Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
GHRH Treatment: Studies in an Animal Model

Shakatsui, S. , Abe, H. and Chihara, K. (Division of Metabolism and Nutrition, International Centre for Medical Research, and the Third Division, Department of Medicine, Kobe University School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan). GHRH treatment: studies in an animal model. Acta Paediatr Scand [Suppl] 349 101, 1989.
Increased dietary NaCl potentiates the effects of elevated prorenin levels on blood pressure and organ disease

Background Rats with several 100-fold elevation of plasma prorenin levels due to liver-specific expression of a rat prorenin transgene have cardiac and aortic hypertrophy, renal lesions, and myocardial fibrosis. The effect of increased dietary NaCl on the phenotype of prorenin transgenic rats has not been examined. Methods and results We compared the effects of 0.3 and 2% dietary NaCl in wild-type and transgenic rats from 3 to 12 months of age. In comparison with wild-type rats, transgenic rats receiving 0.3% dietary NaCl had approximately 1000-fold elevation of prorenin, 1.5-fold to 2.5-fold elevation of renin concentration and activity, wild-type levels of angiotensin II, and were hypertensive with cardiac and aortic hypertrophy, and increased renal glomerular and tubulo-interstitial injury score. In wild-type rats, 2% dietary NaCl reduced angiotensin levels, produced a delayed increase in blood pressure, and caused cardiac hypertrophy and tubulo-interstitial injury. By contrast, 2% NaCl did not reduce angiotensin levels in transgenic rats, potentiated their hypertension, cardiac and aortic hypertrophy, and increased myocardial interstitial and perivascular fibrosis, without effect on glomerular or tubulo-interstitial injury score. Conclusion Increased dietary NaCl had a greater impact on the phenotype of transgenic than wild-type rats that may have been due, in part, to their hypertension and their failure to suppress angiotensin levels, consequent to their elevated prorenin levels.
Portable IP-based communication system using Raspberry Pi as exchange

The importance of communications and information trigger the development of communication network technology in order to be easy, cheap, efficient and has wide coverage area. This research designs an easy, cheap, and efficient IP-based communication system for voice and video. The aim of this research is to know the performance of telecommunication system for voice and video communication in terms of throughput, jitter, delay, and packet loss according to ITU-G.114 standard. This research also optimizes coverage area by adding 8 dBi omni-directional antenna. The arrangement of communication system is done by Raspberry Pi as server using ArteriskFreePBX software. Linphone and Bria as softphone in client devices. Then configure the SIP account to make voice and video communication. The test scenarios are communication between laptops, communication from laptop to smartphone, and communication between smartphones. The results obtained that the farthest distance from the wireless adapter between the server and the clients is 100 m. The testing network performance parameters based on ITU-G.114 standard, the farthest distance that can communicate between Smartphones is at 140 m for audio and 80 m for video, Laptop to Smartphone at a distance of 180 m for audio, 80 m for video. Communication between Laptop for video communication at a distance of 120 m and for audio can communicate well up to 200 m distance. This research is expected to be used as reference and alternative a cheap and portable telecommunication device.
Industry versus Country Portfolio Diversification: from the Perspective of the US Investor

This thesis examines the role of diversifying across different industries in determining equity index returns in contrast to the effect of diversifying across different countries. This research aims at investigating the increasing importance of industry diversification. Furthermore, it examines the optimal portfolio for a US investor when diversifying globally within different industries. For constructing the optimal portfolio for the US investor, the Sharpe ratio is applied. The portfolio theory developed by Markowitz (1952) is presented and the concepts of the optimal portfolio and Sharpe ratio are identified. The views of the main contributors to the topic of portfolio diversification are investigated. To offer contrasting views, a distinction is made between industry and geographic diversification strategies, and prior empirical findings are provided. The results support the principles of diversification and the portfolio theory developed by Markowitz (1952). Industry effects seem to be more significant compared to country effects in determining equity index returns. Therefore, evidence is found for the increasing importance of industry diversification, and hence the importance of diversifying within multiple industries cannot be ignored. Based on the finding of that an American investor should invest across industries rather than across countries, we give a recommendation for investing across particular industries, for which the lowest average correlations with other industries are obtained. For evaluating the stability of the composition of the optimal portfolio, we apply the out-of-sample method. We find results that are in accordance with most findings that report worse out-of-sample performance in terms of a lower Sharpe ratio. These results are further supported by various prior findings.
Diagnosis, prognosis and awareness of dying in nursing homes: towards the Gold Standard?

