Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Hypertension, alcohol drinking and stroke incidence: a population-based prospective cohort study among inner Mongolians in China

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of hypertension and alcohol drinking on stroke incidence and whether alcohol drinking would increase the risk of stroke in hypertension participants among Inner Mongolians. Methods: A prospective cohort study from June 2003 to July 2012 was conducted among 2535 people aged 20 years and older from Inner Mongolia, China. We categorized the participants into four subgroups according to blood pressure and drinking status. The cumulative risks of stroke among the four subgroups were estimated with the Kaplan–Meier curves and compared by log-rank test. Cox proportional hazards models and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were employed to evaluate the association between hypertension, alcohol drinking and stroke incidence. Results: A total of 120 stroke patients were observed during the follow-up period. The multivariate-adjusted hazard ratios (95% confidential intervals) of stroke for nonhypertension/drinkers, hypertension/nondrinkers and hypertension/drinkers were 1.03 (0.48–2.22), 2.64 (1.45–4.81) and 2.89 (1.55–5.39), respectively, compared with nonhypertension/nondrinkers. The area under ROC curve (AUC) for a model containing hypertension and drinking status along with conventional factors (AUC = 0.684) was significantly (P = 0.005) larger than one containing only conventional factors (AUC = 0.660). Conclusion: These findings suggest that hypertension is an independent risk factor of stroke in Inner Mongolians. Drinkers with hypertension seem to be more susceptible to stroke; larger-sample prospective cohort studies are still required to examine the cumulative effect of drinking and hypertension on stroke incidence.
Adults Receiving HIV Care Before the Start of Antiretroviral Therapy in Sub-Saharan Africa: Patient Outcomes and Associated Risk Factors

Background:Gaining understanding of the period before antiretroviral therapy (ART) is needed to improve treatment outcomes and to reduce HIV transmission. This study describes the cascade of enrollment in HIV care, pre-ART follow-up, and predictors of mortality and lost to follow-up (LTFU) before ART initiation. Methods:We conducted a cohort study among HIV-infected adult patients not yet started on ART in 4 HIV Sub-Saharan African programs. Patient follow-up began at enrollment and ended at the earliest of death, transfer-out, ART initiation, last visit date, or 60 months postenrollment. Risk factors for death and LTFU were investigated during the periods 0–6 and 6–60 months. Results:A total of 55,789 patients (65.4% women) were included as follows: 44.2% in clinical stage 3 or 4, with median CD4 of 261 cells per microliter [interquartile range (IQR): 125–447]. Patient care started with a median of 3 days (IQR: 0–11) after HIV diagnosis, and 31,104 of 55,789 (55.8%) patients had CD4 counts performed within 1 month of enrollment. Of 47,283 patients with known ART eligibility status at enrollment, 36,969 (78.2%) patients required ART and 27,798 of 36,969 (75.7%) patients initiated therapy. Median follow-up was 2.5 months (IQR: 0.9–13.1). Mortality and LTFU rates were 3.9 per 100 person-years [95% confidence interval (CI): 3.7 to 4.1] and 28.3 per 100 person-years (95% CI: 27.8 to 28.8), respectively. Regardless of period, increased mortality and LTFU were associated with male, lower body mass index, advanced clinical stage, and lower CD4 cell count. Conclusions:Short delays between HIV testing and care enrollment were observed in our HIV programs, but delays to determine ART eligibility were long. Interventions to initiate ART earlier, specifically targeted to men, are needed to improve patient retention in Africa.
Analytical evaluation of a new liquid immunoturbidimetric assay for the determination of ferritin in serum

*Corresponding author: Dr. Rossana Molinario, Institute of Biochemistry and Clinical Biochemistry, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Largo A. Gemelli 8, 00168 Rome, Italy, Phone: +39 0630154250, Fax: +39 0630156783, E-mail: rossanamolinario@libero.it Chiara Autilio, Krizia Pocino, Pio Dante Daloiso, Salvatore Di Leva, Cecilia Zuppi and Mirca Antenucci: Istituto di Biochimica e Biochimica Clinica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy Letter to the Editor
Enhancing Outcomes for Outpatient Percutaneous Coronary Interventions

