Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Preventable anesthesia mishaps: a study of human factors*

A modified critical-incident analysis technique was used in a retrospective examination of the characteristics of human error and equipment failure in anesthetic practice. The objective was to uncover patterns of frequently occurring incidents that are in need of careful prospective investigation. Forty seven interviews were conducted with staff and resident anesthesiologists at one urban teaching institution, and descriptions of 359 preventable incidents were obtained. Twenty three categories of details from these descriptions were subjected to computer-aided analysis for trends and patterns. Most of the preventable incidents involved human error (82%), with breathing-circuit disconnections, inadvertent changes in gas flow, and drug syringe errors being frequent problems. Overt equipment failures constituted only 14% of the total number of preventable incidents, but equipment design was indictable in many categories of human error, as were inadequate experience and insufficient familiarity with equipment or with the specific surgical procedure. Other factors frequently associated with incidents were inadequate communication among personnel, haste or lack of precaution, and distraction. Results from multi-hospital studies based on the methodology developed could be used for more objective determination of priorities and planning of specific investments for decreasing the risk associated with anesthesia.
Sodium channel α1-subunit mutations in severe myoclonic epilepsy of infancy and infantile spasms

Background: Mutations in SCN1A, the gene encoding the α1 subunit of the sodium channel, have been found in severe myoclonic epilepsy of infancy (SMEI) and generalized epilepsy with febrile seizures plus (GEFS+). Mutations in SMEI include missense, nonsense, and frameshift mutations more commonly arising de novo in affected patients. This finding is difficult to reconcile with the family history of GEFS+ in a significant proportion of patients with SMEI. Infantile spasms (IS), or West syndrome, is a severe epileptic encephalopathy that is usually symptomatic. In some cases, no etiology is found and there is a family history of epilepsy. Method: The authors screened SCN1A in 24 patients with SMEI and 23 with IS. Results: Mutations were found in 8 of 24 (33%) SMEI patients, a frequency much lower than initial reports from Europe and Japan. One mutation near the carboxy terminus was identified in an IS patient. A family history of seizures was found in 17 of 24 patients with SMEI. Conclusions: The rate of SCN1A mutations in this cohort of SMEI patients suggests that other factors may be important in SMEI. Less severe mutations associated with GEFS+ could interact with other loci to cause SMEI in cases with a family history of GEFS+. This study extends the phenotypic heterogeneity of mutations in SCN1A to include IS.
Geographic variation in genetic and demographic performance: new insights from an old biogeographical paradigm

The ‘centre–periphery hypothesis’ (CPH) is a long‐standing postulate in ecology that states that genetic variation and demographic performance of a species decrease from the centre to the edge of its geographic range. This hypothesis is based on an assumed concordance between geographical peripherality and ecological marginality such that environmental conditions become harsher towards the limits of a species range. In this way, the CPH sets the stage for understanding the causes of distribution limits. To date, no study has examined conjointly the consistency of these postulates. In an extensive literature review we discuss the birth and development of the CPH and provide an assessment of the CPH by reviewing 248 empirical studies in the context of three main themes. First, a decrease in species occurrence towards their range limits was observed in 81% of studies, while only 51% demonstrated reduced abundance of individuals. A decline in genetic variation, increased differentiation among populations and higher rates of inbreeding were demonstrated by roughly one in two studies (47, 45 and 48%, respectively). However, demographic rates, size and population performance less often followed CPH expectations (20–30% of studies). We highlight the impact of important methodological, taxonomic, and biogeographical biases on such validation rates. Second, we found that geographic and ecological marginality gradients are not systematically concordant, which casts doubt on the reliability of a main assumption of the CPH. Finally, we attempt to disentangle the relative contribution of geographical, ecological and historical processes on the spatial distribution of genetic and demographic parameters. While ecological marginality gradients explain variation in species' demographic performance better than geographic gradients, contemporary and historical factors may contribute interactively to spatial patterns of genetic variation. We thereby propose a framework that integrates species' ecological niche characteristics together with current and past range structure to investigate spatial patterns of genetic and demographic variation across species ranges.
Different types of compression clothing do not increase sub-maximal and maximal endurance performance in well-trained athletes

