Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The reliability of peer assessments of quality of care.

OBJECTIVE To critically examine the literature regarding the interreviewer reliability of the standard practice of peer assessment of quality of care. DATA SOURCES Computerized searches of the English-language literature from 1966 through 1990 using MEDLINE, HEALTHLINE, and SCISEARCH databases were performed to identify studies reporting data on interreviewer agreement of implicit evaluations of patient care episodes. STUDY SELECTION Seventeen studies were identified. Five studies were excluded from this review because of deficiencies in the methods or lack of data on chance-corrected indexes of agreement. DATA EXTRACTION SYNTHESIS: The degree of agreement beyond chance was compared with accepted standards in the 12 remaining studies. Most of these studies found agreement corrected for chance to be in the range regarded as poor, indicating that physician agreement regarding quality of care is only slightly better than the level expected by chance. CONCLUSIONS Given the magnitude of the resources devoted to quality assurance and the centrality of peer assessment to these efforts, there is a need for a global reexamination of the peer review process. A number of proposals appear to have potential for improving the peer review process including more objective assessment procedures, multiple reviewers, higher standards for reviewers, elimination of systematic reviewer bias, use of outcome judgements, and adoption of practice guidelines.
Authentication and authorization architecture design for hybrid mesh networks

Nowadays, the definition and integration of the security measures within the communication network infrastructure from its early stages of design represents a common required task. This paper focus on the overall security architecture we designed for hybrid mesh networks (802.11 and 802.16). The main objectives of our security architecture are the authentication and authorization (AA) of devices/users for granting access to the connectivity services. We point out the main design security requirements we addressed and define our IEEE 802.1x-based security architecture. Thereafter, we present the preliminary validation results achieved to date.
Retrospective coregistration of functional magnetic resonance imaging data using external monitoring

Coregistration is essential for correcting head motion artifacts in functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Coregistration algorithms typically realign images through optimization of a similarity measure based on voxel signal intensities. However, coregistration can also be performed through external monitoring, whereby a tracking device measures head motion directly and independently of the imaging data. This paper describes development of external monitoring using fMRI‐compatible infrared cameras. Three subjects participated in block‐design fMRI experiments consisting of bilateral finger tapping alone and tapping combined with visuomotor tracking to produce controlled task‐correlated head motion. Functional MRI time‐series were coregistered using the external monitoring technique and a known image‐based algorithm for comparison. Over various performance characteristics, external monitoring and image‐based coregistration exhibited good agreement, in particular reducing signals correlated with millimeter task‐correlated motions by 50–100%, with a 5% difference between the two techniques. These results promise future applications and refinements of external monitoring in patient populations where head motion is especially problematic. Possibilities include 3D prospective coregistration during real‐time fMRI, coregistration of individual slices, and motion correction in anatomic MRI. Magn Reson Med 53:141–149, 2005. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Treatment of Early Rheumatoid Arthritis in a Multinational Inception Cohort of Latin American Patients: The GLADAR Experience

