Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Influence of Hepatic Dysfunction on the Pharmacokinetics and Safety of Fimasartan

Abstract: This study was designed to assess the pharmacokinetics (PK) and safety of fimasartan, an angiotensin II type 1 receptor blocker, in hepatic impairment patients as compared with healthy subjects. An open-label, single-dose, parallel study was conducted in 6 healthy male volunteers and 12 subjects with hepatic impairment. Healthy subjects were matched with hepatic dysfunction patients on the basis of age, gender, and body weight. After a single 120-mg oral administration of fimasartan, PK parameters and safety were analyzed between the hepatic dysfunction groups and healthy group. Compared with the healthy subjects, the geometric mean ratio and 90% confidence intervals for the maximum plasma concentration and the mean area under the plasma concentration–time curve from 0 to infinity (AUC)inf were 0.77 (0.24–2.47) and 1.11 (0.50–2.46), respectively, for the mild hepatic impairment and 6.55 (3.56–12.03) and 5.17 (4.19–6.37), respectively, for moderate hepatic impairment. However, there was no significant difference in time to peak plasma concentration (tmax) and elimination half-life, and there were no serious or severe adverse events in all subjects. Subjects with mild hepatic impairment exhibited similar bioavailability compared with healthy subjects, whereas subjects with moderate hepatic impairment seemed to exhibit a higher level of systemic exposure to fimasartan than healthy subjects. In addition, all subjects were tolerable with fimasartan.
Using gradient-based information to deal with scalability in multi-objective evolutionary algorithms

This work introduces a hybrid between an elitist multi-objective evolutionary algorithm and a gradient-based descent method, which is applied only to certain (selected) solutions. Our proposed approach requires a low number of objective function evaluations to converge to a few points in the Pareto front. Then, the rest of the Pareto front is reconstructed using a method based on rough sets theory, which also requires a low number of objective function evaluations. Emphasis is placed on the effectiveness of our proposed hybrid approach when increasing the number of decision variables, and a study of the scalability of our approach is also presented.
Isolations and consortia of PAH-degrading bacteria from the rhizosphere of four crops in PAH-contaminated field

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH)-degrading bacterial consortia were enriched from the rhizosphere of four crops in PAH-contaminated field using phenanthrene, pyrene and benzo[a]pyrene as the sources of carbon and energy. The PAHs concentration in rhizosphere was lower than that in bulk soils, whereas, the extracted DNA amount was greater. Thirteen isolations belonged to five genera of Firmicutes, Betaproteobacteria , and Gammaproteobacteria . Eleven bands cut from DGGE gel profiles belonged to nine genera of Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes , Alpha proteobacteria, Betaproteobacteria , and Gammaproteobacteria . The bands of DGGE showed that the diversity of PAH-degrading bacteria was greater in rhizosphere. Stenotrophomonas maltophilia was a major population in either rhizosphere or bulk soil under maize, soybean and rape, while Acidovorax avenae was promoted exclusively in rhizosphere. Lysinibacillus sphaericus as a PAH-degrading bacterium was reported for the first time. This study indicated that the rhizosphere of vegetation in contaminated field contains higher diversity of population of PAH-degrading bacteria, and some exhibit the potential for biodegradation or bioremediation in rhizosphere.
Compact microstrip bandpass filter with tunable notch

Two different designs combining a bandpass and a notch filter are developed to operate in the receiving band from 350-470 MHz. The bandpass filter is designed from a simple structure, by use of only four short circuited stubs and a half wavelength transmission line connecting the stubs. The tunable notch filter ensures an attenuation level of 19.3 dB to 27.3 dB in the frequency range from 360-480 MHz. The measured passband ripple of the combined filter is less than 0.5 dB, while the insertion loss for the simplest design is less than 1.7 dB only 10 MHz from the notch frequency. Even though the wavelength on the selected substrate (εr = 3.55) is approximately 45 cm, the outer dimensions of the final filter only measure 10×10 cm2.
The R elationship between Self-Directedness and Health Promotion in the Elderly

