Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Discriminant analysis of transmission of elevated blood pressure in first generation offspring of African green monkeys.

A linear discriminant analysis was applied to blood pressure data of 162 first generation colony-born offspring of normotensive (C), hypertensive (H), or borderline hypertensive (B) African green monkeys who were being selectively bred in an attempt to establish a strain of spontaneously hypertensive monkeys. The offspring were classified according to their parents' blood pressures as CC, HH, or Mixed (e.g. HC). Blood pressures were measured by indirect methods from unanesthetized offspring aged 0.5-6 years of age. The discriminant score was used to classify each of the 533 blood pressure measurements of the CC, Mixed, and HH offspring into one of three predicted groups: normotensive, borderline hypertensive, or hypertensive. The group means of the three predicted groups compared without regard to offspring type were significantly different (p less than .001). In addition, the percentage of blood pressure measurements predicted to be normal or elevated differed among the three offspring groups (p less than .001). 82% of the blood pressure measurements from CC offspring were classified as normotensive, compared with 58% and 40% of the blood pressure measurements from the Mixed and HH groups, respectively. In contrast, 25% of the blood pressure measurements from the HH groups were classified as hypertensive, compared with 10% and 4% from the Mixed and CC groups, respectively. Blood pressures of the normotensive, borderline hypertensive, and hypertensive subgroups derived from the CC group were consistently and significantly lower (p less than .001) than their respective counterparts in the Mixed and HH groups. The results of the discriminant analysis indicate a trimodal distribution of blood pressures in the first generation offspring and a significant separation of blood pressures among the offspring after a single generation.
Antimicrobial Resistance in Corynebacterium spp., Arcanobacterium spp., and Trueperella pyogenes.

There is currently only limited information on the antimicrobial susceptibility and resistance of Corynebacterium spp. , Arcanobacterium spp. , and Trueperella pyogenes from animals. The comparability of the data is hampered by the use of different antimicrobial susceptibility testing methods and interpretive criteria. To date, standard broth microdilution methods and clinical breakpoints that are approved by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute and are applicable to Corynebacterium spp. , Arcanobacterium spp. , and T. pyogenes are available. The lack of species-specific clinical breakpoints for the different animal species reduces the explanatory power of the data. Among the isolates of the three genera, elevated MICs for different classes of antimicrobial agents (e.g., β-lactams, macrolides, lincosamides, tetracyclines, aminoglycosides, phenicols, sulfonamides/diaminopyrimidines, and fluoroquinolones) have been described. The most comprehensive data set is available for T. pyogenes, which also includes information about genes and mutations involved in antimicrobial resistance. In T. pyogenes isolates, the macrolide-lincosamide-streptogramin B resistance genes erm(B) and erm(X) were identified. Tetracycline resistance in T. pyogenes was based on the resistance genes tet(W), tet(Z), and tet(33), whereas the aminoglycoside resistance genes aacC, aadA1, aadA2, aadA5, aadA24, and aadB have been described in T. pyogenes. So far, only single genes conferring either phenicol resistance (cmlA6), trimethoprim resistance (dfrB2a), or β-lactam resistance (blaP1) are known to occur in T. pyogenes isolates. Various 23S rRNA mutations, including A2058T, A2058G, and G2137C, were identified in macrolide/lincosamide-resistant T. pyogenes.
Prevalence of antimicrobial resistance in faecal enterococci from vet-visiting pets and assessment of risk factors

