Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Mortality and physical functioning in epidemiologic studies of three older populations.

Mortality experienced in the first three years of follow-up for three Established Populations for Epidemiologic Studies of the Elderly (EPESE) is examined in relation to the participants' self-reported functional ability. In East Boston, Massachusetts (N = 3,812), Iowa and Washington Counties, Iowa (N = 3,673), and New Haven, Connecticut (N = 2,812), noninstitutionalized persons aged 65 and older were asked a series of questions to determine their functional status. These measures, used in logistic regression analyses of the mortality data, showed that an increased number of reported disabilities significantly increased the risk of mortality over and above the effects of the age and sex of the participant, or the methodological differences among the sites. Disabilities in gross mobility (e.g., ability to walk a half mile, climb stairs, or perform heavy work around the house) were more strongly related to mortality than were measures of activities of daily living.
Effectiveness and costs of screening for aneurysms every 5 years after subarachnoid hemorrhage

Background: Patients who survive after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) are at risk for a recurrence despite successful treatment of the ruptured aneurysm and may therefore benefit from screening for new aneurysms. Methods: We screened 610 patients with SAH with CT angiography 2–18 years after clipping of the aneurysms. Results of screening were used as input for a Markov decision model. We compared the expected number of recurrent hemorrhages, life expectancy, quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs), and costs associated with the strategies “screening every 5 years” and “no screening. ” Results: Screening individuals with previous SAH prevented almost half of the recurrences, slightly increased life expectancy (from 21.06 to 21.08 years), but reduced QALYs (from 12.18 to 12.04) and increased costs (from $2,750 to $4,165 per patient). Screening was cost-saving without increasing QALYs in patients with a more than twofold risk above baseline of both aneurysm formation and rupture and it was cost-saving while increasing QALYs if both risks were at least 4.5 times higher. In patients with reduced quality of life because of fear for a recurrence, screening increased QALYs at a maximum cost of $17,422 per QALY. Conclusions: In general, screening patients with previous subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) cannot be recommended. Screening can save costs and increase quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) in patients with a relatively high risk of both aneurysm formation and rupture, and increases QALYs at acceptable costs in patients with fear for a recurrence. More data are needed on risk factors for aneurysm formation and rupture in patients with previous SAH and on management of fear for a recurrence to identify patients who can benefit from screening.
In vivo antibiotic synergism: contribution of animal models

Combinations of antimicrobial agents are generally used for one of the following purposes: (i) to increase the bactericidal activity and/or the rate of killing in vivo, (ii) to prevent the emergence of drug resistance, or (iii) to enlarge the antimicrobial spectrum in critically ill patients while awaiting a bacteriologic diagnosis or in patients with polymicrobial infections. Animal models of infection are mainly used to focus on the first two questions. The purpose of this paper is to review the major contributions of animal models in the different aspects of in vivo synergism.
Commercial gaming devices for stroke upper limb rehabilitation: a survey of current practice

Abstract Purpose: Stroke upper limb impairment is associated with disability in activities of daily living. Gaming (Nintendo Wii) is being introduced to rehabilitation despite limited evidence regarding effectiveness. Little data exists on how gaming is implemented resulting in a lack of clinical information. We aimed to gather therapists’ opinions on gaming. Methods: A survey was posted to therapists, identified from stroke services across Scotland. A second survey was posted to non-responders. Survey data were analysed using descriptive statistics and thematic coding. Results: Surveys were sent to 127 therapists (70 stroke services) and returned by 88% (112/127). Gaming was used by 18% of therapists, 61% (68/112) stated they would use this intervention should equipment be available. The most commonly used device was Nintendo Wii (83% of therapists using gaming) for 30 min or less once or twice per week. Half of therapists (51%) reported observing at least one adverse event, such as fatigue, stiffness or pain. Gaming was reported to be enjoyable but therapists described barriers, which relate to time, space and cost. Conclusions: Gaming is used by almost a fifth of therapists. Adverse events were reported by 51% of therapists; this should be considered when recommending use and dosage. Implications for Rehabilitation Commercial gaming devices are reported to be used by 1/5th of therapists for stroke upper limb rehabilitation, 3/5ths would use gaming if available. Adverse events were reported by 51% of therapists; this should be considered when recommending use and dosage. Current use of gaming in practice may not be achieving intense and repetitive upper limb task-specific practice.
Age recognition based on speech signals using weights supervector

