Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Impact of adjustment measures on reducing outpatient waiting time in a community hospital: application of a computer simulation.

BACKGROUND As an important determinant of patient satisfaction, waiting time, has gained increasing attention in the field of health care services. The present study aimed to illustrate the distribution characteristics of waiting time in a community hospital and explore the impact of potential measures to reduce outpatient waiting time based on a computer simulation approach. METHODS During a one-month study period in 2006, a cross-sectional study was conducted in a community hospital located in Shanghai, China. Baseline data of outpatient waiting time were calculated according to the records of registration time and payment time. A simulation technique was adopted to investigate the impact of perspective reform methods on reducing waiting time. RESULTS Data from a total of 10,092 patients and 26,816 medical consultations were collected in the study and 19,947 medical consultations were included. The average of the total visit time for outpatients in this hospital was 43.6 minutes in the morning, 19.1 minutes in the afternoon, and 34.3 minutes for the whole day studied period. The simulation results suggested that waiting time for outpatients could be greatly reduced through the introduction of appointment system and flexible demand-orientated doctor scheduling according to the numbers of patients waiting at different time of the workday. CONCLUSION Adoption of an appointment system and flexible management of doctor scheduling may be effective way to achieve decreased waiting time.
Sp8 is crucial for limb outgrowth and neuropore closure

In this report we describe the developmental expression and function of Sp8, a member of the Sp family of zinc finger transcription factors, and provide evidence that the legless transgene insertional mutant is a hypomorphic allele of the Sp8 gene. Sp8 is expressed during embryogenesis in the forming apical ectodermal ridge (AER), restricted regions of the central nervous system, and tail bud. Targeted deletion of the Sp8 gene gives a striking phenotype, with severe truncation of both forelimbs and hindlimbs, absent tail, as well as defects in anterior and posterior neuropore closure leading to exencephaly and spina bifida. Outgrowth of the limb depends on formation of the AER, a signaling center that forms at the limb bud apex. In Sp8 mutants, the AER precursor cells are induced and initially express multiple appropriate marker genes, but expression of these genes is not maintained and progression to a mature AER is blocked. These observations indicate that Sp8 functions downstream of Wnt3, Fgf10, and Bmpr1a in the signaling cascade that mediates AER formation.
The clinical conundrum of neonatal seizures

There is increasing evidence that neonatal seizures have an adverse effect on neurodevelopmental progression and may predispose to cognitive, behavioural, or epileptic complications later in life. However, given the uncertainty about the efficacy and toxicity of the commonly used anticonvulsants, when and how aggressively to treat such seizures is a difficult decision.
The Dual-Specificity Protein Phosphatase Yvh1p Acts Upstream of the Protein Kinase Mck1p in Promoting Spore Development in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

ABSTRACT Diploid Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells induce YVH1 expression and enter the developmental pathway, leading to sporulation when starved for nitrogen. We show that yvh1 disruption causes a defect in spore maturation; overexpression of MCK1or IME1 suppresses this yvh1 phenotype. Whilemck1 mutations are epistatic to those in yvh1relative to spore maturation, overexpression of MCK1 does not suppress the yvh1 slow-vegetative-growth phenotype. We conclude that (i) Yvh1p functions earlier than Mck1p and Ime1p in the signal transduction cascade that regulates sporulation and is triggered by nitrogen starvation and (ii) the role of Yvh1p in gametogenesis can be genetically distinguished from its role in vegetative growth.
Optimization of Discrete Cosine Transform-Based Image Watermarking by Genetics Algorithm

data in an image file is needed by its owner to set his ownership in a logo as a watermark embedded in the image file. Hiding the logo in the image was done in several methods. One of the method is domain transform using 2D-DCT in which data is embedded in frequency domain of the image. First, the host RGB image is converted to certain color space. The available and chosen color spaces are RGB, YCbCr or NTSC. The layer in which the watermark is embedded also can be selected. The available choices are 1 st layer, 2 nd layer, 3 rd layer, 1 st & 2 nd layer, 2 nd & 3 rd layer, 1 st & 3 rd layer and all layers. After the selected layer of image in certain color space is transformed in block based to frequency domain by DCT, one bit watermark is embedded on the AC coefficient of each block such a way that the bit is represented by specific value called delta in a zigzag and vary length of pixel. The vary parameters optimized by Genetics Algorithm are selected color space, selected layer, block size, length of pixel to be embedded by one bit watermark, and delta. Bit “1” is represented by +delta, and bit “0” is represented by –delta in vary length of pixel after zigzag. The simulation result performs that GA is useful to search the value of parameter that produces controllable the combination between robustness, invisibility and capacity. Thus, GA improves the method by determining the exact value of parameter achieving BER, PSNR and payload.
Consensually Defined Facets of Personality as Prospective Predictors of Change in Depression Symptoms

