Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An international review of projects on hospital performance assessment.

BACKGROUND Assessing the quality of health care has become increasingly important in health care in response to growing demands from purchasers, providers, clinicians and the public. Given the increase in projects and programs to assess performance in health care in the last 15 years, the purpose of this paper is to review current indicator projects for hospital performance assessment and compare them to the Performance Assessment Tool for Quality Improvement in Hospitals (PATH), an initiative by the WHO Regional Office for Europe. METHODOLOGY We identified current indicator projects through a systematic literature search and through contact with experts. Using an inductive approach based on a review of the literature, we identified 10 criteria for the comparison of indicator projects. We extracted data and contacted the coordinators of each indicator project to validate this information. In addition, we carried out interviews with coordinators to gather additional information on the evaluation of the respective projects. RESULTS We included 11 projects that appear to have adopted a common methodology for the design and selection of indicators; however, major differences exist with regard to the philosophy, scope and coverage of the projects. This relates in particular to criteria such as participation, disclosure of results and dimensions of hospital performance assessed. CONCLUSION Hospital performance assessment projects have become common worldwide, and initiatives such as the WHO PATH project need to be well coordinated with existing projects. Our review raised questions regarding the impact of hospital performance assessment that should be pursued in further research.
Elliptic Curves in Montgomery Form with B=1 and Their Low Order Torsion

This paper proves that the Montgomery form elliptic curves that are cheaply transformable into short Weierstrass form by a simple change of variables (x, y) 7→ (x+α, y) (instead of a more general affine change of variables) are precisely the curves with B = 1. The points of order 2 and 4 on these curves are described, and it is observed that the x-coordinates of these points are consecutive field elements. Finally, it is shown that two elliptic curves specified (in short Weierstrass form) in the SECG standard can be transformed into B = 1 Montgomery form, and also into Edwards form.
Noncanonical Function of MEKK2 and MEK5 PB1 Domains for Coordinated Extracellular Signal-Regulated Kinase 5 and c-Jun N-Terminal Kinase Signaling

ABSTRACT MEKK2 and MEK5 encode Phox/Bem1p (PB1) domains that heterodimerize with one another. MEKK2, MEK5, and extracellular signal-related kinase 5 (ERK5) form a ternary complex through interactions involving the MEKK2 and MEK5 PB1 domains and a 34-amino-acid C-terminal extension of the MEK5 PB1 domain. This C-terminal extension encodes an ERK5 docking site required for MEK5 activation of ERK5. The PB1 domains bind in a front-to-back arrangement, with a cluster of basic amino acids in the front of the MEKK2 PB1 domain binding to the back-end acidic clusters of the MEK5 PB1 domain. The C-terminal moiety, including the acidic cluster of the MEKK2 PB1 domain, is not required for MEK5 binding and binds MKK7. Quiescent MEKK2 preferentially binds MEK5, and MEKK2 activation results in ERK5 activation. Activated MEKK2 binds and activates MKK7, leading to JNK activation. The findings define how the MEKK2 and MEK5 PB1 domains are uniquely used for differential binding of two mitogen-activated protein kinase kinases, MEK5 and MKK7, for the coordinated control of ERK5 and c-Jun N-terminal kinase activation.
The human G protein beta 3 subunit GNB3 825T polymorphism.

Meirhaeghe et al. recently showed that the T allele of a C vs T exchange at position 825 of the gene encoding for the beta3 subunit of heterotrimeric G proteins (GNB3) is associated with enhanced coronary constriction after intracoronary administration of methylergonovine. The 825T allele has also been shown to be associated with an enhanced response after activation of G protein coupled receptors. Since most vascular receptors belong to this family of heptahelical receptors, the underlying hypothesis appears conclusive, and, thus, nicely confirms our own results in connection with an enhanced coronary vasoconstrictor response after alpha-adrenoceptor activation in carriers of the 825T allele at GNB3. First, we would like to congratulate the authors on their interesting and
Centrifugal projections upon the retina: An anterograde tracing study in the pigeon (Columba livia)

