Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Developing the Doctor Manager: Reflecting on the Personal Costs

These reflections focus on the development of doctors as managers in the National Health Service and the way that their participation is directly influenced by the personal costs perceived to their professional roles as doctors. Research has indicated some of the problems surrounding the development of doctors as managers. Although training has led to a reduction in stress, women doctors are having to contend with a glass ceiling which is double and even sometimes triple glazed, team development is not being addressed adequately, and succession planning is occurring by default rather than design. The application of domain theory to the issue can provide some guidance for the organisation, but as individual organisations like hospitals interpret these changes in a unique way, it is suggested that the key training for the future will need to focus on transition skills between organisations, and will require interpretive and adaptive responses from both doctors and managers if they are to continue to collaborate successfully in the managerial domain.
Frequency and distribution of chromosome abnormalities in human spermatozoa

This study reviews the frequency and distribution of numerical and structural chromosomal abnormalities in spermatozoa from normal men obtained by the human-hamster system and by multicolor-FISH analysis on decondensed sperm nuclei. Results from large sperm karyotyping series analyzed by chromosome banding techniques and results from multicolor FISH in sperm nuclei (of at least 104 spermatozoa per donor and per probe) were reviewed in order to establish baseline values of the sperm chromosome abnormalities in normal men. In karyotyping studies, the mean disomy frequency in human sperm is 0.03% for each of the autosomes, and 0.11% for the sex chromosomes, lower than those reported in sperm nuclei by FISH studies using a similar methodology (0.09% and 0.26%, respectively). Both types of studies coincide in that chromosome 21 and sex chromosomes have a greater tendency to suffer segregation errors than the rest of the autosomes. The mean incidence of diploidy, only available from multicolor FISH in sperm nuclei, is 0.19%. Inter-donor differences observed for disomy and diploidy frequencies among FISH studies of decondensed sperm nuclei using a similar methodology could reflect real differences among normal men, but they could also reflect the subjective application of the scoring criteria among laboratories. The mean frequency of structural aberrations in sperm karyotypes is 6.6%, including all chromosome types of abnormalities. Chromosome 9 shows a high susceptibility to be broken and 50% of the breakpoints are located in 9q, between the centromere and the 9qh+ region. Structural chromosome aberrations for chromosomes 1 and 9 have also been analyzed in human sperm nuclei by multicolor FISH. Unfortunately, this assay does not allow to determine the specific type of structural aberrations observed in sperm nuclei. An association between advancing donor age and increased frequency of numerical and structural chromosome abnormalities has been reported in spermatozoa of normal men.
The Hyperdense Anterior Cerebral Artery Sign (HACAS) as a Computed Tomography Marker for Acute Ischemia in the Anterior Cerebral Artery Territory

Background: Hyperdense arteries in cranial CT of acute stroke patients have been described as a sign for acute ischemia in various brain-feeding arteries. However, only 1 case of a hyperdense anterior cerebral artery sign (HACAS) has been published to date. In this study, the frequency and association of HACAS with clinical symptoms and outcome are described. Methods: Our radiological databases were searched for patients with infarcts in the territory of the anterior cerebral artery (ACA). Only patients who received an initial CT and a follow-up CT or MRI were included. The presence of a HACAS was rated by 2 independent observers using the Cohen κ-statistics. Further data recorded were early ischemic signs, final size of infarct, symptoms, initial NIHSS (National Institute of Health Stroke Scale) score, latency between symptom onset and initial CT, etiology, modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score at discharge and secondary hemorrhage. Results: A HACAS could be visualized in 11/24 patients (46%). Interobserver agreement was substantial with Cohen’s κ = 0.66. Patients with a HACAS had a significantly higher NIHSS score (9.45 ± 8.41; median: 8) than those without (3.69 ± 2.09; median: 4). A HACAS was visible more frequently when the CT was performed early (<2.5 h after symptom onset). There was no correlation with single symptoms, size of infarct, etiology, mRS or the tendency to hemorrhage. Conclusions: HACAS is associated with a higher NIHSS score. It is an early sign of ischemia which can be reversible over time. It can be helpful in the detection of ischemia in the territory of the ACA.
Singularity Analysis of Closed Kinematic Chains

