Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Medication Adherence and Readmission In Medicare Myocardial Infarction

According to the American Heart Association, 7.9 million Americans have a history of myocardial infarction (MI) and 450,000 deaths occur each year in the US because of new and recurrent MI.1 Readmissions after MI are common and costly; for example, 30-day all-cause readmission after MI in 2006-2008 Medicare was 22.5%, 24.8%, and 23.0% among elderly White, Black, and Hispanic patients, respectively.2,3 Previous research on readmissions has focused primarily on 30-day all-cause readmission and has examined the association between readmissions and hospital-level factors. The focus on 30-day readmissions was stimulated in part because under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), Congress directed the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to reduce payments to hospitals with higher-than-expected 30-day readmission rates. However, as a recent article notes,4 the policymakers’ emphasis on 30-day readmission may be misguided, because the majority of readmissions take place outside the 30-day window; and patient-level factors outside the hospital's control may drive a considerable part of hospital readmission rates, especially for longer term readmission. One key patient-level factor affecting readmission rates is believed to be patients’ compliance to essential medications, including β-blockers, lipid-lowering agents, aspirins, and either an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) or an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB). Because these drugs have been shown very effective by clinical trials, they have become important components of lifelong medical therapy for these patients.5 Clinical guidelines now recommend that all patients with an acute MI receive these medications.6 Previous studies have shown that better medication adherence could reduce medical spending, 7-11 partially due to reduced hospitalization and emergency department use. However, previous researchers measured adherence and expenditures concurrently. Adherence has to be measured during a specific time period, while as readmissions can occur at any time during that period. We expect that readmissions are more likely to be influenced by drug adherence a short time before the reference period. In other words, both adherence and the likelihood of readmission are time-dependent variables. To solve the problem of time dependent variables, we use a retrospective nested case-control study design to examine the relationship between adherence and readmission 1-year post MI. This method is commonly used in medicine and health service research, but it has not been used to study adherence and readmission. We hypothesize that patients with better 6-month adherence to essential medications used to treat MI are less likely to have down-stream readmissions related to heart diseases.
B&W Call Admission Control for Multimedia Communication Networks

In the multimedia communication networks providing quality of service (QoS), an interface between the signal processing systems and the communication systems is the call admission control (CAC) mechanism. Owing to the heterogeneous traffic produced by diverse signal processing systems in a multimedia communication network, the traditional CAC mechanism that used only one CAC algorithm can no longer satisfy the aim of QoS CAC: Utilize the network resource to the most best and still satisfy the QoS requirements of all connections. For satisfying the aim of QoS CAC in the multimedia communication networks, this study proposed an innovative CAC mechanism called black and white CAC (B&W CAC), which uses two CAC algorithms. One of them is called black CAC controller and is used for the traffic with specifications more uncertain, which is called black traffic here. The other is call white CAC controller and is for the traffic with clearer specifications, which is call white traffic. Because white traffic is simple, an equivalent bandwidth CAC is taken as the white CAC. On the other hand, a neural network CAC (NNCAC) is employed to be the black CAC to overcome the uncertainty of black traffic. Furthermore, owing to more parameters needed in a QoS CAC mechanism, a hierarchical NNCAC is proposed instead of the common used NNCAC. Besides to accommodate more parameters, a hierarchical NNCAC can keep the complexity low. The simulation results show the B&W CAC can obtain higher utilization and still meet the QoS requirements of traffic sources.
Association between Gingival Biotype and Facial Typology through Cephalometric Evaluation and Three-Dimensional Facial Scanning

