Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Co-morbidity in older patients with COPD--its impact on health service utilisation and quality of life, a community study.

BACKGROUND co-morbidity has been shown to be an important consideration in COPD with an estimated prevalence of 84%. In the Netherlands, a weak association between health-related quality of life and lung function has been found, with a closer link to co-morbidity. OBJECTIVE to determine the influence of co-morbidity on quality of life and health service utilisation in older patients with COPD in the community. DESIGN observational cohort study. SETTING general practice in the North East of England that has a list size of 8300. PARTICIPANTS 27 patients aged 70 years or above on the practice COPD register. MEASUREMENTS data on age and sex, spirometry to confirm the diagnosis of COPD, questionnaires to assess quality of life, activities of daily living (ADLs) and co-morbidity. Health service utilisation was recorded by the number of primary and secondary care attendances in the previous year. RESULTS 10 had mild, 12 had moderate, and 5 had severe disease. Mean age was 76 years. Quality of life (QOL), co-morbidity and health service utilisation measurements were not significantly different between COPD severity groups. There was a significant positive correlation between increasing co-morbidity and poor QOL (r = 0.45, P < 0.05), and significant negative correlation between co-morbidity and ADL scores (scored inversely), r = -0.54, P < 0.05. Significant negative correlation was found between co-morbidity and primary care attendances (r = -0.41, P < 0.05) and significant positive correlation between worsening QOL and secondary care attendances (r = 0.46, P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS co-morbidity has an important part to play in COPD assessment, more accurately reflecting QOL in our population. Health service utilisation did not correlate to forced expiratory volume (FEV1)-defined COPD severity.
Homogeneity of Political Party Preferences between Spouses

RESEARCH ON THE POLITICAL socialization process has well documented the significant impact of parents on the formation of political party preferences in offspring. A causal model of the political socialization process by David Knoke demonstrated that the best single predictor of an individual's party preference is the preference of his parents. ' In addition, a good deal of the research on the party identifications of spouses has shown that husbands and wives frequently have the same party preference. Langton and Jennings2 found that 72 percent of all spouses had similar preferences, while Macoby, et. al.3 discovered a 77 percent rate of agreement. Together, these results seem to imply that spouses have similar party
An Effective Community–Academic Partnership to Extend the Reach of Screenings for Fall Risk

Older adults should be screened for fall risk annually. Community providers (people without formal medical training who work with older adults in senior centers or aging services) may be a viable group to expand the reach of screenings. Our community–academic partnership developed a program to increase and assess fall risk screenings by community providers. Community sites hosted training workshops and screening events. Community screenings were well attended and received by providers and older adults. With administrative support from the regional fall prevention coalition and technical support from academia, community providers screened 161 older adults from a broad geographic area. Twenty-one community providers completed the training. Knowledge and confidence surveys demonstrated improvements before and after training (P < .001). Skills assessments demonstrated mastery of most skills, but some providers required additional training. Provider feedback indicated screening procedures were complex. Future projects will examine this model using simplified screening procedures.
Morphological changes in pedal phalanges through ornithopod dinosaur evolution: A biomechanical approach

The evolution of ornithopod dinosaurs provides a well‐documented example of the transition from digitigrady to subunguligrady. During this transition, the ornithopod pes was drastically altered from the plesiomorphic dinosaurian morphology (four digits, claw‐shaped unguals, strongly concavo‐convex joints, phalanges longer than wide, excavated collateral ligament fossae, presence of sagittal ridge, and prominent processes for the attachment of tendons) to a more derived condition (tridactyly, modification of the unguals into hooves, phalanges wider and thinner than long, lack of collateral ligament fossae, loss of sagittal ridge and tendon attachment processes, relatively flattened articular surfaces). These changes are particularly noteworthy given the overall conservatism in pedal morphology seen across Dinosauria. But what are the functional consequences of these specific morphological transitions? To study them, we examine a wide range of pedal morphologies in four non‐avian dinosaurs and two birds. Our analyses of the external morphology, two‐dimensional models (using Finite Element Analysis), and internal bone structure demonstrate that this evolutionary shift was accompanied by a loss of digit mobility and flexibility. In addition, pedal posture was modified to better align the pes with the main direction of the ground reaction force, thus becoming well suited to support high loads. These conclusions can be applied to other, parallel evolutionary changes (in both dinosaurs and mammals) that involved similar transitions to a subunguligrade posture. J. Morphol, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Red is Romantic, but Only for Feminine Females: Sexual Dimorphism Moderates Red Effect on Sexual Attraction

