Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Recent Advances in the Pharmacological Management of Atrial Fibrillation

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a highly prevalent cardiac arrhythmia that leads to hospitalizations for complications and adverse events each year. Despite significant improvement in our therapeutic approaches in the past decade, management of AF remains a difficult task. Novel therapies have failed to terminate AF and prevent its recurrence, and patients with AF continue to have thromboembolic complications. With the increasingly aging population and associated conditions, the prevalence of AF is expected to progressively increase, becoming a public health problem. Most patients with AF have multiple comorbidities and are of advanced age, making long-term anticoagulation challenging. This article provides an overview of the current pharmacological therapies for the management of AF, with particular emphasis on the emerging agents.
Frequent Monitoring of A1C During Pregnancy as a Treatment Tool to Guide Therapy

OBJECTIVE No guidelines for A1C measurement exist for women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). The aim of this study was to document the rate of A1C decline in women with GDM. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Women with GDM in the Santa Barbara County Endocrine Clinic are managed with a carbohydrate-restricted diet and self-monitored blood glucose before and 1-h postprandial. Insulin is started if the preprandial glucose concentration is ≥90 mg/dl and/or a 1-h postprandial glucose concentration is ≥120 mg/dl. Capillary A1C was tested weekly using the DCA2000+ analyzer. RESULTS Twenty-four women with GDM (aged 29.0 ± 7.3 years) with initial A1C ≥7.0% were recruited. Baseline A1C was 8.8 ± 1.8%. Mean A1C decline was 0.47% per week (range 0.10–1.15%); the maximum was 4.3% in 4 weeks. CONCLUSIONS This study documents rapid decline in A1C during pregnancy and the utility of weekly A1C to guide therapy.
Gene Expression During Blow Fly Development: Improving the Precision of Age Estimates in Forensic Entomology *,†

Abstract: Forensic entomologists use size and developmental stage to estimate blow fly age, and from those, a postmortem interval. Since such estimates are generally accurate but often lack precision, particularly in the older developmental stages, alternative aging methods would be advantageous. Presented here is a means of incorporating developmentally regulated gene expression levels into traditional stage and size data, with a goal of more precisely estimating developmental age of immature Lucilia sericata. Generalized additive models of development showed improved statistical support compared to models that did not include gene expression data, resulting in an increase in estimate precision, especially for postfeeding third instars and pupae. The models were then used to make blind estimates of development for 86 immature L. sericata raised on rat carcasses. Overall, inclusion of gene expression data resulted in increased precision in aging blow flies.
Post-transplant nuclear renal scans correlate with renal injury biomarkers and early allograft outcomes.

BACKGROUND Clinical- and histopathology-based scores are limited predictors of allograft outcome. In addition, more objective markers of early transplant function are needed to identify and validate biomarkers and predictive scores. We evaluated existing scores and transcriptome biomarkers of kidney injury as predictors of early transplant function measured by renal scan. METHODS Clinical, histopathologic and transcriptome data were collected in 143 consecutive kidney transplant recipients. A post-operative renal scan was performed within 48 h. Prediction scores for early outcomes were calculated. RESULTS Patients were stratified into three groups by renal scan: normal, mild-to-moderate or severe dysfunction. Kidneys with severe dysfunction were more often from deceased donors (P < 0.001), had greater HLA antigen mismatches (P < 0.001), were transplanted into older recipients (P = 0.040), had lower urine output during the first 8 h (P < 0.001), higher Day 7 serum creatinine (P < 0.001) and higher incidence of delayed graft function (P < 0.001). Clinical- and pathology-based scores did not discriminate between scan groups. In contrast, the overall transcriptome (P < 0.001) and transcripts of preselected acute kidney injury (AKI) genes were significantly different between the groups, with kidney injury molecule 1 (P = 0.001) and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (P = 0.002) being most highly expressed and genes associated with glutathione metabolism (GSTA1, 3 and 4) most down-regulated in kidneys with subsequent severe dysfunction. CONCLUSIONS Renal scans reflect early transplant function and allow for a more objective assessment of scores predicting early outcome and for identification of biomarkers. The study shows that transcript levels of AKI genes correlate better with renal scans than clinical- or histopathology-based scores.
Improvement of Airflow Limitation by Fluticasone Propionate/Salmeterol in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: What is the Specific Marker?

