Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cardiovascular prognosis of "masked hypertension" detected by blood pressure self-measurement in elderly treated hypertensive patients.

CONTEXT Blood pressure (BP) measurement in clinicians' offices with a mercury sphygmomanometer has numerous drawbacks. In contrast, the use of home BP measurement improves measurement precision and reproducibility. However, data about its prognostic value are lacking. OBJECTIVE To assess the prognostic value of home vs office BP measurement by general practitioners in a European population of elderly patients being treated for hypertension. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS Office and home BP and cardiac risk factors were measured at baseline in a cohort of 4939 treated hypertensive patients (mean age, 70 [SD, 6.5] years; 48.9% men) who were recruited and followed up by their usual general practitioners without specific recommendations about their management. The cohort was then followed up for a mean of 3.2 (SD, 0.5) years. The thresholds defining uncontrolled hypertension were at least 140/90 mm Hg for office BP and 135/85 mm Hg for home BP. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES The primary end point was cardiovascular mortality. Secondary end points were total mortality and the combination of cardiovascular mortality, nonfatal myocardial infarction, nonfatal stroke, transient ischemic attack, hospitalization for angina or heart failure, percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty, or coronary artery bypass graft surgery. RESULTS At the end of follow-up, clinical status was known for 99.9% of patients. At least 1 cardiovascular event had occurred in 324 (incidence, 22.2/1000 patient-years). For BP self-measurement at home, each 10-mm Hg increase in systolic BP increased the risk of a cardiovascular event by 17.2% (95% confidence interval [CI], 11.0%-23.8%) and each 5-mm Hg increase in diastolic BP increased that risk by 11.7% (95% CI, 5.7%-18.1%). Conversely, for the same increase in BP observed using office measurement, there was no significant increase in the risk of a cardiovascular event. In a multivariable model with patients having controlled hypertension (normal home and office BP) as the referent, the hazard ratio of cardiovascular events was 1.96 (95% CI, 1.27-3.02) in patients with uncontrolled hypertension (high BP with both measurement methods), 2.06 (95% CI, 1.22-3.47) in patients with normal office BP and elevated home BP, and 1.18 (95% CI, 0.67-2.10) in patients with elevated office BP and normal home BP. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that home BP measurement has a better prognostic accuracy than office BP measurement. Blood pressure should systematically be measured at home in patients receiving treatment for hypertension.
Formation of the embryonic-abembryonic axis of the mouse blastocyst: relationships between orientation of early cleavage divisions and pattern of symmetric/asymmetric divisions

Setting aside pluripotent cells that give rise to the future body is a central cell fate decision in mammalian development. It requires that some blastomeres divide asymmetrically to direct cells to the inside of the embryo. Despite its importance, it is unknown whether the decision to divide symmetrically versus asymmetrically shows any spatial or temporal pattern, whether it is lineage-dependent or occurs at random, or whether it influences the orientation of the embryonic-abembryonic axis. To address these questions, we developed time-lapse microscopy to enable a complete 3D analysis of the origins, fates and divisions of all cells from the 2- to 32-cell blastocyst stage. This showed how in the majority of embryos, individual blastomeres give rise to distinct blastocyst regions. Tracking the division orientation of all cells revealed a spatial and temporal relationship between symmetric and asymmetric divisions and how this contributes to the generation of inside and outside cells and thus embryo patterning. We found that the blastocyst cavity, defining the abembryonic pole, forms where symmetric divisions predominate. Tracking cell ancestry indicated that the pattern of symmetric/asymmetric divisions of a blastomere can be influenced by its origin in relation to the animal-vegetal axis of the zygote. Thus, it appears that the orientation of the embryonic-abembryonic axis is anticipated by earlier cell division patterns. Together, our results suggest that two steps influence the allocation of cells to the blastocyst. The first step, involving orientation of 2- to 4-cell divisions along the animal-vegetal axis, can affect the second step, the establishment of inside and outside cell populations by asymmetric 8- to 32-cell divisions.
Significant improvement in one-dimensional cursor control using Laplacian electroencephalography over electroencephalography

Objective. Brain–computer interfaces (BCIs) based on electroencephalography (EEG) have been shown to accurately detect mental activities, but the acquisition of high levels of control require extensive user training. Furthermore, EEG has low signal-to-noise ratio and low spatial resolution. The objective of the present study was to compare the accuracy between two types of BCIs during the first recording session. EEG and tripolar concentric ring electrode (TCRE) EEG (tEEG) brain signals were recorded and used to control one-dimensional cursor movements. Approach. Eight human subjects were asked to imagine either ‘left’ or ‘right’ hand movement during one recording session to control the computer cursor using TCRE and disc electrodes. Main results. The obtained results show a significant improvement in accuracies using TCREs (44%–100%) compared to disc electrodes (30%–86%). Significance. This study developed the first tEEG-based BCI system for real-time one-dimensional cursor movements and showed high accuracies with little training.
The SDE solved by local times of a brownian excursion or bridge derived from the height profile of a random tree or forest