This paper presents a coordinate-invariant differential geometric analysis of kinematic singularities for closed kinematic chains containing both active and passive joints. Using the geometric framework developed in Park and Kim (1996) for closed chain manipulability analysis, we classify closed chain singularities into three basic types: (i) those corresponding to singular points of the joint configuration space (configuration space singularities), (ii) those induced by the choice of actuated joints (actuator singularities), and (iii) those configurations in which the end-effector loses one or more degrees of freedom of available motion (end-effector singularities). The proposed geometric classification provides a high-level taxonomy for mechanism singularities that is independent of the choice of local coordinates used to describe the kinematics, and includes mechanisms that have more actuators than kinematic degrees of freedom.
Safety and Efficacy of Endoscopic Excavation for Gastric Subepithelial Tumors Originating From the Muscularis Propria Layer: Results From a Large Study in China

Background and Aim: In this retrospective study, we investigated the safety and efficacy of endoscopic excavation of gastric subepithelial tumors (SETs) originating from the muscularis propria (MP) layer. Materials and Methods: Between November 2007 and June 2012, 212 patients with gastric SETs originating from the MP layer were treated via endoscopic excavation. The key procedures were: (1) injecting a mixture solution (100 mL saline+2 mL indigo carmine+1 mL epinephrine) into the submucosa around the tumor; (2) making a cross-incision of the mucosa and then excavating the tumor by the technique of endoscopic excavation. After the tumor was completely excavated from the MP layer, it was removed using a snare; (3) closing the artificial ulcer with clips. Results: The mean diameter of the 212 tumors was 16.5 mm. Complete resection by endoscopic excavation was achieved in 204 cases (96.2%). The rate of complete resection was significantly higher for tumors <2 cm (98.0%) than for tumors >2 cm (91.9%) (P=0.035). Perforation occurred in 32 cases (15.1%), and massive bleeding occurred in 9 cases (4.2%) during the procedure. The rate of perforation was significantly higher for the fundus and the body than for antrum (21.5%, 11.5%, 0%, respectively; P=0.036), and also differed significantly in relation to histologic diagnosis (23.7% for gastrointestinal stromal tumors vs. 7.8% for leiomyoma; P=0.001). Histologic diagnosis showed that the density of gastrointestinal stromal tumors located in the fundus and the body of the stomach was significantly higher than in the antrum (44.1%, 51.9%, 13.3%, respectively; P=0.036). Conclusions: Endoscopic excavation is a safe and efficient method for resecting small (>3.5 cm) gastric SETs originating from the MP layer.
Increased prevalence and earlier onset of mood disorders among relatives of prepubertal versus adult probands.

OBJECTIVE To compare the familial clustering of affective disorders among first-degree relatives of prepubertal versus adult probands with mood disorders. METHOD The Family History-Research Diagnostic Criteria (FH-RDC) assessment instrument was used to obtain data on first-degree relatives of all probands. Logistic regression was used to assess the strength of the age of the proband to predict FH-RDC diagnoses in relatives. Survival analysis was used to examine the age-at-onset distribution of first FH-RDC diagnosis while controlling for year of birth. RESULTS The prevalence of major affective disorders was more than two times higher among first-degree relatives of child probands versus those of adult probands even when controlling for birth cohort. Cumulative risk for lifetime major mood disorders in first-degree relatives of child probands was significantly higher than for those of adult probands. CONCLUSION These analyses further support that ascertainment of families through affected children identifies pedigrees with a higher proportion of affected relatives than ascertainment through affected adults.
The Vulnerabilities of Teenage Mothers: Challenging Prevailing Assumptions

