Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Psychometric Properties of the 9-item European Heart Failure Self-care Behavior Scale Using Confirmatory Factor Analysis and Rasch Analysis Among Iranian Patients

Background: The 9-item European Heart Failure Self-Care Behavior scale (EHFScB-9) is a self-reported questionnaire commonly used to capture the self-care behavior of people with heart failure (HF). Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the EHFScB-9’s factorial structure and categorical functioning of the response scale and differential item functioning (DIF) across subpopulations in Iran. Methods: Patients with HF (n = 380; 60.5% male; mean [SD] age, 61.7 [9.1] years) participated in this study. The median (interquartile range) of the duration of their HF was 6.0 (2.4–8.8) months. Most of the participants were in New York Heart Association classification II (NYHA II, 61.8%); few of them had left ventricular ejection fraction assessment (11.3%). All participants completed the EHFScB-9. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to test the factorial structure of the EHFScB-9; Rasch analysis was used to analyze categorical functioning and DIF items across 2 characteristics (gender and NYHA). Results: The 2-factor structure (“adherence to regimen” and “consulting behavior”) of the EHFScB-9 was confirmed, and the unidimensionality of each factor was found. Categorical functioning was supported for all items. No items displayed substantial DIF across gender (DIF contrast, −0.25–0.31). Except for item 3 (“Contact doctor or nurse if legs/feet are swollen”; DIF contrast, −0.69), no items displayed substantial DIF across NYHA classes (DIF contrast, −0.40 to 0.47). Conclusions: Despite the DIF displayed in 1 item across the NYHA classes, the EHFScB-9 demonstrated sound psychometric properties in patients with HF.
Neurological and MRI profiles of children with developmental language impairment

Children with developmental language impairment (LI) are defined partly by the absence of other identifiable neurological diagnoses. Such children are generally considered to be neurologically normal, but no systematic studies of neurological function have been reported. We obtained detailed medical histories and conducted neurological examinations for 72 children aged 5 to 14 years with LI and 82 typically developing age‐matched control children. All the children took a standardized test of language, and those who were at least 8 years old and were willing to have brain MRI scans (35 children with LI and 27 control children) had scans. Analysis of developmental milestones from the medical histories revealed that children with LI were not only significantly later in speaking, but also mildly but significantly delayed in motor milestones, particularly walking. On neurological examination, abnormalities were found in 70% of the children with LI and only 22% of the control children. The most common abnormalities in the LI group included obligatory synkinesis, fine motor impairments, and hyperreflexia. The children with LI with the most abnormal neurological findings had the lowest language scores. Finally, 12 of 35 children with LI had abnormalities on their MRI scan, while none of the 27 control children had abnormal scans. Abnormal findings included ventricular enlargement (in five), central volume loss (in three), and white matter abnormalities (in four). These findings suggest that developmental LI is not an isolated finding but is indicative of more widespread nervous system dysfunction. Children with LI may need more comprehensive intervention programs than language therapy alone, depending on their other areas of dysfunction. Early identification of such problems may allow for more successful remediation.
In vivo suppression of early experimental osteoarthritis by interleukin-1 receptor antagonist using gene therapy.