Let B be a standard one-dimensional Brownian motion started at 0. Let L t,v (|B|) be the occupation density of |B| at level v up to time t. The distribution of the process of local times (L t,v (| B|), v > 0) conditionally given B, = 0 and L t,0 (|B|) = l is shown to be that of the unique strong solution X of the Ito SDE, dX v = {4 - X 2 a (t - ∫ 0 X v du) -1 }dv 2√X v dBv on the interval [0, V t (X)), where V t (X) = inf{v: f v 0 X u du = t}, and X v = 0 for all v > V t (X). This conditioned form of the Ray-Knight description of Brownian local times arises from study of the asymptotic distribution as n → and 2k/√n → l of the height profile of a uniform rooted random forest of k trees labeled by a set of n elements, as obtained by conditioning a uniform random mapping of the set to itself to have k cyclic points. The SDE is the continuous analog of a simple description of a Galton-Watson branching process conditioned on its total progeny. For l = 0, corresponding to asymptotics of a uniform random tree, the SDE gives a description of the process of local times of a Brownian excursion which is equivalent to Jeulin's description of these local times as a time change of twice a Brownian excursion. Another corollary is the Biane--Yor description of the local times of a reflecting Brownian ridge as a time-changed reversal of twice a Brownian meander of the same length.
Short-Term Administration of a High Oxygen Concentration Is Not Injurious in an Ex-Vivo Rabbit Model of Ventilator-Induced Lung Injury

BACKGROUND: Mechanical ventilation and administration of a high oxygen concentration are simultaneously used in the management of respiratory failure. We conducted this study to evaluate the effect of a high inspired oxygen concentration on ventilator-induced lung injury. METHODS: Forty sets of isolated/perfused rabbit lungs were randomized for 60 min of pressure-control ventilation at a plateau inspiratory pressure of 25 or 15 cm H2O and positive end-expiratory pressure of 3 cm H2O while receiving 100% or 21% O2. The temperature, pH, and partial pressure of CO2 in the perfusate were maintained the same in all groups (n = 10 for each group). The outcome measures used to assess lung injury included: the change in weight gain and ultrafiltration coefficient, the frequency of vascular failure, the histological lesions and the concentration of tumor necrosis factor-α and malondialdehyde in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. RESULTS: The two groups ventilated at the higher inspiratory pressure/tidal volume experienced greater weight gain and increases in the ultrafiltration coefficient, more frequently suffered vascular failure, and presented higher composite scores of histological damage than the two groups ventilated at the lower inspiratory pressure/tidal volume. Hyperoxia was not found to further increase any of the monitored markers of lung injury. No difference was noticed among the four experimental groups in the alveolar lavage fluid levels of tumor necrosis factor-α or malondialdehyde. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that short-term administration of a high oxygen concentration is not a major determinant of ventilator-induced lung injury in this experimental model.
Passive and Active Vaccination Strategies to Prevent Ricin Poisoning

Ricin toxin (RT) is derived from castor beans, produced by the plant Ricinus communis. RT and its toxic A chain (RTA) have been used therapeutically to arm ligands that target disease-causing cells. In most cases these ligands are cell-binding monoclonal antibodies (MAbs). These ligand-toxin conjugates or immunotoxins (ITs) have shown success in clinical trials [1]. Ricin is also of concern in biodefense and has been classified by the CDC as a Class B biothreat. Virtually all reports of RT poisoning have been due to ingestion of castor beans, since they grow abundantly throughout the world and are readily available. RT is easily purified and stable, and is not difficult to weaponize. RT must be considered during any “white powder” incident and there have been documented cases of its use in espionage [2,3]. The clinical syndrome resulting from ricin intoxication is dependent upon the route of exposure. Countermeasures to prevent ricin poisoning are being developed and their use will depend upon whether military or civilian populations are at risk of exposure. In this review we will discuss ricin toxin, its cellular mode of action, the clinical syndromes that occur following exposure and the development of pre- and post-exposure approaches to prevent of intoxication.
The Use of Governance Indexes in the Governance‐Performance Relationship Literature: International Evidence

