Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Diagnostic and prognostic value of plasma brain natriuretic peptide in non-dialysis-dependent CRF.

BACKGROUND Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) is useful for the evaluation of ventricular dysfunction in patients with various cardiac diseases. However, its diagnostic value has been considered to be limited in patients with chronic renal failure (CRF) because renal dysfunction itself may affect BNP levels. This study is designed to clarify the diagnostic and prognostic value of plasma BNP level in patients with CRF. METHODS In 103 non-dialysis-dependent patients with CRF without heart failure and 60 hypertensive patients with normal renal function, echocardiographic examinations and BNP measurements were performed. RESULTS Plasma BNP level was much greater in patients with CRF than in hypertensive controls; however, multiple regression analysis showed that left ventricular (LV) end-diastolic volume (EDV) index (LVEDVI) and the difference in mitral and pulmonary venous atrial wave duration (Ad-PVad), a marker of LV end-diastolic pressure, were independent determinants of plasma BNP levels in patients with CRF. The influence of LV overload (LVEDVI > or = 75 mL/m 2 and/or Ad-PVad < 0 milliseconds) on plasma BNP levels in subjects with CRF was independent of the severity of renal dysfunction. From Kaplan-Meier event-free curves (mean follow-up, 13 months), the incidence of heart failure was much greater in patients with a plasma BNP level of 150 pg/mL or greater ( P < 0.001). By means of multivariate Cox regression analysis, high plasma BNP level was the strongest predictor for heart failure events (hazard ratio, 6.31; P < 0.001). CONCLUSION These findings support plasma BNP level as a reliable marker of LV overload, even in nondialysis patients with CRF. Also, a high BNP level (> or =150 pg/mL) may have powerful predictive potential for heart failure in these patients.
Measuring Culture Outside the Head: A Meta-Analysis of Individualism—Collectivism in Cultural Products

Although cultural psychology is the study of how sociocultural environments and psychological processes coconstruct each other, the field has traditionally emphasized measures of the psychological over the sociocultural. Here, the authors call attention to a growing trend of measuring the sociocultural environment. They present a quantitative review of studies that measure cultural differences in “cultural products”: tangible, public representations of culture such as advertising or popular texts. They found that cultural products that come from Western cultures (mostly the United States) are more individualistic, and less collectivistic, than cultural products that come from collectivistic cultures (including Korea, Japan, China, and Mexico). The effect sizes for cultural products were larger than self-report effect sizes for this dimension (reported in Oyserman, Coon, & Kemmelmeier, 2002). In addition to presenting this evidence, the authors highlight the importance of studying the dynamic relationships between sociocultural environments and psyches.
Sequential algorithms, deterministic parallelism, and intensional expressiveness

We call language <italic>L</italic><subscrpt>1</subscrpt> <italic>intensionally more expressive</italic> than <italic>L</italic><subscrpt>2</subscrpt> if there are functions which can be computed faster in <italic>L</italic><subscrpt>1</subscrpt> than in <italic>L</italic><subscrpt>2</subscrpt>. We study the intensional expressiveness of several languages: the Berry-Curien programming language of sequential algorithms, CDS0, a deterministic parallel extension to it, named CDSP, and various parallel extensions to the functional programming language PCF. The paper consists of two parts. In the first part, we show that CDS0 can compute the minimum of two numbers <italic>n</italic> and <italic>p</italic> in unary representation in time <italic>O(min(n,p))</italic>. However, it cannot compute a “natural” version of this function. CDSP allows us to compute this function, as well as functions like parallel-or. This work can be seen as an extension of the work of Colson with primitive recursive algorithms to the setting of sequential algorithms. In the second part, we show that deterministic parallelism adds intensional expressiveness, settling a “folk” conjecture from the literature in the negative. We show that CDSP is more expressive intensionally than CDS0. We also study three parallel extensions to PCF: parallel-or (<italic>por</italic>) and parallel conditionals on booleans (<italic>pif</italic><subscrpt>&ogr;</subscrpt>) and integers (<italic>pif</italic><subscrpt>&igr;</subscrpt>). The situation is more complicated there: <italic>pif</italic><subscrpt>&igr;</subscrpt> is still more expressive than both <italic>pif</italic><subscrpt>&ogr;</subscrpt> and <italic>por</italic>. However, <italic>pif</italic><subscrpt>&igr;</subscrpt> still is not as expressive as the deterministic query construct of CDSP. Thus, we identify a hierarchy of intensional expressiveness for deterministic parallelism.
Including Students with Disabilities in a Foreign Language Class