With the number of people living longer and with more chronic problems, it is important that health educators examine who they are educating as well as the methods and circumstances of the education. The purpose of this study was to identify the relationship between selfdirectedness and health promotion in the elderly. A convenience sample of 108 elders who use Senior Centers in rural East Tennessee comprised the study group. The sample was asked to complete the Self-Directed Learning Readiness Scale, the Health Promoting Lifestyle Profile II, and a demographic information survey at a regular meeting of a Senior Center. A positive relationship (r=.394; p<.005) was found between self-directedness as a measure of intrinsic motivation with participation in health promoting behaviors. Demographic information was used to describe the sample and was also used to determine if there was a relationship between any of the demographic items and health promotion practices or self-directed learning readiness. Participation in religious/spiritual activities was significant for both self-directed learning readiness and health promotion practices. Pender’s Revised Health Promotion Model and the Personal Responsibility Orientation Model provided an excellent basis for this study. The study confirmed the need for personal motivation in the elderly to accomplish increased participation in health promotion practices. Both self-directed learning readiness and health promoting behaviors were reviewed for consideration of previous research in the area, and theoretical perspectives. The key implication for practice is that health educators need to understand the motivation of their client prior to educating them regarding an aspect of health promotion. Recommendations for research include more qualitative studies. Almost all the studies available at present are quantitative and the
A Novel Mouse Model of a Patient Mucolipidosis II Mutation Recapitulates Disease Pathology

Background: Mucolipidosis II is a severe lysosomal storage disorder, fatal in childhood and lacking drug treatments. Results: This novel mouse model of a mucolipidosis II patient mutation recapitulates the human pathology. Conclusion: Mouse models based on patient mutations are more valuable to study mucolipidosis II than a knock-out of the gene. Significance: This novel mouse model will be useful for future drug development. Mucolipidosis II (MLII) is a lysosomal storage disorder caused by loss of N-acetylglucosamine-1-phosphotransferase, which tags lysosomal enzymes with a mannose 6-phosphate marker for transport to the lysosome. In MLII, the loss of this marker leads to deficiency of multiple enzymes and non-enzymatic proteins in the lysosome, leading to the storage of multiple substrates. Here we present a novel mouse model of MLII homozygous for a patient mutation in the GNPTAB gene. Whereas the current gene knock-out mouse model of MLII lacks some of the characteristic features of the human disease, our novel mouse model more fully recapitulates the human pathology, showing growth retardation, skeletal and facial abnormalities, increased circulating lysosomal enzymatic activities, intracellular lysosomal storage, and reduced life span. Importantly, MLII behavioral deficits are characterized for the first time, including impaired motor function and psychomotor retardation. Histological analysis of the brain revealed progressive neurodegeneration in the cerebellum with severe Purkinje cell loss as the underlying cause of the ataxic gait. In addition, based on the loss of Npc2 (Niemann-Pick type C 2) protein expression in the brain, the mice were treated with 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin, a drug previously reported to rescue Purkinje cell death in a mouse model of Niemann-Pick type C disease. No improvement in brain pathology was observed. This indicates that cerebellar degeneration is not primarily triggered by loss of Npc2 function. This study emphasizes the value of modeling MLII patient mutations to generate clinically relevant mouse mutants to elucidate the pathogenic molecular pathways of MLII and address their amenability to therapy.
Games for engaged learning of middle school children with special learning needs

