Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Tel Aviv Stroke Registry. 3600 consecutive patients.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE We undertook to estimate the frequency of various risk factors and the type and severity of stroke in different ethnic groups documented in a large hospital-based stroke registry. Tel Aviv is a metropolis with about 400000 inhabitants and about 600000 daily visitors and workers. The Tel Aviv Medical Center (TAMC) is the only tertiary medical care facility to which all patients with acute stroke are referred. Israel is a country with a heterogeneous population, of which a significant proportion was born abroad. The people differ in their genetic background, as well as in their early environmental conditions, lifelong diet, and other habits. This variety has proved to be a fertile ground for the study of different neurological diseases, including stroke. METHODS A prospective hospital-based registry using systematic computer coding of data of all consecutive stroke patients admitted to the TAMC has been conducted since May 1988. Different aspects of the amassed data were analyzed statistically. RESULTS From May 1988 until April 1994, 3600 stroke patients were admitted to the TAMC. The mean age was 73.2 years, and 58.2% were males. Cerebral infarctions were diagnosed in 80.9%, primary intracerebral hemorrhages in 8.0%, and transient ischemic attacks in 11.1%. There were 861 patients (24%) who were admitted with recurrent strokes. Past medical history of hypertension was the major risk factor (occurring in 52.2% of the patients), followed by ischemic heart disease (29.7%), diabetes mellitus (25.2%), smoking (17.0%), atrial fibrillation (14.3%), and hyperlipidemia (8.4%). Ischemic heart disease and atrial fibrillation were more frequent in patients from Europe and America (Ashkenazi group), whereas diabetes mellitus and smoking were more prominent in the other groups. The in-hospital mortality rate was 13.8% and was similar in both ethnic groups. CONCLUSIONS This registry allows the study of the risk factors, natural history, and clinical manifestations of stroke in different ethnic groups.
Willingness to Pay for "Green" Electricity

On the liberalised power supply market, with an ever growing development and utilization of renewable energy sources, there has been introduced a “differentiated” product, or better, the so called “green” electricity, which is either totally or partially recovered from “green resources”, that is, from renewables. Power supply companies provide consumers the opportunity to purchase “green” electricity against a higher price, in order to level off both higher production costs from the renewables and boost their further development. Based on their free will, consumers may chose to be supplied with “green” energy among any utility company and being charged an additional amount for such products, thus contributing to the further use and the implementation of renewable energy sources in the power supply sector, as well as to consumer satisfaction. This paper aims to establish the features contributing to the consumer willingness to additionally pay for electricity obtained from renewables. Hence, it highlights the reasons behind the buyers' or households' readiness to using “green” electricity, which are found mainly in environmental concerns, altruistic attitudes and personal preferences. It should also be mentioned that consumers prefer electricity deriving from renewable resources, even when they know little about it. Higher education, environmental organisation affiliation and higher income levels are related to the greater willingness to additionally pay for a cleaner energy, since the latter is estimated to curb pollution induced by fossil fuels. Consumers may chose among the most convenient type of renewable resource in the output of “green” power as well as the amount of additional money to pay for the purchase of such energy. Although this paper presents the up-to-date situation in the research carried out by a number of authors, it may be regarded as the basis for further empiric research on the phenomenon of willingness to pay for “green” power in the Republic of Croatia.
Cross-talk Between Nitrate-Nitrite-NO and NO Synthase Pathways in Control of Vascular NO Homeostasis.

AIMS Inorganic nitrate and nitrite from endogenous and dietary sources have emerged as alternative substrates for nitric oxide (NO) formation in addition to the classic L-arginine NO synthase (NOS)-dependent pathway. Here, we investigated a potential cross-talk between these two pathways in the regulation of vascular function. RESULTS Long-term dietary supplementation with sodium nitrate (0.1 and 1 mmol kg(-1) day(-1)) in rats caused a reversible dose-dependent reduction in phosphorylated endothelial NOS (eNOS) (Ser1177) in aorta and a concomitant increase in phosphorylation at Thr495. Moreover, eNOS-dependent vascular responses were attenuated in vessels harvested from nitrate-treated mice or when nitrite was acutely added to control vessels. The citrulline-to-arginine ratio in plasma, as a measure of eNOS activity, was reduced in nitrate-treated rodents. Telemetry measurements revealed that a low dietary nitrate dose reduced blood pressure, whereas a higher dose was associated with a paradoxical elevation. Finally, plasma cyclic guanosine monophosphate increased in mice that were treated with a low dietary nitrate dose and decreased with a higher dose. INNOVATION AND CONCLUSIONS These results demonstrate the existence of a cross-talk between the nitrate-nitrite-NO pathway and the NOS-dependent pathway in control of vascular NO homeostasis.
Effect of Apolipoprotein E Genotype and Saturated Fat Intake on Plasma Lipids and Myocardial Infarction in the Central Valley of Costa Rica

