Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Self-reported risk-taking behavior during matched-frequency sessions of alcohol versus combined alcohol and energy drinks consumption: does co-ingestion increase risk-taking?

BACKGROUND Emerging evidence indicates that consumers of alcohol mixed with energy drink (AmED) self-report lower odds of risk-taking after consuming AmED versus alcohol alone. However, these studies have been criticized for failing to control for relative frequency of AmED versus alcohol-only consumption sessions. These studies also do not account for quantity of consumption and general alcohol-related risk-taking propensity. The aims of the present study were to (i) compare rates of risk-taking in AmED versus alcohol sessions among consumers with matched frequency of use and (ii) identify consumption and person characteristics associated with risk-taking behavior in AmED sessions. METHODS Data were extracted from 2 Australian community samples and 1 New Zealand community sample of AmED consumers (n = 1,291). One-fifth (21%; n = 273) reported matched frequency of AmED and alcohol use. RESULTS The majority (55%) of matched-frequency participants consumed AmED and alcohol monthly or less. The matched-frequency sample reported significantly lower odds of engaging in 18 of 25 assessed risk behaviors in AmED versus alcohol sessions. Similar rates of engagement were evident across session type for the remaining behaviors, the majority of which were low prevalence (reported by <15%). Regression modeling indicated that risk-taking in AmED sessions was primarily associated with risk-taking in alcohol sessions, with increased average energy drink (ED) intake associated with certain risk behaviors (e.g., being physically hurt, not using contraception, and driving while over the legal alcohol limit). CONCLUSIONS Bivariate analyses from a matched-frequency sample align with past research showing lower odds of risk-taking behavior after AmED versus alcohol consumption for the same individuals. Multivariate analyses showed that risk-taking in alcohol sessions had the strongest association with risk-taking in AmED sessions. However, hypotheses of increased risk-taking post-AmED consumption were partly supported: Greater ED intake was associated with increased likelihood of specific behaviors, including drink-driving, sexual behavior, and aggressive behaviors in the matched-frequency sample after controlling for alcohol intake and risk-taking in alcohol sessions. These findings highlight the need to consider both personal characteristics and beverage effects in harm reduction strategies for AmED consumers.
Hemagglutinins Associated with Certain Human Enteric Viruses.∗

Summary 1) Monkey kidney cell culture fluids containing ECHO viruses 3, 6, 7, 10, 11 and 12 and Coxsackie B3 have been shown to be capable of agglutinating human Group O erythrocytes in relatively high dilutions. Evidence has been presented indicating that the hemagglutinating activity is specifically related to these agents, rather than to possible simian viral contaminants. 2) Preliminary findings suggest that the HA property resides in the viral particle, that it is absorbed by erythrocytes during the process of agglutination and may be eluted from them, exhausting red cell receptors during the process. Despite such similarities to the myxoviruses, additional data suggest that these agents do not belong to the myxovirus group. 3) Monkey kidney cell preparations of polioviruses 1, 2, and 3, ECHO viruses 1, 2, 5, 8, 9, 13 and 14 and Coxsackie A9 failed to agglutinate human Group O cells, whereas preparations of ECHO 4 and Coxsackie B1, B2, B4 and B5 manifested HA activity in low dilution.
Improving performances of Compressive Sensing in the synthesis of maximally-sparse arrays

Synthesizing antenna arrays with a minimum number of elements is a problem of high importance in different applications. A relevant contribution in solving such a problem is currently given by a number of synthesis techniques based on the Compressive Sensing (CS). For this reason, we present herein an innovative approach wherein fast pre-processing and post-processing techniques are proposed in order to further improve performance of CS in the design of linear arrays with shaped patterns. Numerical examples in support of the proposed processing procedure are also provided.
Coordinated Regulation of AIB1 Transcriptional Activity by Sumoylation and Phosphorylation*

