Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Sex‐Specific Differences in Cardiovascular Risk Factors and Blood Pressure Control in Hypertensive Patients

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) and cardiovascular risk factors are frequently undertreated in women. However, it is unclear whether the prevalence of additional cardiovascular risk factors and the total cardiovascular risk differ between hypertensive men and women. There are also limited data regarding rates of blood pressure control in the two sexes outside the United States. The authors aimed to compare the cardiovascular risk profile between sexes. A total of 1810 hypertensive patients (40.4% men, age 56.5±13.5 years) attending the hypertension outpatient clinic of our department were studied. Men were more frequently smokers than women and were more heavy smokers than the latter. Serum high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were lower and serum triglyceride levels were higher in men. On the other hand, abdominal obesity and chronic kidney disease were more prevalent in women. The estimated cardiovascular risk was higher in men than in women but the prevalence of established CVD did not differ between the sexes. The percentage of patients with controlled hypertension and the number of antihypertensive medications were similar in men and women. In conclusion, hypertensive men have more adverse cardiovascular risk factor profile and greater estimated cardiovascular risk than women. However, the prevalence of established CVD does not differ between sexes. These findings further reinforce current guidelines that recommend that management of hypertension and of other cardiovascular risk factors should be as aggressive in women as in men in order to prevent cardiovascular events.
Portfolio Optimization - Application Of Sharpe Model Using Lagrange

This paper presents the model developed by William Sharpe regarding the determination of the structure of the effective securities portfolio and the application of this model on the Romanian capital market. In this respect, the portfolio of shares used in our analysis is a portfolio of shares of the financial investment companies (SIF), listed on the Bucharest Stock Exchange (BVB), and for determining the structure of the efficient portfolio, there is built and minimized a function of type Lagrange. Also, to support practitioners, the paper also presents a series of mathematical demonstrations of variables used in modeling.
Player position estimation by monocular camera for soccer video analysis

In football contents, there are many services now. For example, player's tactics analysis and production of highlight scenes. In order to put into practice these contents, it is necessary to acquire important information from the football videos. In this paper, we propose a method to track multiple players and ball in a football video which is captured by monocular camera. In the case of capturing the video from a single view, there might be a lot of occluded situations of players. To overcome this problem, we propose a robust tracking method for multiple players by combining Particle Filter and Classifier. In order to track the ball, we try to track applying labeling and nearest neighbor algorithm. And more, we apply perspective transformation to extract player's position on the pitch. We show the experimental result and effectiveness of our proposed method.
Effects of N‐acetylcysteine in an esophageal carcinogenesis model in rats treated with diethylnitrosamine and diethyldithiocarbamate

Due to the increasing role of esophageal tumors in human cancer pathology, there is need for animal models evaluating the mechanisms of esophageal carcinogenesis and investigating protective factors toward this disease. Several N‐nitrosamines have been shown to induce esophageal tumors in rats. We designed a study in BD6 rats treated with N‐diethylnitrosamine (DEN) according to a simple protocol involving weekly i.p. injections of this carcinogen for 8 consecutive weeks. This treatment resulted in a high incidence and multiplicity of liver tumors and in occurrence of preneoplastic lesions and papillomas in the esophagus. Intraperitoneal injections of diethyldithiocarbamate (DEDTC), 4 hr after each DEN injection, i.e., during the period of DEN metabolization, improved survival of rats and did not affect the liver tumor yield but doubled the incidence of esophageal tumors and enhanced 4.9× their multiplicity. Moreover, 15% of rats developed esophageal squamocellular carcinomas. The oral administration of the thiol N‐acetyl‐L‐cysteine (NAC), a precursor and analogue of reduced glutathione, to rats treated with the DEN/DEDTC combination did not change the liver tumor yield but attenuated esophageal carcinogenesis by producing a significant shift of preneoplastic lesions to milder forms as well as a significant decrease of tumor multiplicity. Therefore, the DEN/DEDTC protocol appears to provide an interesting 2‐organ model of N‐nitrosamine‐induced carcinogenesis in rats, in which NAC is moderately effective as an inhibitor. The mechanisms underlying enhancement of DEN‐induced esophageal carcinogenesis by DEDTC and the protective effects of NAC are discussed. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Exchange Rate Volatility and FDI Inflows

Using a panel of 80 developing and developed countries for the period 1990-2015, this studyanalyses the relationship between exchange rate volatility and foreign direct investment (FDI)inflows. The results reveal a negative relationship between de facto exchange rate volatility andFDI. Reducing exchange rate volatility by 10 percent over one-year can boost FDI inflows—ceterisparibus—by an estimated 0.48 percentage points of GDP while the same reduction over the pastfive years can boost FDI inflows by 0.27 percentage points over the long-run. The results areapplied to the case of South Africa, which has been experiencing high volatility of the rand inrecent years. Reducing the rand's volatility to that of developing country peers, South Africa could boost FDI inflows by a potential of 0.25 percentage points of GDP.
Self-expanding stent modelling and radial force accuracy