The belief that early childbearing leads to poverty permeates our collective understanding. However, recent findings reveal that for many teens, mothering makes sense of the limited life options that precede their pregnancies. The author challenges several assumptions about teenage mothers and offers an alternative to the modern view of the unencumbered self that drives current responses to teen childbearing. This alternative perspective entails a situated view of the self and a broader notion of parenting and citizenship that supports teen mothers and affirms our mutual interdependence.
The impact of time in link-based Web ranking

Introduction. The strong dynamic nature of the Web is a well-known reality. Nonetheless, research on Web dynamics is still a minor part of mainstream Web research. This is largely the case in Web link analysis. In this paper we investigate and measure the impact of time in link-based ranking algorithms on a particular subset of the Web, specifically blogs. Method. Using a large collection of blog posts that span more than three years, we compare a traditional link-based ranking algorithm with a time-biased alternative, providing some insights into the evolution of link data over time. We designed two experiments to evaluate the use of temporal features in authority estimation algorithms. In the first experiment we compare time-independent and time-sensitive ranking algorithms with a reference rank based on the total number of visits to each blog. In the second, we use feedback from communication media domain experts to contrast different rankings of Portuguese news Websites. Results. The distribution of citations to a Web document over time contains valuable information. Based on several examples we show that time-independent algorithms are unable to capture the correct popularity of sites with high citation activity. Using a reference rank based on the number of visits to a site, we show that a time-biased approach has a better performance. Conclusions. Although both time-independent and time-aware approaches are based on the same raw data, the experiments indicate that they can be treated as complementary signals for relevance assessment by information retrieval systems. We show that temporal information present in blogs can be used to derive stable time-dependent features, which can be successfully used in the context of Web document ranking.
Analysis of Pricing and Volumes in Selective Capacity Markets

The requirements concerning reliability in power supply are high. This paper treats the issue of system adequacy, i.e., there should be enough installed capacity to meet the load with an acceptable reliability. The challenge in a liberalized market is that the utilization time of rarely used peak units is so low that they require extremely high prices in order to be profitable. This has led to different methods, including the creation of capacity markets. The aim of this paper is to analyze the connection between peak prices, system reliability, required amount of subsidized capacity, i.e., the volume of the capacity market. In the studied market setup, only some selected units, so-called “reserve plants”, receive a capacity payment. The paper also provides an example concerning change of capacity market volume in presence of wind power.
Electric field assisted transdermal drug delivery from salicylic acid-loaded polyacrylamide hydrogels

The apparent diffusion coefficients, Dapp, and the release mechanisms of salicylic acid from polyacrylamide hydrogels through pigskin were investigated. Dapp increases with increasing electric field strength and reaches the maximum value at electric field strength of 0.1 V; beyond that it decreases with increasing electric field strength and becomes saturated at 5 V. The increase in Dapp at low electric field strength can be attributed to the combination of iontophoresis, electroporation of matrix pore, and induced pathway in pigskin. Dapp obeys the scaling behavior Dapp/Do = (drug size/pore size)m with m equal to 0.67 and 0.49 at the electric field strengths of 0 and 0.1 V, respectively.
Fibroblast Growth Factor-Inducible 14 Mediates Multiple Pathways of TWEAK-Induced Cell Death1

TWEAK, a TNF family member, is produced by IFN-γ-stimulated monocytes and induces multiple pathways of cell death, including caspase-dependent apoptosis, cathepsin B-dependent necrosis, and endogenous TNF-α-mediated cell death, in a cell type-specific manner. However, the TWEAK receptor(s) that mediates these multiple death pathways remains to be identified. Recently, fibroblast growth factor-inducible 14 (Fn14) has been identified to be a TWEAK receptor, which was responsible for TWEAK-induced proliferation of endothelial cells and angiogenesis. Because Fn14 lacks the cytoplasmic death domain, it remains unclear whether Fn14 can also mediate the TWEAK-induced cell death. In this study, we demonstrated that TWEAK could induce apoptotic cell death in Fn14 transfectants. A pan-caspase inhibitor, benzyloxycarbonyl-Val-Ala-Asp-fluoromethylketone, rather sensitized the Fn14 transfectants to TWEAK-induced cell death by necrosis via reactive oxygen intermediates and cathepsin B-dependent pathway. By using newly generated agonistic anti-Fn14 mAbs, we also observed that Fn14 is constitutively expressed on the cell surface of all TWEAK-sensitive tumor cell lines, and can transmit the multiple death signals. Moreover, an anti-Fn14 mAb that blocks TWEAK-Fn14 interaction could totally abrogate TWEAK binding and TWEAK-induced cell death in all TWEAK-sensitive tumor cell lines. These results revealed that the multiple pathways of TWEAK-induced cell death are solely mediated by Fn14.
On LMI-based algorithm for strictly positive real systems with static output feedback

