Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The effects of nutritional status on outcome after hip fracture.

OBJECTIVE To determine the effect of nutrition on patient outcome after hip fracture. STUDY DESIGN Retrospective review of prospectively collected data. METHODS Four hundred ninety hip fracture patients had albumin and total lymphocyte count levels determined at the time of admission and constituted the study population. These variables were examined as predictors for outcomes, including: in-hospital mortality, postoperative complications, hospital length of stay, hospital discharge status, one-year mortality rate, ambulatory ability, and independence in basic and instrumental activities of daily living twelve months after surgery. RESULTS Eighty-seven patients (18 percent) were found to be malnourished on hospital admission based on a preoperative albumin level of < 3.5 grams/deciliter, and 280 patients (57 percent) based on a total lymphocyte count of < 1,500 cells/milliliter. An albumin level of < 3.5 grams/deciliter was predictive for increased length of stay (p = 0.03) and for in-hospital mortality (p = 0.03). A total lymphocyte count < 1,500 cells/milliliter was predictive for one-year mortality (p < 0.01). Patients with abnormal albumin and total lymphocyte count were 2.9 times more likely to have a length of stay greater than two weeks (p = 0.03), 3.9 times more likely to die within one year after surgery (p = 0.02), and 4.6 times less likely to recover their prefracture level of independence in basic activities of daily living (p < 0.01). Neither parameter was predictive for patients developing a postoperative complication, hospital discharge status (home versus nursing home), recovery of prefracture ambulatory ability, or independence in instrumental activities of daily living at twelve-month follow-up. CONCLUSION Patients at risk for poor outcomes after hip fracture can be identified using relatively inexpensive laboratory tests such as albumin and total lymphocyte count.
Stochastic resonance effects in Izhikevich neural system with spike-timing dependent plasticity

Spike-timing dependent plasticity (STDP) can lead to the synchronous spike propagation with temporal spike coding information. Recently, it was reported that in a noisy environment like the actual brain, STDP may be made efficient by the effect of stochastic resonance (SR) in which the presence of noise helps a nonlinear system in amplifying a weak (under barrier) signal. However, previous studies ignored the variety of the spiking patterns and many factors of neuro dynamics. Thus, in order to prove the physiological possibility, it is necessary to demonstrate that this SR arises in the realistic cortical neural system. In this study, we evaluate this SR phenomenon in the physiological neural system described by Izhikevich neuron model and compare the characteristics among the different spiking patterns observed experimentally in the cortex, such as regular spiking, intrinsically bursting and chattering.
Improve Signals Discrimination for an Indoor Environment Using the Sparse Deconvolution Algorithm

Ray tracing is a useful tool to model the spatial and temporal propagation parameters of electromagnetic radiation. The model can normally improve by the channel sounding. However, discrepancies may arise between the channel sounding and ray-tracing model due to it needs a wide bandwidth to differentiate the incoming signals, also the antenna radiation pattern may change dramatically over this wide frequency span. To overcome this limitation, in this paper, the sparse deconvolution will be used to test and improve data measurements from real environments. Good results are obtained that shows that Cauchy-Gaussian model can differentiate between two different signals that has 0.5m distances offset for 200 MHz and 0.8m for 150 MHz theoretically. Then, comparison between the measured data using the basic Inverse Discrete Fourier Transform and the Cauchy-Gaussian model for two different scenarios shows that signals arrival in time cannot adequately determined using only Inverse Discrete Fourier Transform technique at 150 MHz, while on the contrary, the Cauchy-Gaussian model can still discriminate between them.
A high-precision dilatometer based on sub-nm heterodyne interferometry

In this paper, we present a high-precision dilatometer for dimensional characterization of highly-stable materials. The dilatometer is based on a highly symmetric heterodyne interferometer where a reference and a measurement mirror are fixed inside a tubular shaped specimen made of the material under investigation. The specimen is placed inside a thermally controlled oven; the temperature can be varied between 20°C and 60°C. We measured the linear coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of tubes made of carbon-fiber reinforced plastics (CFRP) and Zerodur, a thermally highly stable glass ceramics. An accuracy ≪10−7 K−1 was achieved.
Linkage between quantitative trait and marker loci: Methods using all relative pairs

