Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Subscales, Subscores, or Summative Score: Evaluating the Contribution of Braden Scale Items for Predicting Pressure Ulcer Risk in Older Adults Receiving Home Health Care

Purpose The purpose of this study was to determine whether certain Braden subscales or subscores were more important than others or the summative score in predicting stage I to IV pressure ulcers among older adults receiving home health care. Design A retrospective cohort study (secondary analysis) was used. Setting and Subjects The cohort sample included 1684 nonhospice patients who were not receiving intravenous therapy and who were admitted to the Intermittent Skilled Nursing Division of a large midwestern home health care agency between January 1995 and March 1996. The patients were ≥60 years and free of pressure ulcers. Methods Demographic data and data on the Braden Scale were extracted from admission information. Patient records were followed forward chronologically to 1 of 2 outcomes: development or absence of pressure ulcers (ie, free of pressure ulcers upon discharge, institutionalization, death, or the end of the study period). Results Following admission, a stage I to IV pressure ulcer developed in 107 subjects (incidence = 6.3%). Cox regression analysis revealed that activity and moisture subscale scores predicted pressure ulcer development. Regression modeling of individual Braden Scale subscores (response categories) revealed that problems with friction/shear, being very limited in mobility, and being constantly moist, very moist, or occasionally moist predicted pressure ulcer development. When the overall level of risk was added to each of these models, the Braden Scale summative score was most strongly related to pressure ulcer development. No simplified scale improved risk prediction. Conclusions When the Braden Scale was used, the summative score rather than any subscale or subscore best predicted pressure ulcer risk among the older adults receiving home health care.
NANOPARTICULATE DRUG DELIVERY SYSTEM OF CYCLOSPORINE

Recent research on idealizing drug delivery systems which is progressing at a prodigious rate, aims at the development of drug delivery systems with maximum therapeutic benefits of drug delivery thus resulting in safe and effective management of diseases. In the present study Nanoparticlulate drug delivery system for Cyclosporine was developed, that would overcome the therapeutic risks of conventional formulations and was evaluated with respect to particle size, drug content, in vitro release and in vivo targeting. Cyclosporine is a first line immunosuppressive drug used to prevent transplant rejection and in treatment of autoimmune diseases. The commercially available formulations of Cyclosporine are associated with acute hemodynamic changes that result in nephrotoxicity and also have low bioavailability. Cyclosporine (CYA) loaded Eudragit RL100 nanoparticles were prepared using solvent evaporation technique, with 2% PVA as stabilizer. Four batches of nanoparticles with varying drug concentrations (CYN-1, CYN-2, CYN-3 and CYN-4) were prepared. Cumulative % drug release of formulations CYN-1, CYN-2, CYN-3 and CYN-4 was 94.35%, 93.89%, 88.28% and 85.36% respectively. Formulation CYN-2, which proved to be the best showed a mean particle size of 236 nm and entrapment efficiency of 58.27%. The in vivo result of formulation CYN-2 revealed that the drug loaded nanoparticles showed preferential drug targeting to liver followed by spleen, lungs and kidneys. Stability studies showed that maximum drug content and closest in vitro release to initial data was found in the sample (formulation CYN-2) stored at 4C. So, in the present study Cyclosporine loaded Eudragit Nanoparticles were prepared and targeted to various organs to a satisfactory level and the prepared nanoparticles were stable at 4C.
Improving investment sustainability for PPP power projects in emerging economies

Purpose – Many electricity projects in Asian emerging economies involve private finance using Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) yet problems remain in terms of project initiation, commercial structuring, and financial arrangements. The motivation to pursue previous PPP power projects has been unduly influenced by the ability to attract finance rather than an independent assessment of value for money (VfM) of the project. The purpose of this paper is to present the development of VfM framework for improving investment sustainability of PPP power projects in Asian emerging economies. Design/methodology/approach – The drivers for achieving VfM in projects involving both public and private participants have been determined by a critical review of international practices and the development of sustainable energy systems using grounded theory. These drivers have been used to cross-analyse six Asian PPP power projects. Findings – The evaluation of the case study projects identifies the key determining linkages .
Corrupción y ayuda al desarrollo: evidencias, teoría y aplicaciones para España