BACKGROUND In Western society and increasingly elsewhere, death has become medicalised and 'hospitalised' even when people are enduring deteriorating terminal conditions such as dementia and heart failure. In an attempt to rationalise and dignify the place and manner of death, evidence is emerging that the adoption of end-of-life care pathways and models can improve the experience of the end-of-life care across a range of care settings. Each of these demands skills and knowledge in the assessment and prediction of the dying trajectory. AIM In this study, we report complexities facing relatives, residents and nursing home staff in the awareness, diagnosis and prediction of the dying trajectory. METHODS Data were collected and analysed within a broadly qualitative methodology. The contexts were two nursing homes in the Greater Manchester area, each at different stages of implementing 'Gold Standards Framework' approaches to planning end-of-life care with residents and their relatives. From 2008 to 2011 and with appropriate consent, data were collected by a mixture of interviews and participant observation with residents, relatives and staff. Appropriate ethics approvals were sought and given. RESULTS Key emerging themes were diagnosis and awareness of dying in which there is no substitute for experience. Significant resource is needed to engage staff, residents and relatives/carers with the idea of advance care planning. CONCLUSIONS Talking to residents and relatives about their feelings and wishes for care at the end of life remains especially difficult, but education and training in key skills and knowledge can engender confidence. Challenges include diagnosing and predicting dying trajectories. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE Advance care planning can reduce the distress from and number of inappropriate hospital admissions, but requires determination and consistent application of the approach. This can be very challenging in the face of staff rotation and the unpredictability both of the dying trajectory and the decision-making of some out of hours medical staff.
The dynamics of endometrial growth and the triple layer appearance in three different controlled ovarian hyperstimulation protocols and their influence on IVF outcomes

The impact of endometrial growth to the triple layer, endometrial thickness, and echogenicity on IVF outcomes was investigated in the study. A retrospective analysis of 583 ICSI patients was conducted: 385 with a long GnRH agonist protocol, 114 with a short GnRH agonist, and 84 with a GnRH antagonist protocol. The progression of endometrial growth to the appearance of the triple layer, endometrial thickness, and echogenicity was compared between protocols. At least one high quality blastocyst was transferred in a double embryo transfer. The time of the appearance of the endometrial triple layer was statistically significant for the pregnancy rate only in the GnRH antagonist protocol. The endometrial thickness on the day of the appearance of the triple layer had a statistically significant influence on the pregnancy rate in the GnRH antagonist and in the long GnRH agonist protocols. The highest pregnancy rate for the long GnRH agonist and the GnRH antagonist protocols was observed when the endometrium thickness was 12–13 mm (61.6% and 58.8%, respectively). The endometrial echogenicity had a significant influence on the pregnancy rate only in the long GnRH agonist protocol. Endometrial features could be helpful parameters in IVF outcomes in particular controlled ovarian hyperstimulation protocols.
Differential Regulation of Hepatic Transporters in the Absence of Tumor Necrosis Factor-α, Interleukin-1β, Interleukin-6, and Nuclear Factor-κB in Two Models of Cholestasis

