Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Plasma Concentrations Predict Aortic Expression of Growth-Arrest-Specific Protein 6 in Patients Undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting

Aims The tyrosine kinase receptor Axl is expressed in the vasculature, and growth arrest-specific protein 6 (Gas6) is its ligand. Plasma Gas6 levels have been shown to be associated with endothelial dysfunction markers and cardiovascular events. We set out to determine the plasma Gas6 levels in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and investigate the expression of Gas6 and Axl in the aorta. Methods and Results Immunoassays were used to investigate plasma Gas6 levels in CABG patients (n = 19) and control subjects (n = 20). The expression of Gas6 and Axl in the injured aorta were examined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reactions, real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reactions, western blotting, and immunohistochemical staining. Plasma Gas6 levels were significantly lower in CABG patients than in matched control subjects. In CABG patients, plasma Gas6 levels were negatively correlated with fasting glucose, E-selectin, and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 levels. The levels predicted the operative mortality rate and were positively correlated with plasma soluble Axl (sAxl) levels and Gas6 expression in the aorta. Moreover, Gas6 expression was positively correlated with Axl expression in the aorta. Conclusion We concluded that plasma Gas6 is associated with fasting glucose, endothelial dysfunction markers, sAxl values, and vascular Gas6 expression in CABG patients, and it predicts the operative mortality of these patients. These findings suggest that the Gas6/Axl system is crucial in vascular biology.
On metaphors, everyday diversity and intercultural education: some further reflections

This paper aims to clarify and discuss the reasons and limits of three rather popular metaphors that are used to speak of today’s complex social and cultural fabric, through references to cultural anthropology, biology and genetics. In her analysis, the author considers not only the linguistic and semantic dimension of each metaphor, but also the pragmatic consequences each entails for the field of intercultural education. In her conclusion, she points out that exploring the many facets of metaphors is a form of intercultural education as it helps to deconstruct some of the current prejudices and stereotypes, and furthermore it encourages a disposition to creativity and intellectual openness that intrinsically belongs to the interculture.
Construct Validity of the Scores of the Chinese Version of the Need for Closure Scale

This study evaluated the construct validity of the scores of the Chinese version of the Need for Closure Scale (NFCS) as administered to a sample of Hong Kong college students who also completed the Personal Need for Structure Scale (PNS) and the Personal Fear of Invalidity Scale (PFI). The scale-scale and scale-facet correlations were similar to those of the original English versions. Factor analyses confirmed that the scores of the Chinese NFCS have a bidimensional structure in which the facets preference for order, preference for predictability, and discomfort with ambiguity constitute a factor together with the PNS and the facet decisiveness and the reverse-scored PFI constitute another orthogonal factor. The facet closed mindedness, however, needs further development. The two factors showed satisfactory internal consistency and divergent validity.
Happiness among first-year students at a comprehensive tertiary institution - an exploratory study

The 1970s saw a significant increase in the volume of research on individuals’ subjective experience of well-being. The subjective well-being of university students has received less attention, however. Student well-being is important, given the widespread concern over the high dropout rates at institutions of higher learning in South Africa (Council of Higher Education, 2013; Van Zyl, 2010). The paper adds to the existing body of literature through an exposition on the possible influence of variables forthcoming from the literature, on the overall subjective well-being of first-year economics students at a comprehensive university. Variables that displayed a significant and positive contribution to subjective well-being were first-year and extended-degree students, the university being the institution of choice, feeling at home, knowing exactly how the university functions, and watching or participating in sport. Variables that were found to be significant with a negative contribution to subjective well-being levels were: worries about tests, studying less than 10 hours per week and, interestingly, living on campus.
Optimization at Container Terminals: Status, Trends and Perspectives (revised version)

