Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
EXPANDING EVIDENCE-BASED TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT FOR COVERAGE IN WASHINGTON STATE

Objectives: We describe a new evidence-based method for screening and evaluating emerging medical technologies. Washington State agencies, under legislative direction, have granted authority to its agency Medical Directors and policy leaders to make coverage decisions on medical technologies using a “dossier” process. The dossier process is employed when technology advocates or manufacturers request Washington State healthcare purchasers to pay for new and emerging technologies. This offers the advocate an opportunity to submit scientific evidence and information classically associated with a more formal health technology assessment. Methods: The submitted information is independently reviewed and summarized for Washington State's public healthcare purchasers allowing a more standardized coverage decision for all public purchasers in Washington State. Results: This process has allowed Washington State to make twelve evidence-based coverage decisions at a fraction of the cost of classic technology assessment. To date, of twelve reviews over 6 years, one health technology was approved for coverage, ten were not covered and one did not require a coverage decision. Conclusions: This evidence-based dossier process has yielded high-value coverage decisions of new and emerging medical technologies for public healthcare purchasers in Washington State.
Changes in the IgE-reacting protein profiles of Acer negundo, Platanus x acerifolia and Quercus robur pollen in response to ozone treatment

This study aims to investigate the effects of O3 in protein content and immunoglobulin E (IgE)-binding profiles of Acer negundo, Platanus x acerifolia and Quercus robur pollen. Pollen was exposed to O3 in an environmental chamber, at half, equal and four times the limit value for the human health protection in Europe. Pollen total soluble protein was determined with Coomassie Protein Assay Reagent, and the antigenic and allergenic properties were investigated by SDS-PAGE and immunological techniques using patients’ sera. O3 exposure affected total soluble protein content and some protein species within the SDS-PAGE protein profiles. Most of the sera revealed increased IgE reactivity to proteins of A. negundo and Q. robur pollen exposed to the pollutant compared with the non-exposed one, while the opposite was observed in P. x acerifolia pollen. So, the modifications seem to be species dependent, but do not necessarily imply that increase allergenicity would occur in atopic individuals.
Ambiguity, Complexity and Dynamics in the Membership of Collaboration

This paper is concerned with the role that membership structures of inter-organizational collaborations have on the achievement of collaborative advantage in the context of tackling social issues. Based on action research involving participants in a wide variety of collaborative situations, the paper aims to explore the nature of the membership of collaborations in practice. A picture of membership is built up from two perspectives. The first considers the structure of collaboration, and argues that ambiguity and complexity in structure may be demonstrated over many dimensions. The second adds another layer of complication through exploring the dynamics of the way in which membership structures change over time. The paper concludes by examining the implications for practitioners and policy makers of this picture in terms of its effect on the design of collaborations and on the factors which tend to lead to colloborative inertia instead of collaborative advantage.
The Cognitive Assessment Battery (CAB): a rapid test of cognitive domains

ABSTRACT Background: The study aimed to evaluate the Cognitive Assessment Battery (CAB) in a specialist clinic setting in order to find out if it if it could be a supplement to the Mini-mental State Examination (MMSE) and distinguish between normal aging, mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia, as well as MCI of different severities. Methods: CAB consists of six short tests covering the cognitive domains of speed/attention, episodic memory, visuospatial functions, language and executive functions. It takes about 20 minutes to carry out and provides a quick overview of the patient's cognitive profile. Three groups were compared: healthy controls (N = 41), MCI (N = 83) and mild dementia (N = 28). Results: CAB distinguished very clearly between controls and MCI as well as MCI and dementia. On further analysis CAB also distinguished between MCI of different severities. It also showed to have good sensitivity and specificity for identifying more severe MCI. Conclusions: CAB seems to be a useful supplement to MMSE and a screening instrument for MCI and dementia with good sensitivity and specificity.
NONPATHOGENIC RICKETTSIAS RELATED TO THE SPOTTED FEVER GROUP ISOLATED FROM TICKS, DERMACENTOR VARIABILIS AND DERMACENTOR ANDERSONI FROM EASTERN MONTANA.