Relative‐pair methods for detection of linkage between a quantitative trait and a marker locus have been proposed by a number of authors [e.g., Haseman and Elston, Behav Genet 3–19, 1972; Amos and Elston, Genet Epidemiol 349–360, 1989]. However, development of tests of significance that combine information from different types of relative pairs has been hampered by the presence of correlations between relative pairs from the same pedigree. In this paper, the methodology of generalized estimating equations is used to provide an estimate of the robust covariance matrix of the estimates of the set of relative‐pair‐type‐specific regression parameters. Using this matrix, an asymptotically most powerful test of linkage which optimally combines the information contained in the different types of relative pairs is constructed. This test requires optimal weights that depend on unknown values of heritability and recombination fraction to be chosen a priori. However, simulations show that, in the regions of recombination fraction and heritability of practical interest, the power of the test does not depend strongly on the assumptions made when chosing the optimal weights; as a result, weights that depend only on the number of each type of relative pair and the variability of the marker identity‐by‐descent probabilities work well in practice. In addition, an approximation to the regression model leads to a simple approach to testing linkage in which only a single regression parameter is estimated from data containing different types of relative pairs. The resulting test is slightly less powerful than the test described above, but its computational simplicity and lack of dependence on a priori weighting schemes suggest potential usefulness in large linkage studies. © 1993 Wiley‐Liss. Inc.
A chromogenic substrate for a beta-xylosidase-coupled assay of alpha-glucuronidase.

4-Nitrophenyl 2-(4-O-methyl-alpha-d-glucopyranuronosyl)-beta-d-xylopyranoside obtained on deesterification of 4-nitrophenyl 2-O-(methyl 4-O-methyl-alpha-d-glucopyranosyluronate)-beta-d-xylopyranoside (Hirsch et al., Carbohydr. Res. 310, 145-149, 1998) was found to be an excellent substrate for the measurement of hemicellulolytic alpha-glucuronidase activity. A new precise alpha-glucuronidase assay was developed by coupling the alpha-glucuronidase-catalyzed formation of 4-nitrophenyl beta-d-xylopyranoside with its efficient hydrolysis by beta-xylosidase. A recombinant strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, harboring and expressing the beta-xylosidase gene xlnD of Aspergillus niger under control of the alcohol dehydrogenase II promoter on a multicopy plasmid, was used as a source of beta-xylosidase. The activity values of beta-xylosidase in the assay required to achieve a steady-state rate of 4-nitrophenol formation shortly after starting the alpha-glucuronidase reaction were obtained both experimentally and by calculation using the kinetics of coupled enzyme reactions.
Sigma-B, a putative operon encoding alternate sigma factor of Staphylococcus aureus RNA polymerase: molecular cloning and DNA sequencing

We have identified a gene cluster located on the chromosomal SmaI I fragment of a highly methicillin resistant strain of Staphylococcus aureus, consisting of four open reading frames (ORFs), named after the number of deduced amino acid residues, in the sequential order orf333-orf108-orf159-orf256. The gene cluster showed close similarities to the Bacillus subtilis sigB operon both in overall organization and in primary sequences of the gene products. The complete gene cluster (provisionally named sigma-B or sigB) was preceded by an sigmaA-like promoter (PA) and had an internal sigmaB-like promoter sequence (PB) between orf333 and orf108, suggesting a complex regulatory mechanism. The polypeptides encoded by orf333, -108, -159, and -256 showed 62, 67, 71, and 77% homologies, respectively, with the RsbU, RsbV, RsbW, and SigB polypeptides encoded by the B. subtilis sigB operon. A Tn551 insertional mutant, RUSA168 (insert in orf256 of the staphylococcal sigma-B operon), showed drastic reduction in methicillin resistance (decrease in MIC from 1,600 microg ml-1 to 12 to 25 microg ml-1off
RIP140-Targeted Repression of Gene Expression in Adipocytes