Backgrounds: Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS)/inhaled long-acting beta2-agonists (LABA) combination drugs are widely used for the long-term management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, COPD is a heterogeneous condition and treatment with ICS is associated with a higher risk of pneumonia. The identification of a specific marker for predicting the efficacy of ICS/LABA on pulmonary function would be useful in the treatment of COPD. Methods: Fourteen COPD patients receiving tiotropium therapy participated consecutively. The relationship between the baseline exhaled nitric oxide (FENO) levels as well as serum markers and changes in pulmonary function by fluticasone propionate (FP)/salmeterol (SAL) were analyzed. Results: FP/SAL therapy significantly improved forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), and the third phase slope of the single nitrogen washout curve (ΔN2) as well as the FENO level. The baseline FENO levels and positive specific IgE (atopy+) were significantly associated with airway obstructive changes assessed by FEV1 and ΔN2. A baseline FENO level >35 ppb yielded 80.0% sensitivity and 66.7% specificity for identifying the subjects with significant improvement in FEV1 (greater than 200 mL). An atopy+ yielded 60.0% sensitivity and 88.9% specificity for an improvement in FEV1. When combined with FENO > 35 ppb and atopy+, it showed 40% sensitivity and 100.0% specificity for FEV1 improvement. Alternatively, COPD subjects with FENO ≤ 35 ppb and atopy− did not show significant improvement in FEV1. Conclusion: Combining FENO and specific IgE may be a useful marker for predicting the response to ICS/LABA on airflow limitation in COPD.
The geometry of human nutrition

This chapter is an excerpt from a forthcoming book, titled ‘The nature of nutrition: a unifying framework from animal adaptation to human obesity’ by Stephen J Simpson and David Raubenheimer (Princeton University Press, 2012). In the book we present a graphical approach, the ‘geometric framework’, which we believe can help to integrate nutrition into the broader biological sciences and introduce generality into the applied nutritional sciences. In the present chapter we use this approach to show that the epidemic of human obesity and metabolic disease is linked to changes in the nutritional balance of our diet, with a primary role for protein appetite driving excess energy intake on a modern Western diet.
Salted and preserved duck eggs: a consumer market segmentation analysis.

The combination of increasing ethnic diversity in North America and growing consumer support for local food products may present opportunities for local producers and processors in the ethnic foods product category. Our study examined the ethnic Chinese (pop. 402,000) market for salted and preserved duck eggs in Vancouver, British Columbia (BC), Canada. The objective of the study was to develop a segmentation model using survey data to categorize consumer groups based on their attitudes and the importance they placed on product attributes. We further used post-segmentation acculturation score, demographics and buyer behaviors to define these groups. Data were gathered via a survey of randomly selected Vancouver households with Chinese surnames (n = 410), targeting the adult responsible for grocery shopping. Results from principal component analysis and a 2-step cluster analysis suggest the existence of 4 market segments, described as Enthusiasts, Potentialists, Pragmatists, Health Skeptics (salted duck eggs), and Neutralists (preserved duck eggs). Kruskal Wallis tests and post hoc Mann-Whitney tests found significant differences between segments in terms of attitudes and the importance placed on product characteristics. Health Skeptics, preserved egg Potentialists, and Pragmatists of both egg products were significantly biased against Chinese imports compared to others. Except for Enthusiasts, segments disagreed that eggs are 'Healthy Products'. Preserved egg Enthusiasts had a significantly lower acculturation score (AS) compared to all others, while salted egg Enthusiasts had a lower AS compared to Health Skeptics. All segments rated "produced in BC, not mainland China" products in the "neutral to very likely" range for increasing their satisfaction with the eggs. Results also indicate that buyers of each egg type are willing to pay an average premium of at least 10% more for BC produced products versus imports, with all other characteristics equal. Overall results indicate that opportunities exist for local producers and processors: Chinese Canadians with lower AS form a core part of the potential market.
The quality of learning in accounting education: the impact of approaches to learning on academic performance

While accounting educators have been increasingly concerned with the quality of accounting education, the accounting education literature has not proposed a coherent framework for addressing this issue. The Approaches to Learning paradigm in the education literature offers such a framework for analysing the ways in which students learn and how the learning context interacts with learning choices. Here we use this paradigm to investigate the learning approaches of accounting students from two Australian universities as compared to previously reported data for Australian arts, education and science students. In addition, we consider the impact of accounting students' approaches to learning on their academic performance. Data about learning approaches, using the Study Process Questionnaire and various attitudinal and performance variables, were collected from accounting students at two Australian universities. The comparison of the learning approach scores of accounting students with previously reported norms for Australian arts, education and science students, indicated that the former had relatively higher surface and lower deep learning approaches. In addition, higher surface approach scores were found to be associated with less successful academic performance, but no association was found for deep approach scores. The implications of these results for accounting educators are discussed and suggestions for future research into students' approaches to learning are considered.
Persistence and compliance with medication management in the treatment of overactive bladder