The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) exhibited by enterococci isolated from faeces of pets and its underlying risk factors. From September 2009 to May 2012, rectal swabs were collected from 74 dogs and 17 cats, selected from the population of animals visiting the Veterinary Hospital of University of Porto, UPVet, through a systematic random procedure. Animal owners answered a questionnaire about the risk factors that could influence the presence of AMR in faecal enterococci. Enterococci isolation, identification and antimicrobial (AM) susceptibility testing were performed. Data analyses of multilevel, univariable and multivariable generalised linear mixed models were conducted. From all enterococci isolated (n=315), 61 per cent were considered multidrug-resistant, whereas only 9.2 per cent were susceptible to all AMs tested. Highest resistance was found to tetracycline (67.0 per cent), rifampicin (60.3 per cent), azithromycin (58.4 per cent), quinupristin/dalfopristin (54.0 per cent) and erythromycin (53.0 per cent). Previous fluoroquinolone treatments and coprophagic habits were the features more consistently associated with the presence of AMR for three (chloramphenicol, ciprofloxacin and azithromycin) and seven (tetracycline, rifampicin, gentamicin, chloramphenicol, ciprofloxacin, erythromycin and azithromycin), respectively, out of nine AMs assessed. Evaluating risk factors that determine the presence of drug-resistant bacteria in pets, a possible source of resistance determinants to human beings, is crucial for the selection of appropriate treatment guidelines by veterinary practitioners.
A Novel Approach to Reduce the Impact of Physical Layer Restrictions in Dynamically Switched Transparent Optical Networks

The dynamic switching of channels to adapt the capacity to the actually occurring traffic load is a promising method to improve the energy efficiency in optical networks. However, this approach is limited by the possible generation of optical power transients, which are able to disturb the transmission of the remaining channels. In transparent networks, spreading of transients can occur across several nodes. In this paper, we demonstrate the restrictions of the dynamic channel switching by the consideration of optical power transients and shows how to minimize these limitations.
Meeting Soft Deadlines in Single- and Multi-server Systems

We consider single-and multi-server systems, where jobs have a maximum waiting time (deadline) defined, e.g., by a service level agreement. A fixed cost is associated with deadline violations and the task is to minimize the long-run cumulative costs. Job sizes (service durations) are observed upon arrival, and current queue backlogs are known. For a single FCFS server, the optimization task is to find the optimal admission policy that may reject a job upon arrival if admitting it would cause in future one or more deadlines to be violated (in expectation). For parallel FCFS servers, the policy must (i) either accept or reject a job upon arrival, and if accepted, (ii) assign it to one of the servers. We derive efficient deadline-aware policies in the MDP framework. For a single server, we obtain the optimal admission policy. For dispatching to parallel servers, we develop efficient heuristic admission and dispatching policies, whose performances are evaluated by means of numerical examples. Additionally, we give some exact closed-form results for heavy-traffic limits.
Extraction of the Random Component of Time-Dependent Variability Using Matched Pairs

Based on the so-called defect-centric statistics, we propose the average impact of a single charged trap on FET threshold voltage as a physically based measure of the random component of time-dependent variability. We show that it can be extracted using matched pairs, analogously to time-zero variability. To that end, the defect-centric statistics of matched pairs are discussed and the correlation between time-zero and time-dependent variances is formalized.
Prevalence and risk factors for refractive errors in adult Chinese in Singapore.

PURPOSE To determine the epidemiology of refractive errors in an adult Chinese population in Singapore. METHODS A disproportionate, stratified, clustered, random-sampling procedure was used to select names of 2000 Chinese people aged 40 to 79 years from the 1996 Singapore electoral register in the Tanjong Pagar district in Singapore. These people were invited to a centralized clinic for a comprehensive eye examination, including refraction. Refraction was also performed on nonrespondents in their homes. Myopia, high myopia, and hyperopia were defined as a spherical equivalent (SE) in the right eye of less than -0.5 D, less than -5.0 D, and more than +0.5 D, respectively. Astigmatism was defined as less than -0.5 D of cylinder. Anisometropia was defined as a difference in SE of more than 1.0 D between the two eyes. Only phakic eyes were analyzed. RESULTS From 1717 eligible people, 1232 (71.8%) were examined. Adjusted to the 1997 Singapore population, the overall prevalence of myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism, and anisometropia was 38.7% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 35.5, 42.1), 28.4% (95% CI: 25.3, 31.3), 37.8% (95% CI: 34.6, 41.1), and 15.9% (95% CI: 13.5, 18.4), respectively. The prevalence of high myopia was 9.1% (95% CI: 7.2, 11.2), with women having significantly higher rates than men. The age pattern of myopia was bimodal, with higher prevalence in the 40 to 49 and 70 to 81 age groups and lower prevalence between those age ranges. Prevalence was reversed in hyperopia, with a higher prevalence in subjects aged 50 to 69. There was a monotonic increase in prevalence with age for both astigmatism and anisometropia. Increasing educational levels, higher individual income, professional or office-related occupations, better housing, and greater severity of nuclear opacity were all significantly associated with higher rates of myopia, after adjustment for age and sex. CONCLUSIONS The results indicate that whereas myopia is 1.5 to 2.5 times more prevalent in adult Chinese residing in Singapore than in similarly aged European-derived populations in the United States and Australia, the sociodemographic associations are similar.
The functional range of motion of the finger joints