OBJECTIVE This study explored the therapeutic effect of interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra), administered by gene transfer, on the progression of osteoarthritic (OA) lesions in an experimental dog model. METHODS Seventeen mature mongrel dogs were divided into 3 groups. Group 1 (n = 7) had an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) section of the right knee through a stab wound incision. Groups 2 and 3 (n = 5 per group), had an ACL section of the right knee and partial synovectomy of the left knee. Each dog's synovium was subjected to enzymatic digestion, and the synovial fibroblasts were propagated in monolayer culture. Synovial cells from each dog were transduced in vitro using the retrovirus MFG with either the Escherichia coli beta-galactosidase (lac Z) gene (group 2) or the human IL-1Ra gene (group 3). Two days after surgery, the dogs received intraarticular injections as follows: group 1 phosphate buffered saline (PBS) (2 ml); group 2 autologous cells (60 x 10(6) cells/2 ml of PBS) transduced with the lac Z gene; group 3 autologous cells transduced with the IL-1Ra gene. Synovial fluid was aspirated at 2 weeks and 4 weeks. All dogs were euthanized at 4 weeks postsurgery. The right knees were dissected, and lesions were scored for macroscopic and microscopic changes. Synovial explants were dissected and representative specimens were used for histology or were cultured for 48 hours. The levels of IL-1Ra in synovial fluid and synovial explant conditioned medium were measured by specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS The level of IL-1Ra in synovial fluid of group 3 was 202.8 +/- 131.5 ng/ml (mean +/- SEM) at 2 weeks and 2.8 +/- 2.2 ng/ml at 4 weeks after surgery. Membrane explants isolated from dogs that received synovial cells transduced with the IL-1Ra gene (group 3) actively produced IL-1Ra (4.0 +/- 2.0 ng/gm of tissue wet weight). The severity of OA cartilage lesions was similar in groups 1 and 2. In contrast, group 3 dogs had a marked reduction in macroscopic lesion severity on the tibial plateaus (P < 0.01 for grade; P < 0.04 for size) and femoral condyles. Moreover, the histologic lesion severity was decreased on both plateaus (P < 0.06) and condyles. CONCLUSION This study showed that a local increase in IL-1Ra production in OA knee joints by intraarticular injection of transduced synovial cells can reduce the progression of experimentally induced lesions.
VEGF in the nervous system

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF, VEGFA) is critical for blood vessel growth in the developing and adult nervous system of vertebrates. Several recent studies demonstrate that VEGF also promotes neurogenesis, neuronal patterning, neuroprotection and glial growth. For example, VEGF treatment of cultured neurons enhances survival and neurite growth independently of blood vessels. Moreover, evidence is emerging that VEGF guides neuronal migration in the embryonic brain and supports axonal and arterial co-patterning in the developing skin. Even though further work is needed to understand the various roles of VEGF in the nervous system and to distinguish direct neuronal effects from indirect, vessel-mediated effects, VEGF can be considered a promising tool to promote neuronal health and nerve repair. Note: Previously published in VEGF in Development, edited by Christiana Ruhrberg. Landes Bioscience and Springer Science+Business Media 2008; pp. 91-103.
Effect of Dietary 棺-1,3/1,6-glucan Supplementation on Growth Performance, Immune Response and Plasma Prostaglandin E2, Growth Hormone and Ghrelin in Weanling Piglets

The experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of β-1,3/1,6-glucan on growth performance, immunity and endocrine responses of weanling piglets. One hundred and eighty weanling piglets (LandracexLarge White, 7.20±0.25 kg BW and 28±2 d of age) were randomly fed 1 of 5 treatment diets containing dietary β-1,3/1,6-glucan supplemented at 0, 25, 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg for 4 wks. Each treatment was replicated in 6 pens containing 6 pigs per pen. On d 14 and 28, body weight gain, feed consumption and feed efficiency were recorded as measures of growth performance. Peripheral blood lymphocyte proliferation and serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) were measured to study the effect of dietary β-1,3/1,6-glucan supplementation on immune function. Plasma prostaglandin E 2 (PGE 2 ), growth hormone (GH) and ghrelin were measured to investigate endocrine response to β-1,3/1,6-glucan supplementation. Our results suggest that average daily gain (ADG) and feed efficiency had a quadratic increase trend with dietary β-1,3/1,6-glucan supplementation from d 14 to 28, whereas it had no significant effect on average daily feed intake (ADFI). The treatment group fed with 50 mg/kg dietary β-1,3/1,6-glucan supplementation showed a numerical increase in ghrelin, a similar change trend with ADG and no significant effect on GH. Lymphocyte proliferation indices, serum IgG and plasma PGE 2 concentrations varied linearly with dietary supplementation levels of β-1,3/1,6-glucan on d 14. Higher levels of β-1,3/1,6-glucan may have a transient immuno-enhancing effect on the cellular and humoral immune function of weanling piglets via decreased PGE 2 . Taking into account both immune response and growth performance, the most suitable dietary supplementation level of β-1,3/1,6-glucan is 50 mg/kg for weanling piglets.
Algorithm 408: a sparse matrix package (part I) [F4]

