Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Market and organizational factors associated with hospital vertical integration into sub-acute care

Background: Changes in payment models incentivize hospitals to vertically integrate into sub-acute care (SAC) services. Through vertical integration into SAC, hospitals have the potential to reduce the transaction costs associated with moving patients throughout the care continuum and reduce the likelihood that patients will be readmitted. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine the correlates of hospital vertical integration into SAC. Methodology/Approach: Using panel data of U.S. acute care hospitals (2008–2012), we conducted logit regression models to examine environmental and organizational factors associated with hospital vertical integration. Results are reported as average marginal effects. Findings: Among 3,775 unique hospitals (16,269 hospital-year observations), 25.7% vertically integrated into skilled nursing facilities during at least 1 year of the study period. One measure of complexity, the availability of skilled nursing facilities in a county (ME = −1.780, p < .001), was negatively associated with hospital vertical integration into SAC. Measures of munificence, percentage of the county population eligible for Medicare (ME = 0.018, p < .001) and rural geographic location (ME = 0.069, p < .001), were positively associated with hospital vertical integration into SAC. Dynamism, when measured as the change county population between 2008 and 2011 (ME = 1.19e−06, p < .001), was positively associated with hospital vertical integration into SAC. Organizational resources, when measured as swing beds (ME = 0.069, p < .001), were positively associated with hospital vertical integration into SAC. Organizational resources, when measured as investor owned (ME = −0.052, p < .1) and system affiliation (ME = −0.041, p < .1), were negatively associated with hospital vertical integration into SAC. Practice Implications: Hospital adaption to the changing health care landscape through vertical integration varies across market and organizational conditions. Current Centers for Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement programs do not take these factors into consideration. Vertical integration strategy into SAC may be more appropriate under certain market conditions. Hospital leaders may consider how to best align their organization’s SAC strategy with their operating environment.
Second-Generation Antipsychotics in Adolescent Psychiatric Patients: Metabolic Effects and Impact of an Early Weight Change to Predict Longer Term Weight Gain.

OBJECTIVES To examine the metabolic profile of adolescents at baseline and to determine the potential predictive power of a 1-month weight gain (WG) on weight changes during longer term second-generation antipsychotic (SGA) treatment. METHODS A retrospective chart review study, including patients between 13 and 18 years of age and treated with SGA, was conducted. Available data at baseline, 1, 3, and 12 months of treatment were recorded. RESULTS Four hundred fifty-six patients were included, with a median age of 15 years. Ten percent of the patients were obese (>95th percentile) and abdominal obesity (>90th percentile) was observed in 12% of patients. In a subgroup of 42 patients with both baseline, 1, and 3-month weight data available, WG >4.5% after 1 month was found to be the best predictor (sensitivity: 100; specificity: 66; area under the curve: 83) for a WG >15% after 3 months. After adjusting for potential confounders, a threshold of WG >4% was found as being the best predictor. CONCLUSIONS A worrisome prevalence of metabolic disorders was observed in an adolescent psychiatric cohort. In such patients, a WG >4% during the first month of treatment should raise concerns about weight controlling strategies. Further research is needed to confirm the present results and to determine the impact of a 1-month WG on a 1-year weight change.
Comparative Genomics and Transcriptome Profiling in Primary Aldosteronism

Primary aldosteronism is the most common form of endocrine hypertension with a prevalence of 6% in the general population with hypertension. The genetic basis of the four familial forms of primary aldosteronism (familial hyperaldosteronism FH types I–IV) and the majority of sporadic unilateral aldosterone-producing adenomas has now been resolved. Familial forms of hyperaldosteronism are, however, rare. The sporadic forms of the disease prevail and these are usually caused by either a unilateral aldosterone-producing adenoma or bilateral adrenal hyperplasia. Aldosterone-producing adenomas frequently carry a causative somatic mutation in either of a number of genes with the KCNJ5 gene, encoding an inwardly rectifying potassium channel, a recurrent target harboring mutations at a prevalence of more than 40% worldwide. Other than genetic variations, gene expression profiling of aldosterone-producing adenomas has shed light on the genes and intracellular signalling pathways that may play a role in the pathogenesis and pathophysiology of these tumors.
Transgender Women Living with HIV Frequently Take Antiretroviral Therapy and/or Feminizing Hormone Therapy Differently Than Prescribed Due to Drug-Drug Interaction Concerns.

