence of a correlated noise), a case where a BSDE representation of the value was not available so far. This approach based on BSDEs allows for greater generality beyond the Markovian case, in particular our model may include path-dependence in the coefﬁcients (both with respect to the state and the control), and does not require any nondegeneracy condition on the controlled equation. We use a randomization method, previously adopted only for cases of full observation, and consisting in a ﬁrst step, in replacing the control by an exogenous process independent of the driving noise and in formulating an auxiliary (“randomized”) control problem where optimization is performed over changes of equivalent probability measures affecting the characteristics of the exogenous process. Our ﬁrst main result is to prove the equivalence between the original partially observed control problem and the randomized problem. In a second step, we prove that the latter can be associated by duality to a BSDE, which then characterizes the value of the original problem as well.
Identification of an Extracellular Polysaccharide Network Essential for Cytochrome Anchoring and Biofilm Formation in Geobacter sulfurreducens

ABSTRACT Transposon insertions in Geobacter sulfurreducens GSU1501, part of an ATP-dependent exporter within an operon of polysaccharide biosynthesis genes, were previously shown to eliminate insoluble Fe(III) reduction and use of an electrode as an electron acceptor. Replacement of GSU1501 with a kanamycin resistance cassette produced a similarly defective mutant, which could be partially complemented by expression of GSU1500 to GSU1505 in trans. The Δ1501 mutant demonstrated limited cell-cell agglutination, enhanced attachment to negatively charged surfaces, and poor attachment to positively charged poly-d-lysine- or Fe(III)-coated surfaces. Wild-type and mutant cells attached to graphite electrodes, but when electrodes were poised at an oxidizing potential inducing a positive surface charge (+0.24 V versus the standard hydrogen electrode [SHE]), Δ1501 mutant cells detached. Scanning electron microscopy revealed fibrils surrounding wild-type G. sulfurreducens which were absent from the Δ1501 mutant. Similar amounts of type IV pili and pilus-associated cytochromes were detected on both cell types, but shearing released a stable matrix of c-type cytochromes and other proteins bound to polysaccharides. The matrix from the mutant contained 60% less sugar and was nearly devoid of c-type cytochromes such as OmcZ. The addition of wild-type extracellular matrix to Δ1501 cultures restored agglutination and Fe(III) reduction. The polysaccharide binding dye Congo red preferentially bound wild-type cells and extracellular matrix material over mutant cells, and Congo red inhibited agglutination and Fe(III) reduction by wild-type cells. These results demonstrate a crucial role for the xap (extracellular anchoring polysaccharide) locus in metal oxide attachment, cell-cell agglutination, and localization of essential cytochromes beyond the Geobacter outer membrane.
Towards systematic design of MPC to achieve time domain specifications

This paper presents a systematic design procedure for obtaining a model predictive controller (MPC), encompassed within standard MPC formulations for constrained linear systems to achieve desired output transient responses. The proposed formulation provides a way of overcoming the complexity involved in tuning MPC controllers to accomplish certain output response characteristics. Exponential envelopes are introduced and the outputs are constrained to remain within the envelopes forming the key tuning parameters in meeting the time domain specifications. The key feature of this controller compared to the standard MPC controllers, is the reduced number of effective tuning parameters. Moreover, closed loop stability is guaranteed under standard assumptions. The systematic tuning procedure of the proposed controller is illustrated on a numerical simulation of a double mass-spring-damper system with time domain requirements on the output.
Organizational Slack Resources and Innovation Adoption Process: The Moderating Effects of Management Control System (MCS)

The Concept of the organizational innovation is a central element in the strategic management literature. The purpose of this study is to resolve the dispute between the prior researchers who elaborated that slack facilitates innovation and those suggest that slack inhibits innovation. Hence, the findings suggest that the relationship between slack and innovation is an inverse U-shape. This curvilinear relationship was noticeably demonstrated on our result. The aim of this paper is also to extend the work of Nohria and Gulati who argued that both of too much and too little slack are detrimental to innovation adoption. Our study therefore, assesses using Management Control System as a moderator that positively affects slack and innovation relationship. We propose that an interactive Management Control System might adequately discipline control over slack resources, and might serve to determine an optimal level of slack in given organizations. Yet, our findings revealed a significant moderating effect.
EFFECT OF ANTI-TUMOR NECROSIS FACTOR α ON LEUKOCYTE ADHESION IN THE LIVER AFTER HEMORRHAGIC SHOCK: AN INTRAVITAL MICROSCOPIC STUDY IN THE RAT