Abstract Three textiles with increasing compressive surface were compared with non-compressive conventional clothing on physiological and perceptual variables during sub-maximal and maximal running. Fifteen well-trained endurance athletes (mean ± s: age 27.1 ± 4.8 years, [Vdot]O2max 63.7 ± 4.9 ml · min−1 · kg−1) performed four sub-maximal (∼70%[Vdot]O2max) and maximal tests with and without different compression stockings, tights, and whole-body compression suits. Arterial lactate concentration, oxygen saturation and partial pressure, pH, oxygen uptake, and ratings of muscle soreness were recorded before, during, and after all tests. In addition, we assessed time to exhaustion. Sub-maximal (P = 0.22) and maximal oxygen uptake (P = 0.26), arterial lactate concentration (P = 0.16; 0.20), pH (P = 0.23; 0.46), oxygen saturation (P = 0.13; 0.26), and oxygen partial pressure (P = 0.09; 0.20) did not differ between the types of clothing (effect sizes = 0.00–0.45). Ratings of perceived exertion (P = 0.10; 0.15), muscle soreness (P = 0.09; 0.10) and time to exhaustion (P = 0.16) were also unaffected by the different clothing (effect sizes = 0.28–0.85). This was the first study to evaluate the effect on endurance performance of different types of compression clothing with increasing amounts of compressive surface. Overall, there were no performance benefits when using the compression garments.
Cesarean section: Does it really prevent the development of postpartum stress urinary incontinence? a prospective study of 363 women one year after their first delivery

Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) in young women is usually the result of pelvic floor injury during vaginal delivery. Whether cesarean section delivery may prevent such injury is questionable. We undertook a prospective study to compare the prevalence of SUI among primiparae 1 year after spontaneous vaginal delivery versus elective cesarean section, or cesarean section performed for obstructed labor.
Assembly of an SAP97-AKAP79-cAMP-dependent Protein Kinase Scaffold at the Type 1 PSD-95/DLG/ZO1 Motif of the Human β1-Adrenergic Receptor Generates a Receptosome Involved in Receptor Recycling and Networking*

Appropriate trafficking of the β1-adrenergic receptor (β1-AR) after agonist-promoted internalization is crucial for the resensitization of its signaling pathway. Efficient recycling of the β1-AR required the binding of the protein kinase A anchoring protein-79 (AKAP79) to the carboxyl terminus of the β1-AR (Gardner, L. A., Tavalin, S. A., Goehring, A., Scott, J. D., and Bahouth, S. W. (2006) J. Biol. Chem. 281, 33537-33553). In this study we show that AKAP79 forms a complex with the type 1 PDZ-binding sequence (ESKV) at the extreme carboxyl terminus of the β1-AR, which is mediated by the membrane-associated guanylate kinase (MAGUK) protein SAP97. Thus, the PDZ and its associated SAP97-AKAP79 complex are involved in targeting the cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) to the β1-AR. The PDZ and its scaffold were required for efficient recycling of the β1-AR and for PKA-mediated phosphorylation of the β1-AR at Ser312. Overexpression of the catalytic subunit of PKA or mutagenesis of Ser312 to the phosphoserine mimic aspartic acid both rescued the recycling of the trafficking-defective β1-ARΔ PDZ mutant. Thus, trafficking signals transmitted from the PDZ-associated scaffold in the carboxyl terminus of the β1-AR to Ser312 in the 3rd intracellular loop (3rd IC) were paramount in setting the trafficking itinerary of the β1-AR. The data presented here show that a novel β1-adrenergic receptosome is organized at the β1-AR PDZ to generate a scaffold essential for trafficking and networking of the β1-AR.
Exposure of seeds to static magnetic field enhances germination and early growth characteristics in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

Seeds of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) were exposed in batches to static magnetic fields of strength from 0 to 250 mT in steps of 50 mT for 1–4 h in steps of 1 h for all fields. Results showed that magnetic field application enhanced seed performance in terms of laboratory germination, speed of germination, seedling length and seedling dry weight significantly compared to unexposed control. However, the response varied with field strength and duration of exposure without any particular trend. Among the various combinations of field strength and duration, 50 mT for 2 h, 100 mT for 1 h and 150 mT for 2 h exposures gave best results. Exposure of seeds to these three magnetic fields improved seed coat membrane integrity as it reduced the electrical conductivity of seed leachate. In soil, seeds exposed to these three treatments produced significantly increased seedling dry weights of 1‐month‐old plants. The root characteristics of the plants showed dramatic increase in root length, root surface area and root volume. The improved functional root parameters suggest that magnetically treated chickpea seeds may perform better under rainfed (un‐irrigated) conditions where there is a restrictive soil moisture regime. Bioelectromagnetics 29:571–578, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A case study of the relationship between collective efficacy and professional learning communities

