Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Blood Pressure-Lowering Efficacy of Amiloride versus Enalapril as Add-On Drugs in Patients with Uncontrolled Blood Pressure Receiving Hydrochlorothiazide

A large proportion of patients with hypertension need a second drug to reach satisfactory control of blood pressure (BP), but there are few well-designed controlled trials comparing the efficacy of drugs added as a second option. In a double-blind randomized clinical trial, 82 patients with uncontrolled BP, receiving hydrochlorothiazide 25 mg daily, were selected to receive amiloride 2.5–5 mg/day (n = 39) or enalapril 10–20 mg/day (n = 43). Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) was done before and after 12-weeks of treatment. Office BP was measured in the 4th, 8th, and 12th weeks. The doses of amiloride and enalapril were doubled in the fourth week, and propranolol was added in the 8th week if office BP was above 140/90 mm Hg. There was a greater BP reduction in patients treated with enalapril. The ABPM δ values between the groups were 3.6 ± 2.2, 3.9 ± 2.2, and 1.1 ± 2.7 mmHg for 24-h, daily, and nightly systolic blood pressure, respectively, favoring enalapril. For diastolic blood pressure (DBP), the deltas were 1.7 ± 2.0, 3.2 ± 1.5, and 1.2 ± 1.9 mmHg, respectively (p = 0.039 for daily DBP). Office SBP decreased more and sooner in patients allocated to enalapril (p = 0.003). More patients taking amiloride required propranolol to control BP (p = 0.035). Potassium increased 0.3 mEq/L on the average in both groups. Cough, albeit predominantly mild, was reported more frequently by participants treated with enalapril. We conclude that enalapril is more effective than amiloride to lower BP of patients on hydrochlorothiazide with uncontrolled BP. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00394394.
A new parameter for UWB indoor channel profile identification

This paper proposes a new parameter for identifying the room typology when the receiver is in ultra wideband (UWB) indoor environments. The method proposed does not imply any estimation process at the received signal. The proposed parameter is not only able to clearly distinguish between line-of-sight (LOS) and non-line-of-sight (NLOS) conditions, but it is also capable of ordering the quality of the received signal in two different LOS or NLOS rooms, although the signal-to-noise-ratio (SNR) is the same. Moreover, this parameter is able to distinguish between LOS and NLOS macro groups clearly and, at the same time, to order conditions within these two macro groups (for example, clear LOS condition from Quasi-LOS, i.e., when an object partially shadows the link, etc.). The method proposed in this paper is based on the calculation of the kurtosis index of the sampled received signal. The kurtosis index can be successfully applied to the received signal in order to identify the typology of the link between transmitter and receiver (LOS, Quasi-LOS, high-NLOS, low-NLOS, extreme-low-NLOS). Results are achieved by both real measurements and simulations with IEEE802.15. 3a and 4a channel models.
Validity in qualitative health care research: an exploration of the impact of individual researcher perspectives within collaborative enquiry.

The authors of the present paper are a team of workers undertaking an empirical study of the definitions of quality in nursing used by National Health Service managers and others. At an early stage in that work, their concern to enhance the validity of the findings led them to participate in the exercise reported in this paper. Their purpose was to answer the question 'what is the effect of the researcher's perspective on the interpretation of the analysis of interview data? '. This paper reports an exploration of the problem of validity in qualitative enquiry and a review of published strategies for analysing interview data. It then outlines the strategy chosen by the team-the use of a framework which addresses validity in terms of adequacy of description. The experience of using this framework is described and some empirical evidence of the way that individual perspectives influence the analysis is presented. This gives rise to four principles which are considered to be of value in team working in qualitative enquiry, whether the team is a large one or consists of research student and supervisor alone. The paper concludes with practical suggestions as to how these principles may be built in to the project planning cycle.
Disorders of left–right asymmetry: Heterotaxy and situs inversus

Cilia function is critical to the development of proper organ laterality. Primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) causes randomization of situs. Heterotaxy, or situs ambiguus, is an abnormal arrangement of the thoracic and abdominal organs that results in congenital anomalies. Animal models and developmental biological approaches have defined pathways required during embryogenesis for proper left–right pattern formation. New candidates for genetic causes of human laterality disorders have emerged from recent studies on the assembly, transport, and signaling functions of cilia at the node as well as identification of cilia within the developing heart. There is evidence that deleterious genetic variants within one or more developmental pathways may disrupt signaling in a synergistic or combinatorial fashion to cause congenital anomalies. The molecular pathways underlying PCD and heterotaxy are being discovered at a rapid pace, and there is increasing recognition of the overlap between these two categories of laterality disorders and their relationship to isolated cardiovascular malformations. This review focuses on the clinical manifestations, molecular mechanisms, and human genetics of these disorders of laterality. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Probing bacterial cell biology using image cytometry

