Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Delineating Hierarchical Hospital Service Areas in Florida

Abstract Hospital service area () and hospital referral region (), known as a hierarchical system, have been used as analysis units in a growing body of large‐scale studies of healthcare spending, utilization, and outcome in the United States. However, the popular Dartmouth s and s were produced more than two decades ago and are unable to represent contemporary healthcare markets. This research uses a revised Huff Model to delineate two levels of hospital service areas in Florida, resulting in sixty‐four s nested in twenty‐one s. Three elements distinguish our method from existing work. First, a best‐fitting distance‐decay function derived from the actual travel pattern of hospitalization is embedded in the Huff Model to strengthen the model's theoretical foundation in individual spatial behavior. Secondly, the hierarchal central place structure is supported by the differing travel‐friction coefficients for general versus specialized patients; general patients experience a steeper gradient and thus a shorter average travel range that supports delineating more s of smaller area size, and specialized patients exhibit a flatter gradient and thus a longer average travel range that leads to fewer s of large‐sized areas. Finally, the delineation method automated in geographic information systems () can be easily replicated in other regions to define large‐scale and consistent hierarchical systems.
Research on Resource Utilization and Environmental Impact for Chinese Economy

In the course of booming economic growth based on mass production and consumption, China has been discharging an enormous amount of wastes giving rise to a wide range of environmental impacts. The method of economy-wide material flow analysis (EW-MFA) is one of the effective tools to examine and assess the metabolic performance of physical economies, but relevant researches in China most focus on throughput but rarely concern utilization of recycling resource and environmental impact. This paper analyzes the characteristics of resource utilization and environmental impact for the years 1990-2005 using the indicators derived from EW-MFA. The Ration of Recycled Material (RRM) is added as the new indicator in order to be in accordance with the need of circular economy being promoted in China. Finally some deficiencies of EW-MFA are pointed out. China is experiencing phenomenally booming economic growth both in its speed and size. Conventional economic and social activities based on mass resource input lead on increasingly enormous amount of wastes and a wide range of environmental problems from resource extraction and waste disposal. As a result, Circular Economy concept has been promoted actively and interpreted as a comprehensive, urgent, and long-term state policy guideline. The transition from a so- called mass-production, mass-consumption and mass-disposal society to a resource-saving and environment-friendly society is a priority issue on the agenda for economical and environmental policies of Chinese government. The method of economy-wide material flow analysis (EW- MFA) is internationally recognized as an effective accounting approach to examine the mass of materials flowing through national economy, and quantify the metabolism of physical economy in the field of sustainability and industrial ecology (1,2) . Based on the principle of mass conservation, this type of tool accounts systematically for all the flows of materials entering, leaving and accumulating within an economy and provides a complete and quantitative overview of physical indicators for the measurement of economic and environmental sustainability. Because the accounts are in physical units, EW-MFA is supposed to form a physical complement to the monetary system of national accounts (3) . In previous articles, relevant researches in China usually focus on material throughput but rarely concern utilization of recycling resource and environmental impact. This paper classifies materials entering Chinese economy into three types and then presents the characteristics of resource input and environmental impact for the years 1990-2005 using the indicators derived from EW-MFA based on more than 3000 items of data at national level. In view of the deficiency for the utilization of recycling resources existing in present researches, the Ratio of Recycled Material (RRM) is added as the new indicator in order to be in accordance with the need of circular economy being promoted in China. Finally some weakness in indicators derived from EW-MFA is discussed.
On the optimality of cyclic transmission in teletext systems

Teletext is a one-way information system where pages of information are broadcast to all users in a continuous manner. System response time is an important consideration in the design of teletext systems. One of the factors contributing to response time is the order in which pages are broadcast. In this paper, we formulate the problem of deciding on the sequence of page transmissions as a Markovian decision process. Using this formulation we show that, from a response time point-of-view, a cyclic order of page transmissions is optimal.
Forthcoming: Eastern European Economics The Role of Trade Facilitation in Central Asia: A Gravity Model

