Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Characteristics of Teenage Mothers and Predictors of Breastfeeding Initiation in the Michigan WIC Program in 1995

Although breast milk is recommended as the optimal source of infant nutrition, breastfeeding initiation is below recommended levels, especially among teenage mothers. Breastfeeding initiation rates among Michigan (US) teenage mothers (12-19 y) were compared by demographics and health behaviors. Multivariate analyses determined which factors were significant independent predictors of breast feeding initiation among teenage mothers enrolled prenatally in the Michigan Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program in 1995. Significant predictors independently associated with breastfeeding initiation were race/ethnicity, education, marital status, postpartum anemia status, parity, prenatal trimester of WIC enrollment, and smoking. The strongest predictor of breastfeeding initiation differed for white mothers (positive predictor: education beyond high school [OR = 3.13]) and black mothers (negative predictor: multiparous [OR = 0.25]). Initiation rates for this population of teenage mothers fall below the national average for mothers of all ages and the US Healthy People 2010 goals. Research is needed concerning how breastfeeding support and education can be improved to reach the US national health goals. J Hum Lact. 19(1):50-56. Características de madres adolescentes y factores pronósticos para la iniciación de la lactancia materna en el programa de WIC de Michigan en 1995 A pesar de que la leche materna se recomienda como la nutrición optima para el niño/a, el índice de iniciación de la lactancia materna se encuentra por debajo de lo recomendado, especialmente entre las madres adolescentes. Este estudio comparó basado en datos demográficos y comportamientos de salud, el índice de iniciación de la lactancia materna entre las madres adolescentes (12-19 años) en Michigan (USA). En un análisis multivariado se determinaron cuales fueron los factores significantes independientes que pronostican la iniciación de la lactancia materna entre las madres adolescentes, participantes desde el prenatal en el programa WIC de Michigan en 1995. Se encontraron factores predecibles independientes asociados a la iniciación de la lactancia materna como raza/etnicidad, educación, estado civil, anemia postparto, paridad, trimestre en el que entró a participar en el programa WIC, y fumar. El factor predecible mas fuerte para la iniciación de la lactancia materna fue diferente entre las madres blancas (educación mas allá de la escuela superior [OR = 3.13]), y las madres negras (multiparidad [OR = 0.25]). El índice de iniciación en esta población de madres adolescentes se encuentra por debajo del promedio de las madres de todas las edades a nivel nacional y las metas del US Healthy People 2010. Es necesario investigar mas en como apoyar y educar sobre la lactancia materna para mejorar y lograr las metas de salud a nivel nacional en Estados Unidos.
The Benefits and Challenges of the Computerized Electronic Medical Record

Data from aggregate individual patient records can be gathered to answer many clinical and nursing research questions about quality assurance and resource allocation, assisting in the measurement and evaluation of patient care outcomes. The use of standardized nursing language, large integrated computer databases, and information management processes provide for the use of patient-specific data and information to facilitate patient care. The use of aggregated data can also facilitate the comparison of nursing practice across populations, demonstrate and project nursing care trends, serve as a financial and legal record, aid in clinical research, support decision analysis, and guide professional and organization performance improvement.
Identification, Characterization, and Expression of a Novel P450 Gene Encoding CYP6AE25 from the Asian Corn Borer, Ostrinia furnacalis

