Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Incremental benefit of coronary artery calcium score above traditional risk factors for all-cause mortality in asymptomatic Korean adults.

BACKGROUND Coronary artery calcium score (CACS) is a well-recognized marker for subclinical coronary atherosclerosis, particularly in asymptomatic populations. To date, however, the added prognostic benefit of CACS compared with traditional risk factors in an Asian population remains unknown. This study therefore investigated the benefit of CACS over traditional risk factors for all-cause mortality in a large multicenter registry of asymptomatic Korean adults. METHODSANDRESULTS A total of 34,386 individuals were retrospectively enrolled to participate in a general health examination. The Framingham 10-year risk score (FRS) was calculated according to the traditional risk stratification algorithm and CACS was calculated in log(CACS+1) for continuous data and categorized as 0, 1-100, 101-400 and >400. During a median follow-up of 4.9 years (IQR, 3.0-7.1), there were 303 all-cause deaths (0.9%). Following adjustment, CACS was independently associated with all-cause death (hazard ratio, 1.10; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.05-1.17; P<0.001). Notably, CACS added further prognostic value above and beyond FRS (likelihood ratio, χ(2)=75.42, P<0.001; continuous net reclassification improvement=0.40, 95% CI: 0.29-0.51, P≤0.001; improving C-statistic from 0.64, 95% CI: 0.61-0.67 to 0.68, 95% CI: 0.64-0.71; ∆C=0.04, 95% CI: 0.01-0.06, P=0.002). CONCLUSIONS In an asymptomatic Korean population, CACS improved prediction of all-cause mortality over and above that of a conventional risk tool.
Effects of Moderate Aerobic Exercise Training on Vascular Health and Blood Pressure in African Americans

As healthcare progresses toward individualized medicine, understanding how different racial groups respond to lifestyle interventions is valuable. It is established that African Americans have disproportionate levels of cardiovascular disease and impaired vascular health, and clinical practice guidelines suggest lifestyle interventions as the first line of treatment. Recently, the authors reported that 6 months of aerobic exercise improved inflammatory markers, flow‐mediated dilation (FMD), and levels of circulating endothelial microparticles (EMPs) in African American adults. This study is a subgroup analysis of the aerobic exercise–induced changes in vascular health and blood pressure (BP) measures, including carotid artery intima‐media thickness (IMT), nitroglycerin‐mediated dilation (NMD), ambulatory BP, and office BP. Sedentary African American adults (53.4±6.2 years; 21 women and 5 men) showed improved vascular health but no change in BP. Carotid artery IMT decreased 6.4%, plasma nitric oxide levels increased 76.6%, plasma EMP levels decreased, percentage of FMD increased 59.6%, and FMD/NMD ratio increased 36.2% (P<.05 for all). Six months of aerobic exercise training is sufficient to elicit improvements in vascular structure and function in African Americans, even without improvements in BP measures or NMD (ie, smooth muscle function). To our knowledge, this is the first study to report such findings in African Americans.
Direct Isolation of Candida spp. from Blood Cultures on the Chromogenic Medium CHROMagar Candida

ABSTRACT CHROMagar Candida is a selective and differential chromogenic medium that has been shown to be useful for identification of Candida albicans, Candida krusei, Candida tropicalis, and perhaps Candida glabrata. Colony morphology and color have been well defined when CHROMagar Candida has been used to isolate yeast directly from clinical specimens, including stool, urine, respiratory, vaginal, oropharyngeal, and esophageal sources. Direct isolation of yeast on CHROMagar Candida from blood cultures has not been evaluated. We evaluated whether the color and colony characteristics produced by Candida spp. on CHROMagar Candida were altered when yeasts were isolated directly from blood cultures. Fifty clinical isolates of Candida were inoculated into aerobic and anaerobic blood culture bottles and incubated at 35°C in an automated blood culture system. When growth was detected, an aliquot was removed and plated onto CHROMagar Candida. As a control, CHROMagar Candida plates were inoculated with the same isolate of yeast grown on Sabouraud dextrose agar simultaneously. No significant difference was detected in color or colony morphology between the blood and control isolates in any of the tested organisms. All C. albicans (n = 12), C. tropicalis (n = 12), C. glabrata (n = 9), and C. krusei (n = 5) isolates exhibited the expected species-specific colony characteristics and color, whether isolated directly from blood or from control cultures. CHROMagar Candida can be reliably used for direct isolation of yeast from blood cultures. Direct isolation could allow mycology laboratories to more rapidly identify Candida spp. , enable clinicians to more quickly make antifungal agent selections, and potentially decrease patient morbidity and mortality.
Calcium, iron and zinc availability from weaning meals

