Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Factors associated with carer strain in carers of people with multiple sclerosis.

PURPOSE To examine the factors associated with strain in carers of people with multiple sclerosis (MS). METHOD People with MS were recruited from an MS management clinic. Demographic information, memory, executive function, attention/concentration, mood, disability and health of the person with MS, the carer's opinion of the care-recipient's memory and disability, and the carer's mood were recorded. A postal questionnaire to identify factors associated with carer strain was sent to carers. A further questionnaire was sent to carers to examine the association between memory problems in people with MS and carer strain. RESULTS Problems with everyday memory and activities of daily living were found to be associated with carer strain. Strained carers perceived strain to be a consequence of the memory problems (p < 0.01). Aspects of the memory problems related to carer strain were the amount of time a carer could spend alone (p = 0.01), the carer's mood and less sympathetic feelings towards the person with MS (p < 0.05). Strained carers had more desire for other people to help the person with MS deal with the memory problems by themselves than carers who were not under strain (p = 0.03). CONCLUSION Carer strain was associated with memory problems experienced by people with MS.
Multiview Kernels for Low-Dimensional Modeling of Seismic Events

The problem of learning from seismic recordings has been studied for years. There is a growing interest of developing automatic mechanisms for identifying the properties of a seismic event. One main motivation is the ability to have a reliable identification of man-made explosions. The availability of multiple high-dimensional observations has increased the use of machine learning techniques in a variety of fields. In this paper, we propose to use a kernel-fusion-based dimensionality reduction framework for generating meaningful seismic representations from raw data. The proposed method is tested on 2023 events that were recorded in Israel and Jordan. The method achieves promising results in the classification of event type as well as the estimation of the event location. The proposed fusion and dimensionality reduction tools may be applied to other types of geophysical data.
Experience Rating in Medical Professional Liability Insurance

The case for using the claims experience of individual health care providers in setting appropriate premium rates for malpractice insurance has been frequently debated, particularly in recent years with the development of what has been called the "affordability" crisis in medical malpractice insurance. The theoretical efficacy of experience rating must surely be above dispute as pricing insurance without using available knowledge about the loss expectancy of the policyholder is obviously both inefficient and irrational. The debate has thus largely centered on the practical feasibility of experience rating and the magnitude of any implied impact. At present, medical malpractice experience information is not collected in any systematic way beyond that collected by insurers themselves for their current policyholders. If a physician switches insurers, he effectively starts over as insurers rarely share experience information among themselves. In addition, most current medical malpractice insurers have only been in existence since the mid to late 1970's and, as a result, have limited information on even their current policyholders. In "Economics of Oligopoly: Medical Malpractice Insurance as a Classic Illustration [2]," the authors recommend mandatory collection of malpractice
Misallocation and Manufacturing TFP in Bolivia during the Market Liberalization Period

This paper analyzes productivity dispersion in the Bolivian manufacturing sector during the Market Liberalization Period: 1988-2001. We analyze the effects of resource misallocation on manufacturing total factor productivity (TFP) with firm-level data and by employing the Hsieh and Klenow (2009) model. We found that if resource misallocation was eliminated, the gains in productivity would have been on the order of 54 percent on average and would have ranged from -6 percent to 38 percent relative to the United States (benchmark country). We also test if misallocation is related to reforms, and firm or geographical characteristics. There is suggestive evidence that the second-generation reforms were associated with an increase in the misallocation of resources that reached a peak in 1998, the year the economy experienced an important economic downturn.
Theory Research of Value Investing Based on Market Position

This paper divides the net assets of a company into net operating assets (Equity) and net financial assets on the basis of Ohlson residual income model. Under the assumption that excess surplus income can only be generated from the net operating assets, the account of unearned revenue is selected as an efficient indicator reflecting a companyi¯s market position and a new model of value investing theory is built based on market position. Moreover, statistics of Chinese capital market from 2003 to 2011 are used to conduct an empirical analysis to test the adjusted theoretical model. The results show that unearned revenue would significantly affect corporationsi¯ equity value as an indicator reflecting its market position. However, an extreme value appears in its influence curve which performs as an inverted U shape. Overall, adjusted model of value investing theory built in this paper has important theoretical and practical significance in improving the development of China's capital market.
Data mining in the analysis of Internet performance as perceived by end-users