With a decrease in formal trade barriers, trade facilitation has come into prominence as a policy tool for promoting trade. In this paper, we use a gravity model to examine the relationship between bilateral trade flows and trade facilitation. We also estimate the gains in trade derived from improvements in trade facilitation for the Central Asian countries. Trade facilitation is measured through the World Bank's Logistic Performance Index (LPI). Our results show that there are significant gains in trade as a result of improving trade facilitation in the Central Asian countries. These gains in trade vary from 28% in the case of Azerbaijan to as much as 63% in the case of Tajikistan. Furthermore, intraregional trade increases by 100%. Among the different components of LPI, we find that the greatest increase in total trade comes from improvement in infrastructure, followed by logistics and efficiency of customs and other border agencies.
All-ceramic systems in Esthetic Dentistry : A review

Chaimongkon Peampring, Sasiwimol Sanohkan Chaimongkon Peampring Sasiwimol Sanohkan 1 CAGS (Prosthodontics), D.Sc.D (Prosthodontics) Department of Prosthetic Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Thailand 10400 2 M.S. (Prosthodontics), Ph.D. (Biomaterial Sciences) Department of Prosthetic Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Thailand 10400 All-ceramic systems in Esthetic Dentistry: A review
Variation in the Composition and In Vitro Proinflammatory Effect of Urban Particulate Matter from Different Sites

Spatial variation in particulate matter–related health and toxicological outcomes is partly due to its composition. We studied spatial variability in particle composition and induced cellular responses in Mexico City to complement an ongoing epidemiologic study. We measured elements, endotoxins, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in two particle size fractions collected in five sites. We compared the in vitro proinflammatory response of J774A.1 and THP‐1 cells after exposure to particles, measuring subsequent TNFα and IL‐6 secretion. Particle composition varied by site and size. Particle constituents were subjected to principal component analysis, identifying three components: C1 (Si, Sr, Mg, Ca, Al, Fe, Mn, endotoxin), C2 (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons), and C3 (Zn, S, Sb, Ni, Cu, Pb). Induced TNFα levels were higher and more heterogeneous than IL‐6 levels. Cytokines produced by both cell lines only correlated with C1, suggesting that constituents associated with soil induced the inflammatory response and explain observed spatial differences. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J BiochemMol Toxicol 27:87‐97, 2013; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/jbt.21471
Grafting the surface of carbon nanotubes and carbon black with the chemical properties of hyperbranched polyamines

Abstract Controlling the chemistry on the surface of new carbon materials is a key factor to widen the range of their applicability. In this paper we show a grafting methodology of polyalkylamines to the surface of carbon nanomaterials, in particular, carbon nanotubes and a carbon black. The aim of this work is to reach large degrees of covalent functionalization with hyperbranched polyethyleneimines (HBPEIs) and to efficiently preserve the strong chelating properties of the HBPEIs when they are fixed to the surface of these carbon materials. This functionalization opens new possibilities of using these carbon nanotubes-based hybrids. The results show that the HBPEIs are covalently attached to the carbon materials, forming hybrids. These hybrids emerge from the reaction of amine functions of the HBPEIs with carbonyls and carboxylic anhydrides of the carbon surface which become imine and imide bonds. Thus, due to the nature of these bonds, the pre-oxidized samples with relevant number of C=O groups showed an increase in the degree of functionalization with the HBPEIs. Furthermore, both the acid-base properties and the coordination capacity for metal ions of the hybrids are equivalent to that of the free HBPEIs in solution. This means that the chemical characteristics of the HBPEIs have been efficiently transferred to the hybrids. To reach this conclusion we have developed a novel procedure to assess the acid-base and the coordination properties of the hybrids (solids) by means of potentiometric titration. The good agreement of the values obtained for the hybrids and for the free HBPEIs in aqueous solution supports the reliability of the procedure. Moreover, the high capacity of the hybrids to capture Ni2+ by complexation opens new possibilities of using these hybrids to capture high-value metal ions such as Pd2+ and Pt2+. Hyperbranched polyethylenimines are covalently fixed to the surface of carbon materials, so the chemical characteristics of the amines are transferred to the hybrid materials.
Problèmes de tournées de véhicules et application industrielle pour la réduction de l'empreinte écologique. (Vehicule routing problems and industrial application to reduce the ecological footprint)