During the weaning period, solid foods are introduced in the diet to complement human milk or infant formula. Consequently, marginal deficiencies may easily develop because of inappropriate feeding and low bioavailability of nutrients. The objective of this study was to determine calcium, iron and zinc availability from weaning foods that contained a variety of ingredients but almost the same dietary fibre content, and to describe dietary factors that influence availability in a linear matter. Availability measurements from eight meals were made in vitro by a continuous‐flow dialysis system with preliminary intraluminal digestion. Calcium, iron and zinc were analysed by flame atomic absorption spectrometry; ascorbic acid content was taken from food‐composition tables; and macronutrient and mineral contents were obtained from the manufacturer. Calcium availability was higher in fruits (mean ± SD, 39.2 ± 4.1%) than vegetables (31.7 ±5.8%) (p 0.001). Iron availability was marginally significant higher in vegetables (13.0 ±4.7%) than fruits (10.2 ± 1.6%) (p= 0.027). Zinc availability showed higher availability in fruits (52.3 ± 22.3%) than vegetables (22.1 ± 5.6%) (p± 0.001).
Does the computerized display of charges affect inpatient ancillary test utilization?

BACKGROUND The computerized display of charges for ancillary tests in outpatients has been found to affect physician-ordering behavior, but this issue has not been studied in inpatients. OBJECTIVE To assess whether the computerized display of charges for clinical laboratory or radiological tests affected physician-ordering behavior. PATIENTS AND METHODS Two prospective controlled trials, randomized by patient, were performed. Each trial included all medical and surgical inpatients at 1 large teaching hospital during 4 and 7 months: 3536 intervention and 3554 control inpatients in the group with clinical laboratory tests, and 8728 intervention and 8653 control inpatients in the group with radiological tests. The intervention consisted of the computerized display of charges for tests at the time of ordering. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES The number of clinical laboratory and radiological tests ordered per admission and the charges for these tests. RESULTS For the clinical laboratory tests, during a 4-month study period, patients in the intervention group had 4.5% fewer tests ordered, and the total charges for these tests were 4.2% lower, although neither difference was statistically significant. Compared with historical controls from the same 4-month period a year before, the charges for the tests per admission had decreased 13.3%, but the decrease was temporally correlated with a restriction of future ordering of tests, and not with the introduction of the display of charges. For the radiological tests, during a 7-month period, the intervention group had almost identical numbers of tests ordered and charges for these tests. CONCLUSIONS The computerized display of charges had no statistically significant effect on the number of clinical laboratory tests or radiological procedures ordered or performed, although small trends were present for clinical laboratory tests. More intensive interventions may be needed to affect physician test utilization.
A comparison of the concept of patient participation and patients' descriptions as related to healthcare definitions.

PURPOSE. To depict what patients describe as patient participation and whether descriptions of patient participation are affected by gender, age, healthcare contact, and duration of disease. DATA SOURCES. Current patients (n= 362) responded to a questionnaire on participation. DATA SYNTHESIS. Patients' descriptions focused on having knowledge, rather than being informed, and on interacting with health professionals, rather than merely partaking in decision making. CONCLUSIONS. Patients' descriptions of participation correspond with the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health's definition, which includes "being involved in a life situation. " Healthcare legislation and professionals employ a narrower concept of patient participation as defined by, e.g., Medical Subject Headings. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS. Findings suggest that health professionals need to embrace what patients describe as participation.
Butler matrix beamforming network based on substrate integrated technology for 5G mobile devices

The design and simulation of a multi-beam forming network using 4 × 4 Butler matrix for terminal applications in future 5G is presented. In this design, all components, operating around 30GHz, are implemented on substrate integrated waveguide (SIW) using the package, HFSS. The area of the designed Butler matrix is 55.62 × 28.4mm2. The reflection and coupling levels with broad bandwidth of each port are obtained.
Behavior therapy and the transdermal nicotine patch: effects on cessation outcome, affect, and coping.

