Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Association of Mediterranean and DASH Diets with Mortality in Adults on Hemodialysis: The DIET-HD Multinational Cohort Study.

Background Mediterranean and Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diets associate with lower cardiovascular and all-cause mortality in the general population, but the benefits for patients on hemodialysis are uncertain.Methods Mediterranean and DASH diet scores were derived from the GA2LEN Food Frequency Questionnaire within the DIET-HD Study, a multinational cohort study of 9757 adults on hemodialysis. We conducted adjusted Cox regression analyses clustered by country to evaluate the association between diet score tertiles and all-cause and cardiovascular mortality (the lowest tertile was the reference category). Results During the median 2.7-year follow-up, 2087 deaths (829 cardiovascular deaths) occurred. The adjusted hazard ratios (95% confidence intervals) for the middle and highest Mediterranean diet score tertiles were 1.20 (1.01 to 1.41) and 1.14 (0.90 to 1.43), respectively, for cardiovascular mortality and 1.10 (0.99 to 1.22) and 1.01 (0.88 to 1.17), respectively, for all-cause mortality. Corresponding estimates for the same DASH diet score tertiles were 1.01 (0.85 to 1.21) and 1.19 (0.99 to 1.43), respectively, for cardiovascular mortality and 1.03 (0.92 to 1.15) and 1.00 (0.89 to 1.12), respectively, for all-cause mortality. The association between DASH diet score and all-cause death was modified by age (P=0.03); adjusted hazard ratios for the middle and highest DASH diet score tertiles were 1.02 (0.81 to 1.29) and 0.70 (0.53 to 0.94), respectively, for younger patients (≤60 years old) and 1.05 (0.93 to 1.19) and 1.08 (0.95 to 1.23), respectively, for older patients.Conclusions Mediterranean and DASH diets did not associate with cardiovascular or total mortality in hemodialysis.
Should early intervention in autism be provided?

Summary Rates of detected autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are currently rising, and there is a need for effective treatments to manage the symptoms. In this commentary I outline the challenges that autism presents to service delivery and consider a Cochrane review that evaluates one of the best-known classes of treatment for ASD, parent-mediated early intervention. I discuss effect size and bias in the interpretation of the review's results, and consider also the rationale for low- and high-intensity intervention at both the individual level and, from a public health perspective, at population level.
Recent advances in echocardiography: strain and strain rate imaging

Deformation imaging by echocardiography is a well-established research tool which has been gaining interest from clinical cardiologists since the introduction of speckle tracking. Post-processing of echo images to analyze deformation has become readily available at the fingertips of the user. New parameters such as global longitudinal strain have been shown to provide added diagnostic value, and ongoing efforts of the imaging societies and industry aimed at harmonizing methods will improve the technique further. This review focuses on recent advances in the field of echocardiographic strain and strain rate imaging, and provides an overview on its current and potential future clinical applications.
Physics Students' Mental Model and Prediction in Heat Convection Concept

Investigating students' mental model is something important in physics education. Mental model is students' internal representative of some phenomena that they find in daily life. A Student who has a scientifically mental model of a concept, he/she will be able to scientifically explain and predict the phenomena. Helping students construct scientifically mental model is one of obligation of college that produce physics teacher. The teacher who have the scientifically compatible mental model will create the physics learning meaningfully, thus the quality of physics learning will be improved. This study was first to excavate 23 physics students mental model of heat convection. Prediction of phenomena that relates to heat convection is probed to support that students run their mental model in predicting phenomena. A series of semi structured interviews was conducted to excavate the students' mental models and predictions f heat convection. The students who involved in this study come from different level from sophomore to master degree. The framework of assessing mental model and instrument adopted and adapted from Chiou (1). We also compared the students' mental model and the relationship between mental model and prediction. The result shows that only 2 participants who have a scientifically mental model (model 7). Moreover, the relationships between mental models and predictions remains complex, this finding is appropriate with Chiou's finding. In predicting phenomena, students do not run their mental model.
Comparison of several wood smoke markers and source apportionment methods for wood burning particulate mass

Residential wood combustion has only recently been recognized as a major contributor to air pollution in Switzerland and in other European countries. A source apportionment method using the aethalometer light absorption parameters was applied to five winter campaigns at three sites in Switzerland: a village with high wood combustion activity in winter, an urban background site and a highway site. The particulate mass from traffic (PMtraffic) and wood burning (PMwb) emissions obtained with this model compared fairly well with results from the 14C source apportionment method. PMwb from the model was also compared to well known wood smoke markers such as anhydrosugars (levoglucosan and mannosan) and fine mode potassium, as well as to a marker recently suggested from the Aerodyne aerosol mass spectrometer (mass fragment m/z 60). Additionally the anhydrosugars were compared to the 14C results and were shown to be comparable to literature values from wood burning emission studies using different types of wood (hardwood, softwood). The levoglucosan to PMwb ratios varied much more strongly between the different campaigns (4–13%) compared to mannosan to PMwb with a range of 1–1.5%. Possible uncertainty aspects for the various methods and markers are discussed.
Cyclosporine A/porous quaternized chitosan microspheres as a novel pulmonary drug delivery system