Dans cette these, nous nous sommes interesses a la resolution approchee de problemes de tournees de vehicules. Nous avons exploite des travaux menes sur les graphes d'intervalles et des proprietes de dominance relatives aux tournees saturees pour traiter les problemes de tournees selectives plus efficacement. Des approches basees sur un algorithme d'optimisation par essaim particulaire et un algorithme memetique ont ete proposees. Les metaheuristiques developpees font appel a un ensemble de techniques particulierement efficaces telles que le decoupage optimal, les operateurs de croisement genetiques ainsi que des methodes de recherches locales. Nous nous sommes interesses egalement aux problemes de tournees classiques avec fenetres de temps. Differents pretraitements ont ete introduits pour obtenir des bornes inferieures sur le nombre de vehicules. Ces pretraitements s'inspirent de methodes issues de modeles de graphes, de probleme d'ordonnancement et de problemes de bin packing avec conflits. Nous avons montre egalement l'utilite des methodes developpees dans un contexte industriel a travers la realisation d'un portail de services mobilite.
Array Antenna With Increased Element Separation Based on a Fabry–PÉrot Resonant Cavity With AMC Walls

A new method is presented for increasing the separation between the radiating elements of a 1-D array antenna by incorporating it into a Fabry-Perot type resonant cavity with artificial magnetic conductor (AMC) walls. The AMC walls create a more uniform distribution of field within the cavity and, moreover, eliminate diffracted fields. The concept is demonstrated via 3-D full-wave simulations as well as experimental measurements for a prototype antenna. Comparison between an antenna with AMC walls and an identical reference antenna, without walls, shows a reduction in the sidelobe level. An array element separation of 2lambda is achieved whilst maintaining good radiation performance. The performance of the proposed structure is also compared to that of an antenna incorporating PEC walls. Finally, the effect of the sidewall and central AMC walls are considered separately in order to isolate their corresponding effect on the antenna performance.
Kopsude difusioonivõime ja spiromeetriliste näitajate muutuste vahelised seosed hingamiselundite erinevate haiguste puhul

Kopsude difusioonivoime muutused olenevad mitmetest teguritest, sagedamini tekivad nad kopsude alveolaartasandit kahjustavate haigusprotsesside korral. Sellistel juhtudel voimaldab difusioonifunktsiooni uurimine hinnata gaasivahetuse hairete pohjusi varasemas staadiumis ja tapsemalt kui teised funktsionaalsed uuringud. Toos on uuritud kopsude difusioonivoime ja ventilatsioonihairete omavahelist seost erinevat tuupi kopsuhaiguste korral. Eesti Arst 2003; 82 (4): 256–260
Diagnosis and treatment of uveitis; not restricted to the ophthalmologist

Uveitis is associated with a wide range of underlying causes. Familiarity with its clinical manifestations, referral indications, and treatment strategies are required for the optimal use of current therapeutic options. Uveitis can be caused by infectious and non-infectious factors, resulting in differing prognoses and treatments. The treatment of chronic, non-infectious uveitis has profoundly changed in the last years due to the advent of biologicals, but also of intraocular therapies. In severe uveitis, treatment of the underlying cause, whether ocular or systemic, is required to prevent severe loss of vision. For these purposes, a multidisciplinary clinical approach is important, which is addressed in this review. Relevance for patients: A broad understanding of the different causes of uveitis and the implementation of disease-tailored, multidisciplinary management of uveitis is expected to improve treatment outcomes for patients with different types of uveitis.
Estimating the crude probability of death due to cancer and other causes using relative survival models