Is that your first thought when you see that your new class roster includes students with disabilities? Student diversity and inclusion presents a unique set of challenges to foreign language teachers. In fact, it has long been recognized that children with learning disabilities, especially those whose difficulties are language-based, will be challenged by foreign language education (Barr, 1993; Landmark College, 1997; Levine, 1990; Moore, 1995; Schneider, 1996; Schwarz, 1997, 1999; Scott & Manglitz, 2000). Luckily, national foreign language standards support a communicative language approach to teaching and developing a rich, multidisciplinary contentbased curriculum, including the use of levels of proficiency rather than years of “seat time” and by employing more authentic methods of assessment. These standards have moved foreign language education towards increased access for all (American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages, 2001). Adding another layer of access and applying special education principles of instruction such as accommodations and modifications, equally benefits students with and without disabilities.
Bypassing nearest hospital for more distant neuroscience care in head-injured adults with suspected traumatic brain injury: findings of the head injury transportation straight to neurosurgery (HITS-NS) pilot cluster randomised trial

Objective Reconfiguration of trauma services, with direct transport of patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) to specialist neuroscience centres (SNCs)—bypassing non-specialist acute hospitals (NSAHs), could improve outcomes. However, delays in stabilisation of airway, breathing and circulation (ABC) may worsen outcomes when compared with selective secondary transfer from nearest NSAH to SNC. We conducted a pilot cluster randomised controlled trial to determine the feasibility and plausibility of bypassing suspected patients with TBI —directly into SNCs—producing a measurable effect. Setting Two English Ambulance Services. Participants 74 clusters (ambulance stations) were randomised within pairs after matching for important characteristics. Clusters enrolled head-injured adults—injured nearest to an NSAH—with internationally accepted TBI risk factors and stable ABC. We excluded participants attended by Helicopter Emergency Medical Services or who were injured more than 1 hour by road from nearest SNC. Interventions Intervention cluster participants were transported directly to an SNC bypassing nearest NSAH; control cluster participants were transported to nearest NSAH with selective secondary transfer to SNC. Outcomes Trial recruitment rate (target n=700 per annum) and percentage with TBI on CT scan (target 80%) were the primary feasibility outcomes. 30-day mortality, 6-month Extended Glasgow Outcome Scale and quality of life were secondary outcomes. Results 56 ambulance station clusters recruited 293 patients in 12 months. The trial arms were similar in terms of age, conscious level and injury severity. Less than 25% of recruited patients had TBI on CT (n=70) with 7% (n=20) requiring neurosurgery. Complete case analysis showed similar 30-day mortality in the two trial arms (control=8.8 (2.7–14.0)% vs intervention=9.4(2.3–14.0)%). Conclusion Bypassing patients with suspected TBI to SNCs gives an overtriage (false positive) ratio of 13:1 for neurosurgical intervention and 4:1 for TBI. A measurable effect from a full trial of early neuroscience care following bypass is therefore unlikely. Trial registration number ISRCTN68087745.
Effect of explosive versus slow contractions and exercise intensity on energy expenditure.