Purpose and Objectives: A quality improvement project was conducted to create a sustainable continuum of care for increased volumes of outpatients receiving percutaneous coronary interventions. Dramatic growth exposed system vulnerabilities and left staff overwhelmed. Four postinterventional project objectives included reducing preprocedural preparation times, reducing bleeding complications, reducing hospital length of stay, and collectively increasing patient satisfaction. Description of the Project: Amidst creating a specialized postintervention coronary recovery area and acquiring and training existing preregistration and recovery nurses, a fragmented system of care was united. The clinical nurse specialist–led project used a systematic and evidence-based implementation process to harmoniously acclimate perioperative staff. An evaluation process further defined new opportunities to support a growing service line. Outcomes: Postimplementation data were collected over a 3-month period. An overall improvement was found in all targeted objectives, despite an upsurge in case volumes. A moderately significant correlation (r [105] = 0.424, P < .001) was found between bleeding occurrences and hospital length of stay. Conclusion: The synergy between interdepartmental collaboration and strategic staffing reallocation was shown to be invaluable to alleviate procedural areas of service, such as the cardiac catheterization laboratory. As a project champion, the clinical nurse specialist is an essential catalyst to identify and creatively surmount system-level challenges.
Reaction null-space control of flexible structure mounted manipulator systems

A composite control law for end-effector path tracking with a flexible structure mounted manipulator system is proposed, such that no disturbances on the flexible base are induced. The control law is based on the reaction null-space concept introduced earlier to tackle dynamic interaction problems of free-floating robots, or moving base robots in general. The control law is called composite since it ensures base vibration suppression control as well, although independently of the reactionless motion control subtask. The requirement of task independence is essential to avoid the appearance of complex dynamics expressions in the control law, such as nonlinear velocity-dependent coupling terms and dependencies of inertias on the elastic coordinates. We present experimental data from computer simulations and the experimental test bed TREP developed at Tohoku university. The experimental data is shown to agree well with theory.
Why do tagging systems work?

The panel will explore the relevance of the emerging tagging systems (Flickr, Del.icio.us, RawSugar and more). Why do they seem to work? What kinds of incentives are required for users to participate? Will tagging survive and scale to mass adoption? What are the behavioral, economic, and social models that underlie each tagging system? What are the dynamics of those systems, and how are they derived from the specific application's design and affordances? We will demand answers to these questions and others from some of the pioneering practitioners and academics in the field. Bring your wireless laptop to participate in a live tagging experiment! The experiment results will be shown and discussed at the end of the panel. To add to the fun, parts of the discussion will be motivated by short video segments.
Swine in Biomedical Research: Creating the Building Blocks of Animal Models

The opportunities for utilizing swine biomedical models are immense, particularly in models that address lifestyle issues (nutrition, stress, alcohol, drugs of abuse, etc.). However, in order to fully capitalize upon the promise, there needs to be a more general recognition of these cofactors, such as nutrition, as key modulators of phenotype via genomic, epigenetic, and postgenomic mechanisms. Furthermore, increased interactions between nutrition scientists and clinical and fundamental researchers in other disciplines, including developmental biology, immunology, neuroscience, oncology, and cardiovascular and gastrointestinal physiology, are required. Closing discussions focused on the need for future conferences at more frequent intervals to support interactions between the various disciplines. This was especially critical because of the global distribution of investigators.
Automatic Genre Classification by Using Co-training

Researchers have concentrated on topic-based text classification while the genre of a document is rarely considered. In this article, we discuss the automatic genre classification and its application. We argue that word level features and sentence level features are two important measures which vary in number among different genres. Word level features include word frequency and POS (Part of Speech) tag statistics. Sentence level features include grammar rules, which have strong relations between different genres. Based on the two aspects of view, we explore a robust approach where the Co-training method is employed to obtain high effectiveness for genre classification.
Comparing First and Second Price Auctions with Multiple Insiders and Outsiders