ABSTRACT We assessed the effect of APOE polymorphisms –491 A/T, C112R (APOE*4), and R158C (APOE*2) and saturated fat intake on plasma lipid levels and risk of myocardial infarction (MI) in 1,927 case subjects and 1,927 population-based control subjects matched for age, sex, and residence, all living in the Central Valley of Costa Rica. A significant gene-diet interaction (p = 0.0157) was observed. High saturated fat intake was associated with a 49% increased risk of MI (OR = 1.49; 95% CI, 1.16–1.92) among wild-type subjects. In contrast, high saturated fat intake was associated with a 2.2-fold increased risk of MI among carriers of APOE*2 (OR = 3.17; 95% CI, 1.58–6.36) and with a 1.6-fold increase among carriers of the –491T and APOE*4 variants together (OR = 2.59; 95% CI, 1.38–4.87). Consistently, a high fat diet elicited a greater response in LDL cholesterol among carriers of APOE*2 (+17%) and APOE*4 (+14%) compared to noncarriers (+6%). The frequency of APOE variants was similar in case and control subjects, although APOE*4 homozygotes were at increased risk of MI compared to noncarriers (OR = 2.26; 95% CI, 1.03–4.98). This study supports the hypothesis that the APOE*2 and APOE*4 variants increase susceptibility to MI in the presence of high saturated fat and could explain inconsistent findings on the effects of these variants on MI in various populations.
The siesta in the elderly: risk factor for mortality?

BACKGROUND During the siesta, blood pressure declines like it does during night sleep. Because cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events cluster during the morning hours, when hemodynamic changes from nocturnal baseline are maximal, we hypothesized that an additional sleep period during the day (the siesta) may increase cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events, and thus mortality. METHODS A prospective population-based cohort study of 455 70-year-old residents of Jerusalem, Israel, using self-reported siesta at baseline and 6 1/2 years of total mortality data. RESULTS The prevalence of the practice of the siesta was 60.7%. It was more prevalent among men than women (68% vs 51%, P<.001) and in survivors of previous myocardial infarction than in those without previous myocardial infarction (78% vs 58%, P = .009). After 6 1/2 years of follow-up (1990-1996), 75 subjects died. For those who practiced the siesta, total mortality was 20% vs 11% for those who did not (P = .01; risk odds ratio, 2.0; 95% confidence interval, 1.1-3.4). In a multiple logistic regression model that included several lifestyle descriptors, risk factors, and diseases, the siesta remained predictive of mortality (P = .03; risk odds ratio, 2.1; 95% confidence interval, 1.1-3.9).
Taxes and economic growth: an empirical analysis of Pakistan

The study investigates the empirical relationship between indirect taxes and economic growth in Pakistan. For estimation, the annual time series data (1974 to 2010) was used. The main purpose of the research is to find the long-run and short-run relationship between indirect taxes and economic growth. Philips Perron and Augmented Dickey fuller unit root tests were used to check the stationarity of every variable in the study. Auto Regressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) bounds testing approach for cointegrations (developed in 2001) was applied to estimate the long-run and short-run relationship among the variables. Indirect taxes have negative and significant effect on economic growth in long-run while its coefficents in short-run were insignificant. Due to one per cent increase in indirect taxes, economic growth would decrease by 1.68 per cent. ECM coefficient of indirect taxes shows 45 per cent speed of adjustment in a year. According to the research results it is imperative to decrease indirect taxes and increase the direct taxes, if we want to augment the economic growth. Currently, contribution of direct taxes out of total tax revenue is only 33 per cent and the share of indirect taxes is 63 per cent, while it should be reversed if economic growth has to increase.
Posterior Iris-Claw Aphakic Intraocular Lens Implantation in Subluxated Lenses due to Marfan Syndrome

