Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Competition and Health Plan Performance: Evidence from Health Maintenance Organization Insurance Markets

Objective:We sought to assess whether health maintenance organizations (HMOs) operating in competitive markets, or markets with substantial HMO penetration, perform better on the standardized Health Plan Employer Data and Information Set (HEDIS) and Consumer Assessment of Health Plans Survey (CAHPS) measures. Study Design:We performed a secondary analysis of nonexperimental, cross-sectional data. Data Sources:Data were obtained from a variety of sources, including the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA), Interstudy, the Area Resource File, the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, and the U.S. Department of Labor. Methods:Multiple Indicator Multiple Cause models were used to simultaneously estimate 6 latent quality variables from 35 HEDIS and CAHPS measures and to relate these latent variables to HMO competition and HMO penetration while controlling for other health plan and market characteristics. Principal Findings:Greater competition, as measured by the Herfindahl index, was associated with inferior health plan performance on 3 of 6 quality dimensions. Plans in markets with greater HMO penetration perform better on HEDIS- but not CAHPS-based dimensions of performance. Plans that make their data available publicly perform significantly better on both the HEDIS and CAHPS domains, performing one third to three quarters of a standard deviation better than plans that don't make their results available publicly. Conclusions:Plans in more competitive markets in 1999 did not achieve better quality after controlling for other important covariates, although plans in markets with a high degree of HMO penetration are performing better on the HEDIS quality dimensions. Although our study design cannot determine causality, the results suggest reason to revisit the belief that competition among HMOs will inherently improve quality.
An introduction to non-tariff barriers to trade

The increasing use of protectionist trade policies raises national as well as international issues. As many observers have noted, international trade restrictions generally have costly national consequences.5 The net benefits received by protected domestic producers (that is, benefits reduced by lobbying costs) tend to be outweighed by the losses associated with excessive production and restricted consumption of the protected goods. Protectionist trade policies also cause foreign adjustments in production and consumption that risks retaliation by the affected country.
Impact of a national campaign on smoking attitudes and patterns in Austria.

Evaluation of the impact of a recent anti-smoking campaign in Austria has been made among representative samples of the population. The data show that the campaign had a widespread effect: 99% of those interviewed were aware of the campaign (83% referred to it spontaneously, and 15% on being questioned), and all Austrians knew the slogan, "Life without smoking can be just as nice! " (88% mentioned it spontaneously). Furthermore, some 66% of respondents knew the campaign's symbol. According to the results of this survey, the reduction in the number of smokers (34%) has been much greater than in 1979 when a similar survey indicated a decrease of 27%. Moreover, for the first time the number of women who smoke is diminishing. There also appears to be a trend towards smoking cigarettes with a low tar content. Finally, a considerable increase was recorded in the number of smokers who would like to quit.
Polymethylmethacrylate particles stimulate bone resorption of mature osteoclasts in vitro

Background Interaction between wear particle debris and the cells at the implant-bone interface is an important contributory factor to periprosthetic bone loss seen in arthroplasties. Method To investigate the effect of this particle-induced response on different stages of osteoclast maturation, polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) particles were added to a murine osteoclastogenic bone marrow cell culture system at either day 0, day 4, or day 8 of culture, which represented PMMA particle stimulation of precursor osteoclasts, mature osteoclasts, or end-stage osteoclasts, respectively. The number of TRAP-posi-tive multinucleate cells (MNCs) and the degree of bone resorption in culture were measured Results Treatment of precursor osteoclasts with PMMA particles resulted in a statistically significant increase in TRAP-positive MNCs that persisted for 4 days, but there was no significant increase in bone resorption. Addition of particles to mature osteoclasts resulted in a significant increase in the number of TRAP-positive MNCs that lasted for 8 days, and also a significant increase in bone resorption. Treatment of end-stage osteoclasts with PMMA particles did not result in an increased number of TRAP-positive MNCs and there was no increase in bone resorption. Interpretation Treatment of mature osteoclasts with PMMA particles resulted in an elevated number of TRAP-positive cells. This persisted over a longer period of time than at the other stages of osteoclast development, and there was also a greater increase in bone resorption.
Dysfunctional Uterine Bleeding