OBJECTIVE The primary purpose of this study was to compare the effects of explosive versus slow contractions on the rate of energy expenditure during and after resistance exercise. METHODS Nine men (20 +/- 2.5 yr) performed three exercise protocols using a plate-loaded squat machine, and a no-exercise (CONTROL) session in a randomly assigned, counterbalanced order. Subjects performed squats using either two second (SLOW) or explosive concentric contractions (EXPL), but identical repetitions (8), sets (4), and loads (60% 1RM). A secondary objective was to compare high- versus moderate-intensity exercise. Thus, a third protocol was performed that also used explosive contractions, with heavier loads (80% 1RM) and six sets of four reps (HEAVYEXPL). Eccentric reps (2 s), work (reps x sets x load), range of motion, and rest intervals between sets (90 s) were identical among all three protocols. Expired air was collected continuously for 20 min before, during, and 1 h after exercise and for about 1.5 h during CONTROL. Blood samples (25 microL) were collected before, immediately after, and 15, 30, 45, and 60 min after each protocol, and these samples were analyzed for blood lactate (mM). RESULTS Average rates of energy expenditure (kcal.min) were significantly greater (P <or= 0.05) during (7.27 +/- 2.00 > 6.43 +/- 1.64 and 6.25 +/- 1.55, respectively) and after (2.54 +/- 1.44 > 2.38 +/- 1.31 and 2.21 +/- 1.08, respectively) EXPL compared with SLOW and HEAVYEXPL, despite significantly (P <or= 0.05) greater blood lactate after SLOW. CONCLUSION Squat exercise using explosive contractions and moderate intensity induced a greater increase in the rate of energy expenditure than squats using slow contractions or high intensity in all subjects tested. Thus, by using explosive contractions and moderate exercise intensity, experienced recreational exercisers can increase their energy expenditure during and after resistance exercise, and this could enhance weight-loss adaptations.
Investigation of Two Evolutionarily Unrelated Halocarboxylic Acid Dehalogenase Gene Families

Dehalogenases are key enzymes in the metabolism of halo-organic compounds. This paper describes a systematic approach to the isolation and molecular analysis of two families of bacterial alpha-halocarboxylic acid (alphaHA) dehalogenase genes, called group I and group II deh genes. The two families are evolutionarily unrelated and together represent almost all of the alphaHA deh genes described to date. We report the design and evaluation of degenerate PCR primer pairs for the separate amplification and isolation of group I and II deh genes. Amino acid sequences derived from 10 of 11 group I deh partial gene products of new and previously reported bacterial isolates showed conservation of five residues previously identified as essential for activity. The exception, DehD from a Rhizobium sp. , had only two of these five residues. Group II deh gene sequences were amplified from 54 newly isolated strains, and seven of these sequences were cloned and fully characterized. Group II dehalogenases were stereoselective, dechlorinating L- but not D-2-chloropropionic acid, and derived amino acid sequences for all of the genes except dehII degrees P11 showed conservation of previously identified essential residues. Molecular analysis of the two deh families highlighted four subdivisions in each, which were supported by high bootstrap values in phylogenetic trees and by enzyme structure-function considerations. Group I deh genes included two putative cryptic or silent genes, dehI degrees PP3 and dehI degrees 17a, produced by different organisms. Group II deh genes included two cryptic genes and an active gene, dehIIPP3, that can be switched off and on. All alphaHA-degrading bacteria so far described were Proteobacteria, a result that may be explained by limitations either in the host range for deh genes or in isolation methods.
A SUC-Based Full-Binary 6-bit 3.1-GS/s 17.7-mW Current-Steering DAC in 0.038 mm $^{2}$

A 6-bit full-binary compact and low-power current-steering digital-to-analog converter (DAC) designed for 60-GHz Wireless Personal Area Network applications is presented. The closely located circuit components based on the stacked unit cell minimize the parasitic capacitance and enhance the high-frequency dynamic linearity. The proposed binary structure realizes a compact DAC by eliminating the need for additional circuits, such as thermometer decoders, and thus reduces power consumption. A prototype 6-bit 3.1-GS/s full-binary DAC was fabricated in a 90-nm CMOS process. The DAC exhibits a spurious-free dynamic range of >37.2 dB up to 3.1 GS/s over the Nyquist input. The chip consumes 17.7 mW of power and occupies 0.038 mm2 of core size.
RING-SHAPED PIEZOELECTRIC MICROMACHINED ULTRASONIC TRANSDUCERS (PMUT) WITH INCREASED PRESSURE GENERATION