Forty strains of a rickettsia, referred to as the EM rickettsia, which was avirulent for guinea pigs and which retained this property after serial passage in chick embryos were isolated from Dermacentor variabilis collected in two counties of eastern Montana. The EM rickettsia possessed properties common to agents of the spotted fever group. However, although it appeared to be a variant of Rickettsia rickettsii, it could not be identified with any of the four previously distinguished type strains of this species. The EM rickettsia was also isolated from Dermacentor andersoni collected in one of these localities. EM isolates were compared with an avirulent U strain of R. rickettsii which had been recovered from D. andersoni from the Bitterroot Valley, Montana. They differed primarily in their respective capacities to produce cross-reacting antitoxin against the virulent R strain of R. rickettsii. Guinea pigs injected with 104 doses of EM rickettsias developed high titers of CF antibody but little, if any, antitoxin, against the R strain. In contrast, the U strain produced high titers of both antitoxin and CF antibody for the R strain. Guinea pig hyperimmune serum against the EM rickettsia neutralized toxins of three strains of R. rickettsii representing the R, S, and T types, respectively, but did not neutralize toxins of Rickettsia conori, Rickettsia siberica, or the rickettsia from the tick Amblyomma maculatum. A high rate of infection with EM strains was found in the tick populations examined. This rickettsia was recovered from about 6 to 8% of D. variabilis from each of five localities studied. With one exception all strains isolated in eastern Montana were of the EM type. One isolate which possessed the characteristics of strains carried by the tick Haemaphysalis leporis palustris was isolated from a lot of ten D. variabilis from the eastern Montana area. The T strain commonly isolated from D. variabilis from eastern United States was not encountered in the study area.
Control of a cantilever array by Periodic Networks of Resistances

In this paper, we present a two-scale model including an optimal active control for a one-dimensional cantilever array with regularly spaced actuators and sensors. With the purpose of implementing the control in real time, we propose an approximation that may be realized by an analog distributed electronic circuit. More precisely, our analog processor is made by Periodic Network of Resistances (PNR). The control approximation method is based on two general concepts, namely on functions of operators and on the Dunford-Schwartz representation formula. We conducted validations of the control approximation method as well as of its effect in the complete control loop.
Czy każdy chory z zakażeniem Helicobacter pylori powinien być leczony? Aktualne stanowisko

Zakazenie Helicobacter pylori ( H. pylori ) nalezy do najbardziej rozpowszechnionych na świecie. Mimo ze istotne problemy kliniczne wystepują tylko u niewielkiej liczby pacjentow, obecnie zakazenie to jest uwazane za chorobe zakaźną wymagającą leczenia w kazdym przypadku. Obecnie nie podaje sie wskazan do leczenia, a tylko do przeprowadzenia diagnostyki w celu wykrycia tego zakazenia. W planowaniu leczenia nalezy uwzglednic dane o wcześniejszej terapii H. pylori . Terapia potrojna z klarytromycyną jest zalecana wylącznie u pacjentow, ktorzy nie przyjmowali wcześniej makrolidow i zamieszkują regiony z malą opornością (ponizej 15%) szczepow H. pylori na ten antybiotyk. U wiekszości zakazonych w leczeniu pierwszego wyboru nalezy zastosowac terapie poczworną z bizmutem lub bez bizmutu przez 10–14 dni. W leczeniu drugiego wyboru zaleca sie terapie poczworną z bizmutem (jezeli nie byla wcześniej wykorzystana) lub terapie potrojną z fluorochinolonem. Po dwoch nieudanych probach eradykacji nalezy wykonac hodowle bakteryjną oraz ustalic wrazliwośc szczepu H. pylori na antybiotyki.
Association between leisure-time physical activity and hypertension status in Korean adults.

OBJECTIVE To examine whether leisure-time physical activity (PA) is associated with hypertension status in Korean adults (men, 586; women, 1135) who visited a public health promotion center for a medical checkup in Seoul from 2010 to 2011. MATERIALS AND METHODS Multivariate logistic regression analysis adjusted for age, body mass index, sleep duration, mental stress, education level, economic status, and drinking and smoking frequencies was performed. RESULTS Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals for having hypertension and performing PA compared to having hypertension and not performing PA were not significant for both sexes regardless of the PA frequency and intensity, except for moderate PA 3 times per week in women. CONCLUSION We conclude that PA has no or little association with hypertension status in Korean adults.
Mapping variation in radon potential both between and within geological units

Previously, the potential for high radon levels in UK houses has been mapped either on the basis of grouping the results of radon measurements in houses by grid squares or by geological units. In both cases, lognormal modelling of the distribution of radon concentrations was applied to allow the estimated proportion of houses above the UK radon Action Level (AL, 200 Bq m−3) to be mapped. This paper describes a method of combining the grid square and geological mapping methods to give more accurate maps than either method can provide separately. The land area is first divided up using a combination of bedrock and superficial geological characteristics derived from digital geological map data. Each different combination of geological characteristics may appear at the land surface in many discontinuous locations across the country. HPA has a database of over 430 000 houses in which long-term measurements of radon concentration have been made, and whose locations are accurately known. Each of these measurements is allocated to the appropriate bedrock–superficial geological combination underlying it. Taking each geological combination in turn, the spatial variation of radon potential is mapped, treating the combination as if it were continuous over the land area. All of the maps of radon potential within different geological combinations are then combined to produce a map of variation in radon potential over the whole land surface.
Marketing locally produced foods: Consumer and farmer opinions in Washington County, Nebraska