The No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act (2001) has created a high stakes accountability climate by setting federal mandates for increasing levels of student achievement in the Kindergarten through twelfth grade public education arena. Consequently, schools and districts who fail to meet Adequate Yearly Progress guidelines are subject to progressive degrees of corrective action. As a result, the role of educators takes on an even greater importance as educational researchers and policymakers seek reforms to meet the new demands placed on teachers. One model showing great promise is the professional learning community (PLC) model. Researchers continue to examine whether or not PLCs may be the impetus for increased student achievement and a possible support structure leading to the closing of the achievement gap. While these studies have been crucial in identifying effective, research-based PLC practices, they have largely ignored the fact that many schools continue to struggle in implementing and sustaining PLCs. This seems to suggest that PLC success may be determined by other factors. Using surveys, one-on-one interviews, and documentation to triangulate the data, this mixed-methods study examined the relationship between PLCs, collective efficacy, and transformational leadership. This study utilized the conceptual frameworks of DuFour and Eaker's (1998) PLC model, Goddard's (2002) collective efficacy construct, and Leithwood's (1994) transformational leadership model. This case study examined one district in Central California that successfully implemented the PLC model for the past five years. The quantitative phase resulted in 297 usable surveys containing items exploring PLC and collective efficacy characteristics. Findings suggest that there is a positive relationship between PLCs and collective efficacy as reported by descriptive, correlation, multiple regression, and structural equation modeling tests. A qualitative phase was also conducted through one-on-one interviews with teachers and principals at two K-5 and two K-8 schools demonstrating higher and lower levels of collective efficacy and more and less effective PLC teams adding depth to survey results. The data indicated that transformational leadership is essential in building and sustaining the PLC process. Findings also provided evidence that the more effective PLC teams had higher levels of perceived collective efficacy
Maximization of Received Signal Power by Impedance Matching in Human Body Communication Receiver

Human body communication (HBC) utilizes human body as part of the transmission channel. The present paper deals with HBC between a transmitter worn on the user's wrist and an off-body stationary receiver touched by the user's finger. In this configuration, transmitter-human-body system can be regarded as a signal source as viewed from the receiver. The equivalent output impedance of this signal source mainly consists of resistance of human body and capacitive reactance among the receiver, human body, and the surrounding environment. Impedance matching was achieved by inserting an inductor to cancel the capacitive reactance and adjusting the input resistor to match the resistance of the equivalent output impedance. At frequency of 10 MHz, maximum received power was obtained with 40 μH inductor and 1.5 kΩ input resistance. This suggests that the output impedance of the transmitter-human-body system is 1500-j2500 Ω.
Dynamic fault generator for simulating gracefully degradable components

Transistors dimensions are scaling down according to Moore’s Law making integrated circuits much prone to failures. To help study the reliability of such complex systems, the aim of this thesis is to develop a high-level tool that inject faults dynamically on a gracefully degradable adaptive system during its lifetime. Our developed tool operates in closed-loop with the rest of the experimental setup, receiving feedback parameters that have an influence on the prediction routine, such as the components’ utilization rates. Additionally, the tool is able to consider transistor wearout effects in the fault prediction routine, such as Negative Bias Temperature Instability (NBTI). Furthermore, we were able to examine different degradable aspects of complex systems using different fault scenarios. For instance we studied the capacity degradation over time of the 3-D stacked DRAM Hybrid Memory Cube (HMC) and found that the remaining memory capacity after 10 years is around 86% considering normal failure rates and around 77% considering pessimistic failure rates. We also studied the degradation of a reconfigurable processor array in terms of number of operating processors over time for array sizes 8-by-7 and 4-by-8, and determined the best array size given the failure rate and expected mission time.
Clientelism or Something Else? Squatter Politics in Montevideo

Through the in-depth ethnographic study of one squatter neighborhood in Montevideo and its leader’s political networks, this article illustrates a successful strategy through which some squatter neighborhoods have fought for their right to the city. This consists of opportunistic, face-to-face relationships between squatter leaders and politicians of various factions and parties as intermediaries to get state goods, such as water, building materials, electricity, roads, and ultimately land tenure. Through this mechanism, squatters have seized political opportunities at the national and municipal levels. These opportunities were particularly high between 1989 and 2004, years of great competition for the votes of the urban poor on the periphery of the city, when the national and municipal governments belonged to opposing parties. In terms of theory, the article discusses current literature on clientelism, posing problems that make it difficult to characterize the political networks observed among squatters.
Large dust absorption of infrared radiation over Afro-Asian regions: evidence for anthropogenic impact

There is a large uncertainty in the estimation of dust radiative forcing due to the lack of adequate data about complex spatial and temporal pattern of the radiative properties of dust. Here, we examine the temporal and spatial variability of dust absorption in the thermal infrared over the Afro-Asian regions using satellite data. Large dust absorption (nearly double compared to that of pure dust) was observed in regions with large anthropogenic influence, possibly due to deposition of black carbon on dust particles. While most of the recent estimates of global mean dust radiative forcing predicted net cooling, our studies indicate that there could be large heating due to dust over vast Afro-Asian regions. It appears that large dust heating is due to its interaction with anthropogenic black carbon
Productivity across industries and countries : time series theory and evidence

