Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Thiazolidinediones and fractures in men and women.

BACKGROUND Clinical trials and meta-analyses have found that rosiglitazone maleate, a thiazolidinedione that is prescribed for type 2 diabetes mellitus, increases the risk of fractures in women. The association between the use of thiazolidinediones and fractures in men and women is not adequately understood. METHODS We conducted a prospective cohort study. The primary outcome was peripheral fractures in men and women who were exposed to thiazolidinediones compared with sulfonylureas. We studied 84 339 patients from British Columbia, Canada, who began treatment with a thiazolidinedione or a sulfonylurea. The association between the use of thiazolidinediones and fractures was examined using multivariate-adjusted Cox models. RESULTS The mean age of the patients in the study was 59 years, and 43% were women. In this cohort, treatment with a thiazolidinedione was associated with a 28% increased risk of peripheral fractures compared with treatment with a sulfonylurea (hazard ratio [HR], 1.28; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.10-1.48). The use of pioglitazone hydrochloride was associated with an increased risk of peripheral fracture of 77% in women (HR, 1.76; 95% CI 1.32-2.38). Compared with exposure to sulfonylureas, exposure to pioglitazone was associated with more peripheral fractures in men (HR, 1.61; 95% CI 1.18-2.20), but we did not observe a similar association with exposure to rosiglitazone (HR, 1.00; 95% CI, 0.75-1.34). CONCLUSIONS Both men and women who take thiazolidinediones could be at increased risk of fractures. Pioglitazone may be more strongly associated with fractures than rosiglitazone. Larger observational studies are needed, and fracture data from clinical trials need to be fully published so that fracture risks can be known with greater certainty.
The improvement of large High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL) particle levels, and presumably HDL metabolism, depend on effects of low-carbohydrate diet and weight loss

Depressed levels of atheroprotective large HDL particles are common in obesity and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Increases in large HDL particles are favourably associated with reduced CVD event risk and coronary plaque burden. The objective of the study is to compare the effectiveness of low-carbohydrate diets and weight loss for increasing blood levels of large HDL particles at 1 year. This study was performed by screening for body mass index (BMI) and metabolic syndrome in 160 consecutive subjects referred to our out-patient Metabolic Unit in South Italy. We administered dietary advice to four small groups rather than individually. A single team comprised of a dietitian and physician administered diet-specific advice to each group. Large HDL particles at baseline and 1 year were measured using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. Dietary intake was assessed via 3-day diet records. Although 1-year weight loss did not differ between diet groups (mean 4.4 %), increases in large HDL particles paralleled the degree of carbohydrate restriction across the four diets (p<0.001 for trend). Regression analysis indicated that magnitude of carbohydrate restriction (percentage of calories as carbohydrate at 1 year) and weight loss were each independent predictors of 1-year increases in large HDL concentration. Changes in HDL cholesterol concentration were modestly correlated with changes in large HDL particle concentration (r=0.47, p=.001). In conclusion, reduction of excess dietary carbohydrate and body weight improved large HDL levels. Comparison trials with cardiovascular outcomes are needed to more fully evaluate these findings.
Improved SiC Power MOSFET Model Considering Nonlinear Junction Capacitances

Silicon carbide (SiC) power metal–oxide–semiconductor field-effect transistors (mosfets) have been applied in high-power and high-frequency converters recently. To effectively predict characteristics of SiC power mosfets in the design phase, a simple and valid model is needed. In this paper, a simple improved SiC power mosfet behavioral model is proposed using SPICE language. Key parameters in the model are analyzed and determined in detail, including parasitic parameters of the power module, steady-state characteristic parameters, and nonlinear parasitic capacitances. The effect of negative turn-off gate drive voltage is considered and a continuously differentiable function is proposed to describe the gate–source capacitance. Experimental validation is performed under a double pulse circuit employing an N-channel power mosfet half-bridge module CAS300M12BM2 (Cree Inc.) rated at 300 A/1200 V. The main switching dynamic characteristic parameters of the model have been compared with those of the measured results. The results show that taking gate–source capacitance as a linear value as most previous models do will cause significant turn-on deviations between experiment and simulation results, while the improved model is more accurate compared with the measured results.
Chemical depletion of Arctic ozone in winter 1999/2000