AIB1, a member of the steroid receptor coactivator (SRC) family that participates in gene transcriptional activation by nuclear receptors and other transcription factors, is required for animal growth and reproductive development and implicated in breast carcinogenesis. The mechanisms underlying the AIB1 pleiotropic functions are not fully understood and neither is the regulation of its activity. Here, we showed that AIB1 was a sumoylated protein and the sumoylation attenuated the transactivation activity of AIB1, which is in contrast to the sumoylation of its paralogs, GRIP1 and SRC-1. The transactivation activity of AIB1 is enhanced by its phosphorylation by several kinases, including mitogen-activated protein kinase. We demonstrated in this report that estrogen treatment led to an increased phosphorylation and decreased sumoylation of AIB1 and that the sumoylation coordinated with phosphorylation in regulating the transcriptional activity of AIB1, providing a mechanism for post-translational modifications in regulating the transcriptional output of AIB1.
Nuclear Localization and Chromatin Targets of p21-activated Kinase 1*

Pak1 (p21-activated kinase 1), a conserved, mammalian signaling kinase, is a downstream effector of small GTPases Rac1 and Cdc42 and of growth factor signaling. Until now, a major focus of study has been on the cytosolic functions of Pak1, where it is an important modulator of cytoskeletal reorganization, consequently playing a major role in cell survival, migration, and invasion. In this report, we demonstrate the nuclear localization of Pak1 upon stimulation by epidermal growth factor. Three nuclear localization signals (NLSs) were identified in the N-terminal domain of Pak1. With mutational analysis, the importance of each NLS was elucidated. Mutation of all three NLSs eliminated the nuclear localization of Pak1. Expression of Pak1 as a fusion protein with Gal4-DNA binding domain and Gal4-luciferase activity showed that Pak1 might increase transcription. To identify the potential targets of nuclear Pak1, we used a Pak1-specific chromatin immunoprecipitation-based screening assay and identified a series of Pak1-interacting target chromatins, including phosphofructokinase-muscle isoform (PFK-M) and nuclear factor of activated T-cell (NFAT1) genes. Pak1 associated with the upstream enhancer sequence and promoter of PFK-M and was involved in the stimulation of the PFK-M expression. It also associated with a portion of the NFAT1 gene and its upstream region, leading to the repression of NFAT1 expression. These investigations provide proof-of-principle evidence that Pak1 could influence the expression of its putative chromatin targets in both a positive and a negative manner. Together, for the first time, these findings defined the NLSs of the Pak1, its association with chromatin, and the resulting modulation of transcription, thus opening new avenues to further the search for nuclear Pak1 functions and identify putative Pak1-interacting nuclear proteins.
Nonadiabatic neutrino oscillations in matter.

We examine the classical survival probability for neutrino propagation through matter of arbitrary density distributions. It is shown that the level-crossing probability can be calculated approximately for any density distribution by Landau's method. Exact solutions are discussed and new results are presented for a 1/r density distribution. From an examination of the exact solutions, we present an ansatz for generalizing Landau's method to a correct treatment of the extreme nonadiabatic limit. Our two-flavor results easily generalize to three flavors.
Transition metal chelators reduce directly measured myocardial free radical production during reperfusion.

Transition metals such as iron and copper are present in the myocardium and can act as catalysts for the formation of oxygen free radicals during reperfusion after myocardial ischemia. Previous studies suggested that transition metal chelators such as desferrioxamine reduce the production of such radicals and may thereby attenuate postischemic myocardial dysfunction. These studies used spin trapping agents, commonly nitrone compounds, which may themselves influence the severity of the ischemia and reperfusion events being studied. We evaluated two transition metal chelators, desferrioxamine, an iron chelator, and bathocuproine, a copper chelator, by using a new electron paramagnetic resonance technique that does not require the administration of spin traps. We measured ascorbate free radical, an index of free radical production, in the great cardiac vein effluent. Twenty-eight open-chest dogs underwent 20 min of coronary artery occlusion and 30 min of reperfusion. Ten dogs received no drug, 10 dogs received 750 mg bathocuproine, i.v. , and eight dogs received 700 mg desferrioxamine, i.v. Both bathocuproine and desferrioxamine blunted the postreperfusion increase in ascorbate free radical generation: no drug, 36+/-8% increase; desferrioxamine, 13+/-5% increase; bathocuproine, 21+/-6% increase (p < 0.05 vs. baseline). Thus direct free radical measurements indicate that chelation of the transition metals iron and copper reduces free radical generation during reperfusion.
Service Design and Price Competition in Business Information Services

