Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Prevention of microalbuminuria in patients with type 2 diabetes and hypertension

Background: We have previously demonstrated in the Randomized Olmesartan and Diabetes Microalbuminuria Prevention study that the angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) olmesartan delays the onset of microalbuminuria in patients with type 2 diabetes. Now, we investigated the effect in the subpopulation with hypertension. Methods: Overall, 4020 patients with type 2 diabetes and hypertension at baseline (defined by a SBP/DBP ≥130/80 mmHg or use of antihypertensive medication) received either 40 mg olmesartan once daily or placebo for a median of 3.2 years in a randomized, double-blind, multicenter, controlled trial. Additional antihypertensive drugs (except angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or ARBs) were used as needed to lower blood pressure (BP) to less than 130/80 mmHg. Results: The average BP was 126.3/74.7 and 129.5/76.6 mmHg, respectively (P < 0.001). Olmesartan delayed the time to onset of microalbuminuria by 25% (hazard ratio = 0.75; 95% confidence interval = 0.61–0.92, P = 0.007). Patients with a baseline SBP above the median of 136.7 mmHg and a SBP reduction above the median of 17.45 mmHg had a lower incidence of microalbuminuria than patients with a SBP reduction of less than 17.45 (8.1 vs. 11.2%, P < 0.0001). Independent from the baseline BP and the degree of BP reduction a 15–39% increase in the time to onset of microalbuminuria was detectable by olmesartan treatment. Cardiovascular events were comparable and occurred in 93 (4.6%) patients taking olmesartan and 86 (4.4%) taking placebo. Conclusion: Patients with a better BP reduction are less likely to develop microalbuminuria. Treatment with olmesartan delayed the onset of microalbuminuria independent of the baseline BP and the degree of BP reduction.
Age structure , growth , and mortality of eastern Beaufort Sea beluga ( Delphinapterus leucas ) : a comparison among Canadian populations

The age structure, body length distribution, and mortality of eastern Beaufort Sea (EBS) belugas was studied and contrasted to four other populations in the eastern Arctic: Baffin Bay (BB), Cumberland Sound (CS), western (WHB) and eastern Hudson (EHB) Bay. Median age of EBS belugas was estimated at 29 and 31 yr for males and females, respectively. These values were significantly higher than those from CS and WHB. Age distributions also differed among populations in their shape. EBS belugas were significantly longer and their growth rate differed, relative to eastern Arctic populations, revealing a geographic gradient in a south, to north, northwest direction, so that EHB belugas were the smallest. Our results suggest that hunting pressure may have played a role in these responses. Mortality was highest amont EBS belugas, but it was not significantly different from other Canadian Arctic populations.
Endothelial microparticles released in thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura express von Willebrand factor and markers of endothelial activation

Summary. It has been suggested that endothelial apoptosis is a primary lesion in the pathogenesis of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP). We tested this hypothesis by examining the phenotypic signatures of endothelial microparticles (EMP) in TTP patients. In addition, the effect of TTP plasma on microvascular endothelial cells (MVEC) in culture was further delineated. EMP released by endothelial cells (EC) express markers of the parent EC; EMP released in activation carry predominantly CD54 and CD62E, while those in apoptosis CD31 and CD105. We investigated EMP release in vitro and in TTP patients. Following incubation of MVEC with TTP plasma, EMP and EC were analysed by flow cytometry for the expression of CD31, CD51, CD54, CD62E, CD105, CD106 and von Willebrand factor (VWF) antigen. EMP were also analysed in 12 TTP patients. In both EC and EMP, CD62E and CD54 expression were increased 3‐ to 10‐fold and 8‐ to 10‐fold respectively. However, CD31 and CD105 were reduced 40–60% in EC but increased twofold in EMP. VWF expression was found in 55 ± 15% of CD62E+ EMP. Markers of apoptosis were negative. In TTP patients, CD62E+ and CD31+/CD42b− EMP were markedly elevated, and preceded and correlated well with a rise in platelet counts and a fall in lactate dehydrogenase. CD62E+ EMP (60 ± 20%) co‐expressed VWF and CD62E. The ratio of CD31+/42b− to CD62E+ EMP exhibited a pattern consistent with activation. In conclusion, our studies indicate endothelial activation in TTP. EMP that co‐express VWF and CD62E could play a role in the pathogenesis of TTP.
The Development of Khanom-Pum with Sangyod Rice Replacement

