Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Baseline Kidney Function as Predictor of Mortality and Kidney Disease Progression in HIV-Positive Patients

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with increased all-cause mortality and kidney disease progression. Decreased kidney function at baseline may identify human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive patients at increased risk of death and kidney disease progression. Study Design: Observational cohort study. Setting & Participants: 7 large HIV cohorts in the United Kingdom with kidney function data available for 20,132 patients. Predictor: Baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). Outcomes: Death and progression to stages 4-5 CKD (eGFR 30 mL/min/1.73 m for 3 months) in Cox proportional hazards and competing-risk regression models. Results: Median age at baseline was 34 (25th-75th percentile, 30-40) years, median CD4 cell count was 350 (25th-75th percentile, 208-520) cells/ L, and median eGFR was 100 (25th-75th percentile, 87-112) mL/min/ 1.73 m. Patients were followed up for a median of 5.3 (25th-75th percentile, 2.0-8.9) years, during which 1,820 died and 56 progressed to stages 4-5 CKD. A U-shaped relationship between baseline eGFR and mortality was observed. After adjustment for potential confounders, eGFRs 45 and 105 mL/min/1.73 m remained associated significantly with increased risk of death. Baseline eGFR 90 mL/min/1.73 m was associated with increased risk of kidney disease progression, with the highest incidence rates of stages 4-5 CKD ( 3 events/100 person-years) observed in black patients with eGFR of 30-59 mL/min/1.73 m and those of white/other ethnicity with eGFR of 30-44 mL/min/1.73 m. Limitations: The relatively small numbers of patients with decreased eGFR at baseline and low rates of progression to stages 4-5 CKD and lack of data for diabetes, hypertension, and proteinuria. Conclusions: Although stages 4-5 CKD were uncommon in this cohort, baseline eGFR allowed the identification of patients at increased risk of death and at greatest risk of kidney disease progression. Am J Kidney Dis. 60(4):539-547. © 2012 by the National Kidney Foundation, Inc.
The Effect of Fasting on LH Secretion in Female Rats with Mutations to the Ghrelin Receptor Gene

We investigated how ghrelin can mediate the inhibitory effects of fasting on the reproductive axis using female rats with a point mutation to the gene encoding GHSR. For this purpose, we fasted FHH GHSR KO rats and their WT counterparts starting on the evening of metestrus and ending 42h later on the expected proestrus afternoon. Rats were then euthanized; blood was collected and analyzed to compare plasma LH and estrogen concentrations between these animals and controls. Fasting significantly decreased LH concentrations in all rats regardless of their genotype. Interestingly, GHSR KO rats showed overall higher LH concentrations than WT rats regardless of their condition. Estrogen levels were not influenced by the genetic mutation and fasting. These findings suggest that ghrelin signalling is not required for a fasting-induced decrease in LH concentrations. However, ghrelin may modulate reproductive function as a negative feedback signal that reduces LH release regardless of energy state.
Effects of adiposity on the human plasma proteome: Observational and Mendelian estimates

Background: Variation in adiposity is associated with cardiometabolic disease outcomes, but the 2 mechanisms leading from this exposure to disease are unclear. This study aimed to estimate effects 3 of adiposity, proxied by body mass index (BMI), on an extensive set of circulating proteins using both 4 observational and genetically informed analyses. 5 Methods and findings: We used proteomic data from up to 2,737 healthy participants from the 6 INTERVAL study of UK blood donors. Associations between self-reported BMI and 3,622 unique 7 plasma proteins measured by the SomaLogic platform were explored using linear regression. These 8 were complemented by Mendelian randomization (MR) analyses using a genetic risk score (GRS) 9 comprised of 654 BMI-associated polymorphisms from a recent genome-wide association study 10 (GWAS) of adult BMI. Observationally, BMI showed associations with 1,576 protein traits (Bonferroni 11 corrected P < 1.4 x 10 -5 ), with strong associations with leptin, fatty acid-binding protein 4 (FABP4) and 12 sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG). The GRS for BMI was positively associated with self-reported 13 BMI to the extent expected given its known genetic association (R 2 = 0.028) and there was a lack of 14 strong association between this GRS and measured confounding factors. MR analyses provided 15 further evidence for a causal relationship between BMI and a range of measured proteins (eight in this 16 analysis achieved P <1.4x10 -5 ) including a strong relationship with leptin levels (0.63 standard 17 deviation (SD) per SD BMI, 95% CI 0.48 to 0.79, P = 1.6x10 -15 ), FABP4 (0.64 SD per SD BMI, 95% CI 18 0.46 to 0.83, P = 6.7x10 -12 ) and SHBG abundance (-0.45 SD per SD BMI, 95% CI -0.65 to -0.25, P = 19 1.4x10 -5 ). There was strong agreement in the direction and magnitude of observational and MR 20 estimates (R 2 = 0.33)
Reduced mortality and shortened ICU