Abstract N-[(2-Hydroxyl)-propyl-3-trimethyl ammonium] chitosan chloride (HTCC), a hydrosoluble chitosan derivative, has been extensively investigated as a class of drug delivery vehicles because of its unique features. However the studies on HTCC for pulmonary delivery systems have been rarely conducted. This study aimed to design porous microspheres (MS) containing cyclosporine A (CsA) using HTCC as the carrier. The physicochemical properties and biocompatibility of the MS were evaluated. The in vivo efficacy of MS was evaluated in an asthmatic rat model after pulmonary administration. The results showed that porous MS suitable for inhalation could be readily produced by spray drying method. Optimized porous MS in this study exhibited to be biocompatible and safe to use in the lung, and they were effective in suppression of inflammation in the asthmatic rat model. Above all, our results suggested that HTCC porous MS are promising drug carriers for pulmonary drug delivery. Graphical Abstract
Can job autonomy attenuate the effect of depression on employees’ well-being? It may depend on culture

Abstract Background: Depression is one of the leading causes of work disability. Thus, it is important to explore possible ways to reduce its impact on employees. Aims: The current research examined whether promoting job autonomy would attenuate the detrimental effect of depression on employees’ well-being. Methods: Study 1 included the data from 5974 full-time employees from China. Full-time employees living in India, a collectivistic culture, and the United States, an individualistic culture, were recruited online in Study 2. Results: Study 1 revealed that job autonomy moderated the influence of depression on job strain and perceived control mediated this interaction effect. Specifically, job autonomy weakened the detrimental effect of depression on job strain via weakening the association between depression and perceived control. The data from the 258 full-time employees in Study 2 replicated the findings and found that job autonomy had a stronger attenuating effect on the influence of depression in India than it had in the United States. Conclusions: Job autonomy was found to be an effective way to reduce the negative impact of depression on employees’ well-being, a finding that should be considered when organizations develop their work policies.
Why Do People (Sometimes) Become Selective About News? The Role of Emotions and Partisan Differences in Selective Approach and Avoidance

Recent advances in partisan selective exposure research have provided compelling evidence for the distinction between selective approach and selective avoidance. Yet the questions of whether, how, and to what extent discrete emotions systematically shape either of these patterns has not been sufficiently addressed. This study explores the differential roles of fear, anger, and enthusiasm in selective approach to and selective avoidance of partisan news programs, focusing on partisan differences in regard to a person’s general approach versus avoidance tendencies to external stimuli as a possible moderating mechanism. A secondary analysis of the 2012 American National Election Studies data suggested that fear and anger both significantly increased proattitudinal news exposure, whereas only anger decreased counterattitudinal news exposure. In addition, Republicans exhibit these patterns to a greater extent than Democrats. Furthermore, enthusiasm significantly predicted exposure to proattitudinal news for both Republicans and Democrats, whereas Democrats were significantly more likely than Republicans to increase their counterattitudinal news exposure as a function of enthusiasm. Theoretical and methodological implications are discussed.
Role of neuronal nitric oxide synthase in cardiac ischemia preconditioning in mice

objective: Several studies have demonstrated the role of endothelial and inducible nitric oxide synthase in cardiac ischemia preconditioning (IPC). However, the role of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) in IPC is still controversial; the present study was designed to explore the possible involvement of nNOS in cardiac IPC. Methods: nNOS-/knockout (KO) and wild type C57 (WT) mice were subjected to 45 minutes of ischemia by left descending branch of coronary artery ligation followed 3 hours reperfusion. IPC was induced by 3 cycles of 5 minutes ischemia and reperfusion before 30 minutes ischemia. After 3 hours reperfusion, which plasma was collected for creatine kinase (CK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) measurements, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nickend labeling (TUNEL) staining and and measurements of activities of caspase-3, -8, -9, phospho-p38, ERK, -JNK mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK). Results: IR induced cardiac tissue apoptosis by increases of TUNEL staining and activities of caspase-3, -8, and -9, accompanied with increase of CK and LDH concentration and phosphorylation of p38, ERK and JNK MAPK in both mouse strains. IPC protected cardiac tissue from apoptosis by reducing TUNEL staining and activities of caspase-3, -8, and -9, with activation of p38 MAPK. However, reduction of TUNEL staining and activities of caspase-3, -8, and -9 was disappeared in KO mice accompanied with no activation of p38 MAPK. Conclusions: The data obtained suggest that nNOS mediates IPCinduced protection, maybe involved p38 MAPK activation. [Xiao-Mei L, Li-Li D, Ling M, Yu-Nan J. Role of neuronal nitric oxide synthase in cardiac ischemia preconditioning in mice. Life Sci J 2013;10(3):422-426] (ISSN:1097-8135). http://www.lifesciencesite. com. 62
Phytochemical screening, antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of four Nigerian medicinal plants.