Dysfunctional uterine bleeding is most commonly associated with chronic anovulation. Early diagnosis of anovulation is important; the induction of regular withdrawal periods using a progestin such as Provera prevents the development of endometrial hyperplasia with the subsequent inevitable occurrence of a heavy, frightening vaginal bleed. The etiology of dysfunctional uterine bleeding occurring during ovulatory cycles is unknown and all medical therapies at present are necessarily experimental. Hysterectomy is probably the treatment of choice for women who have finished their childbearing career and in whom persisting menorrhagia during ovulatory cycles results in anemia. (Can Fam Physician 1983; 29:771-773). SOMMAIRE
Quality of Service Architecture for Internet of Things and Cloud Computing

of Things (IoT) and Cloud Computing paradigm is a next wave in the era of computing and it has been identified as one of the emerging technologies in the field of Computer Science and Information Technology. The complementarity of these two technologies play a major role in accessing any services and applications anywhere, anytime in the smart environment. But from the literature study, it has been understood that the integration of IoT and cloud computing is in its infantile phase and it has not been extended to all application domains due to its inadequate quality of service architecture. Hence, in this paper a novel, quality of service architecture for internet of things and cloud computing is proposed. This architecture facilitates the public to have an easy access over diversified smart applications and services distributed in the cloud with one IoT enabled Intelligent Smart Card (ISC) through mobile devices with assured quality of service. The cloud services are integrated and connected through an Internet Protocol / Multi Protocol Label Switching (IP/MPLS) core System. The QoS requirements are met with differentiated services. The performance of the proposed architecture is tested by establishing a test bed in a simulated environment.
15N natural abundance of non-fixing woody species in the Brazilian dry forest (caatinga)

Foliar δ15N values are useful to calculate N2 fixation and N losses from ecosystems. However, a definite pattern among vegetation types is not recognised and few data are available for semi-arid areas. We sampled four sites in the Brazilian caatinga, along a water availability gradient. Sites with lower annual rainfall (700 mm) but more uniform distribution (six months) had δ15N values of 9.4 and 10.1 ‰, among the highest already reported, and significantly greater than those (6.5 and 6.3 ‰) of sites with higher rainfall (800 mm) but less uniform distribution (three months). There were no significant differences at each site among species or between non-fixing legume and non-legume species, in spite of the higher N content of the first group. Therefore, they constitute ideal reference plants in estimations of legume N2 fixation. The higher values could result from higher losses of 15N depleted gases or lower losses of enriched 15N material.
Src Family Kinase Inhibitors Block Amphiregulin-Mediated Autocrine ErbB Signaling in Normal Human Keratinocytes

c-Src potentiates proliferation, survival, and invasiveness in response to epidermal growth factor (EGF) in human mammary carcinoma cells. Tyrosine (Tyr) 845 of ErbB1 is phosphorylated by Src and has been implicated in control of malignant behavior. Although several lines of evidence also suggest important interactions of ErbB and Src family kinase signaling in normal epithelial cells, little is known about the mechanism of this interaction. Studying normal human keratinocytes (NHKs), here we demonstrate strong expression of the Src family kinases Src, Yes, and Fyn; Src family kinase-dependent stimulation of Tyr 845 by EGF; and potent inhibition of NHK proliferation and migration by two Src family kinase inhibitors PP1 and PD173952. EGF-stimulated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) phosphorylation occurred at much lower concentrations of EGF than required to phosphorylate Tyr 845. Moreover, the effect of Src family kinase inhibitors on EGF-stimulated ERK phosphorylation was transient, prompting a search for other targets of Src family kinase action. By enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay analysis, we found that three different Src family kinase inhibitors [6-(2,6-dichlorophenyl)-8-methyl-2-(4-morpholin-4-ylphenylamino)-8H-pyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidin-7-one (PD173952), 4-amino-5-(4-methylphenyl)-7-(t-butyl)pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine (PP1), and 2-oxo-3-(4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-indol-2-ylmethylene)-2,3-dihydro-1H-indole-5-sulfonic acid dimethylamide (SU6656)] markedly inhibited elaboration of soluble amphiregulin by NHKs. The ErbB inhibitor PD158780 and the mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase inhibitor U0126 also markedly inhibited NHK proliferation, migration, and amphiregulin production. Together, these observations demonstrate that one or more Src family kinases act upstream as well as downstream of ErbB1 to promote amphiregulin-dependent autocrine stimulation of NHKs and suggest that autocrine NHK proliferation is more dependent upon ERK activation than upon Tyr 845 phosphorylation.
Jamie's Ministry of Food: Quasi-Experimental Evaluation of Immediate and Sustained Impacts of a Cooking Skills Program in Australia

