Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Renal outcomes in high-risk hypertensive patients treated with an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor or a calcium channel blocker vs a diuretic: a report from the Antihypertensive and Lipid-Lowering Treatment to Prevent Heart Attack Trial (ALLHAT).

BACKGROUND This study was performed to determine whether, in high-risk hypertensive patients with a reduced glomerular filtration rate (GFR), treatment with a calcium channel blocker or an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor lowers the incidence of renal disease outcomes compared with treatment with a diuretic. METHODS We conducted post hoc analyses of the Antihypertensive and Lipid-Lowering Treatment to Prevent Heart Attack Trial (ALLHAT). Hypertensive participants 55 years or older with at least 1 other coronary heart disease risk factor were randomized to receive chlorthalidone, amlodipine, or lisinopril for a mean of 4.9 years. Renal outcomes were incidence of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and/or a decrement in GFR of 50% or more from baseline. Baseline GFR, estimated by the simplified Modification of Diet in Renal Disease equation, was stratified into normal or increased (> or =90 mL /min per 1.73 m(2), n = 8126), mild reduction (60-89 mL /min per 1.73 m(2), n = 18 109), or moderate-severe reduction (<60 mL /min per 1.73 m(2), n = 5662) in GFR. Each stratum was analyzed for effects of the treatments on outcomes. RESULTS In 448 participants, ESRD developed. Compared with patients taking chlorthalidone, no significant differences occurred in the incidence of ESRD in patients taking amlodipine in the mild (relative risk [RR], 1.47; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.97-2.23) or moderate-severe (RR, 0.92; 95% CI, 0.68-1.24) reduction in GFR groups. Compared with patients taking chlorthalidone, no significant differences occurred in the incidence of ESRD in patients taking lisinopril in the mild (RR, 1.34; 95% CI, 0.87-2.06) or moderate-severe (RR, 0.98; 95% CI, 0.73-1.31) reduction in GFR groups. In patients with mild and moderate-severe reduction in GFR, the incidence of ESRD or 50% or greater decrement in GFR was not significantly different in patients treated with chlorthalidone compared with those treated with amlodipine (odds ratios, 0.96 [P = .74] and 0.85 [P = .23], respectively) and lisinopril (odds ratios, 1.13 [P = .31] and 1.00 [P = .98], respectively). No difference in treatment effects occurred for either end point for patients taking amlodipine or lisinopril compared with those taking chlorthalidone across the 3 GFR subgroups, either for the total group or for participants with diabetes at baseline. At 4 years of follow-up, estimated GFR was 3 to 6 mL /min per 1.73 m(2) higher in patients assigned to receive amlodipine compared with chlorthalidone, depending on baseline GFR stratum. CONCLUSIONS In hypertensive patients with reduced GFR, neither amlodipine nor lisinopril was superior to chlorthalidone in reducing the rate of development of ESRD or a 50% or greater decrement in GFR. Participants assigned to receive amlodipine had a higher GFR than those assigned to receive chlorthalidone, but rates of development of ESRD were not different between the groups.
CEO Overconfidence and Cash Flow Management

This paper examines the relation between CEO overconfidence and the management of Cash Flow from Operations (CFO). More specifically, author analyzed whether the firms with an overconfident CEO are more likely to engage in cash flows management. I found that even after controlling for industry and year fixed effect, and other determinants, firms with an overconfident CEO are more likely to inflate CFO. The research also found that overconfident CEOs are more likely to manage CFO by shifting items. These findings suggest that overconfident CEOs could have an incentive to inflate cash flows from operations to signal to meet the requirements of shareholders and attract the attention of market investors. This study provides a direct evidence for the relation between CEO overconfidence and cash flow management as a way of earnings management.
Tactile salience influences extinction