We study procurement auctions in which, as is common in practice, a group of sellers (insiders, quali…ed bidders) is given an advantage, based, for example, on better reliability or quality. We show conditions under which for any given …rst price handicap auction, there is a second price auction with bonuses that outperforms it ex-post. This generalizes a previous result for the case of an auction with one insider and one outsider (Mares and Swinkels (2009a))
A faster and safer staining technique for acid fast bacilli in resource-poor setting

The traditional Ziehl-Neelsen (ZN) method used for the staining of acid fast bacilli contains phenol and because of the hazardous nature and inherent danger of phenol, this study was carried out to develop a faster and safer method in our environment that will exclude toxic phenol from the staining solution. “Morning fresh”, a commercial liquid dish washing solution with super grease cutting power and citrus extract distributed by PZ Industry PLC, Nigeria was substituted for phenol in preparing carbol fuchsin. This study was carried out between September 2006 – May 2007 at the Public Health Laboratory, Department of Community Medicine, Ahmadu Bello University and Histopathology Department, Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria, Nigeria. Departmental slides known to contain acid fast bacilli were stained in duplicates using both the traditional carbol fuchsin and the staining solution containing “Morning fresh” following the standard procedures. The modified and the traditional ZN stained red for acid fast bacilli, nuclei, cytoplasm and cytoplasmic element stained blue on a clear background. The results were compared with departmental control slides for acid fast bacilli stained by traditional ZN method. The liquid dish washing solution “Morning fresh” with super grease cutting power and citrus extract was found to be very efficient because of its affinity for lipids, its ease to handle and safety when compared to phenol. This study method stains acid fast bacilli more efficiently than the traditional carbol fuchsin method using phenol and it is also cheaper and readily available for use in our environment, and in the light of this finding, this may be a more suitable alternative in the detection of acid fast bacilli especially in resource poor and constrained countries where mycobacterial infections are a major public health problem.
Study of P2P Botnet

Today, centralized botnets are still widely used. In a centralized botnet, bots are connected to several servers (called CC however, it has a weak link - the C&C servers. Shutting down those servers would cause all the bots lose contact with their botmaster. In addition, defenders can easily monitor the botnet by creating a decoy to join a specified C&C channel. Today several P2P botnets have emerged Just like P2P networks, which are resilient to dynamic churn (i.e., peers join and leave the system at high rates), P2P botnet communication won't be disrupted when losing a number of bots. In a P2P botnet, there is no central server, and bots are connected to each other and act as both C&C server and client. P2P botnets have shown advantages over traditional centralized botnets. As the next generation of botnets, they are more robust and difficult for security community to defend. Researchers have started to pay attention to P2P botnets. However, in order to effectively fight against this new form of botnets, enumerating every individual P2P botnet we have seen in the wild is not enough. Instead, we need to study P2P botnets in a systematic way.
Large‐scale variability in surface bacterial carbon demand and growth efficiency in the subtropical northeast Atlantic Ocean

We present surface estimates of bacterial respiration, bacterial heterotrophic production (BHP), and bacterial growth efficiency (BGE), and their relationship with nutrient availability, along a trophic gradient from coastal upwelling waters to the open‐ocean waters of the eastern North Atlantic. Bacterial respiration generally ranged between 10 and 30 µg C L−1 d−1 and was relatively unaffected by nutrient enrichment. In contrast, BHP showed higher variability (more than one order‐of‐magnitude range) and was affected by carbon and/or phosphorus additions in different regions. Empirical bacterial carbon‐to‐leucine (Leu) conversion factors (CFs) (range, 0.02–1.29 kg C mol Leu−1) decreased from the coast to the open ocean, largely influencing the BHP estimates in oligotrophic waters. We found high percentages of Leu respiration in oceanic waters (average 68% of Leu taken up by bacteria), possibly related to the low CFs found offshore. Empirical CFs were highly correlated to BGE (Pearson correlation coefficient r = 0.86, n = 12, p < 0.0004, log‐log transformed), which varied between 1% in offshore waters and 56% in the upwelling waters. Empirical CFs could be critical not only for accurately constraining BHP, but probably also for predicting BGE in oceanic waters.
Surface modification of TiO2 and ZnO nanosurfaces and applications

