Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Prospective cohort study to determine if trial efficacy of anticoagulation for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation translates into clinical effectiveness

Abstract Objective: To determine whether trial efficacy of prophylaxis with warfarin for patients with atrial fibrillation at high risk of stroke translates into effectiveness in clinical practice. Design: Two year prospective cohort study. Setting: District general hospital. Participants: 167 patients with atrial fibrillation and at high stroke risk who were eligible for anticoagulation Interventions: Long term anticoagulation with warfarin at adjusted doses to maintain an international normalised ratio of 2.0-3.0 Main outcome measures: Comparison of patient characteristics, comorbidity, anticoagulation control, stroke rate, and haemorrhagic complications with pooled data from five randomised controlled trials. Results: Patients in the study group were seven years older (95% confidence interval 4 to 10) and comprised 33% more women than patients in the pooled trials. The international normalised ratio was in the target range for 61% of the time (range 37%-85%), below for 26% of the time (range 8%-32%), and above for 13% of the time (range 6%-26%). The time that patients in the study group spent in the target range was significantly less than in the pooled analysis. The incidence of stroke in the study group (2.0% per year, 0.7% to 4.4%) was comparable to that of patients receiving warfarin in pooled studies (1.4%, 0.8% to 2.3%). Per year the incidence of major (1.7% v 1.6%) and minor (5.4% v 9.2%) bleeding complications was also similar. Conclusion: Rates of stroke and major haemorrhage after anticoagulation in clinical practice were comparable to those obtained from pooled data from randomised controlled studies for patients with atrial fibrillation at high risk of stroke
COLD DARK MATTER SUBSTRUCTURE AND GALACTIC DISKS. II. DYNAMICAL EFFECTS OF HIERARCHICAL SATELLITE ACCRETION

We perform a set of fully self-consistent, dissipationless N-body simulations to elucidate the dynamical response of thin galactic disks to bombardment by cold dark matter (CDM) substructure. Our method combines (1) cosmological simulations of the formation of Milky Way (MW)-sized CDM halos to derive the properties of substructure, and (2) controlled numerical experiments of consecutive subhalo impacts onto an initially thin, fully formed MW-type disk galaxy. The present study is the first to account for the evolution of satellite populations over cosmic time in such an investigation of disk structure. In contrast to what can be inferred from statistics of the z = 0 surviving substructure, we find that accretions of massive subhalos onto the central regions of host halos, where the galactic disks reside, since z ∼ 1 should be common. One host halo accretion history is used to initialize the controlled simulations of satellite–disk encounters. The specific merger history involves six dark matter substructures, with initial masses in the range ∼20%–60% of the disk mass and of comparable size to the disk, crossing the central regions of their host in the past ∼8 Gyr. We show that these accretion events severely perturb the thin galactic disk and produce a wealth of distinctive dynamical signatures on its structure and kinematics. These include (1) considerable thickening and heating at all radii, with the disk thickness and velocity ellipsoid nearly doubling at the solar radius; (2) prominent flaring associated with an increase in disk thickness greater than a factor of 4 in the disk outskirts; (3) surface density excesses at large radii, beyond ∼5 disk scale lengths, resembling those of the observed antitruncated disks; (4) long-lived, lopsidedness at levels similar to those measured in observational samples of disk galaxies; and (5) substantial tilting. The interaction with the most massive subhalo in the simulated accretion history drives the disk response while subsequent bombardment is much less efficient at disturbing the disk. We also explore a variety of disk and satellite properties that influence these responses. We conclude that substructure–disk encounters of the kind expected in the ΛCDM paradigm play a significant role in setting the structure of disk galaxies and driving galaxy evolution.
Observer-Based Approach for Fractional-Order Chaotic Synchronization and Secure Communication

This paper presents a method based on the state observer design for constructing a chaotically synchronized systems. Fractional-order direct Lyapunov theorem is used to derive the closed-loop asymptotic stability. The gains of the observer and observer-based controller are obtained in terms of linear matrix inequalities (LMIs) formulation. The proposed approach is then applied to secure communications. The method combines chaotic masking and chaotic modulation, where the information signal is injected into the transmitter and simultaneously transmitted to the receiver. Chaotic synchronization and chaotic communication are achieved simultaneously via a state observer design technique. The fractional-order chaotic Lorenz and Lü systems are given to demonstrate the applicability of the proposed approach.
APPLYING MACHINE LEARNING ALGORITHMS IN SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT

Machine learning deals with the issue of how to build programs that improve their performance at some task through experience. Machine learning algorithms have proven to be of great practical value in a variety of application domains. They are particularly useful for (a) poorly understood problem domains where little knowledge exists for the humans to develop effective algorithms; (b) domains where there are large databases containing valuable implicit regularities to be discovered; or (c) domains where programs must adapt to changing conditions. Not surprisingly, the field of software engineering turns out to be a fertile ground where many software development tasks could be formulated as learning problems and approached in terms of learning algorithms. In this paper, we first take a look at the characteristics and applicability of some frequently utilized machine learning algorithms. We then provide formulations of some software development tasks using learning algorithms. Finally, a brief summary is given of the existing work.
La place de la qualité de l'audit externe dans la gestion des résultats comptables : cas des entreprises tunisiennes

La gestion des resultats comptables a pris, depuis des annees, un poids important dans la recherche en sciences de gestion, a l’egard de la profession comptable et a l’echelle des organismes de controle financier. Le debat sur les enjeux lies a ce comportement managerial est toujours d’actualite. Les travaux sur ce sujet sont nombreux, ils traitent, en general, des determinants de la strategie comptable avec une diversite des approches et de methodologie ainsi qu’une divergence des resultats obtenus. Cette these contribue a des tels efforts en analysant le cas de la Tunisie et en mettant en avant la place de la qualite de l’audit externe dans l’explication de l’ampleur de la gestion des resultats. Les effets simultanes de certains mecanismes de gouvernement d’entreprises ainsi que des variables classiques de la theorie positive ont ete inclus, a titre de controle, pour une meilleure explication et comprehension de la fiabilite des etats financiers
Time rate of blood pressure variation is associated with impaired renal function in hypertensive patients

Objectives The rate of blood pressure (BP) variation has been positively associated with intima–media thickness of common carotid arteries and left ventricular mass. We evaluated the association between the rate of BP variation derived from ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) data analysis and impaired renal function. Methods Twenty-four-hour ABPM was performed in 803 untreated hypertensive patients. The estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was assessed using the abbreviated equation of the Modification Diet for Renal Disease study. Patients were divided into two groups: those with an eGFR less than 60 ml/min per 1.73 m2 (group A) and those with an eGFR 60 ml/min per 1.73 m2 or more (group B). Results The 24-h rate of systolic BP variation was significantly (P = 0.004) higher in group A [0.616 mmHg/min; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.596–0.636] than in group B patients (0.585 mmHg/min; 95% CI 0.578–0.591), even after adjusting for baseline characteristics and ABPM parameters. In the entire study population, the multiple logistic regression models revealed the following variables as independent determinants of impaired renal function: age, male sex, office systolic BP and 24-h rate of systolic BP variation. In this model, the odds ratio for impaired renal function associated with each 0.1 mmHg/min increase in 24-h rate of systolic BP variation was 1.49 (95% CI 1.18–1.88, P = 0.001). Conclusion The 24-h rate of SBP variation is independently associated with impaired renal function. Target-organ damage in hypertensive patients, in addition to BP levels, dipping status and BP variability, may also be related to a steeper rate of BP fluctuations.
Identification and Characterization of Highly Divergent Simian Foamy Viruses in a Wide Range of New World Primates from Brazil