Official Development Assistance can be used by developing countries to enhance corruption or to fight against it. This article shows a model that combine both aspects and remarks under what conditions too much ODA can be pervasive. As other donors, Spain does not penalize the most corrupted countries giving them no ODA. Conditionality, channelling ODA through local NGOs, and inform the beneficiaries the exact quantities that donors have approved to them, are good practices that can dismiss the aforementioned pervasive effects.
Effect of Subinhibitory Antibiotic Concentrations on Polysaccharide Intercellular Adhesin Expression in Biofilm-Forming Staphylococcus epidermidis

ABSTRACT Biofilm production is an important step in the pathogenesis ofStaphylococcus epidermidis polymer-associated infections and depends on the expression of the icaADBC operon leading to the synthesis of a polysaccharide intercellular adhesin. A chromosomally encoded reporter gene fusion between the icapromoter and the beta-galactosidase gene lacZ fromEscherichia coli was constructed and used to investigate the influence of both environmental factors and subinhibitory concentrations of different antibiotics on ica expression in S. epidermidis. It was shown that S. epidermidis biofilm formation is induced by external stress (i.e., high temperature and osmolarity). Subinhibitory concentrations of tetracycline and the semisynthetic streptogramin antibiotic quinupristin-dalfopristin were found to enhance icaexpression 9- to 11-fold, whereas penicillin, oxacillin, chloramphenicol, clindamycin, gentamicin, ofloxacin, vancomycin, and teicoplanin had no effect on ica expression. A weak (i.e., 2.5-fold) induction of ica expression was observed for subinhibitory concentrations of erythromycin. The results were confirmed by Northern blot analyses of ica transcription and quantitative analyses of biofilm formation in a colorimetric assay.
Replication of Breast Cancer GWAS Susceptibility Loci in the Women's Health Initiative African American SHARe Study

Background: Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified loci associated with risk of breast cancer. These studies have primarily been conducted in populations of European descent. To fully understand the impact of these loci, it is important to study groups with other genetic ancestries, including African American women. Methods: We examined 22 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP), previously identified in GWAS of breast cancer risk in European and Asian descent women (index SNPs), and SNPs in the surrounding regions in a study of 7,800 African American women (including 316 women with incident invasive breast cancer) from the Women's Health Initiative SNP Health Association Resource. Results: Two index SNPs were associated with breast cancer: rs3803662 at 16q12.2/TOX3 (Hazard ratio [HR] for the T allele = 0.79, 95% CI: 0.67–0.92, P = 0.003) and rs10941679 at 5p12 (HR for the G allele = 1.31, 95% CI: 1.06–1.63, P = 0.014). When we expanded to regions, the 3p24.1 region showed an association with breast cancer risk (permutation based P = 0.027) and three regions (10p15.1, 10q26.13/FGFR2, and 16q12.2/TOX3) showed a trend toward association. Conclusion: Our findings provide evidence that some breast cancer GWAS regions may be associated with breast cancer in African American women. Larger, more comprehensive studies are needed to fully assess generalizability of published GWAS findings and to identify potential novel associations in African American populations. Impact: Both replication and lack of replication of published GWAS findings in other ancestral groups provides important information of the genetic etiology of this disease and may impact translation of GWAS findings to clinical and public health settings. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 20(9); 1950–9. ©2011 AACR.
Local feature descriptor based on 2D local polynomial approximation kernel indices