Previous researchers have documented that the color red enhances one's sexual attraction to the opposite sex. The current study further examined the moderating role of sexual dimorphism in red effects. The results indicated that red enhanced men's sexual attraction to women with more feminine facial characteristics but had no effect on ratings of perceived general attractiveness. Red clothing also had a marginally significant effect on men's sexual attractiveness. In addition, regardless of sexual dimorphism cues, male participants rated women with red as warmer and more competent. The underlying mechanisms of the red effect, the limitations of the current study, and suggestions for future directions are discussed.
Down's syndrome

Although gross abnormalities have been described in the brains of patients with Down's syndrome (DS), microscopic studies have revealed only minor and inconsistent findings. We compared two DS brains, in whole-brain serial sections, with similarly prepared age- and sex-matched normal controls. Architectonic abnormalities were noted, and cell counts revealed a significant poverty of granular cells in the DS brains, particularly in granular fields such as areas 3,17, and 41. Golgi studies demonstrated all major cell types. A striking feature of the brain morphology in DS may be the curtailment of a specific cell type, most likely the aspinous stellate.
Marketing Innovation

This paper provides an economic analysis of marketing innovation. A dynamic duopoly model is developed to study two forms of marketing innovation: γ, which allows a firm to acquire consumer information effectively; and σ, which reduces consumer transaction costs. The incentives and effects of marketing innovation differ markedly from those of product or process innovations. Although γ benefits the innovating firm, it hurts some consumers; and, while σ benefits all consumers, it may or may not benefit the innovating firm. Increased competition intensity reduces the value of γ but increases the value of σ. The private incentive is too high for γ but too low for σ.
Physical education for health and wellbeing: a discourse analysis of Scottish physical education curricular documentation

This paper provides an analysis of the discourses associated with physical education in Scotland's Curriculum for Excellence. We implement a poststructural perspective in order to identify the discourses that underpin the physical education sections of the Curriculum for Excellence ‘health and well-being’ documentation. Discourses related to physical activity and health are particularly prominent, along with a related concern with motor skill development. Our focus lies with the ways in which these discourses are likely to be taken up and deployed within Scottish educational establishments. The paper thus explores the ways in which these discourses might ‘work’ to produce specific effects on practitioners and pupils. This involves speculating about how practitioners and students might engage in specific practices relative to these discourses. We conclude that the discourses identified lend themselves to interpretation and negotiation in multiple ways in the context of Scottish physical education, with specific consequences for the experiences and subjectivities of practitioners and children.
Energy Aware Competitiveness Power Control in Relay-Assisted Interference Body Networks

Recent advances in microelectronics have enabled the realization of Wireless Body Area Networks (WBANs). Increasing the transmission power of WBAN's nodes improves the Signal to Interference plus Noise Ratio (SINR), and hence decreases the bit error probability. However, this increase may impose interference on nodes within the same WBAN or on other nodes of nearby coexisting WBANs, as these WBANs may use similar frequencies. Due to co-channel interference, packet collisions and retransmissions are increased and consequently, the power consumption of the individual WBANs may increase correspondingly. To address this problem, we adopt the approach of two-hop cooperative communication due to its efficiency in power savings. In this paper, we propose a cooperative power control-based algorithm, namely, IMA, for interference mitigation among the individual sensors of a single WBAN. Basically, our approach selects an optimal set of relays from the nodes within each WBAN to mitigate the interference. Thus, IMA selection criterion relies on the best channel, namely, SINR and power conditions to select the set of best relays. The experimental results illustrate that IMA improves the SINR, the power efficiency and extends WBAN lifetime. In addition, the results illustrate that IMA lowers the bit error probability and improves the throughput.
Approaches to the Analysis of Social Service Organizations

ABSTRACT Organizations have some similarities, although they also vary widely. Various modes of conceptualizing and analysing Organizations have developed largely from work in industry, but also from studies in the public sector, but one has to consider which of these are particularly relevant to the study of social service Organizations. The approach commonly used in comparing Organizations to Weber's description of bureaucracy is not very productive; and neither is a similar usage of Goffman's ‘total institution’. A critical examination is made of analytical categories set up by one author, but these also are of limited usefulness, and it is suggested that it is better to approach the problem by looking at important general problems which are central to many kinds of Organizations. Some of those which seem to be particularly relevant to social service Organizations are discussed. These are: the relationship between technology and structure; organizational climates; occupational conflicts; and organizational environments. Various examples are given to illustrate how these affect particular sectors of the field. Entering an area of study by selecting problems which are of key importance has a long tradition in social administration, as in other disciplines, and the study of social service Organizations is no exception.
Effects of calcium ions and local anaesthetics on electrical properties of Purkinje fibres