Relative survival is used extensively in population‐based cancer studies to measure patient survival correcting for causes of death not related to the disease of interest. An advantage of relative survival is that it provides a measure of mortality associated with a particular disease, without the need for information on cause of death. Relative survival provides a measure of net mortality, i.e. the probability of death due to cancer in the absence of other causes. This is a useful measure, but it is also of interest to measure crude mortality, i.e. the probability of death due to cancer in the presence of other causes. A previous approach to estimate the crude probability of death in population‐based cancer studies used life table methods, but we show how the estimates can be obtained after fitting a relative survival model. We adopt flexible parametric models for relative survival, which use restricted cubic splines for the baseline cumulative excess hazard and for any time‐dependent effects. We illustrate the approach using an example of men diagnosed with prostate cancer in England and Wales showing the differences in net and crude survival for different ages. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
More from the cutting edge: further discoveries of Clactonian bifaces

An important step in our knowledge of the British Lower Palaeolithic has been the finding that its two recognized components, ‘Clactonian’ and ‘Acheulean’, are not ranged into a simple sequence; the exact relationship between the two is the subject of much debate. What does this do to interpretations of Swanscombe, classic site of the Lower Thames Valley, which has been studied in terms of stratigraphic succession?
Effect of gingival fibroblasts and ultrasound on dogs' root resorption during orthodontic treatment

Objectives: To investigate the effect of using osteogenic induced gingival fibroblasts (OIGFs) and low intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) on root resorption lacunae volume and cementum thickness in beagle dogs that received orthodontic tooth movement. Materials and Methods: Seven beagle dogs were used, from which gingival cells (GCs) were obtained and were induced osteogenically to produce OIGFs. Each third and fourth premolar was randomly assigned to one of the five groups, namely, LIPUS, OIGFs, bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2), OIGFs + LIPUS, and control. All groups received 4 weeks of bodily tooth movement, then LIPUS-treated groups received LIPUS for 20 min/day for 4 weeks, and OIGFs groups received an injection of OIGFs near the root apex. Microcomputed tomography analysis was used to calculate root resorption lacunae volume and histomorphometric analysis was performed to measure the cementum thickness of each root at 3 root levels on compression and tension sides. Results: There was no significant difference in resorption volume between the treatment groups. OIGFs + LIPUS increased cementum thickness (P > 0.05) in third premolars near the apex, and LIPUS increased cementum thickness (P > 0.05) in fourth premolars near the apex. Furthermore, BMP2 increased cementum thickness at the coronal third at the compression side. Conclusion: OIGFs, LIPUS, and BMP-2 can be potential treatments for orthodontically induced root resorption, however, improvements in experimental design and treatment parameters are required to further investigate these repair modalities.
Electrophysiologic Effects of Propofol Sedation

The scalp electroencephalogram (EEG), the long latency cognitive P300 auditory evoked response (AER), and reaction times were recorded in 10 volunteers sedated with a computer-controlled infusion of propofol to target plasma concentrations of 0.3, 0.6, 0.9, and 1.2 μg/mL. The observed mean ± SE venous plasma concentrations were 0.152 ± 0.042, 0.372 ± 0.078, 0.679 ± 0.104, and 1.065 ± 0.112 μg/mL, respectively. Scalp EEG topographic mapping revealed that β1 activation was primarily frontal and central with relative sparing of the temporal lobes. The P300 response was dramatically reduced by propofol in a concentration-dependent manner, even though the subjects were conscious but clearly sedated. Mean ± SE reaction times were increased by propofol sedation from 347 ± 35 ms (control) to 391 ± 48,460 ± 70,549 ± 64, and 622 ± 120 ms at increasing mean venous plasma propofol concentrations. The mean percentage ± SE of correct responses decreased from 98.1 ± 2.0 (control) to 99.1 ± 1.7, 87.4 ± 9.2, 82.8 ± 12.9, and 69.8 ± 20.9 at increasing propofol concentrations. Dramatic alterations in the EEG, P300 response, and reaction times were observed, especially with the higher plasma concentrations which produced conscious sedation. (Anesth Analg 1994;79:1151–8)
Cystosarcoma phylloides