Abstract Local food system potentials were studied in Washington County, Nebraska. As a departure from most studies of locally based systems, farmers were surveyed in addition to consumers for potential participation. Data about the current food system and opinions and preferences for local production, marketing, and purchasing of food were collected using self-administered mail questionnaires. The response rate was 35% for the farmer survey and 37% for the consumer survey. Results indicated that, on the farming side of the food system, conventional corn and soybean production and marketing predominated in Washington County, and farmer interest in producing for local markets was low. Consumers reported a high level of interest in purchasing food from farmers' markets, local grocery stores, local restaurants and directly from farms, and indicated a willingness to pay a price premium for local foods. They also reported that quality and taste were the most important factors in food purchase decisions, but environmentally friendly production and support for local farmers were also important. We conclude that there is tremendous potential for local marketing of farm products, but that there is a large gap between consumer demand and willingness of farmers to meet this demand. Further study of motivations and opinions of farmers is needed, in addition to determining production thresholds for the number of farms and farmers needed to meet local food demands.
The Mucin Expression Profile of Endometrial Carcinoma and Correlation With Clinical-Pathologic Parameters

Mucin expression patterns have been studied in tumors from various sites. Previous studies have shown an association of MUC1 with poor prognosis and MUC2 and MUC5AC with a mucinous phenotype. The pattern of mucin expression in endometrial carcinomas has not been documented in a large series. We determined the mucin expression profile in endometrial carcinomas and evaluated the relationship between mucin expression and clinical-pathologic parameters. A tissue microarray of 310 cases of endometrial carcinoma with known clinical outcome was constructed from formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded donor blocks using two 0.6 mm cores from each tumor. Sections were stained with monoclonal antibodies against MUC1, MUC2, MUC4, MUC5AC, and MUC6. Staining was considered positive if greater than or equal to 5% of cells stained positively in either core. Mucin expression was correlated with tumor type, histologic grade, International Federation Gynecology and Obstetrics stage, lymph node involvement, depth of myometrial invasion, patient age, ethnicity, and clinical outcome. MUC1 was expressed in 267/310 (86.1%) of endometrial carcinomas, MUC2 in 2/310 (0.6%), MUC4 in 73/310 (23.5%), MUC5AC in 1/310 (0.3%), and MUC6 in 4/310 (1.2%). Endometrioid endometrial carcinoma showed a higher rate of MUC1 expression than nonendometrioid endometrial carcinoma (227/258, 88.0% vs. 39/52, 75.0%, P=0.01). No significant differences in any of the mucins were noted among the other end points evaluated. Mucin expression did not correlate with tumor grade, stage, or patient outcome.
Face Recognition Memory and Configural Processing: A Developmental ERP Study using Upright, Inverted, and Contrast-Reversed Faces

The effects of configural changes on faces were investigated in children to determine their role in encoding and recognition processes. Upright, inverted, and contrast-reversed unfamiliar faces were presented in blocks in which one-third of the pictures repeated immediately or after one intervening face. Subjects (816 years) responded to repeated faces; eventrelated potentials were recorded throughout the procedure. Recognition improved steadily with age and all components studied showed age effects reflecting differing maturation processes occurring until adulthood. All children were affected by inversion and contrast-reversal, and face-type effects were seen on latencies and amplitudes of early components (P1 and N170), as well as on later frontal amplitudes. The old-new repetition effects (larger amplitude for repeated stimuli) were found at frontal sites and were similar across age groups and face types, suggesting a general working memory system comparably involved in all age groups. These data demonstrate that (1) there is quantitative development in face processing, (2) both face encoding and recognition improve with age, but (3) only encoding is affected by configural changes. The data also suggest a gradual tuning of face processing towards the upright orientation.
Insect thermal tolerance: what is the role of ontogeny, ageing and senescence?

Temperature has dramatic evolutionary fitness consequences and is therefore a major factor determining the geographic distribution and abundance of ectotherms. However, the role that age might have on insect thermal tolerance is often overlooked in studies of behaviour, ecology, physiology and evolutionary biology. Here, we review the evidence for ontogenetic and ageing effects on traits of high‐ and low‐temperature tolerance in insects and show that these effects are typically pronounced for most taxa in which data are available. We therefore argue that basal thermal tolerance and acclimation responses (i.e. phenotypic plasticity) are strongly influenced by age and/or ontogeny and may confound studies of temperature responses if unaccounted for. We outline three alternative hypotheses which can be distinguished to propose why development affects thermal tolerance in insects. At present no studies have been undertaken to directly address these options. The implications of these age‐related changes in thermal biology are discussed and, most significantly, suggest that the temperature tolerance of insects should be defined within the age‐demographics of a particular population or species. Although we conclude that age is a source of variation that should be carefully controlled for in thermal biology, we also suggest that it can be used as a valuable tool for testing evolutionary theories of ageing and the cellular and genetic basis of thermal tolerance.
Adverse Health Behaviors and Chronic Conditions in Working‐Age Women with Disabilities