Advances in automated fluorescence microscopy have made snapshot and time‐lapse imaging of bacterial cells commonplace, yet fundamental challenges remain in analysis. The vast quantity of data collected in high‐throughput experiments requires a fast and reliable automated method to analyze fluorescence intensity and localization, cell morphology and proliferation as well as other descriptors. Inspired by effective yet tractable methods of population‐level analysis using flow cytometry, we have developed a framework and tools for facilitating analogous analyses in image cytometry. These tools can both visualize and gate (generate subpopulations) more than 70 cell descriptors, including cell size, age and fluorescence. The method is well suited to multi‐well imaging, analysis of bacterial cultures with high cell density (thousands of cells per frame) and complete cell cycle imaging. We give a brief description of the analysis of four distinct applications to emphasize the broad applicability of the tool.
Chikungunya virus mobilizes the apoptotic machinery to invade host cell defenses

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) surprised medical workers by a massive outbreak in the Indian Ocean region, reaching Europe in 2007, with exceptional pathologies in infants and elderly patients. Although CHIKV was recently shown to persist in myo‐blasts, monocytes, and macrophages, we argued that robust antiviral mechanisms, including apoptosis, are essential to ward off the virus. Herein, we tested the capacity of CHIKVto mobilize the apoptotic machinery in HeLa cells as well as primary fibroblasts, making use of several inhibitors of caspases, cell blebbing, and engulfment of the apoptotic blebs by neighboring cells. CHIKV triggered apoptosis through intrinsic and extrinsic pathways. Bystander apoptosis was also evidenced in neighboring cells in a caspase‐8‐dependent manner. Remarkably, by hiding in apoptotic blebs, CHIKV was able to infect neighboring cells. In HeLa cells, these events were inhibited specifically by zVAD‐fmk and DEVD‐cho (caspase inhibitors), blebbistatin, Y‐27632 (ROCK inhibitor), and genistein, annexin V, and cytochalasin B (inhibitors of blebbing and engulf‐ment). These CHIKV‐apoptotic blebs were also capable of infecting macrophages (primary cultures, MM6‐ and THP1‐PMA differentiated cells) otherwise refractory to infection by CHIKV alone. Remarkably, viral replication in macrophages did not yield a proinflammatory response. We describe a novel infectious mechanism by which CHIKV invades host cells and escapes the host response. —Krejbich‐Trotot, P., Denizot, M. , Hoarau, J.‐J., Jaffar‐Bandjee, M. ‐C. , Das, T. , Gasque, P. Chikun‐gunya virus mobilizes the apoptotic machinery to invade host cell defenses. FASEB J. 25, 314–325 (2011). www.fasebj. org
Retinoic Acid Induction of CD38 Antigen Expression on Normal and Leukemic Human Myeloid Cells: Relationship with Cell Differentiation

Differentiation in the hematopoietic system involves, among other changes, altered expression of antigens, including the CD34 and CD38 surface antigens. In normal hematopoiesis, the most immature stem cells have the CD34+CD34 m phenotype. In acute myeloid leukemia (AML), although blasts from most patients are CD38+, some are CD38 m. AML blasts are blocked at early stages of differentiation; in some leukemic cells this block can be overcome by a variety of agents, including retinoids, that induce maturation into macrophages and granulocytes both in vitro and in vivo. Retinoids can also induce CD38 expression. In the present study, we investigated the relationship between induction of CD38 expression and induction of myeloid differentiation by retinoic acid (RA) in normal and leukemic human hematopoietic cells. In the promyelocytic (PML) CD34 m cell lines, HL60 and CB-1, as well as in normal CD34+CD34 m hematopietic progenitor cells RA induced both CD38 expression as well as morphological and functional myeloid differentiation that resulted in loss of self-renewal. In contrast, in the myeloblastic CD34+ leukemic cell lines, ML-1 and KG-1a, as well as in primary cultures of cells derived from CD34+-AML (M 0 and M 1 ) patients, RA caused an increase in CD38+ that was not associated with significant differentiation. Yet, long exposure of ML-1, but not KG-1, cells to RA resulted in loss of self-renewal. The results suggest that while in normal hematopoietic cells and in PML CD34 m cells induction of CD38 antigen expression by RA results in terminal differentiation along the myeloid lineage, in early myeloblastic leukemic CD34+ cells, induction of CD38 and differentiation are not functionally related. Since, several lines of evidence suggest that the CD38 m cells are the targets of leukemic transformation, transition of these cells into CD38+ phenotype by RA or other drugs may have therapeutic effect, either alone or in conjunction with cytotoxic drugs, regardless the ability of the cells to undergo differentiation.
Substrate Integrated Meandering Probe-Fed Patch Antennas for Wideband Wireless Devices