Description It is frequently necessary to manipulate large sparse matrices, for example in electrical network problems. In such cases much time and memory space can be saved if only the nonzero elements are stored. A set of Fortran subroutines has been written for performing various operations on sparse matrices stored in compact form in core. Core storage requirement is reduced for any square matrix less than 66 percent dense. These subroutines have been tested on an ZBM 360/50 using a "WATFOR" compiler.
Dot Counting Dimension, a New Parameter of Fractal Dimension or Complexity

A new tool, Dot Counting Dimension (DCD) for measuring the fractal dimension or complexity of 1-dimension random vibration signal or time series data is put forward in this paper. The definition and algorithm of DCD are given out. DCD of six pulse segments of microseismic records are calculated, and linear result of DCD is achieved. The algorithm of DCD may be applied broadly in processing 1-dimension random vibration signal or time series data because of its implementing easy with less calculation, and fast calculation velocity, And the algorithm of DCD does not need too much more data for achieving convergence.
High-Performance Asymmetric Underlap Ge-pTFET With Pocket Implantation

This paper reports a systematic methodology to enhance the performance of germanium p-type tunnel FETs (Ge-pTFETs) using a p+ pocket implant at the source end of the channel and an underlap region at the drain end. The numerical device simulation results show that an optimized drain-underlap region reduces the off-state leakage current (IOFF) of 50-nm Ge-pTFETs to about 3.27 pA/μm without degrading the ON-current (ION), and a p+ pocket doping improves the ion of these devices to about 0.295 mA/μm without compromising IOFF. The analog and RF performances of the drain-underlapped Ge-pTFETs are investigated in terms of the drain current, transconductance, output resistance, intrinsic gain, cutoff frequency, and maximum frequency of oscillation for pocket-doping length varying from 0 to 6 nm. In addition, the influence of the pocket doping on the nonquasi-static performance is analyzed in terms of the gate-source and gate-drain capacitances, gate-drain resistance, and intrinsic delay time. Finally, the performance of the source-pocket drain-underlapped Ge-pTFETs in ICs is studied using a common source amplifier.
Guest Editors' Introduction: Successful Software Product Line Practices

A software product line is a set of software-intensive systems sharing a common, managed set of features that satisfy the specific needs of a particular market segment or mission and that are developed from a common set of core assets in a prescribed way in place. Organizations adopting product development strategies that include a software product line have achieved impressive results, reducing product cycle time and increasing productivity by an order of magnitude. The software product line strategy is a blend of business and technical actions that lets an organization satisfy a wide range of customers, gain leverage with suppliers, meet the threats of substitute products, and deter other companies seeking to enter the market. The strategy is robust over a wide range of technologies, domains, and organizations of different structures, cultures, and goals. Service-oriented architectures, agile development methods, and open source business models have all played roles in successful product line organizations.
Toxicity of zinc oxide nanoparticles through oral route

This experiment was aimed to determine the significance of dose by comparing acute oral toxicological potential of nano-sized zinc oxide (20 nm) with its micro-sized zinc oxide. Sprague Dawley rats, 8 to 9 weeks old, were administered with 5, 50, 300, 1000 and 2000 mg/kg body weight (b.w.) of nano- and micro-sized zinc oxide suspended in distilled water once through oral gavage. The effects of the micro- and nano-sized zinc oxide on biochemical and hematological parameters were analyzed on day 14 of administration. The organs were collected for histopathology. Interestingly, inverse dose-dependent increase was noted in aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase serum levels of nano-size zinc oxide groups when compared with their micro-sized zinc oxide. Clotting time was effected in all the male groups of nano-size zinc oxide, except in 1000 mg/kg b.w. The incidences of microscopic lesions in liver, pancreas, heart and stomach were higher in lower doses of nano-size zinc oxide compared to higher dose. However, the incidences of above lesions were higher in rats treated with a high dose of micro-sized zinc oxide. We conclude that nano-size zinc oxide exhibited toxicity at lower doses, thus alarming future nanotoxicology research needs to be focused on importance of dose metrics rather following the conventional methods while conducting in vivo experiments.
Differential modulation by extracellular ATP of carotid chemosensory responses.

