Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Impact of Health Care Financing on Family Budgets

Although businesses, federal and state governments, and insurance companies are major funding sources for health care, they are just intermediate sources. Ultimately, individuals and families pay all health care costs through out-of-pocket spending, insurance premiums, or federal, state, and local taxes. Using a microsimulation model with data from the 1987 National Medical Expenditure Survey, the Internal Revenue Service's Individual Tax Model, and the Consumer Expenditure Survey, the authors examine the distribution of health care spending, by decile, among families and individuals. They find that the distribution of health expenditures is very regressive, with low-income families paying twice the share of income paid by high-income families. The distribution of out-of-pocket expenditures, which comprise 24 percent of total spending, is the most regressive, with low-income families paying 8.5 times the share of income paid by high-income families. Spending on premiums is also regressive, and the regressivity would increase if everyone had private insurance. Expenditures through the public sector are progressive. Regressivity is greater among the elderly than the nonelderly. Out-of-pocket expenditures account for 41 percent of all health care spending by the elderly. A more equitably financed health care system would increase the share of funding raised through progressive taxes, and decrease reliance on expenditures made out of pocket and on premiums.
The Motion of Superconducting Vortices in Thin Films of Varying Thickness

The interaction of superconducting vortices with superconductor/vacuum interfaces is considered. A vortex is first shown to intersect such an interface normally. Various thin-film models are then formulated, corresponding to different parameter regimes. A local analysis of a vortex is performed, and a law of motion for each vortex deduced. This law of motion implies that the vortex will move to the locally thinnest part of the film, and is consistent with the vortex moving under the curvature induced by being forced to intersect the boundaries of the film normally
Area-efficient FFT processors for OFDM systems

This paper proposes an area-efficient 128-point fast Fourier transform (FFT) processor for OFDM systems. The modified decomposition method and complex constant multiplier can reduce the number of twiddle factor multipliers and its ROMs. Compared with the existing FFT processor, the proposed processor can reduce the number of multipliers by 30% and the size of ROM by 62% respectively, without increase of delay elements.
Behçet Syndrome Associated with Protein S Deficiency

Summary Beçget syndrome is a multisystem disorder characterized by ocular, mucocutaneous, articular, gastrointestinal and neurologic abnormalities. We report here an unusual case of Beçget syndrome, characterized by the importance of the thrombotic events(7 phlebitis of both legs and resection of two toes). Additional manifestations of the Beçget syndrome occurred only 10 years after the first thrombotic episode. The oldest daugther of the propositus and his brother suffered also from thrombophlebitis; this familial history of thrombosis led to the performance of a haemostatic study. A congenital protein S deficiency was found in the propositus and in three of his children. Normal protein S levels were found in nine unrelated patients with Beçget syndrome. Thus this observation suggests that, when thrombotic manifestations are the first and major symptom of Beçget syndrom, an additional cause of thrombosis has to be investigated.
The association of pre-treatment peripheral blood markers with survival in patients with pancreatic cancer.

BACKGROUND/AIMS The aim of the study is to assess the prognostic value of pretreatment lymphocyte, neutrophil, platelet counts, mean platelet volume (MPV), platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in patients with pancreatic cancer. METHODOLOGY A total of 65 eligible patients were included in the study and retrospectively reviewed. Pre-treatment hematological parameters (platelet, lymphocyte, neutrophil counts, and mean platelet volume) and tumor marker (CA 19-9) levels were recorded. NLR was calculated by dividing the neutrophil count value by the number of lymphocytes. PLR was also calculated in a similar manner by dividing the platelet count value by the number of lymphocytes. RESULTS One-year survival was 22.3% and the median survival time was 7 months (95% CI, 5.7-8.2) in the study group. Patients with a NLR value of < 5 had a significantly higher median survival duration compared to those with a NLR value of > or = 5 (p = 0.015). All other hematological variables were not significantly different. CONCLUSIONS In patients with pancreatic cancer, pretreatment NLR may be use as a prognostic factor in pancreatic cancer patients. Further studies with larger patient cohorts are warranted to to better clarify the prognostic value of pre-treatment peripheral blood counts in patients with cancer.
Advances in the Endoscopic Management of Patients with Pancreatic and Biliary Malignancies

