Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Systemic hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and dyslipidemia in relation to body mass index: evaluation of a Brazilian population.

OBJECTIVE To determine the prevalence of systemic hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hypercholesterolemia, and hypertriglyceridemia in a Brazilian population in relation to body mass index. METHOD Retrospective evaluation of 1213 adults (mean age: 45.2 +/- 12.8; 80.6% females) divided into groups according to body mass index [normal (18.5 - 24.4 kg/m2); overweight (25 - 29.9 kg/m2); grade 1 obesity (30 - 34.9 kg/m2); grade 2 obesity (35 - 39.9 kg/m2), and grade 3 obesity (> or = 40 kg/m2)]. The prevalence of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hypercholesterolemia, and hypertriglyceridemia were analyzed in each group. The severity of cardiovascular risk was determined. High-risk patients were considered those reporting 2 or more of the following factors: systemic hypertension, HDL < or = 35 mg/dL, total cholesterol > or = 240 mg/dL, triglycerides > or = 200 mg/dL when HDL < or = 35 mg/dL, and glycemia > or = 126 mg/dL. Moderate-risk patients were those reporting 2 or more of the following factors: systemic hypertension, HDL < or = 45, triglycerides > or = 200 mg/dL, and total cholesterol > or = 200 mg/dL. RESULTS The prevalence of systemic hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hypertriglyceridemia, and low HDL-cholesterol levels increased along with weight, but the prevalence of hypercholesterolemia did not. The odds ratio adjusted for gender and age, according to grade of obesity compared with patients with normal weight were respectively 5.9, 8.6, and 14.8 for systemic hypertension, 3.8, 5.8, and 9.2 for diabetes mellitus and 1.2, 1.3, and 2.6 for hypertriglyceridemia. We also verified that body mass index was positively related to cardiovascular high risk (P < .001) CONCLUSION In our population, cardiovascular risk increased along with body mass index.
Wind Power at Sea as Observed from Space

With the increasing demand of electric power and the need of reducing greenhouse gas emission, the importance of turning wind energy at sea into electric power has never been more evident. For example, China is vigorously studying and pursuing the potential of wind energy to lessen dependence of coal consumption (McElroy et al., 2009). The White Paper on Energy (DTI, 2007) lays out an ambitious plan to the British Parliament in meeting the Renewables Obligation with offshore wind energy. The paper posted a challenge not only to Denmark, the leader of European offshore wind energy, but also to the world. New technology has also enabled floating wind-farms in the open seas to capture the higher wind energy and reduce the environmental impact on the coastal regions. Detailed distribution of wind power density (E), as defined in Section 4, at sea is needed to optimize the deployment of such wind farms. The distribution is discussed in Section 5. Just a few decades ago, almost all ocean wind measurements came from merchant ships. However, the quality and geographical distribution of these wind reports were uneven. Today, operational numerical weather prediction (NWP) also gives us wind information (Capps & Zender, 2008), but NWP depends on numerical models, which are limited by our knowledge of the physical processes and the availability of data. Recently, spacebased microwave sensors are giving us wind information with sufficient temporal and spatial sampling, night and day, under clear and cloudy conditions. Results from the most advanced passive sensor, which measures only wind speed, and active sensor, which measures both speed and direction, will be discussed. The principles of wind retrievals by active and passive microwave sensors are described in Section 2 and 3 respectively. The dependence of wind speed on height above sea level and on atmospheric stability is discussed in Section 6 and 7.
Assessing the Combined Impact of 18 Common Genetic Variants of Modest Effect Sizes on Type 2 Diabetes Risk