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) plays a well known role during the development of multiple organ failure, in part due to its role for the expression of adhesion molecules on endothelial cells, thereby contributing to inflammatory reactions. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of TNF on leukocyte-endothelial interactions in the liver as a key organ during the systemic inflammatory response syndrome. In Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 6/group) hemorrhagic shock was induced by reduction of the mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) to 40 mmHg for 45 min; resuscitation was initiated by retransfusion of shed blood (60%) and Ringer's lactate. At 1 and 5 h after resuscitation, intravital microscopy of the liver was performed after injection of acridine orange as marker of leukocytes in sham-control animals and in shock animals pretreated with anti-TNF monoclonal antibody (2 mg/kg b.w. TN3; Celltech, Slough, UK) or NaCl . 9% 2 h prior to shock induction, respectively. At constant systemic hemodynamic conditions in all groups (e.g., normal MAP), sinusoidal diameters and sinusoidal blood flow were comparably decreased to approximately 75% of control values in all shock groups. Significant differences were observed particularly in respect to permanent adherent leukocytes with 31.8 ± 4.7% in the shock/NaCl group and 20.7 ± 2.6% (mean ± S.E., ρ < .05) in the shock/TN3 group 5 h after resuscitation following hemorrhagic shock. Consistently higher adhesion rates were observed in the portal regions compared to pericentral regions of the liver lobules. Moreover, elevated TNF plasma levels 5 h after onset of resuscitation in the shock/NaCl group (534 ± 354 pg/mL) were significantly reduced by anti-TNF pretreatment in the shock/TN3 group (47 ± 16 pg/mL, ρ < .05). The results of the study indicate that TNF plays an important role for regulation of intrahepatic leukocyte adhesion after hemorrhagic shock in the rat. Attenuation of TNF-induced leukocyte adhesion in the liver may reduce liver dysfunction or dysregulation after hemorrhagic shock.
Towards understanding healthcare professionals’ adoption and use of technologies in clinical practice: using Q-methodology and models of technology acceptance

Background Globally, technologies have been recognised to improve productivity across different areas of practice including healthcare. This has been achieved by the expansion of computers and other forms of information technologies (ITs). Despite this advancement, there have also been growing challenges to the adoption and use of these technologies within practice, sometimes with unintended or unexpected consequences. However, the barriers and drivers to IT and, more specifically, e-health adoption within healthcare are little understood, especially in areas such as Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) where e-health adoption is relatively new. Methodology This paper describes a pilot study to develop and validate sample statements for use within a later substantive Q-methodology study. The aim of the main study was to understand factors that influence healthcare professionals’ (HCPs) attitudes towards IT adoption and use in SSA. We report on the use of this methodology to explore the subjectivity of HCPs together with the models of technology acceptance [technology acceptance model (TAM) and the unified-theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT)] used in combination for the first time. Results Following various stages and mapping of the two models of technology acceptance used, 46 statements were developed at the end of the pilot study. These statements were grouped into six themes to capture the constructs of the two models used in the study. Conclusion Findings suggest that it is possible to use TAM and UTAUT to develop a comprehensive set of statements. These statements reflect choices that HCPs consider on IT/e-health adoption and use in SSA which can be used in a Q-study.
Dopamine and N-Methyl-D- Aspartate Receptor Interactions in the Neostriatum