In this paper, we describe an in situ study that examined the diverse design features and effects of three pre-algebra games for middle school children who have either challenges with learning or different language backgrounds. Data were collected through in-field observation, artifact analysis, school performance report and knowledge test during 15 one-hour gaming sessions over a period of 3 weeks. A list of key design features related to creating engagement and learning for students with special learning needs emerged from the data. The findings and discussions will inform educational designers and practitioners on successful educational game design and implementation for learners with diverse characteristics and needs. Practitioner notes What is already known about this topic Computer games can act as rich primers for engaged learning of academic content. , What this paper adds The potential for computer games to promote engaged learning for school children with learning difficulty or different language/cultural backgrounds. , The common and unique game design features that promote engaged learning for school children with special learning needs. , Game-based learner support for school children with special learning needs. , Implications for practice and/or policy Educational game designers should make purposeful design efforts (eg, a simple fantasy, open-ended game challenges and scaffolding with visual cue/feedback) to create learner-adaptive engagement. , Content processing should be a core and active part of the game-play to promote game-based learning. , Adaptive and nonintrusive support should be provided to student players to reinforce game-based learning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Symbolic-Cognitive Proceduralism: A Model of Deliberative Legitimacy

Burkhalter et al.’s (2002) self-reinforcing model of democratic deliberation is well established, but lacks an account of legitimacy, which is a key element of most democratic-deliberative theories. We extend Burkhalter et al’s model by proposing a new model called “symbolic-cognitive proceduralism,” which explains how democratic-deliberative processes generate legitimacy, and how such legitimacy contributes to the social reproduction of deliberation. Our proposed model accounts for perceived and normative legitimacy, at interpersonal and macro-social levels of analysis, over short and long time-spans, and accords with substantial empirical evidence.
FLEXURAL BEHAVIOR OF SLURRY INFILTRATED FIBER CONCRETE (SIFCON) CONTAINING SUPPLEMENTARY CEMENTITIOUSE MATERIALS

Slurry Infiltrated fiber Concrete (SIFCON) is a relatively new high performance material and can be considered as a special type of Fiber Reinforced Concrete (FRC) with high fiber content. The matrix consists of flowing mortar or cement slurry which must infiltrate properly through the fiber network placed in molds. SIFCON possessing excellent mechanical properties coupled with large ductility and toughness values. SIFCON has found application in area where high ductility and energy absorption are needed especially in seismic-resistant reinforced concrete frames and in structure under abnormal or explosive loads. Other successful applications include pavement overlays, repair of prestressed beams and repair of structural reinforced concrete element.The main aim of this study is to determine the effect of hooked ended steel fiber content and mineral admixture replacement silica fume (SF) on strength and deformation characteristics of SIFCON specimens under flexural loading. Three volume fraction of steel fiber (6, 8.5, and 11) % were used in this investigation . The percentage of SF replacement was (10%), by weight of cement in SIFCON slurry. Both the flexural strength and toughness characteristic were carried out by testing specimens of 100*100*400 mm at the age of 7and 28 days. The results obtained from these tests were compared with those carried out on conventional fiber reinforced mortar (FRM) with 2% fiber content, as control specimens. The test results show superior characteristics of SIFCON ,as compared with normal FRM ,which were affected in positive manner by using cementitiouse materials (SF) as a partial replacement by weight of cement, and with increasing the volume fraction of steel fiber. The flexural strength and toughness value up to (28.08 MPa ) and (159 N.mm),respectively were obtained at age of 28 days.
The Impact of Hemoglobin Levels on Patient and Graft Survival in Renal Transplant Recipients

Background. It remains unclear whether low hemoglobin levels are associated with increased mortality or graft loss after renal transplantation. This study assessed the relationship of hemoglobin levels with patient and graft survival in 3859 patients with functioning renal transplants more than 6-months posttransplantation. Methods. Detailed data was prospectively collected as part of the pharmacovigilance Long Term Efficacy and Safety Surveillance project. Results. Lower hemoglobin levels were associated with graft loss on multivariate analysis adjusted for demographic characteristics, comorbidity, and biochemical variables; lower hemoglobin was associated with mortality on univariate, but not adjusted analysis; hemoglobin variability was associated with mortality and graft loss on univariate, but not multivariate analysis. Older recipient age, lower serum albumin, raised urea, increased comorbidity (Charlson Index), and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEi)/angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) non-use were also associated with mortality. Younger recipients, male recipients and those with lower serum albumin, lower body mass index, higher systolic blood pressure, and impaired allograft function experienced higher graft failure rates. Conclusions. This study suggests that full correction of hemoglobin levels to improve mortality in renal transplant recipients is unjustified; further study is required to assess the effect of hemoglobin correction in delaying graft failure. It also highlights other nonimmunologic risk factors for adverse outcomes in renal transplant recipients.
A Qualitative Analysis of Holistic Sport Psychology Consultants’ Professional Philosophies