Hepatic transporters are responsible for uptake and efflux of bile acids and xenobiotics as an essential aspect of liver function. When normal vectorial transport of bile acids by the apical uptake and canalicular excretion transporters is disrupted, cholestasis ensues, leading to accumulation of toxic bile constituents and considerable hepatocellular damage. The purpose of this study was to assess the role of cytokines and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) in the transcriptional regulation of transporters in two models of cholestasis, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) administration and bile duct ligation (BDL). In wild-type (WT) and knockout mouse strains lacking tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor-1, interleukin (IL)-1 receptor I, IL-6, or inhibitor of κB(IκB) kinase β, transporter mRNA levels in liver were determined using branched DNA signal amplification 16 h after LPS administration or 3 days after BDL. In WT mice, LPS administration tended to decrease mRNA levels of organic anion-transporting polypeptide (Oatp) 2, Na+-taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide (Ntcp), Oatp1, Oatp4, bile salt excretory protein (Bsep), multidrug resistance-associated protein (Mrp) 2, and Mrp6 compared with saline treatment, whereas it increased Mrp1, 3, and 5 levels. Similar changes were observed in each knockout strain after LPS administration. Conversely, BDL decreased only Oatp1 expression in WT mice, meanwhile increasing expression of Mrp1, 3, and 5 and Oatp2 expression in both WT and knockout strains. Because the transcriptional effects of BDL- and LPS-induced cholestasis reflect dissimilarity in hepatic transporter regulation, we conclude that these disparities are not due to the individual activity of TNF-α, IL-1, IL-6, or NF-κB but to the differences in the mechanism of cholestasis.
Comparing Wound Complication Rates following Closure of Hip Wounds with Metallic Skin Staples or Subcuticular Vicryl Suture: A Prospective Randomised Trial

Purpose. To compare 2 methods of wound closure—metallic staples or 3–0 undyed vicryl—according to postoperative wound complication rates. Methods. Patients who underwent surgery for proximal femoral fractures were randomised to have wound closure with metallic staples or with subcuticular vicryl suture. Wounds were regularly examined postoperatively and only those with positive wound swabs were regarded as wound infections. Results. Five infections and one superficial wound dehiscence occurred in the patients who had wound closure with metallic staples. The complication rate was significantly higher for this group compared with the group who had wound closure with subcuticular vicryl suture (p<0.025). Conclusion. Superficial wound complication rates are higher for wounds closed with metallic staples compared to wounds closed with subcuticular vicryl.
Encouraging Responsible Drinking Among Underage Drinkers

Abstract Public Service Announcements tailored to specific college drinking rituals (Treise, Wolburg and Otnes 1999) were tested on 133 underage undergraduate drinkers. More significant reductions in drinking intentions were found when using appeals focusing on drinking rituals pertaining to Maturity/Order (older students drink moderately: “Don't drink like a freshman.”) than to Transformation (desired personality and mood changes), Community (social bonding and camaraderie), or a no-message Control. Gender did not moderate this effect. Underage drinkers may drink, in part, to feel more “grown up. ” Emphasizing that more senior students actually drink responsibly may diminish this belief and result in reduced alcohol consumption among underage students.
Peripheral neuropathy in children with HIV infection