This paper presents novel linearly polarized (LP) and circularly polarized (CP) patch antennas for wideband wireless devices. Advanced electrical characteristics of the antennas including wide bandwidth, low cross polarization, low back radiation, and polarization insensitivity contribute to improve the signal quality of wireless connectivity. It is a realization of antenna foundation by employing multilayer microwave laminates to form a substrate integrated meandering probe-fed patch antenna. First, a design and analysis of the proposed patch antenna for LP operation is carried out. Based on the obtained results of this LP element, a substrate integrated meandering probe fed CP patch antenna is exhibited afterward. This paper is considered as a part of RF modules that could be integrated with other components like sensors, Microcontroller units, and electronic parts to form a wireless product by means of conventional packaging process.
Integration of an  $H$ -Plane Bend, a Twist, and a Filter in Ku/K-Band Through Additive Manufacturing

Additive manufacturing technologies have been increasingly applied to the development of radio frequency components in the past few years. Indeed, the free-form capability of these processes allows for the design of novel components, whose actual implementation through conventional machining is rather complex or even not possible. This paper describes a monolithic WR51 component integrating three radio frequency functionalities, namely, bending, twisting, and filtering. Three aluminum prototypes with different bending/twisting radii have been manufactured through the selective laser melting process. They exhibit a measured rejection higher than 60 dB in 17.5 and 21.2 GHz, and a measured return loss better than 20 dB in 12.5 and 15 GHz. Significant mass and envelope reductions (higher than 60% depending on the bending/twisting radius) with respect to the reference subsystem with distinct waveguide components are achieved. These results assess the effectiveness of 3-D metal printing in the miniaturization and integration of waveguide systems.
Sacred alliance or pact with the devil? How and why social enterprises collaborate with mainstream businesses in the fair trade sector*

Abstract This paper uses institutional theory to highlight different patterns of cross-sector collaboration from the perspective of social enterprises. Specifically, it explores how and why social enterprises interact with mainstream businesses and to what extent their collaboration patterns reflect a vision of how their social mission should be implemented and institutionalized. The empirical analysis is derived from a qualitative study of ‘fair trade’ – a hybrid model created by social enterprises and using market mechanisms to support small-scale producers in developing countries and to advocate for changes in international trading practices. The findings highlight three strategies used by fair trade social enterprises to manage their interactions with mainstream businesses: sector solidarity, selective engagement, and active appropriation. This paper suggests that each strategy is motivated by a different vision of how best to articulate the social mission of fair trade via specific types of collaborations. It also notes how each vision has a distinct pattern of institutionalization at the field level. This paper adds to the emergent literatures on social enterprise and social entrepreneurship, fair trade, cross-sector collaboration and hybrid organizing.
Planned islanding for Brazilian system reliability

This paper presents an impact study case of a new operational strategy regarding planned islanding operation of distributed generation. Traditionally, interconnection standards avoid islanding operation of distributed generation due to the concerns of equipment failure and safety issues. However, allowing the islanded operation of distributed generation may enhance reliability to final consumers and decrease outage cost by providing an alternative power source when there is an interruption in the upstream network. This paper performs dynamic studies in a Brazilian system which operates in the islanded mode during fault to supply critical loads. The analysis presented in this paper includes the behavior of the islanded system under load following and load rejection, faults, the load-frequency control and varying short-circuit level. The results show that this operational strategy can potentially bring many benefits to the distributed generator owner and customers.
Religion In Childhood And Adolescence A Comprehensive Review Of The Research

Thank you very much for downloading religion in childhood and adolescence a comprehensive review of the research. As you may know, people have search numerous times for their favorite novels like this religion in childhood and adolescence a comprehensive review of the research, but end up in malicious downloads. Rather than enjoying a good book with a cup of coffee in the afternoon, instead they cope with some harmful bugs inside their desktop computer.
Epigenome confrontation triggers immediate reprogramming of DNA methylation and transposon silencing in Arabidopsis thaliana F1 epihybrids

Significance Similar to changes in DNA sequence, induced or naturally occurring variation in cytosine methylation can impact gene expression. How distinct methylation states of genes and transposons, called epialleles, emerge is not well understood. Here, we report that combining identical genomes with drastically different DNA methylation patterns in the same individual results in an epigenomic shock that is characterized by widespread changes in DNA methylation and gene expression. Many novel epialleles not found in the parents are formed at genes whereas transposons often experience decreased DNA methylation associated with transcriptional activation. Our work provides a scenario for the rapid and broad-scale emergence of epigenetic variation and may have implications for transposon dynamics within populations. Genes and transposons can exist in variable DNA methylation states, with potentially differential transcription. How these epialleles emerge is poorly understood. Here, we show that crossing an Arabidopsis thaliana plant with a hypomethylated genome and a normally methylated WT individual results, already in the F1 generation, in widespread changes in DNA methylation and transcription patterns. Novel nonparental and heritable epialleles arise at many genic loci, including a locus that itself controls DNA methylation patterns, but with most of the changes affecting pericentromeric transposons. Although a subset of transposons show immediate resilencing, a large number display decreased DNA methylation, which is associated with de novo or enhanced transcriptional activation and can translate into transposon mobilization in the progeny. Our findings reveal that the combination of distinct epigenomes can be viewed as an epigenomic shock, which is characterized by a round of epigenetic variation creating novel patterns of gene and TE regulation.
Pharmacologic Approaches for Volume Excess in Acute Kidney Injury (AKI)