Objective To evaluate the immediate and sustained effectiveness of the first Jamie's Ministry of Food Program in Australia on individuals' cooking confidence and positive cooking/eating behaviours. Methods A quasi- experimental repeated measures design was used incorporating a wait-list control group. A questionnaire was developed and administered at baseline (T1), immediately post program (T2) and 6 months post completion (T3) for participants allocated to the intervention group, while wait -list controls completed it 10 weeks prior to program commencement (T1) and just before program commencement (T2). The questionnaire measured: participants' confidence to cook, the frequency of cooking from basic ingredients, and consumption of vegetables, vegetables with the main meal, fruit, ready-made meals and takeaway. Analysis used a linear mixed model approach for repeated measures using all available data to determine mean differences within and between groups over time. Subjects All adult participants (≥18 years) who registered and subsequently participated in the program in Ipswich, Queensland, between late November 2011- December 2013, were invited to participate. Results In the intervention group: 694 completed T1, 383 completed T1 and T2 and 214 completed T1, T2 and T3 assessments. In the wait-list group: 237 completed T1 and 149 completed T1 and T2 assessments. Statistically significant increases within the intervention group (P<0.001) and significant group*time interaction effects (P<0.001) were found in all cooking confidence measures between T1 and T2 as well as cooking from basic ingredients, frequency of eating vegetables with the main meal and daily vegetable intake (0.52 serves/day increase). Statistically significant increases at T2 were sustained at 6 months post program in the intervention group. Conclusions Jamie's Ministry of Food Program, Australia improved individuals' cooking confidence and cooking/eating behaviours contributing to a healthier diet and is a promising community-based strategy to influence diet quality.
Numerical Simulation of Steel/Kevlar Hybrid Composite Helmet Subjected to Ballistic Impact

: In this study, ballistic impact effects on a helmet were investigated using the AUTODYN-3D program. Two types of materials were used for manufacturing the helmet: single Kevlar and Steel/Kevlar hybrid composites. Furthermore, two types of bullets were used in the simulation: steel spherical and 7.62 mm full-jacketed. In the simulation, the shape deformation of the projectile and internal energy were calculated. From the results, impact velocities above 655 m/s and 845 m/s were required to perforate the Steel/Kevlar helmet with steel spherical and 7.62 mm full-jacketed bullets, respectively. The results show that there was a large difference between the ballistic resistance of the Kevlar and Steel/Kevlar helmets. For the simulation on an NIJ-STD-0106.01 Type II helmet, a 7.62 mm full-jacketed bullet with a striking velocity of 358 m/s was used. Simulation results show that the Steel/Kevlar helmet could resist a 7.62 mm full-jacketed bullet traveling at 358 m/s.
There is no infinite fatigue life in metallic materials

Generally, the shape of the S-N curve beyond 10 7 cycles is unknown except in some statistical approaches, and this is also true for the fatigue limit. In the case of a statistical approach, the standard deviation applied to the average fatigue limit is certainly not the best way to reduce the risk of rupture in fatigue. Only the exploration of the life range between 10 6 and 10 10 cycles will create a safer basis for modelling. Today, some piezoelectric fatigue machines are very reliable, capable of producing 10 10 cycles in less than 1 week. We based our research on accelerated fatigue tests which were performed at 20 kHz in the gigacyclic fatigue regime in order to study several typical alloys from the aeronautical and space industries.
CRISPR Interference (CRISPRi) Inhibition of luxS Gene Expression in E. coli: An Approach to Inhibit Biofilm