Background Intensive Care Unit (ICU) management of COVID-19 patients with severe hypoxemia is associated with high mortality. We implemented a ‘care map’, as a standardized multidisciplinary approach to improve patients monitoring using: uniform patient selection for ICU admission, a low-PEEP strategy and a pharmacologic strategic thromboembolism management. Methods A standardized protocol for managing COVID-19 patients and ICU admissions was implemented through accurate Early Warning Score (EWS) monitoring and thromboembolism prophylaxis at hospital admission. Dyspnea, mental confusion or SpO 2 less than 85% were criteria for ICU admission. Ventilation approach employed low PEEP values (about 10 cmH 2 O in presence of lung compliance > 40 mL/cmH 2 O) and FiO 2 as needed. In presence of lower lung compliance (< 40 mL/cmH 2 O) PEEP value was increased to about 14 cmH 2 O.
A Waveguide Slot Filtering Antenna With an Embedded Metamaterial Structure

A novel waveguide slot filtering antenna with an embedded metamaterial is presented. This filtering antenna consists of a common waveguide slot antenna with longitudinal slots cut on the top broad wall of its rectangular waveguide and a metamaterial surface embedded in the bottom broad wall. The metasurface replaces the conventional metal plane in the form of a bed of nails. In the operating frequency band, the metasurface works as a perfect electric conductor, so the antenna radiates as the traditional waveguide slot antennas. While in the stopband, the metasurface performs as a perfect magnetic conductor to suppress the propagation of electromagnetic wave in the waveguide cavity, so the interference signal is rejected and a filter function is achieved. To show the design process and verify its feasibility, a filtering antenna prototype working in the <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$C$ </tex-math></inline-formula>-band and having a stopband in the <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$X$ </tex-math></inline-formula>-band is designed, fabricated, and tested. A good agreement between simulation and measurement is obtained, demonstrating efficient radiations in the working band and a strong suppression of more than 35 dB in the stopband.
Radiation Dose Assessments for Materials with Elevated Natural Radioactivity

SUMMARY This report provides practical information needed for evaluating the radiation dose to the general public and workers caused by materials containing elevated levels of natural radionuclides. The report presents criteria, exposure scenarios and calculations used to assess dose with respect to the safety requirements set for construction materials in accordance with the Finnish Radiation Act. A method for calculating external gamma exposure from building materials is presented in detail. The results for most typical cases are given as specific dose rates in table form to enable doses to be assessed without computer calculation. A number of such dose assessments is presented, as is the corresponding computer code. Practical investigation levels for the radioactivity of materials are defined. PREFACE The radioactivity of building materials, industrial by-products and waste has been investigated by the Finnish Centre for Radiation and Nuclear Safety (STUK) for some 20 years. As a result, STUK now has a detailed view of Finns' exposure to these sources of natural radiation. Most of these investigations have been conducted by Dr. Raimo Mustonen. Finnish radiation legislation was revised in 1992, taking into account the 1990 ICRP recommendations. Practices causing occupational or public exposure to natural radiation were considered. On the basis of the new legislation, STUK has issued general guides concerning exposure to natural radiation. The radiation protection criteria adopted in the ST Guide 12.2 'Radioactivity of Construction materials, Fuel Peat and Peat Ash' are based on the work of Dr. Mustonen who has also presented the activity indexes for construction materials given in Sections 2.4 and 5.1. All other criteria and exposure scenarios presented in and assessments performed for this report were done by the author.
The Role of Soft Information in a Dynamic Contract Setting: Evidence from the Home Equity Credit Market