The antimicrobial activity of non-polar, moderately polar and polar extracts of the leaves of Alchornea laxiflora, Cnidoscolus acontifolius (Euphorbiaceae), Newbouldia laevis, (Bignoniaceae) and Adansonia digitata (Bombacaceae) against Escherichia coli NCIB 86, Staphylococcus aereus NCIB8588, Bacillus subtilis NCIB 3610, Pseudomonas aeruginosa NCIB 950 were investigated. There was generally no activity against the different strains of bacteria used. While the in vitro antioxidant activities of the hexane, ethyl acetate, butanol and aqueous extracts of the aerial parts of the plant materials determined by ferric thiocynate method showed that the species provided at least one fraction with highly promising antioxidant activity. However, phytochemical screening gave secondary metabolites that have been found to be of medicinal importance both in preventive and curative medicine.
Patterns and trends of beverage consumption among children and adults in Great Britain, 1986–2009

Many dietary recommendations include reduction of excessive intake of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB) and other energy-rich beverages such as juices and alcohol. The present study examines surveys of both individual dietary intake data and household food expenditure surveys to provide a picture of patterns and trends in beverage intake and purchases in Great Britain from 1986 to 2009, and estimates the potential for pricing policy to promote more healthful beverage purchase patterns. In 2008–9, beverages accounted for 21, 14 and 18 % of daily energy intake for children aged 1·5–18 and 4–18 years, and adults (19–64 years), respectively. Since the 1990s, the most important shifts have been a reduction in consumption of high-fat dairy products and an increased consumption of fruit juices and reduced-fat milk among preschoolers, children and adolescents. Among adults, consumption of high-fat milk beverages, sweetened tea and coffee and other energy-containing drinks fell, but reduced-fat milk, alcohol (particularly beer) and fruit juice rose. In testing taxation as an option for shifting beverage purchase patterns, we calculate that a 10 % increase in the price of SSB could potentially result in a decrease of 7·5 ml/capita per d. A similar 10 % tax on high-fat milk is associated with a reduction of high-fat milk purchases by 5 ml/capita per d and increased reduced-fat milk purchase by 7 ml/capita per d. This analysis implies that taxation or other methods of shifting relative costs of these beverages could be a way to improve beverage choices in Great Britain.
Culture and Religion as Sources of Gender Inequality: Rethinking Challenges Women Face in Contemporary Africa

Summary The aim of this article is to explore how the contentious issues of culture and religion remain sources of gender inequality and oppression for most women in Africa. Culture refers to the “learned and ideational aspects of human society” (Jenks 1993: 9). In its subjectivity, culture carries the illusion of shared concerns and values in the face of the real and contentious divisions that exist among classes, gender, race and ethnic groups. Religion refers to what people believe in; their spirituality and how this shapes people's relation with each other and with God – the Almighty. In this article, the concept of “gender” shall be taken to mean roles that are ascribed to men and women. More often than not, these roles can be presented as if they are “fixed”, “unchangeable” and “incontestable”. Culture, religion and gender are problematic terminologies that merit analysis within the context of how these are used in some African communities to justify the oppression of women. In this endeavour, the article will pay special attention to how factors such as biblical notions of the creation of man, polygamy, cultural beliefs on spirit mediums, education, violence, forced marriages, women and property ownership, as well as cultural practices such as circumcision have informed cultural and religious decisions to justify the oppression of women in contemporary Africa. The central argument of this article is that since culture and religion are socially constructed, the manner in which they define gender roles in Africa can be challenged. The idea is to interrogate, deconstruct and demystify gender stereotypes that are constructed by culture and religion to discourage women from participating fully in the development of contemporary Africa.
Audit Quality and Auditor Size: An Evaluation of Reputation and Deep Pockets Hypotheses

Empirical studies have shown that large auditors are more accurate than small auditors. The reputation hypothesis states that large auditors have more incentive to be accurate because an inaccurate report may lead to a loss of client-specific rents (DeAngelo, 1981). The deep pockets hypothesis states that large auditors should be more accurate because they have greater wealth at risk from litigation (Dye, 1993). This paper presents evidence on the relationship between auditor size and litigation and on the market shares of criticised and uncriticised auditors - the findings give greater support to the deep pockets hypothesis than the reputation hypothesis. Copyright Blackwell Publishers Ltd 1999.
0 Time-Aware Click Model