In this paper, we propose data mining analysis of Internet performance data. The research is aimed at characterization of Web performance as seen by the end-users. Our strategy involves discovering knowledge that characterizes Web performance perceived by end-users and then making use of this knowledge to guide users in further Internet usage. Our two-phase data mining decision model can predict RTT and throughput behavior when downloading Web objects. The data is collected by the Wing measurement infrastructure. Real measurements data is used in model evaluation. We show that the number of correct classifications is high (76%-93%).
Role of central command in carotid baroreflex resetting in humans during static exercise

The purpose of the experiments was to examine the role of central command in the exercise‐induced resetting of the carotid baroreflex. Eight subjects performed 30 % maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) static knee extension and flexion with manipulation of central command (CC) by patellar tendon vibration (PTV). The same subjects also performed static knee extension and flexion exercise without PTV at a force development that elicited the same ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) as those observed during exercise with PTV in order to assess involvement of the exercise pressor reflex. Carotid baroreflex (CBR) function curves were modelled from the heart rate (HR) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) responses to rapid changes in neck pressure and suction during steady state static exercise. Knee extension exercise with PTV (decreased CC activation) reset the CBR‐HR and CBR‐MAP to a lower operating pressure (P < 0.05) and knee flexion exercise with PTV (increased CC activation) reset the CBR‐HR and CBR‐MAP to a higher operating pressure (P < 0.05). Comparison between knee extension and flexion exercise at the same RPE with and without PTV found no difference in the resetting of the CBR‐HR function curves (P > 0.05) suggesting the response was determined primarily by CC activation. However, the CBR‐MAP function curves were reset to operating pressures determined by both exercise pressor reflex (EPR) and central command activation. Thus the physiological response to exercise requires CC activation to reset the carotid‐cardiac reflex but requires either CC or EPR to reset the carotid‐vasomotor reflex.
Effects of interleukin-10 on activation and apoptosis of hepatic stellate cells in fibrotic rat liver.

AIM To study the effects of interleukin-10 (IL-10) on the expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA), nuclear factor- kappa B(NF- kappa B) and Fas/Fas ligand (FasL) in hepatic stellate cells of experimental rats with hepatic fibrosis. METHODS Sixty clean SD rats were randomly divided into control group (group N), liver fibrotic group (group C) and IL-10 treatment group (group I). Control group received intraperitoneal injection of saline (2 mL/kg), twice a week. Fibrotic group was injected intraperitoneally with 50% carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4)) (2 mL/kg), twice a week. IL-10 treatment group was given IL-10 at a dose of 4 microg/kg 20 minutes before CCl(4) administration from the third week. Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) were isolated from these rats at the seventh and eleventh weeks during the course of liver fibrosis, respectively. The expression of alpha-SMA and NF- kappa B in HSCs was measured by S-P immunohistochemistry. The expression of Fas and FasL mRNA was measured by RT-PCR. Furthermore, liver tissues were harvested from three groups at the same time. RESULTS The CCl(4)- induced experimental rat hepatic fibrosis model was established successfully. The purity of extracted hepatic stellate cells was about 95% and the yield of hepatic stellate cells was 1.2-2.3 x 10(6)/g liver tissue averagely. The positive expression of alpha-SMA and NF- kappa B was 36.5% and 28.5% respectively in group N. The positive levels of alpha-SMA and NF- kappa B were increased significantly in group C compared to group N (P<0.01). The positive signals decreased significantly (P<0.05) in group I. In the 11th week, the HSCs of group I became round with visible pyknotic nuclei. The expression of NF- kappa B in group C was significantly increased in a time-dependent manner (P<0.01), but there was no difference in the alpha-SMA expression (P>0.05). The mRNA of Fas and FasL in group C was significantly increased in a time-dependent manner compared to that in control group. After treated with IL-10, the expression level of Fas and FasL was higher in group I than in group C. CONCLUSION The positive expression of alpha-SMA and NF- kappa B in hepatic stellate cells is decreased by ectogenic IL-10 in liver fibrosis induced by CCl(4). The expression of Fas and FasL is increased in the course of liver fibrosis, and is further increased by IL-10. IL-10 could inhibit the activation of HSCs and cause apoptosis of activated HSCs.
Would Increased Regulation Reduce the Number of Information Breaches?