Major advances in endoscopic techniques to diagnose and manage pancreatic biliary diseases have fundamentally changed the approach to these difficult clinical challenges. The diagnosis of benign and malignant pancreatic-biliary diseases is much more readily obtained through a combination of cross-sectional imaging and endoscopic procedures. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) are the most important endoscopic tools for imaging and accessing the pancreatic biliary system. The review summarizes the major imaging methods for providing a diagnosis of bile duct malignancy, including ERCP, transhepatic cholangiography (THC), and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP). High quality image examples of cholangiocarcinoma are provided. EUS has provided a new imaging modality for the detection of pancreatic and biliary malignancy. EUS is particularly sensitive for the detection of early pancreatic malignancy. Furthermore, EUS excels at the guidance of fine needle aspiration of pancreatic lesions. Diagnostic tissue acquisition for cholangiocarcinoma remains an important challenge. The endoscopic therapy for pancreatic-biliary malignancy involves the use of stenting which relieves the biliary obstruction commonly seen in these patients.
Analysis of the 1.1-Mb Human α/δ T-Cell Receptor Locus with Bacterial Artificial Chromosome Clones

Bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) clones are effective mapping and sequencing reagents. The 1.1-Mb a/d T-cell receptor locus of humans was mapped and partially sequenced with BAC clones. Seventeen BAC clones covered the 1.1-Mb a/d locus, with the exception of one small gap that was expected from the coverage that a 3.7-fold BAC library is likely to provide. The end sequences of the BAC inserts could be obtained directly from the BAC DNA by sequencing with the chain terminator chemistry. Five complete BAC inserts were sequenced directly by the shotgun approach. The ends of the 17 BAC inserts were distributed evenly across the locus. By several independent criteria, the BAC clones faithfully represented the genomic DNA, with the exception of a single clone with a 68-kb deletion. These BAC features led to the proposal of a new approach to sequence the human genome.
A 20-nm physical gate length NMOSFET featuring 1.2 nm gate oxide, shallow implanted source and drain and BF2 pockets

We have demonstrated the feasibility of 20-nm gate length NMOSFET's using a two-step hard-mask etching technique. The gate oxide is 1.2-nm thick. We have achieved devices with real N/sup -/ arsenic implanted extensions and BF/sub 2/ pockets. The devices operate reasonably well down to 20-nm physical gate length. These devices are the shortest devices ever reported using a conventional architecture.
Activation of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) Receptor 2 Mediates Endothelial Permeability Caused by Cyclic Stretch*

High tidal volume mechanical ventilation and the resultant excessive mechanical forces experienced by lung vascular endothelium are known to lead to increased vascular endothelial leak, but the underlying molecular mechanisms remain incompletely understood. One reported mechanotransduction pathway of increased endothelial cell (EC) permeability caused by high magnitude cyclic stretch (18% CS) involves CS-induced activation of the focal adhesion associated signalosome, which triggers Rho GTPase signaling. This study identified an alternative pathway of CS-induced EC permeability. We show here that high magnitude cyclic stretch (18% CS) rapidly activates VEGF receptor 2 (VEGFR2) signaling by dissociating VEGFR2 from VE-cadherin at the cell junctions. This results in VEGFR2 activation, Src-dependent VE-cadherin tyrosine phosphorylation, and internalization leading to increased endothelial permeability. This process is also accompanied by CS-induced phosphorylation and internalization of PECAM1. Importantly, CS-induced endothelial barrier disruption was attenuated by VEGFR2 inhibition. 18% CS-induced EC permeability was linked to dissociation of cell junction scaffold afadin from the adherens junctions. Forced expression of recombinant afadin in pulmonary endothelium attenuated CS-induced VEGFR2 and VE-cadherin phosphorylation, preserved adherens junction integrity and VEGFR2·VE-cadherin complex, and suppressed CS-induced EC permeability. This study shows for the first time a mechanism whereby VEGFR2 activation mediates EC permeability induced by pathologically relevant cyclic stretch. In this mechanism, CS induces dissociation of the VE-cadherin·VEGFR2 complex localized at the adherens juctions, causing activation of VEGFR2, VEGFR2-mediated Src-dependent phosphorylation of VE-cadherin, disassembly of adherens junctions, and EC barrier failure.
Age-Specific Death Rates With Tobacco Smoking and Occupational Activity: Sensitivity to Sample Length, Functional Form, and Unobserved Frailty