Foamy viruses naturally infect a wide range of mammals, including Old World (OWP) and New World primates (NWP), which are collectively called simian foamy viruses (SFV). While NWP species in Central and South America are highly diverse, only SFV from captive marmoset, spider monkey, and squirrel monkey have been genetically characterized and the molecular epidemiology of SFV infection in NWPs remains unknown. We tested a large collection of genomic DNA (n = 332) comprising 14 genera of NWP species for the presence of SFV polymerase (pol) sequences using generic PCR primers. Further molecular characterization of positive samples was carried out by LTR-gag and larger pol sequence analysis. We identified novel SFVs infecting nine NWP genera. Prevalence rates varied between 14–30% in different species for which at least 10 specimens were tested. High SFV genetic diversity among NWP up to 50% in LTR-gag and 40% in pol was revealed by intragenus and intrafamilial comparisons. Two different SFV strains infecting two captive yellow-breasted capuchins did not group in species-specific lineages but rather clustered with SFVs from marmoset and spider monkeys, indicating independent cross-species transmission events. We describe the first SFV epidemiology study of NWP, and the first evidence of SFV infection in wild NWPs. We also document a wide distribution of distinct SFVs in 14 NWP genera, including two novel co-speciating SFVs in capuchins and howler monkeys, suggestive of an ancient evolutionary history in NWPs for at least 28 million years. A high SFV genetic diversity was seen among NWP, yet these viruses seem able to jump between NWP species and even genera. Our results raise concerns for the risk of zoonotic transmission of NWP SFV to humans as these primates are regularly hunted for food or kept as pets in forest regions of South America.
Exposure of sweepers to volatile organic compounds using urinary biological exposure index.

BACKGROUND Evaluation of exposition to Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) and compare urinary level of urinary biological exposure index in sweepers in West of Iran. METHODS This study was carried out on 40 street sweepers and 40 non-exposed as control group living in Hamadan City, west of Iran. VOC was analyzed using gas chromatography equipped with a Flame Ionization Detector (FID). The urinary biological exposure index (BEI) was analyzed with High performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) equipped with an ultraviolet (UV) detector. The concentration of benzene , toluene, m & p-xylene o-xylene and ethyl benzene was 39.01, 121.60, 27.12, 12.30, and 10.21 (mg/m3), respectively. RESULTS No-difference in the levels of hippuric acid in urine was found in sweepers compared with the control group. Significance differences in the level of o-cresol in urine were found in sweepers compared to control group (P< 0.005). The poor correlation coefficient was seen between xylenes concentration and urinary MHA for drivers. CONCLUSION High VOC are emitted inside of cities at Iran. O-cresol could separate the exposed to toluene from the non-exposed in sweepers. Hippuric acid, methyl hippuric acid and muconic acid arenot suitable biomarkers for occupations such as sweepers exposure to VOC in low concentration.
Effects of a Single Bout of Interval Hypoxia on Cardiorespiratory Control in Patients With Type 1 Diabetes

Hypoxemia is common in diabetes, and reflex responses to hypoxia are blunted. These abnormalities could lead to cardiovascular/renal complications. Interval hypoxia (IH) (5–6 short periods of hypoxia each day over 1–3 weeks) was successfully used to improve the adaptation to hypoxia in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. We tested whether IH over 1 day could initiate a long-lasting response potentially leading to better adaptation to hypoxia. In 15 patients with type 1 diabetes, we measured hypoxic and hypercapnic ventilatory responses (HCVRs), ventilatory recruitment threshold (VRT-CO2), baroreflex sensitivity (BRS), blood pressure, and blood lactate before and after 0, 3, and 6 h of a 1-h single bout of IH. All measurements were repeated on a placebo day (single-blind protocol, randomized sequence). After IH (immediately and after 3 h), hypoxic and HCVR increased, whereas the VRT-CO2 dropped. No such changes were observed on the placebo day. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure increased, whereas blood lactate decreased after IH. Despite exposure to hypoxia, BRS remained unchanged. Repeated exposures to hypoxia over 1 day induced an initial adaptation to hypoxia, with improvement in respiratory reflexes. Prolonging the exposure to IH (>2 weeks) in type 1 diabetic patients will be a matter for further studies.
Effect of Oxidized Regenerated Cellulose/Collagen Matrix on Proteases in Wound Exudate of Patients With Diabetic Foot Ulcers