Nanomaterials are of great interest for a variety of practical applications. To achieve improved performance of nanomaterial-based devices it is essential to understand and modify their surface properties. Here we present an investigation of properties of nanosurfaces of ZnO and TiO2, and discuss their applications in photovoltaics and antibacterial coatings.
Evidence for carbonyl sulfide (OCS) conversion to CO in the lower atmosphere of Venus

The chemical regimes in the atmosphere of Venus vary from photochemistry in the middle atmosphere to thermal equilibrium chemistry in the lower atmosphere and the surface. Many chemical cycles have been proposed, but few details about these cycles are fully verified by comparison between observations and modeling. Recent high-quality data of carbonyl sulfide (OCS) and CO from ground-based and Venus Express observations provide a unique opportunity to test our understanding of chemistry and transport in the lower atmosphere of Venus. The spatial distributions of OCS and CO in the atmosphere reflect a sensitive balance between chemistry and transport. On the basis of our updated photochemical model and winds from Lee et al.'s (2007) general circulation model, we study the chemistry and transport in a simplified two-dimensional chemistry-transport model. OCS is produced by heterogeneous reactions on the surface; the middle atmosphere is a net sink for OCS. The combination of data and modeling provides strong evidence for the loss of OCS by conversion to CO. The detailed chemical mechanism is currently unknown, although a number of speculations have been proposed. The sensitivity of the distributions of OCS and CO to model parameters is reported.
False localizing sign of C1-2 cerebrospinal fluid leak in spontaneous intracranial hypotension.

OBJECT Spontaneous intracranial hypotension due to a spinal cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak is an important cause of new daily persistent headaches. Spinal neuroimaging is important in the treatment of these patients, particularly when direct repair of the CSF leak is contemplated. Retrospinal C1-2 fluid collections may be noted on spinal imaging and these are generally believed to correspond to the site of the CSF leak. The authors undertook a study to determine the significance of these C1-2 fluid collections. METHODS The patient population consisted of a consecutive group of 25 patients (18 female and seven male) who were evaluated for surgical repair of a spontaneous spinal CSF leak. The mean age of the 18 patients was 38 years (range 13-72 years). All patients underwent computerized tomography myelography. Three patients (12%) had extensive retrospinal C1-2 fluid collections; the mean age of this woman and these two men was 41 years (range 39-43 years). The actual site of the CSF leak was located at the lower cervical spine in these patients and did not correspond to the site of the retrospinal C1-2 fluid collection. CONCLUSIONS A retrospinal fluid collection at the C1-2 level does not necessarily indicate the site of the CSF leak in patients with spontaneous intracranial hypotension. This is an important consideration in the treatment of these patients because therapy may be inadvertently directed at this site.
Intelligent money laundering monitoring and detecting system

Criminal elements in today's technology-driven society are using every means available at their disposal to launder the proceeds from their illegal activities. While dedicated efforts are contributed in combating with money laundering (ML) from multi-aspects, without a comprehensive and solid theoretical support, each of them is combating in its own way. To effectively and efficiently prevent and detect such diverse and complex activity, an Anti-Money Laundering (AML) solution should establish comprehensive, solid and fundamental knowledge framework of the monitoring and detecting process. Based on Simons' decision making theory this study proposed an intelligent-agent- oriented solution for money laundering monitoring and detecting process (MLMDP). In order for a more adaptive, intelligent and flexible solution for anti-money laundering, the intelligent agent technology is applied in this research to deal with the complex, dynamic, and distributed MLMDP. Intelligent agents with their properties of autonomy, reactivity and proactivity are well suited for money laundering prevention controls. Several types of agents are proposed and a novel and open multiagent architecture is presented for money laundering monitoring and detecting processes.
Implementing National Food Security Act in India: issues and challenges