Abstract An allele of the cytochrome P450 gene, CYP6AE14, named CYP6AE25 (GenBank accession no. EU807990) was isolated from the Asian com borer, Ostrinia fumacalis (Guenée) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) by RT-PCR. The cDNA sequence of CYP6AE25 is 2315 bp in length and contains a 1569 nucleotides open reading frame encoding a putative protein with 523 amino acid residues and a predicted molecular weight of 59.95 kDa and a theoretical pI of 8.31. The putative protein contains the classic heme-binding sequence motif F××G×××C×G (residues 451–460) conserved among all P450 enzymes as well as other characteristic motifs of all cytochrome P450s. It shares 52% identity with the previously published sequence of CYP6AE14 (GenBank accession no. DQ986461) from Helicoverpa armigera. Phylogenetic analysis of amino acid sequences from members of various P450 families indicated that CYP6AE25 has a closer phylogenetic relationship with CYP6AE14 and CYP6B1 that are related to metabolism of plant allelochemicals, CYP6D1 which is related to pyrethroid resistance and has a more distant relationship to CYP302A1 and CYP307A1 which are related to synthesis of the insect molting hormones. The expression level of the gene in the adults and immature stages of O. furnacalis by quantitative real-time PCR revealed that CYP6AE25 was expressed in all life stages investigated. The mRNA expression level in 3rd instar larvae was 12.8- and 2.97-fold higher than those in pupae and adults, respectively. The tissue specific expression level of CYP6AE25 was in the order of midgut, malpighian tube and fatty body from high to low but was absent in ovary and brain. The analysis of the CYP6AB25 gene using bioinformatic software is discussed.
Relationships Between Sinus Rhythm, Treatment, and Survival in the Atrial Fibrillation Follow-Up Investigation of Rhythm Management (AFFIRM) Study

Background—The AFFIRM Study showed that treatment of patients with atrial fibrillation and a high risk for stroke or death with a rhythm-control strategy offered no survival advantage over a rate-control strategy in an intention-to-treat analysis. This article reports an “on-treatment” analysis of the relationship of survival to cardiac rhythm and treatment as they changed over time. Methods and Results—Modeling techniques were used to determine the relationships among survival, baseline clinical variables, and time-dependent variables. The following baseline variables were significantly associated with an increased risk of death: increasing age, coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, diabetes, stroke or transient ischemic attack, smoking, left ventricular dysfunction, and mitral regurgitation. Among the time-dependent variables, the presence of sinus rhythm (SR) was associated with a lower risk of death, as was warfarin use. Antiarrhythmic drugs (AADs) were associated with increased mortality only after adjustment for the presence of SR. Consistent with the original intention-to-treat analysis, AADs were no longer associated with mortality when SR was removed from the model. Conclusions—Warfarin use improves survival. SR is either an important determinant of survival or a marker for other factors associated with survival that were not recorded, determined, or included in the survival model. Currently available AADs are not associated with improved survival, which suggests that any beneficial antiarrhythmic effects of AADs are offset by their adverse effects. If an effective method for maintaining SR with fewer adverse effects were available, it might be beneficial.
Detection and Differentiation of Cryptosporidium spp. in Human Clinical Samples by Use of Real-Time PCR

ABSTRACT Real-time PCR has the potential to streamline detection and identification of Cryptosporidium spp. in human clinical samples. In the present article, we report the first such assay to allow not only detection and differentiation of the most common human pathogens, Cryptosporidium hominis and Cryptosporidium parvum, but also simultaneous amplification of a region of the small subunit (SSU) rRNA gene, permitting direct sequence analysis to identify any Cryptosporidium species. An internal control is incorporated to identify the presence of PCR inhibitors. Analytical sensitivity was determined to be as low as 200 oocysts per gram of feces processed, equivalent to 2 oocysts per PCR. The C. hominis and C. parvum PCRs specifically detected only species/genotypes in their respective target clades. Diagnostic sensitivity and specificity, evaluated against a widely used conventional nested SSU rRNA gene PCR as a nominated gold standard using a panel of 258 (151 positive and 107 negative) samples, were 100% and 99.1%, respectively. The assay agreed with PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis of the Cryptosporidium oocyst wall protein gene for 134 of 136 (98.5%) samples tested prospectively and typed two additional isolates. The real-time PCR assay was sensitive, specific, and reproducible and significantly improved laboratory work flow and turnaround times.
Contemporary Teaching and Learning from the Challenger