Background Treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has evolved dramatically in the last decade. However, little is known about the way rheumatologists in Latin America treat their patients in clinical practice, outside the scope of clinical trials. Objective The objective of this study was to describe treatment patterns at disease onset in early RA with data from a large, multicenter, multinational inception cohort of Latin American patients. Methods Consecutive patients with early RA (<1 year of disease duration as diagnosed by a rheumatologist) from 46 centers in 14 Latin American countries were enrolled in the study. Clinical data, laboratory assessments, and a detailed registry on type of prescriptions were collected at baseline and at 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months of follow-up. Hands and feet x-rays were obtained at baseline and at 12 and 24 months. All data were captured in Arthros 6.1 database. Continuous variables were expressed as means and SDs, and categorical variables were expressed as percentages and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs). Only therapeutic data at baseline are presented, corresponding to the period between disease onset and second visit (3 months). Results A total of 1093 patients were included. Eighty-five percent were female, and 76% had a positive rheumatoid factor. Mean age at diagnosis was 46.5 (SD, 14.2) years, and mean disease duration at the first visit was 5.8 (SD, 3.8) months. Between baseline and second visit (3 months), 75% of patients (95% CI, 72%–78%) received disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs. Methotrexate (MTX) alone or in combination was the most frequently used (60.5%), followed by antimalarials (chloroquine or hydroxychloroquine, 32.1%), sulfasalazine (7.1%), and leflunomide (LEF, 4%). In 474 patients (43%), initiation of disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs was within the first month after the first visit. In addition, 290 patients (26%; 95% CI, 23%–29%) received combination therapy as initial treatment. The most frequently used combinations were MTX + chloroquine (45%), MTX + hydroxychloroquine (25%), and MTX + sulfasalazine (16%). Eleven patients (1%; 95% CI, 0.5%–1.8%) received biologics. Sixty-four percent (95% CI, 60%–66%) received corticosteroids. Of those, 80% (95% CI, 77%–84%) received 10 mg of oral prednisone or less. Conclusions In this cohort of Latin American patients with early RA, most patients received MTX very early in their disease course. Combination therapy was used approximately in 1 of every 4 patients as initial therapy. Biologics were rarely used at this early stage, and low-dose prednisone was commonly used.
Development and assessment of the cooperation between drive line and stability control

This article presents the outcomes of the virtual prototyping in advanced phase to develop and validates the introduction of dynamics control into a conventional passenger car. Thus after having presented the basic vehicle model, the additional components and the different strategies like ABS, TCS and ESP are emphasized. Drawbacks of multiple actuators are the difficulties to manage the variants in the vehicle and its control for the assistant systems that have to deliver the appropriate commands. Therefore a vehicle longitudinal controller will be presented at the end of this article.
Computing sleep deficiency

Sleep deficiency is a major public health concern. Since epidemiological studies play an important role in public health evaluations, this theoretical paper pursues answers to the question: ‘How can we compute sleep deficiency as informative measures of exposures or doses in observational research? ’ Starting from the social jetlag concept and based on the chronodisruption rationale, we illustrate and discuss five approaches (one established and four untested, each with unique strengths and limitations) to quantify sleep deficiency by focusing on the timing and duration of sleep. Hitherto, social jetlag and chronodisruption rationale were neither explicitly proposed nor developed as assessments of sleep deficiency but, as we suggest, could potentially be utilized to this end. This first foray into computing sleep deficiency in epidemiological studies makes clear that laboratory, field and epidemiological collaboration is pre‐requisite to elucidating potential (co‐)causal roles of sleep deficiency in disease endpoints.
A Tool for Efficient Transferring of Triangular FEM Elements through Internet

This paper presents a tool for the efficient storing and transferring of triangular FEM elements. Firstly, triangular mesh is decimated. The decimated mesh preserves all the important geometric and topological features of the original mesh. Both meshes, the original and the decimated, are lossless, compressed by special-purpose data compressing algorithm. The user can choose between the most suitable representations, according to the situation
Some determinants of whole-gut transit time: a population-based study.

Slow whole-gut transit time may be associated with an increased risk of gallstones, and possibly bowel cancer, but its determinants are unknown. We looked for these determinants in a community-based study of 884 women aged 25-69 years and 677 men aged 40-69 years. Transit time was estimated using prospective examination of three stools and a questionnaire about bowel habit. Diet and alcohol intake were assessed using a validated food frequency questionnaire. In women < 50 years not taking oral contraceptives, mean transit time was relatively constant across 10-year age bands (62 to 63 h). In older women it was also relatively constant, but was significantly shorter (58 to 59 h), suggesting an effect of female sex hormones. In women taking oral contraceptives, mean transit-time was 6 h longer than in women of the same age not taking them (95% CI 1.4 to 10.6 h). In men drinking > 40 g alcohol/day, mean transit time was 49 h compared with 54 h in those drinking < 20 g/day (p < 0.0001). In alcohol-abstaining men, an effect of dietary NSP (non-starch polysaccharide or fibre) intake was clearly apparent. Alcohol consumption quickened transit in both sexes; oral contraceptive usage slowed it in women. Body mass index in both sexes, soluble NSP in men, and insoluble NSP in women also significantly and negatively affected transit time. The food groups which were related to transit time were potatoes and cooked fruit in men, and pulses and bread in women. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Application of improved association rule algorithm in the courses management