In this article, we estimate accelerated time-to-failure and proportional-hazard functions with about 100,000 members of the Dorn sample, finding greater hazards associated with smoking and some dependence on occupational variables that measure risk and physical activity. We answer three questions: (1) How sensitive are the estimates to sample length, using monthly data for the periods 1954–1969 and 1954–1980? The results differ somewhat between these sample periods. (2) How sensitive are the estimates to alternative functions for the hazard? Within a given time period, the estimates are fairly robust to specification changes in the distribution of the hazard in the accelerated time-to-failure models. (3) How sensitive are the estimates to alternative controls for unobserved frailty? Within a given sample period, the estimates are fairly robust to the allowance for parametric or nonparametric heterogeneity in the proportional-hazard models.
Trench capacitor design issues in VLSI DRAM cells

Major issues involved in the optimization of trench capacitors for VLSI DRAMs are considered, using the previously described 4Mb DRAM cross-point Trench-Transistor Cell (TTC) as a vehicle. The effects of capacitor plate doping, trench etch angle and depth on the capacitance of the trench capacitor are studied. Pisces-II simulations show that there is adequate electrical isolation between adjacent cells, with a grounded substrate. Any tendencies for intercell leakage are further minimized, by reverse-biasing the substrate at-2.0V. High-resolution TEM and lattice imaging techniques are utilized to study the quality of oxide dielectric in the trench capacitor. In addition, a simple way of enlarging the capacitor area, in order to increase the storage capacitance, is presented.
Optimization of electrical connection scheme for large offshore wind farm with genetic algorithm

Offshore wind farms have great potential as large-scale sustainable energy sources for the production of electricity. Utilization of offshore wind farms requires a reliable and efficient transmission system. The increased interest in offshore wind farms accentuates the need to focus attention on the economic issues of the electrical system. Based on analysis of existing offshore wind farm schemes and the investment cost of electrical components, optimization model is proposed and explained in this paper. An optimization approach based on genetic algorithm is presented to search for the optimum connection scheme. A calculation example shows that the differences among different electric connection schemes are evident, and by use of genetic algorithm the optimal connection scheme can be found effectively.
PIDcontroller synthesis for aclassofunstableMIMOplantswith I / Odelays

Conditions are presented for closed-loop stabilizability of linear time-invariant (LTI) multi-input, multi-output (MIMO) plants with I/O delays (time delays in the input and/or output channels) using PID (Proportional + Integral + Derivative) controllers. We show that systems with at most two unstable poles can be stabilized by PID controllers provided a small gain condition is satisfied. For systems with only one unstable pole, this condition is equivalent to having sufficiently small delay-unstable pole product. Our method of synthesis of such controllers identify some free parameters that can be used to satisfy further design criteria than stability. 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Redución de la ansiedad a través del entrenamiento en habilidades sociales

El presente trabajo consiste en un programa de entrenamiento en habilidades sociales de caracter grupal, a partir del cual se analiza y estudia la relacion entre el incremento de las habilidades sociales y la disminucion de los niveles de ansiedad, evaluada en sus tres sistemas de respuesta. Diversos estudios apuntan la existencia de una relacion inversamente proporcional entre la ansiedad y el comportamiento socialmente habil. Tal es asi, que en las intervenciones realizadas mediante programas de entrenamiento en habilidades sociales no solo se obtiene de forma directa una mejoria de esta, sino que, de forma indirecta, parece facilitarse importantes reducciones de la ansiedad en aquellas areas relacionadas con aspectos interpersonales y sociales, incluso en sus manifestaciones clinicas. Los mecanismos que explican esta relacion no estan aun claramente definidos. Se ha senalado la influencia de diversas variables en funcion de distintos modelos explicativos de la adquisicion y el mantenimiento de la ansiedad (exposicion a situaciones ansiogenas durante el entrenamiento, modificacion de variables cognitivas como las expectativas de autoeficacia, aumento de la capacidad de controlar el contexto con la consiguiente reduccion de su potencialidard ansiogena,etc). Probablemente sean todas ellas las que, de forma conjunta, pueden dar cuenta de estas reducciones de ansiedad. Como instrumentos de evaluacion se han empleado el Inventario de Situaciones y Respuestas de Ansiedad -ISRA- (Miguel Tobal y Cano Vindel, 1986,1988,1994); La Escala Multidimensional de Expresion Social, Parte Cognitiva -EMES-C- (Caballo, 1987) y la Escala Multidimensional de Expresion Social, Parte Motora -EMES-M- ( Caballo,1987). Se presentan finalmente los resultados de la evaluacion pre y postratamiento en las diversas variables contempladas, asi como las relaciones que aparecen entre estas
[The estimated incidence and case fatality rate of ischemic and hemorrhagic cerebrovascular disease in 2002 in Catalonia].