Biofilm is a sessile bacterial accretion embedded in self-producing matrix. It is the root cause of about 80% microbial infections in human. Among them, E. coli biofilms are most prevalent in medical devices associated nosocomial infections. The objective of this study was to inhibit biofilm formation by targeting gene involved in quorum sensing, one of the main mechanisms of biofilm formation. Hence we have introduced the CRISPRi, first time to target luxS gene. luxS is a synthase, involved in the synthesis of Autoinducer-2(AI-2), which in turn guides the initial stage of biofilm formation. To implement CRISPRi system for luxS gene suppression, we have synthesized complementary sgRNA to target gene sequence and co-expressed with dCas9, a mutated form of an endonuclease. Suppression of luxS expression was confirmed through qRT-PCR. The effect of luxS gene on biofilm inhibition was studied through crystal violet assay, XTT reduction assay and scanning electron microscopy. We conclude that CRISPRi system could be a potential strategy to inhibit bacterial biofilm through mechanism base approach.
Antidepressant use in pregnancy: a critical review focused on risks and controversies

Conflicting data have led to controversy regarding antidepressant use during pregnancy. The objectives of this study are to i) review the risks of untreated depression and anxiety, ii) review the literature on risks of exposure to antidepressants during pregnancy, iii) discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the different study designs used to evaluate those risks, and iv) provide clinical recommendations.
Running Economy from a Muscle Energetics Perspective

The economy of running has traditionally been quantified from the mass-specific oxygen uptake; however, because fuel substrate usage varies with exercise intensity, it is more accurate to express running economy in units of metabolic energy. Fundamentally, the understanding of the major factors that influence the energy cost of running (Erun) can be obtained with this approach. Erun is determined by the energy needed for skeletal muscle contraction. Here, we approach the study of Erun from that perspective. The amount of energy needed for skeletal muscle contraction is dependent on the force, duration, shortening, shortening velocity, and length of the muscle. These factors therefore dictate the energy cost of running. It is understood that some determinants of the energy cost of running are not trainable: environmental factors, surface characteristics, and certain anthropometric features. Other factors affecting Erun are altered by training: other anthropometric features, muscle and tendon properties, and running mechanics. Here, the key features that dictate the energy cost during distance running are reviewed in the context of skeletal muscle energetics.
Centella asiatica in cosmetology

Centella asiatica known as Gotu Kola is a medicinal plant that has been used in folk medicine for hundreds of years as well as in scientifically oriented medicine. The active compounds include pentacyclic triterpenes, mainly asiaticoside, madecassoside, asiatic and madecassic acids. Centella asiatica is effective in improving treatment of small wounds, hypertrophic wounds as well as burns, psoriasis and scleroderma. The mechanism of action involves promoting fibroblast proliferation and increasing the synthesis of collagen and intracellular fibronectin content and also improvement of the tensile strength of newly formed skin as well as inhibiting the inflammatory phase of hypertrophic scars and keloids. Research results indicate that it can be used in the treatment of photoaging skin, cellulite and striae.
Do we have to trust the deep learning methods for palmprints identification?

A biometric technology is an emerging field of information technology which can be used to identifying identity of unknown individual based on some characteristics derived from specific physiological and/or behavioral characteristics that the individual possesses. Thus, among several biometric characteristics, which can be derived from the hand, palmprint has been effectively used to improve identification for last years. So far, majority of research works on this biometric trait are fundamentally based on a gray-scale image which acquired using a visible light. Recently, multispectral imaging technology has been used to make the biometric system more efficient. In this work, in order to increase the discriminating ability and the classification system accuracy, we propose a multimodal system which each spectral band of palmprint operates separately and their results are fused at matching score level. In our study, each spectral band is represented by features extracted by PCANet deep learning technique. The proposed scheme is validated using the available CASIA multispectral palmprint database of 100 users. The obtained results showed that the proposed method is very efficient, which can be improved the accuracy rate.
Hardware-based adaptive general parameter extension in W-CDMA power control