Peripheral neuropathy is infrequently reported in children with HIV infection, but may be underrecognized. To provide a better understanding of the patterns of peripheral neuropathy in these children, we surveyed the charts of 50 children with HIV infection referred to the EMG laboratory at the National Institutes of Health for evaluation of suspected peripheral neuropathy. Twelve children had an abnormal nerve conduction study. The findings suggested a distal sensory or sensorimotor axonal neuropathy in seven children, median nerve compression at the carpal tunnel in three, a demyelinating neuropathy in one child, and a lumbosacral polyradiculopathy in one adolescent. Distal symmetric polyneuropathy occurred mostly in older-aged children.
Immunogenicity, Safety and Reactogenicity of a Booster Dose of the 10-Valent Pneumococcal Nontypeable H. influenzae Protein D Conjugate Vaccine Coadministered With DTPa-IPV-Hib in Dutch Children: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: Immune responses and safety profiles may be affected when vaccines are coadministered. We evaluated the immunogenicity, safety and reactogenicity of a booster dose of the 10-valent pneumococcal nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae protein D-conjugate (PHiD-CV; Synflorix GSK Vaccines) and DTPa-IPV-Hib (Pediacel Sanofi Pasteur MSD) when coadministered. Methods: We performed booster assessment in a randomized controlled trial in the Netherlands. Of 780 enrolled healthy infants, 774 toddlers participated in the booster phase and received (1:1:1) (1) PHiD-CV + DTPa-HBV-IPV/Hib (Infanrix hexa, GSK Vaccines), (2) PHiD-CV + DTPa-IPV-Hib, or (3) 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (7vCRM, Prevenar/Prevnar, Pfizer, Inc.) + DTPa-IPV-Hib at 2, 3, 4 and 11–13 months old. Blood samples were taken postprimary, prebooster, 1 and 12 months postbooster. Results: Antipneumococcal antibody responses were comparable between both PHiD-CV groups, except for serotype 18C (conjugated to tetanus toxoid). Anti-18C antibody geometric mean concentrations (GMCs) were higher when coadministered with DTPa-HBV-IPV/Hib. For each vaccine serotype, the percentages of children with antibody concentration ≥ 0.20 &mgr;g/mL were within the same ranges between PHiD-CV groups (93.8%–100%). The same was observed for the percentages of participants with opsonophagocytic activity titer ≥ 8 (90.9%–100%). When comparing both DTPa-IPV-Hib groups, postbooster antidiphtheria antibody GMCs were higher when coadministered with 7vCRM, while antitetanus and antipolyribosyl-ribitol phosphate antibody GMCs were higher with PHiD-CV coadministration. Regardless, antibody levels to these antigens were well above thresholds. Safety and reactogenicity profiles were comparable between groups. Conclusions: Coadministration of a booster dose of PHiD-CV and DTPa-IPV-Hib was immunogenic and well tolerated.
Capability to be Educated—Inspiring and Inclusive Pedagogical Arrangements from Finnish Schools

Abstract The idea and concept of inclusive education have been debated, and different interpretations of what inclusion means and to whom it concerns have been presented. In this paper, we bring together notions of inclusive quality education, pedagogy, learning and teachers, and illustrate how the principle(s) of inclusion(s) has been enacted and translated into classroom practices in Finnish context. Drawing from Finnish teachers’ narratives, we highlight successful, small-scale and creative pedagogical arrangements and teachers’ sensitivity to recognize and commit to responding to the needs of diverse learners. Our argumentation is rooted in the capabilities approach. We carry out an evaluative exercise and examine how the classroom practices and teachers’ understandings of their students look like through the capabilities conceptualizations.
Aggregate Analyst Forecast Errors, Stock Market Liquidity, and the Economy

We examine aggregate analyst forecast errors (AAFE) and find a systematic component, which is predictable using lagged stock market returns and macroeconomic variables. The evidence suggests that analysts do not fully take into account macroeconomic influences on individual firms’ earnings in their forecasts, and that systematic biases in market expectations exist. Since informed investors may exploit over-optimistic (over-pessimistic) analyst earnings forecasts in their sells (buys), their trading affects stock prices, which induces uninformed investors to gradually revise their expectations and leave (enter) the market. As the number of uninformed investors decreases (increases), stock market liquidity deteriorates (improves). Based on this reasoning, we show that – predictable AAFE is a driving force of time-varying stock market liquidity – and also an important channel through which stock market liquidity incorporates macroeconomic information.
Female reproductive tract form drives the evolution of complex sperm morphology

The coevolution of female mate preferences and exaggerated male traits is a fundamental prediction of many sexual selection models, but has largely defied testing due to the challenges of quantifying the sensory and cognitive bases of female preferences. We overcome this difficulty by focusing on postcopulatory sexual selection, where readily quantifiable female reproductive tract structures are capable of biasing paternity in favor of preferred sperm morphologies and thus represent a proximate mechanism of female mate choice when ejaculates from multiple males overlap within the tract. Here, we use phylogenetically controlled generalized least squares and logistic regression to test whether the evolution of female reproductive tract design might have driven the evolution of complex, multivariate sperm form in a family of aquatic beetles. The results indicate that female reproductive tracts have undergone extensive diversification in diving beetles, with remodeling of size and shape of several organs and structures being significantly associated with changes in sperm size, head shape, gains/losses of conjugation and conjugate size. Further, results of Bayesian analyses suggest that the loss of sperm conjugation is driven by elongation of the female reproductive tract. Behavioral and ultrastructural examination of sperm conjugates stored in the female tract indicates that conjugates anchor in optimal positions for fertilization. The results underscore the importance of postcopulatory sexual selection as an agent of diversification.
Management and quality indicators of diabetes mellitus in people with intellectual disabilities.