T he interview with Roger Boisjoly and its accompanying commentary by Mark Maier, especially following the events of September 11, 2001, are reminders that carefully orchestrated complex systems contain immense vulnerabilities. Standard operating procedures can lead to blindness, possible exploitation or pressure from outsiders, and inadequate planning for the “unthinkable. ” The result too often is preventable human tragedy and the moral compromise of organizational participants. My purposes in this brief introduction are to try to give some additional contemporary context for the Boisjoly/Maier presentations of the Challenger’s legacy and to highlight issues that I feel deserve more attention from management scholars, crisis managers, and all general managers and executives. My remarks cannot approach the genuine heroism of Boisjoly or the powerful detail of Maier’s analysis, and I commend their words to the reader. Each of these people has spent years thinking through the Challenger events and presenting their views for the benefit of others. One contemporary application of their conclusions, which I would link to modern organizational theory, is the general caution offered by Mitroff, Mason, and Pearson (1994) to “imagine the unimaginable. ” Another theme I see, drawing on the extensive work of James March and his collaborators (March,
A phototaxis inhibition assay using barnacle larvae

The effects of sublethal concentrations of phenol and cadmium on the phototactic responses of the stage II nauplii of the barnacle Balanus amphitrite were investigated. Increased toxicant concentrations caused a reduction in phototactic responses. Balanus amphitrite nauplii exposed to nominal phenol concentrations of 100 ppm and higher for 1-12 h failed to exhibit phototactic responses, while longer exposure times of 24 and 48 h reduced the lowest observable effect concentration (LOECs) to 80 and 60 ppm, respectively. For cadmium, the LOECs, based on nominal concentrations, for B. amphitrite following 1, 6, 12, 24, and 48 h exposures were 20, 4.5, 4.0, 1, and 0.75 ppm, respectively. The LOECs can be significantly reduced by increasing the duration of exposure to the toxicants. A good relationship exists between the phototactic response and toxicant concentration as well as exposure time. Results of this study indicate that the toxicant-induced reduction in phototactic responses of barnacle larvae can be used in a sensitive, rapid screening test for ecotoxicological assessments. (C) 1997 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Rude Color Glasses: The Contaminating Effects of Witnessed Morning Rudeness on Perceptions and Behaviors Throughout the Workday

Using an experimental experience sampling design, we investigate how witnessing morning rudeness influences workers’ subsequent perceptions and behaviors throughout the workday. We posit that a single exposure to rudeness in the morning can contaminate employees’ perceptions of subsequent social interactions leading them to perceive greater workplace rudeness throughout their workday. We expect that these contaminated perceptions will have important ramifications for employees’ work behaviors. In a 10-day study of 81 professional and managerial employees, we find that witnessed morning rudeness leads to greater perceptions of workplace rudeness throughout the workday and that those perceptions, in turn, predict lower task performance and goal progress and greater interaction avoidance and psychological withdrawal. We also find that the contaminating effect of morning rudeness depends on core self-evaluations (CSE)—employees high (vs. low) in CSE are affected less by exposure to morning rudeness. We discuss implications for practice and theory.
Excitatory amino acids in health and disease.