The possibility that the carotid body has ATP surface receptors that mediate O2 chemoreception was tested. To distinguish between the event(s) initiating chemoreception and those at the neurotransmitter level, we also tested the chemosensory response to nicotine before and after ATP administration. Carotid bodies from cats anesthetized with pentobarbital sodium were perfused and superfused in vitro with modified Tyrode solution (PCO2 < 1 Torr, pH 7.4, 36 degrees C) equilibrated at PO2 > 400 or approximately 150 Torr while chemosensory discharge was recorded extracellularly. ATP and adenosine 5'-[gamma-thio]triphosphate stimulated discharge with similar dose dependence, whereas adenosine had little effect. ATP infusion for > or = 2 min evoked an initial stimulation of discharge followed by a decline to baseline (desensitization). Desensitization did not affect the response to hypoxia (perfusate flow interruption) but inhibited the response to nicotine (4-nmol pulse). Therefore, 1) the carotid body has surface ATP receptors that may mediate the chemosensory response to nicotine but not to hypoxia and 2) nicotinic receptors are not required for carotid body O2 chemoreception.
An examination of differences in the time course of oxazepam's effects on implicit vs explicit memory

The present study was designed to examine the effects of oxazepam on implicit vs explicit memory processes, as a function of this drug's time course. The effects of oxazepam (30 mg) or placebo on directly comparable tests of implicit memory (word stem completion) and explicit memory (cued recall) were examined at three time points: 100 min post-drug administration (prior to the theoretical peak plasma concentration of oxazepam; i.e. 'pre- peak' condition), 170 min post-drug (close to theoretical peak; i.e. 'peak' condition) or 240 min post-drug (following theoretical peak: i.e. 'post-peak' condition). Sixty healthy volunteers were randomly assigned to either the drug condition or the placebo condition in a double-blind design and were tested on both memory tests at one of the three time points. In the 'pre-peak' condition, oxazepam impaired cued recall performance relative to placebo but did not impair priming. In the 'peak' condition, oxazepam impaired performance on both memory tasks. In the 'post-peak' condition, cued recall performance in the oxazepam group remained significantly impaired relative to placebo. However, oxazepam-induced impairments in priming were only marginal, suggesting that oxazepam-induced impairments in implicit memory processes begin to wane following theoretical peak drug concentrations. The fact that oxazepam-induced priming impairments were significant only when the word stem completion task was administered close to peak plasma concentrations, supports the hypothesis that benzodiazepines exert time-dependent effects on implicit memory processes. The results also support the theoretical distinction between implicit and explicit memory processes, since the directly comparable implicit and explicit tasks showed different impairment curves over time.
Illusory Figures from Stereoscopically Three-Dimensional Inducers Depicting No Occlusion Event

It has been claimed that an illusory figure is prevented from occurring when there is contrary evidence to occlusion, eg when the inducers are pictorial representations of ‘complete’ three-dimensional (3-D) objects. However, it was recently shown that illusory figures may also be induced by such pictorially 3-D inducers. Here, further evidence on this point is presented. Two experiments were carried out. The first was aimed at showing that an illusory figure can be induced even by stereoscopically 3-D ‘complete’ inducers; the second was aimed at checking whether inducers that are stereoscopically seen as closer than the induced figure can contribute to strengthen the illusion. The results show that stereoscopically 3-D inducing patterns can affect the illusion both in the absence of any occlusion cue and when there is contrary evidence to occlusion. These conclusions seriously challenge all the interpretations that regard occlusion, or interposition, cues as necessary for the formation of illusory figures.
Research on the dynamic regional innovation output elasticity in China based on the data of patent applications

According to the unbalanced regional economic development in china, this paper applied dynamic econometrics to research on the innovation output elasticity of each region. Select patent applications and GDP as the index of innovation output and economic growth, and there exists dynamic relationship between them. Based on the model of Polynomial Distributed Lags (PDLs), the results show that, in china innovation had a significant role in promoting economic growth, and the driving force reached peak in middle term. The total innovation output elasticity is different among eastern, middle and western region. Also there exists great innovation potential in western region, the government should give more support to western region.
Climate Change as a Global Challenge – and its Implications for Knowledge Generation and Dissemination