Private Personally Identifiable Information (PII) is increasingly stored and lost by a variety of organizations. The retail, healthcare, technology, banking, and gaming industries as well as many government agencies have been particularly hard hit by high visibility security breaches that compromised millions of individual's records. Decisions to protect information are not always based on good risk management practices and can often be affected by the need to comply with an industry or government regulation. We examine the effectiveness of regulation within several industries to determine whether increased regulation would result in a reduction in information compromises.
Effects of aristolochic acid I and/or hypokalemia on tubular damage in C57BL/6 rat with aristolochic acid nephropathy

Background/Aims This study was designed to investigate the roles of aristolochic acid I (AA-I) and hypokalemia in acute aristolochic acid nephropathy (AAN). Methods After an adaptation period (1 week), a total of 40 C57BL/6 mice (male, 8 weeks old) were divided into four groups: I (control group), II (low potassium [K] diet), III (normal K diet with administration of AA-I [10 mg/kg weight]), and IV (low K diet with AA-I). After collecting 24 hours of urine at 2 weeks, the mice were sacrificed, and their blood and kidneys were obtained to perform immunochemical staining and/or Western blot analysis. Results Proteinuria, glycosuria, and increased fractional excretion of sodium and K were prominent in groups III and IV (p < 0.05). Diffuse swelling and poor staining of collecting duct epithelial cells were evident in the medullas of group II. Typical lesions of toxic acute tubular injury were prominent in the cortices of groups III and IV. Α-Smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) was higher in the cortices of the mice in groups III and IV versus group II (p < 0.05), and higher in the medullas of group IV than groups I and III (p < 0.05). E-cadherin was higher in the cortices of groups III and IV compared to group I (p < 0.05). The F4/80 value was higher in the cortices and medullas of groups II, III, and IV compared to group I (p < 0.05), particularly in the case of group II. Conclusions AA-I can induce acquired Fanconi syndrome in the acute stage of AAN. Macrophages appear to play a key role in the pathogenesis of AAN and hypokalemic nephropathy. It remains uncertain whether hypokalemia plays any role in AAN and hypokalemia.
The Architecture of Trypanosoma brucei editosomes

Significance Trypanosoma brucei is a deadly kinetoplastid parasite that causes the human and veterinarian diseases African sleeping sickness and nagana. We combine chemical cross-linking and mass spectrometry, structural modeling, genetics, and biochemistry to define the global architecture of RNA editing “editosome” complexes in these parasites. Editosomes are unique to kinetoplastids, which also include Trypanosoma cruzi and Leishmania parasites that cause Chagas disease and Leishmaniases, respectively. Editosomes are essential for parasite viability and are promising drug targets. This work creates a comprehensive, highly detailed map of editosome protein proximities and interactions, and furthers our understanding of editosome protein function in T. brucei and other kinetoplastids, thus aiding the potential development of new therapeutics for the treatment of several different parasitic diseases. Uridine insertion and deletion RNA editing generates functional mitochondrial mRNAs in Trypanosoma brucei. Editing is catalyzed by three distinct ∼20S editosomes that have a common set of 12 proteins, but are typified by mutually exclusive RNase III endonucleases with distinct cleavage specificities and unique partner proteins. Previous studies identified a network of protein–protein interactions among a subset of common editosome proteins, but interactions among the endonucleases and their partner proteins, and their interactions with common subunits were not identified. Here, chemical cross-linking and mass spectrometry, comparative structural modeling, and genetic and biochemical analyses were used to define the molecular architecture and subunit organization of purified editosomes. We identified intra- and interprotein cross-links for all editosome subunits that are fully consistent with editosome protein structures and previously identified interactions, which we validated by genetic and biochemical studies. The results were used to create a highly detailed map of editosome protein domain proximities, leading to identification of molecular interactions between subunits, insights into the functions of noncatalytic editosome proteins, and a global understanding of editosome architecture.
Lung ultrasound characteristics of community‐acquired pneumonia in hospitalized children