In dentistry, the assessment of periodontal biotype is considered one of the most important parameters with which to plan treatment, and craniofacial morphology might affect it. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between facial typology and gingival biotype in patients by means of two-dimensional and three-dimensional evaluations of facial typology. This study included 121 participants searching for orthodontic treatment (43 M, 78 F; 20.4 ± 10.4). Gingival biotype was evaluated based on the transparency of the periodontal probe through the gingival margin of the mid-buccal sulcus for both upper (UGB) and lower (LGB) anterior teeth. SellionNasion^GonionGnation (SN^GoGn) and CondylionGonionMenton (CoGoMe^) angles were measured on two-dimensional cephalograms. Three-dimensional face scans were acquired by means of a three-dimensional facial scanner (3dMD system) and successively analyzed to assess the facial typology using the ratio between lower facial height (SNMe) and total facial height (NMe). A chi-squared test and regression analysis were used to evaluate the associations between gingival biotype and facial morphology (p < 0.05). The chi-squared test showed that there was no statistically significant association between facial typology and gingival biotype (UGB p = 0.83; LGB p = 0.75). The logistic regression showed an association between SNMe/NMe and the UGB (p = 0.036), and SNMe/NMe and LGB (p = 0.049). The decreased ratio of SNMe/NMe might be a protective factor for a thin gingival biotype.
Pratiques des médecins généralistes en matière de prévention : les enseignements d'un panel de médecins généralistes en Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur

Objectif: Decrire les attitudes et pratiques des medecins generalistes dans le domaine de la prevention et de l'education a la sante ; en identifier les determinants. Methodes : Une enquete telephonique a ete realisee aupres d'un panel de 600 medecins generalistes liberaux exercant en Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur. Un score a ete construit, permettant d'analyser le classement des medecins sur un eventail d'actions de prevention. Resultats : Plus de 80 % des medecins declaraient frequemment proposer une mammographie aux femmes, reperer les eventuels effets iatrogenes des polyprescriptions chez les personnes âgees, reperer les problemes de poids chez l'enfant, interroger les patients sur le tabagisme et proposer un sevrage tabagique aux fumeurs. Mais moins de 50 % des medecins interroges declaraient frequemment prescrire une contraception d'urgence, informer les patients sur les risques de l'automedication, proposer l'utilisation d'un carnet alimentaire aux patients souffrant d'obesite, utiliser un outil de depistage. Le sentiment d'efficacite variait selon le domaine : plus de 80 % des medecins generalistes se declaraient efficaces dans le depistage des cancers ou l'education des patients presentant une maladie chronique, contre moins de 40 % dans l'education vis-a-vis de la consommation d'alcool ou de drogues illicites. Conclusion : Les medecins generalistes presentant un score de prevention eleve accordaient une place plus importante aux preoccupations de sante publique (p < 0,02), mobilisaient davantage de sources d'informations (p < 0,002), realisaient davantage d'actes gratuits (p < 0,01) et se sentaient plus efficaces vis-a-vis des actes preventifs (p < 0,001) que les medecins presentant un score faible. Un lien entre les comportements personnels des medecins generalistes en matiere de prevention et les pratiques adoptees face a leurs patients a ete retrouve.
Design of Broadband Doubly Asymmetrical Branch-Line Directional Couplers

An analytic broadband design method for four-port N-branch branch-line couplers with outputs terminated by arbitrary impedances is given. An alternative, more practical design method has also been included, which avoids impedance discontinuities in the branches and retrieves the outputs-in-quadrature property lost in the asymmetrization. The doubly asymmetrical couplers so obtained are then used in a proposed design methodology for three-way power dividers that can include, if desired, an impedance level transformation. This article relies on the analysis of a class of asymmetrical structures by means of the odd and even excitations. Therefore, the formalization of this analysis is also detailed.
Molecular Insights into the Pathogenicity of Necrotrophic Fungi Causing Postharvest Diseases

Necrotrophic pathogens cause major postharvest diseases in numerous agronomic and horticultural crops, thereby inflicting significant economic losses. This chapter focusses on the molecular aspects of the pathogenicity of necrotrophic fungi. The strategies to recognize the host and the signaling involved in this process, the penetration of the host cuticle and the cell wall, fungal nutrition and biosynthesis, and integrity of the fungal cell walls are the major topics covered in the present chapter. The current state of knowledge of the different -omic techniques, including proteomics, postharvest phytopathogenic fungi will also be presented.
Enhancing Early Childhood Education Teacher Candidates' Experiences: How Undergraduate Research Enriches Preservice Practice