During Arctic winters with a cold, stable stratospheric circulation, reactions on the surface of polar stratospheric clouds (PSCs) lead to elevated abundances of chlorine monoxide (ClO) that, in the presence of sunlight, destroy ozone. Here we show that PSCs were more widespread during the 1999/2000 Arctic winter than for any other Arctic winter in the past two decades. We have used three fundamentally different approaches to derive the degree of chemical ozone loss from ozonesonde, balloon, aircraft, and satellite instruments. We show that the ozone losses derived from these different instruments and approaches agree very well, resulting in a high level of confidence in the results. Chemical processes led to a 70% reduction of ozone for a region ∼1 km thick of the lower stratosphere, the largest degree of local loss ever reported for the Arctic. The Match analysis of ozonesonde data shows that the accumulated chemical loss of ozone inside the Arctic vortex totaled 117 ± 14 Dobson units (DU) by the end of winter. This loss, combined with dynamical redistribution of air parcels, resulted in a 88 ± 13 DU reduction in total column ozone compared to the amount that would have been present in the absence of any chemical loss. The chemical loss of ozone throughout the winter was nearly balanced by dynamical resupply of ozone to the vortex, resulting in a relatively constant value of total ozone of 340 ± 50 DU between early January and late March. This observation of nearly constant total ozone in the Arctic vortex is in contrast to the increase of total column ozone between January and March that is observed during most years.
Host Protein Interactions with the 3′ End of Bovine Coronavirus RNA and the Requirement of the Poly(A) Tail for Coronavirus Defective Genome Replication

ABSTRACT RNA viruses have 5′ and 3′ untranslated regions (UTRs) that contain specific signals for RNA synthesis. The coronavirus genome is capped at the 5′ end and has a 3′ UTR that consists of 300 to 500 nucleotides (nt) plus a poly(A) tail. To further our understanding of coronavirus replication, we have begun to examine the involvement of host factors in this process for two group II viruses, bovine coronavirus (BCV) and mouse hepatitis coronavirus (MHV). Specific host protein interactions with the BCV 3′ UTR [287 nt plus poly(A) tail] were identified using gel mobility shift assays. Competition with the MHV 3′ UTR [301 nt plus poly(A) tail] suggests that the interactions are conserved for the two viruses. Proteins with molecular masses of 99, 95, and 73 kDa were detected in UV cross-linking experiments. Less heavily labeled proteins were also detected in the ranges of 40 to 50 and 30 kDa. The poly(A) tail was required for binding of the 73-kDa protein. Immunoprecipitation of UV-cross-linked proteins identified the 73-kDa protein as the cytoplasmic poly(A)-binding protein (PABP). Replication of the defective genomes BCV Drep and MHV MIDI-C, along with several mutants, was used to determine the importance of the poly(A) tail. Defective genomes with shortened poly(A) tails consisting of 5 or 10 A residues were replicated after transfection into helper virus-infected cells. BCV Drep RNA that lacked a poly(A) tail did not replicate, whereas replication of MHV MIDI-C RNA with a deleted tail was detected after several virus passages. All mutants exhibited delayed kinetics of replication. Detectable extension or addition of the poly(A) tail to the mutants correlated with the appearance of these RNAs in the replication assay. RNAs with shortened poly(A) tails exhibited less in vitro PABP binding, suggesting that decreased interactions with the protein may affect RNA replication. The data strongly indicate that the poly(A) tail is an important cis-acting signal for coronavirus replication.
Heterogeneous hospital response to a per diem prospective payment system

The paper demonstrates the adverse effects of degressive rates, dependent on the percentiles of length of stay, in a prospective payment system with per diem payments. Using the dynamic panel data estimates with a recent nationwide administrative database for major diagnostic categories in 697 Japanese hospitals in July 2007- March 2012, the paper shows that average length of stay significantly increases (decreases) for hospitals in percentiles 0-25 (51-100) of the pre-reform length of stay. The decline of the average length of stay is larger for hospitals in higher percentiles of the length of stay. Hospitals in percentiles 51-100 significantly raise planned early readmission rate. As a remedy to the problem, the paper discusses the applicability of the “best practice” rate-setting.
Selection for distinct gene expression properties favours the evolution of mutational robustness in gene regulatory networks

Mutational robustness is a genotype's tendency to keep a phenotypic trait with little and few changes in the face of mutations. Mutational robustness is both ubiquitous and evolutionarily important as it affects in different ways the probability that new phenotypic variation arises. Understanding the origins of robustness is specially relevant for systems of development that are phylogenetically widespread and that construct phenotypic traits with a strong impact on fitness. Gene regulatory networks are examples of this class of systems. They comprise sets of genes that, through cross‐regulation, build the gene activity patterns that define cellular responses, different tissues or distinct cell types. Several empirical observations, such as a greater robustness of wild‐type phenotypes, suggest that stabilizing selection underlies the evolution of mutational robustness. However, the role of selection in the evolution of robustness is still under debate. Computer simulations of the dynamics and evolution of gene regulatory networks have shown that selection for any gene activity pattern that is steady and self‐sustaining is sufficient to promote the evolution of mutational robustness. Here, I generalize this scenario using a computational model to show that selection for different aspects of a gene activity phenotype increases mutational robustness. Mutational robustness evolves even when selection favours properties that conflict with the stationarity of a gene activity pattern. The results that I present support an important role for stabilizing selection in the evolution of robustness in gene regulatory networks.
Service Registry Design: An Information Service Approach