Apriori is a classical association rule algorithm, On the basis of analyzing the Apriori algorithm and some improved algorithms, Using Matlab tool implements an efficient algorithm, the improved algorithm largely reduces the size of candidate sets and improves the mining efficiency. Finally, the improved algorithm is applied in the university curriculum management, which uses students' academic records as data source to mining the hidden curriculum related rules. And other relevant metrics such as lift, all confidence and cosine are introduced to verify the correlation of association rules. These will be significance to provide the significance information for teaching management.
Strong bias in the location of functional promoter polymorphisms

A considerable proportion of heritable human phenotypic variation is thought to result from altered gene expression. Unfortunately, it is currently impossible to use bioinformatic analysis to discriminate between DNA sequence variants that are likely to influence gene expression and those that are not. In an attempt to define some of the characteristics of promoter polymorphisms with functional effects on gene expression, we examined 674 haplotypes representing 247 unique gene promoters using a standardized reporter gene assay system. Sequence variants that altered gene expression by 1.5‐fold or more were strongly biased toward a location in the core and proximal promoter regions, 50% being within the first 100 bases 5′ to the transcription start site. No bias was seen in the allele frequencies of functional and nonfunctional sequence variants. Only 33% of the functional variants were found in known consensus transcription factor binding sequences or motifs, which suggests that either there are many unknown transcription factor binding motifs or other, unknown mechanisms are involved. The genes with functional polymorphisms that are reported here for the first time include AGTRL2, CAT, CHRNA5, CTSG, CYP2D6, DLD, ERCC1, GABRA1, GABRP, HNRPH3, HIP1, IGKV1‐9, KCNJ15, KCNK6, KLK1, MSMB, MYOC, NPY2R, NOTCH4, ORM2, PEDF, PTPRCAP, ST16 (IL24), SULT1A1, and TSHR. Hum Mutat 26(3), 214–223, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
2-D Planar Scalable Dual-Polarized Series-Fed Slot Antenna Array Using Single Substrate

This communication proposes a dual-polarized slot antenna array, which is able to expand two-dimensionally (2-D), using only one layer of substrate board. Two identical coplanar waveguide (CPW) series-fed slot arrays are positioned orthogonally, providing dual polarization with high port isolation. The overall array is arranged on both sides of a single substrate, achieving low cost in fabrication. To validate the design concept, a model of the proposed array is built for the 2.4-GHz wireless local area network (WLAN) application. We have measured S parameters, radiation patterns and gain, and compared them with the simulation results.
A multipath interference canceller for OFDM signal transmission

Because OFDM offers a very good way to minimize intersymbol-interference under multipath conditions, it seems to be the primary choice of modulation method for future packet transmission systems. This advantage though is obtained at the expense of the need for sufficient guard interval length. An interference canceller scheme for OFDM is thus presented in this paper, which can shorten the necessary guard interval length and the performance of this scheme confirmed via simulation.
Early use of TIPS in patients with cirrhosis and variceal bleeding

To the Editor: We disagree with several points in the commentary of our study on early use of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunts (TIPS) in patients with cirrhosis and variceal bleeding (1), which was abstracted in ACP Journal Club (2). TIPS should be offered as a first treatment option only to a small proportion of patients with acute variceal hemorrhage—that is, those at high risk for treatment failure. Our study clearly shows that in this high-risk cirrhotic population, mortality is reduced with early use of TIPS. Therefore, to exclude 82% of patients is not a limitation of the study, as suggested by Dr. Korula. The use of vasoactive drugs followed by endoscopic therapy, nonselective β-blockers, and nitrates also cannot be considered a limitation of the study: This is recommended by current guidelines (3).
Test-retest reliability of pain-related functional brain connectivity compared with pain self-report