PURPOSE To review the role of excitatory neurotransmitters in normal mammalian brain function, the concept of excitotoxic neuronal death as an important final common path in a variety of diseases, and modification of excitatory synaptic transmission as an important new pharmacological principle. These principles are discussed, with special emphasis on diseases of importance to older adults. DATA SOURCES A MEDLINE search from 1966 to May 1995 was undertaken, as well as a manual search of current issues of clinical and basic neuroscience journals, for articles that addressed glutamate N-methyl-D-aspartate and/or excitotoxicity. STUDY SELECTION A total of 5398 original and 68 review articles were identified that addressed animal and human experimentation relevant to excitotoxic neuronal death. There were 364 articles with potential significance for clinical application identified; 132 of the most recent references are provided. DATA EXTRACTION All articles were classified into three categories: general receptor, biology pathogenesis of disease, and pharmacotherapy. RESULTS Glutamic and aspartic acids are the physiological mediators of most excitatory synaptic transmission. This is critical to several normal nervous system functions, including memory and long-term modification of synaptic transmission and nociception. Activation of the inotropic NMDA and non-NMDA receptors increases transmembrane calcium and sodium fluxes, and the metabotropic glutamate receptor activation results in generation of inositol triphosphate and inhibition of adenylate cyclase. Numerous modulatory sites exist, especially on the NMDA receptor. Nitric oxide, arachidonic acid, superoxide, and intracellular calcium overload are the ultimate mediators of neuronal death. Glutamate re-uptake transporters belong to a unique family of amino acid transport systems, the malfunction of which is intricately involved in disease pathogenesis. Ischemic stroke, hypoglycemia, Parkinson's disease, alcohol intoxication and withdrawal, Alzheimer's disease, epilepsy, and chronic pain syndromes are only some of the important clinical neurological disorders with a major pathogenic role for the excitatory amino acids. CONCLUSIONS Pharmacological manipulation of the excitatory amino acid receptors is likely to be of benefit in important and common diseases of the nervous system. Only a few of the currently available drugs that modify excitatory neurotransmission, such as remacemide, lamotrigine, and tizanidine, have an acceptable therapeutic index. The identification of numerous receptor subtypes, topographic variabilities of distribution, and multiple modulatory sites will provide a true challenge to the neuropharmacologist.
Uncertain geometry in robotics

Robots must operate in an environment which is inherently uncertain. This uncertainty is important in areas such as modeling, planning and the motion of manipulators and objects; areas where geometric analysis also plays an important part. To operate efficiently, a robot system must be able to represent, account for, and reason about the effects of uncertainty in these geometries in a consistent manner. We maintain that uncertainty should be represented as an intrinsic part of all geometric descriptions. We develop a description of uncertain geometric features as families of parameterized functions together with a distribution function defined on the associated parameter vector. We consider uncertain points, curves and surfaces, and show how they can be manipulated and transformed between coordinate frames in an efficient and consistent manner. The effectiveness of these techniques is demonstrated by application to the problem of developing maximal information sensing strategies.
A Mind of Her Own

In May 1933 the historian of chemistry Hélène Metzger addressed a letter to the renowned historian and philosopher of science Émile Meyerson, a cri de coeur against Meyerson’s patronizing attitude toward her. This recently discovered letter is published and translated here because it is an exceptional human document reflecting the gender power structure of our discipline in interwar France. At the age of forty‐three, and with five books to her credit, Metzger was still a junior scholar in the exclusively male community of French historians and philosophers of science. We sketch the institutional setting of higher learning in France at the time, noting the limited openings it offered to would‐be femmes savantes, and situate Metzger in this context. We also describe the philosophical differences between Metzger and Meyerson. Though Metzger never managed to obtain a post of her own, in her letter to Meyerson she forcefully lays claim, at least, to a mind of her own.
Shear Turbulence : Onset and Structure

Figure 1: Reynolds’ 1883 experiment, still operating at the University of Manchester, UK. Water flows down a long pipe and ink is introduced at the pipe centerline. On the right are the original drawings showing the dye filament in laminar flow (a), and the rapid mixing of the dye and water when the Reynolds number is larger than about 2000 in (b). (c) shows details of vortical structures in turbulent flow, visualized with a spark.
A New Model of Electrically Evoked Pain and Hyperalgesia in Human Skin: The Effects of Intravenous Alfentanil, S (+)-ketamine, and Lidocaine