The objective of this study is threefold. First, we present a review of the international studies that have investigated the link between firm-level governance scores and performance. To our knowledge, this study is the first to provide a comprehensive review of this recent and growing literature. Second, we discuss potential methodological shortcomings of using governance indexes. Third, we propose directions for future research. Overall, a clear positive relation is found between governance ratings and performance in Europe and in emerging economies, whereas studies conducted in the US and Canada have generated mixed evidence. The empirical problems related to measurement, substitution between governance arrangements, endogeneity, and optimization across governance choices are discussed. Solutions are proposed to alleviate these concerns. Copyright © 2011 ASAC. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Resume La presente etude vise trois objectifs: faire une revue des etudes internationales consacrees au lien entre indices de gouvernance et performance des entreprises; analyser les lacunes methodologiques liees a l'utilisation d'indices de gouvernance; proposer des pistes de recherche future. A notre connaissance, c'est pour la premiere fois qu'une etude propose un tour d'horizon complet des nombreux travaux publies sur la relation entre la gouvernance et la performance des entreprises. Au total, pendant que les etudes realisees en Europe et dans les pays emergents font etat de l'existence d'une relation positive entre indices de gouvernance et performance des entreprises, celles realisees aux Etats-Unis et au Canada debouchent sur des resultats plutot nuances. L'article se penche aussi sur les problemes empiriques relatifs a la mesure, a la substitution entre les diverses pratiques de gouvernance, a l'endogeneite et a l'optimisation des differents styles de gouvernance, et propose des solutions pour les regler. Copyright © 2011 ASAC. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Antimicrobial peptides in the real world: implications for cystic fibrosis

The continuous cycle of respiratory infections and lung inflammation is a hallmark of cystic fibrosis (CF) lung disease and plays a central role in respiratory failure that develops in end-stage disease. Effective mucociliary clearance is an essential mechanism in host defence against infection and requires a functional “two-layer” mucus clearance system composed of a periciliary liquid layer and an overlying mucus layer in which inhaled substances are trapped 1. Together these two separate layers constitute airway surface liquid (ASL). Adequate hydration is essential for an optimal function of the mucociliary clearance system. Dehydration of the mucosal surface in CF may not only hamper effective mucus clearance but also causes adhesion of mucus to the epithelial surface. This results in airway flow obstruction, inflammation and favouring infections. In addition to this defect in mucociliary clearance, an inadequate function of the secreted effector molecules of the innate immune system in the lung has been suggested to contribute to increased susceptibility to infection in CF 2. Antimicrobial peptides and proteins are an essential element of this innate immune system, and the airway epithelium forms a range of these compounds 3. The main classes of antimicrobial peptides produced by airway epithelial cells are the β-defensins and the cathelicidins (LL-37 in humans). The antimicrobial activity of most of these peptides is markedly restricted in isotonic and hypertonic conditions, and optimal activity under laboratory conditions is …
Peripheral arterial tone as an on-line measure of load in a simulated flight task

Variations in continuous and discrete flight demands were investigated in a simulated flight mission measuring peripheral arterial tone (PAT) from the tip of the finger. A total of 12 participants performed a computer-simulated agricultural flight task. They were required to fly over a specific lane of a simulated corn field (continuous task) and change lanes in response to flags, which appeared at varying intervals (discrete task). The difficulty of the flight task was manipulated by varying the airplane control (single- vs. dual-axis control), while the difficulty of the discrete task was manipulated by varying the amount of lateral change signalled by the flag. PAT amplitude was lower in the difficult level of the continuous task and was further attenuated following the appearance of the flag only when a change in the flight position was required. These results suggest the potential utility of PAT as an on-line measure of the joint continuous and discrete demands of a flight mission.
The negotiated economy: state and civic institutions in Denmark

As the tide of opinion turns against neo-liberal forms of economic goverance on grounds of both efficiency and equity, academic and policy interest is returning to more interventionist alternatives. Interrestingly, however, the interest appears not to lie with a blind return to old and familiar statist forms of intervention, but with a ‘third way’ beyond market and plan, involving the democratization and decentralization of decision making, the preservation of collective solidarities, emphasis on inter-institutional dialogue, and the shift of the state towards relations of reciprocity and trust with other governance institutions. This article examines the recent political economy of Denmark, as a good example of ‘negotiated economic goverance’ based on the principle that economic success, social solidarity and institutional pluralism can be combined within an overall policy context in which the state assumes a strategic and development role in the economy.
Parallels Between Crime and Terrorism: A Social Psychological Perspective

Although the psychology of terrorism is far from a neglected subject, there is still much to learn. “Ordinary” criminals remain enigmatic but have proved a far more accessible population for research purposes. This article bridges the gap between the study of crime and contemporary terrorism by examining the parallels between the two. Significant similarities are shown to exist between terrorists and organized as well as low-level criminals, including activities performed and systems of social influence and organization. Processes of social identification are universally important to varying degrees; however, specific differences in identity may represent key distinguishing features between groups. Although further comparisons utilizing more restrictive samples are necessary, attention is drawn to the sometimes underutilized potential that criminological research holds to act as a point of reference for the investigation of terrorism.
The stability of risk and benefit perceptions: a longitudinal study assessing the perception of biotechnology