This review examines dopamine (DA) and glutamate receptor interactions in the neostriatum (NS) primarily from a neurophysiological perspective. Historically, a clear understanding of the function of DA in the NS has been difficult because it was considered a classical neurotransmitter with either excitatory or inhibitory actions and because many of the data were obtained by use of varying methodologies. When DA is considered a neuromodulator whose role is to alter how NS cells respond to glutamatergic inputs, many of its actions can be accounted for and predicted with great accuracy within a model of receptor subtype. In this model, DA via activation of D1 receptors potentiates responses mediated by activation of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors. DA via activation of D2 receptors attenuates responses mediated by activation of non-NMDA receptors. Outcomes of combinations of NMDA and D2 and non-NMDA and D1 receptors are not as predictable. The mechanisms underlying the D1-NMDA receptor interactions appear to involve alterations in cell excitability mediated by activation of Ca2+ conductances and/or phosphorylation of NMDA receptors. Less is known about mechanisms underlying the D2-non-NMDA receptor interaction. The functional implications of this model in setting membrane potentials, signal-to-noise ratio, plasticity and excitotoxicity are discussed.
Comparative Anatomy of the Claustrum in Selected Species: A Morphometric Analysis

The morphology of the claustrum was studied by stereological methods in representatives of five mammalian orders (Insectivora, Rodentia, Lagomorpha, Carnivora and Primates). In each species under study, a dorsal and a ventral part of the nucleus can be distinguished. Based on differences in shape and separation from surrounding structures, five morphological types of the claustrum occur. The claustrum of Insectivora and some rodents represents the least complicated morphological type. The nucleus is very poorly separated from the surrounding structures. The human claustrum is morphologically the most complicated, although the two above-mentioned principal divisions are apparent. The ventrally situated paraamygdalar part of the human claustrum may correspond to the endopiriform nucleus or ventral part of the claustrum of other mammals, because of its morphological characteristics and connections with the limbic system. In guinea pigs, traditionally classified as members of the Rodentia, a characteristic morphological type of the claustrum is present. This observation may support arguments questioning the current position of this species in mammalian classification. Based on stereological studies, the increase of the claustral volume that occurs with increase of the hemispheric volume is significantly smaller than the increase of the isocortical volume and larger than the increase of the allocortical volume. The increase of the volume of the dorsal and ventral parts of the claustrum does not differ significantly in the species under study. Neurons of the claustrum represent differentiated morphology. The numerical density of neurons in the dorsal part of the claustrum is significantly higher than in the ventral one. Differences in the morphology and cellular structure of the two parts of the claustrum may suggest differences in function of the two parts of the nucleus, most probably concerned with transfer of information among various cortical regions. Changes in the claustrum, a cortico-related structure, that occur with increased brain volume, may suggest that its development is less dynamic than that of the isocortex.
Studies on intrinsic summary evaluation

Summary evaluation has gained importance in the research community and seems to be a quite challenging task. Most of the work till date focus on summary generation, while this paper focus on intrinsic summary evaluation. Studies made for preparing the 'Gold Standard' reference summary present some of the key issues in preparing a reference summary. Spearman, Kendall's W, and Kendall's rank correlation coefficients have been used for measuring inter-judge rank correlation. Existing drawbacks in Precision-Recall based evaluation and utility-based evaluation schemes were analysed. A new measure, called 'Effectiveness', to measure the system performance at given compression rate has been introduced.
Effects of Fluoxetine on Hippocampal Neurogenesis and Neuroprotection in the Model of Global Cerebral Ischemia in Rats

A selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, fluoxetine, has recently attracted a significant interest as a neuroprotective therapeutic agent. There is substantial evidence of improved neurogenesis under fluoxetine treatment of brain ischemia in animal stroke models. We studied long-term effects of fluoxetine treatment on hippocampal neurogenesis, neuronal loss, inflammation, and functional recovery in a new model of global cerebral ischemia (GCI). Brain ischemia was induced in adult Wistar male rats by transient occlusion of three main vessels originating from the aortic arch and providing brain blood supply. Fluoxetine was injected intraperitoneally in a dose of 20 mg/kg for 10 days after surgery. To evaluate hippocampal neurogenesis at time points 10 and 30 days, 5-Bromo-2′-deoxyuridine was injected at days 8–10 after GCI. According to our results, 10-day fluoxetine injections decreased neuronal loss and inflammation, improved survival and functional recovery of animals, enhanced neurogenesis, and prevented an early pathological increase in neural stem cell recruitment in the subgranular zone (SGZ) of the hippocampus without reducing the number of mature neurons at day 30 after GCI. In summary, this study suggests that fluoxetine may provide a promising therapy in cerebral ischemia due to its neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory, and neurorestorative effect.
Repair kinetics of amnion cells after microsurgical injury.