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of oxidized regenerated cellulose/collagen matrix on the concentration and activity of gelatinases, elastase, and plasmin in wound exudate. SUBJECTS AND SETTING: The study included 32 patients with diabetic foot ulcers. Ten patients with a mean age of 66 ± 9 years (mean ± SD) were treated with hydrocolloid dressings; 22 patients with a mean age of 57 ± 12 years were treated with oxidized regenerated/collagen matrix and hydrocolloid dressings. METHODS: Wound exudate was collected on days 0, 5, 14, and every 14 days thereafter for 12 weeks. Total protein was determined according to Bradford's technique. The levels of elastase and plasmin were measured spectrofluorometrically. Besides, gelatinase activity and matrix metalloproteinase-2 concentration were analyzed. The surface area of all ulcers was measured by planimetry. RESULTS: Patients treated with oxidized regenerated cellulose/collagen matrix showed a significant decrease in elastase, plasmin, and gelatinase activities in wound exudates. The matrix metalloproteinase-2 concentration was significantly reduced on days 14, 28, 42, and 56 in comparison to day 0. Furthermore, wound size was significantly reduced at days 14 and 28 in oxidized regenerated cellulose/collagen matrix-treated patients (P < .05). CONCLUSION: Our results showed a significant and immediate reduction in the levels of all tested proteases in the wound exudate of diabetic foot ulcer patients treated with oxidized regenerated cellulose/collagen matrix. These patients also experienced a significantly greater reduction in wound size.
Poststroke Balance Improves With Yoga: A Pilot Study

Background and Purpose— Balance impairment is common after stroke; modified yoga may be able to improve balance and other important poststroke variables. Scientific-evidence is needed to support such treatment interventions. The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of a yoga-based rehabilitation intervention on balance, balance self-efficacy, fear of falling (FoF), and quality of life after stroke. Methods— This was a prospective, randomized, pilot study of yoga-based rehabilitation for people with chronic stroke. All yoga sessions were taught by a registered yoga therapist, occurred twice per week for 8 weeks and included seated, standing, and floor postures with relaxation and meditation. Balance was assessed with the Berg Balance Scale, balance self-efficacy with the Activities-specific Balance Confidence Scale, FoF with a dichotomous yes/no question, and quality of life with the Stroke Specific Quality of Life scale. Results— There were no significant differences between wait-list control (n=10) and yoga (n=37) groups in baseline or follow-up scores. However, using within-group comparisons, yoga group data demonstrated significant improvement in balance (Berg Balance Scale, 41.3±11.7 vs 46.3±9.1; P<0.001) and FoF (51% vs 46% with FoF; P<0.001). Conclusions— A group yoga-based rehabilitation intervention for people with chronic stroke has potential in improving multiple poststroke variables. Group yoga may be complementary to rehabilitation, may be possible in medical-based and community-based settings, and may be cost-effective. Further testing of group yoga-based rehabilitation interventions is warranted. Clinical Trial Registration— URL: http://clinicaltrials.gov. Unique Identifier: NCT01109602.
The role of cell cycle–regulated expression in the localization of spatial landmark proteins in yeast

In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Bud8p and Bud9p are homologous plasma membrane glycoproteins that appear to mark the distal and proximal cell poles, respectively, as potential sites for budding in the bipolar pattern. Here we provide evidence that Bud8p is delivered to the presumptive bud site (and thence to the distal pole of the bud) just before bud emergence, and that Bud9p is delivered to the bud side of the mother-bud neck (and thence to the proximal pole of the daughter cell) after activation of the mitotic exit network, just before cytokinesis. Like the delivery of Bud8p, that of Bud9p is actin dependent; unlike the delivery of Bud8p, that of Bud9p is also septin dependent. Interestingly, although the transcription of BUD8 and BUD9 appears to be cell cycle regulated, the abundance of BUD8 mRNA peaks in G2/M and that of BUD9 mRNA peaks in late G1, suggesting that the translation and/or delivery to the cell surface of each protein is delayed and presumably also cell cycle regulated. The importance of time of transcription in localization is supported by promoter-swap experiments: expression of Bud8p from the BUD9 promoter leads to its localization predominantly to the sites typical for Bud9p, and vice versa. Moreover, expression of Bud8p from the BUD9 promoter fails to rescue the budding-pattern defect of a bud8 mutant but fully rescues that of a bud9 mutant. However, although expression of Bud9p from the BUD8 promoter fails to rescue a bud9 mutant, it also rescues only partially the budding-pattern defect of a bud8 mutant, suggesting that some feature(s) of the Bud8p protein is also important for Bud8p function. Experiments with chimeric proteins suggest that the critical element(s) is somewhere in the extracytoplasmic domain of Bud8p.
Studying workplace emotions in India : a rapprochement of psychoanalytic and social constructionist approaches