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to obtain an estimate of the incidence of cerebrovascular disease (CVD) in the Spanish population in 2002. METHODS The study involved data on patients aged over 24 years for the year 2002 contained in both the death register and the Minimum Basic Data Set from 65 of the 84 Catalan general hospitals (i.e., 90.7% of all acute hospital beds in Catalonia). Total and age-adjusted mortality rates, cumulative incidence, and hospitalization rates, and the 28-day case fatality rate for CVD in the Catalan population were calculated after cases of traumatic and transient disease had been excluded. RESULTS The unadjusted CVD mortality rate per 100,000 population aged over 24 years in Catalonia was 92 in men and 119 in women. The age-adjusted rates were 58 (95% confidence interval or CI, 56-61) and 43 (95% CI, 41-44), respectively. The cumulative incidence of CVD per 100,000 population was 218 (95% CI, 214-221) in men and 127 (95% CI, 125-128) in women. The unadjusted 28-day case fatality rate in the population was 36.2%: 30.3% in men and 42.0% in women. Some 62.5% of patients (57.2% of men and 66.4% of women) died from CVD outside hospital. CONCLUSIONS These findings indicate that CVD mortality and incidence rates in Catalonia are among the lowest in developed countries. More than half of the deaths that took place within 28 days after the onset of symptoms occurred outside hospital.
Susceptibility to antivirals of a human HBV strain with mutations conferring resistance to both lamivudine and adefovir

Mutations within the hepatitis B virus (HBV) polymerase gene conferring drug‐resistance are selected during prolonged lamivudine (3TC) or adefovir dipivoxil (ADV) treatment. Because there is no other approved drug against HBV, treatments with 3TC or ADV are used either sequentially or in addition, depending on treatment response or failure. Considering the use of de novo or add‐on 3TC+ADV bitherapy, we investigated the possibility of the emergence of an HBV strain harboring polymerase mutations conferring resistance to both 3TC (rtL180M+M204V) and ADV (rtN236T). We constructed the L180M+M204V+N236T mutant and determined its replication capacity and its susceptibility to different nucleos(t)ide analogs in transiently transfected hepatoma cell lines. The triple mutant replicates its genome in vitro, but less efficiently than either the wild‐type (wt) HBV or L180M+M204V and N236T mutants. Phenotypic assays indicated that the L180M+M204V+N236T mutant is resistant to pyrimidine analogs (3TC, ‐FTC, β‐L‐FD4C, L‐FMAU). Compared with wt HBV, this mutant displays a 6‐fold decreased susceptibility to ADV and entecavir and a 4‐fold decreased susceptibility to tenofovir. Interferon alfa inhibited equally the replication of wt and L180M+M204V+N236T HBV. In conclusion, the combination of rtL180M+M204V and rtN236T mutations impairs HBV replication and confers resistance to both 3TC and ADV in vitro. These results suggest that the emergence of the triple mutant may be delayed and associated with viral resistance in patients treated with 3TC+ADV. However, other nucleos(t)ide analogs in development showed an antiviral activity against this multiresistant strain in vitro. This provides a rationale for the clinical evaluation of de novo combination therapies. (HEPATOLOGY 2005;41:1391‐1398.)
Nexus between electricity generation and economic growth in Bangladesh