Computational simulations using finite element analysis are a tool commonly used to analyse stent designs, deployment geometries and interactions between stent struts and arterial tissue. Such studies require large computational models and efforts are often made to simplify models in order to reduce computational time while maintaining reasonable accuracy. The objective of the study is focused on computational modelling and specifically aims to investigate how different methods of modelling stent–artery interactions can affect the results, computational time taken and computational size of the model. Various different models, each with increasing levels of complexity, are used to simulate this analysis, representing the many assumptions and simplifications used in other similar studies in order to determine what level of simplification will still allow for an accurate representation of stent radial force and resulting stress concentrations on the inner lining of the vessel during self-expanding stent deployment. The main conclusions of the study are that methods used in stent crimping impact on the resulting predicted radial force of the stent; that accurate representation of stent–artery interactions can only be made when modelling the full length of the stent due to the incorporation of end effects; and that modelling self-contact of the stent struts greatly impacts on the resulting stress concentrations within the stent, but that the effect of this on the unloading behaviour and resulting radial force of the stent is negligible.
Tiotropium in asthma poorly controlled with standard combination therapy.

BACKGROUND Some patients with asthma have frequent exacerbations and persistent airflow obstruction despite treatment with inhaled glucocorticoids and long-acting beta-agonists (LABAs). METHODS In two replicate, randomized, controlled trials involving 912 patients with asthma who were receiving inhaled glucocorticoids and LABAs, we compared the effect on lung function and exacerbations of adding tiotropium (a total dose of 5 μg) or placebo, both delivered by a soft-mist inhaler once daily for 48 weeks. All the patients were symptomatic, had a post-bronchodilator forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV(1)) of 80% or less of the predicted value, and had a history of at least one severe exacerbation in the previous year. RESULTS The patients had a mean baseline FEV(1) of 62% of the predicted value; the mean age was 53 years. At 24 weeks, the mean (±SE) change in the peak FEV(1) from baseline was greater with tiotropium than with placebo in the two trials: a difference of 86±34 ml in trial 1 (P=0.01) and 154±32 ml in trial 2 (P<0.001). The predose (trough) FEV(1) also improved in trials 1 and 2 with tiotropium, as compared with placebo: a difference of 88±31 ml (P=0.01) and 111±30 ml (P<0.001), respectively. The addition of tiotropium increased the time to the first severe exacerbation (282 days vs. 226 days), with an overall reduction of 21% in the risk of a severe exacerbation (hazard ratio, 0.79; P=0.03). No deaths occurred; adverse events were similar in the two groups. CONCLUSIONS In patients with poorly controlled asthma despite the use of inhaled glucocorticoids and LABAs, the addition of tiotropium significantly increased the time to the first severe exacerbation and provided modest sustained bronchodilation. (Funded by Boehringer Ingelheim and Pfizer; ClinicalTrials.gov numbers, NCT00772538 and NCT00776984.).
Growth, profits and foreign ownership in the Brazilian banking industry

ABSTRACT The deregulation of the financial markets and their progressive globalization has favoured the internationalization of banking. Moreover, during the international financial crisis, the presence of foreign banks has increased in countries experiencing faster economic growth, such as Brazil. In this context, the aim of this study is to analyze the growth and profitability of the financial institutions in Brazil, taking into account the possible non-linearity of the relationship, the differences between Brazilian and foreign institutions and the effect of the crisis. Our results indicate that the entry of foreign institutions has a direct effect on the Brazilian banking industry.
Body Size Changes Among National Collegiate Athletic Association New England Division III Football Players, 1956-2014: Comparison With Age-Matched Population Controls.

CONTEXT Collegiate football programs encourage athletes to pursue high body weights. OBJECTIVE To examine position-dependent trends over time in body size characteristics among football players in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division III New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) from 1956 to 2014 and to compare the observed absolute and relative changes with those in age-matched male population controls. DESIGN Descriptive laboratory study. SETTING Medical school affiliated with a NESCAC institution. PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS Football team rosters from the 10-member NESCAC schools, available as public documents, were analyzed along with body size data from general population males aged 20 to 29 years from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) Body weight, height, and calculated body mass index were evaluated using analysis of variance, linear regression, and nonlinear regression to determine the distribution features of size variables and changes associated with time (year), school, and position. RESULTS Among NESCAC linemen, absolute and relative changes over time in body weight and body mass index exceeded corresponding changes in the NHANES population controls. New England Small College Athletic Conference offensive linemen body weights increased by 37.5% from 1956 to 2014 (192 to 264 lb [86.4 to 118.8 kg]), compared with a 12% increase (164 to 184 lb [73.8 to 82.8 kg]) since 1961 in the NHANES population controls. Body mass index changed in parallel with body weight and exceeded 35 kg/m(2) in more than 30% of contemporary NESCAC offensive linemen. Among skill players in the NESCAC group, time-related changes in body size characteristics generally paralleled those in the NHANES controls. CONCLUSIONS High body weight and body mass indices were evident in offensive linemen, even among those in Division III football programs with no athletic scholarships. These characteristics may be associated with adverse cardiovascular and metabolic outcomes. We need approaches to encourage risk modification in the postfootball lifestyles of these individuals.
A capable location prediction and bandwidth reservation scheme for multimedia in mobile cellular networks

