Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Early [ 38 _ TD $ DIFF ] and Mid-term Ou tcome of the St . Jude Medical Regent 19-mm Aortic Valve Mechanical Prosthesis . Functional and Haemodynamic Evaluation

Materials and Methods Between January 2002 and January 2012, 265 patients with aortic valve disease underwent AVR (Aortic Valve Replacement) with a SJMR-19 (St Jude Medical Regent Nr.19). There were 51 males. Mean age was 67.5 12.72 years and mean body surface area (BSA) was 1.67 0.14 m2. Thirty-six patients required annulus enlargement. Themean follow-upwas 34.5 18.8 months (range 6–60months). All patients underwent echocardiographic examination at discharge and within one year after surgery.
Educated Mothers, Well-Fed and Healthy Children? Assessing the Impact of the 1980 School Reform on Dietary Diversity and Nutrition Outcomes of Zimbabwean Children

Abstract We scrutinise the causal influence of schooling on child dietary diversity and nutrition in Zimbabwe using the exogenous variability in schooling prompted by the 1980 education policy, a natural trial fitting a fuzzy regression discontinuity design. We established that a one-year of learning promotes dietary diversity and nutrition even after accounting for plausible mediating factors. Also, education is more liable to impact dietary practices and nutrition through improvements in health knowledge, literacy, wealth and prenatal care utilisation. These findings suggest that promoting schooling access to girls in resource-poor nations might have far-reaching implications on feeding practices and consequently child nutrition.
Identification of activated matrix metalloproteinase‐2 (MMP‐2) as the main gelatinolytic enzyme in malignant melanoma by in situ zymography

The involvement of extracellular matrix‐degrading enzymes, such as matrix metalloproteinases and serine proteases, during tumour progression and metastasis is well established. In particular, the activation of pro‐matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)‐2 on the surface of malignant cells by membrane‐bound MT1‐MMP has been shown to contribute to the invasive abilities of various tumours. This study presents evidence that in tissue of malignant melanomas, increased effective gelatinolytic activity is mainly located at sites where melanoma cells interact with the surrounding extracellular matrix. Forty‐one primary melanomas (30 superficial spreading and 11 nodular type) and six lymph node metastases were investigated by a modified technique of gelatin in situ zymography. This technique localizes areas of effective proteolytic activity within tissue sections. In 28/41 (68%) primary melanomas and in 6/6 (100%) metastases, considerable proteolysis was detected at the invading part of the tumour and especially at sites of tumour–stroma interactions, whereas no or only weak proteolytic activity was localized within the centres of solid nests of tumour cells. Zymographic analysis of extracts obtained from different areas of microdissected melanoma specimens identified activated MMP‐2 as the enzyme responsible for this activity. Immunohistochemical analysis detected strong staining for MMP‐2 and MT1‐MMP, even in areas in which no proteolytic activity was found by in situ zymography, emphasizing the importance of more functional techniques for the investigation of balanced proteolytic systems. This technology makes it possible to draw conclusions regarding the balance between activated proteases and inhibitors, which are frequently found to be present together in close proximity in vivo. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Multimodal flexible sensor for healthcare systems

This paper describes potential applications of our previously developed fabric sensor into wearable healthcare or nursing systems based on its sensing modalities. This sensor is knitted from tension-sensitive electro-conductive yarns; whose structure has an elastic core, wound around by two separated tension-sensitive electro-conductive threads. This makes the sensor inherently flexible and stretchable, allowing it to conform to any complicated surface. We have equipped the sensor with three modalities, including proximity that allows the sensor to estimate a distance from the sensor to human hand and activates a light touch sensing, which could initiate comfortable and friendly interfaces in order to reduce burden of patients/disable people during interactions with healthcare devices; tactile perception that can measures contact force or applied load, especially realize slippage acting on the sensor surface, which is promising to be embedded into wearable devices or smart carpets; and tensile that can quantify a volume's contraction/expansion, which can be employed to monitoring muscles activity and so on.
Identification of phosphorylation sites in PHF-TAU from patients with Guam amyotrophic lateral sclerosis/parkinsonism-dementia complex.