This paper presents a new theoretical analyses and a condition regarding to an algorithm, based on Linear Matrix Inequalities (LMIs), for finding a constant output feedback matrix Ko and a constant output tandem matrix F such that the controlled system $\{{A-B}K_{o}{C, B, FC}\}$ is Strictly Positive Real (SPR). The number of output variables of the plant {A, B, C} is supposed to be greater than or equal to the number of its input variables. The main result offers a more general necessary condition to specify the matrix F that can offer a solution for this problem, that works when a known condition holds and also in some cases where this known solution does not hold. A numerical example illustrates the effectiveness of this procedure and its application in the design of output variable structure controllers.
H2 Relaxin Is a Biased Ligand Relative to H3 Relaxin at the Relaxin Family Peptide Receptor 3 (RXFP3)

Relaxin family peptide 3 receptors (RXFP3) are activated by H3-relaxin to inhibit forskolin-stimulated cAMP accumulation and stimulate extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2 phosphorylation. In this study, we sought to identify novel signaling pathways coupled to RXFP3 and to investigate whether other members of the relaxin peptide family activated these pathways. Two patterns of signaling were observed in RXFP3-expressing Chinese hamster ovary (CHO)-K1 and human embryonic kidney (HEK)-293 cells (CHO-RXFP3 and HEK-RXFP3) and murine septal neuron SN56 cell lines: 1) strong inhibition of forskolin-stimulated cAMP accumulation, ERK1/2 activation and nuclear factor (NF)-κB reporter gene activation in cells stimulated with H3 relaxin, with weaker activity observed for H2 relaxin, porcine relaxin, or insulin-like peptide (INSL) 3 and 2) strong stimulation of activator protein (AP)-1 reporter genes by H2 relaxin, with weaker activation observed with H3 or porcine relaxin. Two distinct ligand binding sites were identified on RXFP3-expressing cells using two different radioligands. 125I-INSL5 A-chain/relaxin-3 B-chain chimera bound with high affinity to the RXFP3-expressing cells with competition by H3 relaxin or a H3 relaxin B-chain dimeric peptide, consistent with previous reports. Binding studies with 125I-H2 relaxin revealed a distinct binding site with potent competition observed with H2 relaxin, H3 relaxin, or INSL3 and weaker competition with porcine relaxin. Thus H3 relaxin potently activates all signaling pathways coupled to RXFP3, whereas H2 relaxin is an AP-1-biased ligand relative to H3 relaxin.
Performance driven routing with multiple sources

Existing routing problems for delay minimization consider the connection of a single source node to a number of sink nodes, with the objective of minimizing the delay from the source to all sinks, or a set of critical sinks. In this paper, we study the problem of routing nets with multiple sources, such as those found in signal busses. This new model assumes that each node in a net may be a source, a sink, or both. The objective is to optimize the routing topology to minimize the total weighted delay between all node pairs (or a subset of critical node pairs). We present two heuristic algorithms for the multiple-source performance-driven routing problem based on efficient construction of minimum-diameter minimum-cost Steiner trees. Experimental results for sub-micron IC technology show as much as an 11% reduction in the maximum interconnect delay, while MCM results show as much as a 13% reduction, when compared to conventional minimum Steiner tree based routing algorithms.
EVALUATION OF BUSINESS EFFICIENCY IN GENERATING INTANGIBLE ASSETS