Depression has robust associations with personality, showing a strong relation with neuroticism and more moderate associations with extraversion and conscientiousness. In addition, each Big Five domain can be decomposed into narrower facets. However, we currently lack consensus as to the contents of Big Five facets, with idiosyncrasies across instruments; moreover, few studies have examined associations with depression. In the current study, community participants completed six omnibus personality inventories; self-reported depressive symptoms were assessed at baseline and 5 years later. Exploratory factor analyses suggested three to five facets in each domain, and these facets served as prospective predictors of depression in hierarchical regressions, after accounting for baseline and trait depression. In these analyses, high anger (from neuroticism), low positive emotionality (extraversion), low conventionality (conscientiousness), and low culture (openness to experiences) were significant prospective predictors of depression. Results are discussed in regard to personality structure and assessment, as well as personality–psychopathology associations.
Multi-Agent Approach to Reliability Assessment of Power System Generation Using Fuzzy Logic

— To enhance the evaluation of the reliability recently featured many of the approaches linking the probability and fuzzy logic, the multi - agent system can provide a connection between fuzzy logic and probability. In this article represents a new application of multi-agent model for evaluating the reliability indices of generation power system. Using agents of the probability for determining capacity and agents of the fuzzy inference control to estimate the operation or failure probability evaluation. The simulation results show the agents for fuzzy reliability indices give a near values compared to results used in analytical approach and provide a speedy decision of the integration fuzzy logic technique with computational probability due to the use of multi-agent model will facilitate the incorporation of smart grid in the Malaysian power system. It was implemented using the Jade package and fuzzy java tools.
Allelic variation in the Tyk2 and EGF genes as potential genetic determinants of CNS repair

The potential for endogenous remyelination and axonal protection can be an important factor in determining disease outcome in demyelinating diseases like multiple sclerosis. In many multiple sclerosis (MS) patients CNS repair fails or is incomplete whereas in others the disease is accompanied by extensive repair of demyelinated lesions. We have described significant differences in the ability of two strains of mice to repair CNS damage following Theiler’s virus-induced demyelination: FVB/NJ (FVB) mice repair damaged myelin spontaneously and completely, whereas B10.D1-H2q/SgJ (B10.Q) mice are deficient in the repair process. A QTL analysis was performed to identify genetic loci that differentially regulate CNS repair following chronic demyelination in these strains and two QTL were detected: one on chromosome 3 with a LOD score of 9.3 and a second on chromosome 9 with a LOD score of 14.0. The mouse genes for epidermal growth factor (EGF) and Tyk2 are encoded within the QTL on chromosomes 3 and 9, respectively. Sequence polymorphisms between the FVB and B10.Q strains at both the EGF and Tyk2 loci define functional variations consistent with roles for these genes in regulating myelin repair. EGF is a key regulator of cell growth and development and we show a sevenfold increase in EGF expression in FVB compared to B10.Q mice. Tyk2 is a Janus kinase that plays a central role in controlling the TH1 immune response and we show that attenuation of Tyk2 function correlates with enhanced CNS repair.
CpG island methylation patterns in chronic lymphocytic leukemia

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is the most common leukemia in Western countries. In CLL, a large number of genes affecting cancer-related pathways may be dysregulated by epigenetic silencing. We analysed by methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction the CpG island methylation status of 15 well-characterised cancer-related genes in 32 patients with CLL. Aberrant methylation in the sample of patients with CLL was shown for secreted frizzled-related protein 1 (68.8%), secreted frizzled-related protein 2 (65.6%), death-associated protein kinase 1 (50.0%), E-cadherin (21.9%), secreted frizzled-related protein 4 (15.6%), p15 (9.4%), p16 (6.3%), retinoic acid receptor β2 (3.1%), secreted frizzled-related protein 5 (3.1%) and tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinases 3 (3.1%). For human Mut-L homolog 1, O6-methylguanine DNA methyltransferase, p73, suppressor of cytokine signalling 1 and tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinases 2 no hypermethylation was detected. Hypermethylation of at least one gene was observed in 87.5% of the samples. Our results show that aberrant CpG island methylation affecting cancer-related pathways such as Wnt signalling, regulation of apoptosis, cell cycle control and tissue invasion is a common phenomenon in CLL. Epigenetic disturbances may be involved in the pathogenesis of CLL and thus may provide a molecular rationale for therapeutic approaches.
Tree Maintenance over a DHT