OBJECTIVES—Genome-wide association studies have dramatically increased the number of common genetic variants that are robustly associated with type 2 diabetes. A possible clinical use of this information is to identify individuals at high risk of developing the disease, so that preventative measures may be more effectively targeted. Here, we assess the ability of 18 confirmed type 2 diabetes variants to differentiate between type 2 diabetic case and control subjects. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—We assessed index single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) for the 18 independent loci in 2,598 control subjects and 2,309 case subjects from the Genetics of Diabetes Audit and Research Tayside Study. The discriminatory ability of the combined SNP information was assessed by grouping individuals based on number of risk alleles carried and determining relative odds of type 2 diabetes and by calculating the area under the receiver-operator characteristic curve (AUC). RESULTS—Individuals carrying more risk alleles had a higher risk of type 2 diabetes. For example, 1.2% of individuals with >24 risk alleles had an odds ratio of 4.2 (95% CI 2.11–8.56) against the 1.8% with 10–12 risk alleles. The AUC (a measure of discriminative accuracy) for these variants was 0.60. The AUC for age, BMI, and sex was 0.78, and adding the genetic risk variants only marginally increased this to 0.80. CONCLUSIONS—Currently, common risk variants for type 2 diabetes do not provide strong predictive value at a population level. However, the joint effect of risk variants identified subgroups of the population at substantially different risk of disease. Further studies are needed to assess whether individuals with extreme numbers of risk alleles may benefit from genetic testing.
Human Prostate Cancer Harbors the Stem Cell Properties of Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Purpose: Prostate tumor cells frequently show the features of osteoblasts, which are differentiated from bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells. We examined human prostate cancer cell lines and clinical prostate cancer specimens for additional bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell properties. Experimental Design: Prostate cancer cell lines were induced for osteoblastogenic and adipogenic differentiation, detected by standard staining methods and confirmed by lineage-specific marker expression. Abnormal expression of the markers was then assessed in clinical prostate cancer specimens. Results: After osteoblastogenic induction, cells of the LNCaP lineage, PC-3 lineage, and DU145 displayed osteoblastic features. Upon adipogenic induction, PC-3 lineage and DU145 cells differentiated into adipocyte-like cells. The adipocyte-like cancer cells expressed brown adipocyte-specific markers, suggesting differentiation along the brown adipocyte lineage. The adipogenic differentiation was accompanied by growth inhibition, and most of the adipocyte-like cancer cells were committed to apoptotic death. During cyclic treatments with adipogenic differentiation medium and then with control medium, the cancer cells could commit to repeated adipogenic differentiation and retrodifferentiation. In clinical prostate cancer specimens, the expression of uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1), a brown fat-specific marker, was enhanced with the level of expression correlated to disease progression from primary to bone metastatic cancers. Conclusions: This study thus revealed that prostate cancer cells harbor the stem cell properties of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells. The abnormally expressed adipogenic UCP1 protein may serve as a unique marker, while adipogenic induction can be explored as a differentiation therapy for prostate cancer progression and bone metastasis. Clin Cancer Res; 17(8); 2159–69. ©2011 AACR.
Significance of genetic abnormalities of p53 protein in Slovenian patients with gastric carcinoma.

AIM To analyze genetic alterations of p53 gene in Slovenian gastric cancer patients and to compare these alterations with clinicopathological parameters in order to assess the value of p53 as a prognostic factor. METHODS We analyzed the samples from 230 Slovenian patients with gastric cancer, collected between 1983 and 2001. p53 expression was evaluated immunohistochemically with DO-7 monoclonal antibody. In addition, loss of heterozigosity (LOH) and microsatellite instability (MSI) of p53 gene were evaluated, as well as its mutational status in the selected population of patients. RESULTS p53 expression was associated with poorer survival and it was an independent predictor in multivariate analysis, along with TNM (T--size of tumor, N--nodal involvement, M--distant metastasis) stage status. Loss of heterozigosity and microsatellite instability status did not influence survival, however we found association of loss of heterozigosity with Lauren's (Mantel-Haenszel test, P=0.004) and Ming's (Mantel-Haenszel test, P<0.001) classification, whereas microsatellite instability was associated with gender (Mantel-Haenszel test, P=0.017), TNM stage (chi(2) test, P=0.006) of gastric cancer, and lymph node involvement (pN) (chi(2) test, P=0.004). Conclusions. The data on p53 abnormalities, when considered separately, could be of relative value for predicting the behavior of gastric tumors. However, our analyses showed that studying p53 overexpression, loss of heterozigosity, microsatellite instability, and mutational analysis could provide data that, particularly in combination with some clinicopathological features, might be of clinical value for predicting the tumor behavior and patient response to therapy.
Characterization Of The Physical Activity Level In Portuguese Elderly

The positive impact of physical activity on the elderly is so relevant that WHO (2016) encourages it and sets out global recommendations for its practice. This paper describes a non-experimental study with 202 participants, with a mean age of 81.76 ± 7.47 years, of which 70.3% are female. 20.7% live with a spouse and 5.2% with their sons/daughters. The vast majority of participants (92.1%) has different levels of support from their care givers. Subjective measures were collected through the Baecke Habitual Physical Activity Questionnaire (HPAQ) (2009)
A fast video image defogging algorithm based on dark channel prior

The captured images in the frog climatic condition are often blurred and will degrade the performance of the video surveillance system. In order to meet the real-time requirements of video image defogging, this paper proposes a fast video image defogging algorithm based on the dark channel prior. Firstly, atmospheric light value is estimated by more reasonable way. Secondly, the tolerance mechanism is included for adjusting the transmission rate map in the bright areas in order to eliminate color distortion phenomenon in the bright areas of the image. Finally, by reducing the transmission rate map resolution reasonably, the calculating time is shorten but the processing effects is not affected at the same time. The experiment results show that the proposed method can get a good defogging effect.
Multimatrix models and tri-Sasaki Einstein spaces