Teacher education programs face many challenges preparing teacher candidates for the early childhood education classroom. Initiating undergraduate research programs in conjunction with early childhood teacher education can provide a greatly enhanced experience for teacher candidates and bear great benefits to the departments sponsoring this. Undergraduate research initiatives provide pre-service teachers with tremendous opportunities to gain hands-on experiences with many of the theories and strategies they study in their coursework. Such initiatives also serve as tremendous recruiting tools, especially for those early childhood education programs seeking to recruit more males, teacher candidates of color, and those from low-SES backgrounds. Rigorous preparation must be completed before teacher candidates begin to conduct fieldwork, but the benefits to teacher candidates, mentor teachers, and children are many.
Analysis of Indigenous Informal Science Camp on Students? Learning

The research aims to explore students? learning interest and learning efficacy through a Informal Science Camp. The Informal Science Camp is a science camp designed for elementary school student with a culturally oriented focus. The Informal Science Camp intends to develop a culture-based link between indigenous culture and scientific knowledge, including mathematics, life science and technology, and also incorporate Indigenous culture and life.The research team had previously developed culture-based teaching curriculum for five different indigenous tribes, including Paiwan, Rukai, Amis, Bunun, and Yami (Tao). The team rewrote the teaching curriculums to incorporate them to become the content of the Informal Science Camp. Unlike one-way learning methods, students were able to explore their own ethnic culture, pass down indigenous wisdom, and discover science knowledge. In the process, researcher used assessments to understand students? learning process and situational interest. The study is a 4-year project (2014-2017). The project aimed to implement 20 Informal Science at different elementary schools each year. The third year of the Indigenous Informal Science camp were carried out from August 2015 to April 2016. We had implemented the camp in 16 elementary schools, totaling 601 students (306 boys and 295 girls), 75 elementary school teachers, and 36 tribal elders. Among the 75 elementary school teachers, 69 are indigenous (23 Amis teachers, 18 Bunun teachers, 21 Paiwan teachers, 5 Rukai teachers, 1 Yami (Tao) teachers, and 1 Puyuma teachers). Paired t-tests were used to compare the situational interest, the exploration of science and learning efficacy of students both before and after the camp. We found significant difference in students? situational interest, the exploration of science, and learning efficacy after participating in the Indigenous Informal Science camp. The favorite subjects were ? Ocean and I? for Amis curriculum; ? Paiwan Traditional Food? for Paiwan curriculum; ? Super Hunter? for Bunun curriculum; and ? the Cultue of Wood Carving Boats? for the Yami (Tao) curriculum.
Os potenciais efeitos da radiação não-ionizante no crescimento de microrganismos

Non-ionizing radiation play a key role in our lifestyle nowadays. Learn more about its effects, risks and how to protect us is essential to advance technology with safety. Non-ionizing radiation is not widely spoken when compared with ionizing radiation, neither in science or society, and even though many studies pointed some negative effects over biological systems, many other pointed non health effects at all. If there is any consensus, is that they all agree that some effect exists, and more studies are needed in order to get unanimity. This experiment aimed the effects of non-ionizing radiation on the growing of microbes. In order to test that, 180 samples divided in 3 treatments: 60 cellphone screen, 60 cellphone suitcase and 60 desktop mouses. This last one been the control, aware of the fact that is the least impacted by non-ionizing radiation. To systematize the experiment, samples were collected using moistened swabs, in an area of 8 cm2 of only flat and unbroken cellphones and the left and right buttons of mouses. The samples were inoculated in a limit time of 4 hours, in BHI medium and reserved in incubator under 37,5°C for 24 hours. The samples were visually analyzed if there was microbial growth or not. The following results were obtained: 18,33% mouses, 28,33% of cellphone suitcase and 43,33% of cellphone screen samples did not grow. We ran a qui-squared test in R program for independence (p<.001), that indicated a statistical relation in samples. In summary, the non-ionizing radiation caused some impact in microbial samples, generating some unviability in a considerably samples, even though they were in a rich and favorable environment. More studies are needed in order to link some of those radiations to the inhibition of the microbes. This study calls attention to the non-ionizing radiation area and its impacts on the diversity of biological systems.
An Examination of the Population Health Implications of Voluntary Food Fortification and Nutrition-related Marketing Practices in Canada.