The authors examine whether convergence in aggregate productivity is also occurring at the industry level in fourteen OECD countries from 1970 to 1987. Using both cross-section and time-series methods, they find convergence in some sectors, such as services. However, surprisingly, the authors find that convergence does not hold for the manufacturing sector. Decomposing aggregate convergence into industry productivity gains and changing sectoral shares of output, they find the service sector to be responsible for the bulk of cross-country convergence to the United States. The authors develop a new result on the asymptotic normality of panel unit root estimators to formally test within-sector convergence. Copyright 1996 by MIT Press.
Evaluation of automated brain MR image segmentation and volumetry methods

We compare three widely used brain volumetry methods available in the software packages FSL, SPM5, and FreeSurfer and evaluate their performance using simulated and real MR brain data sets. We analyze the accuracy of gray and white matter volume measurements and their robustness against changes of image quality using the BrainWeb MRI database. These images are based on “gold‐standard” reference brain templates. This allows us to assess between‐ (same data set, different method) and also within‐segmenter (same method, variation of image quality) comparability, for both of which we find pronounced variations in segmentation results for gray and white matter volumes. The calculated volumes deviate up to >10% from the reference values for gray and white matter depending on method and image quality. Sensitivity is best for SPM5, volumetric accuracy for gray and white matter was similar in SPM5 and FSL and better than in FreeSurfer. FSL showed the highest stability for white (<5%), FreeSurfer (6.2%) for gray matter for constant image quality BrainWeb data. Between‐segmenter comparisons show discrepancies of up to >20% for the simulated data and 24% on average for the real data sets, whereas within‐method performance analysis uncovered volume differences of up to >15%. Since the discrepancies between results reach the same order of magnitude as volume changes observed in disease, these effects limit the usability of the segmentation methods for following volume changes in individual patients over time and should be taken into account during the planning and analysis of brain volume studies. Hum Brain Mapp, 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Accounting and Fixed Price Multipliers in a Social Accounting Matrix

The relationship between output, factor demands, and income and the decomposition of these relationships into separate effects as suggested by the structure of a social accounting matrix are examined. The best analytical approach for examining these relationships uses a model that starts with a social accounting matrix, and hence, with a structure of an economy at some base date. The methodology contains accounting multipliers that give insight into the anatomy of the social accounting matrix. In addition, the multipliers examine transfer effects and the full circular and cross effects between different parts of the economy. The model shows how the structure of production and income distribution are interrelated and how they derive from the structure of exogenous demand and the distribution of assets. Analysis of the social accounting matrix and the accounting multipliers shows the extent to which initial structure is important in determining the impact of changes in demand. The fixed price multiplier approach could be extended to embrace the interaction of price changes and shifts in exogenuous demand. Equations and matrix values are provided. 17 references.
Plasmapheresis, CMV Hyperimmune Globulin, and Anti‐CD20 Allow ABO‐Incompatible Renal Transplantation Without Splenectomy

The majority of preconditioning protocols developed to allow ABO‐incompatible (ABOi) renal transplantation include concurrent splenectomy as a prerequisite to successful engraftment. Our center has developed a preconditioning protocol that includes plasmapheresis (PP), low‐dose CMV hyperimmune globulin (CMVIg), and anti‐CD20 monoclonal antibody (rituximab) to allow ABOi renal transplantation without splenectomy. Our initial experience has included treatment of six recipients and successful transplantation from blood group A1, A2, and group B living donors. Mean (± SD) serum creatinine was 1.3 ± 0.1 mg/dL among the six recipients and no episodes of antibody‐mediated rejection (AMR) occurred at a median follow‐up of 12 months. ABO antibody titers have remained below pretreatment levels. The absence of AMR and stable allograft function in this series show the potential of this preconditioning protocol to increase ABOi renal transplantation. The use of rituximab, allowing avoidance of splenectomy, may further remove one of the significant disincentives to ABOi transplantation, and eliminate the risk of post‐splenectomy infections.
Women and Part-Time Work: The Careers of Part-Time NHS Nurses

This paper examines theoretical explanations of the employment disadvantage experienced by many female part-time workers. Data from a survey of 643 qualified National Health Service (NHS) nurses is used to establish employment profiles of respondents. Employment profiles reveal that, contrary to many predictions, part-time female nurses do not 'invest less' in their careers than their full-time counterparts in terms of qualifications and experience. Neither are part-time nurses relatively 'uncommitted' to their careers compared to full-time nurses. It is found that the organizational context affects how opportunities are structured for part-time nurses. The management implications of the findings for the NHS are also considered.