As the application space of piezoelectric micromachined ultrasonic transducers (pMUT) expands and enters the industrial realm, it is necessary to continue improving the performance of individual devices, two of the most important metrics of which are generated acoustic pressure magnitude and directivity. Here, we present the first ring-shaped pMUT (r-pMUT), which have been fabricated using CMOS-compatible aluminum nitride (AlN) as both the transduction and elastic material. The r-pMUT exhibit newfound design freedom compared to standard circular pMUT (cpMUT), as their resonance frequency is found to be insensitive to mean radius r0. The frequency responses of fabricated devices were measured and shown to match well with finite element model (FEM) simulations. By comparing rand c-pMUT designed to operate at 1.5 MHz with the same film stack, we show that rpMUT are capable of generating over 11.8× the pressure and with over 9× the directionality of their circular counterpart. As such, this device architecture could allow for highly efficient pMUT in applications that benefit from high pressures and directionality, such as rangefinding, fingerprint scanning, and therapeutics.
Compact complex surfaces admitting non-trivial surjective endomorphisms

Smooth compact complex surfaces admitting non-trivial surjective endomorphisms are classified up to isomorphisms. The algebraic case has been classified in [3], [19]. The following surfaces are listed in the non-algebraic case: a complex torus, a Kodaira surface, a Hopf surface with at least two curves, an Inoue surface with curves, and an Inoue surface without curves satisfying a rationality condition.
Core BPEL: syntactic simplification of WS-BPEL 2.0

We present a core subset of the Web Services Business Process Execution Language 2.0 (WS-BPEL), called Core BPEL, and a complete, idempotent transformation from WS-BPEL to the Core BPEL subset. This has two benefits: (1) it clarifies the WS-BPEL semantics by showing how complex constructs map to a composition of simpler constructs, and (2) it reduces the effort required for working formally with WS-BPEL, as one, without loss of generality, needs only consider the much simpler Core BPEL. We provide an XML Schema for Core BPEL, XSLT implementations of the presented transformations, and a web application where one may apply the transformations to WS-BPEL processes.
Limb blood flow during exercise is dependent on nitric oxide.

BACKGROUND We have recently reported that hypercholesterolemia reduces aerobic exercise capacity in mice and that this is associated with a reduced endothelium-dependent vasodilator function, endothelium-derived nitric oxide (EDNO) production, and urinary nitrate excretion. These findings led us to test the hypothesis that EDNO production contributes significantly to limb blood flow during exercise and to determine whether loss of EDNO production is responsible for the decline in exercise capacity observed in hypercholesterolemia. METHODS AND RESULTS Twelve-week-old wild-type (E+; n=9) and apoE-deficient (E-; n=9) C57BL/6J mice were treadmill-tested to measure indices defining exercise capacity on a metabolic chamber-enclosed treadmill capable of measuring oxygen uptake and carbon dioxide excretion. Urine was collected before and after treadmill exercise for determination of vascular NO production assessed by urinary nitrate excretion. The wild-type mice were then given nitro-L-arginine (E+LNA) in the drinking water (6 mg/dL) for 4 days before undergoing a second treadmill testing and urinary nitrate measurement. An additional set of 12-week-old wild-type mice was divided into 2 groups: 1 receiving regular water (E+; n=8) and 1 administered LNA for 4 days (E+LNA; n=8). These mice, along with an additional set of E mice (n=8), underwent treadmill testing to determine maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max). The mice were then cannulated such that the tip of the tubing was positioned in the ascending aorta. Fluorescent microspheres (20000) were infused into the carotid cannula while the mice were sedentary and again while approaching VO2max. When the mice were euthanized, the running muscles were collected and fluorescence intensity was measured to determine the peak-exercise redistribution of blood flow to the running muscles (expressed as percentage of total cardiac output, %COrm) during both states. Both E+LNA and E- mice demonstrated a markedly reduced postexercise urinary nitrate excretion, aerobic capacity, and %COrm at VO2max compared with E+. CONCLUSIONS EDNO contributes significantly to limb blood flow during exercise. Conditions that reduce EDNO production disturb the hyperemic response to exercise, resulting in a reduced exercise capacity.
Highly stable resistive switching on monocrystalline ZnO

We report on the achievement of planar memristive devices on monocrystalline ZnO substrates using Ti/Al and Pt/Au contacts with dimensions of 100 × 100 µm2 and spacings of ∼ 60 µm. Effects of both thermal and electro-forming processes on the switching characteristics are investigated. It is observed that the thermally formed devices exhibit an extremely large ROFF/RON value of ∼ 20 000. The electrically formed devices, on the other hand, demonstrate an exceptional switching stability, with ROFF/RON variations of < 2% for durations of over 105 s and more than 1800 switching cycles. The dependence of the switching characteristics on the formation processes, as well as the metal electrodes, could be explained by an oxygen vacancy formation/annihilation and migration model.
The educational status of African American males in the 21st century