Health Canada has proposed new fortification policies which will allow manufacturers to add vitamins and minerals to a wide variety of foods at their discretion and increase nutrient additions to breakfast cereals. Our objective was to examine the potential impact of these policies on nutrient inadequacies and excesses in the Canadian population. Using dietary intake data from the Canadian Community Health Survey, Cycle 2.2 (2004), usual intake distributions from food were estimated for vitamins A and C, folate, niacin, calcium and magnesium, for all age/sex groups. The prevalence of individuals with inadequate nutrient intake and the proportion of individuals with intakes above the Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL) were assessed where possible, assuming full implementation of the proposed policies. To approximate a ̳mature market‘ scenario, consumption patterns of fortified foods in the US were estimated and applied to Canadian intake data. Full implementation resulted in marked reductions in inadequate intakes of vitamin A, vitamin C, magnesium, and folate, and improvements in calcium intakes for some age/sex groups. However, it caused intakes of folate, niacin, vitamin A, and calcium to rise above the UL, particularly among younger age groups. Although increased food fortification may reduce the apparent prevalence of inadequate intakes for some nutrients, there is no evidence of inadequacies for niacin or several other nutrients slated for addition. Our modelling suggests that Health Canada‘s proposed policies are misaligned with the nutritional needs of the population because they are not rooted in an assessment of current nutrient intake patterns.
Clinically unexpected lymph node: An old enemy to remember in the cancer diagnosis and treatment

In the absence of axillary lymph node involvement, the thyroid nodule and cervical lymph nodes made us concern about a second primary malignancy, most probably a thyroid neoplasm. Thyroid fine needle aspiration biopsy showed normal thyroid glands and tru-cut biopsy of the right supraclavicular lymph node showed granulomatous lymphadenitis which is consistent with tuberculosis lymphadenitis (Figure 2A). The PPD test measured 15 mm and serum quantiferon were positive. The patient was consulted to the infectious disease department and an initial intensive-phase therapy with four antibiotics (INH, RIF, PZA, EMB) and continuation-phase therapy with 2 antibiotics (INH, RFA) planned.
Retrieving Scale on Monocular Visual Odometry Using Low-Resolution Range Sensors

We present a flexible sensor fusion approach to retrieve scale information in monocular visual odometry (VO) through integrating range measurements from a wide variety of depth sensors spanning from small-resolution time-of-flight (ToF) cameras to 2-D and potentially 3-D LiDARs. While many algorithms exist in literature for range-enhanced monocular VO, the majority of them are tailored for a specific sensor choice, limiting the integration on generic mobile systems. Our monocular VO algorithm builds on a standard front end, where the camera tracking is performed relative to a map of triangulated landmarks. The inherent scale ambiguity and drift in monocular perception are resolved by optimizing both the camera poses as well as the landmark map with the depth information provided by the range sensor. Performances have been tested on the custom data sets created with an experimental platform comprising a stereo camera, a low-resolution ToF camera, and a 2-D LiDAR. We present a detailed overview of the extrinsic calibration procedures including an ad hoc solution applicable to very low-resolution depth sensors. The proposed system is tested on short- and long-range motions, showing that: 1) performances in each of the tested configurations are on par or better than the state-of-the-art stereo systems and 2) it is sufficient to use a reduced number of range measurements to obtain a scaled trajectory accurately.
Imaging findings and outcome of acute hemorrhage in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Poster: "ECR 2013 / C-1973 / Imaging findings and outcome of acute hemorrhage in hepatocellular carcinoma. " by: "D. Bijdevaate, R. Dwarkasing, A. Moelker, G. P. Krestin, F. Willemssen; Rotterdam/NL"
Cross-lagged Panel Mediation Models with Latent Constructs: Specification and Estimation

