Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
ERICA: prevalences of hypertension and obesity in Brazilian adolescents

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE To estimate the prevalence of arterial hypertension and obesity and the population attributable fraction of hypertension that is due to obesity in Brazilian adolescents. METHODS Data from participants in the Brazilian Study of Cardiovascular Risks in Adolescents (ERICA), which was the first national school-based, cross-section study performed in Brazil were evaluated. The sample was divided into 32 geographical strata and clusters from 32 schools and classes, with regional and national representation. Obesity was classified using the body mass index according to age and sex. Arterial hypertension was defined when the average systolic or diastolic blood pressure was greater than or equal to the 95th percentile of the reference curve. Prevalences and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) of arterial hypertension and obesity, both on a national basis and in the macro-regions of Brazil, were estimated by sex and age group, as were the fractions of hypertension attributable to obesity in the population. RESULTS We evaluated 73,399 students, 55.4% female, with an average age of 14.7 years (SD = 1.6). The prevalence of hypertension was 9.6% (95%CI 9.0-10.3); with the lowest being in the North, 8.4% (95%CI 7.7-9.2) and Northeast regions, 8.4% (95%CI 7.6-9.2), and the highest being in the South, 12.5% (95%CI 11.0-14.2). The prevalence of obesity was 8.4% (95%CI 7.9-8.9), which was lower in the North region and higher in the South region. The prevalences of arterial hypertension and obesity were higher in males. Obese adolescents presented a higher prevalence of hypertension, 28.4% (95%CI 25.5-31.2), than overweight adolescents, 15.4% (95%CI 17.0-13.8), or eutrophic adolescents, 6.3% (95%CI 5.6-7.0). The fraction of hypertension attributable to obesity was 17.8%. CONCLUSIONS ERICA was the first nationally representative Brazilian study providing prevalence estimates of hypertension in adolescents. Regional and sex differences were observed. The study indicates that the control of obesity would lower the prevalence of hypertension among Brazilian adolescents by 1/5.
Like a Magnet

Violence as a form of entertainment has existed for centuries. Ancient Egyptians watched plays reenacting the murder of their god Osiris, and ancient Romans watched gladiator games. In 380 B.C., Saint Augustine lamented that society was addicted to gladiator games and “drunk with the fascination of bloodshed” (quoted by Bok, 1999, p. 31). The most recent form of violent entertainment is video games. What attracts players to violent games? In surveys, many players claim that violent games help them “get their anger out” (e.g., Kutner & Olson, 2008). The term for this effect is catharsis (from the Greek katharsis), which means to cleanse or purge. According to catharsis theory, acting aggressively or even viewing aggression purges angry feelings and aggressive impulses into harmless channels. Unfortunately for catharsis theory, research shows that playing violent video games increases aggression (Anderson et al., 2010). The present research was not concerned with testing the validity of catharsis theory. Rather, we tested the hypothesis that belief in catharsis increases attraction to violent games, especially among people who want to get rid of their anger. Instead of relying on more problematic self-report data (Nisbett & Wilson, 1977), we used experimental data. We manipulated belief in catharsis in Experiment 1 and measured belief in catharsis in Experiment 2.
The Role of Transporters in the Pharmacokinetics of Antibiotics

Aims: Various transporters including efflux transporters and uptake transporters play an important role in the pharmacokinetics of drugs. At present, interestingly, more and more studies had found that numbers of antibiotics were the substrates of transporters, and these antibiotics were usually combined with other drugs to treat disease more effectively in clinic. Therefore, it is necessary to focus on the role of transporters in pharmacokinetics and drugdrug interactions of antibiotics. Methods: This review summarized the findings of recent studies as well as information obtained from several databases (update to June 2012): ISI Web of Knowledge SM (ISI WoK), SciFinder (Caplus, Medline, Registry,Casreact, Chrmlist, Chemcasts) and PubMed (indexed for Medline). Results: The present review will provides useful information for studying the role of transporters in pharmacokinetics and drug-drug interactions of antibiotics, and should be of help to those intending to further research on these topics. Conclusions: The drug transporter plays a significant role in the pharmacokinetics and drug-drug interactions of antibiotics.
A Generalization of the Univariate Slash by a Scale-Mixtured Exponential Power Distribution

A generalization of the slash distribution is derived using the scale mixture of the exponential power distribution. The newly defined family of distributions provides a rich flexibility on the tail heaviness and yields alternative robust estimators of location and scale in non normal situations. In order to investigate asymptotically the bias properties of the estimators, a simulation study is performed. The performance of the estimators on two well-known real data sets is also illustrated.
Total sliding-mode speed control of field-oriented induction motor servo drive

This study addresses the design of a speed control scheme based on total sliding-mode control (TSMC) theory for a field-orientated induction motor (IM). The TSMC comprises an equivalent control design and a robust control design. This control strategy is derived in the sense of Lyapunov stability theorem such that the stable tracking performance can be ensured under the occurrence of system uncertainties. The salient feature of this control scheme is that the controlled system has a total sliding motion without a reaching phase as in conventional sliding-mode control (CSMC). In addition, numerical simulations as well as experimental results are provided to validate the effectiveness of the developed methodology in comparison with a CSMC system.
Dramatic decrease in muscular fitness in the Czech schoolchildren over the Last 20 years.