Content-based publish-subscribe middleware is emerging as a promising answer to the demands of modern highly dynamic distributed computing by providing the necessary decoupling and flexibility. The majority of currently available systems implement event dispatching on top of an overlay network with a tree topology. However, they fail to provide any mechanism to maintain it in the presence of failures, thus hampering their applicability in dynamic scenarios. In this paper, we present a novel approach to reconfiguring the overlay topology by exploiting a Distributed Hash Table. Our algorithm supports arbitrary tree topologies and deals very well with the dynamicity of network scenarios by limiting the impact of reconfigurations induced by topology changes. These results are confirmed by simulations which validate the applicability of our approach in reconfigurable publish-subscribe middleware. Beyond publish-subscribe, the algorithm is applicable in a wide range of contexts and provides a general way to maintain an overlay network with a controlled topology in dynamic environments.
The Safety and Efficacy of Switching Stavudine to Tenofovir DF in Combination with Lamivudine and Efavirenz in HIV-1—Infected Patients: Three-Year Follow–up After Switching Therapy

Abstract Background: Study 903 is a phase 3 trial with a completed 144-week, double-blind phase comparing tenofovir DF (TDF) with stavudine (d4T), in combination with lamivudine (3TC) and efavirenz (EFV), and an ongoing 336-week open-label extension phase. Method: Patients in 3 countries completing the d4T treatment phase were allowed to switch d4T to TDF and receive once-daily TDF+3TC+EFV in the extension phase. Results: At the time of switch, 100% and 99% of patients (n = 85; 60% male, 64% White; mean age 37 years; mean CD4 = 650 cells/mm3) had HIV RNA <400 and <50 copies/mL. At 144 weeks after the switch, 89% (missing = failure) had HIV RNA <400 copies/mL and 87% had HIV RNA <50 copies/mL. Mean CD4 cell count increased 155 cells/mm3. No patient had virologic failure. Significant decreases from switch to week 144 in mean fasting total cholesterol (−22 mg/dL, p < .0001) and triglycerides (−78 mg/dL, p < .0001) were observed. Mean limb fat increased significantly from 4.5 kg to 5.8 kg, 144 weeks after switch (p < .0001). Conclusion: In virologically suppressed patients, switching d4T to TDF as part of a once-daily regimen with 3TC and EFV resulted in maintenance of virologic suppression and continued CD4 cell increases through 144 weeks, with significant improvements in metabolic parameters.
Immunogenic and protective activity of an extract of Schistosoma mansoni.

The immunogenic and protective activity of an extract of S. mansoni, obtained by incubation of viable adult worms in buffered saline, was evaluated in rabbits and mice. Animal immunization with this extract resulted in the development of both humoral and cellular immune response. All immunized rabbits developed high levels (91 to 100%) of cytotoxic antibodies as determined by in vitro assays of cytotoxic activity of their sera against viable schistosomules. Immunized animals challenged with S. mansoni cercariae showed a lower parasite load than that of normal controls. Protective activity was 88.6% and 54.0% in immunized rabbits and mice, respectively.
A Minimum Power-Processing-Stage Fuel-Cell Energy System Based on a Boost-Inverter With a Bidirectional Backup Battery Storage

When low-voltage unregulated fuel-cell (FC) output is conditioned to generate ac power, two stages are required: a boost stage and an inversion one. In this paper, the boost-inverter topology that achieves both boosting and inversion functions in a single stage is used to develop an FC-based energy system that offers high conversion efficiency, low-cost, and compactness. The proposed system incorporates additional battery-based energy storage and a dc-dc bidirectional converter to support instantaneous load changes. The output voltage of the boost-inverter is voltage-mode controlled and the dc-dc bidirectional converter is current-mode controlled. The load low-frequency current ripple is supplied by the battery, which minimizes the effects of such ripple being drawn directly from the FC itself. Analysis, simulation, and experimental results are presented to confirm the operational performance of the proposed system.
Revised nucleotide sequence of the lasA gene from Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1.

It has been shown that a 21 kDa active fragment of the LasA protein enhances the elastolytic activity of Pseudomonas aeruginosa elastase by possibly modifying the elastin substrate rendering it more susceptible to proteolytic degradation by elastase (1). N-terminal sequence analysis of the 21 kDa LasA active fragment revealed that it is encoded within the published lasA sequence (2). However, a comparison of the purified LasA active fragment with the published sequence of lasA revealed a significant inconsistency with the predicted size and isoelectric point (pI) of the active fragment. To address this discrepancy, a 1.7 kb SnaI-HindIll DNA fragment harboring the entire lasA gene was cloned from the P. aeruginosa PAO1 chromosome using an oligonucleotide probe and its nucleotide sequence was determined by the dideoxy chain termination method (3). Juxtaposition of these sequences revealed differences in 10 nucleotide base pairs. Amino acid changes as a result of nucleotide changes in the revised lasA coding sequence are boxed. Discrepant nucleotides outside the coding region are denoted with lower case letters. The N-terminus of the LasA active fragment is denoted with a thick arrow. The most significant change is the absence of a translation termination codon at position 1276 which increases the lasA reading frame by an additional 41 amino acids. Immediately following the new termination codon at position 1399 is a 40 bp region (thin arrows) containing a possible transcription termination signal. This revised sequence predicts an active LasA fragment size of 20 kDa which closely approximates the SDS-PAGE esimated weight of 21 kDa. In addition, the predicted pI shifts from 7.48 to 9.24, a value which also corresponds closely with
Low dietary diversity and micronutrient adequacy among lactating women in a peri-urban area of Nepal