Calcium ions and local anaesthetics are said to 'stabilize' excitable membranes. This statement is based on the findings that in the presence of these agents (i) stronger currents are needed to stimulate the tissues, (ii) spontaneous rhythms are slowed or suppressed, (iii) conduction of impulses may be blocked, and (iv) the resting potential remains practically unchanged (for references, see Fleckenstein & Hardt, 1952; Brink, 1954). The present paper describes the action of calcium ions and local anaesthetics on the magnitude of the diastolic membrane potential, the rate of rise and ' overshoot' of the action potential, the threshold potential and the membrane resistance of mammalian Purkinje fibres. A knowledge of such data may contribute to an understanding of the mode of action of these 'stabilizing' agents. METHODS
Conceptions of personality disorders and dimensions of personality

Differing conceptions of personality disorders inherent in the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory Personality Disorder Scales and the Personality Adjective Checklist were evaluated within the context of the circuraplex model of interpersonal behavior and the 5-factor model of personality in a sample of 581 university students'. Conceptions of personality disorders were strongly and clearly related to dimensions of normal personality traits. Although the circumplex model illuminated conceptions of some of the disorders, the full 5-factor model was required to capture and clarify the entire range of personality disorders. Implications of these findings are discussed with reference to (a) personality disorders and personality traits and (b) suggestions for assessment of personality disorders.
Further studies on the effects of the presence or absence of protozoa in the rumen on live-weight gain and wool growth of sheep

1. Lambs were given a diet of oaten chaff-sucrose-fishmeal(48:48:4, w/w) and either 60 (diet A) or 120 (diet B) g urea/kg sucrose in the diet. All animals were defaunated and half were refaunated. Each group of lambs (faunated and defaunated) was then divided into two groups and given diet A or diet B. Feed intake, wool growth and live-weight change were monitored over a 182 d period. 2. The level of urea supplementation had no effect on wool growth or live-weight gain. 3. Defaunated lambs gained live weight at a higher rate (9%, P < 0.06) and grew 37% more wool (P < 0.01) than the lambs with large populations of protozoa in their rumens.
The Differentiation of Social Behavior

Investigations of the structure of social behavior across cultures have relied either on an empirical approach (Triandis, 1977), or on the conceptualization of interaction as resource exchange (Foa & Foa, 1974). This article critically reviews recent efforts to integrate the two approaches and proposes an alternative framework that considers interpersonal dimensions as emerging from the fundamental structure of resource exchange. Two different methodologies for the testing of this framework are described, along with preliminary supportive findings. The implications of this approach for the evolution of social behavior are discussed briefly.
β-III Spectrin Is Critical for Development of Purkinje Cell Dendritic Tree and Spine Morphogenesis

Mutations in the gene encoding β-III spectrin give rise to spinocerebellar ataxia type 5, a neurodegenerative disease characterized by progressive thinning of the molecular layer, loss of Purkinje cells and increasing motor deficits. A mouse lacking full-length β-III spectrin (β-III−/−) displays a similar phenotype. In vitro and in vivo analyses of Purkinje cells lacking β-III spectrin, reveal a critical role for β-III spectrin in Purkinje cell morphological development. Disruption of the normally well ordered dendritic arborization occurs in Purkinje cells from β-III−/− mice, specifically showing a loss of monoplanar organization, smaller average dendritic diameter and reduced densities of Purkinje cell spines and synapses. Early morphological defects appear to affect distribution of dendritic, but not axonal, proteins. This study confirms that thinning of the molecular layer associated with disease pathogenesis is a consequence of Purkinje cell dendritic degeneration, as Purkinje cells from 8-month-old β-III−/− mice have drastically reduced dendritic volumes, surface areas and total dendritic lengths compared with 5- to 6-week-old β-III−/− mice. These findings highlight a critical role of β-III spectrin in dendritic biology and are consistent with an early developmental defect in β-III−/− mice, with abnormal Purkinje cell dendritic morphology potentially underlying disease pathogenesis.
Technological and Research Perspectives of Old-Age Ubiquitous Computing

Technological advances allow networked and context-aware computer systems to be integrated into devices, environments, everyday objects, and garments. The idea is that such smart environments and artifacts are able to perceive the users’ context and activity, anticipate their needs, and act to provide proactive support. Old-age ubiquitous computing has the potential to increase the length of time that both individuals and groups are able to lead independent lives, even at an advanced age. Examples of this range from smart reading-glasses that are capable of reading articles to the user, all the way to body implants designed to increase human perceptive, cognitive, and motor capabilities.
The application of ultra-capacitor to the hybrid electric vehicles

This paper mainly illustrates the application of ultra-capacitor (UC) to the energy storage system (ESS) in hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) and proposes a new design of ESS. Considering that the conventional design of ESS is not efficient, the new ESS of HEV, which utilizes the UCs to store the braking energy and supply the power for the vehicle while accelerating, improves the efficiency of power management.
Regulation of the expression of the Cl-/anion exchanger pendrin in mouse kidney by acid-base status.