The process and outcome of a smoking cessation program using behavior therapy alone (BT) or behavior therapy plus the nicotine patch (BTP) was studied in 64 participants. Participants quit smoking on a target date after a period of ad libitum smoking, cognitive-behavior therapy preparing them for cessation, and behavioral rehearsal for high-risk situations, including stress management, and coping with negative affect. Abstinence was significantly higher for the BTP group versus the BT group from the end of behavioral treatment (79% vs. 63%) through the 3-month follow-up (p < .01), with the effects weakening at the 6- (p = .06) and 12-month marks (p = 38% vs. 22%). More general distress was observed among BT versus BTP participants (i.e., increased withdrawal, tension, fatigue, and coping frequency with decreased coping effort; coping-to-urge ratio). The coping behavior of the BTP group may have been more effective than that of the BT group, as indicated by their significantly higher level of self-efficacy.
A cathodoluminescence study of the influence of the seed particle preparation method on the optical properties of GaAs nanowires

Cathodoluminescence at 8 K is used to compare the optical properties of AlGaAs-capped GaAs nanowires, grown by metal–organic vapour phase epitaxy and seeded by gold particles prepared by different methods. Six different methods were used to fabricate and deposit gold seed particles onto GaAs substrates: colloid particles, aerosol particles and particles defined by electron beam lithography. The nanowires were grown with and without an in situ annealing step prior to the nanowire growth. The morphology showed no significant differences between the nanowires. The emissions from ensembles of nanowires have the same peak position, irrespective of seed particle type. Without the in situ annealing step prior to the nanowire growth, there are significant differences in the emission intensity and emission patterns from nanowires grown from different seed particles. When an in situ annealing step is included, all the resulting nanowires show identical optical emission intensity and emission patterns. This shows the importance of using an in situ annealing step prior to growth. This study demonstrates that different preparation methods for gold seed particles can be used to produce GaAs nanowires with highly similar optical properties. The choice of particle preparation method to be used can therefore be based on availability and cost.
The efficiency and effectiveness of municipally owned corporations: a systematic review

ABSTRACT Municipally owned corporations (MOCs) are increasingly utilised to provide local public services, but little remains known about their efficiency and effectiveness. In this article, we offer a typology of MOCs, explore the variables that affect their behaviour, and perform a systematic review of public administration articles published between 2001 and 2015 on their efficiency and effectiveness. We find that MOCs are often more efficient than local bureaucracies in the provision of services such as refuse collection, water distribution, and transit services, although they also have high initial failure rates. We conclude that municipally owned corporations are a viable means for delivering some local public services for localities capable of initiating and managing complex contracts. In light of the scarcity of literature on this topic, our conclusions remain tentative, and we encourage additional research into this growing phenomenon.
[Correlation of DNA-PK activity with anti-cancer drug-sensitivity in human gliomas].