The diagnosis of community‐acquired pneumonia (CAP) is based mainly on the patient's medical history and physical examination. However, in severe cases a further evaluation including chest X‐ray (CXR) may be necessary. At present, lung ultrasound (LUS) is not included in the diagnostic work‐up of pneumonia.
A Hessian matrix approach for training nonlinear networks

In the original output weight optimization-hidden weight optimization (OWO-HWO) algorithm for training multilayer perceptions, only first order information is used to construct the desired net function. This gradient-like strategy inevitably reduces efficiency. In this paper, an efficient Hessian matrix inversion method is proposed for the hidden weights optimization. Numerical results validate the improvement of this algorithm.
Microwave Performance Dependence of BST Thin Film Planar Interdigitated Varactors on Different substrates

This paper investigated the RF and microwave characterization dependence of BST (BaSrTiO<sub>3</sub>) planar interdigitated (PID) varactors on different substrates, such as MO (MgO), LAO (LaAlO<sub>3</sub>) and STO (SrTiO<sub>3</sub>). Double-layer Ba<sub>0.6</sub>Sr<sub>0.4</sub>TiO<sub>3</sub>/ Ba<sub>0.4</sub>Sr<sub>0.6</sub>TiO<sub>3</sub> thin film was deposited using reactive pulsed laser deposition (PLD) and then varactors were fabricated. The results show that the capacitance, tunability and Q-factor of the PID varactors are strong dependent upon the properties of the substrates. The capacitance of the PID varactor on STO is much higher than those on MO and LAO substrates, and so its self-resonant frequency is the lowest. The tunability of the PID varactors on MO, LAO and STO are 45%, 50% and 30% respectively at 40V DC bias. The Q-factors of three PID varactors on MO, LAO and STO are different, i.e., MO>STO>LAO.
Stroke mortality trends in the population of Klaipėda from 1994 to 2008.

UNLABELLED The objective of the study was to evaluate the trends in stroke mortality in the population of Klaipėda aged 35-79 years from 1994 to 2008. MATERIAL AND METHODS Mortality data on all permanent residents of Klaipėda aged 35-79 years who died from stroke in 1994-2008 were gathered for the study. All death certificates of permanent residents of Klaipėda aged 35-79 years who died during 1994-2008 were examined in this study. The International Classification of Diseases (ICD-9 codes 430-436, and ICD-10 codes I60-I64) was used. Sex-specific mortality rates were standardized according to the Segi's world population; all the mortality rates were calculated per 100 000 population per year. Trends in stroke mortality were estimated using log-linear regression models. Sex-specific mortality rates and trends were calculated for 3 age groups (35-79, 35-64, and 65-79 years). RESULTS During the entire study period (1994-2008), a marked decline in stroke mortality with a clear slowdown after 2002 was observed. The average annual percent changes in mortality rates for men and women aged 35-79 years were -4.6% (P=0.041) and -6.5% (P=0.002), respectively. From 1994 to 2002, the stroke mortality rate decreased consistently among both Klaipėda men and women aged 35-64 years (20.4% per year, P=0.002, and 14.7% per year, P=0.006, respectively) and in the elderly population aged 65-79 years (13.8% per year, P=0.005; and 12% per year, P=0.019). During 2003-2008, stroke mortality increased by 16.3% per year in middle-aged men (35-64 years), whereas among women (aged 35-64 and 65-79 years) and elderly men (aged 65-79 years), the age-adjusted mortality rate remained relatively unchanged. CONCLUSIONS Among both men and women, the mortality rates from stroke sharply declined between 1994 and 2008 with a clear slowdown in the decline after 2002. Stroke mortality increased significantly among middle-aged men from 2003, while it remained without significant changes among women of the same age and both elderly men and women.
Effects of Intensive and Moderate Cellular Phone Use on Hearing Function