AIM Obesity and physical inactivity had already reached epidemic, becoming one of the leading causes of death and disability worldwide. The objective of this study was to investigate the current level and a nearly three decades' trend of muscular fitness (MF) and the nutritional state of Czech children. METHODS In 2013, cross-sectional epidemiological survey was conducted in schoolchildren with examination of the anthropometric characteristics and measured MF using a UNIFIT test, which normative for MF categories was given as results of national monitoring data collected in 1987. In total 896 current schoolchildren (472 aged 8-9 years and 424 aged 12-13 years) were examined from selected children through stratified sampling from the Czech Republic. RESULTS Against 31% of children from 1986 there were 74% of current children classified as "poor" or "below normal" in the MF category (p<0.001). MF was inversely associated with BMI. Poor posture was diagnosed in 24% of children, more frequently in overweight (OW) and obese (OB) children in comparison to normal body weight children (p<0.001). In comparison to 10% of OW and OB children in 1991, using these cut-off points for body mass index references, the current prevalence of OW and OB doubled (19.8%). CONCLUSIONS Current Czech schoolchildren showed a doubled prevalence of OW and OB during the last two decades and simultaneously during nearly three decades there were more than doubled prevalence of "poor" or "under normal" MF of children, with overall dramatic decrease of MF in current schoolchildren.
The Performance of Private Equity

We present conclusive evidence on the performance of private equity, using a high quality dataset of fund cash flows that covers about 85 percent of capital ever raised by U.S. buyout funds. For almost all vintage years since 1980, U.S. buyout funds have significantly outperformed the S&P 500. Liquidated funds from 1980 to 2000 have delivered excess returns of about 450 basis points per year. Adding partially liquidated funds up to 2005, excess returns rise to over 800 basis points. The cross-sectional variation is considerable with just over 60% of all funds doing better than the S&P, and excess returns being driven by top-decile rather than top-quartile funds. We document an extreme cyclicality in returns with much higher figures for funds set up in the first half of each of the past three decades, and correspondingly lower returns towards the end of each decade. However, we find a significant downward trend in absolute returns over all 29 vintage years. Our results are robust to measuring excess returns via money multiples instead of IRRs, and are essentially unchanged when pricing residual values at observed secondary market discounts.
X-band metamaterial-based Luneburg lens antenna

A metamaterial-based low profile antenna is presented in the 8-12 GHz frequency range (X-band). The antenna is designed in a parallel-plate TEM waveguide configuration. A planar metamaterial-based Luneburg lens and a Vivaldi antenna that illuminates the latter lens are embedded inside the TEM waveguide. The focusing condition of the lens, requiring a gradient refractive index is achieved through the use of complementary non-resonant metamaterial structures. Numerical simulations are performed to determine the suitable unit cells geometry with respect to the wave launcher. A prototype has been fabricated using standard printed circuit board techniques and has been measured in an anechoic chamber. A good qualitative agreement is observed between simulations and experiments. The proposed planar antenna presents good focusing properties over the X-band frequency range.
Electrochemical Reduction of Carbon Dioxide