We delivered unilateral (left or right) or bilateral tactile stimuli to hands or feet of right-brain-damaged patients, six with tactile extinction and two without. Stimuli were simple touches or sliding stimuli directed proximo-distally (e.g., toward the fingers) or disto-proximally (e.g., toward and forearm). Patients were asked to report number (one or two), type (touch or slide), and direction (proximo-distally or disto-proximally) of the experimental stimuli. Nonextinction patients performed perfectly. Extinction patients, although accurate in reporting single stimuli, omitted left stimuli under double-stimuli conditions. However, the number of left stimuli detected consciously was related to an imbalance of the salience between left and right stimuli. Moreover, in three patients the extinguished, left-sided stimulus, even when inaccessible to consciousness, influenced implicitly the report of the features of the right stimulus. Thus, the relationships between left and right stimuli can modulate both overtly and covertly the performance of extinction patients.
Methyl Bromide as a Quarantine Treatment for Chlorophorus annularis (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) in Raw Bamboo Poles

ABSTRACT At least 26 different species of insects of quarantine significance were intercepted from 1985 to 2005 on bamboo (Bambusa spp.) garden stakes from China. Three fifths of the live insects were cerambycids in nine genera, including Chlorophorus annularis F. , the bamboo borer. The current APHIS-PPQ treatment is fumigation schedule T404-d, which requires high doses of methyl bromide (MeBr) for 24 h. No specific fumigation data exist for C. annularis. Chinese and American quarantine scientists cooperated in testing to determine whether this schedule, or lower doses, would be effective as a quarantine treatment for C. annularis infesting dried bamboo poles. A lower dose based on APHIS tests for solid wood packing (SWP) failed (3/511 survivors) at 56 g/m3 for 24 h at 10.0°C. We therefore tested five progressive doses at five temperatures intermediate between the lower SWP schedule and the much higher applied doses (e.g., 120 g/m3 for 24 h at 10.0°C) of schedule T404-d. Fumigations of infested bamboo poles conducted in 403.2-liter chambers with 52% vol:vol loading at doses of 48, 64, 80, 96, and 112 g/m3 at 26.7, 21.1, 15.6, 10.0, and 4.4°C, respectively (20 total replicates, with 4 replicates per dose), had no survivors among 2,847 larvae, 140 pupae, and 122 adults. Control replicates (three) had a total of 455 live stages (397 larvae, 31 pupae, and 27 adults). Tests conducted with a sea/land cargo container loaded to 80% capacity with bamboo poles verified the ability of the schedule to maintain effective concentrations over 24 h in commercial-sized fumigations. We propose a new bamboo quarantine treatment schedule at reduced rates of applied MeBr.
Serum Concentration of Complement Components of the Lectin Pathway in Maintenance Hemodialysis Patients, and Relatively Higher Levels of L‐Ficolin and MASP‐2 in Mannose‐Binding Lectin Deficiency

Mannose‐binding lectin (MBL), L‐ficolin and MBL associated serine protease‐2 (MASP‐2) are molecules involved in initiation of the lectin pathway (LP) in the complement system. Although MBL deficiency is observed in almost 10% of healthy people, studies of associations between MBL deficiency and end‐stage renal disease (ESRD) remain rare. The objective of the present study is to clarify the significance of the LP in maintenance hemodialysis (HD) patients, especially in terms of MBL levels. Two hundred and forty‐four HD patients who had been followed up for 74 ± 84 months and 199 healthy controls were included in this study. Measurements of serum concentrations of MBL, L‐ficolin, and MASP‐2 were performed. Low serum MBL levels (<0.1 µg/mL) in the patients were confirmed by examination of a point mutation in the Mbl‐2 gene. Seventeen HD patients (7%) and 20 healthy controls (10%) had MBL deficiency. During the follow‐up period, 99 patients died. There was no significant difference in the frequency of deaths by infectious diseases between MBL deficient and non‐deficient patients. In both patients and healthy controls with MBL deficiency, the serum concentration of L‐ficolin tended to be high, and that of MASP‐2 was significantly high (P < 0.05). MBL deficiency is not a risk factor for HD induction or life‐threatening infections. It is postulated that the elevation of concentration of the two components of the LP, L‐ficolin and MASP‐2, may compensate for the insufficient activity of the LP in MBL deficiency.
Molecular detection of Neospora caninum abortion in dairy cattle from different historical regions of Romania