We examine two competing technologies for delivering business information to professional subscribers: first, a package service that delivers information using physical media, such as CD-ROMs; second, an online service that allows subscribers to access information over online networks. We model the information services market as a duopoly, where each information service provider is equipped with either packaged or online information delivery technology. They compete for potential subscribers characterized by their usage volume. Subscribers may also choose "self-service," wherein they collect and collate information directly from the source. Service design for information service providers must specify their information delivery technology and the size of the database they provide. Service providers first commit to a service design and then enter a price competition phase, where they choose the parameters of their feasible pricing strategies. Specifically, a package service provider chooses a fixed charge for subscription. An online provider chooses both a fixed charge and a marginal charge, because it is possible to meter usage in that technology. We show that the package provider serves high volume subscribers while the online provider serves low volume subscribers. We also derive bounds on equilibrium database sizes, prices, and market shares for each provider.
Percutaneous Vertebroplasty Compared to Conservative Treatment in Patients With Painful Acute or Subacute Osteoporotic Vertebral Fractures: Three-Months Follow-up in a Clinical Randomized Study

Study Design. Clinical randomized study. Objective. The aim of this study is to compare percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) to conservative treatment of patients with osteoporotic vertebral fractures in a clinical randomized study with respect to pain, physical and mental outcome, and to asses the risk of adjacent fractures. Summary of Background Data. PVP is a therapeutic procedure performed to reduce pain in vertebral lesions. Despite the lack of comparative randomized clinical trials PVP is generally seen as a safe and efficient procedure for painful osteoporotic fractures. Methods. Fifty patients (41 females) were included from January 2001 until January 2008. Patients with acute (<2 weeks) and subacute (between 2 and 8 weeks) osteoporotic fractures were included and randomized to either PVP or conservative treatment. Pain was assessed with a visual analogue scale and physical and mental outcome were assessed by validated questionnaires and tests. Tests, questionnaires, and plain radiographs were performed at the inclusion and after 3 months. Results. Reduction in pain from initial visit to 3-month follow-up was comparable in the 2 groups (P = 0.33) from approximate visual analogue scale 8.0 to visual analogue scale 2.0, intragroup difference was significant (P = 0.00). Reduction in pain in the PVP group was immediate 12 to 24 hours after the procedure (P = 0.00). There was no significant difference in the other parameters when comparing the results at inclusion and after 3 months within both groups and between the groups after 3 months with a few exceptions. We observed 2 adjacent fractures in the PVP group and non in the conservative group. Conclusion. The majority of patients with acute or subacute painful osteoporotic compression fractures in the spine will recover after a few months of conservative treatment. The risk of adjacent fractures needs further research. No major adverse events were observed.
Opponent‐colour cells in different layers of foveal striate cortex

1. The majority of cells in layer 4B have opponent‐colour properties indicating that colour opponency plays an important role in the early stages of visual processing in foveal striate cortex. In contrast to cells in the lateral geniculate nucleus many of these cells receive centre—surround antagonism from the same cone mechanism. Some cells show this spatial antagonism at threshold; others require suprathreshold stimuli for its demonstration.
Breast cancer screening among women in Thailand: analyses of population-based household surveys.