This paper proposes a new age-recognition system approach— building a Gaussian mixture model–based weights supervector features for a support vector machine (SVM). This approach uses the hypothesis that it is possible to find unique Gaussians for each age-group model in the universal background model (UBM). The weights of those Gaussians can lead to a discriminant way to separate the age groups. The suggested approach was tested on two corpora (aGender and local corpus) with classification into four age groups, achieving 53.75% and 56.18% weighted average recall, respectively, which are better results compared to the state-of-the-art classifier.
he paradox of openness : Appropriability , external search and ollaboration

To innovate, firms often need to draw from, and collaborate with, a large number of actors from outside their organization. At the same time, firms need also to be focused on capturing the returns from their innovative ideas. This gives rise to a paradox of openness—the creation of innovations often requires openness, but the commercialization of innovations requires protection. Based on econometric analysis of data from a UK innovation survey, we find a concave relationship between firms’ breadth of external
Recommender Systems for Strategic Procurement in Value Networks

The implementation of recommender systems in electronic procurement processes for service packages, consisting of product- and service components requires a consideration of strategic, tactical and operational procurement as well as information and communication technologies in value networks. Increasingly, the design of recommender systems for procurement processes in value networks is of scientific interest. The combination of different procurement processes for products and services driven by recommender systems however, includes problems. This paper shows the need for a processoriented approach in procurement at several abstraction levels. A model for the design of the electronic procurement process in value networks to serve the identification of complex service packages and suppliers with recommender systems is described. Different process characteristics are investigated for the applicability of recommender systems in e-procurement. As an artifact this approach adjust a proposal for the recommender system-based procurement process in value networks.
Where Enterprise Architecture and Early Ontology Engineering Meet: A Case Study in the Public Security Domain

This paper explores the use of „process-related models‟ – such as Enterprise Architecture (EA) models – as non-ontological resources (NORs) in the Ontology Engineering (OE) trajectory. These models are commonly available in enterprise repositories in process-rich social domains (e.g., e-Government, finance, software engineering, manufacturing), and serve as valuable sources of consolidated knowledge. We focus on the role of EA models in supporting what we are naming here Early Ontology Engineering, comprising the phases of purpose and scope identification as well as the identification of functional requirements for creating domain ontologies. This is because these models characterize, among other aspects, the organizational context and the business motivations/goals. Therefore, they may facilitate the identification of intended uses/purpose of an ontology to be integrated to the EA, as a means to address goals of the organization stakeholders. We show how this approach is being applied in a real-world e-Government project in the Public Security Domain.
One, two, three or more pathways for platelet aggregation.

Platelet aggregation is a complex event, and no single pathway for release and/or activity of mediators can be postulated. Three mechanisms at least operate for aggregation: release of ADP, formation of thromboxane A2, and a third process in which PAF appears to be centrally involved. In every case the adenylate cyclase system is likely to control aggregation, after appropriate stimuli have been provided and potential aggregating substances have been released. Any approach which involves inhibiting the release of the mediators must be based on a knowledge of the mechanism of this release. Phospholipase A2 appears to be a reasonably critical point at which to attempt inhibition of platelet aggregation and activation in general, particularly since doing so should at the same time reduce the synthesis of thromboxane A2 (which is dependent upon the availability of AA hydro-lysed from phospholipids) and also that of PAF. Platelet aggregation is essential for arterial thrombosis. Even though the insidious vascular lesion precedes the platelet alteration, and thus appears to be the critical step where prophylaxis against coronary thrombosis should be applied, attempts to inhibit platelet responsiveness during acute myocardial infarction or during the post-infarction stages appear justified. This is true for two reasons, first precisely because of the insidious and relatively uncontrolled nature of the vascular disease, and secondly because the clinician has to deal with established atherosclerotic patients who are statistically likely to undergo myocardial reinfarction. The understanding of the mechanisms of platelet aggregation is thus important for the biologist, as well as for the physiopathologist and the clinician. This paper attempts to summarize the presently available knowledge on these mechanisms.
Serologic Survey for Pathogens Potentially Affecting Pronghorn (Antilocapra Americana) Fawn Recruitment in Arizona, USA

