Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Unstructured cardiac rehabilitation and secondary prevention in rural South Australia: Does it meet best practice guidelines?

Abstract Comprehensive cardiac rehabilitation programs that address risk factors, psychological problems, and physical activity are essential in optimizing health and reducing the risk of further cardiac events. Behavioural and lifestyle modification support offered through these programs is predicated on initial identification of risk. Many rural populations in Australia do not have access to structured cardiac rehabilitation (CR) programs, and the level of support available to them in the form of unstructured CR is unclear. A retrospective analysis of medical records of patients presenting to hospital with myocardial infarction in rural South Australia over a 12-month period was undertaken to identify documented evidence of assessment of and intervention for lifestyle and behavioural risk factors in-hospital and at follow up in general practice (GP) clinics. Of 77 eligible participants, permission was received to access the medical records of 55 patients in the hospital setting, and 34 of these 55 patients in GP clinic follow up. Documented evidence of assessment of modifiable risk factors was inadequate for the majority of participants, with the exception of smoking status, hypertension and diabetes. This suggests that the majority of these participants did not receive lifestyle and behavioural interventions in line with current National Heart Foundation Recommendations for Cardiac Rehabilitation. Barriers to comprehensive CR and secondary prevention services in Australia must be addressed, particularly in high risk rural and remote populations. Future research must focus on the ongoing monitoring and evaluation of rural health care services to analyse existing levels of CR and secondary prevention to ensure current guidelines are being implemented, to support the further development and resourcing of CR services and to evaluate the subsequent impact on patient outcomes.
Effect of Donor and Recipient Diabetes Status on Descemet Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty Adherence and Survival

Purpose: To evaluate whether donor and/or recipient diabetes status affects the outcomes of Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK). Methods: A consecutive, single-center DMEK case series was reviewed. The outcome measures were success of surgeon tissue preparation, air reinjection rate, Kaplan–Meier 4-year graft replacement/failure rate for any reason, and endothelial cell loss. Results: The donor had a history of diabetes in 504 of 1791 cases (28%) and the recipient in 14%. For donors without and with diabetes, the preparation success rate was 99% versus 95% (P < 0.0001), the air reinjection rate was 16% versus 18% (P = 0.19), and the 4-year graft replacement/failure rate was 7% versus 9%, respectively (P = 0.15). Endothelial cell loss was not associated with donor diabetes (P = 0.76). For recipients without and with diabetes, the 4-year graft replacement/failure rate was 7% versus 9% (P = 0.68), and median endothelial cell loss increased from 27% versus 29% at 1 month to 42% versus 48% at 4 years, respectively (P = 0.02). Recipient use of insulin therapy was associated with poorer graft attachment and a higher air reinjection rate (P = 0.0023). Conclusions: Although donor diabetes was associated with a 5-fold increased risk of tissue preparation failure, it was not significantly associated with air reinjection, graft survival, or endothelial cell loss. This provides reassurance that tissue prepared successfully from donors with diabetes is safe to use for DMEK. Recipient diabetes was associated with increased endothelial cell loss; the potential effect on longer-term graft survival merits further study.
Characterization of the dnaK Multigene Family in the Cyanobacterium Synechococcus sp. Strain PCC7942

ABSTRACT The cyanobacterium Synechococcus sp. strain PCC7942 has three dnaK homologues (dnaK1, dnaK2, anddnaK3), and a gene disruption experiment was carried out for each dnaK gene by inserting an antibiotic resistance marker. Our findings revealed that DnaK1 was not essential for normal growth, whereas DnaK2 and DnaK3 were essential. We also examined the effect of heat shock on the levels of these three DnaK and GroEL proteins and found a varied response to heat shock, with levels depending on each protein. The DnaK2 and GroEL proteins exhibited a typical heat shock response, that is, their synthesis increased upon temperature upshift. In contrast, the synthesis of DnaK1 and DnaK3 did not respond to heat shock; in fact, the level of DnaK1 protein decreased. We also analyzed the effect of overproduction of each DnaK protein in Escherichia coli cells using an inducible expression system. Overproduction of DnaK1 or DnaK2 resulted in defects in cell septation and formation of cell filaments. On the other hand, overproduction of DnaK3 did not result in filamentous cells; rather a swollen and twisted cell morphology was observed. When expressed in anE. coli dnaK756 mutant, dnaK2 could suppress the growth deficiency at the nonpermissive temperature, whilednaK1 and dnaK3 could not suppress this phenotype. On the contrary, overproduction of DnaK1 or DnaK3 resulted in growth inhibition at the permissive temperature. These results suggest that different types of Hsp70 in the same cellular compartment have specific functions in the cell.
Association of sleep-disordered breathing with diabetes-associated kidney disease