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of radiation emitted by mobile phones on the hearing of users. The study was carried out on three groups: 1) 20 men who have used a cellular phone frequently and spoken approximately 2 h per day for four years; 2) 20 men who have used a cellular phone for 10–20 min per day for four years; and 3) 20 healthy men who have never used a cellular phone (the control group). Brainstem evoked response audiometric (BERA) and pure tone audiometric (PTA) methods were used to measure the effects of exposure on hearing function of the subjects. In BERA measurements, I–III, III–V, and I–V interpeak latencies were evaluated. Interpeak latency of subjects in two experimental groups was compared to that of subjects in the control group. The BERA results showed no differences among the groups (p > 0.05). In PTA measurements, detection thresholds at 250 Hz, 500 Hz, 1000 Hz, 2000 Hz, 4000 Hz, and 8000 Hz frequencies were measured in all three groups. No differences were observed between moderate mobile phone users (10–20 min. per day) and control subjects. However, detection thresholds in those who talked approximately 2 h per day were found to be higher than those in either moderate users or control subjects. Differences at 4000 Hz for both bone and air conduction for right ears, and 500 Hz, and 4000 Hz bone and air conduction for left ears were significant for mean hearing threshold. This study shows that a higher degree of hearing loss is associated with long-term exposure to electromagnetic (EM) field generated by cellular phones.
Fibrinogen concentrate administration inhibits endogenous fibrinogen synthesis in pigs after traumatic hemorrhage

BACKGROUND Fibrinogen plays a central role in coagulation and falls to critical levels early after trauma. Administration of fibrinogen concentrate (FC) to improve hemostasis after severe bleeding seems beneficial, but it is unclear whether its use introduces excessive fibrinogen with a potential risk of thrombosis. This study investigated changes of endogenous fibrinogen metabolism from FC administration following traumatic hemorrhage in pigs. METHODS Anesthetized, instrumented pigs were randomized into lactated Ringer’s (LR) solution only and LR plus FC groups (n = 7 each). Femur fracture of each pig’s left leg was followed by hemorrhage of 60% total blood volume and resuscitation with LR (3× bled volume, LR group) or LR plus FC at 250 mg/kg (LR-FC group). Afterward, a constant infusion of stable isotopes 1-13C-phenylalanine (phe, 6 hours) and d5-phe (3 hours) was performed with hourly blood sampling and subsequent gas chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis to quantify fibrinogen synthesis and breakdown rates, respectively. Blood gas and coagulation indices (thromboelastography) were measured on intermittent blood samples, and hemodynamics was continuously monitored. Animals were euthanized after the 6-hour isotope period. RESULTS Mean arterial pressure decreased by 50% after hemorrhage but improved after LR resuscitation in both groups. Hemorrhage and LR resuscitation reduced total protein, hematocrit, fibrinogen, and platelets to 50% of baseline values. Moreover, hemorrhage and resuscitation decreased fibrinogen concentration (207 ± 6 vs. 132 ± 7 mg/dL) and clot strength (72 ± 2 vs. 63 ± 2 mm) in both groups (p < 0.05). FC administration restored plasma fibrinogen concentrations and clot strength within 15 minutes, while no changes occurred in the LR group. Fibrinogen synthesis rates in the LR-FC group (1.3 ± 0.2 mg/kg/h) decreased versus the LR group (3.1 ± 0.5; p < 0.05), whereas fibrinogen breakdown rates were similar. CONCLUSION Our data suggest an effective feedback mechanism that regulates host fibrinogen availability and thereby suggests that acute thrombosis from FC administration is an unlikely risk.