Incorporating the holistic development of the athlete into an applied sport psychology intervention has been addressed in the literature (e.g., Bond, 2002; Ravizza, 2002). How sport psychology consultants actually practice holistic sport psychology remains unclear. The purpose of this research was to provide a clarification as to what holistic sport psychology is and examine the beliefs, values, theoretical paradigms, and models of practice of holistic sport psychology consultants’ professional philosophies (Poczwardowski, Sherman, & Ravizza, 2004). Qualitative interviews with five purposefully selected holistic sport psychology consultants were conducted. In general, holistic consulting can be interpreted to mean: (a) managing the psychological effects to the athlete’s performance from nonsport domains; (b) developing the core individual beyond their athletic persona; and (c) recognizing the dynamic relationship between an athlete’s thoughts, feelings, physiology, and behavior. The corresponding beliefs,.
3D HABITAT COMPLEXITY OF CORAL REEFS IN THE NORTHWESTERN HAWAIIAN ISLANDS IS DRIVEN BY CORAL ASSEMBLAGE STRUCTURE

Abstract. Corals act as ecosystem engineers by secreting structurally complex calcium carbonate skeletons on the benthic substrate that provide habitat for a diverse array of associated reef organisms. Communities of living corals create large and dynamic benthic structures that directly affect ecological parameters such as habitat provisioning and light availability, thus influencing overall ecosystem function. Despite the important role 3D structural complexity plays in ecosystem biodiversity and productivity, the field of coral ecology has lacked accessibility to practical technology capable of quantifying 3D characteristics of underwater habitats. Advancements in the field of computer vision has led to Structure-from-Motion (SfM) photogrammetry, which provides a simple and cost-effective method for creating high-resolution and spatially accurate 3D reconstructions of natural environments. Integrating SfM approaches into coral reef research and monitoring has provided useful insight into the relationship between 3D habitat complexity and ecological processes. In this study, we examined the relationships among 2D estimates of live coral cover and several metrics of 3D habitat structural complexity among eleven long-term monitoring sites at French Frigate Shoals. Our findings show that coral assemblage structure acts as a significant driver of 3D structural complexity of coral reef habitats at this atoll. This study highlights the importance of diverse and abundant coral assemblages in supporting structurally complex coral reef habitats and provides a framework for future investigations into the ecological role of various coral morphotypes.
Performance of a FilterBank MultiCarrier (FBMC) physical layer in the WiMAX context

This paper describes some of the outcome of the FP7 project PHYDYAS, whose main objective was to propose a new physical layer that will enable introduction of cognitive radios and dynamic access spectrum management. During the project both a software simulator and a demonstrator have been developed. A description of the demonstrator and some simulation results that show the differences in spectral efficiency and the sensititvity to synchronisation errors between OFDM and FBMC are given. The simulator, which is written in Matlab, was used to evaluate the performance of both OFDM and FBMC in a WiMAX context, i.e. the frame format is kept as close as possible to WiMAX. From the simulation results it has been possible to analyze the performance differences between the two systems. In addition to that the simulator was used as a reference in the validation of the demonstrator. The transmitter in the demonstrator is implemented in hardware and operates in real time. The channel emulation and up-conversion to RF is done using commercially available instruments from Agilent which have been modified to fit to the task. In the demonstrator receiver the hardware front-end converts the signal to baseband and digitizes it. The OFDM/FBMC signal processing is done in near real time on a general purpose computer connected to the front-end hardware.
Body composition of dairy cows according to lactation stage, somatotropin treatment, and concentrate supplementation.