Localization methods reduce the path integrals in N{>=}2 supersymmetric Chern-Simons gauge theories on S{sup 3} to multimatrix integrals. A recent evaluation of such a two-matrix integral for the N=6 superconformal U(N)xU(N) Aharony-Bergman-Jafferis-Maldacena theory produced detailed agreement with the AdS/CFT correspondence, explaining, in particular, the N{sup 3/2} scaling of the free energy. We study a class of p-matrix integrals describing N=3 superconformal U(N){sup p} Chern-Simons gauge theories. We present a simple method that allows us to evaluate the eigenvalue densities and the free energies in the large N limit keeping the Chern-Simons levels k{sub i} fixed. The dual M-theory backgrounds are AdS{sub 4}xY, where Y are seven-dimensional tri-Sasaki Einstein spaces specified by the k{sub i}. The gravitational free energy scales inversely with the square root of the volume of Y. We find a general formula for the p-matrix free energies that agrees with the available results for volumes of the tri-Sasaki Einstein spaces Y, thus providing a thorough test of the corresponding AdS{sub 4}/CFT{sub 3} dualities. This formula is consistent with the Seiberg duality conjectured for Chern-Simons gauge theories.
Maps of the Molecular Emission around 18 Evolved Stars

We present maps at $20''$ resolution of the molecular emission around 18 evolved stars (14~asymptotic giant branch stars, one supergiant, two proto-planetary nebulae and one planetary nebula), mostly in the $^{12}$CO(3-2) line. Almost all molecular envelopes appear to be at least marginally resolved at this resolution. A substantial fraction of the molecular envelopes show clear deviations from spherical symmetry in the form of elliptical or bipolar envelopes. This indicates that there is a need to implement non-spherical mass loss in current scenarios of the late stages of stellar evolution, in particular on the asymptotic giant branch.
Hybrid Mode Wideband Patch Antenna Loaded With a Planar Metamaterial Unit Cell

A wideband patch antenna loaded with a planar metamaterial unit cell is proposed. The metamaterial unit cell is composed of an interdigital capacitor and a complementary split-ring resonator (CSRR) slot. A dispersion analysis of the metamaterial unit cell reveals that an increase in series capacitance can decrease the half-wavelength resonance frequency, thus reducing the electrical size of the proposed antenna. In addition, circulating current distributions around the CSRR slot with increased interdigital finger length bring about the TM01 mode radiation, while the normal radiation mode is the TM10 mode. Furthermore, the TM01 mode can be combined with the TM10 mode without a pattern distortion. The hybridization of the two modes yields a wideband property (6.8%) and a unique radiation pattern that is comparable with two independent dipole antennas positioned orthogonally. Also, the proposed antenna achieves high efficiency (96%) and reasonable gain (3.85 dBi), even though the electrical size of the antenna is only 0. 24λ0×0. 24λ0×0. 02λ0.
Subsets of Memory CD4+ T Cell and Bactericidal Antibody Response to Neisseria meningitidis Serogroup C after Immunization of HIV-Infected Children and Adolescents

Meningococcal disease is endemic in Brazil, with periodic outbreaks and case fatality rates reach as high as 18 to 20% of cases. Conjugate vaccines against meningococci are immunogenic in healthy children. However, we have previously shown a poor bactericidal antibody response to a Men C conjugate vaccine in Brazilian HIV-infected children and adolescents after a single vaccine administration. The goal of the present work was to investigate associations between bactericidal antibody response induced by MenC vaccine and the frequency and activation profile (expression of CD38, HLA-DR and CCR5 molecules) of total CD4+ memory T cell sub-populations in HIV-1-infected children and adolescents. Responders to vaccination against MenC had a predominance (about 44%) of CD4+ TINTERMEDIATE subset followed by TTRANSITIONAL memory subset (23 to 26%). Importantly, CD4+ TINT frequency was positively associated with bactericidal antibody response induced by vaccination. The positive correlation persisted despite the observation that the frequency TINT CD38+HLA-DR+ was higher in responders. In contrast, CD4+ TCENTRAL MEMORY (TCM) subset negatively correlated with bactericidal antibodies. In conclusion, these data indicate that less differentiated CD+ T cells, like TCM may be constantly differentiating into intermediate and later differentiated CD4+ T cell subsets. These include CD4 TINT subset which showed a positive association with bactericidal antibodies.
Emotion in politics: Affective-discursive practices in UKIP and Labour