OBJECTIVE The incidence of breast cancer is the highest among female cancers in Thailand and has been steadily increasing during the past few decades. The present study aimed to determine uptake rates of breast cancer screening including breast self-examination (BSE), clinical breast examination (CBE), and mammography screening, and to identify enabling factors and barriers associated with screening uptake. MATERIAL AND METHOD Secondary data from two population-based household surveys were used, the 2007 Health and Welfare Survey that comprised 18,474 women aged 20 years and older and the 2009 Reproductive Health Survey that comprised 26,951 women aged 30 to 59 years. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with screening. RESULTS In 2007, the uptake rate ofBSE was 40.1% (18.4% for monthly BSE), 29.0%for CBE, and 5.9%for mammography In 2009, the uptake rate of any type of breast examination was 57.9%, while the mammography rate among women who had breast examinations was 29.6% (10.1% of all women in 2009). Frequency of CBE wasfound to be positively associated with BSE and mammography screening. Factors independently associated with screening uptake were having education at the bachelor's level or higher being in the richest wealth quintile based on household asset index, and being covered by the Civil Servant Medical Benefit Scheme. Women living in Bangkok metropolis and in the municipal areas ofother provinces had higher rates of mammography, while women living in the north and northeast regions and non-municipal areas were more likely to perform BSE and have CBE performed than those living in Bangkok and municipal areas, respectively. Common factors associated with less screening across the two surveys were age 55 and over being single or widowed, being Muslim or Christian, and having no health insurance. Lack of knowledge and awareness of breast cancer screening were found to be barriers for screening among all women, especially those with low educational levels. CONCLUSION A low uptake of monthly BSE and mammography was observed. Early detection and awareness should be encouraged through proper BSE technique and effective CBE. Increased uptake of CBE should lead to a higher rate of mammography Increased knowledge, awareness, and participation in screening activities for selected groups, such as older women, those who are not married, non-Buddhists, and those with low education are recommended.
Preoperative Prediction of Outcome in 283 Poor-Grade Patients with Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: A Project of the Chugoku-Shikoku Division of the Japan Neurosurgical Society

Background: The management of patients with poor-grade subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) continues to be controversial. The objective of this study was to examine predictors of outcome of poor-grade SAH after surgical obliteration of the aneurysm. Methods: The study was performed as a retrospective review of 283 patients with poor-grade SAH who underwent surgical obliteration of the aneurysm at multiple centers in Chugoku and Shikoku, Japan. Results: A favorable outcome at discharge was achieved in 97 of the 283 patients (34.3%). Age (p < 0.001), World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies (WFNS) grade V at admission (p = 0.002), improvement in WFNS grade after admission (p = 0.002), Fisher grade (p = 0.039) and a low-density area (LDA) associated with vasospasm on computed tomography (CT; p < 0.001) showed a significant association with outcome. Further analysis of WFNS grades indicated that most patients who only improved to preoperative grade IV from grade V at admission did not have a favorable outcome. Multivariate analysis identified age (especially of ≧65 years; p < 0.001), WFNS grade V (p < 0.001) and LDA associated with vasospasm on CT (p < 0.001) as predictors of a poor outcome, and improvement in WFNS grade (p = 0.001) as a predictor of a favorable outcome after surgical obliteration of the aneurysm. Conclusions: Advanced age, WFNS grade V, improvement in WFNS grade, and LDA associated with vasospasm on CT were found to be independent predictors of clinical outcome, whereas rebleeding, early aneurysm surgery and treatment modality (surgical clipping or Guglielmi detachable coil embolization) were not independently associated with outcome in patients with poor-grade aneurysm.
Skin temperature and transepidermal water loss.

The transepidermal water loss (TEWL) was measured after complete inhibition of sweating. Skin temperature changes ranging from 25°-39° C were obtained in 17 subjects. Increase of skin temperature by 7°-8° C doubled the rate of TEWL in normal skin. The relationship between TEWL and skin temperature varied exponentially and the equations have been fitted for the 17 subjects. In order to produce a common standard of reference a further formula has been devised and a confidence interval placed around the TEWL rate so derived.
La oferta de servicios de salud en Colombia, 2012 - 2013