Neosporosis is a major cause of abortion in many countries, transplacental transmission being considered the major route of transmission of N. caninum in cattle. Little information are available about the prevalence of N. caninum abortion in dairy cattle in Romania, the only existing data are coming from Transylvania region. In the present study, we analyzed by molecular technique (PCR) the presence of N. caninum DNA in fetal tissues of spontaneous dairy cattle abortion from different regions of Romania. Twenty-one abortions collected from four historical regions from Romania were tested. The Nc-5 gene of N. caninum was amplified from samples of eight aborted fetuses.
Low-income fathers’ speech to toddlers during book reading versus toy play*

Abstract Fathers’ child-directed speech across two contexts was examined. Father–child dyads from sixty-nine low-income families were videotaped interacting during book reading and toy play when children were 2;0. Fathers used more diverse vocabulary and asked more questions during book reading while their mean length of utterance was longer during toy play. Variation in these specific characteristics of fathers’ speech that differed across contexts was also positively associated with child vocabulary skill measured on the MacArthur-Bates Communicative Development Inventory. Results are discussed in terms of how different contexts elicit specific qualities of child-directed speech that may promote language use and development.
Analysis of light intensity dependence of organic photovoltaics: Towards efficient large-area solar cells

Large-area organic solar cells are known to suffer from a major efficiency decrease which originates from the combination of a voltage drop across the front electrode and the voltage-dependent photocurrent. In this letter, we demonstrate this efficiency loss on large area, indium tin oxide free cells with a hexagonal current collecting front grid, by measurements of light intensity dependence of the cell performance. The results show a major difference in the cell performance measured under localized and uniform illuminations. Subsequently, we demonstrate ways in which the current collecting efficiency could be raised.
The survey of relationship between cultural intelligence and emotional intelligence with employee ’ s performance

The aim of present article has been the study of relationship between cultural intelligence and emotional intelligence with performance of university employee’s. present research was Applied and it‘s method is Survey– Correlation and The sample of study was of university employee’s, people 115 selected simple Random. Data collection has been using of two standard questionnaire, for testing cultural and emotional intelligence and also existent data at organization about employee’s performance, which their validity of tools was confirmed through Content method and their reliability was determined through alpha Cronbach with coefficient 0.855 and 0.823, respectively. The analysis of data has been acted using of Correlation testing Pearson and Friedman. Results showed that there is a positive and meaningful relationship between cultural intelligence, recognition cultural intelligence and motivational cultural intelligence with employee’s performance and also between emotional intelligence and all of its dimensions meaning selfawareness, self-managerial, self motivational, empathy and social skill, but there wasn’t a meaningful relationship between behavioral cultural intelligence with employee’s performance. Keyword: intelligence, cultural intelligence, emotional intelligence, performance.
Efficient formulation of Raman amplifier propagation equations with average power analysis

For the first time, we derive efficient modeling equations for the average power analysis of Raman amplifiers (RAs) from the standard propagation equations. Applications of these equations to the numerical analysis of practical RA-based systems show a reduction in computation time of over two orders of magnitude compared with the direct integration approach based on ordinary coupled differential equations, while reproducing all the essential system performances precisely. In addition to enhanced computational efficiency, the derived equations also give deeper insights into the detailed dynamics of RAs.
Potential Role for IL-7 in Fas-Mediated T Cell Apoptosis During HIV Infection1

IL-7 promotes survival of resting T lymphocytes and induces T cell proliferation in lymphopenic conditions. As elevated IL-7 levels occur in HIV-infected individuals in addition to high Fas expression on T cells and increased sensitivity to Fas-induced apoptosis, we analyzed whether IL-7 has a regulatory role in Fas-mediated T cell apoptosis. We show that IL-7 up-regulates Fas expression on naive and memory T cells through a mechanism that involves translocation of Fas molecules from intracellular compartments to the cell membrane. IL-7 induced the association of Fas with the cytoskeletal component ezrin and a polarized Fas expression on the cell surface. The potential role of IL-7 in Fas up-regulation in vivo was verified in IL-7-treated macaques and in HIV-infected or chemotherapy treated patients by the correlation between serum IL-7 levels and Fas expression on T cells. IL-7 treatment primed T cells for Fas-induced apoptosis in vitro and serum IL-7 levels correlated with the sensitivity of T cells to Fas-induced apoptosis in HIV-infected individuals. Our data suggest an important role for IL-7 in Fas-mediated regulation of T cell homeostasis. Elevated IL-7 levels associated with lymphopenic conditions, including HIV-infection, might participate in the increased sensitivity of T cells for activation-induced apoptosis.
Direct studies of domain switching dynamics in thin film ferroelectric capacitors