Guam Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis/Parkinsonism-Dementia Complex (Guam ALS/PDC) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by abundant neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) composed of aggregated paired helical filaments (PHFs). These abnormal filaments resemble the PHFs in neurofibrillary lesions of classic Alzheimer's disease (AD), and recent studies demonstrated that tau in Guam ALS/PDC is aberrantly phosphorylated and biochemically similar to the abnormal tau proteins (PHFtau) in classic AD. However, unlike PHFtau in AD, there is little information on the specific sites of phosphorylation in PHFtau from Guam ALS/PDC. Thus, to address this important issue, we examined tangle-rich Guam ALS/PDC and AD brains by Western blot, immunoelectron microscopy and immunohistochemistry using 13 antibodies to defined phosphate-dependent or -independent epitopes distributed throughout AD PHFtau. These studies identified 7 previously unknown sites of phosphorylation in PHFtau from Guam ALS/PDC (i.e. Thr181, Thr231, Ser262, Ser396, Ser404, Ser422, and the site defined by monoclonal antibody AT10), all of which also are found in AD PHFtau. Indeed, the Western blot, light and immunoelectron microscopic data suggest that NFTs, PHFs and PHFtau in Guam ALS/PDC are very similar to their counterparts in classic AD. Thus, insights into mechanisms leading to the accumulation of neurofibrillary lesions in Guam ALS/PDC may advance understanding of the pathogenesis and biological consequences of these lesions in classic AD.
Priming prostate carcinoma cells for increased apoptosis is associated with up‐regulation of the caspases

The potential to prime prostatic carcinoma cell lines for apoptosis represents an exciting strategy for the treatment of patients with this disease. The ability and the underlying molecular mechanisms involved in sensitizing both androgen‐sensitive and androgen‐insensitive cell types to a range of apoptotic‐inducing agents are investigated by the authors.
Contrasting patterns in genetic diversity following multiple invasions of fresh and brackish waters

Biological invasions may combine the genetic effects of population bottlenecks and selection and thus provide valuable insight into the role of such processes during novel environmental colonizations. However, these processes are also influenced by multiple invasions, the number of individuals introduced and the degree of similarity between source and receiving habitats. The amphipod Gammarus tigrinus provides a useful model to assess these factors, as its invasion history has involved major environmental transitions. This species is native to the northwest Atlantic Ocean, although it invaded both brackish and freshwater habitats in the British Isles after introduction more than 65 years ago. It has also spread to similar habitats in Western Europe and, most recently, to Eastern Europe, the Baltic Sea, and the Laurentian Great Lakes. To examine sources of invasion and patterns of genetic change, we sampled populations from 13 native estuaries and 19 invaded sites and sequenced 542 bp of the mitochondrial COI gene. Strong native phylogeographical structure allowed us to unambiguously identify three allopatrically evolved clades (2.3–3.1% divergent) in invading populations, indicative of multiple introductions. The most divergent clades occurred in the British Isles and mainland Europe and were sourced from the St Lawrence and Chesapeake/Delaware Bay estuaries. A third clade was found in the Great Lakes and sourced to the Hudson River estuary. Despite extensive sampling, G. tigrinus did not occur in freshwater at putative source sites. Some European populations showed reduced genetic diversity consistent with bottlenecks, although selection effects cannot be excluded. The habitat distribution of clades in Europe was congruent with the known invasion history of secondary spread from the British Isles. Differences in salinity tolerance among lineages were suggested by patterns of habitat colonization by different native COI clades. Populations consisting of admixtures of the two invading clades were found principally at recently invaded fresh and brackish water sites in Eastern Europe, and were characterized by higher genetic diversity than putative source populations. Further studies are required to determine if these represent novel genotypes. Our results confirm that biological invasions need not result in diminished genetic diversity, particularly if multiple source populations, each with distinctive genetic composition, contribute to the founding populations.
An Analysis of the Factors behind the Citizen’s Attitude of Rejection towards Tourism in a Context of Overtourism and Economic Dependence on This Activity

