Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Smoking Accounts for Adverse Effect of Antihypertensive Medications on Plasma Lipids A Population‐Based Study

Mean plasma levels of total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol, total-to-high density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio, and total triglycerides were determined in a representative sample of the adult Israeli Jewish population, excluding known diabetics and individuals with overt atherosclerotic morbidity (n = 1,153). Levels were compared in normotensive and untreated and treated hypertensive individuals by glucose tolerance category and smoking, after adjustment for sex, age, and body mass index. In the presence of normal glucose tolerance, lipid levels in the nonsmoking normotensive and treated hypertensive groups were similar, whereas in the smoking, treated hypertensive group, lipids were significantly affected, as indicated by the respective adjusted mean levels (mg/dl): total cholesterol, 219, 221, and 240; high density lipoprotein cholesterol, 45.0, 43.6, and 42.0; ratio, 5.2, 53, and 6.0; and triglycerides, 114, 107, and 144. In individuals with glucose intolerance, trends were the same with the exception of triglycerides, which were significantly elevated in the nonsmoking, treated hypertensive group also; the respective values were 217, 225, and 257 for total cholesterol; 45.1, 44.9, and 41.4 for high density lipoprotein cholesterol; 5.2, 5.5, and 6.8 for the ratio; and 133, 152, and 187 for triglycerides. Lipid disturbances in treated smokers were not due to heavier smoking or differences in dietary intake. We conclude that disturbance of plasma lipid profile in treated hypertensive individuals may be mainly due to an interaction with smoking, with an additional effect of glucose intolerance.
Teacher Evaluation With Multiple and Variable Lines of Evidence

Teacher evaluation is key to understanding effective teacher practice, rewarding excellent performance, and improving training programs. Yet the current practice of principal visits and reports does not promise to promote reforms for teachers or teacher educators. In this study six lines of evidence of teaching impact or value were developed and tested with 281 K-12 classroom teachers. Teachers selected a minimum of four lines for promotion in a career ladder system. Administrator reports showed low variation and correlations with other measures. Student reports, parent surveys, and teacher tests produced sufficient variance for decisionmaking and moderate correlations with other measures. Professional activity and years of experience showed erratic relations. In general, the lines of evidence showed independence, suggesting that multiple measures may have tapped different constructs of quality.
Immunohistochemical Study of Angiogenic Factors in Endometrium and Endometriosis

The proliferative activity and angiogenic factors of pelvic endometriosis and uterine endometrium and their correlation with different pigmented lesions are important throughout the menstrual cycle. The proliferative activity and/or expression of angiogenic factors appears to be different between endometrium and endometriosis, and also different in each pigmented lesion. Immunohistochemical studies using computerized image analysis have shown that in normal endometrium, the PCNA index shows cyclic variation, but no cyclic change is observed in endometriosis. In the pelvic peritoneum, the PCNA index is higher in red lesions compared to black and white lesions. There is no difference in VEGF expression among different pigmented lesions. However, a cyclic variation of VEGF concentration was found in the peritoneal fluid of patients with endometriosis. As a newly determined angiogenic factor, the number of endoglin-positive cells and the mean endothelial area were higher in red lesions than in black or white lesions. These results suggest that the pathogenesis and activity of endometriosis possibly depends on internal angiogenesis. The cellular activity of endometriotic lesions may not necessarily coincide with the regulation of angiogenesis, and may not be synchronized in each pigmented pelvic lesion of endometriosis.
Biochemical Characterization of Endogenously Formed Eosinophilic Crystals in the Lungs of Mice*