Credit underwriting is a dynamic process involving multiple interactions between borrower and lender. During this process, lenders have the opportunity to obtain hard and soft information from the borrower. We analyze more than 108,000 home equity loans and lines-of-credit applications to study the role of soft and hard information during underwriting. Our dataset allows us to distinguish lender actions that are based strictly on hard information from decisions that involve the collection of soft information. Our analysis confirms the importance of soft information and suggests that its use can be effective in reducing overall portfolio credit losses ex post.
A phenomenological study of obesity and its impact on functional status, life-space mobility, and physical activity in Southern African American older women

The majority of work on health disparities has focused on public policy and identifying disparate conditions. Obesity is a significant public health problem that has reached epidemic proportions, considered the second leading cause of preventable death, encourages a sedentary lifestyle, and can lead to a higher prevalence of functional impairments. Moreover, obesity increases the risk that persons may develop one or more serious medical conditions, such as cardiovascular disease, hypertension, stroke, Type 2 diabetes, and osteoarthritis, especially among African Americans. In the United States, African American women are more likely to be classified as overweight or obese. In fact, approximately 61% of African American women 65 years and older are classified as being obese in comparison to 32% of their European American counterparts of the same age group. Moreover, the decline in functional status and physical activity levels among this population further contributes to the escalating obesity
Analisis Pola Hubungan PDRB dengan Faktor Pencemaran Lingkungan di Indonesia Menggunakan Pendekatan Geographically Weighted Regression (GWR)

PDRB merupakan salah satu indikator perekonomi-an suatu wilayah. Perhitungan PDRB salah satunya mengguna-kan pendekatan nilai tambah atau produksi, yang berkaitan dengan penggunaan sumber daya alam. Faktor pencemaran lingkungan berpengaruh terhadap ketersediaan sumber daya alam, sehingga mempunyai pengaruh dalam menentukan tinggi rendahnya PDRB suatu provinsi. Berbagai penelitian PDRB dengan metode statistika sudah banyak dilakukan. Namun, penelitian tersebut belum ada yang memodelkan antara PDRB dengan faktor pencemaran lingkungan yang memperhatikan faktor spasial. Oleh karena itu, dalam penelitian ini dilakukan analisis spasial dengan Geographically Weighted Regression (GWR). Metode GWR digunakan untuk memodelkan PDRB di Indonesia serta mengetahui faktor dari segi lingkungan yang berpengaruh secara signifikan di tiap provinsi. Hasil pemodelan dengan GWR diperoleh model yang berbeda-beda untuk tiap provinsi. Model GWR menunjukkan hasil yang lebih baik dibandingkan model regresi global, terlihat dari nilai AIC maupun SSE yang lebih kecil, dan R 2 yang lebih besar.
Mesenchymal stem cells in human second-trimester bone marrow, liver, lung, and spleen exhibit a similar immunophenotype but a heterogeneous multilineage differentiation potential.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES We previously found that human fetal lung is a rich source of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC). Here we characterize and analyze the frequency and function of MSC in other second-trimester fetal tissues. DESIGN AND METHODS Single cell suspensions of fetal bone marrow (BM), liver, lung, and spleen were made and analyzed by flow cytometry for the expression of CD90, CD105, CD166, SH3, SH4, HLA-ABC, HLA-DR, CD34 and CD45. We assessed the frequency of MSC by limiting dilution assay. RESULTS The frequency of MSC in BM was significantly higher than in liver, lung, and spleen (p<0.05). On primary non-expanded cells from fetal liver, lung and spleen the number of cells positive for mesenchymal markers was significantly higher within the CD34 positive population than within the CD34 negative population. The phenotype of the culture-expanded MSC was similar for all fetal tissues, i.e. CD90, CD105, CD166, SH3, SH4 and HLA-ABC positive and CD34, CD45 and HLA-DR negative. Culture-expanded cells from all tissues were able to differentiate along adipogenic and osteogenic pathways. However, adipogenic differentiation was less in MSC derived from spleen, and osteogenic differentiation was reduced in liver-derived MSC (p<0.05). INTERPRETATION AND CONCLUSIONS Our results indicate that culture-expanded MSC derived from second-trimester fetal tissues, although phenotypically similar, exhibit heterogeneity in differentiating potential. We speculate that these differences may be relevant for the clinical application of MSC.
Edinburgh Research Explorer A rose by any other name?