In this paper, a mobility predictive bandwidth reservation scheme is proposed to provide flexible usage of limited resource in mobile cellular networks. An admission control scheme is also considered to further guarantee the quality of service (QoS) of real-time traffic. The area of a cell is divided into non-reservation zone (NRZ), reservation zone (RZ), and handoff zone (HZ) to ensure that bandwidth is reserved in the target cell as mobile terminals (MTs) move into the RZ and leaves the NRZ. The amount of bandwidth to be reserved is dynamically adjusted according to the location and direction of MT. The performance of the system is evaluated through discrete-event simulation of a realistic cellular environment. Simulation results show that the proposed scheme reduces the new call blocking probability (NCBP), handoff call dropping probability (HCDP) and reduces the probability of terminated calls and cancel reservation based on location and current direction of MTs. An enhanced resource reservation is achieved as compared to the existing schemes developed to address the limiting factors in bandwidth reservation.
Scheduling Methodology for Production Services in Cloud Manufacturing

Cloud Manufacturing (CMfg) is the delivery of resources control and abilities for manufacturing through the internet. It offers a personalized manufacturing service through several processes (e.g. the order decomposition into tasks, the selection of one or several providers to perform them, the scheduling of the whole manufacturing process). The current paper aims to provide an optimized methodology for task scheduling. In a first time, it identifies the background and general concept of CMfg, focuses further on the scheduling challenges and the environmental data and constraints to propose an optimized methodology for the scheduling process.
Simulation of piezoelectric devices by two- and three-dimensional finite elements

A method for the analysis of piezoelectric media based on finite-element calculations is presented in which the fundamental electroelastic equations governing piezoelectric media are solved numerically. The results obtained by this finite-element calculation scheme agree with theoretical and experimental data given in the literature. The method is applied to the vibrational analysis of piezoelectric sensors and actuators with arbitrary structure. Natural frequencies with related eigenmodes of those devices as well as their responses to various time-dependent mechanical or electrical excitations are computed. The theoretically calculated mode shapes of piezoelectric transducers and their electrical impedances agree quantitatively with interferometric and electric measurements. The simulations are used to optimize piezoelectric devices such as ultrasonic transducers for medical imaging. The method also provides deeper insight into the physical mechanisms of acoustic wave propagation in piezoelectric media. <<ETX>>
Modeling of snow wetness inversion using multi-polarization SAR at C-Band

Radar backscattering response has the potential of retrieving desired snow parameters, such as snow water equivalence, snow depth, liquid water content which are important factors in hydrological investigation. The objective of this study is to develop an algorithm which can decompose the scattering of wet snow and also develop new description of surface scattering. There are two scattering sources - the volume scattering component from snow pack and the air-snow surface scattering component - for radar backscattering while observing wet snow. Depending upon which scattering component is dominant and then controls the response to snow wetness, an algorithm can be developed to quantitatively describe the relationship between this two scattering sources and snow wetness. We have established a model - simulated at C-band ata-base by using two scattering components. The database covers the most possible wet snow physical properties and surface roughness conditions. Using this data-base, an inversion algorithm can be developed for using C-band multi-polarization measurements. The newly developed algorithm mainly involved two steps: 1) decomposes the surface and volume scattering signals, and 2) then use each scattering component to estimate snow wetness
Effects of Estrogen on Muscarinic Acetylcholine Receptors in the Rat Hippocampus

The aim of the present study was to investigate whether different estrogen manipulations have effects on the expression of muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (mAChRs) in the adult female rat hippocampus. Hippocampus was obtained from rats in proestrus (control), ovariectomized for 2, 10 and 15 days, ovariectomized for 15 days and treated with 17β-estradiol for 7 days, and treated with 17β-estradiol immediately after ovariectomy for 21 days. Rats’ estrogen status was monitored by measuring estradiol plasma levels and uterus relative weight. [3H]quinuclidinyl benzilate ([3H]QNB) binding studies indicated that ovariectomy time-dependently increases the number of mAChRs in hippocampus when compared to those obtained from control rats. Estradiol treatments for 21 days avoid the effect of ovariectomy. However, the estradiol treatments for 7 days after 15 days of ovariectomy slightly change the number of mAChRs. In conclusion, these results showed that ovariectomy time-dependently increases mAChRs number in the rat hippocampus. In addition, these data suggest that treatment with estradiol initiated within a specific period of time after the loss of ovarian function may be effective at preventing specific effects of hormone deprivation on hippocampus.
Exploring the nature of facilitating interprofessional learning: findings from an exploratory study

