Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Chronic conditions that lead to functional limitation in the elderly.

BACKGROUND The role of chronic medical conditions in elderly persons' loss of functional abilities is intuitively important but not well defined. This analysis was designed to identify chronic medical conditions that lead to the development of severe functional limitation. METHODS Functionally intact members of a multistage probability sample (n = 6,862) of all noninstitutionalized U.S. civilians age 70 years or older were interviewed in 1984. Based on data from the National Death Index and from follow-up telephone interviews in 1988 with survivors, subjects were classified as functionally intact, functionally limited (unable to perform one or more of seven essential activities), or decreased. RESULTS After adjusting for the effects of exercise habits and demographic, socioeconomic, and psychosocial factors, we found that the best predictors of the development of functional limitation were cerebrovascular disease (OR = 2.14; 95% CL = 1.16, 3.98) and arthritis (OR = 1.51; 95% CL = 1.08, 2.11). The contribution of coronary artery disease also approached statistical significance (OR = 1.49; 95% CL = 0.99, 2.27). CONCLUSION In the future, the primary prevention or effective treatment of cerebrovascular disease, arthritis, and possibly coronary artery disease may produce a modest reduction in the incidence of severe functional limitation.
Enhanced susceptibility to iodide myxedema in patients with Hashimoto's disease.

ABSTRACT Studies were performed in 6 patients with proven Hashimoto's disease and one patient with probable Hashimoto's disease who were initially euthyroid, as judged from clinical findings, serum thyroxine (T4) and serum TSH concentrations. When these patients were given saturated solution of potassium iodide (5 drops containing approximately 180 mg of iodide daily), 4 of the 7 developed hypothyroidism within 4 to 6 weeks as evidenced by clinical findings, subnormal values for serum T4, and elevated values for serum TSH concentration. Values quickly returned to normal when iodides were withdrawn. In the remaining 3 patients, evidence of hypothyroidism did not develop despite continuation of iodide administration for as long as 17–30 weeks. No obvious differences between the 4 patients who developed iodide myxedema and the 3 who did not were evident in respect to known duration of the disease, size of goiter, initial level of thyroid function or intensity of the auto-immune process as judged by circulati.
Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation:

Catheter ablation is a promising approach in severely symptomatic patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF). Until this time it has only been performed in highly selected patients with weekly episodes and frequent premature atrial contractions (PACs). The aim of the present study was to estimate the prevalence of severely symptomatic patients with PAF and to evaluate the significance of PACs. The files of 7,447 consecutive patients were screened and 1,357 PAF patients identified. Holter recordings were performed in 108 patients with ≥2 spontaneous AF episodes. Despite antiarrhythmic treatment, 6.5% (1.8–11.1%) had a history of weekly PAF episodes. 29.2% of patients and 10% of healthy, age‐matched controls had more than 700 PACs. The number of PACs was inversely related to the reported numbers of previous episodes and directly related to age and size of left atrium. We estimate that about 6.5% of patients with PAF are severely symptomatic and might benefit from catheter ablation. Our data suggest that the number of PACs should not be used as a selection criterion for catheter ablation. Frequent PACs are seen in a substantial proportion of elderly healthy individuals. (PACE; 26:1668–1674)
Scrub typhus meningitis: An under-recognized cause of aseptic meningitis in India.

BACKGROUND Central nervous system (CNS) involvement in scrub typhus is seen in up to a quarter of patients. However, the literature on cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis and outcome in meningitis/meningo-encephalitis due to scrub typhus is scant. MATERIALS AND METHODS This retrospective study included patients who were admitted to a medical college hospital with scrub typhus meningitis/meningo-encephalitis between 2005 and 2011. The clinical and laboratory profile, details of CSF analysis and outcome were documented. RESULTS The study included 189 patients with meningitis/meningo-encephalitis due to scrub typhus. The mean age of the patients was 41 ± 4 years. The mean duration of fever before presentation was 9.4 ± 3 days. The common presenting complaints were headache (64.2%), nausea/vomiting (60%), altered sensorium (53.7%) and seizures (22.1%). The presence of an eschar was documented in 27.5% of the patients. The mean CSF white blood count was 80 cells/cu mm (range: 5-740). There was a clear lymphocyte predominance (mean 87.6%). The mean CSF protein level was 105 mg% (range: 13-640). The mean CSF sugar level was 63.9 mg% (range 25-350), and was less than 40 mg% in 11.1% of the cases. The case fatality rate was 5.8% (11/189). Univariate analysis showed the presence of an eschar (15.4% vs 2.2%; Odds Ratio [OR]: 8.1) and altered sensorium (9.8% vs 1.1%; OR: 9.2) to be significant predictors of mortality. CONCLUSIONS In endemic regions, scrub typhus should be considered in the differential diagnosis of aseptic meningitis. Modest elevation of cells in the CSF with lymphocytic pleocytosis and multi-organ involvement may indicate scrub typhus meningitis/meningo-encephalitis.
Neuropeptide regulation of appetite and weight.