Previous work has shown that the avian retina receives two types of centrifugal fibers from the brain. These types can be distinguished based on the size and the morphology of their terminal endings and have been termed convergent and divergent. The centrifugal fibers arise from the isthmooptic nucleus (ION) and the surrounding ectopic cell region (ECR). We used injections of anterograde tracers either to the ION/ECR or to the ECR only to determine the morphology, depth of termination, and regional distribution of the centrifugal fibers arising from each.
Cerebrovascular changes in chronic hypertension. Protective effects of enalapril in rats.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Our recent study demonstrated that in chronic hypertension, hypertrophy of intracerebral arterioles was associated with an increase in the vascular extracellular matrix proteins: fibronectin, laminin, and collagen IV. An additional cerebral finding in chronic hypertension was hypertensive encephalopathy, in which breakdown of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) to serum proteins occurred in multifocal areas of the cortex and basal ganglia. This study was undertaken to determine which of these alterations were attenuated by antihypertensive therapy. METHODS Two weeks after the surgery to produce chronic renal hypertension, half the hypertensive rats were treated orally with enalapril (30 mg/kg), an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, for 5 weeks. Rats were perfusion-fixed, and their brains were removed and processed for morphological studies. The effect of treatment on vascular hypertrophy was assessed by quantitative morphometry and on the vascular extracellular matrix proteins and BBB permeability alterations by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS There was increased immunoreactivity for laminin, fibronectin, and collagen IV in pial and intracerebral arterioles of untreated hypertensive rats. Immunoreactivity was greatest in arterioles in areas with breakdown of the BBB to serum proteins. Enalapril treatment for 5 weeks resulted in a significant reduction of the mean systolic blood pressure, which was accompanied by attenuation of vascular hypertrophy and attenuation of changes in the vascular extracellular matrix proteins. In addition, there was reduction in the magnitude of BBB breakdown after treatment. CONCLUSIONS Enalapril treatment had a protective effect and attenuated vascular hypertrophy and the increase in vascular extracellular matrix proteins observed in chronic hypertension. In addition, there was reduction in the magnitude of BBB breakdown.
An update on the pathogenesis of cholesterol gallstone disease

Purpose of review Gallstone disease is a major epidemiologic and economic burden worldwide, and the most frequent form is cholesterol gallstone disease. Recent findings Major pathogenetic factors for cholesterol gallstones include a genetic background, hepatic hypersecretion of cholesterol, and supersaturated bile which give life to precipitating cholesterol crystals that accumulate and grow in a sluggish gallbladder. Additional factors include mucin and inflammatory changes in the gallbladder, slow intestinal motility, increased intestinal absorption of cholesterol, and altered gut microbiota. Mechanisms of disease are linked with insulin resistance, obesity, the metabolic syndrome, and type 2 diabetes. The role of nuclear receptors, signaling pathways, gut microbiota, and epigenome are being actively investigated. Summary Ongoing research on cholesterol gallstone disease is intensively investigating several pathogenic mechanisms, associated metabolic disorders, new therapeutic approaches, and novel strategies for primary prevention, including lifestyles.
The Aurora Kinases Inhibitor VE-465 is a Novel Treatment for Glioblastoma Multiforme

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is one of the most common and aggressive types of primary brain tumor. After complete surgical resection combined with radiation and chemotherapy, approximately 10% of patients survive for more than 5 years. Therefore, a novel therapy for GBM is needed. Aurora-A (AURKA) plays important roles in cell cycle regulation, such as centrosome maturation, chromatic separation, bipolar spindle assembly, and mitotic entry. To investigate the effects of AURKA inhibition, three GBM cell lines, including GBM 8401, GBM 8901, and U87-MG cells, were treated with the AURKA inhibitor VE-465. Sensitivities to VE-465, as indicated by 50% inhibitory concentration values for GBM 8401, GBM 8901, and U87-MG cells, were 6, 25, and 19 nM, respectively. Additionally, colony formation of GBM 8401 and GBM 8901 cells was decreased after treatment with the VE-465. VE-465 treatment increased polyploidy and p53 protein expression, and inhibited cell growth in a caspase-independent manner. Taken together, these results suggest that the inhibition of AURKA by a small-molecule inhibitor may have potential to serve as a novel therapeutic approach for GBM.
A Survey on Different Approaches for Analysing Urban Mobility