A service registry is a Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA) component that keeps a ‘catalogue’ of available services. It stores service specifications so that these specifications can be found by potential users. Discussions on the design of service registries currently focus on technical issues, while service registries should take into consideration information needs of business domain users. In this regard, the authors consider service registries as information services and develop a comprehensive framework for designing service registries. This framework introduces aspects that determine a design space for service registries. In this design space, the authors identify views, requirements, processes, and means in the design of a service registry that supports the lifecycle information of a service. A vital part of these requirements is further implemented and demonstrated in a prototype built as a ‘proof-of-concept’ for the framework. This paper also discusses a case study used to evaluate the prototype. In this case study, a registry prototype has been populated with realistic services of a large insurance company, and 21 experienced IT and business professionals from a consultancy organization evaluated the prototype for its user satisfaction.
The Order of Computation for Finite Discrete Gabor Transforms

Equations for the continuous-parameter Gabor transform are presented and converted to finite discrete form suitable for digital computation. A comparative assessment of the computational complexity of several algorithms that execute the finite discrete equations is given, with results in the range O ( P 2 ) to O ( P log, P), where P is the number of input data points being transformed. The most efficient of the reviewed methods, which uses the Zak transform as an operational calculus, performs Gabor analysis and synthesis transforms with complexity of the same order as a fast Fourier transform (FFT).
Prevalence of aerobic bacterial vaginosis among Intrauterine Contraceptive Device users women in Hilla city

Intra uterine device (IUD) is the most popular method of contraception among Iraqi women. It is one of the very effective contraceptive methods with very small failure rate. Infection has been the main problem that faces women using IUD all over the world. The aim of this study is to explore the Prevalence of bacterial vaginosis among Intrauterine Device users women in Hilla . A study sample included fifty vaginal swabs taken from women IUD users suffering from vaginosis, who admitted to Babylon hospital for maternity and pediatrics in Babylon province, Iraq during the period from November 2012 to April 2013. These women were randomly selected, interviewed, then cervical swabs were collected and cultured for aerobic bacteria. The results showed that the total number of positive cultures was 32(64%) . The positive cultures predominant among women age between 20-40 years . The first group of isolated organisms was the Escherichia coli (16%), followed by Staphylococcus aurous and Klebsiella pneumoniae (12%) , then Bacillus subtilis. , Proteus mirabilis. , Actinomycetes israelii. is 10% , 8% , 6% respectively. The percent of pathogenic swabs decrease with increasing duration of use. The most frequently reported symptom was the presence of abnormal vaginal discharge . When examined for the effects of 5 different antibiotic on bacterial isolated present a variable degree of sensitivety by bacterial isolates . It ranged between 100% to Impenem & Ertapenem and 0% to Penicillin .
Multimission satellite altimetric data validation in the Baltic Sea

The assessment of altimetric data is crucial for investigating the regional sea level variability. Few works has been performed to validate the altimetric data [1, 2] in the Baltic Sea. The exploring of multi-mission altimetric data in the Baltic Sea has yet to be published. The number of available altimetric measurements increases of 96% by replacing the radiometer wet troposphere correction with model based correction. The results indicate the high quality of the along-track altimetry measurements in the semi-closed sea, which shows good agreement with tide gauge data except in the shallow waters and ice-covered regions, such as Danish Straits and the Gulf of Bothnian.
The normal development of the blood‐testis barrier and the effects of clomiphene and estrogen treatment

Previous work with electron opaque intercellular markers has indicated that in adults occluding junctions between adjacent Sertoli cells are the principal morphological basis of the blood‐testis barrier (Dym and Fawcett, '70). Since the barrier of not present at birth this study was undertaken to determine when it is established during postnatal development of the rat and to correlate its appearance with other developmental events in the seminiferous epithelium. From birth to 16 days of age interstitially injected tracers, such as horseradish peroxidase, freely entered the seminiferous epithelium and permeated the 200 Å intercellular clefts between presumptive Sertoli cells and germ cells, reaching the center of the seminiferous cords and site of the future tubule lumen. Between day 16 and 19 occluding junctions between Sertoli cells appear and thenceforth interstitially injected electron opaque tracers were effectively prevented from reaching the tubule lumen. Therefore, in rats, the blood‐testis barrier is established between 16 and 19 days of age.
The Regulation Index: A New Method for Assessing the Relationship between Oxygen Consumption and Environmental Oxygen

