Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effective factors in controlling diabetes progression among patients in the northwest of Iran

Background: Diabetes is the fifth leading cause of death in the world. Hence, we investigated the factors affecting disease control among diabetic patients referred to Imam Reza Hospital (central hospital in the Northwest of Iran). Materials and Methods: One hundred and eight diabetic patients were evaluated. Patient′s main medications including insulin, metformin, glibenclamide, and glytazon were registered and the levels of fasting blood sugar (FBS), glucose 2 h postprandial (pp), and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) were measured. All risk factors were evaluated by using a questionnaire completed by the patients. Results: The average of HbA1c, FBS, and glucose 2 h pp was 7.33%, 159 mg/dl, and 233.03 mg/dl, respectively. In patients whose disease was controlled, the family history of the disease, the type of medication, and the visits to family physician had a significant association with disease control. The average mean of HbA1c among patients with controlled and uncontrolled disease was 5.93% and 8.63 % respectively. Conclusion: Less stress, education, and weekly exercise had an essential role in controlling the disease in diabetic patients from the Northwest of Iran and noncompliance with the prescribed diet by the physician and lack of timely medicine intake were the main reasons for uncontrolled disease.
On the Inverse Kinematics of Redundant Manipulators

Many conventional nonredundant manipulators have singu lar configurations, near which some small motions of the end-effector require excessive and physically unrealizable joint speeds. Consequently, the usable workspace of the ma nipulator is effectively reduced. It has been proposed that high joint speeds could be avoided by introducing redundant joints and using an appropriate kinematic inversion algo rithm. For a very general class of kinematic inversion algo rithms, the theorems of this paper state some fundamental relations between the properties of the algorithm and its ability to resolve such problems. These results have practical implications in the design of controllers for redundant ma nipulators, especially when real-time sensory input is used to modify the manipulator's trajectory.
Identifying Sex-Specific Risk Factors for Low Bone Mineral Density in Adolescent Runners

Background: Adolescent runners may be at risk for low bone mineral density (BMD) associated with sports participation. Few prior investigations have evaluated bone health in young runners, particularly males. Purpose: To characterize sex-specific risk factors for low BMD in adolescent runners. Study Design: Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: Training characteristics, fracture history, eating behaviors and attitudes, and menstrual history were measured using online questionnaires. A food frequency questionnaire was used to identify dietary patterns and measure calcium intake. Runners (female: n = 94, male: n = 42) completed dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) to measure lumbar spine (LS) and total body less head (TBLH) BMD and body composition values, including android-to-gynoid (A:G) fat mass ratio. The BMD was standardized to Z-scores using age, sex, and race/ethnicity reference values. Questionnaire values were combined with DXA values to determine risk factors associated with differences in BMD Z-scores in LS and TBLH and low bone mass (defined as BMD Z-score ≤–1). Results: In multivariable analyses, risk factors for lower LS BMD Z-scores in girls included lower A:G ratio, being shorter, and the combination of (interaction between) current menstrual irregularity and a history of fracture (all P < .01). Later age of menarche, lower A:G ratio, lower lean mass, and drinking less milk were associated with lower TBLH BMD Z-scores (P < .01). In boys, lower body mass index (BMI) Z-scores and the belief that being thinner improves performance were associated with lower LS and TBLH BMD Z-scores (all P < .05); lower A:G ratio was additionally associated with lower TBLH Z-scores (P < .01). Thirteen girls (14%) and 9 boys (21%) had low bone mass. Girls with a BMI ≤17.5 kg/m2 or both menstrual irregularity and a history of fracture were significantly more likely to have low bone mass. Boys with a BMI ≤17.5 kg/m2 and belief that thinness improves performance were significantly more likely to have low bone mass. Conclusion: This study identified sex-specific risk factors for impaired bone mass in adolescent runners. These risk factors can be helpful to guide sports medicine professionals in evaluation and management of young runners at risk for impaired bone health.
Introducing virtual solutions for course design and delivery in business education: experiences from two economics courses

This paper explores the contribution of virtual tools to student learning within fulltime management programmes. More specifically, the paper focuses on asynchronous courseware, considering the scope it offers for group-based collaborative learning outside the classroom. We report on the effectiveness of this approach for an economics course on International Money and Finance, which was delivered to two classes, following international MBA and MSc programmes respectively at Nyenrode University. Using questionnaire and interview data, we compare the learning experiences of both classes. Our analysis focuses on student reception of the virtual tools and the learner-centred approach. Based on these findings, we propose a framework of pedagogical actions that may help to maximise the potential of elearning within hybrid course designs, particularly for novice users. The hybrid or “mixed-mode” approach is based on the combination of virtual and class-based study methods within an integrated course design.
Comparison of age-related changes in prostaglandin E1 and beta-adrenergic responsiveness of vascular smooth muscle in adult males.