New tourism trends, such as vacation rentals websites and low-cost tourism, have generated a new environment of interactions between tourism and the citizens. To this, we must add the fortuitous increase in demand in some touristic destinations. This has derived in situations of rejection in traditionally tourism-dependent environments. In this study, which is focused on the city of Barcelona, we use work-field data to analyze the elements that lie behind the popular aversion to tourism. Assuming a non-forced analysis that takes the Social Exchange Theory as a framework, we have determined that the negative economic effects derived from the increase in the number of accommodations destined for vacation rentals and in the demand lie behind this rejection. The main impacts that are perceived directly from these factors are: the increase in residential rentals prices and a shift from a traditional market to one oriented to the tourist with higher prices. It has also been determined that the most vulnerable population groups are those who manifest a stronger rejection, tenants of apartments in city centers, and citizens with a low/medium income, who perceive rises in the prices and a change in the market focus to a larger extent.
A Survey of Cardiopulmonary Bypass Perfusion Practices in Australia in 1992

Twenty-four cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) perfusion units around Australia were surveyed to determine the characteristics of CPB perfusion as practised in Australia in 1992. Twenty completed survey forms were received. Findings were compared with those of a similar study performed by one of the authors for the year 1986. The field of CPB perfusion continues to expand both in terms of numbers of cases and increasing technological complexity. The major technological changes evident are the now clear dominance of membrane over bubble oxygenators and the proliferation of inline SvO2 monitoring devices. The greatest change in practice has been to the virtually universal use of cardioplegia. There remains considerable variation in the composition of the cardioplegia solutions used in the responding units. A range of minimum perfusion pressures for CPB is noted, whereas most units employ similar minimum perfusion flows. Methods of central nervous system and renal protection are mainly hypothermia and diuretics, respectively, with a scattering of other techniques. Staffing of CPB perfusion units is essentially unchanged since 1986 and at least five units had no medical perfusionist appointed in 1992.
Analysis of the intrinsic signals, extrinsic signals and the expected quality of the organic tortilla to assess its purchasing intentions

Abstract The purpose of the following research is to analyze the expectations and perceptions of the consumer through the measuring of the intrinsic and extrinsic signals, as well as the expected quality of the organic tortilla to evaluate its impact over the purchasing intention. The design of the research was non- experimental, the scope was descriptive, correlational, causal and cross-sectional. The sampling method was non-probabilistic by convenience using a personal survey applied to a sample of 386 consumers at Tlaxcala’s Alternative Market in 2017. This research demonstrates the importance of the consumer while looking for alternatives to assess their purchase. The importance it shows among the organic sector is related to the information obtained, in order to design marketing strategies oriented toward the processed food market, being able to improve the signaling of the product and the perception of the consumer.
Democratic representation and democratic sanctions

In this paper, I argue that citizens have an entitlement to sanction representatives, but representatives have tools to anticipate this sanction and reconstruct their views in order to anticipate the views of the people they are supposed to represent. I also argue that represented and representatives have an entitlement to sanction democratic representative institutions and practices, but, unless citizens across the spectrum of all representative relationships agree on many fronts, sanctions are likely to violate the democratic requirement that all subjected to a collective decision should not be mere objects of coercion.
Managing nausea and vomiting of pregnancy: a survey of obstetrician-gynecologists.