Overactive bladder (OAB) is a common and chronic condition that impacts patients' daily activities and quality of life. Pharmaco-therapy for OAB is a mainstay of treatment. Antimuscarinics and β3-adrenoceptor agonists are the two major classes of oral pharmacotherapy and have similar efficacy for treating the symptoms of OAB. Owing to the chronic nature of OAB, long-term use of medication is essential for OAB symptom control and positive health outcomes. However, many patients elect to stop their medications during the treatment period. Unmet expectations of treatment and side effects seem to be the major factors for discontinuing OAB pharmacotherapy. Furthermore, the short- and long-term persistence and compliance with medication management are markedly worse in OAB than in other chronic medical conditions. Improvement in persistence and compliance with OAB pharmacotherapy is a hot topic in OAB treatment and should be an important goal in the treatment of OAB. Effective strategies should be identified to improve persistence and compliance. In this review, we outline what is known about persistence and compliance and the factors affecting persistence with pharmacotherapy in patients with OAB.
Effect of a leaflet given to parents on knowledge of tooth avulsion.

AIM Parents can play an important role in improving the prognosis of avulsed permanent teeth if they are properly informed about the necessary dental first-aid steps at the time of an accident. The purpose of this study was to assess the knowledge of Shirazi parents in traumatic a simple leaflet on improving their knowledge about this topic. MATERIALS AND METHODS One hundred and fifty parents of children receiving dental care at the Shiraz Dental School participated in this study. Half of the participants received an informative leaflet with the possibility of asking questions about it to an operator, while the other half did not receive any leaflets and served as a control group. Using a questionnaire and a scoring system, the level of knowledge of parents was measured in the following categories: general knowledge of tooth avulsion, knowledge of replantation and primary/permanent teeth, knowledge of how to clean an avulsed tooth, knowledge of extra- oral time, and knowledge of storage, methods and transporting media. RESULTS The results showed that knowledge level was low among Shirazi parents. Improvements were observed in all the categories of knowledge as a result of reading the leaflet and answering the questions. CONCLUSION A simple leaflet is a suitable tool to impart knowledge to parents and improve awareness about tooth avulsion.
Validation of a Cariogenic Biofilm Model to Evaluate the Effect of Fluoride on Enamel and Root Dentine Demineralization

Due to gingival recession both enamel and root dentine are at risk of developing caries. Both tissues are exposed to a similar environment, however there is not a validated model to evaluate the effect of fluoride on these dental substrates simultaneously. Hence, this study aimed to validate a caries model to evaluate the effect of fluoride to prevent demineralization on enamel and root-dentine. Streptococcus mutans UA159 biofilms were formed on saliva-coated bovine enamel and root dentine slabs (n = 12 per group) mounted in the same well of culture plates. The biofilms were exposed 8×/day to 10% sucrose and treated 2×/day with fluoridated solutions containing 0, 150, 450, or 1,350 ppm F; thus, simulating the use of low to high fluoride concentration toothpastes. The pH values of the culture medium was monitored 2×/day as a biofilm acidogenicity indicator. After 96 h, biofilms were collected for fluoride concentration analysis. The percentage of surface hardness loss (%SHL) was calculated for slabs. The fluoride uptake by the enamel and dentine was also determined. The model showed a dose-response because the biofilm and fluoride uptake increased and %SHL decreased at increasing fluoride concentrations (p < 0.05). Fluoride in the biofilm formed on dentine and fluoride uptake by dentine were higher than those for enamel. With the same fluoride concentration treatment, the percentage of reduction of demineralization was lower for dentine than for enamel. In conclusion, the model was validated in terms of a dose-response effect of fluoride on enamel and root dentine. Furthermore, the findings support the clinical data, suggesting that higher fluoride concentrations are necessary to control caries of root dentine than of enamel.
Sparse Signal Processing with Frame Theory

Many emerging applications involve sparse signals, and their processing is a subject of active research. We desire a large class of sensing matrices which allow the user to discern important properties of the measured sparse signal. Of particular interest are matrices with the restricted isometry property (RIP). RIP matrices are known to enable efficient and stable reconstruction of sufficiently sparse signals, but the deterministic construction of such matrices has proven very difficult. In this thesis, we discuss this matrix design problem in the context of a growing field of study known as frame theory. In the first two chapters, we build large families of equiangular tight frames and full spark frames, and we discuss their relationship to RIP matrices as well as their utility in other aspects of sparse signal processing. In Chapter 3, we pave the road to deterministic RIP matrices, evaluating various techniques to demonstrate RIP, and making interesting connections with graph theory and number theory. We conclude in Chapter 4 with a coherence-based alternative to RIP, which provides near-optimal probabilistic guarantees for various aspects of sparse signal processing while at the same time admitting a whole host of deterministic constructions.
Participant observation and research into football hooliganism: reflections on the problems of entree and everyday risks