The work undertaken involved the exploration of CO2 electroreduction systems, focussing heavily upon electrocatalysis utilising an array of electrochemical, spectroelectrochemical and spectroscopic techniques.The identification and characterisation of a relatively inexpensive and simple electrocatalyst for CO2 reduction was achieved, with the optimisation and development undertaken in such a manner that not just the electrocatalytic species, but also the entire electrochemical system was investigated, in order to determine and better understand the roles played by the various components.The complex of interest, Mo(CO)4bpy, represents the first molybdenum based molecular electrocatalyst reported to be active toward CO2 reduction, despite the prominence of Mo in enzymes with analogous function. The electrochemical characterisation of the complex in the both the presence and absence of CO2 was undertaken, yielding valuable information on the redox behaviour of the complex within the non-aqueous system in which it was employed and highlighting previously unreported features such as a third reduction and new reoxidation attributed to the reoxidation of a tricarbonyl anionic species. Non-aqueous solvents were chosen as they provide greater CO2 solubility than water with portions of the investigation undertaken in tetrahydrofuran, THF, then moving to the less widely used N-methylpyrrolidone, NMP. NMP is significantly less volatile than THF and has a large negative electrochemical window so is ideal for looking at reduction processes and, importantly, is also used as a commercial CO2 scrubbing solvent.Upon addition of CO2 to the Mo(CO)4bpy system there was an observable lowering of the overpotential by over 300 mV, and significant increase in CO2 associated current when compared to that for ? direct? CO2 reduction within the same system, at the reduction potential associated with the first reduction of the tetracarbonyl bipyridyl species. The confirmation of the anionic radical as the active species was attained through DFT calculation and EPR spectroelectrochemistry. Under inert gas the spectrum rapidly generated upon application of the first reduction potential is consistent with the expected response for the radical anionic [Mo(CO)4bpy] ? When the system is saturated with CO2 this radical is no longer detectable. This supports the idea that the unpaired electron is transferred from the [Mo(CO)4bpy]? to the CO2 molecule and also suggests that this transfer is rapid as no adduct is detectable via EPR even at reduced temperature (240 K). This is in keeping with the rate constants calculated from the voltammetric measurements made. The stability and activity toward CO2 reduction exhibited by Mo(CO)4bpy displayed a strong dependence on working electrode material, with gold proving optimal, indicative of adsorption being significant in the process.Optimisation of both the catalyst structure and the solvent and electrolyte system were also explored, as well as the (somewhat less directly related) comparison of various sources of diffusivity data.
MEMS wavelength-selective switch incorporating liquid crystal shutters for attenuation and hitless operation

We present the technological merits of combining a high fill factor, one-dimensional, MEMS micro-mirror array for switching and liquid crystal shutters for amplitude control within a wavelength-selective switch (WSS). The combination allows for simplified MEMS actuator design, support for high port counts, high attenuation accuracy, high natural frequency, mechanical robustness against shock & vibrations, and fast switching times. The complexity associated with dual modulating elements at the focal plane is addressed by design choices and optimization of the depth of focus. The WSS is fully Telcordia qualified and carrying live traffic in deployed networks.
Critical Success Factors ( CSFs ) For Implementation of Lean Six Sigma in Commercial Banks in Kenya

This study sought to examine the Critical Success Factors for the implementation of Lean Six Sigma in commercial banks in Kenya. All commercial banks agreed on the following as the main Critical Success Factors in the implementation of Lean Six Sigma; Effective Communication, Understanding tools and techniques within Lean Six Sigma, Effective use of Technology, Top down management commitment and participation, linking Lean Six Sigma to customers, Leadership and Environment that encourages the constant improvement of product and services.
An Investigation into the Antifungal Property of Fabaceae using Bioinformatics Tools

Chemodiversity in plants provides sources of great value which might be helpful for finding new leads in drug discovery programs. Fabaceae as the third largest family of flowering plants was chosen to investigate its possible antifungal activity. In order to increase the effectiveness of the result, molecular similarity methods and chemical data were used. Twelve plants were selected from Fabaceae and collected from the North and South of Iran. Percolation method with 80% ethanol was used for extraction of collected plants. Antifungal activities of these extracts were determined using broth microdilution method against Candida albicans (C. albicans) ATCC 10231, Aspergillus fumigatus (A. fumigatus) AF 293 and Asperigillus niger (A. niger) ATCC 16404. Extracts with promising activity were screened for toxicity with larvae of Artemia salina (brine shrimp). Dalbergia sissoo, Lathyrus pratensis, Oreophysa microphyalla, Astragalus stepporum, Ebenus stellata, Sophora alopecuroides, Ammodendron persicum and Taverniera cuneifolia showed activity against at least one of the microorganisms used in this study. According to the results of our experiment, the extracts of these plants can be used for further investigation in therapeutic research.
Efficiency enhancement of single crystal silicon solar cell with POCL3 and wafer optimally controlled by PECVD method

A method proposed to effectively hoist the power conversion efficiency (PCE) in single crystalline solar cells (SCS) is feasible. In the approach, the optimization of etched depth to reduce reflection of sunlight and the maximization of surface area of wafer to increase current absorption were performed by plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD). Results obtained by a standard testing equipment under AM 1.5G illumination has proved this method to be effective in increasing the open-circuit voltage and the short-circuit current of SCS with the PCE being 19 % or above.
Contrast on Performances of Different Planar Pattern RFIC Spiral Inductors with Equal Perimeter