� ABSTRACT : In this paper, we study the intangibility of organizations using data envelopment analysis as a tool for evaluating organizational efficiency. The companies from the Brazilian capital market are studied, focusing their efficiency in generating intangible assets. However, since there are only a few observations for the traditional analysis, we use the MCMC approach, associated with the data envelopment analysis with missing data, aiming at increasing the number of informative observations, thus allowing for a more complete analysis. Finally, we present how the types of organizations (according to their efficiency scores) are associated with the company's volatility, thus suggesting a relation between the efficiency in generating intangible assets and the investment risk of the organizations. � KEYWORD: Data envelopment analysis; MCMC; intangible assets.
Parental and home influences on adolescents' TV viewing: a mediation analysis.

OBJECTIVE To explore the association between home environmental variables and television (TV) time, and the mediating pathways underlying this association. METHODS The current study used data from the longitudinal ENDORSE study. Self-reported data was available for 1 265 adolescents (mean age of 12-15 years at baseline) on home environment (availability of a TV in the bedroom, perceived parental modelling, family rules), potential mediators (intention, attitude, perceived behavioural control, subjective norm towards TV viewing) and TV viewing time. Mediation analyses were conducted using General Estimating Equations and mediation effects were calculated as the product-of-coefficients. RESULTS Significant overall positive associations were found for the presence of a TV in the bedroom and parental modelling with self-reported TV viewing. Controlling family rules showed an inverse association with reported TV time. Similarly, parental modelling and a TV in the bedroom were significantly positively associated with the Theory of Planned Behaviour variables and habit strength, while family rules showed an inverse association with these potential mediators. In turn, most potential mediators were positively associated with TV viewing. Intention, attitude and habit strength were the strongest mediators in all three associations explaining more than 55% of the overall association. Habit strength alone explained 38.2%-58.0% of the overall associations. CONCLUSIONS Home and family environmental predictors of TV time among adolescents may be strongly mediated by habit strength and other personal factors. Future intervention studies should explore if changes in home and family environments indeed lead to reductions in TV time through these mediators.
Hormonal regulation of embryogenesis: the formation of mesoderm in Xenopus laevis.

EMBRYONIC induction, the process wherein one cell instructs a responding cell to adopt a particular fate, bears striking parallels to a number of endocrine regulatory systems (1). In addition to utilizing similar intracellular signal transduction mechanisms, many of the extracellular signals used are the same. Regulation of metamorphosis in frogs by thyroid hormone is a classical example which has seen renewed interest recently, and activin, follistatin, fibroblast growth factor (FGF), and epidermal growth factor all appear to have roles in the early embryo. Embryonic induction bears other parallels to endocrine systems as well; for example, the responding cell is sensitive to very low levels of inducing signals. In addition, the type of response to a given signal is determined by the responding cell, by the type of receptors present, regulation of the intracellular signaling components, or activation of different downstream targets. Finally, the distinctions between endocrine, paracrine, and autocrine ph.
Simulador dinámico de procesos

Resumen. Mostramos el funcionamiento del “Simulador Dinamico de Procesos” (SDP) que permite a las empresas simular su produccion, conocer las posibles fechas de entregas, estimar los recursos necesarios, la performance de sus procesos y prever las secuencias de eventos que se sucederan, con el objetivo de optimizar sus decisiones hoy. El SDP es capaz de ser usado en la planificacion y programacion de sistemas de produccion de manera agil; su principal ventaja radica en la posibilidad de observar la evolucion dinamica de las operaciones, resultante de la interaccion entre subprocesos, variables del sistema, restricciones y el cambio de prioridades de fabricacion gracias al uso de tecnologia de simulacion por eventos discretos. Es de gran valor el empleo de una herramienta virtual, libre de riesgo, simple, economica, adaptable y que abarque la multiplicidad de variables y restricciones que existen en las industrias. Palabras Claves: Simulacion de procesos planificacion de produccion programacion de produccion prevision de actividades.