An experimental approach for direct studies of the polarization reversal mechanism in thin film ferroelectric capacitors based on piezoresponse force microscopy (PFM) in conjunction with pulse switching capabilities is presented. Instant domain configurations developing in a 3×3μm2 capacitor at different stages of the polarization reversal process have been registered using step-by-step switching and subsequent PFM imaging. The developed approach allows direct comparison of experimentally measured microscopic switching behavior with parameters used by phenomenological switching models. It has been found that in the low field regime (just above the threshold value) used in the present study, the mechanism of polarization reversal changes during the switching cycle from the initial nucleation-dominated process to the lateral domain expansion at the later stages. The classical nucleation model of Kolmogorov–Avrami–Ishibashi (KAI) provides reasonable approximation for the nucleation-dominated stage of switchi.
Further characterization of the epidermal growth factor receptor ligand 11C-PD153035.

BACKGROUND (11)C-4-N-(3-bromoanilino)-6,7-dimethoxyquinazoline ((11)C-PD153035) has been reported as a tracer for imaging human tumors that overexpress epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). However it is still unclear whether (11)C-PD153035 uptake correlates with EGFR expression levels. The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between (11)C-PD153035 accumulation and EGFR expression levels. METHODS Synthesis of (11)C-PD153035 was performed in the Tracerlab FXc system. Accumulation of (11)C-PD153035 by MDA-MB-468, A549 and MDA-MB-231 cells was measured in vitro. There were six tumor-bearing mice in each group. (11)C-PD153035 uptake in tumors was determined by positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT). Tumor/normal muscle tissue (T/NT) analysis in PET images was applied to quantify the PET data. Sixty minutes after PET/CT scanning, the nude mice were sacrificed and the tumors were excised. The (11)C-PD153035 accumulation in different tumors was determined by a gamma counter. RESULTS Close correlation existed between the uptake and the level of EGFR expression both in vitro and ex vivo (r(2) = 0.72, P < 0.001; r(2) = 0.63, P = 0.003). When the static T/NT analysis method was applied to analyze the PET data, the observed correlation was again excellent (r(2) = 0.70, P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS The uptake of PET tracer (11)C-PD153035 closely correlates with the EGFR expression levels in tumor cells. (11)C-PD153035 has the potential to yield useful information for both cancer diagnosis and therapy.
A Five-year Retrospective Study on Maternal Characteristics and Neonatal Outcomes of Clavicular Fractures in the Newborns: Another Piece of Reassurance

Objectives: To compare the maternal characteristics and neonatal outcomes of clavicular fractures in the newborns with diagnosis made in the same admission after delivery versus that made in readmission; and to provide reassurance to parents and public that clavicular fracture in the newborn is a self-limiting condition with good prognosis. Methods: All cases of newborns with fractured clavicles in a regional hospital during a 5-year period from 1 January 2006 to 31 December 2010. Results: A total of 188 cases of newborns with clavicular fractures were identified. The overall rate of fractured clavicles in the newborns was 0.65%. The respective rates of fractured clavicles in the newborns after instrumental deliveries and Caesarean section were 3.41% (38/1116) and 0.05% (3/6140). Overall, 68% and 90% of the cases were diagnosed in the first 3 days and within 7 days after birth, respectively; 28% of the cases were diagnosed upon readmission; 20% did not have any physical signs. In our cohort, 6.4% (12/188) of the cases were complicated with Erb’s palsy; all these recovered completely within 6 months. There was no statistically significant difference in the maternal characteristics (except use of oxytocin) between the group diagnosed in the same admission versus that diagnosed at readmission. There were statistically significant differences in the mean gestational age, mean birth weight, proportion of newborns with birth weight of 4000-4999 g, body length, Apgar score <7 at first minute, meconium-stained liquor, incidental diagnosis of fractures, physical signs of fractured clavicles, neonatal jaundice (NNJ), treatment for NNJ, sepsis, and duration of hospitalisation between the two groups. Almost all cases were assessed by orthopaedic surgeons. All cases recovered completely without any neurological deficits. Conclusion: Clavicular fracture in the newborn is not an uncommon condition. Infants delivered by Caesarean section are not ‘immune’ to this birth trauma. The condition has good prognosis, regardless of whether the diagnosis is made in the same admission after delivery or at readmission. Parents should be reassured of the self-limiting nature of this condition. Hong Kong J Gynaecol Obstet Midwifery 2014; 14(1):24-30
Development and aging of superficial white matter myelin from young adulthood to old age: Mapping by vertex‐based surface statistics (VBSS)