IN THE last decade, the explosive increase in our knowledge of neuropeptides has demonstrated that the release of peptides from the gastrointestinal tract can modulate behavior; and, contrariwise, gastrointestinal peptides have been shown to be synthesized and released in the central nervous system and act as neurotransmitters. This review will concentrate on the role of peptides as modulators of feeding behavior and weight regulation. The complexities of the neurochemical regulation of food intake are not surprising when one considers the varied inputs involved in the determination of feeding behavior. With depletion of an organism's energy stores, a series of signals arise which force the animal to hunt for food. When the food source is found, the animal needs to do a cost-benefit analysis, i.e. a determination of whether the potential danger and the energy expenditure involved are justified in terms of the calories to be gained and secondarily, to decide whether or not the food is suitable for consumption.
Evidence from Shock Corporate Events of Equity Market Efficiency

The study uses a unique hand-collected database of totally unexpected corporate events (N=78), which comprise fatal industrial disasters, crashes of scheduled aircraft and sudden CEO deaths that affected US listed companies (N=84) in the decade to 2006. It identifies the times of the events and their media announcements, and separately analyzes each using daily closes and intraday data. The motivation is to understand the pathways along which new information is transmitted to markets, the role of the media in dissemination of price sensitive information, and the extent of insider trading around shock events.Conventional event study methodology shows markets respond by the close of the trading day of the event, with most price adjustment completed within another day. Initial responses are state dependent, as price changes on the trading day following an event have a positive relationship to prior returns; price moves on the next trading day are largely explained by the prior day's change.The more granular tick data show that markets take an hour or more to begin to respond to events that occur during the trading day. Because the first media announcements come about 13 hours after the event, markets anticipate them with substantial price falls and widening spreads at least four hours before the announcement. Somewhat counter-intuitively, media reports of the shock events stabilize markets within about two hours.These results add to knowledge about market reaction to unexpected events and the dynamics of market efficiency that should inform design of future studies around corporate events.
Real-time eye tracking techni que for multiview 3D systems

This paper presents the real-time multi-user eye tracking technique for multiview 3D systems. The proposed technique used the Haar feature-based face detection and classification. Then, it calculated the best matching template, and extracts eye positions based on biological proportion. Simulation results showed the proposed method enhanced the average F1 score up to 0.312, compared with conventional methods.
Towards an index for the rental sector: a model for the Flanders housing market

This paper describes the development of a rent index for Flanders, Belgium. This annual index, referred to as the huurprijsindex (rent index), is designed to detect changes in the rent of the overall stock of rental homes. We use the matched model methodology based upon repeat tenancy agreements, analogous to Case and Shilleris geometric repeat sales model, to estimate the rent index. We use recoded data on the tenancy agreements of nearly five hundred thousand rental homes; more than 30,000 representing repeat agreements between 1990 and 2010. The accuracy of the index is determined using the 95% confidence interval. Given our target (a geometric mean index value) and the characteristics of the dataset (large but without property characteristics) our repeat tenancy agreements method seems to be adequate for calculating a rent index for Flanders.
Postantibiotic Effect of Ceftobiprole against 12 Gram-Positive Organisms

ABSTRACT The in vitro postantibiotic effects (PAEs), postantibiotic sub-MIC effects (PA-SMEs), and sub-MIC effects of ceftobiprole were determined for 12 gram-positive organisms. Pneumococcal, staphylococcal, and enterococcal PAEs were 1.4 to 3.1 h, 0 to 1.8 h, and 0 to 0.9 h, respectively. The PA-SMEs (0.4 times the MIC) for pneumococci, staphylococci, and enterococci were 4.8 to >10.3 h, 1.5 to 9.6 h, and 3.8 to >10.7 h, respectively.
High level synthesis of a Front End filter and DSP engine for analog to digital conversion - a case study

We present the design of a Sinc Cubed Decimator and of a Front End DSP Engine for Analog to Digital Conversion using high-level synthesis. The input language was SystemC and the High Level Synthesis tool was Cadence's C to Silicon compiler. Area and timing results, as well as comments on the overall experience, are also presented.
The management of retail buying

Partial table of contents: THE BUYING PROCESS Organization and Control of the Buying Process Buying Groups: Private Label and Import Programs, Market Representation PLANNING AND MANAGING MERCHANDISE ASSORTMENTS Keys to Understanding the Consumer Forecasting Customer Demand Assortment Differentiation: Private Brands and Other Strategies Planning and Control: Units and Dollars The Buying Plan WHERE AND HOW TO BUY The Supplier Marketplace Negotiating the Wholesale Price and Conditions of Purchase Vendor Services Available to the Buyer The Buyer's Order and Vendor Relations Foreign Buying Appendices.
A 141-dB Dynamic Range CMOS Gas-Sensor Interface Circuit Without Calibration With 16-Bit Digital Output Word