OBJECTIVE To investigate the relationship between DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK) activity and anti-cancer drug sensitivity in human glioma tissues. METHODS Human glioma specimens were primarily cultured and its sensitivity to several anti-cancer drugs were evaluated by MTT assay. Nuclear protein was extracted from the glioma sample of the same patient and its DNA-PK activity was determined by a biotinylated DNA-PK assay with p53-derived peptide as a specific substrate. RESULTS DNA-PK activity varied widely among these glioma samples. Of all 36 samples, 16 showed higher DNA-PK activity (relative activity > or = 0.40) and 20 samples with lower DNA-PK activity (relative activity < 0.40). The gliomas sensitive to DDP and VCR as evaluated by inhibition rate (IR > or = 50%) under plasma peak concentration (PPC) showed lower DNA-PK activity than the resistant ones (IR < 50%) (t = -3.445, P < 0.01). Furthermore, the gliomas with higher DNA-PK activity showed lower inhibition rate (IR < 50%) than those with lower DNA-PK activity ones (t = -2.145, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION DNA-PK activity is significantly associated with anti-cancer drug sensitivity to DDP and VCR in human gliomas. DNA-PK activity could be used as a new biomarker for the chemotherapy sensitivity of human gliomas.
Inability of the Francisella tularensis lipopolysaccharide to mimic or to antagonize the induction of cell activation by endotoxins

We studied the ability of the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) extracted from a vaccine strain of Francisella tularensis (LPS-Ft) to mimic LPSs from other gram-negative bacteria for activation of various murine cell types or to antagonize the effects of other LPSs. We found that activation of macrophages for the production of tumor necrosis factor alpha and NO, of pre-B lymphocytes for the expression of surface immunoglobulins, and of bone marrow cells for the expression of LPS-binding sites was either undetectable with LPS-Ft or required concentrations 100 to 1,000 times higher than for standard LPSs. Preexposure of macrophages to LPS-Ft also failed to trigger down-regulation of tumor necrosis factor alpha (desensitization) or up-regulation of NO responses to an endotoxin challenge. In contrast to other atypical LPSs, LPS-Ft was also unable to antagonize any of the endotoxin-induced cellular responses mentioned above, suggesting that this LPS does not interact with LPS receptors.
A Yeast Transcriptional Stimulatory Protein Similar to Human PC4*

A yeast protein has been identified that stimulates basal transcription by RNA polymerase II, binds both single- and double-stranded DNA, and interacts with both a general transcription factor and a transcriptional activator. Phosphorylation appears to regulate these interactions. The gene for the transcriptional stimulatory protein, termed TSP1, was cloned and found to be dispensable for yeast cell viability. The deduced amino acid sequence is similar to that of mammalian coactivator protein PC4.
Cortical Dysplasias, and Corpus Callosum and Posterior Fossa Abnormalities

This study examined clinical findings and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) characteristics in 114 patients with cortical dysplasia and corpus callosum and posterior fossa abnormalities to determine the clinical findings with the extent of the lesions on MRI. The age of patients was between 1 day and 15 years. Group 1 included 74 patients with corpus callosum abnormalities and/or cortical dysplasias and group 2 included 40 patients with posterior fossa abnormalities, which were isolated and/or associated with cortical dysplasia and/or corpus callosum abnormalities. Although associated congenital abnormality apart from central nervous system abnormalities, syndrome, or systemic disorder were more common in group 2 than group 1 patients (P < .05), we did not find a difference between the groups for psychomotor retardation and epilepsy (P > .05).
What role did education, equipment age and technology play in 20th century productivity growth?

The 20th century was a period of exceptional growth, driven mainly by the increase in total factor productivity (TFP). Studying 17 OECD countries over the 1890-2013 period,1 this Rue de la Banque shows that the "one big wave" of productivity growth in the mid-20th century, as well as the ICT productivity wave, remain only partially explained when taking into account quality-adjusted factors such as education, equipment age and technology diffusion along with the stock of productive capital and hours worked. These results plead for a wider view on growth factors, encompassing changes in the production process, management techniques, financing practices, firm demography and factor allocation.
Effects of office innovation on office workers' health and performance

The implementation of an innovative office concept (e.g. open-plan, flexible workplaces and a paperless office concept) on health and productivity among office workers was evaluated with questionnaires of 138 workers at baseline and 6 and 15 months afterwards. Work-related fatigue, general health, change in health status, upper extremity complaints and perceived productivity were outcomes. No short-term significant differences were found in most outcomes except for quantity of performed work (decrease from 96% to 92%, p = 0.008). In the long-term, no significant differences were found in most outcomes except for an increase in general health (p = 0.011) and a decrease in prevalences of upper extremity complaints (33% to 22%, p = 0.021). Perceived productivity increased significantly 15 months after the implementation. It is concluded that innovative office concepts had no or limited effects on work-related fatigue, health changes and productivity but some positive effects on workers' general health and upper extremity complaints in the long term. Office innovation is being administered often but up to now seldom evaluated on workers' health and productivity.
High‐maturity levels: achieving CMMI ML‐5 in a consultancy company