OBJECTIVE There is a paucity of data regarding healing of fetal membranes. We assessed the repairing ability of a microsurgically-injured monolayer of amnion-derived cells compared to an endothelial cell line. MATERIALS AND METHODS Amnion-derived cells (FL cells) were grown to confluence in 10% fetal calf serum (FCS). A microsurgical incision was performed under an inverted microscope. The area of each incision was measured at times 0, 6, 12 and 24 h using MCID M4 image analysis software. The experiments were repeated using 1% FCS. The observations were also made replacing the media at 6 and 12 h. Umbilical-cord-derived endothelial cells were used for comparison. The rate of repair of the incision was measured using three methods: (a) absolute closure rate (ACR): (A0-A1)/T, where A0 is the original incisional area, and A1 is the new area at interval T: (b) relative percentage rate (RPR): (A0-A1)/A0/T x 100, and (c) healing rate (HR): (A0-A1)/A0 x 100. RESULTS Amnion cells were capable of repairing the microsurgical defect. The ACR decreased over time, and was higher with larger defects. A lower concentration of FCS nor the addition of fresh media altered the repair process significantly. Endothelial cells were significantly faster than amnion cells or amnion-supplemented cells with endothelial media. The RPR remained relatively constant for all groups, suggesting Gompertzian kinetics. CONCLUSIONS Amnion cells are capable of repairing a surgical defect at a relatively constant percent rate, but are slower than an endothelial cell line. The decreased rate of closure over time may be due to relative contact inhibition. Further studies will concentrate on the molecular and cellular mechanisms involved in this process.
RGB and Spectral Root Imaging for Plant Phenotyping and Physiological Research: Experimental Setup and Imaging Protocols

Better understanding of plant root dynamics is essential to improve resource use efficiency of agricultural systems and increase the resistance of crop cultivars against environmental stresses. An experimental protocol is presented for RGB and hyperspectral imaging of root systems. The approach uses rhizoboxes where plants grow in natural soil over a longer time to observe fully developed root systems. Experimental settings are exemplified for assessing rhizobox plants under water stress and studying the role of roots. An RGB imaging setup is described for cheap and quick quantification of root development over time. Hyperspectral imaging improves root segmentation from the soil background compared to RGB color based thresholding. The particular strength of hyperspectral imaging is the acquisition of chemometric information on the root-soil system for functional understanding. This is demonstrated with high resolution water content mapping. Spectral imaging however is more complex in image acquisition, processing and analysis compared to the RGB approach. A combination of both methods can optimize a comprehensive assessment of the root system. Application examples integrating root and aboveground traits are given for the context of plant phenotyping and plant physiological research. Further improvement of root imaging can be obtained by optimizing RGB image quality with better illumination using different light sources and by extension of image analysis methods to infer on root zone properties from spectral data.
AKI: Automatic Kernel Identification and Annotation Tool Based on C++ Attributes

Massively parallel architectures are mainly based on a parallel heterogeneous setup; they are composed by different computing devices that speedup specific code region named kernel. These kernels are executed offline in the corresponding devices. Porting applications to a specific heterogeneous platform is a costly task in terms of human resources and time-to-market. One of the key points in the porting process is manually analyzing and detecting the kernels in applications. Moreover, each device of these heterogeneous platforms has their own restrictions, such as memory allocation support. The kernels must be mapped with their suitable computing devices. Finally, the memory transfer operations become an important bottleneck in heterogeneous platforms. In order to improve the performance, the transfer operations have to be avoided whenever it is possible. In this paper, we introduce AKI, an automatic kernel identification and annotation tool that aims to identify potential kernels in C++ sequential applications. AKI looks for hotspots that can be offlined on heterogeneous computing devices. Finally, AKI annotates the hotspots as kernels by using REPARA C++ attributes mapping the kernels to the suitable heterogeneous computing devices. This process analyzes not only the kernels itself but also their associated data, including kernels and data interdependencies. These annotations can aid future automatic source-to-source transformation tools for heterogeneous platforms.