The purpose of this study was to measure the functional range of motion of the finger joints needed to perform activities of daily living. Using the Sollerman hand grip function test, 20 activities were assessed in ten volunteers. The active and passive range of motion was measured with a computerized electric goniometer. The position of each finger joint was evaluated in the pre-grasp and grasp positions. The functional range of motion was defined as the range required to perform 90% of the activities, utilizing the pre-grasp and grasp measurements. The functional range of motion was 19°–71°, 23°–87°, and 10°–64° at the metacarpophalangeal, proximal interphalangeal, and distal interphalangeal joints, respectively. This represents 48%, 59%, and 60% of the active motion of these joints, respectively. There was a significant difference in the functional range of motion between the joints of the fingers, with the ulnar digits having greater active and functional range. The functional range of motion is important for directing indications for surgery and rehabilitation, and assessing outcome of treatment.
Differences in Patients, Surgical Complexity, and Outcomes After Cancer Surgery at National Cancer Institute-designated Cancer Centers Compared to Other Hospitals

Background: Interest in comparing hospital surgical quality continues to increase, particularly with respect to examining certain hospital designations such as National Cancer Institute-designated Cancer Centers (NCI-CC). Our objectives were to compare patients, surgical complexity, and risk-adjusted 30-day outcomes following major cancer surgery at NCI-CC versus non-NCI centers. Methods: From the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program, patients were identified who underwent colorectal, pancreatic, or esophagogastric resection for cancer (2007–2011). Regression methods were used to evaluate characteristics associated with undergoing treatment at NCI-CCs and surgical-complexity–adjusted 30-day morbidity, mortality, and prolonged length-of-stay at NCI-CC versus non-NCI centers. Results: NCI-CCs performed 20.2% of colorectal (10,555/52,265), 53.5% of pancreatic (6335/11,838), and 49.8% of esophagogastric (1596/3208) operations for cancer. NCI-CCs were more likely to treat patients who were younger, white, and with fewer comorbidities, but were more likely to perform more complex procedures including synchronous liver resection (eg, colorectal), adjacent organ resections (rectal cancer), and vascular reconstructions (eg, pancreas) (all P<0.05). NCI-CCs had a lower mortality rate for colorectal surgery only (1.2% vs. 1.9%) and increased rates of superficial surgical site infection (SSI) for colorectal (9.8% vs. 7.1%) and pancreatic (10.7% vs. 8.8%) surgery. No differences existed for the remaining complications by NCI-CC designation status. NCI-CCs were distributed throughout hospital quality rankings for all procedures and complications assessed. Conclusions: NCI-CCs treated younger, healthier patients, but performed more complex procedures. Patients treated at NCI-CCs had a lower risk of mortality for colorectal resection, but morbidity was similar to non-NCI centers. Comparison of cancer surgery hospital quality is feasible and should adjust for differences in patient demographics, comorbidities, and surgical complexity.
Alcohol Intake Improves Adherence of Pregabalin and Tramadol/Acetaminophen to RA and OA Patients