PURPOSE Both hormone therapy (HT) and antiretroviral therapy (ART) can be lifesaving for transgender women (TW) living with HIV, but each has side effects and potential drug-drug interactions (DDI). We assessed how concerns about HT-ART interactions affect treatment adherence. METHODS This study used a cross-sectional survey of TW (n = 87) in Los Angeles, CA. RESULTS Fifty-four percent were living with HIV; 64% used HT. Only 49% of TW living with HIV discussed ART-HT DDI with their provider; 40% reported not taking ART (12%), HT (12%), or both (16%) as directed due to DDI concerns. CONCLUSION Imperfect HT/ART use and limited provider communication suggests a need for improved HT-ART integration.
A variational approach to niche construction

In evolutionary biology, niche construction is sometimes described as a genuine evolutionary process whereby organisms, through their activities and regulatory mechanisms, modify their environment such as to steer their own evolutionary trajectory, and that of other species. There is ongoing debate, however, on the extent to which niche construction ought to be considered a bona fide evolutionary force, on a par with natural selection. Recent formulations of the variational free-energy principle as applied to the life sciences describe the properties of living systems, and their selection in evolution, in terms of variational inference. We argue that niche construction can be described using a variational approach. We propose new arguments to support the niche construction perspective, and to extend the variational approach to niche construction to current perspectives in various scientific fields.
Response by Ntaios et al to Letter Regarding Article, "Closure of Patent Foramen Ovale Versus Medical Therapy in Patients With Cryptogenic Stroke or Transient Ischemic Attack: Updated Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis".

In Response: We thank Doshi et al for their thoughts and for their comment about registering our meta-analysis on the PROSPERO database (International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews), with which we agree. Given that our systematic review and meta-analysis updated a previously published one, the comparison of the reported review methods with what was planned in the protocol is possible by comparing the updated meta-analysis with the original one. We agree that separate analyses of patients according to the size of the shunt, the age of the patient, the presence of atrial septal aneurysm, the completeness of patent foramen ovale (PFO) closure, and the risk of bleeding complications may provide further insight into the relative impact of the closure of PFO. These and other subgroup analyses could be most appropriately performed with individual patient data from all randomized clinical trials of PFO closure, as has been done by the investigators of previous randomized clinical trials of PFO closure. Given that we did not have access to individual patient data, we decided to perform only a limited number of subgroup analyses. The authors mention that a similar meta-analysis showed a significant effect of PFO closure on the outcome of transient ischemic attack. However, the cited article only mentions transient ischemic attacks as part of the composite outcome that includes stroke; the effect of PFO closure on transient ischemic attack recurrence remains, therefore, unproven. We also thank Mojadidi et al for their thoughtful comments on the potential but unproven benefit of oral long-term anticoagulation to reduce stroke recurrence risk in such patients. Both the PICSS (Patent Foramen Ovale in Cryptogenic Stroke Study) and the CLOSE study (Patent Foramen Ovale Closure or Anticoagulants Versus Antiplatelet Therapy to Prevent Stroke Recurrence) showed an ≈50% reduction of stroke recurrences when compared with antiplatelet treatments, but in both studies, this effect did not reach significance. The NAVIGATEESUS trial (Rivaroxaban Versus Aspirin in Secondary Prevention of Stroke and Prevention of Systemic Embolism in Patients With Recent Embolic Stroke of Undetermined Source [ESUS]) recruited 372 patients with PFO and may provide meaningful results for this patient group. The meta-analysis by Kent et al on this question only found a statistical effect in a secondary analysis. We, therefore, agree with Mojadidi et al that the effect of oral anticoagulation to prevent stroke recurrence remains insufficiently known.
Physicochemical and microscopic characterization of implant–abutment joints

ABSTRACT Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate Morse taper implant-abutment joints by chemical, mechanical, and microscopic analysis. Materials and Methods: Surfaces of 10 Morse taper implants and the correlated abutments were inspected by field emission gun-scanning electron microscopy (FEG-SEM) before connection. The implant-abutment connections were tightened at 32 Ncm. For microgap evaluation by FEG-SEM, the systems were embedded in epoxy resin and cross-sectioned at a perpendicular plane of the implant-abutment joint. Furthermore, nanoindentation tests and chemical analysis were performed at the implant-abutment joints. Statistics: Results were statistically analyzed via one-way analysis of variance, with a significance level of P < 0.05. Results: Defects were noticed on different areas of the abutment surfaces. The minimum and maximum size of microgaps ranged from 0.5 μm up to 5.6 μm. Furthermore, defects were detected throughout the implant-abutment joint that can, ultimately, affect the microgap size after connection. Nanoindentation tests revealed a higher hardness (4.2 ± 0.4 GPa) for abutment composed of Ti6Al4V alloy when compared to implant composed of commercially pure Grade 4 titanium (3.2 ± 0.4 GPa). Conclusions: Surface defects produced during the machining of both implants and abutments can increase the size of microgaps and promote a misfit of implant-abutment joints. In addition, the mismatch in mechanical properties between abutment and implant can promote the wear of surfaces, affecting the size of microgaps and consequently the performance of the joints during mastication.
Further results on spectrum blind sampling of 2D signals