The objectives of this research were to develop a basic recipe of KhanomPum and investigate the proper amount of Sangyod rice suitable for cooking KhanomPum. In addition, physical quality, chemical analysis and customers’ acceptance of the Khanom-Pum were studied. The results indicated that the proper basic recipe consisted of rice flour, liquid Palmyra palm sugar, and water with the following proportion 24%, 40% and 36%, respectively. The best recipe of Khanom-Pum was 50% replacement with Sangyod rice. Hardness and lightness value (L*, a*, b*) decreaed with increasing the levels of Sangyod rice. The chemical analysis of the Khanom-Pum was 50% covered moisture, protein, fat, fiber, ash and carbohydrates in the following percentage of 1.47, 48.03, 0.12, 1.34, 0.76 and 48.28, respectively and vitamin B1 was 1.06 mg per 100 g. The Khanom-Pum with 50% Sangyod rice flour had more fiber and vitamin B1 than in the basic recipe. In terms of customer acceptance, there were 100 respondents. The results revealed the level of overall satisfaction was at the high level. Regarding future purchase, 94% would buy the product if the product was available in the market. Approximately 75% reasoned that the Khanom-Pum was healthy and 80% accepted the product at the highest level. A b s t r a c t
Gateway Role for rRNA Precursors in Ribosome Assembly

ABSTRACT In Escherichia coli, rRNAs are initially transcribed with precursor sequences, which are subsequently removed through processing reactions. To investigate the role of precursor sequences, we analyzed ribosome assembly in strains containing mutations in the processing RNases. We observed that defects in 23S rRNA processing resulted in an accumulation of ribosomal subunits and caused a significant delay in ribosome assembly. These observations suggest that precursor residues in 23S rRNA control ribosome assembly and could be serving a regulatory role to couple ribosome assembly to rRNA processing. The possible mechanisms through which rRNA processing and ribosome assembly could be linked are discussed.
Determinants of capital structure: Empirical evidence from Shariah compliant plantation firms in Malaysia

Capital structure choice is vital in corporate financial management due to its effect on both return and risk to investors. As such, the objective of this research is to analyse the capital structure of listed shariah compliant plantation companies in Bursa Malaysia. The factors that influence the level of debt in this research are profitability, tangibility and liquidity respectively. The research is conducted by observing financial data of 34 listed shariah compliant plantation firms in Malaysia from period 2006 to 2016. The study has used panel data and the regression analysis is based on ordinary least square (OLS). Capital structure is the dependaple variable referring to debt ratio of the companies, decomposed into total debts over total assets. The independent variables are profitability, liquidity and tangibility. Three theories of capital structure have guided this study i.e. the Trade-Off Theory, Asymmetric Information and the Pecking Order Theory. The study shows that profitability and tangibility have significant positive relationship capital structure. Nevertheless, liquidity does not have any significant relationshipwith the debt ratio. It is most likely that liquidity is not taken into account by listed plantation companies in Malaysia in making their capital structure decision. Since profitability and tangibility have significant relationship with the level of debt, the Theory of Capital Structure such as Trade Off Theory is applicable to plantation shariah compliant firms listed in Bursa Malaysia.
Is the Spontaneously Hypertensive Stroke Prone Rat a Pertinent Model of Sub Cortical Ischemic Stroke? A Systematic Review

