Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The effect of SGLT2 inhibitors on cardiovascular events and renal function

ABSTRACT Introduction: Sodium-glucose co-transporters-2inhibitors have emerged as a very promising antidiabetic drug class, with data from the two available cardiovascular trials of this class suggesting remarkable benefits in terms of cardiovascular events, total mortality and renal outcomes. Areas covered: Data point toward clinically meaningful benefits from SGLT-2inhibition on a variety of cardiovascular risk factors. Empagliflozin, and to a lesser extent canagliflozin, resulted in significant reductions of an abundance of cardiovascular mortality and morbidity endpoints. SGLT-2inhibitors were also found to reduce the incidence of heart failure events and ameliorate the progression of diabetic kidney disease. However, empagliflozin was associated with a trend for stroke risk increase, that could be partially attributed to the drug-induced hematrocrit increases, while canagliflozin was related with higher amputations risk. Expert commentary: The beneficial impact of SGLT-2inhibitors on cardiovascular risk factors seem to be manifested in significant morbidity and mortality benefits. The bright future of SGLT-2inhibitors in diabetes therapeutics is overshadowed by the higher amputations risk and the potential harms in terms of stroke incidence. Further analyses of the data and future studies could unveil patients subgroups that might be more prone to such events or put to rest the concerns for this otherwise promising class of drugs.
Bond Risk, Bond Return Volatility, and the Term Structure of Interest Rates

This paper explores the time variation in the bond risk, as measured by the covariation of bond returns with stock returns and consumption growth, and in the volatility of bond returns. A robust stylized fact in empirical finance is that the spread between the yields on long- and short-term bonds forecasts future excess returns on bonds at varying horizons positively; in addition, the short-term nominal interest rate forecasts both the stock return volatility and the exchange rate volatility positively. This paper presents evidence that movements in both the short-term nominal interest rate and the yield spread are positively related to changes in the subsequent realized bond risk and bond return volatility. The yield spread appears to proxy for business conditions, while the short rate appears to proxy for inflation and economic uncertainty. A decomposition of bond betas into a real cash flow risk component and a discount rate risk component shows that yield spreads have offsetting effects in each component. A widening yield spread is correlated with a reduced cash-flow (or inflationary) risk for bonds, but it is also correlated with a larger discount rate risk for bonds. The short rate only forecasts the discount rate component of the bond beta.
Voltage recovery of grid-connected wind turbines with DFIG after a short-circuit fault

The fast development of wind power generation brings new requirements for wind turbine integration to the network. After the clearance of an external short-circuit fault, the voltage at the wind turbine terminal should be reestablished with minimized power losses. This paper concentrates on voltage recovery of variable speed wind turbines with doubly fed induction generators (DFIG). A simulation model of a MW-level variable speed wind turbine with a DFIG developed in PSCAD/EMTDC is presented, and the control and protection schemes are described. A new control strategy is proposed to reestablish the wind turbine terminal voltage after the clearance of an external short-circuit fault, and then restore the normal operation of the variable speed wind turbine with DFIG, which has been demonstrated by simulation results.
Invalidity of True Experiments

The validity of true experiments is threatened by a class of self-report biases that affect all respondents at pretest but which are diminished by treatment, yielding noncomparable treated and control subjects at posttest. These biases include inaccurate self-evaluations due to (a) lack of understanding of dimensions of self-rating, (b) unconscious needs to rationalize sources of severe emotional distress, (c) distressed or altered states (e.g., drug states) that lower the ability to report accurately, and (d) deliberate impression management in service of accessing desired treatment. They are detectable via external criteria, special conditions of measurement, and retrospective pretests, and may be lessened in several ways. Unchecked, they produce treatment by self-report bias interactions that undermine the validity of even true experiments.
Effectiveness of conventional and alternative therapy in treatment of respiratory infections in poultry

Small poultry flocks are susceptible to a number of respiratory infections. Some of these produce extremely mild illness while others may result in a high number of deaths mostly due to Mycoplasma gallisepticum infection (Stipkovits et al.1996). Respiratory infection is the most serious disease affecting poultry and causes heavy economic losses in the poultry industry worldwide (Murthy et al. 2008). In avian host, several microorganisms of the genus Pasteurella (P. multocida, P. gallinarum, P. haemolytica and P. anatipestifer),Bordetella (B. avium) and haemophilus (H. paragallinarum) were involved in respiratory diseases complex (Hafez et al. 2002). Escherichia coli associated with respiratory infection in chickens has also been reported (El-Sukhon et al.2002). Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale has recently been identified as a pathogen causing respiratory tract infection in poultry and other birds (Chin et al.2003). Tracheitis, exudative pneumonia, pleuritis, air sacculitis, pericarditis, sinusitis, characterize the infection (Zorman-Rojs et al. 2000; Canal et al. 2005). Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale has been isolated from chicken, turkeys, quails, ducks, geese, ostriches, Abstract
Complementary and Alternative Medicine Use Among Pediatric Patients With Leukemia: The Case of Lebanon