OBJECTIVE To assess obstetrician-gynecologists' treatment of nausea and vomiting of pregnancy and to compare it with recommendations in an American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) evidence-based practice bulletin on the topic. STUDY DESIGN A survey questionnaire was mailed to the 1075 ACOG fellows who constitute the Collaborative Ambulatory Research Network (CARN). RESULTS The most frequently recommended treatments for a patient with moderate to severe nausea with occasional vomiting were: eat frequent, small meals (93%); snack on soda crackers (68.5%); and take vitamin B6 plus doxylamine (67.1%). Two of 3 (66.7%) respondents had read the ACOG practice bulletin; most of those who had read it found it helpful (67.0%) or very helpful (29.5%). Respondents who read the practice bulletin were generally more willing to treat nausea and vomiting of pregnancy aggressively. They were more likely to be aware that early treatment is recommended to prevent progression to hyperemesis gravidarum and more likely to recommend the use of ginger (59.7% vs. 47.9%, p = 0.014), and to prescribe vitamin B6 (84.1% vs. 73.8%, p = 0.005) and vitamin B6 plus doxylamine (70.9% vs. 59.3%, p = 0.009). CONCLUSION Obstetrician-gynecologists' treatment and prescribing practices generally follow ACOG recommendations; the ACOG practice bulletin appears to have affected practice and knowledge.
Taxpayers and Tax Spenders: Does a Zero Tax Price Matter?

As public concern over rising U.S. budget deficits and debt mounts, policymakers propose numerous explanations and policy changes. One explanation dates back to political theorists John C. Calhoun and James Madison, who wondered about the consequences for the republic if the citizenry became divided into classes of taxpayers and tax beneficiaries or spenders. In particular, they feared that the property rights of the taxpayers would not be protected. This paper argues that the Sixteenth Amendment establishing the income tax nullified the prior constitutional restraint on the size of government and enabled one group of citizens to vote themselves benefits at the expense of another. In terms of economic theory, the budget has become a “commons” and is subject to the tragedies of overuse and abuse. Over the past three decades, the distribution of U.S. tax liability has become more skewed. A rising percentage of citizens pay few or no federal taxes, so that a smaller share of the citizenry increasingly bears the tax burden. Analytical work shows that the skewed distribution of the U.S. tax liability is correlated with higher debt and greater entitlement spending. Since currently there are no constitutional constraints on deficit spending, the research calls for policy makers to broaden the tax base so that more citizens will feel the cost of deficit spending and to take action to reduce the associated tax burdens. This paper demonstrates that when the tax-price of government services is zero, more will always be demanded.
Exhaled hydrogen sulfide in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and its correlation with exhaled nitric oxide

Background Exhaled nitric oxide (NO) is a noninvasive biomarker of airway inflammation in pulmonary diseases. Hydrogen sulfide (H2S), as the third member of the gasotransmitter family, is involved in the pathophysiological process in lung diseases. H2S also exists in exhaled breath and can be sampled non‐invasively. The study investigated the level of exhaled H2S in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and its correlation with exhaled NO. Methods Levels of exhaled NO and H2S, lung function, and cell differential counts in induced sputum were studied in 19 patients with acute exacerbation of COPD (AECOPD), 19 patients with stable COPD and seven healthy smoke controls. Results Exhaled H2S levels were similar in patients with AECOPD (10.0 parts per billion (ppb), 8.0‐13.0 ppb), stable COPD (10.0 ppb, 9.0‐12.0 ppb), and healthy controls (9.0 ppb, 8.0‐16.0 ppb) (P >0.05). Exhaled NO levels were similar in patients with AECOPD (155.0 ppb, 129.0‐190.0 ppb), stable COPD (154.0 ppb, 133.0‐175.0 ppb) and healthy controls (165.0 ppb, 112.0‐188.0 ppb) (P >0.05). Exhaled H2S levels correlated positively with exhaled NO in all healthy controls and patients with COPD (r=0.467, P <0.01). No significant correlation was found between the exhaled H2S level and percentage of predicted FEV1 (P >0.05) and proportion of different cell types in induced sputum (P >0.05). Conclusions There is a correlation between exhaled H2S and exhaled NO. The role of exhaled H2S in airway inflammation in COPD still needs further investigation.
Assessment of the Effects of TV Programs Containing Violence on Children in Pre-school Period through the Views of Parents