Click-through information is considered as a valuable source of users’ implicit relevance feedback for commercial search engines. As existing studies have shown that search result position in search engine result page(SERP) has a very strong influence on users’ examination behavior, most existing click models are position-based, assuming that users examine results from top to bottom in a linear fashion. While these click models have been successful, most do not take temporal information into account. As many existing studies have shown, click dwell time and click sequence information are strongly correlated with users’ perceived relevance and search satisfaction. Incorporating temporal information may be important to improve performance of user click models for Web searches. In this paper, we investigate the problem of properly incorporating temporal information into click models. We firstly carry out a laboratory eye-tracking study to analyze users’ examination behavior in different click sequences and find that user common examination path among adjacent clicks is linear. Afterwards, we analyze user dwell time distribution in different search logs and find that we cannot simply use a click dwell time threshold (e.g. 30s) to distinguish relevant/irrelevant results. Finally, we propose a novel click model named Time-Aware Click Model (TACM) that captures the temporal information of user behavior. We compare TACM with a number of existing click models using two real-world search engine logs. Experimental results show that TACM outperforms other click models in terms of both predicting click behavior (perplexity) and estimating result relevance (NDCG).
Investigations on fishery and biology of nine species of rays in Mumbai waters

Annual landings of rays by trawlers operating from New Ferry Wharf, Mumbai during 1990-2004 ranged from 205.7 t to 765.1 t with an average of 502.8 t constituting nearly 1 % of trawl catches. The trawling effort increased from 0.95 million hours (mh) in 1990 to 1.73 mh in 2004, whereas the catch rate declined from 0.65 kg h -1 in 1990 to 0.24 kg h -1 in 2004. There were two peak periods of abundance, September-December and February-April. Fourteen species of rays constituted the fishery, of which Himantura alcockii (50.1 %), Himantura bleekari (13.9 %), Amphotistius imbricatus (8.5 %) and Himantura uarnak (8.1 %) formed the mainstay of the fishery. Information on biology of H. alcockii, H. bleekeri, A. imbricatus, Pastinacus sephen, Dasyatis zugei, Gymnura japonica, G. poecilura and Mobula diabolus is also presented. It appears that the resource of rays off Mumbai may not be able to withstand any further increase in fishing effort. Innate biological characteristics such as limited brood size, late maturation and capture of spawning stock are the causes of continuous decline. Conservation measures are required to protect this resource from further depletion.
Visitor-Oriented Design-Three Studies of Visitor Accommodation and a Call for Action

This article proposes and describes a visitor-oriented perspective emphasizing the unique needs of visitors of digital environments in contrast to the user-oriented perspective that emphasizes the needs of users. To do so, the term accommodation is introduced in a technical sense and given a brief explanation. Results are also reported from 3 explorative studies of desktop virtual reality environments. In these studies, the visitor-oriented perspective was adopted and allowed for analyzing how participants perceived the environments as places rather than artifacts for use. In comparison to a web site, it was found that even a rudimentary virtual reality environment can have a positive impact on visitor regard for information content. Implementing teleports increased the efficiency of 1 test environment, but it was not found to have a positive effect on user attitudes to the environment. Many participants felt that the environments were sterile. Another common complaint was about the amount of walking required in the first environment. Five suggestions are given for building desktop virtual reality environments that are better received by visitors. In closing, the visitor-oriented perspective presented here is briefly discussed in relation to Winograd and Taber's (1997) writings on software inhabitants.
Investigating Shock Wave—Boundary Layer Interaction Caused By Reflecting Detonations

We consider a pipe or tube containing a flammable gaseous mixture and subjected to an internal detonation. When the detonation impacts the closed end of the tube, a reflected shock wave is created to bring the flow back to rest. This shock propagates into the unsteady flow field behind the detonation. In shock tube experiments, it has been observed (e.g., Mark, 1958; Petersen and Hanson, 2006) that a reflecting shock wave may bifurcate (split into an oblique and normal wave) near the wall when it interacts with the boundary layer created by the incident shock. We suspect an analogous event is occurring in detonation reflection. Pressure records from detonations in stoichiometric ethylene-oxygen at initial pressure 0.5 bar show measured shock speeds that are inconsistent with the measured pressure jump across the reflected shock wave. Highly resolved, two-dimensional numerical simulations of compressible viscous flow demonstrate the bifurcation of the reflecting shock wave from the reflection of an ideal detonation.