BACKGROUND Pendrin belongs to a superfamily of Cl-/anion exchangers and is expressed in the inner ear, the thyroid gland, and the kidney. In humans, mutations in pendrin cause Pendred syndrome characterized by sensorineural deafness and goiter. Recently pendrin has been localized to the apical side of non-type A intercalated cells of the cortical collecting duct, and reduced bicarbonate secretion was demonstrated in a pendrin knockout mouse model. To investigate a possible role of pendrin in modulating acid-base transport in the cortical collecting duct, we examined the regulation of expression of pendrin by acid-base status in mouse kidney. METHODS Mice were treated orally either with an acid or bicarbonate load (0.28 mol/L NH4Cl or NaHCO3) or received a K+-deficient diet for one week. Immunohistochemistry and Western blotting was performed. RESULTS Acid-loading caused a reduction in pendrin protein expression levels within one day and decreased expression to 23% of control levels after one week. Concomitantly, pendrin protein was shifted from the apical membrane to the cytosol, and the relative abundance of pendrin positive cells declined. Similarly, in chronic K+-depletion, known to elicit a metabolic alkalosis, pendrin protein levels decreased and pendrin expression was shifted to an intracellular pool with the relative number of pendrin positive cells reduced. In contrast, following oral bicarbonate loading pendrin was found exclusively in the apical membrane and the relative number of pendrin positive cells increased. CONCLUSIONS These results are in agreement with a potential role of pendrin in bicarbonate secretion and regulation of acid-base transport in the cortical collecting duct.
The mod industries? The industrial logic of non-market game production

This article seeks to make the relationship between non-market game developers (modders) and the game developer company explicit through game technology. It investigates a particular type of modding, i.e. total conversion mod teams, whose organization can be said to conform to the high-risk, technologically-advanced, capital-intensive, proprietary practice of the developer company. The notion 'proprietary experience' is applied to indicate an industrial logic underlying many mod projects. In addition to a particular user-driven mode of cultural production, mods as proprietary extensions build upon proprietary technology and are not simple redesigned games, because modders tend to follow a particular marketing and industrial discourse with corresponding industrial-like practices.
Inhaled tobramycin (TOBI): a review of its use in the management of Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections in patients with cystic fibrosis.

Specifically formulated for nebulisation using the PARI LC PLUS reusable nebuliser, tobramycin solution for inhalation (TSI) [TOBI] provides a high dose of tobramycin (an aminoglycoside antibacterial with good activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa) to the lungs of patients with cystic fibrosis, while maintaining low serum concentrations of the drug, thus reducing the risk of systemic toxicity. Intermittent (28-day on/28-day off) treatment with TSI 300 mg twice daily significantly (p < 0.001) improved lung function and sputum P. aeruginosa density compared with placebo (randomised double-blind trials), and was significantly (p = 0.008) more effective than colistin for improvement in forced expiratory volume in 1 second (small nonblind trial) in patients aged > or =6 years with cystic fibrosis and chronic P. aeruginosa infection. Improvements in lung function were most marked in adolescent patients (aged 13-17 years) in placebo-controlled trials. Improvements were maintained for up to 96 weeks in patients in an open-label extension study. Fewer TSI than placebo recipients required parenteral antipseudomonal agents or hospitalisation. In addition, TSI 300 mg twice daily for 28 days reduced P. aeruginosa density in the lower airways of patients aged <6 years with early colonisation and cystic fibrosis, although TSI is not currently indicated in this patient group. A decrease in tobramycin susceptibility of P. aeruginosa isolates and an increase in fungal organisms (Candida albicans and Aspergillus species) during prolonged intermittent treatment with TSI 300 mg twice daily was not associated with adverse clinical outcome. There was no evidence of selection for the most resistant isolates. TSI is generally well tolerated, with no renal toxicity or hearing loss in clinical trials, although transient mild or moderate tinnitus occurred more frequently in TSI than placebo recipients. Bronchospasm after administration of TSI was transient and occurred with a similar incidence to that with placebo; TSI is preservative free and specifically formulated for the lung in terms of osmolality and pH. In conclusion, TSI provides an effective means of delivering tobramycin to the lungs of patients with cystic fibrosis with chronic P. aeruginosa infection, improving lung function and sputum P. aeruginosa density in these patients without the nephrotoxicity or ototoxicity of parenteral aminoglycosides. Further data on the potential for and clinical significance of increased tobramycin resistance and fungal colonisation during TSI treatment would be beneficial, as would longer-term data. In the meantime, TSI represents a valuable option for suppressive antipseudomonal therapy in patients with cystic fibrosis.