In this paper, we present the design and the characterization of a wide-dynamic-range interface circuit for resistive gas-sensors able to operate without calibration. The circuit is based on resistance-to-frequency conversion, which guarantees low complexity. The state-of-the-art of this measurement method has been improved first by separating the resistance value controlled oscillator circuit (RCO) from the sensing device, thus leading to higher linearity performance, and then by exploiting a novel digital frequency measurement system. Measurement results on a silicon prototype, designed in a 0.35-mum CMOS technology, show that the circuit achieves, without calibration, a precision in resistance measurement of 0.4% over a range of 4 decades and better than 0.8% over 5 decades (dynamic range, DR = 141 dB). Furthermore, after calibration, it reaches a precision of 0.4% for resistance values ranging between 1 kOmega and 1 GOmega, thus leading to a DR of 168 dB. The prototype chip consumes less than 15 mW from a 3.3-V supply.
The Functions of Information System in The Management of Corporate Social Responsibility

Background: Most organizations rely on their information system on a daily basis to generate opportunities and advantages. Meanwhile, with the increasing emphasize on corporate social responsibility (CSR), more directors and CEOs are shifting their sights to CSR by developing business models that underline responsible and ethical disciplines for running businesses. However, studies that combine the analysis of IS and CSR are few. Therefore, the potential benefits of utilizing IS from a more intan-gible view, which means CSR in our case, are less likely be discovered. Besides, sen-ior managers have a hard time on shifting perceptions on CSR from being an add-on activity to be integrated in core operations of the organizations. Aim & Purpose: The aim of our research is to investigate the functions that IS has in CSR management from managers' perspectives. As mentioned above, the main reason for con-duction this research is the existing knowledge gap through the subjects being investigated. The overall purpose for this study is to adopt EFQM Excellence Model and Work System Model to contribute to CSR value creation of the organization. Method: The current research approach is qualitative and a case study is applied as re-search strategy. Data collection is carried out by means of documents and interviews. Doc-uments include company annual reports and website information. Semi-structured inter-views are conducted with managers from Lasfosaringar Jokoping and PwC. Conclusions: The functions of IS in the management of CSR can be concluded into four aspects, which are information management, customer relationship management, monitor-ing daily affairs and corporate governance. Information system have changed the way data is being sorted, spread, disseminated and have accelerated the information exchange fre-quency in business operation. Those changes in turn reflect on the performance of cus-tomer, employee and corporate governance of the organization.
DOWNTOWN REVITALIZATION: CONSUMERS’ AND CITY PLANNERS’ PERCEIVED BARRIERS TO INTEGRATING LARGE-SCALE RETAIL INTO THE DOWNTOWN

DOWNTOWN REVITALIZATION: CONSUMERS’ AND CITY PLANNERS’ PERCEIVED BARRIERS TO INTEGRATING LARGE-SCALE RETAIL INTO THE DOWNTOWN Jennifer Marie Donofrio Statement of Problem Revitalization of downtowns across America continues to be challenged by the shift to the suburbs. The barriers to integrating large-scale retail in a small, medium, and large city downtown were examined. Forces of Data The System View Planning Theory (Taylor, 1998) guided the study of city planners’ and consumers’ perceived barriers to integrating large scale retail into the downtown. In order to ascertain the barriers to integrating large-scale retail into the downtown intercept-surveys with consumers (n=30, responded to the intercept survey in each city) and interviews with city planners were conducted. Conclusion Reached Some significant differences were found between perceived barriers towards integrating large-scale retail into small and large-city downtowns. Although most consumers reported a positive attitude towards large-scale retail, most consumers in Tucson and San Diego indicated that the cost of shopping in the downtown outweighed the benefits. Traffic, parking, pedestrian-friendly streetoriented environment, and local character are among the major barriers identified by the study cities to integrating large-scale retail into the downtown. However, over half of the consumers surveyed agreed that they would shop at large-scale retail on the weekdays if it were available, but less than half of consumers in Tucson and San Diego would shop at large-scale retail on the weekends. Recommendations Three recommendations were suggested to successfully establish and sustain large-scale retail in the downtown. 1. Continue to find creative solutions to parking and traffic barriers. 2. Create a multifunctional, walkable downtown, with amenities to meet most consumers’ needs. 3. Establish retail stores in the downtown that enhance the local character and cater to residents’ needs rather than mostly tourist needs.
Disparate patterns of age‐related changes in lipid peroxidation in long‐lived naked mole‐rats and shorter‐lived mice