We address the problem of sampling of 2D signals with sparse multi-band spectral structure. We show that the signal can be sampled at a fraction of the its Nyquist density determined by the occupancy of the signal in its frequency domain, but without explicit knowledge of its spectral structure. We find that such a signal can almost surely be reconstructed from its multi-coset samples provided that a universal pattern is used. Also, the scheme can attain the Landau-Nyquist minimum density asymptotically. The spectrum blind feature of our reconstruction scheme has potential applications in Fourier imaging. We apply the sampling scheme on a test image to demonstrate its performance.
Estimating Multidimensional Persistent Homology Through a Finite Sampling

An exact computation of the persistent Betti numbers of a submanifold X of a Euclidean space is possible only in a theoretical setting. In practical situations, only a finite sample of X is available. We show that, under suitable density conditions, it is possible to estimate the multidimensional persistent Betti numbers of X from the ones of a union of balls centered on the sample points; this even yields the exact value in restricted areas of the domain. Using these inequalities we improve a previous lower bound for the natural pseudodistance to assess dissimilarity between the shapes of two objects from a sampling of them. Similar inequalities are proved for the multidimensional persistent Betti numbers of the ball union and the one of a combinatorial description of it.
Predicting logistics delivery demand with deep neural networks

Delivery time affects the logistics route, depending on the needs of the place and quantity. An efficient prediction of delivery demand would help the construction of logistics model. The data on delivery demand are time-dependency and space-correlation. Modeling the multidimensional sequence or making the prediction based on it would be a computation consuming work. Our research is based on deep learning to propose an efficient procedure to predict delivery demand. With the simulation study, the prediction performance of the proposed procedure is acceptable. This is conducive to the further study of logistics decisions making.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicle-Based Traffic Analysis: A Case Study for Shockwave Identification and Flow Parameters Estimation at Signalized Intersections

Owing to their dynamic and multidisciplinary characteristics, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), or drones, have become increasingly popular. However, the civil applications of this technology, particularly for traffic data collection and analysis, still need to be thoroughly explored. For this purpose, the authors previously proposed a detailed methodological framework for the automated UAV video processing in order to extract multi-vehicle trajectories at a particular road segment. In this paper, however, the main emphasis is on the comprehensive analysis of vehicle trajectories extracted via a UAV-based video processing framework. An analytical methodology is presented for: (i) the automatic identification of flow states and shockwaves based on processed UAV trajectories, and (ii) the subsequent extraction of various traffic parameters and performance indicators in order to study flow conditions at a signalized intersection. The experimental data to analyze traffic flow conditions was obtained in the city of Sint-Truiden, Belgium. The generation of simplified trajectories, shockwaves, and fundamental diagrams help in analyzing the interrupted-flow conditions at a signalized four-legged intersection using UAV-acquired data. The analysis conducted on such data may serve as a benchmark for the actual traffic-specific applications of the UAV-acquired data. The results reflect the value of flexibility and bird-eye view provided by UAV videos; thereby depicting the overall applicability of the UAV-based traffic analysis system. The future research will mainly focus on further extensions of UAV-based traffic applications.
A copula-based approach for assessing flood protection overtopping associated with a seasonal flood forecast in Niamey, West Africa

Flood is one of the most important natural disasters that cause huge loss of life and properties every year around the world. Moreover, the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies pointed out that floods were by far the greatest cause of homelessness. In West Africa, many countries are damaged from flooding almost every season. Thus, this study aimed to set a seasonal flood forecast model and carried out an evaluation of the level of risk associated with each seasonal forecast. HEC-RAS (Hydrologic Engineering Centers River Analysis System) was used to develop a hydro-dynamical model of Niger river on a 160km reach (80km upstream to 80kmdownstream of Niamey), then a simple risk measure was used to calculate the probability of overtopping the flood protection dykes in Niamey. Results show that the hydro-dynamical model reproduced well the rating curve over the period 2009-2014. A subsequent copula analysis demonstrated a dependency between flow on the Niger river and flow on the Sirba River, the main tributary contributing to the seasonal flood at Niamey. The Gumbel copula was found to be the best among the tested 5 copulas to represent the dependency between peak flow on the main channel of the Niger River and concomitant flow on the Sirba river. It is found that for the six dykes the probabilities of being overtopped by the flood range from very high (100%) to relatively low (16.67 %) over the 34 years of simulation.
Were policies in Brazil effective to reducing trans fat from industrial origin in foods?