Crystals seldom form spontaneously within tissues of mammals, except in the urinary tract or in association with eosinophil-rich diseases in humans (Charcot-Leyden crystals). Endogenously formed eosinophilic crystals have been reported in respiratory tract and other tissues of several strains of mice, but the biochemical characterization of these crystals has not been reported. In this study, eosinophilic crystal formation was examined in homozygous C57BL/6J viable motheaten mice, lung-specific surfactant apoprotein C promoter/soluble human tumor necrosis factor p75 receptor type II fusion protein transgenic mice (C57BL/6NTac × Sv/129), and CD40L-deficient mice with spontaneous Pneumocystis carinii infection. In viable motheaten but not wild type mice, rapidly developing crystals represented a major feature of the fatal lung injury induced by macrophage dysregulation. Conversely, eosinophilic crystals did not form until 4–8 months of age in transgenic and CD40L-deficient mice and were present in 10–30% of age-matched wild type controls. Mass spectrometry analysis of proteins from bronchoalveolar lavage fluid identified the crystals as Ym1, sometimes referred to as T-lymphocyte-derived eosinophil chemotactic factor. The Ym1 sequence was homologous to chitinase, and enzymatic assays indicated a 3–5-fold increase in chitinase activity compared with control mice. Intracellular and extracellular crystals associated with epithelial damage suggested that the crystals may contribute to lung inflammation through mechanical damage and enzymatic degradation.
Changes in Physical Activity Among Postpartum Overweight and Obese Women: Results from the KAN-DO Study

Few studies have assessed physical activity at multiple time points in the postpartum period or used both self-reported and objective measures of assessment. The purpose of this study was to describe physical activity and sedentary behavior at two time points in a cohort of overweight or obese postpartum women using both self-reported and objective measures. In total, 132 women completed physical activity assessments at a median of 24 weeks postpartum and again approximately 10 months later. At both time points, women wore an Actical accelerometer for one week and completed the Kaiser Physical Activity Survey. Adjusted Poisson regression models were used to determine whether physical activity changed over time for the cohort. Overall counts per minute and moderate to vigorous physical activity increased from baseline to 10 months later, although the absolute levels were modest (median 6.9 to 8.8 minutes/day). A median of 64%–71% at baseline and 63%–67% at follow-up of their monitored times were sedentary. More intensive interventions are needed to help postpartum women integrate physical activity and reduce sedentary behavior. [Supplementary material is available for this article. Go to the publisher's online edition of Women & Health for the following resource: three figures that show the distribution of physical activity and sedentary behavior by study periods among control participants]
Occupational Stress and Professional Burnout of University Teachers in South India

Background : Teachers especially working at university level are under a great deal of stress related to various occupational stressors. Occupational stressors contribute to organizational inefficiency, high staff turnover, absenteeism due to sickness, decreased quality, and quantity of practice, increased costs of health care, and decreased job satisfaction. When there is a prolonged experience of occupational stress, it leads to professional burnout. Aims : The purpose of the present study is to investigate the occupational stress and the professional burnout of university teachers. Methods : The locale of the study is Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh States of South India. The sample of the study is from 9 state universities selected through simple random sampling technique. A five point rating scales to assess the occupational stress and professional burnout of university teachers developed by the investigators was used. The data obtained through the rating scales were analyzed using the statistical techniques such as descriptive statistics, Spearman’s correlation and multiple regression. Findings : The results revealed that majority (74%) of the university teachers are experiencing moderate and high levels of occupational stress and 86 percent of teachers have professional burnout. Also, the analysis showed strong support for the hypothesis that there is a positive relationship between the occupational stress and professional burnout of university teachers. 110 G. Lokanadha Reddy and R. Poornima Stepwise multiple regression analysis shows that the occupational stress has accounted 7.6 percent of variance to professional burnout. Conclusions : The prevention and management of workplace stress requires organizational level interventions, because it is the organization that creates the stress. Further, several stress management techniques such as emotional intelligence training, cognitive behavioral management techniques, social supportive systems, counseling services, yoga and sports activities should be introduced. Success in managing and preventing stress will depend on the culture in the organization. At university level, the culture of openness and understanding, rather than of criticism, is essential.
Left subclavian artery revascularization as part of thoracic stent grafting.