Purpose To evaluate the indications, visual outcomes, and complication rate after posterior implantation of an iris-claw aphakic intraocular lens (IOL) in subluxated lenses due to Marfan syndrome. Methods Eyes without adequate capsular support had posterior chamber iris-claw aphakic IOL implantation between 2006 and 2012. Results This retrospective cohort study comprised 13 eyes of 10 patients (7 female, 3 male; mean age ± standard deviation, 34.7 ± 19.6; range 9-61 years). The mean follow-up was 37 months (range 6-74 months). The mean final postoperative best-corrected visual acuity was significantly (0.24 ± 0.36 logMAR) better at the last follow-up than 1 day preoperatively (0.72 ± 0.46 logMAR) (p<0.05). There was no significant change in intraocular pressure before and after surgery. The mean endothelial cell density decreased from 2793 ± 478 cells/mm2 preoperatively to 2637 ± 612 cells/mm2 at last follow-up, representing a mean endothelial cell loss of 5.6%. Complications included early transient postoperative hypotony in 2 eyes (15.4%), slight persistent pupil ovalization in 1 eye (7.7%), and retinal detachment in 1 eye (7.7%). Conclusions The posterior implantation technique of aphakic iris-claw IOL provided good visual outcomes with a favorable complication rate and can be used as a reasonable alternative in subluxated lenses due to Marfan syndrome without adequate capsular support.
Scanning Electron Micrographic Features of a Giant Submandibular Sialolith

To recognize recently appearing mineralization phenomena, one must study the external surface of the sialoliths, since it is not possible to study them in the central portions of sialoliths. The authors examined the external surface of a sialolith by scanning electron microscopy and analyzed its microstructures. The study revealed the presence of numerous microstructures of different shapes (nodular, laminar, reticular, microgranular, and multinodular) and variable size arranged in a haphazard fashion. The diverse microstructures encountered strongly suggest that different mechanisms of mineralization occur during growth and development of the sialoliths.
The impact of roster changes on absenteeism and incident frequency in an Australian coal mine

Background: The occupational health and safety implications associated with compressed and extended work periods have not been fully explored in the mining sector. Aims: To examine the impact on employee health and safety of changes to the roster system in an Australian coal mine. Methods: Absenteeism and incident frequency rate data were collected over a 33 month period that covered three different roster schedules. Period 1 covered the original 8-hour/7-day roster. Period 2 covered a 12-month period under a 12-hour/7-day schedule, and period 3 covered a 12-month period during which a roster that scheduled shifts only on weekdays, with uncapped overtime on weekends and days off (12-hour/5-day) was in place. Data were collected and analysed from the maintenance, mining, and coal preparation plant (CPP) sectors. Results: The only significant change in absenteeism rates was an increase in the maintenance sector in the third data collection period. Absenteeism rates in the mining and CPP sectors were not different between data collection periods. The increase in the maintenance sector may be owing to: (1) a greater requirement for maintenance employees to perform overtime as a result of the roster change compared to other employee groups; or (2) greater monotony associated with extended work periods for maintenance employees compared to others. After the first roster change, accident incident frequency decreased in the CPP sector but not in the other sectors. There was no effect on incident frequency after the second roster change in any sector. Conclusions: The current study did not find significant negative effects of a 12-hour pattern, when compared to an 8-hour system. However, when unregulated and excessive overtime was introduced as part of the 12-hour/5-day roster, absenteeism rates were increased in the maintenance sector. The combination of excessive work hours and lack of consultation with employees regarding the second change may have contributed to the overall negative effects.
Climatic and technological ceilings for Chinese rice stagnation based on yield gaps and yield trend pattern analysis

Climatic or technological ceilings could cause yield stagnation. Thus, identifying the principal reasons for yield stagnation within the context of the local climate and socio‐economic conditions are essential for informing regional agricultural policies. In this study, we identified the climatic and technological ceilings for seven rice‐production regions in China based on yield gaps and on a yield trend pattern analysis for the period 1980–2010. The results indicate that 54.9% of the counties sampled experienced yield stagnation since the 1980. The potential yield ceilings in northern and eastern China decreased to a greater extent than in other regions due to the accompanying climate effects of increases in temperature and decreases in radiation. This may be associated with yield stagnation and halt occurring in approximately 49.8–57.0% of the sampled counties in these areas. South‐western China exhibited a promising scope for yield improvement, showing the greatest yield gap (30.6%), whereas the yields were stagnant in 58.4% of the sampled counties. This finding suggests that efforts to overcome the technological ceiling must be given priority so that the available exploitable yield gap can be achieved. North‐eastern China, however, represents a noteworthy exception. In the north‐central area of this region, climate change has increased the yield potential ceiling, and this increase has been accompanied by the most rapid increase in actual yield: 1.02 ton ha−1 per decade. Therefore, north‐eastern China shows a great potential for rice production, which is favoured by the current climate conditions and available technology level. Additional environmentally friendly economic incentives might be considered in this region.
Foreign Direct Investment and Economic Development: Evidence from Selected African Countries