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE To determine the trans fatty acids content of processed foods frequently consumed by adults living in a Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, after the enactment of a mandatory trans fatty acids labelling policy. METHODS Between February 2014 and January 2015, a specifically dietary questionnaire was completed by 107 adults to assess the frequency of processed foods consumption. The most commonly consumed products from the survey, including vegetable oils, margarine, biscuits, snacks, cheese bread (pão de queijo), french fries, cheeseburger and ice cream, were then analyzed for their trans fatty acids content using gas chromatography with a flame ionization detector. RESULTS Differences in the levels of trans fatty acids were observed among 22 products analyzed, considering that trans fatty acids content ranged between 0.0 g/100 g in samples of cream cracker biscuit 1 and olive oil to 0.83 g/100 g in samples of cheeseburger (fast food), 0.51 g/100 g in samples of frozen pão de queijo and 12.92 g/100 g in samples of chocolate sandwich cookies with cream filling 2. The overall trans fatty acids content of the different samples of margarine brands was 0.20 g/100 g for brand 1 and 0.0 g/100 g for brand 2. These data are significantly lower than those observed in a survey conducted in 2003, when the regulation had been enacted. CONCLUSIONS Our data indicate that Brazilian regulation is very likely implicated in the observed drop in trans fatty acids of the most processed foods but has yet to eliminate them, which reinforces the urgent need to revise the legislation, since a minimum amount of trans fat does not mean that the food product does not contain this type of fat.
The relative association between individual difference variables and general psychotherapy outcome expectation in socially anxious individuals†

Abstract Objective: Although patients’ psychotherapy outcome expectation relates to their treatment outcome, little is known about correlates of this expectation. Moreover, the limited research has largely assessed convenience variables as correlates, with little replication and few examinations of the relative strength of associations between the correlates and outcome expectation. This clinical analogue study examined the relation between socially anxious undergraduates’ (N = 178) characteristics and their general psychotherapy outcome expectation. We investigated characteristics supported as correlates in prior studies. Methods: Data derived from a baseline assessment prior to a larger experiment. Participants’ mean level of social anxiety was within 1 standard deviation of the mean of clinical, treatment-seeking samples, and 65.2% of the sample either had therapy experience or were actively considering it. Results: Participants’ general outcome expectation was significantly associated with positive beliefs about and intention to seek therapy. Multivariate regression models showed a positive association between psychological mindedness (B = .59, p < .001) and outcome expectation. Subgroup analyses indicated that for participants with prior therapy experience, greater satisfaction with that treatment (B = 5.26, p < .001) was associated with higher outcome expectation. Conclusion: Results are discussed with regard to their implications for treatment-seeking intentions and treatment planning.
MemTri: A Memory Forensics Triage Tool Using Bayesian Network and Volatility

This work explores the development of MemTri. A memory forensics triage tool that can assess the likelihood of criminal activity in a memory image, based on evidence data artefacts generated by several applications. Fictitious illegal suspect activity scenarios were performed on virtual machines to generate 60 test memory images for input into MemTri. Four categories of applications (i.e. Internet Browsers, Instant Messengers, FTP Client and Document Processors) are examined for data artefacts located through the use of regular expressions. These identified data artefacts are then analysed using a Bayesian Network, to assess the likelihood that a seized memory image contained evidence of illegal firearms trading activity. MemTri's normal mode of operation achieved a high artefact identification accuracy performance of 95.7% when the applications' processes were running. However, this fell significantly to 60% as applications processes' were terminated. To explore improving MemTri's accuracy performance, a second mode was developed, which achieved more stable results of around 80% accuracy, even after applications processes' were terminated.
Precise Orbit Determination of FY-3C with Calibration of Orbit Biases in BeiDou GEO Satellites

The emerging BeiDou navigation satellite system has contributed to global precise positioning and has recently moved toward space-borne applications. However, the contribution of BeiDou on LEO orbit determination applications is limited by the poor precision of the GEO satellite orbit and clock products. Current researches suggest that BeiDou GEO satellites should not be included in LEO precise orbit determination. Based on analyzing the characteristics of errors existing in BeiDou GEO orbit products, we propose a feasible method to mitigate the offsets in BeiDou GEO orbit errors by in-flight calibration of the systematic daily constant biases in the along-track and cross-track of BeiDou GEO satellites. The proposed method is investigated and validated using one entire month of onboard BDS data from the Chinese FY-3C satellite. The average daily RMS compared with the GPS-derived orbit indicates that our method achieves 6.2 cm three-dimensional precision. When compared to the solutions that disregard the GEO orbit errors scheme and roughly exclude the GEO scheme, the FY-3C orbit precision has been improved by 89.1% and 20.2%, respectively. The average daily RMS values of phase residuals are about one centimeter for solutions that exclude GEO and that estimate systematic biases in GEO orbits. The calibrated orbits of GEO with the decimeter level in along-track and cross-track can be reconstructed by correcting the orbit biases estimated in the FY-3C precise orbit determination. Statistics of the FY-3C orbit quality, observation residuals, and precision of the recovered GEO orbits demonstrate that calibration of daily orbit biases in GEO can improve the precision of LEO orbit determination and enhance the reliability of the solution.