ABSTRACT Ligand-dependent repression of nuclear receptor activity forms a novel mechanism for regulating gene expression. To investigate the intrinsic role of the corepressor RIP140, we have monitored gene expression profiles in cells that express or lack the RIP140 gene and that can be induced to undergo adipogenesis in vitro. In contrast to normal white adipose tissue and in vitro-differentiated wild-type adipocytes, RIP140-null cells show elevated energy expenditure and express high levels of the uncoupling protein 1 gene (Ucp1), carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1b, and the cell-death-inducing DFF45-like effector A. Conversely, all these changes are abrogated by the reexpression of RIP140. Analysis of the Ucp1 promoter showed RIP140 recruitment to a key enhancer element, demonstrating a direct role in repressing gene expression. Therefore, reduction in the levels of RIP140 or prevention of its recruitment to nuclear receptors may provide novel mechanisms for the control of energy expenditure in adipose cells.
Detection and Differentiation of Cryptosporidium Parasites That Are Pathogenic for Humans by Real-Time PCR

ABSTRACT Cryptosporidiosis is a significant cause of food-borne and waterborne outbreaks of diarrheal diseases. To better understand the route of transmission of Cryptosporidium parasites, a number of genotyping techniques have been developed, based on PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism or sequencing analysis of antigen, structural, and housekeeping genes. In this study, a real-time assay for the detection of Cryptosporidium oocysts is described. This technique had a detection limit of five oocysts. By melting curve analysis of PCR products with fluorescence-labeled hybridization probes, this technique was able to differentiate five common Cryptosporidium parasites that are pathogenic for humans in a single PCR. We evaluated and validated the test using samples from presently known Cryptosporidium parasites that are pathogenic for humans. This technique provides an alternative molecular tool in epidemiologic studies of human cryptosporidiosis.
Carotid wall viscosity increase is related to intima-media thickening in hypertensive patients.

Increases in arterial wall viscosity and intima-media thickness (IMT) were found in hypertensive patients. Because smooth muscle cells are responsible for the viscous behavior of the arterial wall and they are involved in the process of thickening of the intima-media complex, this study evaluates the relationship between carotid thickness and wall viscosity. The simultaneous and noninvasive assessment of the intima-media complex and arterial diameter waveform was performed using high-resolution ultrasonography. This technique was contrasted against sonomicrometry in sheep, showing that the waveforms obtained by both methods were similar. The common carotid arteries of 11 normotensive subjects (NTA) and 11 patients with mild to moderate essential hypertension (HTA) were measured noninvasively by using tonometry and an automatic densitometric analysis of B-mode images to obtain IMT and instantaneous pressure and diameter loops. A viscoelastic model was used to derive the wall viscosity index (eta) using the hysteresis loop elimination criteria. In NTA, eta was 2.73+/-1.66 (mm Hg x s/mm) and IMT was 0.58+/-0.08 (mm), whereas in HTA, eta was 5.91+/-2.34 (P<.025) and IMT was 0.70+/-0.12 (P<.025), respectively. When all data of eta versus IMT of NTA and HTA were pooled in a linear regression analysis, a correlation coefficient of r=. 71 (P<.05) was obtained. Partial correlation between eta and IMT holding constant pressure was r=. 59 (P<.05). In conclusion, wall viscosity increase was associated with a higher IMT even maintaining blood pressure fixed, suggesting that the intima-media thickening might be related to smooth muscle alterations manifested as an increase in viscous behavior.
Combining poly (methacrylic acid‐co‐ethylene glycol dimethacrylate) monolith microextraction and octadecyl phosphonic acid‐modified zirconia‐coated CEC with field‐enhanced sample injection for analysis of antidepressants in human plasma and urine