This retrospective, cross-sectional, multiple cohort study of women with disabilities addresses two health-related areas in a nationally representative sample of women living in the community. Using data from the 1997–1998 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), health risk behaviors and chronic conditions were examined for women with mild, moderate, and severe functional limitations, and their responses were compared to those of women who reported no limitations. Women with severe limitations evidenced the highest risk for heavy cigarette smoking. They were also more likely to meet the Body Mass Index criterion for obesity. Adverse health behaviors were strongly associated with the five potentially disabling chronic conditions that were studied.
Quantum mechanics over sets

In the tradition of toy models of quantum mechanics in vector spaces over finite fields (e.g., Schumacher and Westmoreland's "modal quantum theory"), one finite field stands out, ℤ₂, since vectors over ℤ₂ have an interpretation as natural mathematical objects, i.e., sets. This engages a sets-to-vector-spaces bridge that is part of the mathematical folklore to translate both ways between set concepts and vector space concepts. Using that bridge, the mathematical framework of (finite-dimensional) quantum mechanics can be transported down to sets resulting in quantum mechanics over sets or QM/sets. This approach leads to a different treatment of Dirac's brackets than in "modal quantum theory" (MQT), and that gives a full probability calculus (unlike MQT that only has zero-one modalities of impossible and possible). That, in turn, leads to a rather fulsome theory of QM over sets that includes "logical" models of the double-slit experiment, Bell's Theorem, quantum information theory, quantum computing, and much else. Indeed, QM/sets is proposed as the "logic" of QM in the old-fashioned sense of "logic" as giving the simplified essentials of a theory. QM/sets is also a key part of a broader research program to provide an interpretation of QM based on the notion of "objective indefiniteness," a program that grew out the recent development of the logic of partitions mathematically dual to the usual Boolean logic of subsets.
Teaching FPGA security

Teaching FPGA security to electrical engineering students is new at graduate level. It requires a wide field of knowledge and a lot of time. This paper describes a compact course on FPGA security that is available to electrical engineering master's students at the Saint-Etienne Institute of Telecom, University of Lyon, France. It is intended for instructors who wish to design a new course on this topic. The paper reviews the motivation for the course, the pedagogical issues involved, the curriculum, the lab materials and tools used, and the results. Details are provided on two original lab sessions, in particular, a compact lab that requires students to perform differential power analysis of FPGA implementation of the AES symmetric cipher.
Impact of the relay on the coverage region of multiple-access channels

From practical and theoretical viewpoints, performance analysis of communication systems by using information-theoretic results is important. In this study, first, the authors obtain a general achievable rate region for three-user discrete memoryless multiple-access relay channel (MARC) via partial decode and forward strategy and regular block Markov encoding/backward decoding. Also by extending the discrete alphabet results to the continuous alphabet channel, an inner bound for three-user Gaussian MARC (GMARC) is achieved. Next, based on the inner bound of three-user GMARC, they analyse the impact of a relay on the coverage region of MARC, as a basic model for uplink communications between a base station and users with the help of a relay. This analysis includes the coverage region for the multiple-access channel and two-user GMARC as special cases. Considering rate regions for the GMARC and fading GMARC, it is proved that in a fixed transmission rate, the relay extends coverage region of the MARC. Numerical illustrations confirm their theoretical results.
Ethical issues in genetic testing of children.

Clinwa genetics is an integral part of pediatrics. Genetic diseases are common in childhood: as many as 53 per 1000 children and young adults can be expected to have diseases with an important genetic component. 1 This rate increases to 79 per 1000 if congenital anomalies are included. 1 In addition, 12% to 40% of all pediatric hospitalizations are for genetic diseases and birth defects. 2-4 Despite its importance in primary care pediatrics, genetics has maintained its subspecialty status. Newborn screening for genetic diseases is the only aspect of genetics that has been incorporated as routine pediatric practice.
Impulsive Synchronization of Chaotic Lur'e Systems by Linear Static Measurement Feedback: An LMI Approach

In this brief, we consider impulsive control for master-slave synchronization schemes that consist of identical chaotic Lur'e systems. Impulsive control laws are investigated which make use of linear static measurement feedback, instead of full state feedback. A less conservative sufficient condition than existing results for global asymptotic impulsive synchronization is presented, in which synchronization is proven for the error between the full state vectors. And then an linear matrix inequality (LMI)-based approach for designing linear static output feedback impulsive control laws to globally asymptotically synchronize Lur'e chaotic systems is derived. With the help of the LMI solvers, we can easily obtain the linear output feedback impulsive controller and the bound of the impulsive interval for global asymptotic synchronization. The method is illustrated on Chua's circuit.