The spontaneously hypertensive stroke prone rat is best known as an inducible model of large artery stroke. Spontaneous strokes and stroke propensity in the spontaneously hypertensive stroke prone rat are less well characterized; however, could be relevant to human lacunar stroke. We systematically reviewed the literature to assess the brain tissue and small vessel pathology underlying the spontaneous strokes of the spontaneously hypertensive stroke prone rat. We searched systematically three online databases from 1970 to May 2010; excluded duplicates, reviews, and articles describing the consequences of induced middle cerebral artery occlusion or noncerebral pathology; and recorded data describing brain region and the vessels examined, number of animals, age, dietary salt intake, vascular and tissue abnormalities. Among 102 relevant studies, animals sacrificed after developing stroke-like symptoms displayed arteriolar wall thickening, subcortical lesions, enlarged perivascular spaces and cortical infarcts and hemorrhages. Histopathology, proteomics and imaging studies suggested that the changes not due simply to hypertension. There may be susceptibility to endothelial permeability increase that precedes arteriolar wall thickening, degeneration and perivascular tissue changes; systemic inflammation may also precede cerebrovascular changes. There were very few data on venules or tissue changes before hypertension. The spontaneously hypertensive stroke prone rat shows similar features to human lacunar stroke and may be a good spontaneous model of this complex human disorder. Further studies should focus on structural changes at early ages and genetics to identify factors that predispose to vascular and brain damage.
EXPECTED GROUND – RC BUILDING STRUCTURES RESONANCE PHENOMENA IN GRANADA CITY ( SOUTHERN SPAIN )

The determination of seismic hazard, oriented to seismic risk management in urban areas, force us to know the resonance range between the dynamic behaviour of ground and the one of building structures. We developed a detailed study of dynamic behavior of RC building structures in Granada city. The main goals are to determine the empirical relationship between the fundamental period (T) and the number of stories (N) of RC buildings, by using ambient noise, and to calculate the damping factor by applying the Random Decrement Technique. Finally, we have obtained a probability map of expected resonance phenomena during future earthquakes.
Time‐ and Dose‐Dependent Effects of Chronic Wound Fluid on Human Adult Dermal Fibroblasts

BACKGROUND Wound healing is a biologic process that is altered in patients affected by chronic venous ulcers. The wound microenvironment is reflected in the chronic wound fluid (CWF), an exudate containing serum components and tissue-derived proteins. OBJECTIVES We investigated the effects of increasing doses of CWF collected from patients suffering from chronic venous ulcers on human adult dermal fibroblasts cultured in vitro and the relationship among CWF effects and treatment length. METHODS Fibroblasts were treated with 60, 240, and 720 μg/mL CWF for 3 and 7 days. We evaluated cell proliferation and viability by MTT and Trypan blue assay, cell morphology by light microscopy, F-actin microfilaments organization by tetramethylrhodamine B isothiocyanate-conjugated phalloidin, α-smooth muscle actin expression by immunofluorescence, and senescence-associated β-galactosidase activity. RESULTS CWF induced an increase in cell proliferation in the first 3 days of treatment. In contrast, at 7 days, a strong decrease in cell viability was observed. These changes were related to a cytoskeletal F-actin reorganization and not to fibroblast–myofibroblast differentiation nor to changes in cellular senescence. CONCLUSIONS This study shows a dose-dependent and biphasic effect of CWF on dermal fibroblasts, suggesting that a continuous exposure to chronic wounds microenvironment may induce late cellular dysfunctions possibly involved in the delayed wound healing.
BROADBAND TIME HISTORY SIMULATION USING A HYBRID APPROACH

We present a methodology for generating broadband (0 10 Hz) ground motion time histories for moderate and larger crustal earthquakes. Our hybrid technique combines a stochastic approach at high frequencies with a deterministic approach at low frequencies. The broadband response is obtained by summing the separate responses in the time domain using matched filters centered at 1 Hz. We use a kinematic description of fault rupture, incorporating spatial heterogeneity in slip, rupture velocity and rise time by discretizing an extended finite-fault into a number of smaller subfaults. The stochastic approach sums the response for each subfault assuming a random phase, an omega-squared source spectrum and generic ray-path Green's functions. Gross impedance effects are incorporated using quarter wavelength theory to bring the response to a reference baserock velocity level. The deterministic approach sums the response for many point sources distributed across each subfault. Wave propagation at frequencies below 1 Hz is modeled using a 3D viscoelastic finite difference algorithm with the minimum shear wave velocity set between 600 and 1000 m/s, depending on the scope and complexity of the velocity structure. To account for site-specific geologic conditions, shortand mid-period empirical amplification factors provided by Borcherdt [1] are used to develop frequency-dependent non-linear site response functions. The amplification functions are applied to the stochastic and deterministic responses separately since these may have different (computational) reference site velocities. We note that although the amplification factors are strictly defined for response spectra, we have applied them to the Fourier amplitude spectra of our simulated time histories. This process appears to be justified because the amplification functions vary slowly with frequency and the method produces favorable comparisons with observations. We demonstrate the applicability of the technique by modeling the broadband strong ground motion recordings from the 1989 Loma Prieta and 1994 Northridge earthquakes.
DYNAMIC VERSUS STATIC COMPUTATION OF THE RESIDUAL CAPACITY OF A MAINSHOCK-DAMAGED BUILDING TO WITHSTAND AN AFTERSHOCK