International sea-freight container transportation has grown dramatically over the last years and container terminals represent nowadays a key actor in the global shipping network. Terminal managers have to face with an increasing competitiveness among terminals, which require more and more efficiency in container operations both along the quayside and within the yard: the objective is usually to minimize ships turnaround time, one of the main indicators of the terminal performance for the shipping companies. Moreover, the minimization of operational costs directly entails the achievement of competitive terminal fares, thus increasing the attractiveness for new customers. Operations research methods and techniques are therefore worth being used in optimizing terminal operations. In this work, we firstly give an overview of decision problems which arise in the management of a container terminal (e.g. berth allocation, quay crane scheduling, storage policies and strategies, transfer operations, ship stowage planning) and provide a review of recent papers in the OR literature. Then, starting from a collaboration with some of the busiest ports in Europe, we identify some critical issues: in particular, we discuss the impact that gate and transshipment operations have on the yard. We also focus on competition and cooperation issues among port market players and decision makers. Finally, we conclude by suggesting possible research tracks and open issues.
Effect of Low and High Power Continuous Wave Electromagnetic Interference on a Microwave Oscillator System: From VCO to PLL to QPSK Receiver

This paper presents the effects of a continuous wave electromagnetic interference (EMI) on a discrete microwave phase-locked loop (PLL). Susceptibility of the voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) is first studied as a standalone circuit before being integrated into the PLL. The effects observed on the VCO alone and when it is integrated into the PLL are analyzed as a function of the frequency and power of the interference signal. Most of the effects observed are due to intrinsic nonlinearities of the VCO. Some of them, like intermodulation and injection pulling can be predicted by the small-signal perturbation theory, while others such as a phase unlocking condition generated by strong EMI injection cannot. Finally, the consequence of using such an EMI affected PLL used as a local oscillator in a QPSK receiver, is examined. In all cases, the EMI is injected at the output of the VCO through inductive coupling.
Inhibition of Glycoprotein VI Clustering by Collagen as a Mechanism of Inhibiting Collagen-Induced Platelet Responses: The Example of Losartan

Exposure of platelets to collagen triggers the formation of a platelet clot. Pharmacological agents capable of inhibiting platelet activation by collagen are thus of potential therapeutic interest. Thrombus formation is initiated by the interaction of the GPIb-V-IX complex with collagen-bound vWF, while GPVI interaction with collagen triggers platelet activation that is reinforced by ADP and thromboxane A2. Losartan is an angiotensin II (Ang II) type I receptor (AT1R) antagonist proposed to have an antiplatelet activity via the inhibition of both the thromboxane A2 (TXA2) receptor (TP) and the glycoprotein VI (GPVI). Here, we characterized in vitro the effects of losartan at different doses on platelet responses: losartan inhibited platelet aggregation and secretion induced by 1 μg. mL-1 and 10 μg. mL-1 of collagen with an IC50 of ~ 6 μM. Losartan inhibited platelet responses induced by the GPVI specific collagen related peptide but not by the α2β1 specific peptide. However, losartan did not inhibit the binding of recombinant GPVI to collagen, which is not in favor of a simple competition. Indeed, the clustering of GPVI observed in flow cytometry and using the Duolink methodology, was inhibited by losartan. The impact of a therapeutic dose of losartan (100 mg/day) on platelet responses was analyzed ex vivo in a double blind study. No statistically significant differences were observed between losartan-treated (n=25) and non-treated (n=30) patients in terms of collagen and U46619-induced platelet activation. These data indicate that in treated patients, losartan does not achieve a measurable antiplatelet effect but provide the proof of concept that inhibiting collagen-induced GPVI clustering is of pharmacological interest to obtain an antithrombotic efficacy. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00763893
PENGARUH DESAIN SAMPUL BUKUTERHADAP MINAT BACA SISWADI PERPUSTAKAAN MAN YOGYAKARTA III