This article assesses the educational attainment of african american males between the 1990s and early 2000s. Beginning with a summary of a 1987–1988 study conducted by the author on african american males in the new orleans public schools, national data are provided on the high school graduation rates of african american males and females, as well as trends in their enrollment and degree completion at the undergraduate, graduate, and first-professional levels. The data show a growing educational disparity between african american women and men in all higher education institutions, but also in public and private historically black colleges and universities. The author offers recommendations to improve the performance, enrollment and graduation rates of african american males in order to close the current college gender gap.
Associations of endodontic symptoms and signs with particular combinations of specific bacteria.

Significant associations have been reported between (a) specific bacterial species isolated from root canals and (b) between individual bacterial species and endodontic symptoms and signs. The prime objective of this study was to determine whether particular combinations of specific bacteria are associated with individual endodontic symptoms and signs. Seventy root canals were investigated microbiologically taking care to maintain the viability of obligate anaerobes, which accounted for 64% of the total species isolated, including Peptostreptococcus micros, Prevotella melaninogenica, Prevotella oralis, Eubacterium aerofaciens, Eubacterium lentum, Fusobacterium nucleatum, Prevotella buccae and Prevotella intermedia. Significant associations were found between individual clinical features and the following pairs of species: (a) pain (37 cases) and Peptostreptococcus spp. /Prevotella spp. , Peptostreptococcus spp. /Prevotella melaninogenica, Pstr. micros/Prev. melaninogenica (all P < 0.01); (b) swelling (23 cases) and Pstr. micros/Prevotella spp. (P < 0.01); (c) 'Wet' canal (57 cases) and Prevotella spp. /Eubacterium spp. (P < 0.01), Peptostreptococcus spp. /Eubacterium spp. (P < 0.05). Thus data from this investigation suggests that statistically significant associations exist between individual endodontic symptoms and signs and particular combinations of specific bacteria.
Prosodic Characteristics of Japanese EFL Learners' Oral Reading Comparison between good and poor readers

Prosody refers to the stress, timing, and intonation f an utterance, the acoustic correlates of which are pitch, amplitude, and duration (Nagel et al., 1996) . Speech production of a fbreign language is subject to the influence of its speaker's mother tongue. Especial]y, prosodic factors are more liable to be interfered with by the mother tongue. For example, Sugito (1996) suggests that not only in Japanese but also in English, the most crucial factor concerning prosody is the dynamic change in pitch rather than the change in intensity, This study tries to examine prosodic characteristics between good and poor readers using an oral reading task. Among various prosodic variables, this study focuses on fundamental frequency, reading speed, and pause consistency. The data obtained in this study show some di.flerences a to the prosodic variables between good and poer readers, Based upon the results, pronunciation teaching which fbcuses on prosody in Japanese EFL classrooms is reconsidered,
Role of Calprotectin in Withholding Zinc and Copper from Candida albicans

ABSTRACT The opportunistic fungal pathogen Candida albicans acquires essential metals from the host, yet the host can sequester these micronutrients through a process known as nutritional immunity. How the host withholds metals from C. albicans has been poorly understood; here we examine the role of calprotectin (CP), a transition metal binding protein. When CP depletes bioavailable Zn from the extracellular environment, C. albicans strongly upregulates ZRT1 and PRA1 for Zn import and maintains constant intracellular Zn through numerous cell divisions. We show for the first time that CP can also sequester Cu by binding Cu(II) with subpicomolar affinity. CP blocks fungal acquisition of Cu from serum and induces a Cu starvation stress response involving SOD1 and SOD3 superoxide dismutases. These transcriptional changes are mirrored when C. albicans invades kidneys in a mouse model of disseminated candidiasis, although the responses to Cu and Zn limitations are temporally distinct. The Cu response progresses throughout 72 h, while the Zn response is short-lived. Notably, these stress responses were attenuated in CP null mice, but only at initial stages of infection. Thus, Zn and Cu pools are dynamic at the host-pathogen interface and CP acts early in infection to restrict metal nutrients from C. albicans.