During the 1990s, pronghorn (Antilocapra americana) populations declined in Arizona, USA. To investigate potential causes of decline, we collected blood samples from hunter-harvested male pronghorn from 2001 to 2003 on four Arizona sites. Sera were tested for antibody to parainfluenza virus type 3 (PI3), bovine viral diarrhea virus, infectious bovine rhinotracheitis virus, bovine respiratory syncytial virus, epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus (EHDV), bluetongue virus (BTV), and Chlamydia psittaci. Antibody against PI3 was found in 33% of the samples, whereas antibody against BTV/EHDV was found in 77%. Antibodies to other pathogens were found at low prevalence rates. Although pronghorn decline in Arizona is probably not directly related to disease, potential reproductive effects of BTV/EHDV and PI3 infection on pronghorn in Arizona merit further study.
Use of Chlorhexidine Mouthwash in Children Receiving Chemotherapy

The aim of this literature review was to evaluate the effectiveness of chlorhexidine mouthwash as an intervention in children receiving chemotherapy, with a focus on randomized clinical trials. A literature search was performed between 1980 and 2010. The control groups consisted of placebo, no intervention, or another intervention group. Oral mucositis was scored by either the World Health Organization scale or modified Oral Assessment Guide. The review of literature included 5 studies fulfilling the inclusion criteria, in which chlorhexidine was evaluated and 4 studies showed a significant preventive effect on the development or severity of oral mucositis; the remaining study showed no benefit of using chlorhexidine mouthwash when compared with the placebo group. Ultimately, it can be suggested from the data presented here that chlorhexidine may play a part in reducing oral mucosal damage during chemotherapy for children with cancer, possibly due to a reduction in oral microflora and plaque.
Variation in Heterotrophic and Autotrophic Nitrifier Populations in Relation to Nitrification in Organic Soils

The occurrence of heterotrophic and autotrophic nitrifiers in Pahokee muck and the role of these organisms in the ecosystem were assessed by surveying their population densities under different field conditions and by observing the relationship of these populations with aerobic bacteria and soil moisture. Heterotrophic nitrifier populations varied from 2.0 × 105 to 3.8 × 106 bacteria per cm3 of muck in surface fallow (bare) Pahokee muck during the annual cycle. This population decreased 40-fold between the surface and the 60- to 70-cm depths of soil. Similar variations were noted with autotrophic nitrifier populations. Significant correlations were found between heterotrophic nitrifiers and both soil moisture and aerobic bacteria. These relationships did not exist for the autotrophic nitrifiers. In soil that had been heated to kill the autotrophic nitrifiers, while preserving a population of the heterotrophs, and then amended with sodium acetate or ammonium sulfate or both, no nitrate or nitrite accumulated, although significant increases in heterotrophic nitrifiers were detected. In unheated control soil, nitrate plus nitrite-N increased from 14.3 to 181 μg/g of wet soil, and 48 μg of nitrite-N per g was produced. These data suggest that the autotrophic nitrifiers were the sole population responsible for nitrification in Pahokee muck.
Differential regulation of c-fos, fosB, c-jun, junB, bcl-2 and bax expression in rat skin following single or chronic ultraviolet irradiation and in vivo modulation by antisense oligodeoxynucleotide superfusion.