Abstract Introduction: Diabetes-associated kidney disease is characterized by impairment of renal function and albuminuria. The aim of the present study was to assess whether sleep-disordered breathing is associated with decreased estimated glomerular filtration rate or increased urine-albumin-to-creatinine-ratio independently from known modulators of diabetes-associated kidney disease. Material and methods: Estimated glomerular filtration rate and urine-albumin-to-creatinine-ratio were determined in the baseline survey of the DIACORE-SDB substudy, a prospectively planned study of Diabetes mellitus 2 patients. As a measure of the severity of sleep-disordered breathing, the apnea-hypopnea-index was assessed using a 2-channel ambulatory SDB-monitoring device. Results: A total of 679 patients (mean age 66 years, men 61%, mean body-mass-index 31.2 kg/m2) were analyzed. In multivariable linear regression models adjusting for known modulators of diabetes-associated kidney disease, such as sex, age, body-mass-index, systolic blood pressure, duration of diabetes and HbA1c, apnea-hypopnea-index [beta-estimate –0.2 ml/min/1.73 m2, 95% CI (–0.3; –0.1), p = . 004], duration of diabetes and age were associated with estimated glomerular filtration rate. Apnea-hypopnea-index [beta-estimate 0.01 mg/g, 95% CI (0.00; 0.02), p = . 009], duration of diabetes, HbA1c and systolic blood pressure were associated with ln(urine-albumin-to-creatinine-ratio). Conclusion: In patients with diabetes mellitus type 2, more severe sleep-disordered breathing is significantly associated with lower estimated glomerular filtration rate and increased albuminuria, independent of known modulators of diabetes-associated kidney disease.
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN DEMOGRAPHIC FACTORS AND INVESTMENT DECISION IN SURABAYA

The financial literature supports an increasing role for behavioral aspects of investment decision making. Among other factors, demographic factor may influence investors’ risk tolerance and investment preferences. This paper explores the relationship between demo- graphic factors, such as gender, age, marital status, education, income, and family members, and investor’s risk tolerance as well as investment preference. First of all, it attempts to reveal the relationship between investor’s demographic factors (gender, age, marital status, education, income, and number of family) and investor’s risk behavior (risk seeker, risk averse. Secondly, it tries to see the relationship between investor’s demographic factors (gender, age, marital status, education, income, and number of family) and types of invest- ment (bank products, capital market instruments, and physical assets). Finally, it endeavors to uncover the relationship between investor’s demographic factors (gender, age, marital status, education, income, and number of family) and types of investment (bank products, capital market instruments, and physical assets). Using a sample of 84 investors in Surabaya, this study shows that demographic factors explain investor’s risk tolerance and investment preference. The results also reveal a significant relationship between investors’ risk toler- ance and their investment preferences.
Kaliuresis in normal subjects following oral potassium citrate intake without increased plasma potassium concentration.