IN 1936 Love wrote of tumours of the breast: ‘Nowadays the possibility of a patient harbouring a massive tumour until fungation occurs is very remote. ’ Cystosarcoma phylloides is one of the tUmOUrS that can grow great proportions and may by pressure the skin leading to death from ‘toxaemia’This Paper reports 2 cases Presenting with huge breast masses and describes 6 further cases in less and since that time these had gradually increased in size. For 2 years before admission the swelling of her breast was apparent, even when she was clothed, and an unSuccesSfUl attempt was made to persuade her to go to hospital. During the last year the skin had ulcerated and a foul smelling purulent discharge had developed. Two weeks before her attendance she began to feel generally unwell and her ankles became swollen. She had had one childandherlastmenstrualperiod had been 18 years earlier.
Persistence of virulent Leishmania major in murine cutaneous leishmaniasis: a possible hazard for the host

The persistence of Leishmania major parasites in mice resistant to infection was investigated by the polymerase chain reaction and in vitro culture methods. Parasite-specific DNA was detected in the lymph nodes, spleens, bone marrow, and livers of C57BL/6 mice 1 year after their recovery from infection. Live parasites were also recovered from these tissues (except liver tissues) and were used to establish in vitro isolates. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis, Southern blotting, and Western blot (immunoblot) analyses showed that these isolates retained the karyotype and the phenotype of the original inoculum, including the levels of expression of gp63 and lipophosphoglycan, the two major surface molecules of Leishmania species. More importantly, these isolates were virulent and induced fatal disease when injected into susceptible BALB/c mice. Persistence was shown to be a more general phenomenon, since several different strains of mice which were resistant to L. major infection also harbored persistent parasites. The implications for the etiology of human leishmaniasis in immunocompromised individuals such as AIDS patients are discussed.
On the Soundness of Inferring Modern Language from Symbolic Behaviour

At issue in this article is the soundness of archaeological inferences which proceed stepwise from data about the material culture of Middle Stone Age humans, via assumptions about their symbolic behaviour, to the conclusion that they had modern language. Taking as paradigmatic the inference that the humans who inhabited Blombos Cave in South Africa some 75,000 years ago had fully syntactical language, the article argues that the inferential step from symbolic behaviour to modern language lacks the required warrant. This step, it is shown, is not underpinned by an adequate bridge theory of the putative links between symbolic behaviour and modern language. The bridge theories invoked to date to shore up the Blombos inference are flawed, for instance, in that they incorporate untenable assumptions about language, including an incorrect view of the expressive power of relatively simple linguistic means.
Depolarization-induced synaptic plasticity at cholinergic synapses in tissue culture

Many synaptic connections are rejected during development, and the remainder are stabilized. Whether neuronal activity is important in this remodeling remains unknown. Cholinergic synapses are formed in tissue culture between the hybrid NG108–15 (neuroblastoma X glioma) cell and skeletal myotubes. We have investigated changes in these synapses brought about by chronic depolarization. Most myotubes are innervated under control conditions and recording from a myotube while stimulating a neighboring hybrid cell demonstrates that most hybrid- myotube pairs in anatomical proximity also are connected synaptically. Multiple innervation of one myotube by several hybrid cells is common. After 24 to 72 hr of cell depolarization with low concentrations of veratridine, myotubes continue to evidence synaptic activity, but the chance of evoking activity, in a given myotube by stimulation of a neighboring hybrid cell, is diminished to 30% of control values; only 5% of myotubes can be demonstrated to still have multiple innervation. However, the efficacy of synapses that persists after veratridine exposure is comparable to control. By 24 hr after removal of veratridine, synapse number returns to control levels. Tetrodotoxin prevents these effects. We suggest that components responsible for the well known development change from polyneuronal to mononeuronal innervation may be present and accessible to manipulation in this relatively well defined tissue culture system.