A method based on poly (methacrylic acid‐co‐ethylene glycol dimethacrylate) monolith microextraction and octadecylphosphonic acid‐modified zirconia‐coated CEC followed by field‐enhanced sample injection preconcentration technique was proposed for sensitive CE‐UV analysis of six antidepressants (doxepin, clozapine, imipramine, paroxetine, fluoxetine and chlorimipramine) in human plasma and urine. A poly(methacrylic acid‐co‐ethylene glycol dimethacrylate) monolithic capillary column was introduced for the extraction of antidepressants from urine and plasma samples. The hydrophobic main chains and acidic pendant groups of the monolithic column make it a superior material for extraction of basic analytes from aqueous matrix. After extraction, the desorption solvent, which normally provided an excellent medium to ensure direct compatibility for field‐enhanced sample injection in CE, was analyzed by CE directly. By the use of alkylphosphonate‐modified zirconia‐coated CEC for separation of the basic compounds of antidepressants, high separation efficiency and resolution were achieved because that both hydrophobic interaction between analytes and alkylphosphonate‐modified zirconia coat and electrophoretic effect work on the separation of antidepressants. The best separation was achieved using a buffer composed of 0.3 M ammonium acetate (adjusted to pH 4.5 with 1 M acetic acid) and 35% ACN v/v, with a temperature and voltage of 20°C and 20 kV, respectively. By applying both preconcentration procedures, LODs of 11.4–51.5 and 3.7–17.0 μg/L were achieved for the six antidepressants in human plasma and urine, respectively. Excellent method of reproducibility was found over a linear range of 50–5000 μg/L in plasma and urine sample.
The Context of Global Software Development: Challenges, Best Practices and Benefits

Global Software Development (GSD) environment is based on a contractual relationship between client and vendor organizations in which a client outsources all or some part of its software development activities to a vendor. The vendor in return provides the agreed services in lieu of certain amount of remuneration. The main reasons to select the GSD technique include reduced cost, faster development and access to skilled manpower available across the world. Though GSD is emerging as an effective technique, but it suffers from many challenges like poor communication, lack of trust and coordination. These challenges pose serious risk to the smooth execution of the GSD projects. In the past decade, GSD has become an area of active research and a number of the researchers have worked on different aspects of it. In this paper, we present a critical review of the research studies conducted on GSD to highlight the challenges, best practices and benefits of GSD. Our findings reveal that much of the research in this area has been focused on addressing issues faced by client organizations, however, vendor side in the GSD relationship is much ignored due to which this field of study is still immature; hence, further research work is required to be undertaken to address the issues faced by the vendor organizations.
Prospective identification of cardiac progenitors by a novel single cell‐based cardiomyocyte induction

Dissection of cardiomyocyte differentiation process at the cellular level is indispensable in the research for cardiac development and regeneration. Previously, we have established an embryonic stem cell differentiation system that reproduces early vascular development from progenitor cells that express Flk1, a vascular endothelial growth factor receptor, by the combinatory application of 2‐dimensional culture and flowcytometry. Here we show that cardiomyocytes can be successfully induced from a single Flk1+ cell on 2‐dimensional culture, enabling the direct observation of differentiating cardiomyocytes and the prospective identification of cardiac progenitor potentials. Flk1+ cells could give rise to cardiomyocytes, as well as endothelial cells, from a single cell by the co‐culture on OP9 stroma cells in a fusion‐independent manner. Among the cell populations in intermediate stages from Flk1+ cells to cardiomyocytes, Flk1+/CXCR4+/vascular endothelial cadherin− cells were cardiac‐specific progenitors at the single cell level. Noggin, a bone morphogenetic protein inhibitor, abolished cardiomyocyte differentiation by inhibiting the cardiac progenitor induction. However, wnt inhibitors Dkk‐1 or Frizzled‐8/Fc chimeric protein augmented, but wnt3a inhibited, cardiomyocyte differentiation. In vitro reproduction of cardiomyocyte differentiation process should be a potent tool for the cellular and molecular elucidation of cardiac development, which would provide various targets for cardiac regeneration.
Tax Perception and Tax Evasion