Purpose – National Food Security Act 2013 (NFSA) is a unique step taken by Indian government to fight against hunger and protect right of the people for food. With its peculiarities like the life cycle approach, women empowerment, consideration of vulnerable sections in society and proposed reforms in public distribution system (PDS), NFSA is a promising effort for food security in India. The purpose of this paper is to put forth various aspects of NFSA and to identify issues and challenges for its implementation in the light of Indian PDS. Design/methodology/approach – Understanding the implications of NFSA, mapping the existing system of foodgrains distribution in India and analysing existing literature and secondary data available from assorted sources are the steps followed in this endeavour. Findings – Limited resources and exponentially increasing population, lack of infrastructure, operational inefficiencies and poor performance of the PDS are the major hurdles in successful implementation of the proposed act. This study gives emphasis on the need of major reforms in procurement, storage, movement and distribution of foodgrains strategies. Research limitations/implications – This paper focusses mainly on the operational and strategic aspects of PDS and its implications on NFSA. There is a wide scope for future research on sustainability of the act through agricultural and biotechnological innovations, financial analysis and strategic aspects. Originality/value – This study is an unique attempt of mapping and auditing of the entire complex value chain of the Indian PDS for implementation of NFSA. As NFSA is going to redefine the food security aspects, this pioneering work will be useful for researchers and policy makers working in this field in India and other developing countries.
A Circularly Polarized Ring-Antenna Fed by a Serially Coupled Square Slot-Ring

An aperture-coupled ring-antenna is presented in this communication. The antenna is fed by a microstrip line through a unique aperture configuration. The aperture contains a square slot ring with four short branch slots protruding toward the center of the ring. It is studied that axial-ratio and return-loss bandwidths of 8.7% centered at 2.53 GHz can be achieved. Within 2.42 GHz-2.64 GHz, the gains are all greater than 7 dBic.
Molecular Modeling and Docking Analysis of Entamoeba histolytica Glyceraldehyde‐3 Phosphate Dehydrogenase, A Potential Target Enzyme for Anti‐Protozoal Drug Development

The enzymes of the glycolytic pathway constitute an excellent target for the design of new anti‐protozoal agents; glyceraldehyde‐3 phosphate dehydrogenase catalyzes the reversible oxidative phosphorylation of d‐glyceraldehyde 3‐phosphate (GAP) into d‐glycerate 1,3‐bisphosphate (1,3‐diPG) in the presence of NAD(+) and inorganic phosphate (P(i)). The prediction of three‐dimensional structure of Entamoeba histolytica and the docking of the coumarins were performed using the crystal structure of glyceraldehyde‐3 phosphate dehydrogenase from Leishmania mexicana as template. Energy minimization of the whole complex showed, as expected, that most of the template interactions are preserved in the Entamoeba structure, except for SER178, ARG220 and THR167. However, novel interactions involving ILE 193 and THR 173 were also observed.
SHOULD HIGH PERFORMANCE WORK SYSTEMS INCLUDE DIVERSITY MANAGEMENT PRACTICES

The article reports on diversity management in high performance work systems. Labor quality in high performance work systems has been increased through strategic human resource management as well as productivity. High performance work systems include those with employee recruiting and selection practices, efficient training and development programs, and communication and employee participation practices. These management systems should also include training in diversity and equality due to the diverse labor market.
Gnaphaliin A and gnaphaliin B synergize the relaxant effect of salbutamol but not of ipratropium in guinea pig trachea

This work was aimed to investigate the pharmacodynamic interactions between gnaphaliins A and B with ipratropium bromide (IBR) and salbutamol (SAL) using the guinea pig trachea model through application of the combination index (CI)‐isobologram equation.