Clinical managements of chronic pain in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA) require deep understanding of patients. Since medication is mostly set under the guidelines of RA and OA to control of pain, but personal characteristics is not so much paid attention in terms of preferences. In the present study, alcohol preference was analyzed in the patients prescribed pregabalin and tramadol/acetaminophen in our hospital. All consecutive patients were requested to write up the medical questionnaire sheet before medical examination. The responses to this sheet are completely subjective. The close relation between habitual alcohol drinking and adherence of analgesics was observed in terms of adherence of pregabalin and tramadol/acetaminophen. That is, in OA patients, alcohol drinkers showed good adherence to pregabalin and also tramadol/acetaminophen. However, in RA patients, alcohol drinkers showed higher ratio to good adherence, but there was no significance between alcohol drinkers and non-alcohol drinkers. When total patients were analyzed, alcohol drinkers showed significantly higher adherence with pregabalin and also tramadol/acetaminophen. Therefore, it is recommended that precise personal preference had better to be taken in medical examination before prescription of pregabalin and tramadol/ acetaminophen in RA and OA patients.
A New Leadership Role for Pharmacists: A Prescription for Change

Objective: Pharmacists can play an important role as leaders to reduce patient safety risks, optimize the safe function of medication management systems, and align pharmacy services with national initiatives that measure and reward quality performance. The objective of this article is to determine the actions that pharmacists can take to create a visible and sustainable safe medication management structure and system in the health care environment. Methods: An evidence-based literature search was performed to determine what actions successful pharmacist leaders have taken to improve patient safety. Results: There is a growing number of quality and patient safety standards, as well as measures that focus specifically on medication use and education. Health care organizations must be made aware of the valuable resources that pharmacists provide and of the complexity of medication management. There are steps that pharmacist leaders can take to achieve these goals. Conclusions: The 10 steps that pharmacist leaders can take to create a visible and sustainable safe medication management structure and system are the following:Identify and mitigate medication management risks and hazards to reduce preventable patient harm.Establish pharmacy leadership structures and systems to ensure organizational awareness of medication safety gaps.Support an organizational culture of safe medication use.Ensure evidence-based medication regimens for all patients.Have daily check-in calls/meetings, with the primary focus on significant safety or quality issues.Establish a medication safety committee.Perform medication safety walk-rounds to evaluate medication processes, and request front-line staff's input about medication safe practices.Ensure that pharmacy staff engage in teamwork, skill building, and communication training.Engage in readiness planning for implementation of health information technology (HIT). Include medication history-taking and reviews upon entry into the organization; medication counseling and training during the discharge process; and follow-up after the transition to home.
The diabetic foot in 2015: an overview

In 2015, it can be said that the diabetic foot is no longer the Cinderella of diabetic complications. Thirty years ago there was little evidence‐based research taking place on the diabetic foot, and there were no international meetings addressing this topic. Since then, the biennial Malvern Diabetic Foot meetings started in 1986, the American Diabetes Association founded their Foot Council in 1987, and the European Association for the Study of Diabetes established a Foot Study Group in 1998. The first International Symposium on the Diabetic Foot in The Netherlands was convened in 1991, and this was soon followed by the establishment of the International Working Group on the Diabetic Foot that has produced useful guidelines in several areas of investigation and the management of diabetic foot problems. There has been an exponential rise in publications on diabetic foot problems in high impact factor journals, and a comprehensive evidence‐base now exists for many areas of treatment. Despite the extensive evidence available, it, unfortunately, remains difficult to demonstrate that most types of education are efficient in reducing the incidence of foot ulcers. However, there is evidence that education as part of a multi‐disciplinary approach to diabetic foot ulceration plays a pivotal role in incidence reduction. With respect to treatment, strong evidence exists that offloading is the best modality for healing plantar neuropathic foot ulcers, and there is also evidence from two randomized controlled trials to support the use of negative‐pressure wound therapy in complex post‐surgical diabetic foot wounds. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy exhibits the same evidence level and strength of recommendation. International guidelines exist on the management of infection in the diabetic foot. Many randomized trials have been performed, and these have shown that the agents studied generally produced comparable results, with the exception of one study in which tigecycline was shown to be clinically inferior to ertapenem ± vancomycin. Similarly, there are numerous types of wound dressings that might be used in treatment and which have shown efficacy, but no single type (or brand) has shown superiority over others. Peripheral artery disease is another major contributory factor in the development of ulceration, and its presence is a strong predictor of non‐healing and amputation. Despite the proliferation of endovascular procedures in addition to open revascularization, many patients continue to suffer from severely impaired perfusion and exhaust all treatment options. Finally, the question of the true aetiopathogenesis of Charcot neuroarthropathy remains enigmatic, although much work is currently being undertaken in this area. In this area, it is most important to remember that a clinically uninfected, warm, insensate foot in a diabetic patient should be considered as a Charcot foot until proven otherwise, and, as such, treated with offloading, preferably in a cast. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effect of Shed Designing on Physiological Responses and Semen Quality of Crossbred Bulls during Various Seasons