Background: International evidence indicates that caretakers of pediatric leukemia patients are increasingly using complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies. Such a trend has never been substantiated in the Arab world. Objective: Examine the frequency, types, modes, and reasons of CAM use among pediatric leukemia patients in Lebanon. Methods: A cross-sectional design was utilized to survey (by phone) the caregivers of all pediatric leukemia patients on the rosters of the 2 largest cancer treatment facilities in Lebanon for years 2005-2009. A total of 125 parents out of 175 (71.4%) completed the questionnaire, which included 3 sections: socio-demographic characteristics, clinical information and CAM use details. Data analysis employed univariate descriptive statistics, t-test, and χ2 Results: Overall, 15.2% of respondents reported using one or more CAM therapies for their child (95% confidence interval: 8.9% to 22.0%). The main CAM therapies used included dietary supplements, prayer/spiritual healing, and unconventional cultural practices (ingesting bone ashes). CAM therapies were used for strengthening immunity (42.1%) and improving the chance of cure (21%). Pediatric users of CAM were 2 years older than nonusers and had been diagnosed with leukemia for a longer period of time (4.76 ± 3.24 vs 3.49 ± 2.38, P < .05). The percentage of males among CAM users was higher than that among nonusers (89.5% vs 56.6%, P < .05). Conclusion: Increasing awareness of both caretakers and physicians of pediatric leukemia patients on the effects and risks of CAM therapies is essential should rational, safe, and evidence-based utilization of CAM therapies be achieved.
Population screening for spinal muscular atrophy: A mixed methods study of the views of affected families

Autosomal recessive conditions are a significant health burden with few treatments. Population carrier screening has been suggested as a means to tackle them. Little is known about the views of affected families despite the potential for direct impacts on them. Data are presented on attitudes among families affected by Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) toward two population screening programs, pre‐conception, and prenatal. Data were gathered through qualitative interviews (n = 36) and a survey (n = 337). Eighty‐two survey participants had SMA and 255 were family members. The majority were in favor of screening (75%). Reasons for supporting pre‐conception screening support were a belief that it would reduce SMA‐related terminations and raise awareness of SMA in the population. For prenatal screening, reasons for support included a belief in the importance of informed decision‐making and the need to reduce suffering. Key reasons for non‐support of pre‐conception screening included concerns about carrier stigmatization and social engineering. For prenatal screening, concerns focused on the collateral loss of high quality of life lives affected by SMA. This study highlights that those affected by SMA are predominantly in favor of screening, although pre‐conception screening is most favored. While family members and adults with SMA had largely consistent views, perceptions varied according to the severity (type) of SMA, with those affected by SMA type II the least likely to support screening. These findings suggest that screening for SMA is a complex issue for affected families, underscoring the need to consider and include their views when planning and implementing screening programs. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
One-Month Ahead Prediction of Wind Speed and Output Power Based on EMD and LSSVM

Wind speed is a kind of non-stationary time series, it is difficult to construct the model for accurate forecast. The way improving accuracy of the model for predicting wind speed up to one-month ahead has been investigated using measured data recorded by wind farm. A forecasting method based on empirical mode decomposition (EMD) and least square support vector machine (LSSVM) is proposed in this paper. The non-stationary time series is decomposed into several intrinsic mode functions (IMF) and the trend term. The different LSSVM models to forecast each IMF are built up. These forecasting results of each IMF are combined to obtain the final forecasting result. Considering the power characteristics, unit efficiency and the operate condition of the generators, the one-month ahead forecasted output power of the wind power plant can be obtained.
Update on bilateral cochlear implantation

Purpose of reviewProviding a unilateral cochlear implant in a patient with a profound bilateral hearing loss has now been a standard clinical practice for more than a decade. Although results are often very good, normal hearing has not been restored. One exciting opportunity to improve hearing in this population is to provide a second implant. However, it is not obvious that bilateral electrical stimulation can be integrated by the central nervous system. This article describes binaural hearing and reviews currently published articles on binaural cochlear implants. Recent findingsControlled laboratory trials have focused on distinguishing different categories of potential binaural advantages. A potential summation effect occurs when the same stimulus is available at two ears. Listening in noise with two ears should be better than listening with one ear when the additional ear is away from the noise. This head shadow benefit results from acoustic effects, not physiologic ones. When the second ear is added near the noise source, a binaural squelch benefit can occur, requiring neural integration from both sides. Finally, two ears may improve sound localization. Binaural implantees generally benefit from head shadow effects. Only some benefit from summation and squelch effects. Most, but not all, show improved horizontal plane localization. SummaryIt is now appropriate to begin experimental studies of binaural cochlear implants. Preliminary results show promise to improve head shadow, a physical advantage, and sound localization. Some benefits have been observed for improved summation and squelch. These findings have demonstrated that the brain can integrate electrical stimulation from the two ears. Future studies will be required to maximize this binaural hearing.
Control of Rattail Fescue (Vulpia Myuros) in Winter Wheat