A key tenet of the oxidative stress theory of aging is that levels of accrued oxidative damage increase with age. Differences in damage generation and accumulation therefore may underlie the natural variation in species longevity. We compared age‐related profiles of whole‐organism lipid peroxidation (urinary isoprostanes) and liver lipid damage (malondialdehyde) in long living naked mole‐rats [maximum lifespan (MLS) > 28.3 years] and shorter‐living CB6F1 hybrid mice (MLS ∼3.5 years). In addition, we compared age‐associated changes in liver non‐heme iron to assess how intracellular conditions, which may modulate oxidative processes, are affected by aging. Surprisingly, even at a young age, concentrations of both markers of lipid peroxidation, as well as of iron, were at least twofold (P < 0.005) greater in naked mole tats than in mice. This refutes the hypothesis that prolonged naked mole‐rat longevity is due to superior protection against oxidative stress. The age‐related profiles of all three parameters were distinctly species specific. Rates of lipid damage generation in mice were maintained throughout adulthood, while accrued damage in old animals was twice that of young mice. In naked mole‐rats, urinary isoprostane excretion declined by half with age (P < 0.001), despite increases in tissue iron (P < 0.05). Contrary to the predictions of the oxidative stress theory, lipid damage levels did not change with age in mole‐rats. These data suggest that the patterns of age‐related changes in levels of markers of oxidative stress are species specific, and that the pronounced longevity of naked mole‐rats is independent of oxidative stress parameters.
Integrating the finances of East Asia

Some observers have recently lamented that East Asia suffers from a lack of financial integration. While financial transactions between economies in East Asia and the rest of the world have increased over time, it is argued that capital is channelled between East Asia, on the one hand, and London or New York, on the other, rather than between East Asian economies themselves.2 Given the memory of the abrupt withdrawal of funds from the region five years ago, the perception of such a pattern of capital flows contributes to a sense of financial vulnerability. For some observers, the official efforts to further financial cooperation, as exemplified by the network of swaps agreed among the ASEAN Plus Three countries,3 represent an attempt to lessen such vulnerability. This special feature seeks to assess financial integration in East Asia in the international bond market and the international syndicated loan market. On this basis, East Asia’s finances are more integrated than is often appreciated. While firms headquartered outside the region figure prominently in the roles of bookrunners and loan arrangers, regional funds and banks are very well represented among the underlying investors, in the case of bonds, and among syndicate members, in the case of loans.
The role of CB1 receptors in psychostimulant addiction

Recent studies have implicated the endocannabinoid (eCB) system in the neuronal mechanisms underlying substance dependence. Here, we review results of studies using cannabinoid receptor subtype 1 (CB1) knockout mice as well as CB1 antagonists to elucidate the role of this neurotransmitter system in psychostimulant addiction. The overall picture is that CB1 receptors appear not to be involved in psychostimulant reward, nor in the development of dependence to such substances. In contrast, the eCB system appears to play a role in the persistence of psychostimulant addiction. In particular, CB1 receptors have been found to play a cardinal role in mediating reinstatement of previously extinguished drug‐seeking behavior upon re‐exposure to the drug or drug‐associated cues. The anatomical loci as well as the neuronal mechanisms of the relapse‐preventing effects of CB1 antagonists are still poorly understood, although interactions of the eCB system with afferent glutamatergic and possibly dopaminergic projections to the nucleus accumbens are most likely involved. In addition, CB1 receptors seem to modulate drug‐related memories, in line with the hypothesized role of the eCB system in memory‐related plasticity. Together, these findings suggest that modulators of the eCB system represent a promising novel type of therapy to treat drug addiction.
Reflections on meta-analyses involving trials stopped early for benefit: Is there a problem and if so, what is it?

We review controversies associated with randomized controlled trials (RCTs) stopped early for apparent benefit (truncated RCTs or tRCTs) and present our groups’ perspective. Long-established theory, simulations and recent empirical evidence demonstrate that tRCTs will on average overestimate treatment effects, and this overestimation may be large, particularly when tRCTs have small number of events. Theoretical considerations and simulations demonstrate that on average, meta-analyses of RCTs with appropriate stopping rules will lead to only trivial overestimation of treatment effects. However, tRCTs will disproportionally contribute to meta-analytic estimates when tRCTs occur early in the sequence of trials with few subsequent studies, publication of nontruncated RCTs is delayed, there is publication bias, or tRCTs result in a ‘freezing’ effect in which ‘correcting’ trials are never undertaken. To avoid applying overestimates of effect to clinical decision-making, clinicians should view the results of individual tRCTs with small sample sizes and small number of events with skepticism. Pooled effects from meta-analyses including tRCTs are likely to overestimate effect when there is a substantial difference in effect estimates between the tRCTs and the nontruncated RCTs, and in which the tRCTs have a substantial weight in the meta-analysis despite themselves having a relatively small number of events. Such circumstances call for sensitivity analyses omitting tRCTs.