A texture descriptor based on a set of indices of degrees of local approximating polynomials is proposed in this paper. First, a method to construct 2D local polynomial approximation kernels (k-LPAp) for arbitrary polynomials of degree p is presented. An image is split into non-overlapping patches, reshaped into one-dimensional source vectors and convolved with the polynomial approximation kernels of various degrees. As a result, a set of approximations is obtained. For each element of the source vector, these approximations are ranked according to the difference between the original and approximated values. A set of indices of polynomial degrees form a local feature. This procedure is repeated for each pixel. Finally, a proposed texture descriptor is obtained from the frequency histogram of all obtained local features. A nearest neighbor classifier utilizing Chi-square distance metric is used to evaluate a performance of the introduced descriptor. An accuracy of texture classification is evaluated on the following datasets: Brodatz, KTH-TIPS, KTH-TIPS2b and Columbia-Utrecht (CUReT) with respect to different methods of texture analysis and classification. The results of this comparison show that the proposed method is competitive with the recent statistical approaches such as local binary patterns (LBP), local ternary patterns, completed LBP, Weber’s local descriptor, and VZ algorithms (VZMR8 and VZ-Joint). At the same time, on KTH-TIPS2-b and KTH-TIPS datasets, the proposed method is slightly inferior to some of the state-of-the-art methods.
Surgical Hair Restoration Options

Alopecia affects many individuals worldwide. Owing to the large role that hair loss plays in self-image and self-confidence, an increasing number of these men and women seek options for hair restoration. Major considerations and sources of hesitation for strip surgical restoration are the visible linear scar, prolonged downtime, and other expected side effects of invasive procedures. These problems can be circumvented by smaller harvest approaches. However, the traditional punch harvest, which produces no linear scar, does leave patients with an often-unsatisfactory “doll hair” appearance. Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) is a minimally invasive surgical procedure that utilizes a punch device to harvest occipital follicular units that are later transplanted in areas of loss to restore hair growth. FUE captures the benefit of multiple available restoration techniques and avoids the disadvantages of traditional strip surgery. A number of variations on the procedure are currently in practice and many more exciting advances are underway.
Plk 1 promotes nuclear translocation of human Cdc 25 C during prophase

The nuclear accumulation of active M-phase promoting factor (MPF) during prophase is thought to be essential for coordinating M-phase events in vertebrate cells. The protein phosphatase Cdc25C, an activator of MPF, enters the nucleus to keep MPF active in the nucleus during prophase. However, the molecular mechanisms that control nuclear translocation of Cdc25C during prophase are unknown. We show that phosphorylation of a serine residue (Ser198) in a nuclear export signal sequence of human Cdc25C occurs during prophase and promotes nuclear localization of Cdc25C. We also show that Polo-like kinase 1 (Plk1) is responsible for this phosphorylation and that constitutively active Plk1 promotes nuclear localization of Cdc25C. Remarkably, a mutant Cdc25C in which Ser198 is replaced by alanine remains in the cytoplasm when wild-type Cdc25C accumulates in the nucleus during prophase. These results suggest that Plk1 phosphorylates Cdc25C on Ser198 and regulates nuclear translocation of Cdc25C during prophase.
Firm Dynamics: Employment Growth Rates of Small Versus Large Firms in Canada

This paper examines whether Canadian firms of different sizes (in terms of employment) grow at different rates year-on-year. The data are from Statistics Canada's Longitudinal Employment Analysis Program and cover the 1999-to-2008 period. The methodology is similar to that used by Haltiwanger, Jarmin and Miranda (2010) for the United States: controls are used for firm age, and possible bias from short-term regression to the mean is removed by sizing firms according to their average number of employees in both previous and current years.
Accumulation of Nonfunctional S-Haplotypes Results in the Breakdown of Gametophytic Self-Incompatibility in Tetraploid Prunus