Esta investigacion tiene por objeto determinar la situacion actual de la oferta de servicios de salud en Colombia, identificando diferencias entre regiones, regimenes y naturaleza juridica de los prestadores. De los 1.124 municipios del pais, 45% solo cuenta con IPS publicas de baja y mediana complejidad y ofrece, en promedio, 18 de los 234 distintos servicios de salud disponibles. De hecho, 76% de los departamentos colombianos ofrece apenas entre 11 y 40 servicios. Variables como los costos de viaje, la frecuencia con que se requieren los servicios y la capacidad de los prestadores de atender las urgencias deben considerarse cuando se evalua la relacion entre la distribucion de los servicios a lo largo del territorio nacional y la calidad de la atencion en salud.
Global update on defining and treating high‐risk localized prostate cancer with leuprorelin: a Japanese perspective – the effect of primary androgen deprivation therapy on stage C prostate cancer

Stage C prostate cancer, where the tumour has extended beyond the capsule of the prostate, is typically a high‐risk disease. According to the National Cancer Institute Physician Data Query the treatments of choice for stage C disease comprise external beam radiation therapy (with or without the addition of adjuvant hormone therapy), androgen deprivation by either surgery or hormone therapy, radical prostatectomy, or careful observation. From 2001, the Japanese Urological Association initiated computer‐based registration of all patients with prostate cancer in Japan. Data show that overall, 57% of all patients and 46% of those with T1c to T3 disease had primary androgen deprivation therapy (PADT). Similarly, the Japanese Prostate Cancer Group undertook a large‐scale epidemiological surveillance study in Japan and found that the most commonly used hormone therapy is PADT, regardless of disease stage. To date, two randomized, controlled trials of the effect of PADT on stage C prostate cancer in elderly (≥75 years old) patients have been undertaken in Japan. The results showed that patients with locally advanced prostate cancer treated with PADT are likely to have a life‐expectancy similar to that of the normal population. In one study, combined androgen blockade (CAB) with leuprorelin plus chlormadinone appeared to prolong time to disease progression when compared with leuprorelin monotherapy, but there was no difference in survival between these treatment groups. In a second study CAB with an luteinizing hormone‐releasing hormone (LHRH) agonist plus bicalutamide was found to prolong time to progression when compared with LHRH agonist monotherapy, but survival results for these regimens are still awaited.
Effects of organizational change in the medical intensive care unit of a teaching hospital: a comparison of 'open' and 'closed' formats.

OBJECTIVE To compare the effects of change from an open to a closed intensive care unit (ICU) format on clinical outcomes, resource utilization, teaching, and perceptions regarding quality of care. DESIGN Prospective cohort study; prospective economic evaluation. SETTING Medical ICU at a university-based tertiary care center. For the open ICU, primary admitting physicians direct care of patients with input from critical care specialists via consultation. For the closed ICU, critical care specialists direct patient care. PATIENTS Consecutive samples of 124 patients admitted under an open ICU format and 121 patients admitted after changing to a closed ICU format. Readmissions were excluded. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Comparison of hospital mortality with mortality predicted by the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) system; duration of mechanical ventilation; length of stay; patient charges for radiology, laboratory, and pharmacy departments; vascular catheter use; number of interruptions of formal teaching rounds; and perceptions of patients, families, physicians, and nurses regarding quality of care and ICU function. RESULTS Mean +/- SD APACHE II scores were 15.4 +/- 8.3 in the open ICU and 20.6 +/- 8.6 in the closed ICU (P=.001). In the closed ICU, the ratio of actual mortality (31.4 percent) to predicted mortality (40.1 percent) was 0.78. In the open ICU, the ratio of actual mortality (22.6 percent) to predicted mortality (25.2 percent) was 0.90. Mean length of stay for survivors in the open ICU was 3.9 days, and mean length of stay for survivors in the closed ICU was 3.7 days (P=.79). There were no significant differences between periods in patient charges for radiology, laboratory, or pharmacy resources. Nurses were more likely to say that they were very confident in the clinical judgment of the physician primarily responsible for patient care in the closed ICU compared with the open ICU (41 percent vs 7 percent; P<.Ol), and nurses were the group most supportive of changing to a closed ICU format before and after the study. CONCLUSIONS Based on comparison of actual to predicted mortality, changing from an open to a closed ICU format improved clinical outcome. Although patients in the closed ICU had greater severity of illness, resource utilization did not increase.