Most organizations that use the Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI) stop their process improvement journey at Maturity Level 3 or less. The discussion about CMMI high‐maturity levels has always been controversial, going most of the times through the consideration of return of investment, provider selection, and interpretation issues. Achieving Level 5 is not an easy task; it derives a lot of steps during the way. This article will show an example of the implementation of Level 5 in a consultancy company in two constellations: development and service. It depicts the example in steps, to help the understanding of the whole process. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Projector-based switching signal reconstruction and observer for switched systems

This paper is devoted to the problem of switching signal reconstruction. In the first part of this paper, we give a new approach for the invertibility of switched nonlinear systems, and we give the algorithm of switching signal reconstruction. In the second part, we give some remarks about observer design. Some sufficient conditions are formulated as an LMI problem for the switched observer design.
An intermodulation products generator for predistortion of base station HPAs

This paper presents the design of an intermodulation (IM) products generator for predistortion of high-power amplifiers (HPAs) used in the base stations of cellular mobile systems. The IM products generator composes of two simple mixers constructed with Schottky diodes, has a simple structure and requires no external dc bias voltage. Simulation and measurement results show that the generator has a low conversion loss and low spurious frequency components. Studies of the IM3 generator for predistortion of a practical base station HPA are also carried out by simulation and measurements. Measurement result of a two-tone test shows that the predistorter can suppress the 3rd intermodulation distortion (IMD) products by 15 dB.
Biomimetic robots

Biomimetics is a general description for engineering a process or system that mimics biology. The term emerged from biochemistry and applies to an infinite range of chemical and mechanical phenomena, from cellular processes to whole-organism functions. We define biomimetics as extracting principles from biology and applying them to man-made devices - particularly robots. We say two forces are driving the "new wave" of robotics. First, biological research has exposed a huge amount of biological process data that roboticists can apply to their work. Second, advances in low-cost, power-efficient computing systems allow researchers to create robots that mimic insect and sea creature adaptations to environmental niches. We say that roboticists can really put some of the lessons we're learning from biology to practice.
In Vitro Cyclic Electron Transport in Barley Thylakoids follows Two Independent Pathways

In vitro cyclic electron transport around PSI was studied in thylakoids isolated from barley (Hordeum vulgare L.). Redox poising was obtained by using anaerobic conditions, preillumination, and the addition of 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea. Postillumination rates of P700+ re-reduction of 1 to 5 electrons s-1 were observed, depending on the conditions. The thylakoids supported two parallel paths of cyclic electron transport that were distinguishable by differences in antimycin sensitivity, saturation characteristics, and substrate specificity. The pathway most sensitive to antimycin was not saturated at ferredoxin concentrations up to 50 [mu]M, whereas the more insensitive pathway was saturated at 5 [mu]M ferredoxin. At the lower concentration of reduced ferredoxin, the antimycin-sensitive rate of P700+ re-reduction was lower than the antimycin-insensitive rate. The lower range of reduced ferredoxin concentrations are closer to in vivo conditions. Flavodoxin is shown to mediate cyclic electron transport. Flavodoxin was less efficient in mediating the antimycin-sensitive pathway but mediated the antimycin-insensitive pathway as efficiently as ferredoxin. Antibodies raised against ferredoxin:NADP+ oxidoreductase had no effect on either pathway for re-reduction of P700+. However, the ferredoxin: NADP+ oxidoreductase inhibitor 2[prime]-monophosphoadenosine-5[prime]-diphosphoribose was able to inhibit the antimycin-sensitive as well as the antimycin-insensitive pathway.