Ingestion of potassium salts typically induces both a kaliuresis and an increase in the systemic plasma potassium concentration. In this study normal healthy adults undergoing water diuresis ingested potassium citrate or sodium citrate (0.5 mmol/kg body weight) or continued without ion ingestion (a time control group). Urine was collected over 20-min intervals and venous blood sampled at midinterval. Intake of potassium citrate led to a significant increase in potassium excretion that began during the first postingestion collection and peaked 60-80 min after intake with a maximal increase in potassium excretion above baseline of 1.60 mumol/min.kg-1. The kaliuresis occurred without changes in plasma potassium concentration, excretion of creatinine or calcium, or urine hypo-osmolality and was associated with a briefer, smaller, and less regular increase in sodium excretion and a pronounced but irregular increase in chloride excretion. Plasma aldosterone was insignificantly elevated above baseline, and the initial increase did not occur until 40-60 min after potassium intake. Intake of sodium citrate did not produce a kaliuresis. The cause of the kaliuresis does not appear to be an increased systemic plasma potassium concentration, an increased plasma level of aldosterone, intake of citrate, or an elevated excretion of sodium. The mechanism inducing the kaliuresis following oral potassium intake in the absence of changes in systemic plasma potassium may involve a reflex initiated at potassium sensors in gut, portal vein, or liver.
Combination therapy of exendin-4 and allogenic adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cell preserved renal function in a chronic kidney disease and sepsis syndrome setting in rats

Combined therapy with exendin-4 (Ex4) and allogenic adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADMSC) was tested against either therapy alone for protecting kidney function against chronic kidney disease (CKD) complicated by sepsis syndrome (SS) [i.e., by intraperitoneal injection of cecal-derived bacteria (1.0 × 104) cells/milliliter/total 5.0 cc]. Adult-male-Sprague Dawley rats (n=36) were equally divided into group 1 (sham-control), group 2 (CKD), group 3 (CKD-SS), group 4 (CKD-SS-Ex4), group 5 (CKD-SS-ADMSC) and group 6 (CKD-SS-Ex4-ADMSC). At day 42 after CKD induction SS was induced. Thirty-minutes after SS induction, ADMSCs (2.0 ×106 cells) were intravenously administered to groups 5 and 6. Ex4 (10 μg/kg) was intraperitoneally administered groups 4 and 6 at 30 min and days 1 to 5 after SS induction. Animals were euthanized at day 47 after CKD induction. Kidney-injury score, collagen-deposition area, and creatinine/BUN levels were lowest in group 1, highest in group 3 and significantly higher in group 2 than in groups 4 to 6 in a progressively increasing manner (all P<0.0001). Protein expressions of inflammatory (MMP-9/TNF-α/NF-κB/IL-1ß/ICAM-1), oxidative-stress (NOX-1/NOX-2/oxidized protein), apoptotic (mitochondrial-Bax/cleaved-caspase-3/cleaved-PARP) and fibrotic/DNA-damaged (Smad3/TGF-ß/γ-H2AX) biomarkers showed an identical pattern, whereas anti-fibrotic (BMP-2/Smad1/5), anti-apoptotic/endothelial-integrity (Bcl-2/eNOS) and podocyte-integrity (ZO-1/p-cadherin) biomarkers exhibited an opposite pattern of kidney-injury score among the six groups (all P>0.0001). Cellular expressions of inflammatory (CD14/CD68) and glomerulus/tubular-injury (WT-1/KIM-1) biomarkers displayed an identical pattern, whereas glomerulus/podocyte-component (dystroglycan/nephrin/ZO-1/fibronectin/p-cadherin) biomarkers showed an opposite kidney-injury score among the six groups (all P<0.0001). In conclusion, Ex4-ADMSC therapy effectively preserved renal function in the CKD-SS setting.
Identification and Sequencing of a Novel Rodent Gammaherpesvirus That Establishes Acute and Latent Infection in Laboratory Mice