An adaptive general parameter (GP) extension to polynomial FIR predictors is proposed for Rayleigh-distributed fading signal prediction. The GP-extended FIR predictor has been implemented on Altera programmable logic devices, and its performance has been simulated with varying bit widths. The hardware implementation takes advantage of the characteristic properties of programmable logic devices. This results in decreasing the required number of logic gates and in increasing the maximum sampling rate of the predictor. The proposed adaptation can be regarded as the simplest form of adaptive filtering, and is shown to yield improved filtering performance at a low computational cost. A promising application is to use the GP-extended FIR filter in predicting the received transmission power in a W-CDMA mobile communications system.
Wheel transformer: A miniaturized terrain adaptive robot with passively transformed wheels

A small mobile robot that uses round wheels has a stable ride ability on flat surfaces, but the robot cannot climb an obstacle whose height is greater than the length of its wheel radius. As an alternative, legged-wheel robots have been proposed for their better climbing performance. However, such legged-wheel robots have a poor driving performance on flat surfaces since their center of mass is vertically changed. Transformable wheels are used to make the robot drive with round wheels on flat surfaces and climb an obstacle with legged-wheels. However, the design of previously developed transformable wheels is complicated because it needs actuators for the transformation. Thus, it is not suitable for small robots. In this paper, a simple robot platform called Wheel Transformer that uses a new kind of transformable wheel is described. The transformation process is passively operated by an external frictional force, so it does not need any actuators. We fabricate the transformable wheel as well as the robot platform based on analysis of transformation mechanism. The robot can climb an obstacle whose height is 2.6 times greater than its wheel radius.
Mice with an N-Ethyl-N-Nitrosourea (ENU) Induced Tyr209Asn Mutation in Natriuretic Peptide Receptor 3 (NPR3) Provide a Model for Kyphosis Associated with Activation of the MAPK Signaling Pathway

Non-syndromic kyphosis is a common disorder that is associated with significant morbidity and has a strong genetic involvement; however, the causative genes remain to be identified, as such studies are hampered by genetic heterogeneity, small families and various modes of inheritance. To overcome these limitations, we investigated 12 week old progeny of mice treated with the chemical mutagen N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea (ENU) using phenotypic assessments including dysmorphology, radiography, and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. This identified a mouse with autosomal recessive kyphosis (KYLB). KYLB mice, when compared to unaffected littermates, had: thoraco-lumbar kyphosis, larger vertebrae, and increased body length and increased bone area. In addition, female KYLB mice had increases in bone mineral content and plasma alkaline phosphatase activity. Recombination mapping localized the Kylb locus to a 5.5Mb region on chromosome 15A1, which contained 51 genes, including the natriuretic peptide receptor 3 (Npr3) gene. DNA sequence analysis of Npr3 identified a missense mutation, Tyr209Asn, which introduced an N-linked glycosylation consensus sequence. Expression of wild-type NPR3 and the KYLB-associated Tyr209Asn NPR3 mutant in COS-7 cells demonstrated the mutant to be associated with abnormal N-linked glycosylation and retention in the endoplasmic reticulum that resulted in its absence from the plasma membrane. NPR3 is a decoy receptor for C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP), which also binds to NPR2 and stimulates mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling, thereby increasing the number and size of hypertrophic chondrocytes. Histomorphometric analysis of KYLB vertebrae and tibiae showed delayed endochondral ossification and expansion of the hypertrophic zones of the growth plates, and immunohistochemistry revealed increased p38 MAPK phosphorylation throughout the growth plates of KYLB vertebrae. Thus, we established a model of kyphosis due to a novel NPR3 mutation, in which loss of plasma membrane NPR3 expression results in increased MAPK pathway activation, causing elongation of the vertebrae and resulting in kyphosis.