This research discussed about book cover design effect to the students’ reading interest of the library in MAN Yogyakarta III. The purpose of this research are (1) to described book cover design reaction in the library according students’ perception in MAN Yogyakarta III, (2) to described student’s reading interest MAN Yogyakarta III, and (3) to find out that there’s or nothing an effect between book cover design and students’ reading interest at the library in Perpustakaan MAN Yogyakarta III. The research is quantitative. Approach datas’ was collecting using observation, interview, closed questionnaire and documentation. Sample taken use an accidental sampling. As many 80 students’ of the XI and XII class, took as sample. The data analysis used product moment formula, and to calculate the average each variables are used mean and grand mean formula. The datas processed by SPSS version 16. Result of this research is showed that there’s an effect between book cover design and student’s reading interest. It’s proved by correlation value amount 0,229 with 5 % significant degree, and r table is 0,220. Book cover design effect is include on the very high category. It can prove by amount grand mean value 3,47. Whereas students’ reading interest of library in MAN Yogyakarta III include in the high category, proved by amount of grand mean 2,91. Correlation coefficient value is positive, it means that the higher effect of book cover design the higher student’s reading interest of library in MAN Yogyakarta III.
The application of nonlinear metrics to assess organization differences in short recordings of paroxysmal and persistent atrial fibrillation

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia in clinical practice. In the first stages of the disease, AF may terminate spontaneously and it is referred to as paroxysmal AF. The arrhythmia is called persistent AF when external intervention is required to its termination. In the present work, a method to non-invasively assess AF organization has been applied to discern between paroxysmal and persistent AF episodes at any time. Previous works have suggested that the probability of AF termination is inversely related to the number of reentries wandering throughout the atrial tissue. Given that it has also been hypothesized that the number of reentries is directly correlated with AF organization, a fast and robust method able to assess organization differences in AF could be of great interest. In fact, the distinction between paroxysmal and persistent episodes in patients without previously known AF history, making use of short ECG recordings, could contribute to taking earlier decisions on AF management in daily clinical practice, without the need to require 24 h or 48 h Holter recordings. The method was based on a nonlinear regularity index, such as sample entropy (SampEn), and evidenced to be a significant discriminator of the AF type. Its diagnostic accuracy of 91.80% was demonstrated to be superior to previously proposed parameters, such as dominant atrial frequency (DAF) and fibrillatory waves amplitude, and to others analyzed for the first time in this context, such as atrial activity mean power, 3 dB bandwidth around the DAF, first harmonic frequency, harmonic exponential decay, etc. Additionally, according to previous invasive works, paroxysmal AF episodes (0.0716 ± 0.0143) presented lower SampEn values and, consequently, more organized activity, than persistent episodes (0.1080 ± 0.0145).
Blood Pressure Control in Hypertensive Patients in the "Hiperdia Program": A Territory-Based Study

Background Systemic hypertension is highly prevalent and an important risk factor for cardiovascular events. Blood pressure control in hypertensive patients enrolled in the Hiperdia Program, a program of the Single Health System for the follow-up and monitoring of hypertensive patients, is still far below the desired level. Objective To describe the epidemiological profile and to assess blood pressure control of patients enrolled in Hiperdia, in the city of Novo Hamburgo (State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil). Methods Cross-sectional study with a stratified cluster random sample, including 383 adults enrolled in the Hiperdia Program of the 15 Basic Health Units of the city of Porto Alegre, conducted between 2010 and 2011. Controlled blood pressure was defined as ≤140 mmHg × 90 mmHg. The hypertensive patients were interviewed and their blood pressure was measured using a calibrated aneroid device. Prevalence ratios (PR) with 95% confidence interval, Wald's χ2 test, and simple and multiple Poisson regression were used in the statistical analysis. Results The mean age was 63 ± 10 years, and most of the patients were females belonging to social class C, with a low level of education, a sedentary lifestyle, and family history positive for systemic hypertension. Diabetes mellitus (DM) was observed in 31%; adherence to the antihypertensive treatment in 54.3%; and 33.7% had their blood pressure controlled. DM was strongly associated with inadequate BP control, with only 15.7% of the diabetics showing BP considered as controlled. Conclusion Even for hypertensive patients enrolled in the Hiperdia Program, BP control is not satisfactorily reached or sustained. Diabetic hypertensive patients show the most inappropriate BP control.
Factors Influencing the Adoption of Cloud Computing by Saudi University Hospitals