This paper employs Granger-causality test on the nexus between economic growth and electricity generation using Bangladesh data covering the period 1973-2006. The test results indicate that only unidirectional causal relationship exists between electricity generation and economic growth. The short run causal relationship is found from electricity generation to economic growth. Policies and strategies for increasing electricity generation can therefore be implemented for speeding up of economic growth in the country.
Vitamin D status and sun exposure in India

Background: Little if any cutaneous production of vitamin D3 occurs at latitudes above and below 35° N and 35° S during the winter months. It was postulated that those residing in tropics synthesize enough vitamin D3 year round. Several studies have documented the effect of latitude, season and time of the day on the cutaneous production of vitamin D3 in an ampoule model. Studies from India have shown high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency despite abundant sunshine. Methods: We studied the influence of season and time of the day on synthesis of previtamin D3 in an ampoule model in Tirupati, (latitude 13.40° N and longitude 77.2° E) south India, between May 2007 to August 2008. Sealed borosilicate glass ampoules containing 50 μg of 7-DHC in 1 ml of methanol were exposed to sunlight hourly from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. The percent conversion of 7-DHC to previtamin D3 and its photoproducts and the percent of previtamin D3 and vitamin D3 formed was estimated and related to solar zenith angle. Results: The percent conversion of 7-DHC to previtamin D3 and its photoproducts and formation of previtamin D3 and vitamin D3 was maximal between 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. of the day during the entire year (median 11.5% and 10.2% respectively at 12.30 p.m.). Conclusions: Therefore at this latitude exposure to sunlight between the hours of 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. will promote vitamin D production in the skin year round.
Relation between Functional Deficit and Intraneural Local Anesthetic during Peripheral Nerve Block: A Study in the Rat Sciatic Nerve

Background During peripheral nerve block, local anesthetic (LA) penetrates within and along the nerve to produce the observed functional deficits. Although much is known about the kinetics and steady-state relation for LA inhibition of impulse activity in vitro in isolated nerve, little is known about the relation between functional loss and intraneural LA content in vivo. This study was undertaken to investigate the relation of functional change to intraneural LA.
Pain in Patients with Chronic Idiopathic Axonal Polyneuropathy

Background/Aims: Pain in patients with chronic idiopathic axonal polyneuropathy (CIAP) has never been studied in detail. The aim of the study was to investigate the pain experienced by patients with CIAP, and to determine whether pain is associated with health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Methods: The McGill Pain Questionnaire (MPQ) and the RAND-36 were used in a cross-sectional study. Results: Sixty-three of 91 patients with CIAP reported experiencing pain, describing it as nagging (56%) and annoying (52%). Of these patients, 27 were classified in a subgroup with neuropathic pain (median VAS = 33 mm), 25 in a subgroup with non-neuropathic pain (median VAS = 34 mm), and 11 in a mixed-pain subgroup (median VAS = 25 mm). Non-neuropathic pain was as common and as painful as neuropathic pain. Pain was strongly associated with the physical functioning domain of the RAND-36 in patients in the mixed pain subgroup (r = –0.71, p < 0.05). Conclusion: Neuropathic and non-neuropathic pain syndromes should be distinguished in patients with CIAP who experience pain, to enable appropriate tailoring of treatment.
Human Febrile Response to Influenza Virus or Its Ether Isolated Hemagglutinins

Summary Febrile response of infants to increasing concentrations of standard, intact influenza virus or its ether isolated antigens is compared. Types A-2 and B virus were used. At maximum antigen doses ether treatment eliminated fever induction by the A-2 strain and reduced this property for the B strain. For either serotype, the standard virus vaccine contains at least as much pyrogen as did the corresponding isolated antigen vaccine at 8 times the antigenic mass.
Transcriptomic analyses support the similarity of gene expression between brain and testis in human as well as mouse

We previously revealed similarity in gene expression patterns between human brain and testis, based on digital differential display analyses of 760 human Unigenes. In the present work, we reanalyzed the gene expression data in many tissues of human and mouse for a large number of genes almost covering the respective whole genomes. The results indicated that both in human and in mouse, the gene expression profiles exhibited by brain, cerebellum and testis are most similar to each other compared with other tissues.