The following paper reviews on a framework of current trends, data analysis, evaluation of urban mobility including the factors affecting it using social media concept. By the end of the paper we will be summarizing the advanced methods that are used for analyzing urban mobility. The main motive of this review is to suggest a suitable mechanism for urban mobility through Facebook events.
Micro Magnetic Thin - Film Sensor Using LC Resonance

This paper reports the performance of a new micro magnetic thin-film magnetic field sensor which makes use of LC resonance of the sensor element as well as the impedance change due to the permeability change of the magnetic film. A large impedance change of 105% was achieved at a carrier frequency of 100 MHz. The large change was realized when the LC resonance frequency of the sensor element was lower than the frequency at which the eddy-current losses increased.
Effects of hypoxia and metabolic inhibition on increases in intracellular Ca2+ concentration induced by Na+/Ca2+ exchange in isolated guinea-pig cardiac myocytes.

We have assessed if the sarcolemmal Na+/Ca2+ exchange of isolated cardiac myocytes becomes inhibited when the cells are subjected to hypoxia and metabolic inhibition. Function of the exchange was assessed by exposing single cardiac myocytes to Na+-free solutions and measuring the increases in [free Ca2+]i using the fluorescent indicator Fura-2. Removal of extracellular Na+ reverses the Na+ gradient and causes Ca2+ influx via Na+/Ca2+ exchange. This influx may trigger further Ca2+ release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum. Hypoxia and metabolic inhibition produced either by (1) vigorously bubbling glucose-free Tyrode with N2, or (2) bubbling with N2 and adding 10 mm 2-deoxy-D-glucose to the Tyrode or (3) using 0.1-1.0 mm sodium dithionite (sodium hyposulphite, Na2S2O4) in glucose-free Tyrode caused a significant decline in the rates of increase in [free Ca2+]i during Na2+-free superfusion. The decreases in [free Ca2+]i on re-application of Na+ were also significantly slowed. This suggests that reverse-mode Na+/Ca2+ exchange and the processes leading to release of Ca2+ from the sarcoplasmic reticulum are inhibited in hypoxia and metabolic inhibition.
Socio-economic inequality in ill-health amongst the elderly. Should one use current or permanent income?

In Belgium, income-related inequality in ill-health among the 65- is present, but reduces significantly as soon as one restricts the analysis to the 65+. The main goal of this paper is to check whether these findings (based on current income) are robust to the income concept used. The analysis is repeated using estimates of permanent income. Measured inequality among the 65+ remains very limited, suggesting that the observed findings are not heavily dependent upon the income concept. Finally, I suggest an explanation for the observed difference in inequality between the 65- and the 65+. I argue that this difference is likely to be correlated with differences across income groups of (1) sample attrition; and (2) mortality.
The Course of Cognitive Decline in Older Persons: Results from the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam

The course of cognitive functioning in older persons was studied over a period of 6 years. The first aim was to distinguish cognitive decline as a temporary state from progressive cognitive decline. The second aim was to identify predictors which may be useful in discriminating persons with temporary cognitive decline from persons with progressive cognitive decline at an early stage. Data were derived from the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam (LASA), a population-based study in the Netherlands. The results show that 18.2% of the sample of older persons showed cognitive decline over a period of 3 years. Of this group, 44% recovered from cognitive decline or stayed stable in the next 3 years. Especially older age, memory complaints and an increase of cardiovascular diseases at follow-up predict further deterioration.
Characterization of estrogen receptor in human gastric cancer