The study attempts to report the factors that are responsible for people’s perceptions about taxation, in general, and tax evasion, in particular. The study frames a model, based on which research hypotheses are derived. Adopting crosssectional research design, a survey was carried out on a sample of 125 respondents. A pre-test was also carried out to test the reliability and validity of the interview-schedule before the actual survey was executed. Factor analysis was applied for data reduction. Results of inferential statistics show the influence of selective demographics on tax perception and tax evasion, with other factors such as provisions for penalty and prosecution and rates of tax also influencing the taxpayers’ decisions. While acknowledging a few shortcomings, the relevance of the study in policy-making has been enumerated. In conclusion, a road map for further studies has been indicated.
Requirement for transcription factor IIA (TFIIA)-TFIID recruitment by an activator depends on promoter structure and template competition

Different mechanisms of transcriptional activation may be required for distinct classes of promoters and cellular conditions. The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-encoded transcriptional activator Zta recruits the general transcription factors IID (TFIID) and IIA (TFIIA) to promoter DNA and induces a TATA box-binding protein (TBP)-associated factor-dependent footprint downstream of the transcriptional initiation site. In this study, we investigated the functional significance of TFIID-TFIIA (D-A complex) recruitment by Zta. Alanine substitution mutations in the Zta activation domain which eliminate the ability of Zta to stimulate the D-A complex were examined. These Zta mutants were defective in the ability to activate transcription from an EBV-derived promoter (BHLF1) but activated a highly responsive synthetic promoter (Z7E4T). Both the number of activator binding sites and the core promoter region contribute to the requirement for D-A complex recruitment. These functionally distinct core promoters had significant differences in affinity for TBP and TFIID binding. The D-A complex-recruiting activity of Zta was found to be important for promoter selection in the presence of a competitor template. Conditions which limit TFIID binding to the TATA element or compromise the ability of TFIIA to bind TBP required activator stimulation of the D-A complex. These results indicate that D-A complex recruitment is one of at least two activation pathways utilized by Zta and is the essential pathway for a subset of promoters and conditions which limit TFIID binding to the TATA element.
Trade Policy Options of Ukraine: East or West

textabstractThe dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991 has led to the independence of fifteen new states. Twelve of these, including Ukraine, joined the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) whose goal was to form a common economic space with free movement of goods, labor and capital. Twenty five years later, CIS countries still face important trade policy choices, the implementation of which is conditional on the quality of governance and infrastructure. The evaluation of these policy choices gains therefore considerable importance. Using an unbalanced panel data set of bilateral export flows among 159 economies, we estimate the gravity model of trade using alternative estimation approaches that account for zeros in trade: Heckman, Poisson pseudo-maximum likelihood and Martin-Pham Tobit. Our empirical results show robust outcomes and advocate importance of WTO membership, governance and effective distance (corrected for infrastructure). Using scenario analyses we assess counterfactuals for Ukraine and find, for example, that improved infrastructure would on average lead to a 22% increase in Ukrainian exports while improved governance would, ceteris paribus, almost double its trade. Most of these changes originate from the intensive margin of trade.
The 'instantaneous' compressive modulus of human articular cartilage in joints of the lower limb.

METHODS The instantaneous compressive modulus of articular cartilage was surveyed in 11 sets of human lower limb joints obtained from the ipsilateral side. The average modulus for the entire joint surface of each joint and the topographical variations in the modulus within each joint were examined for all 11 sets, and subjected to statistical analysis. RESULTS Within each set of joints (hip, knee and ankle), the ankle always had a significantly greater mean compressive modulus than the hip and knee (P < 0.001-P < 0.05). In seven sets of joints, there was no significant difference between the mean compressive moduli of the knee and hip joints. In three sets of joints, the compressive modulus of the knee was significantly greater than that of the hip (P < 0.001-P < 0.01), while in only one set of joints was the compressive modulus of the hip significantly greater than that of the knee (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION The topographical variations in the cartilage instantaneous compressive modulus over the surfaces of the lower limb joints were matched by differences in the stresses occurring in different areas of each joint. The results of the present study corroborate previous findings and show that the site-specific stresses and corresponding values of the instantaneous cartilage compressive modulus over the surfaces of lower limb joints were correlated (r = 0.82 at P < 0.01), thus adding credence to the conditioning hypothesis of cartilage by prevalent stress.