This research was prepared to draw public attention to the effects of violence containing television programs on preschool period children, the views of parents regarding such effects and suggestions for their solution. Even though there are many researches in relation to this matter all over the world when reviewing literature, the scarcity of researches focusing on solution suggestions draws the attention. The problem phrase of the research was determined as “how the effect of violance containing television programs is observed in preschool children? ”. The study is a qualitative one and the research design is determined as case study. The study group consists of the parents of students participating in private preschool institutions. Semi-structured interview form was used as data collection tool, and the analyses were realized through descriptive analysis. The following findings were obtained from the study: It was detected that the rate of students to be affected by the violance in television depends much on the programs viewed and daily television watching hours. It was also seen that reflection of television violence to the children depends on the viewpoint of parents against the violence on that program. One of the outstanding findings is that it is frequently pointed out by parents that programs for children are focused on increasing the ratings rather than being instructive.
An analysis of different Brexit outcomes and their effect on inward FDI to the UK

In June 2016, the UK voted to leave the EU, and the economic implications of 'Brexit' are starting to take on a clearer focus. This paper seeks to outline the patterns of inward FDI to the UK. The paper analyses the possible impacts of different Brexit scenarios on inward FDI to the UK. The paper's key arguments include that 'harder' forms of Brexit are likely to have worse outcomes in terms of inward FDI to the UK, with export platform FDI potentially significantly affected. The effects of Brexit could also be diverse in different industries, given the different motives for FDI, and also diverse in terms of the type of activity of the FDI. Moreover, given the patterns of FDI in the UK, the regional impacts of Brexit will not be evenly spread. The findings have clear policy implications surrounding the Brexit negotiation process.
Motor Recovery Strategies After Stroke

Abstract Impaired motor function after stroke is a major cause of disability in young stroke survivors. The plasticity of the adult human brain provides opportunities to enhance traditional rehabilitation programs for these individuals. Younger stroke patients appear to have a greater ability to recover from stroke and are likely to benefit substantially from treatments that facilitate plasticity-mediated recovery. The use of new exercise treatments, such as constraint-induced movement therapy, robot-aided rehabilitation, and partial body weight supported treadmill training are being studied intensively and are likely to ultimately be incorporated into standard poststroke rehabilitation. Medications to enhance recovery, growth factors, and stem cells will also be components of rehabilitation for the young stroke survivor in the foreseeable future.
Prevalence and Associated Factors for Musculoskeletal Pain and Disability Among Spanish Music Conservatory Students.

OBJECTIVES To assess the prevalence of and factors associated with musculoskeletal pain (MSP) and neck and upper limb disability among music conservatory students. METHODS An observational study in two Spanish conservatories, investigating a total of 206 students, administered the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire, visual analog scale for pain intensity, Neck Disability Index, DASH, and SF-36. Demographic and lifestyle characteristics and musical performance variables were recorded. Regression models were performed to identify variables associated with MSP for the four most affected anatomical regions and with neck and upper limb disability. RESULTS The locations with the highest prevalence of MSP were the neck, upper back, shoulders, and lower back. Mild disability affected 47% of participants in the neck and 31% in the upper limbs. Mental health (SF-36) was below the average for the general population (45.5±10.2). Women were more likely to suffer neck pain (odds ratio [OR] 1.1-5.2), lower back pain (OR 1.7-8.7), and neck disability (B 0.6-7.8). The risk for shoulder pain was higher in those who played for more hours (OR 1.7-24.7) and lower among those who performed physical activity (OR 0.23-1.00). Disability in the neck (B -0.3) and upper limbs (B -0.4) was associated with poorer mental health (SF-36). CONCLUSION MSP is highly prevalent in music students. Neck and upper limb disability were slight to moderate and both were associated with poorer mental health. The main factors associated with MSP were being female, hours spent practicing, and physical activity. Physical and psychological factors should be taken into account in the prevention of MSP in student-musicians.