The residual capacity against collapse of a mainshock-damaged building can be coupled with the aftershock ground motion hazard (demand) at its site to make an objective decision regarding the occupancy of the building based on its probability of collapse in an aftershock. For a case-study building, a relatively simple nonlinear static-pushover approach to computing residual capacities is found to underestimate the median results of more accurate nonlinear dynamic analyses. By reflecting the dependence observed from the dynamic analyses of residual capacity on residual roof drift, a "calibrated" static approach is proposed that computes more consistent residual capacities.
Relatively optimal control with characteristic polynomial assignment

A relatively optimal control is a stabilizing controller such that, if initialized at its zero state, produces the optimal (constrained) behavior for the nominal initial condition of the plant (without feedforwarding and tracking the optimal trajectory). In a previous work we have shown that one of such controllers is linear, dead-beat, and its order is equal to the length of the horizon minus the plant order, thus of complexity which is known a-priori. In this work we remove the assumption of zero terminal state and we show how to assign an arbitrary closed-loop characteristic stable polynomial to the plant (an explicit solution is provided.) We also show how to choose the characteristic polynomial in such a way that the constraints (which are enforced on a finite horizon) can be globally or ultimately satisfied.
Thermalisation of inelastic dark matter in the Sun with a light mediator

Particle dark matter is a popular solution to the missing mass problem present in the Universe. If dark matter interacts with ordinary matter, even very weakly, it might be the case that it is captured and accumulated in the Sun, where it may then annihilate into particles that we can observe here on Earth. The interaction between dark matter and standard model particles may be mediated by a light dark sector particle. This would introduce an extra recoil energy suppression into the scattering cross section for collision events, which is of the form needed to possibly also alleviate some of the observed small scale structure issues of collisionless cold dark matter. In this work we perform numerical simulations of the capture and subsequent scattering of inelastic dark matter in the Sun, in the presence of a light mediator particle. We find that the presence of the mediator results in a narrower capture region than expected without it and that it mainly affects the scattering rate in the phase space region where the highest scattering rates are found. However, it is not seen to cause any noticeable difference to the radial distribution of dark matter in the Sun. No steady state is reached and the captured dark matter does not reach thermal equilibrium in the Sun.
Assessment of Medical Waste Generation Rate at Zagazig University Hospitals and Awareness and Practices of Nurses Regarding Medical Waste Management

Background: The amount and management of medical wastes are issues of growing concern since these wastes are a major source of contamination and pollution and their proper management must be known by all nurses. Objectives of the study: To quantify the medical waste generation rate of clinical departments of zagazig university hospitals (ZUH) and to assess and compare the awareness and practice of nurses in these departments regarding medical waste management. Subjects and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted over a period of 3 months in 2013 in all departments and units of (ZUH) which were classified into 4 main strata according to the similarity of the work conditions. A sample of 181 nurses were selected by stratified random sampling technique. The study tools composed of 1) Format for quantities of wastes of different departments to compare them and calculate the amount of waste per bed per day.2) A pre constructed questionnaire which contains demographic data, self-administered Knowledge Questionnaire Sheet and questions related to attitude of nurses about medical waste. 3) Checklist for evaluation of practice of nurses in waste management. Results: The mean values of medical waste amount per day were statistically higher among" the surgical departments & anesthesia"(45.0±15.0) versus other departments groups "Internal Medicine Departments and Pediatrics ", " Outpatient Clinics and Blood Bank" and " Causality, Intensive Care, and Emergency" with values (20.0±3.5, 32.0±4.0 and 30.0±3.2) respectively. The average quantity of the total Zagazig hospitals of hazardous medical waste per bed per day is 1.5 Kg which is comparable to national and other developing countries values. No significant difference between the four strata of departments regarding scores of knowledge, attitude and practice. The overall percentages of nurses with low & average scores of knowledge were "(31.5%, 22.6% respectively while those with high score were 45.9 %. Scores of attitude and practice showed percentages of 17.7%, 40.3% and 42.0 % of those with low, average and high scores respectively. Factors associated with having unsatisfactory scores (low& average) of knowledge, attitude and practice were low socioeconomic class, female gender and low education level with highly significant differences. Conclusion: The hazardous waste generation rate per bed per day in Zagazig University Hospitals is average but the awareness and practice of nurses are relatively unsatisfactory and greatly affected by their socio-economic level, sex and education. So, elevation of socio economic class and education level of nurses especially female together with training programs are important to improve awareness and practice The highest priority to should be given to "surgical departments and anesthesia" group where the largest quantity of waste is generated.
Single‐Center Evaluation of the Pharmacokinetics and Safety of the Angiotensin II Receptor Antagonist Azilsartan Medoxomil in Mild to Moderate Hepatic Impairment