This thesis offers an analysis of workplace emotions by interweaving social constructionist and psychoanalytic theoretical frameworks. The introduction highlights the importance of workplace emotion for organisation studies and discusses the significance of drawing on more than one framework for an understanding of the complexities of workplace emotions. India was chosen as thelocale for the study for a variety of reasons, including its global significance, its history of psychoanalysis, and immense diversity, which offer a vast landscape for exploring emotions from multiple perspectives. Engaging with India provides a cultural corrective to research on organisational emotion focussed upon Western spaces. The literature review discusses the tenets, limitations, and possibilities for cross-fertilisation of social constructionist and psychoanalytic accounts, and explores further the opportunities provided by the choice of India as the site for this work. The methodology informing the research is then introduced, focussing on qualitative interviews, storytelling, and countertransference as key features of the data collection and analysis. Four data chapters follow, which present and analyse empirical data from the field work to highlight the importance of both frameworks for an enriched understanding of emotions. The major themes that emerge from the data include cultural dynamics influencing emotions, emotional labour, workplace traumas, and the legacy of colonialism in work spaces. The thesis concludes with a review of the theoretical contributions and an identification of new possibilities and new stories for exploration opened upon by this research.
Electrically Small Dual-Band Reconfigurable Complementary Split-Ring Resonator (CSRR)-Loaded Eighth-Mode Substrate Integrated Waveguide (EMSIW) Antenna

In this paper, we propose a novel electrically small dual-band reconfigurable antenna. By using a compact eighth-mode substrate integrated waveguide (EMSIW) structure, we designed a compact antenna. This antenna is capable of dual-band operation by additionally loading an electrically small complementary split-ring resonator (CSRR) structure. The EMSIW and CSRR structures are designed for satisfactory operations at bandwidths of 1.575 GHz [global positioning system (GPS)] and 2.4 GHz [wireless local area network (WLAN)], respectively. We load the CSRR with a varactor diode to achieve a narrow bandwidth and to enable the resonant frequency to continuously vary from 2.4 GHz to 2.5 GHz. Thus, we realize a channel selection function, which is used according to WLAN standards. Irrespective of the variation in the varactor diode voltage, the resonant frequency of the EMSIW is not varied, such that the antenna maintains a constant frequency at the GPS bandwidth even at different voltages. Consequently, as the DC bias voltage varies from 11.4 V to 30 V, the resonant frequency at the WLAN bandwidth continuously varies between 2.38 GHz and 2.5 GHz. We observe that the simulated and measured s-parameter values and radiation patterns are in good agreement with each other.
Integrin (cid:1) v-mediated inactivation of p53 controls a MEK1-dependent melanoma cell survival pathway in three-dimensional collagen

ntegrin (cid:1) v is required for melanoma cell survival and tumor growth in various models. To elucidate integrin (cid:1) v-mediated melanoma cell survival mechanisms, we used a three-dimensional (3D) collagen gel model mim-icking the pathophysiological microenvironment of malignant melanoma in the dermis. We found that integrin (cid:1) v inactivated p53 and that suppression of p53 activity by dominant negative p53 or p53-small interfering RNA obviated the need for integrin (cid:1) v for melanoma cell survival in 3D-collagen and for tumor growth in vivo. This indicates that integrin (cid:1) v-mediated inactivation of p53 functionally controls melanoma cell survival. Furthermore, we found that melanoma cell integrin (cid:1) v was required for MAPK kinase (MEK) 1 and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)1/2 activity in 3D-collagen, whereas inhibition of MEK1 activity induced apoptosis. Surprisingly, MEK1 and ERK1/2 activities were restored in integrin (cid:1) v-negative melanoma cells by suppression of p53, whereas concomitant block of MEK1 induced apoptosis. This suggests that integrin (cid:1) v controls melanoma cell survival in 3D-collagen through a pathway involving p53 regulation of MEK1 signaling.