This study aims to evaluate the adoption of Cloud Computing in Saudi university hospitals and to investigate the factors that impact the adoption. This study integrates the Technological, Organizational, Environmental (TOE) framework and the Diffusion of Innovation (DOI) theory, and adds the decision maker context to the original model. The study sample included Saudi university hospitals in Riyadh city. The data were collected using semi-structured interviews and a questionnaire. The result of this study determines the five most significant factors influencing the adoption of cloud computing in Saudi university hospitals, which are in sequence: Relative advantage, Decision-maker's innovativeness, Decision-maker's knowledge in IT, Compatibility, and Top management support. Moreover, among the four different contexts, the most important context is the Decision-maker context, followed by the Technological context, then the Organizational context, and finally the Environmental context. The findings are beneficial for hospitals to guide them to make better decisions regarding cloud computing adoption. Scholars can use this study to gain a more holistic understanding of cloud computing adoption and apply new theories in this field.
Increased natural mortality at low abundance can generate an Allee effect in a marine fish

Negative density-dependent regulation of population dynamics promotes population growth at low abundance and is therefore vital for recovery following depletion. Inversely, any process that reduces the compensatory density-dependence of population growth can negatively affect recovery. Here, we show that increased adult mortality at low abundance can reverse compensatory population dynamics into its opposite—a demographic Allee effect. Northwest Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) stocks collapsed dramatically in the early 1990s and have since shown little sign of recovery. Many experienced dramatic increases in natural mortality, ostensibly attributable in some populations to increased predation by seals. Our findings show that increased natural mortality of a magnitude observed for overfished cod stocks has been more than sufficient to fundamentally alter the dynamics of density-dependent population regulation. The demographic Allee effect generated by these changes can slow down or even impede the recovery of depleted populations even in the absence of fishing.
Oxidative Stress and Bone Resorption Interplay as a Possible Trigger for Postmenopausal Osteoporosis

The underlying mechanism in postmenopausal osteoporosis (PO) is an imbalance between bone resorption and formation. This study was conducted to investigate whether oxidative stress (OxS) might have a role in this derangement of bone homeostasis. In a sample of 167 postmenopausal women, we found that increased serum levels of a lipid peroxidation marker, hydroperoxides, were negatively and independently associated with decreased bone mineral density (BMD) in total body (r = −0.192, P < 0.05), lumbar spine (r = −0.282, P < 0.01), and total hip (r = −0.282, P < 0.05), as well as with increased bone resorption rate (r = 0.233, P < 0.05), as assessed by the serum concentration of C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (CTX-1). On the contrary, the OxS marker failed to be correlated with the serum levels of bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BAP), that is, elective marker of bone formation. Importantly, multiple regression analysis revealed that hydroperoxides is a determinant factor for the statistical association between lumbar spine BMD and CTX-1 levels. Taken together, our data suggest that OxS might mediate, by enhancing bone resorption, the uncoupling of bone turnover that underlies PO development.
Designing, Implementing, and Evaluating a Media Campaign Illustrating the Bystander Role

SUMMARY Recent research found that training men and women to understand the role of bystanders in situations where violence against women (VAW) is occurring may reduce the incidence of VAW (Moynihan & Banyard, 2004). Therefore a public awareness campaign to increase understanding of the prosocial role of bystanders in reducing VAW was developed and implemented. The current article discusses the role of media campaigns in addressing public health issues and describes the initial development, implementation, and evaluation of a media campaign focused on the bystander role in reducing the incidence of VAW. Conclusions and future directions of this exploratory project are discussed.
Super-diverse street: a ‘trans-ethnography’ across migrant localities