Based on the typical model of spiral inductor on silicon(SIOS) for RF integrated circuit(RFIC), the inductors circuit parameters for different hollow planar structures with the same inner radius such as quadrilateral, octagonal and circular have been simulated and computed by using the Ansoft software HFSS. Numerical results are well coincident with those from theoretical analysis. Compared with those of the quadrilateral and octagonal ones with the same inner radius and equal perimeter, the maximum quality factor Q of the circular spiral inductor increases by 0.78 and 0.67 times, at the frequency corresponding to the maximum quality factor L of the circular spiral inductor increases by 31% and 11%, respectively, and the resonance frequency fRS of the circular spiral inductor decreases by 9.3% and 6.8%, respectively.
Managing dynamic requirements knowledge : an agent-based approach

Agentand goal-based requirements engineering can be considered established in research for many years now. Also first successful applications to industrial practice have been reported. Agentand goal-based approaches explicate the functional and non-functional goals as well as various kinds of dependencies of possibly conflicting stakeholders. Thereby, they provide enhanced means to support elicitation, analysis, documentation, as well as many other operations on requirements. The thesis strives to add to these advanced support facilities by addressing dynamic issues that are not yet considered in existing approaches. Several dynamic aspects of the requirements field have been targeted by various research groups. For example, use cases and scenarios have been introduced to capture the interactive features of a system to be developed. From an entirely different perspective, the dynamics of the requirements engineering process itself has been investigated, for example to learn how the volatility of requirements can be addressed. Inspired by two very different case studies – support for flexible inter-organisational networks of enterprises and the elicitation and analysis of control software requirements in smalland medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) – we address several new dynamic issues in a number of extensions to the i* requirements modelling framework proposed by Yu. • First, the requirements modelling language is extended to capture the dynamic instantiation of roles by stakeholders in a concrete project. Furthermore, these roles can be related to each other in regard to evolutionary aspects. This allows to capture that the characteristics of a stakeholder can change over time. • Secondly, the capture, processing, and analysis of individual project requirements is enhanced. The explicit representation of domain knowledge accelerates the capturing procedure. Model-based transformations improve the integration with later development stages. In addition, they are used as a bridge toward agent-based simulations. Simulation experiments and advanced analysis on top of these complement well existing formal model checking approaches. • Thirdly, we consider the inter-project management of dynamic requirements knowledge. A requirements-based similarity search helps to identify related historic projects and thus to disclose potentially reusable solutions. We have also developed measures to keep up with the fast and project-driven evolution of domain knowledge at SMEs. A partially automated feedback loop integrates repeated, consolidated project experiences of an SME into the earlier mentioned domain knowledge based approach. In sum, a tailorable method with accompanying tool support is established that addresses the raised dynamic issues. The validations within the two case studies have shown that in particular the work within very innovative, flexible, and customer-oriented settings benefits from the proposed extensions and thus brings forward industrial acceptance of agentand goal-based approaches in these fields.
A Gne knockout mouse expressing human V572L mutation develops features similar to distal myopathy with rimmed vacuoles or hereditary inclusion body myopathy.

Distal myopathy with rimmed vacuoles (DMRV) or hereditary inclusion myopathy (h-IBM) is an early adult-onset distal myopathy caused by mutations in the UDP-N-acetylglucosamine 2-epimerase/ N-acetylmannosamine kinase (GNE) gene which encodes for a bifunctional enzyme involved in sialic acid biosynthesis. It is pathologically characterized by the presence of rimmed vacuoles especially in atrophic fibers, which also occasionally contain congophilic materials that are immunoreactive to b-amyloid, lysosomal proteins, ubiquitin and tau proteins. To elucidate the pathomechanism of this myopathy and to explore the treatment options, we generated a mouse model of DMRV/h-IBM. We knocked out the Gne gene in the mouse, but this resulted in embryonic lethality. We therefore generated a transgenic mouse that expressed the human GNEV572L mutation, which is the most prevalent among Japanese DMRV patients, and crossed this with Gne mouse to obtain GnehGNEV572L-Tg. Interestingly, these mice exhibit marked hyposialylation in serum, muscle and other organs. Reduction in motor performance in these mice can only be seen from 30 weeks of age. A compelling finding is the development of b-amyloid deposition in myofibers by 32 weeks, which clearly precedes rimmed vacuole formation at 42 weeks. These results show that the Gne hGNEV572L-Tg mouse mimics the clinical, histopathological and biochemical features of DMRV/h-IBM, making it useful for understanding the pathomechanism of this myopathy and for employing different strategies for therapy. Our findings underscore the notion that hyposialylation plays an important role in the pathomechanism of DMRV/h-IBM.