Body weight, condition score, deuteriated water dilution space, estimated body lipids and proteins, and calculated energy and protein balances were determined in 24 multiparous Holstein cows at wk 1, 7, 20, and 39 after parturition. Cows received two levels of energy concentrate (high and low groups) from wk 3. The objective was to estimate changes in body composition as affected by stage of lactation, concentrate level, and bST administration or placebo from wk 9 in a 2 x 2 factorial design. Cows from high and low energy groups lost 25 and 35 kg of body lipids and 3.3 and . 5 kg of body proteins, respectively, during the first 7 wk of lactation. During the end of the winter period (wk 8 to 20), control and bST-injected cows lost 8.5 and 21.1 kg of body lipids, respectively. During the grazing period (wk 20 to 39), bST-injected cows gained more BW (34 kg), water (36 kg), and estimated proteins (5.8 kg) and lost more condition score (-.2 units) and estimated lipids (-11.5 kg) than controls. Using data from control periods, it was calculated that 1 unit change in body condition score corresponded to changes of 35 to 44 kg in BW (corrected for estimated gut content variation), 21 to 29 kg in body lipids, and 200 to 300 Mcal in body energy. One kilogram of corrected BW change corresponded to a change of 4.3 or 5.5 to 5.9 Mcal in body energy when calculated from cumulative energy balances or body components, respectively.
Importance of exercise training session duration in the rehabilitation of coronary artery disease patients

Background In cardiac rehabilitation, 40-60-min exercise training sessions are advised. However, because of the increasing coronary artery disease (CAD) prevalence and higher workload for cardiac rehabilitation centres, it remains unclear whether 40-min exercise training sessions are equally effective as 60-min exercise training sessions. Design Prospective randomized clinical trial. Methods One hundred and thirty-four CAD patients were included in a 7-week rehabilitation programme. All patients exercised 3 days per week, at a heart rate corresponding to 65% of baseline peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak). Patients were randomized in two groups: 40 versus 60-min exercise training sessions. Changes of body anthropometrics, resting haemodynamics, exercise capacity and ventilatory threshold, blood plasma lipid profile and C-reactive protein level were assessed. Results As a result of rehabilitation, exercise capacity, ventilatory threshold, and blood plasma lipid profile improved significantly in the total population (P < 0.05), without differences between subgroups (P > 0.05). Body weight and waist circumference decreased significantly in total population (P < 0.01), but with a greater magnitude in the 40 versus 60-min exercise session group (P < 0.05). Conclusions In the early rehabilitation of CAD patients, 40-min exercise training sessions seem to be at least as effective for improving body anthropometrics, blood plasma lipid profile and exercise capacity, as compared with 60-min exercise training sessions. Eur J Cardiovasc Prev Rehabil 15:453-459 © 2008 The European Society of Cardiology.
Virtues of a Hardworking Role Model to Improve Girls’ Mathematics Performance

Previous research has shown that female role models can improve women’s math performance, whereas male role models can lower it. In this field experiment, we examined the following research questions: (a) Does the explanation a role model gives for the role model’s success in math help girls perform as well as boys in math, regardless of the role model’s gender? And (b) what are the underlying mechanisms of the role models’ influence? Sixth graders were exposed to the description of a female or male role model before a difficult math test; they were informed about the reason for the role model’s math success (exerted effort vs. being gifted vs. no explanation). The results indicated that girls scored as well as boys on a difficult math test after exposure to a hardworking role model. They performed less well than boys after exposure to a role model whose success was not explained or was explained by the role model’s gift. Moreover, serial mediation analyses showed that both boys and girls identified more with the hardworking role model than with the other two role models, which increased the boys’ and girls’ perceived self-efficacy in math and in turn increased math performance. We discuss the contributions of this study to identifying relevant role models for girls in math.