OBJECTIVES Intentional covering of the left subclavian artery (LSA) as part of thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) can cause (posterior) strokes or left arm malperfusion. LSA revascularization can be done as prophylaxis against, or as treatment of, these complications. We report our experience with the surgical technique, indications and the results of LSA revascularization. METHODS Between 2000 and 2013, 51 patients of 444 patients who were treated by TEVAR, had LSA revascularization. All elective patients had a preoperative work-up with magnetic resonance angiography to evaluate the circle of Willis. In all, surgical access was through a left supraclavicular incision only. RESULTS The majority (90%) had prophylactic LSA revascularization because of incomplete circle of Willis and or dominant left vertebral artery (LVA) (n=29), patent left internal mammary artery (n=1), prevention spinal cord ischaemia (SCI) (n=2), prevention left arm ischaemia due to small LVA (n=2) and LVA origin in arch (n=1). Fourteen percent had secondary revascularization, either immediate because of malperfusion of the left arm (n=2) or late after TEVAR because of persisting left arm claudication (n=5). In 12 patients, the following early complications were observed: re-exploration for bleeding, n=1; left recurrent nerve paralysis, n=2; left phrenic nerve paralysis, n=1; left sympathetic chain neuropraxia, resulting in Horner's syndrome, n=3; Chyle duct lesions, resulting in persistent Chyle leakage, n=3. Neither strokes nor SCI was observed. One patient experienced occlusion of the bypass at 6 months. CONCLUSIONS The present study shows that the procedure of LSA revascularization as part of TEVAR is safe with low morbidity consisting of mainly (transient) nerve palsy.
Brief announcement: Super-fast t-ruling sets

A t-ruling set of a graph G = (V, E) is a vertex-subset S ⊆ V that is independent and satisfies the property that every vertex v ∈ V is at a distance of at most t hops from some vertex in S. A maximal independent set (MIS) is a 1-ruling set. Extending results from Kothapalli et al. (FSTTCS 2012) this note presents a randomized algorithm for computing, with high probability, a t-ruling set in O(t ⋅ log1/(t-1)n) rounds for 2 < t ≤ √(log log n) and in (O(√(log log n))) rounds for t > √(log log n).
Landau-Kleffner Syndrome With Continuous Spikes and Waves During Slow-Wave Sleep

The Landau-Kleffner syndrome is sometimes associated with continuous spike-waves during slow-wave sleep. The clinical significance of this association is unclear. In order to investigate differences in glucose metabolic patterns between awake and sleep states in two children with Landau-Kleffner syndrome and continuous spike-waves during slow-wave sleep, fluorodeoxyglucose positron-emission tomographic (PET) studies were performed in each state. In the first patient, the awake interictal PET study revealed moderate hypometabolism in the thalamus and frontal and temporal cortex and mild hypometabolism in the parietal and anterior cingulate cortex bilaterally. Occipital cortex was severely hypometabolic bilaterally. In a repeat PET study performed during sleep in which continuous spike-waves during slow-wave sleep were present, the only difference noted compared to the awake study was a marked bilateral increase in temporal cortex metabolism. The awake interictal PET in the second child was normal, except for mildly increased relative glucose metabolism in the left inferior temporal cortex. The sleep PET study with continuous spike-waves during slow-wave sleep in this child showed hypermetabolism in both temporal lobes; however, this was more pronounced, with a wider distribution in the left temporal cortex. In normal subjects, PET studies performed during awake and sleep states have not revealed such differences. Whether the temporal lobes are involved in the generation of continuous spike-waves during slow-wave sleep remains to be confirmed in a larger group of patients. The first child was treated surgically with multiple subpial transection, following which continuous spike-waves during slow-wave sleep disappeared and language function improved. The second child has had no recovery of speech, although she is seizure free, has discontinued anticonvulsants, and no longer shows continuous spike-waves during slow-wave sleep on the electroencephalogram. The role of PET in selecting suitable candidates for surgery in Landau-Kleffner syndrome requires further study. (J Child Neurol 1995; 10: 127-133).
Coordinate Regulation of Glutathione Biosynthesis and Release by Nrf2-Expressing Glia Potently Protects Neurons from Oxidative Stress