Azilsartan medoxomil (AZL‐M) is a potent angiotensin II receptor blocker that decreases blood pressure in a dose‐dependent manner. It is a prodrug that is not detected in blood after its oral administration because of its rapid hydrolysis to the active moiety, azilsartan (AZL). AZL undergoes further metabolism to the major metabolite, M‐II, and minor metabolites. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of mild to moderate hepatic impairment on the pharmacokinetics of AZL and its major metabolite. This was a single‐center, open‐label, phase 1 parallel‐group study that examined the single‐dose (day 1) and multiple‐dose (days 4–8) — 40 mg — pharmacokinetics of AZL and M‐II in 16 subjects with mild and moderate hepatic impairment by Child‐Pugh classification (n = 8 per group) and subjects (n = 16) matched based on age, sex, race, weight, and smoking status. Mild or moderate hepatic impairment did not cause clinically meaningful increases in exposure to AZL and M‐II. Mild or moderate hepatic impairment had no clinically meaningful effect on the plasma protein binding of AZL and M‐II. Single and multiple doses of AZL‐M 40 mg were well tolerated in all subject groups. Based on the pharmacokinetic and tolerability findings, no dose adjustment of AZL‐M is required for subjects with mild and moderate hepatic impairment.
Behavioral / Cognitive Single-Trial Decoding of Visual Attention from Local Field Potentials in the Primate Lateral Prefrontal Cortex Is Frequency-Dependent X

X Sébastien Tremblay,1,2 Guillaume Doucet,1 Florian Pieper,3 X Adam Sachs,4 and Julio Martinez-Trujillo1,5 1Cognitive Neurophysiology Laboratory, Department of Physiology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, QC H3G 1Y6, Canada, 2Integrated Program in Neuroscience, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, QC H3A 2B4, Canada, 3Institute for Neuro& Pathophysiology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20246 Hamburg, Germany, 4Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, ON K1Y 4E9, Canada, and 5Robarts Research Institute, Departments of Psychiatry, Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, ON N6A 5C1, Canada
Early work load tests for evaluation of long-term prognosis of acute myocardial infarction.

Sir, We were interested by the work of Granath et al. (British Heart Journal, 1977, 39, 758-763), and as we have completed a similar study but with different results the comparison of both studies could be of interest. We studied the prognostic significance of exercise-induced ventricular arrhythmias in 302 male patients, aged 51-9 years (1 SD ± 7 3) and tested 67 days (± 16) after an acute myocardial infarction. Their 'maximal' heart rate was 143 bpm (± 24), the 'maximal' systolic blood pressure 174 mmHg (± 29), and the 'maximal' oxygen consumption 1463 ml/min (± 488). The mean followup period was 1114 days (± 547); total mortality was 28/302 or 9 2 per cent. Exercise-induced arrhythmias were noted by Granath et al. in 17 and 23 per cent respectively, 3 and 9 weeks after infarction, whereas we found a much higher prevalence of ventricular premature beats in 50 per cent, multiform ventricular premature beats in 20 per cent, repetitive ventricular premature beats in 14 per cent, and ventricular tachycardia in 2-6 per cent (Table); the prevalence