Rattail fescue, a winter annual grass weed, has been increasing in Pacific Northwest (PNW) dryland cereal producing areas. Although rattail fescue is not a new weed species in the PNW, its incidence is expanding rapidly in circumstances where soil disturbances are minimized such as in direct seed systems. Options for effective rattail fescue control in winter wheat cropping systems have not been adequately investigated and need to be developed. Rattail fescue control with herbicide treatments was investigated in imidazolinone-resistant winter wheat using imazamox and other herbicides. Across multiple sites and two growing seasons, crop injury from herbicide treatments was minor to negligible with some exceptions. Treatments containing imazamox or mesosulfuron produced minor, transient winter wheat crop injury at some locations in some years. With the exception of flufenacet applied preemergence (PRE), control of rattail fescue in wheat was variable with single herbicide applications, but improved with sequential herbicide treatments. Rattail fescue biomass was greatly reduced by several treatments especially those containing flufenacet or from sequential herbicide application. Crop yield varied among sites due to growing season precipitation, and in some cases from rattail fescue control or herbicide related crop injury. Nomenclature: diuron, flufenacet, imazamox, mesosulfuron, pendimethalin, sulfosulfuron, rattail fescue, Vulpia myuros (L.) K.C. Gmel. VLPMY, winter wheat, Triticum aestivum L. ‘ClearFirst’®
Kinematic characteristics of gait in middle-aged adults during level walking

Middle-aged people have shown a high fall incidence and degeneration in gait stability, while few studies concern that. This study aimed to assess the kinematic characteristics of gait in middle-aged people compared with younger and older ones during level walking, and to find sensitive indicators to characterize degenerated gait stability in middle-aged people. 13 middle-aged (mean age=52.1 years), with 13 older (mean age=74.8 years) and 13 young (mean age=23.3 years) healthy adults participated in this study. We assessed following gait parameters of the subjects during their level walking: 1) temporal-spatial gait parameters: normalized gait velocity, stride length, step length and their variability; 2) gait stability parameters: acceleration root mean square (RMS) of COM and its variability; and instantaneous COM-COP inclination angles. Compared with young and older subjects, middle-aged adults showed no significant difference in temporal-spatial gait parameters and their stride-to-stride variability (P>0.050); Compared with young subjects, middle-aged adults showed a significant higher value in medial-lateral (ML) direction of acceleration RMS of COM (P=0.038) and its stride-to-stride variability (P=0.030), as well as in COM-COP inclination angle (P=0.003). There was no significant difference in the above two parameters of gait stability between middle-aged and older subjects (P>0.050). Results illustrated that middle-aged subjects showed similar degenerated pattern in gait stability as the older ones in ML direction. Gait stability parameters, including ML acceleration of COM and its variability, as well as ML COM-COP inclination angle may help to characterize this degenerated gait stability. It's necessary for us to develop early interventions for middle-aged adults to prevent falls during walking.
catena-Poly[[[diaqua(1,10-phenanthroline-κ2 N,N′)zinc]-μ-4,4′-bipyridine-κ2 N:N′] dinitrate 4,4′-bipyridine hemisolvate monohydrate]

In the title compound, [Zn(C10H8N2)(C12H8N2)(H2O)2](NO3)2·0.5C10H8N2·H2O, the ZnII atom is coordinated in a distorted octahedral geometry by two N atoms from two 4,4′-bipyridine (4,4′-bipy) ligands, two N atoms from a chelating 1,10-phenanthroline ligand and two O atoms from two mutually cis water molecules. The 4,4′-bipy ligands bridge the ZnII atoms into a chain structure along [100]. The uncoordinated 4,4′-bipy molecule lies on an inversion center. O—H⋯O and O—H⋯N hydrogen bonds connect the cationic chains, the nitrate anions, the uncoordinated 4,4′-bipy molecules and the water molecules into tow-dimensional networks.
Hearing Without Listening: Functional Connectivity Reveals the Engagement of Multiple Nonauditory Networks During Basic Sound Processing