ABSTRACT Gammaherpesviruses encode numerous immunomodulatory molecules that contribute to their ability to evade the host immune response and establish persistent, lifelong infections. As the human gammaherpesviruses are strictly species specific, small animal models of gammaherpesvirus infection, such as murine gammaherpesvirus 68 (γHV68) infection, are important for studying the roles of gammaherpesvirus immune evasion genes in in vivo infection and pathogenesis. We report here the genome sequence and characterization of a novel rodent gammaherpesvirus, designated rodent herpesvirus Peru (RHVP), that shares conserved genes and genome organization with γHV68 and the primate gammaherpesviruses but is phylogenetically distinct from γHV68. RHVP establishes acute and latent infection in laboratory mice. Additionally, RHVP contains multiple open reading frames (ORFs) not present in γHV68 that have sequence similarity to primate gammaherpesvirus immunomodulatory genes or cellular genes. These include ORFs with similarity to major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC-I), C-type lectins, and the mouse mammary tumor virus and herpesvirus saimiri superantigens. As these ORFs may function as immunomodulatory or virulence factors, RHVP presents new opportunities for the study of mechanisms of immune evasion by gammaherpesviruses.
Effective RF codebook design and channel estimation for millimeter wave communication systems

Millimeter wave (mmWave) technologies can enable current mobile communication systems to achieve higher data rates. However, wireless channels at mmWave frequencies experience higher isotropic path loss. Therefore, employing a suitable beamforming algorithm is an indispensable element of any mmWave system. Traditional multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) systems employ digital beamforming where each antenna element is equipped with one RF chain. In case of mmWave systems, however, the power consumption, signalling and hardware cost impose the designers to deploy analog or hybrid beamforming strategies. This paper addresses two key problems in beamforming for millimeter wave communication systems. First, an effective codebook is designed, using a genetic algorithm that achieves a near-optimal array gain in all directions. This RF codebook is shown to perform better compared to the state-of-the-art RF codebooks with fewer RF chains and lower resolution phase shifters. Secondly, a low complexity channel estimation scheme is proposed that requires less signalling overhead and is effective with low-resolution phase shifters. Finally, the performance of the proposed RF codebook and channel estimation scheme is thoroughly investigated in terms of spectral efficiency.
A Wavelet Multiscale Based Method to Separate the High and Low Frequency Components of Mechanomyographic Signals

The study of mechanomyographic (MMG) signals during dynamic contraction requires a criterion to select the cut-off frequency of the filter utilized to separate the low frequency (LF) component (basically due to gross movement of the muscle or of the body) and the high frequency (HF) component (related with the vibration of the muscle fibers during contraction). To date, there is not an established criterion to carry out this selection. In this study, we propose a wavelet multiscale based method to aid to select a suitable cut-off frequency to separate correctly the LF and HF components. This method has been tested in an animal model, with the signal acquired during spontaneous ventilations with a capacitive accelerometer applied on the costal wall. This signal, as the MMG signals during dynamic contractions, has a LF component that is related with the movement of the thoracic cage, and a HF component that could be related with the vibration of diaphragm muscle fibers during contraction. The results obtained in the two respiratory tests analyzed indicate that cut-off frequencies around 10 and 3 Hz, respectively, must be employed to eliminate the LF component. The proposed wavelet multiscale method appears to be suitable to carry out a preliminary study of the MMG frequency content in dynamic contraction protocols
Microstructural Evolution of Transient Liquid Phase Sinter Joints in High Temperature Environmental Conditions

Increasing power densities in electronic systems and their operation in harsh environments necessitate the development of packaging materials capable of withstanding extreme thermal conditions. Transient Liquid Phase Sintering (TLPS) has been demonstrated as a packaging technology with the potential to form reliable interconnects for electronic systems for these environments. During processing, the low melting point constituents of the TLPS system melt and diffuse with the higher melting temperature constituents. This mixture then isothermally solidifies into intermetallic compounds (IMCs) with an associated shift in melting point towards higher temperatures. Joints can be formed at low processing temperatures but possess high melting temperatures after process completion. The microstructural evolution during processing and subsequent exposure to high temperature conditions leads to changes in the microstructure of TLPS interconnects. Insight into the microstructural evolution of TLPS joint in high temperature conditions is required to ensure high temperature capability after processing and to guarantee reliable interconnection during the entire product life cycle. In this paper the microstructural evolution of TLPS interconnects based on the Cu-Sn material system during sintering and thermal aging is assessed. Cu-Sn TLPS joints were sintered for 2 and 30 minutes at 300°C and subsequently aged at 250°C for up to 100 hours. The microstructural evolution behavior of this material system is predicted analytically and compared to that of actual interconnects. The time to high temperature operation capability and the time to microstructural convergence are determined. These characteristics enable the future optimization of TLPS interconnect processes and will help to assess TLPS joint reliability.
DNA replication and cell cycle in plants: learning from geminiviruses