Abstract Test-retest reliability, or reproducibility of results over time, is poorly established for functional brain connectivity (fcMRI) during painful stimulation. As reliability informs the validity of research findings, it is imperative to examine, especially given recent emphasis on using functional neuroimaging as a tool for biomarker development. Although proposed pain neural signatures have been derived using complex, multivariate algorithms, even the reliability of less complex fcMRI findings has yet to be reported. This study examined the test-retest reliability for fcMRI of pain-related brain regions, and self-reported pain (through visual analogue scales [VASs]). Thirty-two healthy individuals completed 3 consecutive fMRI runs of a thermal pain task. Functional connectivity analyses were completed on pain-related brain regions. Intraclass correlations were conducted on fcMRI values and VAS scores across the fMRI runs. Intraclass correlations coefficients for fcMRI values varied widely (range = −.174-.766), with fcMRI between right nucleus accumbens and medial prefrontal cortex showing the highest reliability (range = .649-.766). Intraclass correlations coefficients for VAS scores ranged from . 906 to . 947. Overall, self-reported pain was more reliable than fcMRI data. These results highlight that fMRI findings might be less reliable than inherently assumed and have implications for future studies proposing pain markers.
Determination of the polyphenol contents in Macedonian grapes and wines by standardized spectrophotometric methods

Wines and grapes contain a large array of phenolic compounds be- longing to non-flavonoids and flavonoids. This study evaluates the polyphe- nolic contents of six commercial red and white Macedonian wines and four grape varieties. Spectrophotometric methods were applied for the determina- tion of the total phenolics, the total flavonoids, the total anthocyanins and the total catechins. The efficiency of acetone/water (80/20) and methanol/water (80/20) solutions for the extraction of polyphenols from grape pulp, seeds and skins were compared. The best extraction efficiency was achieved using ace- tone/water. The obtained results showed that Macedonian grapes are rich in polyphenols, whereby the highest concentration of total phenolics was found for Vranec grapes. The analyzed wines contained high contents of polyphenol; the highest contents were found for Disan wine produced from the Vranec va- riety of grapes (1515 mg/L total phenolics, 1103 mg/L total flavonoids, 237 mg/L total anthocyanins and 845 mg/L total catechins). Principal component analysis was employed to check possible groupings of the studied red and white wine samples. A clear separation of white wines from red ones was ob- served.
Quality of experience based network resource allocation for wireless multimedia delivery

This dissertation discusses a Quality of Experience (QoE) driven cross-layer optimization framework for efficient network resource allocation in High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA) system. The proposed scheme jointly optimizes the application layer and the lower layers of the wireless protocol stack to determine the application data rate and the network resources with the aim of improving the service quality perceived by the user. The Mean Opinion Score (MOS) is used as a unified utility metric that encompasses the user-perceived quality under certain receiving conditions for the user application. Various QoE-based optimization schemes taking into account different criteria are proposed and compared to a throughput maximization scheme and a non-optimized system. Results show that the QoE-based approaches lead to significant improvements of user perceived quality.
Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Effects of the Mangrove Tree Heritiera fomes