The transition from self-incompatibility (SI) to self-compatibility (SC) is regarded as one of the most prevalent transitions in Angiosperm evolution, having profound impacts on the genetic structure of populations. Yet, the identity and function of mutations that result in the breakdown of SI in nature are not well understood. This work provides the first detailed genetic description of the breakdown of S-RNase-mediated gametophytic self-incompatibility (GSI) in a polyploid species that exhibits genotype-dependent loss of SI. Genetic analyses of six natural sour cherry (Rosaceae, Prunus cerasus) selections identified seven independent, nonfunctional S-haplotypes with disrupted pistil component (stylar-S) and/or pollen component (pollen-S) function. A genetic model demonstrating that the breakdown of SI in sour cherry is due to the accumulation of a minimum of two nonfunctional S-haplotypes within a single individual is developed and validated. Our finding that sour cherry is SI when only one nonfunctional S-haplotype is present has significant evolutionary implications since nonfunctional S-haplotypes would be maintained in the population without causing an abrupt shift to SC. Furthermore, we demonstrate that heteroallelic sour cherry pollen is self-incompatible, which is counter to the well-documented phenomenon in the Solanaceae where SC accompanying polyploidization is frequently due to the SC of heteroallelic pollen.
Current and adolescent body fatness and fat distribution: relationships with carotid intima–media thickness and large artery stiffness at the age of 36 years

Objective Body fat and its distribution are determinants of cardiovascular disease but the underlying mechanisms of these adverse effects are poorly understood. We therefore investigated (1) the cross-sectional relationship between estimates of body fatness and its distribution on the one hand and carotid atherosclerosis and stiffness of the carotid, femoral and brachial arteries and the carotido-femoral segment on the other (336 subjects, 175 women); (2) the relationship between estimates of body fatness and its distribution during adolescence (13–16 years) and the same arterial properties at age 36– prospective analyses (subpopulation of 159 subjects, 84 girls). Design Cross-sectional and prospective analyses within an ongoing observational longitudinal study: The Amsterdam Growth and Health Longitudinal Study. Methods Body fatness and its distribution were assessed by anthropometry and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA); arterial properties were assessed non-invasively by ultrasound imaging. Results Total adiposity and, in men, truncal subcutaneous fat accumulation during adolescence, were positively and independently associated with carotid intima–media thickness at age 36, a pre-clinical indicator of atherosclerosis. Adolescent truncal subcutaneous fat accumulation but not total adiposity was associated with increased arterial stiffness at age 36. At age 36, both abdominal and truncal subcutaneous fat were independently associated with arterial stiffness, while the associations between total adiposity and arterial stiffness appeared to be mediated by other cardiovascular risk factors. Conclusions Body fatness and body fat distribution are associated with large artery structural and functional properties at age 36 and the roots of these associations may already be present in adolescence.
Paralinguistic elements in speech synthesis

Corpus based text-to-speech systems currently produce very natural synthetic sentences, though limited to a neutral inexpressive speaking style. Paralinguistic elements are some of the expressive features one would most like to introduce. In this paper, we describe a new method for introducing laughter and hesitation in synthetic speech. Thanks to a small dedicated acoustic database, this method can successfully render transitions between speech and paralinguistic elements. We validate it here for French but extension to other languages should be straightforward
A Model for Linking Organizational Culture and Performance. Innovative Session 6. [AHRD Conference, 2001].

An innovative session was conducted to introduce session participants to a concept and researched model for linking organizational culture and performance. The session goals were as follows: (1) give participants a working knowledge of the link between business culture and key business performance indicators; (2) give participants a hands-on understanding of the implications of an organization's specific culture profile; and (3) help participants understand the pathways for accelerated change in high performing organizations through targeted culture change strategies based . on the Denison Organizational Culture Survey (DOCS). The DOCS, which is based on the premise that people's behaviors are a reflection of the culture of the organization where they work, was presented as a model to utilize for applied research. Session participants were introduced to the DOCS and given an opportunity to learn to use it to determine where an organization needs to focus its energies and to educate leaders, managers, and employees relative to issues of alignment, organizational direction, employee involvement, and sense of validation. Participants were facilitated through an open discussion of case studies, best practices, and success/failure stories. The discussion was guided by implications, applications, future research, questions, and points of interest. (Contains 30 references.) (MN) Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document. A Model for Linking Organizational Culture and Performance. Innovative Session 6 Cathy Bolton McCullough U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Of of Educational Research and Improvement EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC) This document has been reproduced as received from the person or organization originating it. Minor changes have been made to improve reproduction quality Points of view or opinions stated in this document do not necessarily represent official OERI position or policy. 2 1 PERMISSION TO REPRODUCE AND DISSEMINATE THIS MATERIAL HAS BEEN GRANTED BY
Grid-connected Photovoltaic Power System Using Boost Half- Bridge Converter and MPPT Algorithm