Africa unlike other developing regions of the world has experienced declining flows of foreign direct investment (FDI), despite the apparently high investment returns rates. As FDI flows, it is expected that existing gaps of productive factors are gradually closed and dependence on foreign capital is reduced. These increases in domestic savings, investment, skills and technology bring about economic development. The study examined the declining flow of FDI to the African regions as well as the impact that it has in relation to the domestic sector investment and economic development of the region. It also analysed the impact of FDI flows on economic development of countries with both lower income per capita and low inflow of foreign funds. In addition, it examined the impact of rate of return of investment in relation to the flow of FDI and the impact of FDI in relation to closing investment and foreign exchange gaps. The study made use of pooled data from thirty nine African countries within the period 1993 and 2012.The method of analysis utilized for the study was the fixed effect least-square dummy variable model, employed to estimate the impact of foreign direct investment on economic development for the host African countries, and the lowess smoother non-parametric analysis to estimate the impact of FDI in relation to closing gaps of investment and foreign exchange. The study finds that foreign direct investment is statistically significant in relation to economic development for host African countries. It also finds that FDI is significant in relation to economic development in African sub-regions that accessed lower flow of foreign funds. This lower flow was the probable reason for lesser dependence on foreign capital which resulted in conscious development of the domestic sector investment, thereby resulting into increased economic activities and therefore economic development. It was again determined from the analysis that the apparently high rate of return on investment has no positive effect on FDI inflow and the inflow of FDI has not closed the investment and foreign exchange gaps of the host African countries. Also from the study, it is deduced that FDI is significant on economic development for African countries with lower income per capita. The study recommends that the government of host countries should consider closely the sectors that FDI flows into, encourage domestic investment in such sectors, and reduce dependence on FDI flows as income increases. Also concerted effort is to be made to gradually close the gaps of productive factors by increasing domestic investment, increasing investment into research and development to improve skill with technology, encourage exports, reduce imports and encourage a sustainable environment.
Primary motor cortical activity related to the weight and texture of grasped objects in the monkey.

1. Two monkeys were trained to grasp an object between the thumb and index finger and lift it to a vertical distance of 12-25 mm. Up to 12 different conditions defined by different combinations of object weights (15, 65, and 115 g) and four surface textures (oiled metal, smooth metal, fine and coarse sandpaper) were used. The apparatus was equipped to measure grip (prehensile) force, vertical (load) force, and object displacement. 2. The monkeys appropriately scaled the grip force for the weight and the coefficient of friction of the object. However, during the dynamic phase of the task (grasping and lifting), the monkeys increased the prehensile force in multiple steps, suggesting that they relied on sensory feedback from the fingers to attain an adequate grip force to lift the object rather than programming the lift in advance. 3. Single-unit activity of 248 neurons was recorded in the hand area of the primary motor cortex while the monkeys performed the task. Of 208 neurons tested for cutaneous and proprioceptive receptive fields (RFs), 96 were sensitive to cutaneous stimulation of the glabrous skin of the hand, whereas 82 received proprioceptive input from wrist and finger muscles. The concentration of neurons with cutaneous input was significantly greater in the rostral bank of the central sulcus compared with cells with proprioceptive RFs, which were more concentrated in the convexity of the precentral gyrus. 4. From the global sample, 199 cells were tested with the three object weights, and 128 of these with at least two surface textures were used in combination with the object weights. The discharge of 58/199 (29%) cells was modulated with the object weight. Cells with cutaneous (20/84, 24%) and proprioceptive (23/71, 32%) RFs were about equally responsive to the object weight. 5. A greater number of motor cortical neurons were influenced by surface texture than by object weight. Of 128 cells tested with at least two surface textures, 67 (52%) showed a modulation of their activity as a function of texture. A significantly greater proportion of neurons with cutaneous RFs (40/63, 63%) showed differential activity as a function of object texture than cells receiving proprioceptive input (21/47, 45%). 6. Weight- and texture-related neurons were not distributed equally in the rostrocaudal dimension of the motor cortex. Only 8% of texture-related cells were located in the convexity of the precentral gyrus, whereas 30% of weight-related neurons were recorded from this rostral zone. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Quantifying the origins of population variability in cardiac electrical activity through sensitivity analysis of the electrocardiogram

• We used a novel high performance computing approach to conduct a sensitivity analysis of emergent properties of simulated ECGs from a transmural cable of cells. • The rapid delayed rectifier and inward rectifying potassium currents are the primary determinants of the height of the T wave in this system. • Theight is correlated with the temporal dispersion of repolarisation in the transmural cable while Tpeak– Tend is correlated with the interval from the time of maximum total rate of repolarisation to the end of repolarisation in the cable of cells. • This study advances our understanding of the molecular basis of T wave morphology and the role of epistatis in the modification of cardiac electrical phenotypes.