Heritiera fomes is a mangrove tree which is widely distributed in the Sundarbans mangrove forest, Bangladesh. In this study, the EtOH extract of stem bark from H. fomes was shown to be rich in procyanidins. Trimeric, pentameric and hexameric procyanidins were identified in addition to highly polymeric material (average degree of polymerization 18-24). Bioactivity studies showed high DPPH radical scavenging and 15-lipoxygenase (15-LO) inhibiting activities of the bark extracts (EC50 = 19.4 ± 1.7 and IC50 = 22 ± 1 μg/mL, respectively) which could be ascribed to its high content of procyanidins. The procyanidins were also assayed as DPPH scavengers and 15-LO inhibitors, with EC50 and IC50 values in the range of 8-15 and 10-15 μg/mL, respectively. The bark extracts showed antibacterial activities against K. rhizophilia, S. aureus, B. subtilis and P. aeruginosa, as well. No toxicity was observed in the brine shrimp assay.
Assessment of Left Mammary Artery Grafts (LIMA) to Left Anterior Descending Artery (LAD) after Off-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting by Color Doppler

Background: Off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCAB) on a beating heart with a LIMA graft to the LAD is established for patients with one vessel disease. The aim of the study was to assess the LIMA patency noninvasive by transcutaneous duplex ultrasound. Methods: 25 patients (16 male, 9 female, mean age 58±13 yr) with LIMA grafts to LAD by OPCAB procedures were studied 7–20 days after surgery. Doppler velocity parameters were measured by use of a 7 MHz transducer placed in left intercostal space. The conventional coronary angiographies performed showed the LIMA graft patent. Results: In all cases a typical biphasic pattern of blood flow was recorded with forward flow in both systole and diastole respectively. Under basal conditions the mean peak velocities in systole were 0.36 m/s and the mean peak velocities in diastole were 0.27 m/s with a mean systolic/diastolic ratio of 1.33. Conclusion: Transcutaneous Doppler ultrasound is useful in the detection of the LIMA graft flow. This non-invasive technique may find applications for routine postoperative follow-up of patients with LIMA grafts.
On the interference imposed on primary transmission in cognitive radio networks

Cognitive radio (CR) is an unlicensed data transmission technique with two main objectives: a) providing highly reliable communications and b) efficient utilization of the spectrum. We focus in this paper on the interference a CR transmission imposes on the primary (licensed) transmission. The amount of this interference is directly related to the accuracy of the “spectrum sensing” unit in CR which is in charge to detect the presence or absence of the primary user signal. We propose new spectrum sensing methods that lead to the minimal bit-error-rate degradation for the primary transmission as compared to state of the art methods. Our results give some practical insights to the design of CR networks with the key objective of minimizing the interference to the primary transmission system.
IDENTIFICATION OF OILSEED RAPE CULTIVARS USING AFLP MARKERS

A new type of molecular marker, fluorescence-based AFLP, was evaluated for its ability to identify oilseed rape cultivars. Each of the six tested AFLP combinations detected polymorphisms, the best combination (MCAA/E-ACT) had 26% of polymorphic peaks from a total of 90 peaks and could distinguish analysed cultivars, and 4 out of 5 DH lines. The results presented here show that florescence-based AFLP was, for the purposes of oil seed rape cultivar fingerprinting, a very suitable approach.
Gender differences in cardiac remodeling secondary to chronic volume overload.

BACKGROUND Gender differences in the prevalence of cardiovascular disease, both clinical and experimental, led us to evaluate the influence of gender on ventricular remodeling induced by chronic volume overload. METHODS AND RESULTS Chronic volume overload was induced in male and female rats via infrarenal aortocaval fistula. Ventricular function was assessed 8 weeks after fistula surgery in surviving rats. Left ventricular, right ventricular, and lung weights were measured. Mortality in female rats was 10-fold less than in male rats after 8 weeks of volume overload. Both sexes had significant increases in left ventricular weights relative to controls (77% increase for female v 114% for male rats; P <.05). Corresponding increases were also observed in right ventricular weight (134% for female v 161% for male rats; P <.05). However, lung weight was significantly increased only in males. In contrast to males, female rats had no indications of congestive heart failure. Male rats had marked dilatation and increased compliance, whereas female rats had no significant change in left ventricular dilatation or compliance. CONCLUSIONS There are clear gender-specific differences in ventricular function, structural remodeling, and mortality induced by chronic volume overload in this model of heart failure.