This paper assesses developments in transdisciplinary research in the UK. While we support the thesis that transdisciplinarity is still not mainstream and is rarely supported per se by funders of research, this paper examines the extent to which UK research policy has embraced the concept of transdisciplinarity. Five empirical case studies provide data about the interrelationship between the interdisciplinary and impact or knowledge exchange aspirations of Research Council UK (RCUK) investments. We find evidence that, to an extent, UK research funding policy is achieving some elements of transdisciplinarity in practice, if not in name. Drawing on broader debates about the limitations of knowledge mobilisation and the challenges of conducting interdisciplinary research, we reflect on how the situation has changed since our original 2004 paper. The evidence suggests that the absence of the ‘transdisciplinary’ label is not necessarily impeding the framing of research funding schemes oriented towards societal issues. Nevertheless, several areas where capacity-building is required, including training for early career interdisciplinary researchers; improved research leadership skills; and the capacity to evaluate the quality of transdisciplinary processes and to learn from such evaluations, are identified.
Home Zones in the UK: History, Policy and Impact on Children and Youth

Abstract:This paper considers the evolution of the home zone concept in the UK over the last ten years or so. It outlines its background, history and links to the Dutch woonerf model. It traces the development of the UK government's engagement with home zones, and the emergence of wider public and policy interest. It also presents opinion and research into the design and implementation of home zone schemes in England, Scotland and Wales, including new research on the impact of home zones on the lives of children and young people. Further, it reviews the extent to which British schemes have, or have not, followed the legal and design principles of their Continental counterparts. The paper concludes that the home zone concept has created new, fascinating, fertile territory for exploring profound questions about children's stake in society and the built environment.
Late Paleozoic transgressions in the Greater Caucasus (Hun Superterrane, Northern Palaeotethys): global eustatic control

The Greater Caucasus (a mountain chain in southwesternmost Russia, northern Georgia, and northwestern Azerbaijan) is a Gondwana-derived terrane, which was included into the Hun Superterrane (late Silurian-Late Devonian) and then docked at the Laurussian margin of the Palaeotethys Ocean close to the terranes of the present Alps (Late Devonian-Middle Triassic). The Upper Paleozoic sedimentary complex, up to 20,000 m thick, provides a good record to discuss global eustatic changes. Three transgressions are reported in this region, which occurred in the Lochkovian, Frasnian-Famennian, and Changhsingian. The first of them embraced the northern part of the Greater Caucasus, the second was larger and covered this region entirely, whereas the third occurred in its western part only. All of them corresponded evidently to global eustatic rises, and, therefore, their explanation does not require an implication of the regional tectonic activity. These regional transgressive episodes are also known from the Southern and Carnic Alps, Arabia, and Northern Africa. A correspondence between the Late Permian marine sedimentation in the Greater Caucasus and non-marine sedimentation in Spain is established. Thus, they were of planetary extent and the present global eustatic curve is confirmed. The regional transgressions resulted in carbonate deposition, biotic radiations, and reefal growth.
Expansion in n−1 for percolation critical values on the n-cube and Z: the first three terms

Let pc(Qn) and pc(Z) denote the critical values for nearest-neighbour bond percolation on the n-cube Qn = {0, 1}n and on Zn, respectively. Let Ω = n for G = Qn and Ω = 2n for G = Zn denote the degree of G. We use the lace expansion to prove that for both G = Qn and G = Zn, pc(G) = Ω−1 + Ω−2 + 7 2 Ω−3 + O(Ω−4). This extends by two terms the result pc(Qn) = Ω−1 + O(Ω−2) of Borgs, Chayes, van der Hofstad, Slade and Spencer, and provides a simplified proof of a previous result of Hara and Slade for Zn. 1 Main result We consider bond percolation on Z with edge set consisting of pairs {x, y} of vertices in Z with ‖x−y‖1 = 1, where ‖w‖1 = nj=1 |wj| for w ∈ Z. Bonds (edges) are independently occupied with probability p and vacant with probability 1− p. We also consider bond percolation on the n-cube Qn, which has vertex set {0, 1}n and edge set consisting of pairs {x, y} of vertices in {0, 1}n with ‖x− y‖1 = 1, where we regard Qn as an additive group with addition component-wise modulo 2. Again bonds are independently occupied with probability p and vacant with probability 1−p. We write G in place of Qn and Z when we wish to refer to both models simultaneously. We write Ω for the degree of G, so that Ω = 2n for Z and Ω = n for Qn. For the case of Z, the critical value is defined by pc(Z) = inf{p : ∃ an infinite connected cluster of occupied bonds a.s. }. (1.1) Given a vertex x of G, let C(x) denote the connected cluster of x, i.e., the set of vertices y such that y is connected to x by a path consisting of occupied bonds. Let |C(x)| denote the cardinality ∗Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, Eindhoven University of Technology, P.O. Box 513, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands. rhofstad@win.tue.nl †Department of Mathematics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z2, Canada. slade@math.ubc. ca
Self-Regulation and “Time Off”: Evaluations and Reflections on the Development of a Blended Course