Abstract Objective The main objectives were to assess the adequacy of the micronutrient intakes of lactating women in a peri-urban area in Nepal and to describe the relationships between micronutrient intake adequacy, dietary diversity and sociodemographic variables. Design A cross-sectional survey was performed during 2008–2009. We used 24 h dietary recall to assess dietary intake on three non-consecutive days and calculated the probability of adequacy (PA) of the usual intake of eleven micronutrients and the overall mean probability of adequacy (MPA). A mean dietary diversity score (MDDS) was calculated of eight food groups averaged over 3 d. Multiple linear regression was used to identify the determinants of the MPA. Setting Bhaktapur municipality, Nepal. Subjects Lactating women (n 500), 17–44 years old, randomly selected. Results The mean usual energy intake was 8464 (sd 1305) kJ/d (2023 (sd 312) kcal/d), while the percentage of energy from protein, fat and carbohydrates was 11 %, 13 % and 76 %, respectively. The mean usual micronutrient intakes were below the estimated average requirements for all micronutrients, with the exception of vitamin C and Zn. The MPA across eleven micronutrients was 0·19 (sd 0·16). The diet was found to be monotonous (MDDS was 3·9 (sd 1·0)) and rice contributed to about 60 % of the energy intake. The multiple regression analyses showed that MPA was positively associated with energy intake, dietary diversity, women’s educational level and socio-economic status, and was higher in the winter. Conclusions The low micronutrient intakes are probably explained by low dietary diversity and a low intake of micronutrient-rich foods.
Validated electromagnetic coupling predictions for an electronic subsystem based on the finite-element time-domain method

The finite-element time-domain (FETD) method is used to predict electromagnetic coupling into an electronic subsystem. Accurately predicting coupling into electronics systems is challenging because small changes to geometry and materials can significantly shift the frequencies at which resonances and nulls occur. The test object consisted of two metal chassis, a variety of apertures, an unshielded wire, multipin connectors, Eccosorbtrade RF absorptive sheets, and circuit boards. Experimental validation is provided over a frequency range of 0.5 GHz to 3 GHz. The experimental response of the test object was based on illumination by a double ridge horn antenna at distances of 1 m and 7.5 m, whereas the predictions were based on free-field, plane-wave excitation. Good correlation between measurements and predictions for the amplitude and trend of the coupling data is established down to the circuit-trace level
Food C ooking P rocess . Numerical S imulation of the T ransport P henomena

This work presents a theoretical model describing the transport phenomena involved in food cooking. Aim of the study is to determine the influence of some of the most important operating variables, especially humidity and temperature, of drying air on the performance of cooking process of pork meat. Thermal processes are increasingly important in determining the safety and quality of retail products. The design and operation of these processes also influence the total cooking yield, which is an important economic factor for the industry. Mathematically, cooking can be considered as simultaneous heat and mass transfers between food product and oven ambient. Modeling of cooking includes heat convection, food surface water evaporation, internal heat conduction. This work evaluates the dependence of temperature and water content on process time, during cooking of meat pieces of two different regular shapes. The process is simulated using finite elements software COMSOL Multiphysics. The proposed model considers two geometries: cylindrical and parallelepiped, with fixed physical properties and convective boundary conditions.
Tuning medical education for rural-ready practice: designing and resourcing optimally

In an effort to bring doctors back to the bush the Australian government has resourced a number of rural clinical schools (RCS). At the RCS in the University of Western Australia students were allocated in small groups to rural sites for the entire fifth year of a six-year course, sitting the same final examinations as city students. Key factors guiding the successful outcome were the resourcing and implementation of the infrastructure and teaching and learning pedagogy. In designing support, the disconnection of students from their city colleagues was anticipated as an issue, as was the pedagogical indoctrination of the teachers. The curriculum implementation was adapted in this light. The role of the Web in teaching and learning, and their status as ‘student colleagues’ and independent learners were pivotal aspects. As students settled at their site, their confidence grew and their anxiety over urban disconnection dissipated. By benchmarking themselves using Web-based formative assessments and in formative ‘objective structured clinical examinations’ staged for them by the RCS, the students received ongoing feedback on their progress. This model of embedding students in rural centres for an extended period with rural practitioners as teachers was successfully implemented at multiple sites geographically vastly separate.