Climate change as a global challenge has facilitated the emergence of global structures in knowledge generation and dissemination that stand out in their level of integration. Even against a world that has been subject to the forces of globalization, this process seems unparalleled. In this context, we argue that a democratization of climate change knowledge has taken place, coupled with bottom-up processes in generating new knowledge that can help advance the scientific understanding of and response strategies to this complex issue. To understand the magnitude of the science effort in this area over the past decades, we set out with a succinct presentation of the natural science basis of climate change and possible impacts of the change processes on ecosystems as well as on human civilization. The scale and scope of the phenomena at play require a global approach to tackling this challenge and demand a sound scientific basis to underpin far-reaching societal choices on how to shape the future. Here, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) continues to play a critical role in providing an objective, fact-driven evaluation of the state of knowledge as an analysis and decision tool for policymakers, but whose reach in knowledge dissemination is much broader. The geographical integration of research cooperation and the cross-disciplinary nature of research are features that we highlight based on the example of recent publications released ahead of the Copenhagen climate negotiations. From the scientific results presented there, the chapter draws the link to the need for global governance and highlights the emergence of local action. We conclude that the knowledge generation process has succeeded in giving all the information necessary to make informed decisions—will humankind act in time?
Molecular Analysis of a Copper- and Zinc-Containing Superoxide Dismutase Gene Isolated From the Latex of Euphorbia Characias: Another Piece in the Molecular Puzzle of Euphorbiaceae Latex Proteins

A copper- and zinc-containing superoxide dismutase (Cu/Zn-SOD) cDNA was isolated from the Euphorbia characias latex (Elx) using consensus degenerate hybrid oligonucleotide primer (CODEHOP) design and RT-PCR strategy. Both 3'and 5'untraslated regions (UTR) were isolated by rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) method. Analysis of the nucleotide sequence revealed that the Cu/Zn-SOD cDNA contains an open reading frame encoding a protein of 152 amino acids. Bioinformatic analyses of Elx SOD gene revealed a high identity rate with a large number of plant Cu/Zn-SODs in the deduced amino acid sequence. Since isoenzymes may be generated through the multiplicity of SOD genes or result from post-trascriptional events, genomic Southern blot in conjunction with northern blot experiments were also performed. The genomic analysis showed that the E. characias genome contains a single SOD gene. Northern blot analyses confirmed the presence of a single SOD mRNA demonstrating that alternative splicing does not occur. Quantita- tive real time-PCR (qRT-PCR) experiments showed that SOD gene expression in latex reaches maximum levels during the summer. These results suggest that the Cu/Zn-SOD of Euphorbia characias latex probably may be involved in the antioxid- ative process triggered by oxidative stress induced by the conditions of environmental change in which the plant lives.
The 6 th International Conference on Ambient Systems , Networks and Technologies ( ANT 2015 ) Multi-Agent System Applications in Healthcare : Current Technology and Future Roadmap

One of the most rapidly evolving government sectors in any country is the healthcare industry. Today, the healthcare system of developed nations is facing the various challenges presented by an aging population. Increasing demand for health services presents a challenge for the existing healthcare industry, as vast amounts of resources will be required. The Multi-Agent System (MAS) approach provides a powerful platform for modeling and solving real world problems such as healthcare. This makes it possible for patients to remain at home and consequently reducing costs. This paper presents developed MAS applications in healthcare, as well as explores the future of developed MAS applications. In particular, it will be argued that these health based MAS applications can provide a reasonable way to mitigate the cost due to increased demand for services. © 2014 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. Peer-review under responsibility of the Program Chairs.
An air gap fiber Fabry-Perot interferometer based on a polymer-filled hollow core fiber

This study investigates an ultracompact, and simple, reflective air-gap fiber Fabry-Perot interferometer (RAGFFPI) which is based on a polymer filled hollow core fiber endface. Temperature sensitivity of +8.226nm/°C is achieved by the proposed RAGFFPI.