Estrogen receptors (ER) were examined in cytosol, nuclear potassium chloride (KCl) extractable fraction, and nuclear KCl unextractable fraction by the dextran‐coated charcoal adsorption method in various gastric cancer tissue. The overall ER‐positive rate in the cytosol and nuclear fraction was 19.2%. The maximum binding site (Bmax) was 36.0 to 175.0 fmol/mg of protein, and the dissociation constant (Kd) was 0.6 to 1.6 × 10‐9 in cytosol fraction. In the nuclear fraction, Bmax was 7.5 fmol/mg of DNA and Kd was 2.3 × 10‐9. Estrogen receptors were characterized in cytosol protein. In cytosol, the estrogen (E2)‐ER complex was sedimented at approximately the 5S and 8S regions by 5% to 20% linear sucrose gradient centrifugation. A steroid specificity study of ER showed the presence of an E2‐specific binder in gastric cancer tissue. In conclusion, these results that gastric cancer tissue has E2 binding sites with the same biochemical characteristics as in breast cancer and endometrial cancer strongly suggest the hormonal dependency of gastric cancer.
RELATING RICE KERNEL BREAKING FORCE DISTRIBUTIONS TO MILLING QUALITY

Three-point bending tests were conducted to determine the mechanical strength distributions of brown rice kernels. Three long-grain rice cultivars (Cypress, Drew, and XL6) were initially studied. Breaking force (the force required to break a brown rice kernel in three-point bending) was not significantly related to kernel width or length. However, there was a significant correlation between breaking force and kernel thickness; thicker kernels tended to have higher breaking forces. For all three cultivars, kernel-to-kernel breaking force distributions tended to be bimodal: one dominant peak existed around 30 N and a smaller peak around 15 N. The data showed that rice samples could have similar average kernel breaking forces, but their breaking force distributions were quite different. In turn, head rice yield was not related to the average breaking force of rice kernels in a sample; however, head rice yield was closely related to the percentage of “strong” kernels, defined as kernels that sustained a 20 N force in bending. Based on this apparent finding, the breaking force distributions and head rice yields for seven additional rice lots were measured. A linear relationship was observed between the sample head rice yield and the percentage of strong kernels in the sample.
Undifferentiated (embryonal) sarcoma of the liver: combination treatment by surgery and chemotherapy.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE Undifferentiated (embryonal) sarcoma of the liver (USL) is a rare malignancy found in older children, and the most appropriate treatment strategy has been controversial. The authors report the tumor's clinical characteristics and the results of management in 6 children and recommend the best treatment plans based on these findings. METHODS Six USL pathologically verified at Seoul National University Children's Hospital between 1990 and 2000 were reviewed retrospectively. RESULTS The mean age at diagnosis of USL was 10.3 years (range, 7 to 13 years). There were 2 girls and 4 boys; 5 of 6 children presented with large abdominal mass, one with weight loss. Tumors ranged in size from 8.5 x 9.0 cm to 15.0 x 15.0 cm. Location of the tumor varied from right lobe in 4 to left lobe in one, and both lobes in one. Three children underwent primary complete resection without preoperative chemotherapy. Partial resection of the tumor was done in one child because of encasing inferior vena cava and hepatic vein. However, complete resection was possible at second-look operation after chemotherapy. Two children underwent complete resection after chemotherapy. Preoperative chemotherapy allowed successful resection of 3 USL, which were initially considered unresectable. Postoperative recovery for all children was uneventful. Chemotherapy according to the the Third Intergroup Rhabdomyosarcoma Study (IRS III) was administered to all except one child who refused further postoperative chemotherapy after having had severe complications during the first cycle of chemotherapy. One child with partial resection died of sepsis at 22 months after diagnosis during postoperative chemotherapy after complete surgical removal of the tumor. Five children are alive without recurrence at 40, 45, 48, 60, and 122 months, respectively, after diagnosis. CONCLUSION The combined therapy of surgery and chemotherapy in USL can improve the prognosis.
Malignant melanoma: staging with whole-body positron emission tomography and 2-[F-18]-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose.