Single ultraviolet (u.v.) irradiation of mammalian cells in culture evokes the transcriptional activation of various proto-oncogenes, among them members of the fos/jun family which are known to play an important role in cell proliferation and differentiation. u.v. exposure of mammalian skin results in growth arrest and cell death followed by hyperproliferation of epidermal cells. To obtain information in vivo about a possible relationship between u.v. -induced proto-oncogene expression and cellular alterations, we have analysed the expression of c-fos, fosB, c-jun, junB, bcl-2 and bax in rat epidermis after single and chronic u.v. irradiation. We present data demonstrating that the transcripts of these genes are constitutively expressed in the epidermis and that expression is differentially modulated by u.v. exposure. Single u.v. irradiation causes a rapid and sustained increase in c-jun, junB and c-fos mRNA and a decline in bcl-2 transcripts, whereas expression of bax remained unchanged. c-Fos and c-Jun immunoreactivity was localized throughout the epidermal cell layers 1.5 h after single irradiation, but restricted to basal cells at 48 h suggesting an involvement in both u.v. -induced apoptosis and hyperproliferation. 48 h after chronic exposure a significantly higher induction and a totally different pattern of epidermal proto-oncogene expression was detectable which may be associated with malignancy. Superfusion of rat skin with c-fos antisense oligodeoxynucleotides inhibited the increase in c-Fos immunolabeled epidermal cells 1.5 h after single u.v. irradiation demonstrating that antisense oligodeoxynucleotides are capable of penetrating mammalian skin and modulating the u.v. response in vivo. However, suppression of the early c-Fos activation did not significantly affect the formation of sunburn cells in the u.v. -exposed epidermis. Thus, c-Fos does not seem to play a major role in u.v. -induced apoptosis or other members of the fos/jun family may compensate for a loss in c-Fos.
Variability in habitat, diet, and social structure of Hapalemur griseus in Ranomafana National Park, Madagascar.

This study investigated the effects of habitat on the diet, population density, and social structure of a small-bodied folivore, Hapalemur griseus. Three groups of H. griseus were followed at two study sites (Tala and Vato) within Ranomafana National Park in southeastern Madagascar. These two sites differed in degree of habitat disturbance, forest composition, and forest structure, as determined by botanical plots (50 x 10 m) which were monitored twice monthly in the home ranges of three study groups (group T, n = 4; group V1, n = 4; group V2, n = 2). Tala has experienced more habitat disturbance compared to Vato, and this appeared to influence population density and group size. The H. griseus that inhabit Tala occur at much higher densities and in larger social groups than the H. griseus at Vato. These results may be attributable to: 1) a greater number of potential food sources, 2) a more dense resource base, and/or 3) higher-quality resources at Tala for this folivore. In general, dietary diversity for all groups was low, and groups exploited similar plant species. However, within this small range of food sources, each study group specialized in food sources found in the highest abundance within their home range. This resulted in dietary differences between groups within sites, as well as differences between sites. Introduced tree species such as Chinese guava (Psidium cattleyanum) may have greatly impacted the diet and social structure of those groups at Tala, whose home ranges included this food source. In contrast, Vato group 1 ingested more new and mature leaves of Ficus spp. , and Vato group 2 primarily ate spider bamboo (Nastus elongatus). In conclusion, it seems that microhabitat differences, which may be related to habitat disturbance and/or other factors such as topography, influenced the food species ingested by H. griseus. Overall habitat quality, which is likely also affected by habitat disturbance, influenced general diet, population density, and group size.
Role of basic region leucine zipper transcription factors cyclic AMP response element binding protein (CREB), CREB2, activating transcription factor 2 and CAAT/enhancer binding protein α in cyclic AMP response element‐mediated transcription