The use of observed scores to represent constructs in cross-lagged panel mediation models (CLPMs) can result in inaccurate effect estimates of these constructs (Cole & Maxwell, 2003; Little, 2013). This study examined latent variable cross-lagged panel mediation models (LV-CLPMs) with multiple indicators at each time point that potentially mitigate effects of measurement error on parameter estimates. A simulation study investigated data requirements for using LVCLPMs, considering normal and non-normal data to accurately estimate and infer direct and indirect effects with robust maximum likelihood estimation (MLM). In the current study, the following factors were manipulated to achieve this goal: number of timepoints (T1⁄4 5, 10), sample size (n1⁄4 200, 500, 1000), number of indicators per factor (I1⁄4 3, 6), data distribution characteristics ({skewness, kurtosis}1⁄4 {0, 0}, {2, 7}, {3, 21}), composite reliability (q 1⁄4 .7, .9), and effect sizes of cross-lagged paths ({a,b,c}: {.10, .10, .10}, {.30, .30, .30}, {.45, .45, .45}). Future research will more fully examine estimates and inferences of direct and indirect effects in mis-specified models created by adding or omitting paths in the structural part of the model (Cole & Maxwell, 2003). Results indicated relative bias of direct effect estimates was generally acceptable (<5%) across all study conditions. However, relative bias of the indirect effect (ab) estimate was only acceptable when T1⁄4 10 (Figure 1). Model fit indexes such as RMSEA, CFI, and TLI did not work well at relatively small sample sizes (e.g., n< 200) with a complex model (T1⁄4 10 and/or I1⁄4 6); they erroneously suggested that properly specified models were misspecified. Under the condition T1⁄4 10, n1⁄4 500, and I1⁄4 6 with a correctly specified model and normal data, minimally biased estimates of parameters and standard errors as well as accurate indices of modeldata fit were obtained. Thus, under this condition, bias and misfit that are detected can be attributed to model misspecification.
Imperfection Insensitivity of Thin Wavy Cylindrical Shells Under Axial Compression or Bending

The presence of imperfections significantly reduces the load carrying capacity of thin cylindrical shells due to the high sensitivity of thin shells to imperfections. To nullify this unfavorable characteristic, thin cylindrical shells are designed using a conservative knockdown factor method, which was developed by NASA in the late 1960s. Almost all the design codes, explicitly or implicitly, follow this approach. Recently, a new approach has emerged to significantly reduce the sensitivity of thin cylindrical shells. In this approach, wavy cross sections are used instead of circular cross sections for creating thin cylinders. Past studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of wavy cylinders to reduce imperfection sensitivity of thin cylinders under axial compression assuming linear elastic material behavior. These studies used eigenmode imperfections which do not represent realistic imperfections found in cylinders. In this paper, using a realistic dimple-like imperfection, new insights are presented into the response of wavy cylinders under uniform axial compression and bending. Furthermore, the effectiveness of the wavy cylinders to reduce imperfection sensitivity under bending load is investigated assuming a plastic Ramberg–Osgood material model. The effect of wave parameters, e.g., the amplitude and the number of waves, is also explored. This study reveals that wavy thin cylinders are insensitive to imperfections under bending in the inelastic range of the material. It is also found that the wave parameters play a decisive role in the response of thin wavy cylinders to imperfections under bending. [DOI: 10.1115/1.4045741]