BACKGROUND People with intellectual disabilities (ID) are at a higher risk of developing diabetes compared with the non-intellectually disabled population, as a consequence of genetic syndromes and because this cohort are more exposed to many of the identified risk factors. However, little is known about the management of diabetes in this population. The aim of this study was to examine the demographics, health and the diabetes quality of care indicators used with people with ID in one region of the UK. METHODOLOGY This was a quantitative study using a postal survey design. An anonymised questionnaire was posted to all community ID teams and supported living/residential facilities requesting information on the demographics, health and quality of care indicators for people with ID who have diabetes on their caseloads. RESULTS In total 186 questionnaires were returned. Results showed that 125 people with ID had Type 2 diabetes (67%) and 61 people had Type 1 (33%). Significantly more people with Down syndrome and Autistic Spectrum Disorder had Type 1 diabetes. This study found that 6% had glycossylated glucose levels (HbA1c) greater than 9.5% and for 52% the levels were between 6.5% and 9.4%. Individuals reported to have poor glycaemic control were statistically more likely to have Type 1 diabetes and be younger, live with parents or independently and be obese. Results also illustrate that the national standards for good diabetes management were only partially met. DISCUSSION Because of their enhanced predisposition for the development of diabetes this population merits particular attention with regards to screening for the onset of diabetes. The extent to which the quality of diabetes care indicators were achieved was variable but results suggest that for many people the indices were not met, that glycaemic control was poor, that only a quarter were of normal weight, that many were hypertensive and that almost a quarter had no record of their lipid levels. These findings provoke two important questions: first, who should be responsible for promoting diabetes management in this client group and second, how can service provision be tailored to better meet their needs? Greater collaborative working and education is required between ID services, primary healthcare and diabetes clinicians in order to promote the health and meet the quality indicators of diabetes care among this population.
Polynomial Expression for Distribution of the Smallest Eigenvalue of Wishart Matrices

Wishart matrix and its eigenvalues are very important to the analysis of multiple-antenna systems. In this paper, we derive a polynomial expression for the distribution of the smallest eigenvalue of Wishart matrices. Compared with earlier results in matrix determinant forms, our expression is much easier to handle. The expression obtained applies for Wishart matrices of arbitrary orders and is an extension to Edelman's and Park's results. Moreover, our work here can also be viewed as an interesting proof of one complicated equality, since the distribution is unique and our result must be equivalent to earlier researchers'. In a word, with the result of this paper, further mathematical analysis on the statistics of the smallest eigenvalue becomes possible.
Corporate Social Responsibility, Corporate Performance, and Pay-Performance Sensitivity—Evidence from Shanghai Stock Exchange Social Responsibility Index

ABSTRACT Based on annual data of listed companies on Shanghai Stock Exchange (SSE) through 2009–2013, this article examines three hypotheses: first, whether a firm’s taking corporate social responsibility (CSR) affects corporate performance; second, whether corporate governance and a firm’s age positively moderate the relationship between CSR and performance; and third, whether CSR positively moderates the magnitude/direction of linkage between a firm’s performance and top management/director compensation (pay-performance sensitivity, PPS). Three proxies for CSR engagement are constructed by a firm’s inclusion in the SSE Social Responsibility Index. Empirical evidence generally shows that firms engaging in CSR tend to obtain superior performance in terms of higher profitability. However, firm’s age and sound corporate governance have little additional benefit on the effect of a firm engaging in CSR on performance. Finally, greater CSR engagement is associated with larger PPS. Principal outcome does not shift under two-stage estimation and propensity score matching (PSM) to correct for sample self-selection of CSR engagement.