The transcription factor cAMP response element binding protein (CREB), a member of the basic region leucine zipper (bZIP) family of proteins, is the major cAMP response element (CRE) binding. Other bZIP proteins, including CREB2, activating transcription factor 2 (ATF2), or CAAT/enhancer binding protein (C/EBP) have been reported to transactivate CRE‐containing genes or to interfere with transactivation by CREB. We have designed a simple transactivation assay using expression of either a constitutively active CREB mutant or a nuclear targeted mutant of the catalytic subunit of cAMP‐dependent protein kinase. In both cases, a striking stimulation of transcription of CRE‐containing reporter genes was observed in noradrenergic locus coeruleus‐like CATH.a cells. In addition, a constitutively active mutant of ATF2 specifically transactivated a secretogranin II promoter/luciferase reporter gene, but had no effect on the tyrosine hydroxylase promoter. In contrast, CREB2 and C/EBPα did not transactivate CRE‐containing reporter genes, indicating that these bZIP proteins target distinct genetic elements. Experiments involving dominant‐negative bZIP mutants revealed that CREB does not heterodimerize with CREB2, ATF2, c‐Jun or C/EBP. Rather, CREB and ATF2 compete for binding to the CRE, and are independently able to up‐regulate transcription of genes containing CRE motifs in their regulatory regions.
Voices from the past: Mental and physical outcomes described by American Civil War amputees

ABSTRACT Studies of trauma commonly concentrate on the psychological and physiological effects of recent violent events. Although today connections are becoming more explicitly drawn, early studies of the aftermath of amputation serve to shed light on modern understanding of the interaction of the physical and emotional. The study of combat amputation, dissociation, and related posttraumatic stress largely began with the work of 19th-century Philadelphia physician Silas Weir Mitchell, who brought attention to the phenomenon of phantom limb pain. Less known, however, are the data he and his son, John K. Mitchell, also collected on the mental outcomes of trauma. Using an archived collection of original surveys of double-amputee patients dating largely from 1893 housed at the Historical Medical Library at the College of Physicians of Philadelphia, an interdisciplinary team explored the historical, anthropological, and psychological background of the study of combat trauma. Almost 30 years following the end of hostilities, the majority of the sample of U.S. Civil War veterans indicated that their general disposition, general health, and sleeping or eating patterns had changed following limb amputation. More telling, possibly, are the written comments on the surveys and letters that indicate frustration with the continuous suffering and the knowledge of their mental and physical changes. These data illustrate the value of historical archives in documenting the development of the study of trauma and modern concepts of combat experiences.
Speech intelligibility in a background noise and noise-induced hearing loss.

A significant improvement in speech intelligibility in a background noise was shown in a group of industrial subjects conditioned to working in noise compared with a control group of university staff. Progressive deterioration of speech intelligibility in noise was found with noise-induced hearing loss after losses had occurred at the 2 kHz pure-tone audiometric frequency.
Assisted Exploration of Complex State Spaces

This paper describes a work-in-progress application of recent work in assistive planning to realtime, embodied, interactive scenarios involving complex systems. In modeling these interactions, focus is placed not on biasing the user toward a specific goal, such as winning a game, but rather on exploring the extreme states of the system as he or she sees fit, necessitating that a user’s goal be modeled as distribution over a number of predefined possible points of interest in the system.
Information quality assessment of community generated content: A user study of Wikipedia

This study examines the ways in which information consumers evaluate the quality of content in a collaborative-writing environment, in this case Wikipedia. Sixty-four users were asked to assess the quality of five articles from the Hebrew Wikipedia, to indicate the highest- and lowest-quality article of the five and explain their choices. Participants viewed both the article page, and the article’s history page, so that their decision was based both on the article’s current content and on its development. The analysis shows that the attributes that most frequently assisted the users in deciding about the quality of the items were not unique to Wikipedia: attributes such as amount of information, satisfaction with content and external links were mentioned frequently, as with other information quality studies on the web. The findings also support the claim that quality is a subjective concept which depends on the user’s unique point of view. Attributes such as number of edits and number of unique editors received two contradictory meanings – both few edits/editors and many edits/editors were mentioned as attributes of high-quality articles.