Aging in humans is associated with a general decline in beta-adrenergic receptor responsiveness. Whether this is a consequence of a defect at the receptor level or along the adenylate cyclase pathway is not known. Using a technique to measure compliance of dorsal hand veins, we investigated the venodilatory response to isoproterenol and prostaglandin E1 (PGE1), which interact with distinct membrane-bound receptors but activate the same adenylate cyclase system. Studies were conducted in 7 young (Y, less than 30 years) and 7 elderly (E, greater than 60 years) healthy male volunteers. Dilatation induced by isoproterenol (mean +/- SD) was 43 +/- 8% in E vs 97 +/- 17% in Y, p = . 003. However, PGE, produced complete relaxation in both Y and E subjects (122 +/- 17% vs 97 +/- 19% respectively, p = .270). The sensitivity to PGE1 was not significantly different between the Y and E. Our results demonstrate that PGE1 is a potent venodilator in humans and that the age-related decline in vascular response is specific to beta-adrenoceptor agonists and does not reflect a generalized loss in responsiveness to adenylate cyclase coupled receptors.
Y Chromosome and Mitochondrial DNA Characterization of Pasiegos, a Human Isolate from Cantabria (Spain)

Mitochondrial DNA sequences and Y chromosome haplotypes were characterized in Pasiegos, a human isolate from Cantabria, and compared with those of other Cantabrian and neighbouring Northern Spain populations. Cantabria appears to be a genetically heterogeneous community. Whereas Lebaniegos do not differ from their eastern Basque and western Asturian and Galician neighbours, Pasiegos and other non‐Lebaniego Cantabrians show significant differences with all of them. Pasiegos are peculiar for their high frequencies of Y chromosomal markers (E‐M81) with North African assignation, and Y chromosomal (R‐SRY2627) and mtDNA (V, I, U5) markers related to northern European populations. This dual geographic contribution is more in agreement with the complex demographic history of this isolate, as opposed to recent drift effects. The high incidence in Cantabrians with pre‐V and V mtDNA haplotypes, considered as a signal of Postglacial recolonization in Europe from south‐western refugees, points to such refugees as a better candidate population than Basques for this expansion. However, this does not discount a conjoint recolonization.
Physicians' Resistance towards Information Systems in Healthcare: the Case of Workarounds

With the cost of healthcare delivery rising all over the world the way hospitals use their resources stands in the centre of attention in many countries. In order to make best use of doctors and nurses and costly medical appliances etc. the use of information systems plays a vital role. Although all physicians are usually obliged to use the systems anecdotal evidence shows that use-patterns are not always as expected. Some physicians do not like the system and find ways to avoid working with it. They establish so called "workarounds". This research investigates into the root causes of workarounds used by hospital physicians. Based on information systems theories a framework is developed to structure the findings from eight interviews in three hospitals in Germany. The interview partners were assured complete anonymity and thus the interviews were very open. We identified six distinctive types of workarounds and discuss their causes. The setup of this research is of exploratory nature using a grounded theory approach. Our findings underline the existence of workarounds in medical environment and provide guidance how to cope with them.
Maternal Diabetes in Rats: II. Effects on Fetal Growth and Protein Turnover

The developmental growth of the rat fetus was studied between days 14 and 21 of pregnancy in normal control, established-diabetic, gestational-diabetic, and insulin-maintained–diabetic mothers. Measurements of fetal body weights and protein mass revealed a suppression of growth in the diabetic pregnancies, probably arising from reduced hyperplasia. Growth of the liver and skin appeared to be suppressed in proportion to the whole fetus, whereas the lung, brain, and particularly the heart were relatively well protected from growth retardation. Fetal growth during development, and its retardation in association with the hyperglycemic state, was explained by measuring the rates of fetal protein turnover in vivo. Both the protein synthetic and degradative rates gradually declined during normal development. However, in the diabetic pregnancies, fetal protein synthesis was consistently lower than control rates, whereas protein degradation increased sharply toward the end of gestation. These changes in protein synthesis and breakdown probably combine to yield a smaller fetus in the absence of normoglycemia.
Radial distribution of dust, stars, gas, and star-formation rate in DustPedia face-on galaxies