The study aimed to evaluate the effect of shed designing on microclimatic variables, physiological responses and semen quality parameters of breeding bulls during different seasons. Thirty-one adult Frieswal (Holstein Friesian and Sahiwal cross) breeding bulls were distributed into four groups i.e. in traditional sheds (TG) having open area in north (TGN – 8 bulls) and south directions (TGS – 8 bulls) and in modified sheds (MG) having open area in east (MGE – 8 bulls) and west directions (MGW – 7 bulls). The sides of bull pens in traditional (east-west oriented) and modified sheds (north-south oriented) were covered and open, respectively. Biweekly semen ejaculates were evaluated for volume, sperm concentration and initial sperm motility. Significantly (P<0.05) lower THI (temperature humidity index) value in the afternoon period was observed in MG than in TG during hot and humid season. The bulls of TG had significantly higher (P<0.05) rectal temperature than those kept in MG during hot and humid season. Heart rate did not show any pattern in bulls during different seasons. Respiration rate (RR) in the bulls of all sheds were higher (P<0.05) during hot-dry and hot-humid seasons than in the other seasons, however, shed design had no effect on RR of bulls during different seasons. Significantly (P<0.05) higher initial motility was observed in bulls of MG than in the TG except during comfortable season. In conclusion, the modified sheds were comparatively better than traditional sheds as far as THI, physiological responses and initial progressive motility in breeding bulls are concerned.
Extending the Corpus Of Early English Correspondence to the 18th Century

The Corpus of Early English Correspondence (CEEC), stretching over almost 300 years of personal letters and including 2.7 million words, is now being expanded. This diachronic corpus that covers the period between 1417 and 1681 was designed by the Sociolinguistics and Language History project at the Department of English of the University of Helsinki. C urrently, w ork is under w ay to c ompile a separate collection to the CEEC to cover the 18th century as well as the last two decades of the 17th. In addition, a third type of compilation work, which will include new valuable material not incorporated in the CEEC for various reasons, is being carried out to further improve the corpus. This article concentrates on three issues. Firstly, I will report on the work the Sociolinguistics and Language History group has done so far in enlarging the CEEC, especially in expanding the corpus of personal letters chronologically. In addition, I will specify the terminology that we use of the different versions of it. Lastly, both the parameter and text level coding used in the corpus are discussed.
Using optical coherence tomography for the longitudinal non‐invasive evaluation of epidermal thickness in a murine model of chronic skin inflammation

Non‐invasive methods are desirable for longitudinal studies examining drug efficacy and disease resolution defined as decreases in epidermal thickness in mouse models of psoriasiform skin disease. This would eliminate the need for either sacrificing animals or collecting serial skin biopsies to evaluate changes in disease progression during an individual study. The quantitation of epidermal thickness using optical coherence tomography (OCT) provides an alternative to traditional histology techniques.