This paper focuses on the power electronics used in the renewable energy systems especially in the photovoltaic applications. In recent years, interest in natural energy has grown in response to increased concern for the environment. Due to the limitations in the energy available from conventional sources, worldwide attention is being focused on renewable sources of energy. Especially, the energy obtained from solar arrays, becomes more and more important. In grid connected applications, a modular micro-inverter integrated with each photovoltaic (PV) panel can reduce the overall system cost and increase the system reliability and MPPT efficiency. In order to make the PV generation system more flexible and expandable, the backstage power circuit is composed of a high step-up converter and a pulse width-modulation (PWM) inverter. The traditional voltage-fed-full-bridge DC-DC converter suffers high cost, low transformer efficiency and discontinuous input current problems. A current-fed-half-bridge converter topology is utilized herewith continuous input current, low cost and high efficiency features. A single-phase PV micro inverter system with galvanic isolation is presented. By integrating micro inverter to each PV panel, localized MPPT of each individual PV panel can be achieved, thus loading to fast tracking speed and higher system efficiency.
Stellenbosch Wine Route wineries : management's perspective on the advantages and key success factors of wine tourism

The South African wine tourism industry is currently regarded as one of the best developed in the world. However, the Western Cape still earns approximately 70% less per tourist than its rival, Napa Valley in California. Research has shown that South African wineries are not organised to derive the maximum benefit from wine tourism. An exploratory study conducted in 2009 and 2010 investigated wineries’ perceptions of wine tourism in the Stellenbosch region and identified some factors they deemed necessary for the development of a successful winery. This article presents the findings of the 2009– 2010 study. These findings confirmed international research results that demonstrate that some aspects of wine tourism are perceived to be advantageous to the winery, such as the ability to create brand awareness and opportunities to spend time with consumers, which were deemed the principal advantages of wine tourism. Certain tourism-related services and facilities are perceived to contribute to the development of a successful winery. It is recommended that wineries should capitalise on the opportunities presented by wine tourism to increase their income and develop the winery successfully. Key words : wineries, wine tourism, Stellenbosch Wine Route, key success factors, advantages and disadvantages
Conventional Versus Asset Approaches: Comparative Appraisal of Socioeconomic Indicators for Oral Health Research Among Adolescents in a Developing Country

The aim of the study was to assess the value of different indicators of socioeconomic status for oral health research among Sri Lankan adolescents. Six indicators of socioeconomic status were assessed in terms of their relationship to 2 oral health outcomes. The sample consisted of 15-year-old students (n = 1218) selected from 48 schools in the Colombo district using a stratified cluster sampling technique. Data collection included oral examinations of students and questionnaires to both students and their parents. The correlations between the 6 indicators were low to moderate. The indicators of household material assets and parental educational status emerged as significant predictors of the 2 oral health outcomes. Therefore, it is concluded that indicators of material assets—namely, the family affluence scale and the asset index—could be used as optimal measures of socioeconomic status in oral health research among adolescents in Sri Lanka.
A hybrid nine-level inverter with series/parallel conversion

A new hybrid nine-level inverter with small number of components is proposed. Applying series/parallel conversion technique used in switched capacitors, the proposed inverter outputs a nine-level voltage waveform. The capacitor voltages are self-balanced without any voltage sensors or complex controls. The circuit configuration, the operation principle, the modulation method, and the simulation and experimental results are indicated. The results of the simulation and the experiment are well agreed with the theory.