Critical oxygen pressure (PC) is used in respiratory physiology to measure the response to hypoxia. PC defines the partial pressure of oxygen (Po2) at which an oxygen regulator switches to a conformer. However, not all animals show such clear patterns in oxygen consumption rate (), and there are many methods for determining PC. This study assesses two methods that determine regulatory ability and four that calculate PC. A new method, the regulation index (RI), assigns to an animal a relative measure of regulatory ability by calculating the area under the versus Po2 curve that is greater than a linear trend. The six methods are applied to developmental data of two amphibians, Pseudophryne bibronii and Crinia georgiana. The four methods used to determine PC produced similar results but failed to identify the increase in regulation on hatching in C. georgiana or the greater regulation in larval C. georgiana compared with P. bibronii. Of the two methods that evaluated regulation, only the RI satisfactorily represented the entire range of Po2. The RI is advantageous because it has clearly defined limits and does not constrain data to fit any single pattern. The RI can be used in concert with PC, which can be easily calculated during the RI analysis, to provide a clearer definition of the response to environmental Po2.
Influence of voltage waveforms and frequencies on dielectric barrier discharges in low air pressure

In order to find out the effects of the applied voltage on dielectric barrier discharges (DBD), a microsecond pulse generator and a microsecond sinusoidal generator (f<20kHz, Tr>5us) were employed to our DBD experiment. We found from our tests that the uniformity in space of DBD is closely related to the rise time and frequency of the applied voltage. The higher is the frequency of the applied voltage, the larger is the pressure range formed the uniform discharges. The shorter is the rise time of the applied voltage, the larger is the pressure range formed the uniform discharges.
Compressing Trajectory for Trajectory Indexing

Nowadays, as many devices like mobile phones and smart watch/band are equipped with GPS-devices, a large volume of trajectory data is generated every day. With the availability of such trajectory data, many mining tasks have been proposed and investigated in the past decade. Since the raw trajectory data is usually very large, it is a big challenge to analyse and mine the raw data directly. In order to address this issue, a branch of research has been done to compress the trajectory data. This paper surveys recent research about trajectory compression. An overview of existing techniques for trajectory compression is provided.
Timed Up and Go em Idosos Residentes na Comunidade

Objetivo: avaliar os idosos segundo o Timed Up And Go verificando o tempo medio e classificacao do risco de quedas. Materiais e Metodos : estudo transversal, descritivo, vinculado a pesquisa intitulada “Quedas e fatores associados em idosos”, aprovada atraves do CAAE: 62170516.4. 0000.5578. Foi realizada em uma Unidade de Saude da Familia, no municipio de Vitoria da Conquista/BA, e contou com uma amostra composta por 45 idosos. Os participantes responderam um questionario sociodemografico, acrescido do Mini Exame do Estado Mental, e aplicacao do Timed Up and Go. Resultados: a maioria dos idosos era do sexo feminino, e 51,1% apresentaram moderado risco de quedas. O tempo de realizacao do teste foi menor para homens e grupo etario de 60-69 anos. Conclusao: conclui-se que mais da metade dos idosos avaliados apresentaram moderado risco de quedas e que as mulheres e individuos acima dos 70 anos apresentam uma media maior de tempo para a realizacao do teste.
Phase II trial of irinotecan in patients with metastatic epithelial ovarian cancer or peritoneal cancer.

PURPOSE To evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of irinotecan in patients with metastatic platinum-resistant or platinum-refractory epithelial ovarian cancer or primary peritoneal cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS Thirty-one patients with measurable disease were enrolled in our study at The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. Twenty-five of these patients were treated with irinotecan at a dose of 300 mg/m2 intravenously for 90 minutes every 3 weeks; the remaining six patients were treated with 250 mg/m2 because their age was greater than 65 years. Median age was 57 years (range, 38 to 74 years). The majority (84%) had a Zubrod performance status of 0. All patients were evaluated for irinotecan toxicity, and 29 (94%) were evaluable for response. RESULTS The overall response rate was 17.2%. One patient (3%) had a complete response, four (14%) had partial responses, 14 (48%) had stable disease, and 10 had (35%) disease progression. Median progression-free survival was 2.8 months (range, 1.1 to 16 months), median duration of response was 1.4 months (range, 0.7 to 10.1 months); median survival from primary diagnosis was 24.3 months (range, 6.5 to 85.7 months); and median survival from initiation of irinotecan was 10.1 months (range, 2.3 to 34 months). Major toxicities included fatigue (16 patients), neutropenia (11 patients), diarrhea (nine patients), nausea (10 patients), and anorexia (seven patients). Eleven patients required dose reductions because of these toxicities. No treatment-related deaths occurred. CONCLUSION Irinotecan has moderate efficacy and substantial toxicity in patients with metastatic platinum-resistant or platinum-refractory epithelial ovarian or primary peritoneal cancer.