The study of public perceptions is considered to be important for making sound policy decisions, since the public decides which products will enter and sustain in the market. Stability of public perceptions is important for policy-makers; only if public attitudes and perceptions remain constant, policy-makers will be able to take them into account. The aim of the present study was to examine the stability of participants’ risk and benefit perceptions of gene technology over a period of two years. In spring, 2008 and in spring, 2010, the same sample of participants filled out an identical questionnaire. Results of structural equation modelling show that risk and benefit perceptions of gene technology applications are moderately stable (r = .5–.7). Furthermore, results show that people distinguish between medical, plant and food applications and applications involving animals when evaluating the risk of gene technology. When evaluating the benefits, participants also take consumer-related benefits into account, such as enhancement of functional properties. Results of the present study suggest that risk research should regularly examine people’s risk perceptions in order to gain a clearer picture of the dynamics of people’s perception and preferences not only of novel technologies, but also of entrenched technologies.
The Role of Information Technology in Building and Sustaining the Relational Base of Communities

The popularity of the concept of communities is growing and so are ideas on how to support these communities with technologies. We can find this particularly in the field of management and organization studies, in which communities are more and more seen as a solution for rigid, hierarchical and conservative bureaucratic structures. In fact, communties can be seen as the latest wave in an ongoing evolution of organizational structures (Wenger, 2000, Lesser, 2000). In the age-old traditional functional organization, concentration of expertise was (and still is) under hierarchical control. In the decades after World War II, and in specific during the seventies, the multi-divisional organization was seen as the answer to the ever-expanding functional organization. Business units were introduced as an organizational structure alternative to the functional division. A decade later, project-based organization entered the organizational landscape. Project teams were designed in order to be closer to the market. Since the mid-nineties, knowledge based organizations have overshadowed the project-based organization, at least that is what popular business press tells us. Communities instead of teams are the dominant structure of the organization, also coined as communities of communities (Brown and Duguid, 1991). Communities differ notably from conventional units of organization, such as teams or work groups. Group theory in general (Hackman, 1990) perceives groups in an organization, as
Hi-LAB: A New Measure of Aptitude for High-Level Language Proficiency

Few adult second language (L2) learners successfully attain high-level proficiency. Although decades of research on beginning to intermediate stages of L2 learning have identified a number of predictors of the rate of acquisition, little research has examined factors relevant to predicting very high levels of L2 proficiency. The current study, conducted in the United States, was designed to examine potential cognitive predictors of successful learning to advanced proficiency levels. Participants were adults with varying degrees of success in L2 learning, including a critical group with high proficiency as indicated by standardized language proficiency tests and on-the-job language use. Results from a series of group discrimination analyses indicate that high-level attainment was related to working memory (including phonological short-term memory and task set switching), associative learning, and implicit learning. We consider the implications for the construct of high-level language aptitude and identify future directions for aptitude research.
Comparison of perinatal and obstetrics outcomes among early adolescents, late adolescents and adult pregnant women from rural South Africa.

OBJECTIVES Adolescent pregnancies are known to be associated with increased risk of adverse outcomes. The objectives were to calculate the incidences of the obstetric and perinatal complications at the time of delivery of early adolescent and late adolescent mothers and then compare the same with adult pregnant mothers. METHODS A retrospective comparative study was conducted by targeting women delivered at Empangeni hospital. Mothers aged from 13-15 years were deemed as early adolescents, mothers aged from 16 - 18 years old were deemed as late adolescents and mothers aged from 19 - 21 years considered as adult pregnant mothers and were used as control groups in regards to perinatal and obstetric complications. RESULTS Anaemia in pregnancy was considerably high among the early adolescent pregnant mothers (23%) compared to older adolescent (15%) and adult pregnant mothers (14%). Other conditions such as pregnancy induced hypertension, eclampsia, and diabetes were not notably different among the groups. Early adolescents mothers were twice (OR = 2.022, 95% CI: 1.226 - 3.337) as likely to be anaemic during pregnancy compared to adult mothers. Low birth weight delivery, FSB and MSB rates among the groups were significantly different (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Early adolescent pregnancies did not show any extra risks of obstetrics and pregnancy outcomes but socioeconomic problems may still exist. Thus to delay early conception with a view to let the young adolescent South African girls to improve their socioeconomic conditions appropriate strategies should be devised without any further delay.