Changes in both the landscape of education and digital technology are giving rise to interesting, innovative, and potentially effective pedagogical possibilities. As educators of the 21st century, we are witnessing continuous changes in the way we teach as well as the way students learn. This study is a part of an ongoing research program aimed at evaluating the pedagogical effectiveness of blended teaching. More specifically, this paper aims to describe some of our reflections as we developed, delivered, and carried out an evaluation of a university course taught using a blended format. Undergraduate students (n=109) in a fourth-year capstone course participated in this study. We report on the students’ perceptions of the effectiveness of the delivery method of the course, while focusing on the struggles they encountered, including difficulties keeping up with the course content, particularly on the weeks where the lecture was online, as well as a struggle to stay organized and connected with their peers and their assignments. Self-regulation turned out to be a major determinant of success in this type of course. We conclude with suggestions to improve students’ social and academic experiences as they navigate learning in a digital world. Les changements survenus a la fois dans le paysage de l’education et dans la technologie numerique donnent naissance a des possibilites pedagogiques interessantes, innovatrices et potentiellement efficaces. En tant qu’educateurs du XXIe siecle, nous assistons a des changements continus dans la maniere dont nous enseignons ainsi que dans la maniere dont les etudiants apprennent. Cette etude s’inscrit dans le cadre d’un programme de recherche en cours qui a pour objectif d’evaluer l’efficacite pedagogique de l’enseignement hybride. Plus specifiquement, cet article vise a decrire certaines de nos reflexions au fur et a mesure que nous elaborons, livrons et executons l’evaluation d’un cours universitaire enseigne selon un format hybride. Des etudiants de premier cycle (n=109) inscrits dans un tout dernier cours de quatrieme annee ont participe a cette etude. Nous presentons un rapport sur la maniere dont les etudiants ont percu l’efficacite de la methode employee pour enseigner ce cours, tout en mettant l’accent sur les problemes qu’ils ont rencontres, y compris les difficultes a faire face au contenu du cours, en particulier durant les semaines ou les cours magistraux etaient presentes en ligne, ainsi que sur leurs difficultes a rester organises et connectes avec leurs camarades de classe et avec leurs devoirs. Il s’avere que l’autoregulation est un element important pour la reussite de ce type de cours. Pour conclure, nous presentons des suggestions pour ameliorer l’experience sociale et academique des etudiants dans leur parcours de l’apprentissage au sein d’un monde numerique.
Fish Bulletin No. 70. A Preliminary Population Study of the Yellowfin Tuna and the Albacore

Author(s): Godsil, H C | Abstract: In "A Systematic Study of the Pacific Tunas" it was shown that specimens of yellowfin tuna, (Neothunnus macropterus), and albacore (Thunnus germo), obtained from Japan and the Hawaiian Islands are individually indistinguishable from those taken in the eastern Pacific. In the present study the relationship of the foreign to the local specimens is more closely investigated. In the two sections of this report an effort is made to determine, firstly, whether fish (of the two species discussed) from Japan and from the Hawaiian Islands are of the same or different populations from those taken by the California fishing fleet off this coast; and secondly, whether the yellowfin tuna in the eastern Pacific constitute a single, homogeneous and intermingling population or an aggregate of separate and recognizable groups, each confined to a specific geographic area.
Fluid-Structure Interaction Extended-FEM Approach to Solidification

II Résumé . III Acknowledgements . V Nomenclature . VI Abbreviations . VI Greek Letters . VII Symbols . VIII List of Figures . XI List of Tables . XIII Table of