Aims. The purpose of this work is the characterization of the radial distribution of dust, stars, gas, and star-formation rate (SFR) in a sub-sample of 18 face-on spiral galaxies extracted from the DustPedia sample. Methods. This study is performed by exploiting the multi-wavelength DustPedia database, from ultraviolet (UV) to sub-millimeter bands, in addition to molecular (12CO) and atomic (Hi) gas maps and metallicity abundance information available in the literature. We fitted the surface-brightness profiles of the tracers of dust and stars, the mass surface-density profiles of dust, stars, molecular gas, and total gas, and the SFR surface-density profiles with an exponential curve and derived their scale-lengths. We also developed a method to solve for the CO-to-H2 conversion factor (αCO) per galaxy by using dust- and gas-mass profiles. Results. Although each galaxy has its own peculiar behavior, we identified a common trend of the exponential scale-lengths versus wavelength. On average, the scale-lengths normalized to the B-band 25 mag/arcsec2 radius decrease from UV to 70 μm, from 0.4 to 0.2, and then increase back up to ~0.3 at 500 microns. The main result is that, on average, the dust-mass surface-density scale-length is about 1.8 times the stellar one derived from IRAC data and the 3.6 μm surface brightness, and close to that in the UV. We found a mild dependence of the scale-lengths on the Hubble stage T: the scale-lengths of the Herschel bands and the 3.6 μm scale-length tend to increase from earlier to later types, the scale-length at 70 μm tends to be smaller than that at longer sub-mm wavelength with ratios between longer sub-mm wavelengths and 70 μm that decrease with increasing T. The scale-length ratio of SFR and stars shows a weak increasing trend towards later types. Our αCO determinations are in the range (0.3−9) M⊙ pc-2 (K km s-1)-1, almost invariant by using a fixed dust-to-gas ratio mass (DGR) or a DGR depending on metallicity gradient.
Levothyroxine replacement therapy in patients with subclinical hypothyroidism and coronary artery disease.

OBJECTIVE To assess the potential benefits and risks associated with levothyroxine (LT4) therapy in patients with subclinical hypothyroidism (SH) and concomitant coronary artery disease (CAD). METHODS We enrolled 33 patients (4 male and 29 female subjects) with SH and CAD in this study. The study cohort consisted of 2 groups: 19 patients who were randomly assigned to receive LT4 therapy, titrated to maintain a normal serum thyrotropin level (main group), and 14 patients who did not receive any LT4 replacement therapy (control group). Variables of the lipid profile and left ventricular diastolic function were measured and 24-hour electrocardiographic monitoring was performed before randomization and at 6-month follow-up. Medical therapy for the CAD remained unchanged throughout the 6-month study period. RESULTS In the main group, no statistically significant differences were found in the lipids, variables of left ventricular diastolic function, and heart rate pattern between the hypothyroid and euthyroid states. Individual analysis revealed, however, that LT4 therapy was beneficial in terms of lipid abnormalities in those patients with lower body mass index, shorter history of CAD, and higher cholesterol levels at baseline. In the control group, we noted statistically significant prolongation of early filling deceleration time after 6 months, which indicated less flexibility of the left ventricular myocardium and diastolic myocardial dysfunction with long-term SH. In reference to adverse effects of LT4 therapy, 5 of the 19 patients had an increased rate of ventricular premature beats. These 5 patients were significantly older and initially had more supraventricular and ventricular premature beats than the rest of the main group. No ST depressions were recorded during LT4 therapy. CONCLUSION In patients with SH and CAD, LT4 therapy can be beneficial in diminishing lipid abnormalities in those with lower body mass index, briefer duration of CAD, and higher levels of cholesterol at baseline. Patients in our study who experienced adverse effects of LT4 treatment were older and had more supraventricular premature beats at baseline in comparison with the other patients.
Inhibition of Monocyte/Macrophage Migration to a Spinal Cord Injury Site by an Antibody to the Integrin αD: A Potential New Anti-inflammatory Treatment

The inflammatory response that ensues during the initial 48 to 72 h after spinal cord injury causes considerable secondary damage to neurons and glia. Infiltration of proinflammatory-activated neutrophils and monocytes/macrophages into the cord contributes to spinal cord injury-associated secondary damage. beta2 integrins play an essential role in leukocyte trafficking and activation and arbitrate cell-cell interactions during inflammation. The beta2 integrin, alphaDbeta2, is expressed on monocytes/macrophages and neutrophils and binds to vascular adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1). The increased expression of VCAM-1 during central nervous system (CNS) inflammation likely contributes to leukocyte extravasation into the CNS. Accordingly, blocking the interaction between alphaDbeta2 and VCAM-1 may attenuate the inflammatory response at the SCI site. We investigated whether the administration of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) specific for the rat alphaD subunit would reduce the inflammatory response after a spinal cord transection injury in rats. At a 1 mg/kg dose two of three anti-alphaD mAbs caused a significant ( approximately 65%) reduction in the number of macrophages at the injury site and one anti-alphaD mAb led to a approximately 43% reduction in the number of neutrophils at the SCI site. Thus, our results support the concept that the alphaDbeta2 integrins play an important role in the trafficking of leukocytes to a site of central nervous system inflammation. This study also offers preliminary evidence that anti-alphaD mAbs can reduce the extravasation of macrophages and, to a lesser extent, neutrophils, to the SCI site.
On the Application of Probability Theory to Agricultural Experiments. Essay on Principles. Section 9