This paper discusses the author’s fieldwork experiences while initiating and undertaking substantive participant observation research with two rival groups of Scottish football hooligans (“football casuals”). Key problems examined are those that emerge from attempted entree into the hooligan subcultures and the everyday risks of comparative research with violent fans. The author provides regular illustrations to highlight how dangers such as the researcher’s personal characteristics, lack of guiding sociological literature, and interaction with police officers can threaten the urban ethnographic project. The resultant ambivalence of some research subjects toward the author is interpreted as one reason for minimizing the prospect of his “going native. ”
IMPACT OF WEST NILE VIRUS OUTBREAK UPON ST. TAMMANY PARISH MOSQUITO ABATEMENT DISTRICT

ABSTRACT St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana, experienced an outbreak of West Nile virus (WNV) in 2002, with 40 human cases and 4 deaths, most occurring from June to August. Culex pipiens quinquefasciatus was believed to be the primary vector of WNV during the outbreak, although circumstantial evidence suggests that Aedes albopictus also may have been involved in transmission. Dead bird reports were the 1st indication of the outbreak and were an excellent indicator of WNV activity; however, sentinel chickens were the most effective in tracking viral activity. Although sentinel chickens tested positive 2–3 wk after the 1st dead bird, they peaked at about the same time as human cases, and continued testing positive when viral activity was no longer detected in birds and mosquito pools. Lag time between the 1st positive sentinel chicken and the peak in human cases was 6 wk. If this trend continues in the future, sentinel chickens could be used to predict the peak in number of human cases. The 2002 WNV outbreak had a strong impact on operational budget of the St. Tammany Parish Mosquito Abatement District (88% increase above the 3-year average). Vector control activities accounted for most of the operational increase and consisted of targeted population reduction of known WNV-competent mosquito species. The goal of these activities was to prevent new human WNV cases. The 3- to 10-fold reduction in vector mosquito populations from May to August, together with a dramatic drop in number of new human cases by the end of August, indicated that our strategy was effective.
On the formation of diaplectic glass: Shock and thermal experiments with plagioclase of different chemical compositions

This contribution addresses the role of chemical composition, pressure, temperature, and time during the shock transformation of plagioclase into diaplectic glass—i.e., maskelynite. Plagioclase of An50‐57 and An94 was recovered as almost fully isotropic maskelynite from room temperature shock experiments at 28 and 24 GPa. The refractive index (RI) decreased to values of a quenched mineral glass for An50‐57 plagioclase shocked to 45 GPa and shows a maximum in An94 plagioclase shocked to 41.5 GPa. The An94 plagioclase experiments can serve as shock thermobarometer for lunar highland rocks and howardite, eucrite, and diogenite meteorites. Shock experiments at 28, 32, 36, and 45 GPa and initial temperatures of 77 and 293 K on plagioclase (An50‐57) produced materials with identical optical and Raman spectroscopic properties. In the low temperature (<540 K) region, the formation of maskelynite is entirely controlled by shock pressure. The RI of maskelynite decreased in heating experiments of 5 min at temperatures of >770 K, thus, providing a conservative upper limit for the postshock temperature history of the rock. Although shock recovery experiments and static pressure experiments differ by nine orders of magnitude in typical time scale (microseconds versus hours), the amorphization of plagioclase occurs at similar pressure and temperature conditions with both methods. The experimental shock calibration of plagioclase can, together with other minerals, be used as shock thermobarometer for naturally shocked rocks.
Self-respect through ability to keep fear of frailty at a distance: Successful ageing from the perspective of community-dwelling older people

With population ageing, there is an increased interest in how to promote a good old age. A predominant concept in these discussions is successful ageing, which is mainly based on researchers’ definitions. This article aims to explore successful ageing from the perspective of community-dwelling older people (24 persons aged 77–90 years). Individual open interviews were conducted and analysed according to qualitative content analysis. An overarching theme was formulated as “self-respect through ability to keep fear of frailty at a distance”. This embraced the content of four categories: “having sufficient bodily resources for security and opportunities”, “structures that promote security and opportunities”, “feeling valuable in relation to the outside world”, and “choosing gratitude instead of worries”. Ageing seems to be a dynamic process rather than a static structure and might therefore be susceptible to actions. Paying attention to attitudes and treating the older person with respect, particularly with regard to worries about increasing vulnerability, can lead to better ways of promoting successful ageing.