Background The authors used the analgesics alfentanil, S (+)-ketamine, and systemic lidocaine to examine a new human model of experimental pain and hyperalgesia. Methods Transcutaneous electrical stimulation at a high current density (5 Hz, 67.5 ± 6.6 mA) was used to provoke acute pain (numeric rating scale, 5 of 10), stable areas of secondary mechanical hyperalgesia to pin prick (43.6 ± 32.1 cm2), and light touch (27.5 ± 16.2 cm2) for 2 h. Alfentanil, S (+)-ketamine, and lidocaine were applied for 20 min in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover design in 12 subjects using target controlled infusions. Results In the placebo session, pain ratings and areas of hyperalgesia were stable during the stimulation period, which facilitated the assessment of analgesic effects. Alfentanil effectively inhibited electrically evoked pain and reduced pin prick hyperalgesia and allodynia during its infusion. S (+)-ketamine–induced inhibition of secondary hyperalgesia was more pronounced and lasted for the whole experimental protocol. Therapeutic levels of systemic lidocaine showed only marginal analgesic effects, but lasting antihyperalgesic effects. Conclusions A new model of electrically induced pain and hyperalgesia was established, which enabled assessment of the time course of analgesic and antihyperalgesic effects with high temporal resolution and minimum tissue damage and which was further validated by use of common intravenous anesthetics.
Managing Data Center Tickets: Prediction and Active Sizing

Performance ticket handling is an expensive operation in highly virtualized cloud data centers where physical boxes host multiple virtual machines (VMs). A large body of tickets arise from the resource usage warnings, e.g., CPU and RAM usages that exceed predefined thresholds. The transient nature of CPU and RAM usage as well as their strong correlation across time among co-located VMs drastically increase the complexity in ticket management. Based on a large resource usage data collected from production data centers, amount to 6K physical machines and more than 80K VMs, we first discover patterns of spatial dependency among co-located virtual resources. Leveraging our key findings, we develop an Active Ticket Managing(ATM) system that consists of (i) a novel time series prediction methodology and (ii) a proactive VM resizing policy for CPU and RAM resources for co-located VMs on a physical box that aims to drastically reduce usage tickets. ATM exploits the spatial dependency across multiple resources of co-located VMs for usage prediction and proactive VM resizing. Evaluation results on traces of 6K physical boxes and a prototype of a MediaWiki system show that ATM is able to achieve excellent prediction accuracy of a large number of VM time series and significant usage ticket reduction, i.e., up to 60%, at low computational overhead.
Evaluation of salivary procalcitonin levels in different periodontal diseases.

BACKGROUND The present study aims to investigate the levels of salivary procalcitonin (ProCT) in patients with different periodontal diseases. METHODS Seventy-two non-smokers are included in this study: 21 individuals with chronic periodontitis (CP), 14 individuals with generalized aggressive periodontitis (GAgP), 18 individuals with gingivitis (G), and 19 periodontally healthy (H) participants. Clinical periodontal parameters, including probing depth (PD), clinical attachment level (CAL), plaque index, and gingival index (GI), were assessed in all participants. Saliva samples were collected and examined for evaluating ProCT levels. RESULTS It was found that the median (interquartile range) salivary ProCT level was lowest in the H group: 0.00 (0.09) ng/mL; followed by the G group: 0.09 (0.11) ng/mL; the CP group: 0.15 (0.29) ng/mL; and highest in the GAgP group 0.28 (0.68) ng/mL. These differences were statistically significant between the H group and the other groups (P <0.05). There were positive correlations between the mean salivary ProCT level and GI, CAL, and PD. CONCLUSION According to the present results, ProCT might play a role during periodontal inflammation, and an elevated salivary ProCT level is suggested as a potential biomarker for periodontal diseases.
An Incremental Redundancy Hybrid ARQ Scheme via Puncturing and Extending of Polar Codes

We construct polar codes for the specific purpose of incremental redundancy hybrid automatic repeat request (IR-HARQ) schemes. The rate compatibility of our scheme is ensured by both puncturing and extending of the code. A new puncturing algorithm for polar codes is proposed, and we develop an algorithm for finding good extending sequences for polar codes from any arbitrary punctured rate, with the goal of improving the throughput as much as possible. Simulation results for different types of puncturing and extending algorithms are presented. We show how the proposed extending algorithm, when properly operated with a good puncturing algorithm and a well-chosen puncturing rate, yields IR-HARQ coding schemes which can operate within 1 dB of Shannon capacity over a very wide range of signal-to-noise ratios.