This paper emerges from an ethnography of the economic and cultural life of Rye Lane, an intensely multi-ethnic street in Peckham, South London. The effects of accelerated migration into London are explored through the reshaping and diversification of its interior, street and city spaces. A ‘trans-ethnography’ is pursued across the compendium of micro-, meso- and macro-urban spaces, without reifying one above the other. The ethnographic stretch across intimate, collective and symbolic city spaces serves to connect how the restrictions and circuits of urban migration have different impacts and expressions in these distinctive but interrelated urban localities. The paper argues for a trans-ethnography that engages within and across a compendium of urban localities, to understand how accelerated migration and urban ‘super-diversity’ transform the contemporary global city.
Lightcurve survey of V-type asteroids in the inner asteroid belt (New Insights into Near-Earth and Main-Belt Asteroids)

We have observed the lightcurves of 13 V-type asteroids ((1933) Tinchen, (2011) Veteraniya, (2508) Alupka, (3657) Ermolova, (3900) Knezevic, (4005) Dyagilev, (4383) Suruga, (4434) Nikulin, (4796) Lewis, (6331) 1992 FZ1, (8645) 1998 TN, (10285) Renemichelsen, and (10320) Reiland). Using these observations we determined the rotational rates of the asteroids, with the exception of Nikulin and Renemichelsen. The distribution of rotational rates of 59 V-type asteroids in the inner main belt, including 29 members of the Vesta family that are regarded as ejecta from the asteroid (4) Vesta, is inconsistent with the best-fit Maxwellian distribution. This inconsistency may be due to the effect of thermal radiation Yarkovsky– O’Keefe–Radzievskii–Paddack (YORP) torques, and implies that the collision event that formed V-type asteroids is sub-billion to several billion years in age.
Counterfactual Thought, Regret, and Superstition: How to Avoid Kicking Yourself

Some years ago, a charismatic 19-year-old Spanish matador nicknamed “Yiyo” was gored to death. Yiyo's death evoked considerable public anguish and debate (Schumacher, 1985). Making his fans' reaction especially intense was the circumstance of his death: He was killed while serving as a last-minute substitute for another matador. Students of counterfactual thinking can be forgiven sly smiles and knowing nods as they read this story, for it contains all the elements necessary to provide a dramatic test of the oft-cited hypothesis that events preceded by exceptional actions, such as substituting for another matador, are more easily imagined otherwise and generate more affect than events preceded by routine actions. A simple test of this hypothesis, first proposed by Kahneman and Tversky (1982b), would contrast the highly “mutable” fate of poor Yiyo with the less mutable fate of some other unfortunate “Yiyo” who had been killed by a bull he had long been scheduled to face. The two versions of the event could be presented to participants in scenario format and their reactions probed through a list of questions that might include the following: Did you have any “if only” thoughts when reading of Yiyo's death? How intense was your affective reaction to Yiyo's death? What degree of regret do you think Yiyo would have experienced if he had suffered only serious injuries rather than death?
Type I error in sample size re‐estimations based on observed treatment difference

Sample size re‐estimation based on an observed difference can ensure an adequate power and potentially save a large amount of time and resources in clinical trials. One of the concerns for such an approach is that it may inflate the type I error. However, such a possible inflation has not been mathematically quantified. In this paper the mathematical mechanism of this inflation is explored for two‐sample normal tests. A (conditional) type I error function based on normal data is derived. This function not only provides the quantification but also gives mathematical mechanisms of possible inflation in the type I error due to the sample size re‐estimation. Theoretically, based on their decision rules (certain upper and lower bounds), people can calculate this function and exactly visualize the changes in type I error. Computer simulations are performed to ensure the results. If there are no bounds for the adjustment, the inflation is evident. If proper adjusting rules are used, the inflation can be well controlled. In some cases the type I error can even be reduced. The trade‐off is to give up some ‘unrealistic power’. We investigated several scenarios in which the mechanisms to change the type I error are different. Our simulations show that similar results may apply to other distributions. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.