Superficial white matter (SWM) lies immediately beneath cortical gray matter and consists primarily of short association fibers. The characteristics of SWM and its development and aging were seldom examined in the literature and warrant further investigation. Magnetization transfer imaging is sensitive to myelin changes in the white matter. Using an innovative multimodal imaging analysis approach, vertex‐based surface statistics (VBSS), the current study vertexwise mapped age‐related changes of magnetization transfer ratio (MTR) in SWM from young adulthood to old age (30–85 years, N = 66). Results demonstrated regionally selective and temporally heterochronologic changes of SWM MTR with age, including (1) inverted U‐shaped trajectories of SWM MTR in the rostral middle frontal, medial temporal, and temporoparietal regions, suggesting continuing myelination and protracted maturation till age 40–50 years and accelerating demyelination at age 60 and beyond, (2) linear decline of SWM MTR in the middle and superior temporal, and pericalcarine areas, indicating early maturation and less acceleration in age‐related degeneration, and (3) no significant changes of SWM MTR in the primary motor, somatosensory and auditory regions, suggesting resistance to age‐related deterioration. We did not observe similar patterns of changes in cortical thickness in our sample, suggesting the observed SWM MTR changes are not due to cortical atrophy. Hum Brain Mapp 37:1759–1769, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
BAT AN-2DIFF AND -3DIFF DIFFUSION CODES VALIDATION ON KYOTO UNIVERSITY CRITICAL ASSEMBLY (KUCA)

BATAN-2D1FF AND -3D1FF DIFFUSION CODES VALIDATION ON KYOTO UNIVERSITY CRITICAL ASSEMBLY (KUCA). Validation of Batan's standard multidimensional. multigroup diffusion code, Batan-2DIFF and -3 DIFF, on the C-type cores (uranium fueled and water moderated) oqhe Kyoto University Critical Assembly (KUCA) have been successfully conducted. Three kinds of fuel assemblies of ditferent pitch dimensions, i.e. C30, C35 and C45 were used to assemble ten core configurations (three, four, and three core configurations used C30. C35 and C45 fuel assemblies. respectively). Four neutron energy group cross section sets for the ditTusion calculations were generated by WIMS/D4 cell calculation code. For all core configurations considered, the kefJ values calculated by Batan-2DIFF and 3DIFF codes with WIMS/D4 library were very close to the experimental values and had maximum deviation from the experimental kefJ of 2.65 % and 2.38 0/0. respectively, which proved the validation of the codes.
A Qualitative Exploration of Participant Motives Among Committed Amateur Triathletes

This study explored motivations of amateur triathletes using an interpretive approach. In-depth interviews were conducted with 21 triathletes in two Australian east coast states. Data were interpreted through the theoretical lenses of self-determination theory and flow. Nine motivation themes emerged. The triathletes were motivated to participate in triathlon partly for intrinsic reasons, though extrinsic motives were also extensively prevalent. Different motivations were found to be cyclical in directing behavior contingent upon individual goals, event schedules, and personal circumstances. There is a need for further inquiry into endurance sport participants’ endorsement of intrinsic versus extrinsic motives.