Astrocytes have a higher antioxidant potential in comparison to neurons. Pathways associated with this selective advantage include the transcriptional regulation of antioxidant enzymes via the action of the Cap‘n’Collar transcription factor Nrf2 at the antioxidant response element (ARE). Here we show that Nrf2 overexpression can reengineer neurons to express this glial pathway and enhance antioxidant gene expression. However, Nrf2-mediated protection from oxidative stress is conferred primarily by glia in mixed cultures. The antioxidant properties of Nrf2-overexpressing glia are more pronounced than those of neurons, and a relatively small number of these glia (< 1% of total cell number added) could protect fully cocultured naive neurons from oxidative glutamate toxicity associated with glutathione (GSH) depletion. Microarray and biochemical analyses indicate a coordinated upregulation of enzymes involved in GSH biosynthesis (xCT cystine antiporter, γ-glutamylcysteine synthetase, and GSH synthase), use (glutathioneS-transferase and glutathione reductase), and export (multidrug resistance protein 1) with Nrf2 overexpression, leading to an increase in both media and intracellular GSH. Selective inhibition of glial GSH synthesis and the supplementation of media GSH indicated that an Nrf2-dependent increase in glial GSH synthesis was both necessary and sufficient for the protection of neurons, respectively. Neuroprotection was not limited to overexpression of Nrf2, because activation of endogenous glial Nrf2 by the small molecule ARE inducer,tert-butylhydroquinone, also protected against oxidative glutamate toxicity.
Semicontinuous PM2.5 Sulfate and Nitrate Measurements at an Urban and a Rural Location in New York: PMTACS-NY Summer 2001 and 2002 Campaigns

Abstract Several collocated semicontinuous instruments measuring particulate matter with particle sizes ≤2.5 μm (PM2.5) sulfate (SO4 22−) and nitrate (NO3 −) were intercompared during two intensive field campaigns as part of the PM2.5 Technology Assessment and Characterization Study. The summer 2001 urban campaign in Queens, NY, and the summer 2002 rural campaign in upstate New York (Whiteface Mountain) hosted an operation of an Aerosol Mass Spectrometer, Ambient Particulate Sulfate and Nitrate Monitors, a Continuous Ambient Sulfate Monitor, and a Particle-Into-Liquid Sampler with Ion Chromato-graphs (PILS-IC). These instruments provided near realtime particulate SO4 2− and NO3 − mass concentration data, allowing the study of particulate SO4 2−/NO3 − diurnal patterns and detection of short-term events. Typical particulate SO4 2− concentrations were comparable at both sites (ranging from 0 to 20 μg/m3), while ambient urban particulate NO3 − concentrations ranged from 0 to 11 μg/m3 and rural NO3 − concentration was typically less than 1 μg/m3. Results of the intercomparisons of the semicontinu-ous measurements are presented, as are results of the comparisons between the semicontinuous and time-integrated filter-based measurements. The comparisons at both sites, in most cases, indicated similar performance characteristics. In addition, charge balance calculations, based on major soluble ionic components of atmospheric aerosol from the PILS-IC and the filter measurements, indicated slightly acidic aerosol at both locations.
Virtual multiple errands test (VMET): a virtual reality-based tool to detect early executive functions deficit in Parkinson’s disease