The present functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) study presents data challenging the traditional view that sound is processed almost exclusively in the classical auditory pathway unless imbued with behavioral significance. In a first experiment, subjects were presented with broadband noise in on/off fashion as they performed an unrelated visual task. A conventional analysis assuming predictable sound-evoked responses demonstrated a typical activation pattern that was confined to classical auditory centers. In contrast, spatial independent component analysis (sICA) disclosed multiple networks of acoustically responsive brain centers. One network comprised classical auditory centers, but four others included nominally "nonauditory" areas: cingulo-insular cortex, mediotemporal limbic lobe, basal ganglia, and posterior orbitofrontal cortex, respectively. Functional connectivity analyses confirmed the sICA results by demonstrating coordinated activity between the involved brain structures. In a second experiment, fMRI data obtained from unstimulated (i.e., resting) subjects revealed largely similar networks. Together, these two experiments suggest the existence of a coordinated system of multiple acoustically responsive intrinsic brain networks, comprising classical auditory centers but also other brain areas. Our results suggest that nonauditory centers play a role in sound processing at a very basic level, even when the sound is not intertwined with behaviors requiring the well-known functionality of these regions.
Employing variation in the object of learning for the design-based development of serious games that support learning of conditional knowledge

Learning how to cope with tasks that do not have optimal solutions is a life-long challenge. In particular when such education and training needs to be scalable, technologies are needed to support teachers and facilitators in providing the feedback and discussion necessary for quality learning. In this thesis, I conduct design-based research by following a typical game development cycle to develop a serious game. I propose a framework that derives learning and motivational principles to include them into the design of serious games. My exploration starts with project management as a learning domain, and for practical reasons, shifts towards information security. The first (concept) phase of the development includes an in-depth study: a simulation game of negotiation (Study 1: class study, n=60). In the second (design) phase I used rapid prototyping to develop a gamified web toolkit, embodying the CCO framework from crime prevention, making five small-scale formative evaluations (Study 2, n=17) and a final lab evaluation (Study 3, n=28). In the final (production) stage the toolkit was used in two class studies (Study 4, n=34 and Study 5, n=20), exploring its adoption in a real-world environment. This thesis makes three main contributions. One contribution is the adaptation of the iterative method of the phenomenographic learning study to the study of the efficiency of serious games. This employs open questionsing, analysed with 3 different means of analysis to demonstrate 4 distinct types of evidence of deep learning. Another contribution is the provided partial evidence for the positive effects from the introduction of variation on engagement and learning. The third contribution is the development of four design- based research principles: i) the importance of being agile; ii) feedback from interpretation of the theory; iii) particular needs for facilitation; and iv) reusing user-generated content.
An attempt to estimate gestational age of newborns using physical characteristics.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the validity of using some physical characteristics to estimate gestational age of the Yemini newborn babies and to compare the results with the findings of other similar studies. METHODS By using the definitions of 12 physical characteristics and the simple and multiple regression methods, the gestational ages of 184 Yemeni newborns were estimated. RESULTS The study has proved that, with reasonable estimation precision, only 5 physical characteristics namely skin texture, skin opacity, plantar creases, ear firmness and skull hardness can be used to estimate the gestational age of the Yemeni newborn babies. Further, estimation precision will be very slightly affected by dropping out both skin opacity and skull hardness from the estimation process. CONCLUSION As this study is the first of its kind in Yemen, it is important to take its findings into consideration and to use these findings as a base line for relative future research.
Cardioprotective effect of NO‐metoprolol in murine coxsackievirus B3‐induced myocarditis

The effect of NO‐metoprolol, that is, 3‐nitrooxypivaloyl metoprolol‐amide, a novel NO‐releasing derivative of the β1‐blocking drug metoprolol was investigated in A.CA/SnJ mice infected with coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3) and compared to metoprolol and placebo. Daily treatment of mice with the respective drug started immediately (experiment A) or 3 days after virus infection (experiment B) and was continued until day 13 post‐infection (p.i.). Two doses of NO‐metoprolol were administered. Body mass differences, viral load, and histopathological signs of myocarditis were compared between the several groups. As a result, NO‐metoprolol diminished significantly the body weight loss, the viral load and the histopathology, whereas metoprolol treatment led solely to a significant attenuation of myocardial damage. In experiment A, low dose NO‐metoprolol decreased significantly enteroviral copy numbers. Both doses of NO‐metoprolol had a significant effect on reduction of myocardial infiltrates and fibrosis. The data suggest that delayed drug administration might more advantageous. Both doses of NO‐metoprolol reduced significantly the scores of four tested parameters compared to placebo. Body weight loss, virus titers, plus‐strand as well as minus‐strand enteroviral RNA levels, infiltration and fibrosis scores were diminished significantly when NO‐metoprolol was given 3 days p.i. In addition, a significant difference regarding the enteroviral copy numbers was observed between low dose NO‐metoprolol‐ and metoprolol‐treated mice. Treatment with metoprolol reduced insignificantly the viral load and body weight loss (experiment A and B) but led to a significant reduction of myocardial histopathology in experiment A. The results indicate that NO‐metoprolol treatment has a greater therapeutic benefit than metoprolol. J. Med. Virol. 82:2043–2052, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.