Recent political trends in many countries have sparked renewed interest in populism. Despite general agreement that the affective/emotive aspects of political communication are particularly important in this, there is little recent analysis of how populists operationalise emotion or how they genuinely differ from mainstream parties in this sense. This article applies mixed methods to explore the ‘affective-discursive practices’ that characterise the discourses of two opposition parties in the United Kingdom: United Kingdom Independence Party (UKIP) and Labour. Comparison of the frequency of semantic subcategories related to emotion in corpora of press releases published by these parties on their websites is complemented by qualitative analysis of how specific emotional areas such as fear, anger and anxiety are invoked by the two parties. Different ‘affective-discursive practices’ underpin their discourses, since Labour characteristically frames reactions to social phenomena in terms of worry and concern, while UKIP legitimates fear and anger, but also projects more positive emotions.
Emerging trend in second messenger communication and myoendothelial feedback

Over the past decade, second messenger communication has emerged as one of the intriguing topics in the field of vasomotor control. Of particular interest has been the idea of second messenger flux from smooth muscle to endothelium initiating a feedback response that attenuates constriction. Mechanistic details of the precise signaling cascade have until recently remained elusive. In this perspective, we introduce readers to how myoendothelial gap junctions could enable sufficient inositol trisphosphate flux to initiate endothelial Ca2+ events that activate Ca2+ sensitive K+ channels. The resulting hyperpolarizing current would in turn spread back through the same myoendothelial gap junctions to moderate smooth muscle depolarization and constriction. In discussing this defined feedback mechanism, this brief manuscript will stress the importance of microdomains and of discrete cellular signaling.
Investigating the effects of intervention intensity on skill acquisition and task persistence in children with Down syndrome

INVESTIGATING THE EFFECTS OF INTERVENTION INTENSITY ON SKILL ACQUISITION AND TASK PERSISTENCE IN CHILDREN WITH DOWN SYNDROME by NICOLE MARIE NEIL Adviser: Professor Emily A. Jones Maximizing outcomes for learners with Down syndrome requires an approach which is both effective and efficient. Modifying the intensity of intervention has the potential to affect the rate of skill acquisition as well as other learner behavior, such as task persistence, which alters the efficiency of intervention. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of varying intensity levels of a behavior-analytic on acquisition and task persistence for young children with Down syndrome. Three children with Down syndrome were taught expressive language targets using three manipulations of intervention intensity (dose): the number of opportunities, the spacing of opportunities, and the session duration. We measured the effects of intensity on skill acquisition and task persistence (off-task behavior and affect). Children acquired targets faster in conditions in which the spacing of opportunities was shorter than conditions in which the spacing was longer. Manipulating dose produced individual differences during the different intensity levels in the two measures of task persistence. For two children, moderate intensity levels produced greater expression of positive affect. Children showed idiosyncratic differences in off-
Exploring the challenges of managing blended learning courses in selected Irish higher education institutes : an activity theory study

This research explores the challenges of managing the development and delivery of blended learning courses in three higher education institutes (HEIs) in Ireland. Taking a case study approach and utilising Cultural Historical Activity Theory (CHAT), more specifically Engestrom’s (2015) activity systems model (ASM), the research seeks to highlight the challenges by identifying contradictions in the activity systems for developing and delivering blended learning in each of the three HEIs. Three cases are examined by compiling separate ASMs for each case that reveal three quite different management approaches. A typology of managing course development is devised and presented as a means for comparing different approaches to managing the development and delivery of blended learning courses. The contradictions in each of the ASMs are used to identify the challenges associated with each separate approach. The activity systems identified, and their corresponding contradictions, are used to illuminate the larger debate around the use of new managerialist techniques in higher education and what that can mean for collegiality and the emergence of what has been described as neo collegiality in higher education.
Scheduling algorithms for multihop radio networks

Algorithms for transmission scheduling in multihop broadcast radio networks are presented. Both link scheduling and broadcast scheduling are considered. In each instance, scheduling algorithms are given that improve upon existing algorithms both theoretically and experimentally. It is shown that tree networks can be scheduled optimally and that arbitrary networks can be scheduled so that the schedule is bounded by a length that is proportional to a function of the network thickness times the optimum. Previous algorithms could guarantee only that the schedules were bounded by a length no worse than the maximum node degree times optimum. Since the thickness is typically several orders of magnitude less than the maximum node degree, the algorithms presented represent a considerable theoretical improvement. Experimentally, a realistic model of a radio network is given and the performance of the new algorithms is studied. These results show that, for both types of scheduling, the new algorithms (experimentally) perform consistently better than earlier methods. >
Dimensions and Measurement of Vocational Maturity

SEVERAL different school curricula are offered from which the adolescent pupil must choose. These choices may be referred to as pre-occupational, for while they are choices from among educational offerings, each curriculum is oriented toward a type of occupation. Have early adolescents reached a stage of development at which they know themselves, the world of work, and how they might fit into it, well enough to make such choices? We have organized education in a way which requires preliminary vocational choices of fourteen-year-olds. Are they ready to make them?