Introduction: Several recent studies have pointed out that early impairment of executive functions (EFs) in Parkinson’s Disease (PD) may be a crucial marker to detect patients at risk for developing dementia. The main objective of this study was to compare the performances of PD patients with mild cognitive impairment (PD-MCI) with PD patients with normal cognition (PD-NC) and a control group (CG) using a traditional assessment of EFs and the Virtual Multiple Errands Test (VMET), a virtual reality (VR)-based tool. In order to understand which subcomponents of EFs are early impaired, this experimental study aimed to investigate specifically which instrument best discriminates among these three groups. Materials and methods: The study included three groups of 15 individuals each (for a total of 45 participants): 15 PD-NC; 15 PD-MCI, and 15 cognitively healthy individuals (CG). To assess the global neuropsychological functioning and the EFs, several tests (including the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), Clock Drawing Test, and Tower of London test) were administered to the participants. The VMET was used for a more ecologically valid neuropsychological evaluation of EFs. Results: Findings revealed significant differences in the VMET scores between the PD-NC patients vs. the controls. In particular, patients made more errors in the tasks of the VMET, and showed a poorer ability to use effective strategies to complete the tasks. This VMET result seems to be more sensitive in the early detection of executive deficits because these two groups did not differ in the traditional assessment of EFs (neuropsychological battery). Conclusion: This study offers initial evidence that a more ecologically valid evaluation of EFs is more likely to lead to detection of subtle executive deficits.
Semantic primitives for emotions: A Reply to Ortony and Clore

Abstract We respond to four criticisms by Ortony and Clore (1989) of our semantic analysis of English emotion terms (Johnson-Laird & Oatley, 1989). We clarify how our theory enables people to speak of certain emotions that they experience without knowing their cause. We explain why emotions are best regarded as mental states with distinctive phenomenal tones—not “just” feelings, and how emotion terms can relate to terms denoting moods. Finally, we discuss an issue that distinguishes our theory from other contemporary cognitive theories: We claim that there is a small number of discriminably different basic emotions, and that the semantics of English emotion terms is comprehensible if these basic states are taken as unanalysable primitives.
Prevalence of orthostatic hypotension in the unselected ambulatory population of persons aged 65 years old and above

Abstract Background. The diagnostic recommendation for orthostatic hypotension (OH) is to measure blood pressure during the first 3 min after getting up from a lying position. There are no clear definitions as to the amount of time that the patient should lie down before this, and the number of measurements to be taken in lying and standing positions. The aim of this study was to identify the optimal time to measure blood pressure when lying and standing. Methods. This was a prospective study of 99 patients aged 65 years and above in an urban primary care clinic. Blood pressure was measured at 1 min intervals over 10 min in the lying position and 7 min standing. Results. OH was found in 37 patients (37.4%). Of these, 56.8% were identified in the 1st minute, 67.6% after 2 min and 83.8% after 3 min of standing. In all cases, participants with OH were asymptomatic. In the lying position, blood pressure stabilized after 7 min, but when the 7th minute was used as a reference for OH many cases were lost. Conclusion. To optimize the identification of OH, blood pressure should be measured at 1 min intervals over the first 3 min after standing up. The amount of time that patients should lie down before blood pressure is measured standing up still has to be determined.
CEO Duality

CEO duality—the practice of a single individual serving as both CEO and board chair—has been the subject of academic interest for more than 20 years. In that time, boards’ use of CEO duality has fluctuated and the scholarly conceptualizations of the phenomenon have become more complex. As such, the need to understand CEO duality has only increased with time. We review and integrate the disparate literature on this topic so that future attempts to study it will benefit from a more complete understanding of the knowledge already produced. We review the demonstrated antecedents and consequences of CEO duality, pointing out that while much work has been done in this area, much remains that we do not understand. Finally, we offer new theoretical, methodological, and contextual directions that researchers could explore to extend knowledge about CEO duality.
Electronic performance support systems

the need to use technology to connect knowledge resources that seemed to complement each other. In guest editor Richard Horn's particular case, he was engaged in creating both tutorials and online reference material for software companies, so it was natural to assume that end users had computers and had no other way to learn or support themselves using the software than by using what was provided with the software. He also knew that most purchasers of software did not want to spend much time learning it, but want to open the packaging, load the software, and only learn when it was necessary to do so. One software debugging product for which he was creating support materials had the ability to effectively run two programs at the same time in a single-tasking DOS environment—something one needs to do to debug programs. He used the debugging program to spy on itself and found a way to run the customer's software program while tutorials and online reference systems were running as well. The end result was a seamless environment of the application software, learning system, reference system, and advisor system.