Abstract With the growing complexity in managing multiple disease and illness-related problems, increased attention is being paid to the importance of interprofessional education (IPE) in preparing students for working collaboratively with different professionals. Educational activities for mixed groups of health professional students are increasing, and facilitation of learning in interprofessional student groups is now acknowledged as an essential part of successful interprofessional learning activities. However, little is known about the strategies used by facilitators with students from different professions, and how they promote learning. Using data obtained through an analysis of videos taken as part of a large study of IPE and interprofessional practice, this study aimed to identify the pedagogical strategies and behaviours of facilitators participating in seven different learning activities with health care students from five different professions. The data captured student reactions and behaviours and provided insight into the dynamics of the interprofessional encounters. The findings showed that facilitating groups involved a complex interchange of three types of interaction between facilitators and students: facilitator-controlled interaction, facilitator-driven interaction and student-driven interactions. The findings also suggest that faculty development programs should assist facilitators to re-examine teaching approaches and encourage students to assume the responsibility for discussing issues and collaborating with others in all their interprofessional contacts. Continuity and stability in faculty development activities will better prepare clinical educators and young professionals to become interprofessional champions.
Diurnal variations in plasma concentrations of cortisol, prolactin, growth hormone and glucose in the fetal sheep and pregnant ewe during late gestation.

We have measured fetal and maternal plasma concentrations of cortisol, prolactin, GH and glucose in samples collected during a 24-h period in 14 animals between 127 and 142 days of gestation. There was a significant increase in both the mean daily plasma cortisol concentration and mean daily coefficient of variation (C.V.) of plasma cortisol concentrations after 135 days of gestation. There was also a significant variation in the fetal plasma cortisol concentrations with a peak occurring at 19.00 h. There was a significant sinusoidal diurnal rhythm in the plasma prolactin concentrations in both the fetal sheep and pregnant ewe and the maximal prolactin concentrations occurred between 19.00 and 23.00 h (fetal) and 21.00 and 01.00 h (maternal). Although no significant diurnal variation was detected in fetal plasma GH concentrations, there was a significant sinusoidal diurnal rhythm in the plasma GH concentrations of the pregnant ewe and the maximal maternal GH concentrations occurred between 21.00 and 01.00 h. Both the fetal and maternal plasma glucose concentrations showed a significant sinusoidal diurnal rhythm. The maximal maternal and fetal glucose concentrations were measured between 21.00 and 01.00 h and between 23.00 and 03.00 h respectively. We have therefore established that diurnal variations in plasma cortisol and prolactin concentrations exist prenatally. Whether the presence of such hormonal rhythms reflects the activity of an endogenous fetal circadian pacemaker remains to be established.
Complex event processing of high level events in multi-area power grid: An Indian perspective

Modern day power systems in the restructured environment have grown to a level of complexity that the use of automation has become imperative for secure operation and control. The volume of significant events that occur in a multi-area interconnected power system has become enormous to an extent that system operators need intelligent systems to support them in decision making. This paper presents an implementation of complex event processor (CEP) for processing high level power system events from the perspective of a multi-area system. The definition and modeling of basic and complex high level events is carried out and an event processing engine is employed to process data streams in real time to detect the occurrence of the events. Online real time data on the high voltage Indian national grid is used in this paper for driving the CEP system with the objective of detecting the occurrence of complex events. The methodology, implementation and results of the proposed CEP system are presented.
A novel marker for assessment of liver matrix remodeling: An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) detecting a MMP generated type I collagen neo-epitope (C1M)

A competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for detection of a type I collagen fragment generated by matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) -2, -9 and -13, was developed (CO1-764 or C1M). The biomarker was evaluated in two preclinical rat models of liver fibrosis: bile duct ligation (BDL) and carbon tetra chloride (CCL4)-treated rats. The assay was further evaluated in a clinical study of prostate-, lung- and breast-cancer patients stratified according to skeletal metastases. A technically robust ELISA assay specific for a MMP-2, -9 and -13 neo-epitope was produced and seen to be statistically elevated in BDL rats compared to baseline levels as well as significantly elevated in CCL4 rats stratified according to the amount of total collagen in the livers. CO1-764 levels also correlated significantly with total liver collagen and type I collagen mRNA expression in the livers. Finally, the CO1-764 marker was not correlated with skeletal involvement or number of bone metastases. This ELISA has the potential to assess the degree of liver fibrosis in a non-invasive manner.