Volume management is an integral component of the care of patients with acute kidney injury (AKI). Considerable controversy exists regarding the use of pharmacological agents for volume management. Although overt fluid overload is often seen in AKI and may prompt attention for the use of diuretics, often these agents are used in the absence of fluid retention. Over the last decade several new agents have become available for volume removal. We reviewed the literature on this topic and addressed four key questions for the appropriate utilization of these agents. These include the drug targets and mechanism of action of available agents; clinical goals and criteria for timing of intervention; adaptation of therapy for specific clinical settings and measures required for monitoring effectiveness and patient safety. This report details our current knowledge in this area, provides evidence-based clinical practice recommendations where appropriate, and formulates a research agenda to address unanswered questions. (Int J Artif Organs 2008; 31: 127–44)
The Iron-Sulfur Clusters in Escherichia coli Succinate Dehydrogenase Direct Electron Flow*

Succinate dehydrogenase is an indispensable enzyme involved in the Krebs cycle as well as energy coupling in the mitochondria and certain prokaryotes. During catalysis, succinate oxidation is coupled to ubiquinone reduction by an electron transfer relay comprising a flavin adenine dinucleotide cofactor, three iron-sulfur clusters, and possibly a heme b556. At the heart of the electron transport chain is a [4Fe-4S] cluster with a low midpoint potential that acts as an energy barrier against electron transfer. Hydrophobic residues around the [4Fe-4S] cluster were mutated to determine their effects on the midpoint potential of the cluster as well as electron transfer rates. SdhB-I150E and SdhB-I150H mutants lowered the midpoint potential of this cluster; surprisingly, the His variant had a lower midpoint potential than the Glu mutant. Mutation of SdhB-Leu-220 to Ser did not alter the redox behavior of the cluster but instead lowered the midpoint potential of the [3Fe-4S] cluster. To correlate the midpoint potential changes in these mutants to enzyme function, we monitored aerobic growth in succinate minimal medium, anaerobic growth in glycerol-fumarate minimal medium, non-physiological and physiological enzyme activities, and heme reduction. It was discovered that a decrease in midpoint potential of either the [4Fe-4S] cluster or the [3Fe-4S] cluster is accompanied by a decrease in the rate of enzyme turnover. We hypothesize that this occurs because the midpoint potentials of the [Fe-S] clusters in the native enzyme are poised such that direction of electron transfer from succinate to ubiquinone is favored.
Optimizing transmission cycle for energy efficiency of body worn gateway node

Energy efficiency is an important concern in wearable wireless body sensors and body sensor networks used in healthcare. Sensor nodes with high traffic and particularly the gateway nodes, aggregate the data before further transmission. Managing the data aggregation on gateway node and transmission duty cycle can be a convenient way of tweaking the energy consumption of the node in a wearable healthcare sensor system. In this paper we focus on optimizing energy consumption of a continuous health monitoring gateway sensor node while meeting the medical requirements of low latency. We show that this problem can be posed as a geometric program, which belongs to class of convex optimization problems. We analyze the issue based on energy consumption in different states of latency constraints and data bandwidth availability. The results are mapped to different data type specifications and conclusions are drawn for optimal data aggregation at the gateway node.
Influence of Six Sigma on project success in construction industry of Pakistan

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the level of implementation of Six Sigma (SS) in the construction industry of Pakistan along with the current state of affairs and the challenges, and opportunities for a successful implementation. Design/methodology/approach The research is purely exploratory in nature. Based on published work, critical success factors are gathered, and a number of questionnaire surveys and interviews are conducted to refine and quantify their impact. A system dynamics framework to assess the SS influence on project success is developed and case study project are simulated. Findings The construction industry of Pakistan is still functioning in a traditional way; marred with low level of awareness and ad hoc approaches, the findings point to a huge improvement opportunity. Further, when under planning projects are exposed to SS, the chances of project success improve better than under execution projects. Research limitations/implications The limited level of awareness possessed by the respondents constrains the possible outreach of this work in industrially developed contexts. However, this work may become an impetus for further research in managing quality in construction industry. Practical implications The findings can be used to improve the quality provision of construction projects. Originality/value This work may trigger an important debate over the research and implementation of SS in the construction industry of developing countries that may greatly benefit by improving the quality of their projects and rectify their diminishing reputation for project success.