In the portion of the paper translated here, Neyman introduces a model for the analysis of field experiments conducted for the purpose of comparing a number of crop varieties, which makes use of a double-indexed array of unknown potential yields, one index corresponding to varieties and the other to plots. The yield corresponding to only one variety will be observed on any given plot, but through an urn model embodying sampling without replacement from this doubly indexed array, Neyman obtains a formula for the variance of the difference between the averages of the observed yields of two varieties. This variance involves the variance over all plots of the potential yields and the correlation coefficient r between the potential yields of the two varieties on the same plot. Since it is impossible to estimate r directly, Neyman advises taking r = 1, observing that in practice this may lead to using too large an estimated standard deviation, when comparing two variety means.
Reluctance synchronous wind generator design optimisation in the megawatt, medium speed range

In this paper, reluctance synchronous machines are designed and optimised to operate in the 5 MW power range for the implementation as wind generators. It is shown, when assuming no rotor deformation, that reluctance synchronous generators can be comparatively designed to operate in this power range with power factors higher than 0.8 achieved. In order to further improve the machine performance, an assisted reluctance synchronous generator is designed by implementing a field wound rotor. It was found that by implementing the assisted field wound rotor, unity power factor is achievable.
First‐line autologous stem cell transplantation in primary CNS lymphoma

Abstract: The treatment of primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) has been considerably improved over recent years. In this article, we report six cases of PCNSL treated by first‐line induction chemotherapy followed by intensive chemotherapy and autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT). Six immunocompetent patients presenting with a PCNSL, confirmed by thoraco‐abdomino‐pelvic computer tomography scan and bone marrow biopsy, were treated with induction chemotherapy followed by BEAM intensive chemotherapy and ASCT and radiotherapy. At the end of the treatment, all the patients were in complete remission. After a median follow‐up of 41.5 months (17–70 months), four patients were alive without signs of relapse (median survival: 35.5 months). Two patients died from relapse at 19 and 23 months. The neurotoxicity was low with epilepsy in one patient and persistent left side dysesthesia in another one. These results are fairly encouraging. Other studies with greater numbers of patients and longer follow‐up are needed to confirm this study.
Pilot Tone Selection For Channel Estimation In A Mobile Ofdm System *

Channel estimation for mobile OFDM systems requires transmission of pilot tones. This paper addresses the important issue of selecting these pilot tones, so as to achieve a good quality estimate. It is shown that the best set of tones to be used are those which are equally spaced. Furthermore, it is shown using the case of a first order Markov channel, that it is more efficient to use a few pilot tones in all symbols, rather than use all tones as pilot tones in some symbols.
Pentoxifylline modulates meningeal inflammation in experimental bacterial meningitis

Pentoxifylline has been shown to decrease endotoxin-induced tumor necrosis factor alpha production and reverse the inflammatory actions of interleukin-1 (IL-1) and tumor necrosis factor on leukocyte function. Because of the potential role of this cytokine-leukocyte interaction in the pathogenesis of bacterial meningitis, we investigated the ability of pentoxifylline to modulate meningeal inflammation in the rabbit meningitis model. Pentoxifylline treatment (initially an intravenous injection of 20 mg/kg followed by 6 mg/kg per h) started 20 min before intracisternal injection of 20 ng of Haemophilus influenzae type b lipooligosaccharide (endotoxin) reduced significantly concentrations in cerebrospinal fluid of leukocytes (P less than 0.0001), protein (P less than 0.001), and lactate (P less than 0.001) during the 9-h infusion compared with values in intravenous-saline-treated rabbits. When pentoxifylline was given 1 h after H. influenzae type b endotoxin, the mean peak lactate and leukocyte concentrations in cerebrospinal fluid were significantly lower than those in control animals. Pentoxifylline also significantly decreased lactate and protein concentrations (P less than 0.05) and tended to diminish leukocyte counts (P = 0.08) compared with results in control animals after antibiotic-induced release of endotoxin in animals with H. influenzae meningitis. In this regard, dexamethasone was superior to pentoxifylline and no synergism was observed when the drugs were combined. Additionally, pentoxifylline attenuated meningeal inflammatory changes induced by intracisternal inoculation of 10 ng of rabbit recombinant IL-1 beta compared with results in either dexamethasone- or saline-treated animals. We conclude that pentoxifylline is effective in this animal model in modulating the meningeal inflammatory response following intracisternal inoculation of H. influenzae type b endotoxin or organisms or rabbit recombinant IL-1beta.
Some approximated methods of calculation Sagnac correction for optical fiber time transfer

In this paper we present simply algorithms for calculation of Sagnac correction for optical fiber time transfer based on limited knowledge of the fiber route and using the more detailed but confidential data known by network operator only. The considered methods are quite easy for implementation and can make the calculation of Sagnac correction more friendly for time and frequency community.