PURPOSE To evaluate whole-body positron emission tomography (PET) with 2-[fluorine-18]-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (FDG) in the detection of metastasis from melanoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS Whole-body PET was performed in 33 patients with either known metastatic or newly diagnosed melanoma. Patients with suspected metastases also underwent computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, or both. Diagnoses were confirmed with histologic examination or with at least one imaging modality in addition to PET. Blinded interpretations of PET scans were performed. RESULTS Forty of 53 lesions evaluated proved to be melanoma metastases. Whole-body PET correctly depicted 37 sites of metastases. Three cutaneous metastases (< 3 mm) were missed. PET correctly excluded malignancy in 10 cases where suspicious lesions were found with conventional cross-sectional imaging modalities but later ruled out with fine-needle biopsy. In six patients, PET depicted new metastases. The sensitivity for the detection of malignant lesions was 92%; the specificity for reading the PET images without clinical information was 77% and with clinical information was 100%. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that whole-body FDG PET is an effective imaging modality to screen for metastases from malignant melanoma.
Development and neuronal dependence of cutaneous sensory nerve formations: Lessons from neurotrophins

Null mutations of genes from the NGF family of NTs and their receptors (NTRs) lead to loss/reduction of specific neurons in sensory ganglia; conversely, cutaneous overexpression of NTs results in skin hyperinnervation and increase or no changes in the number of sensory neurons innervating the skin. These neuronal changes are paralleled with loss of specific types of sensory nerve formations in the skin. Therefore, mice carrying mutations in NT or NTR genes represent an ideal model to identify the neuronal dependence of each type of cutaneous sensory nerve ending from a concrete subtype of sensory neuron, since the development, maintenance, and structural integrity of sensory nerve formations depend upon sensory neurons. Results obtained from these mouse strains suggest that TrkA positive neurons are connected to intraepithelial nerve fibers and other sensory nerve formations depending from C and Aδ nerve fibers; the neurons expressing TrkB and responding to BDNF and NT‐4 innervate Meissner corpuscles, a subpopulation of Merkell cells, some mechanoreceptors of the piloneural complex, and the Ruffini's corpuscles; finally, a subpopulation of neurons, which are responsive to NT‐3, support postnatal survival of some intraepithelial nerve fibers and Merkel cells in addition to the muscle mechanoreceptors. On the other hand, changes in NTs and NTRs affect the structure of non‐nervous structures of the skin and are at the basis of several cutaneous pathologies. This review is an update about the role of NTs and NTRs in the maintenance of normal cutaneous innervation and maintenance of skin integrity. Microsc. Res. Tech. 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Optimal strategy when selling Software-as-a-Service

Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) is a brand new selling strategy for enterprise software developers and it spreads quickly in the recent years. In this paper we develop a dynamic model with state-dependent demand and quality decisions to describe the revenue and cost structures for the firm who is the software service provider. We show that there exists a unique optimal strategy for the service provider to set the service quality dynamically in order to maximize its total expected profits. We further extend our model to include some considerations about customer behavior and show that the optimal policy strongly depends on the parameters of customer behavior.
Strategies to encourage the adoption of G2C e-government services in Hong Kong

There has been much research into the development of G2C e-government policy making, telecommunication infrastructure and technological and promotional strategies but as yet these studies have not addressed the problem of encouraging the public's use of e-government services. This paper studies public attitudes towards e-government services and proposes strategies to overcome associated problems. As different countries have different cultures and environments, this study addresses only the development of e-government in Hong Kong.
Monosynaptic innervation of trigeminal motor neurones involved in mastication by neurones of the parvicellular reticular formation

In order to determine whether neurones in the parvicellular reticular formation are in direct synaptic contact with motor neurones innervating masticatory muscles, a combined retrograde and anterograde transport study was carriedd out in the rat at both light and electron microscopic levels. The animals received injections of the retrograde tracers wheat germ agglutinin conjugated to horseradish peroxidase or cholera toxin B conjugated to horseradish peroxidase into the masticatory muscles and of the anterograde tracer biocytin into the ipsilateral parvicellular reticular formation. The trigeminal motor nucleus was then examined for both anterograde and retrograde labelling in the light and electron microscopes.