Plant cell growth and development depend on continuous cell proliferation which is restricted to small regions of the plant called meristems. Infection by geminiviruses, small DNA viruses whose replicative cycle relies on host cell factors, is excluded from those proliferating areas. Since most of the replicative factors are present, almost exclusively, in proliferating cells, geminivirus infection is believed to induce a cellular state permissive for viral DNA replication, e.g. S‐phase or, at least, some specific S‐phase functions. The molecular basis for this effect seems to be the interference that certain geminivirus proteins exert on the retinoblastoma‐related (RBR) pathway, which analogously to that of animal cells, regulates plant cell cycle activation and G1–S transition. In some cases, geminiviruses induce cell proliferation and abnormal growth. Mechanisms other than sequestering plant RBR probably contribute to the multiple effects of geminivirus proteins on cellular gene expression, cell growth control and cellular DNA replication. Current efforts to understand the coupling of geminivirus DNA replication to cell cycle and growth control as well as the directions in which future research is aiming are reviewed.
Comparative mapping of bovine chromosome 27 with human chromosome 8 near a dairy form QTL in cattle

In the absence of a complete and annotated bovine genome sequence, detailed human-bovine comparative maps are one of the most effective tools for identification of positional candidate genes contributing to quantitative trait loci (QTL) in cattle. In the present study, eight genes from human chromosome 8 were selected for mapping in cattle to improve breakpoint resolution and confirm gene order on the comparative map near the 40 cM region of the BTA27 linkage map where a QTL affecting dairy form had previously been identified. The resulting map identified ADRB3 as a positional candidate gene for the QTL contributing to the dairy form trait based on its estimated position between 40 and 45 cM on the linkage map. It is also a functional candidate gene due to its role in fat metabolism, and polymorphisms in the ADRB3 gene associated with obesity and metabolic disease in humans, as well as, carcass fat in sheep. Further studies are underway to investigate the existence of polymorphisms in the bovine ADRB3 gene and their association with traits related to fat deposition in cattle.
Neural Networks Learning the Concept of Influence in Go

This paper describes an intelligent agent that uses a MLP (Multi-Layer Perceptron) Neural Network (NN) in order to evaluate a game state in the game of Go based, exclusively, in an inﬂuence analysis. The NN learns the concept of In-ﬂuence, which is domain speciﬁc to the game of Go. The learned function is used to evaluate board states in order to predict which player will win the match. The results show that, in later stages, the NN can achieve an accuracy of up to 89.3% when predicting the winner of the game. As future work the authors propose the incorporation of several improvements to the NN and also its integration intelligent player agents for the game of go, such as Fuego and GnuGo.
The Effect of Dividend Increase on Future Earnings: Evidence from Nordic Countries between 2000 and 2015

This master thesis contributes to the literature concerning the theoretical and empirical understanding of dividend’s change on company’s future earnings. The paper analyses if dividends have explanatory power over future earnings. Also, the analysis expects to provide more evidence of the relationship in Nordic region. This thesis is based on a quantitative study where we use a sample of 586 companies listed on OMX Nordic all-share index over the period between 2000 and 2015. The sample resulted in total of 7021 instances of dividend changes. In addition to using change in earnings as dependent variable, change in dividends as independent variable, this study uses eight control variables that affect the relationship between dividends and future earnings. This study finds that changes in dividends can explain next year’s downward dividend changes and two year’s after upward dividend changes. However, the coefficients of dividend changes are inconsistent with different specifications of regressions. Therefore, we conclude that dividends are a poor instrument to explain future earnings changes and should not be relied on when predicting company’s future earnings. (Less)