Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Flash flood prediction for small rivers

Rainfall-runoff models are used as an integral part of flood warning systems. Especially in small catchment areas with a fast response to intense rain, an early enough triggering of warnings requires high quality weather forecasts as well as sufficiently accurate models. A conceptual rainfall-runoff model proposed by Lorent/Gevers serves as core routine of a pilot flash flood warning system for the Truse catchment in Thuringia (Germany). A moving horizon state estimator is used in order to enable this model for online application.
Germinated Buckwheat extract decreases blood pressure and nitrotyrosine immunoreactivity in aortic endothelial cells in spontaneously hypertensive rats

Thee present study analysed the quantification of rutin in raw buckwheat extract (RBE) and germinated buckwheat extract (GBE) by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and examined changes in body weight, systolic blood pressure (SBP) and nitrotyrosine (a marker for peroxynitrite formation) immunoreactivity in aortic endothelial cells in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) and normotensive Wistar‐Kyoto (WKY) rats after treatment with RBE and GBE for 5 weeks. In the HPLC study, RBE and GBE contained a mean content of rutin of 1.52 ± 0.21 and 2.92 ± 0.88 mg/g, respectively. In the 600 mg/kg GBE‐treated group, SBP was lower than that in the 600 mg/kg RBE‐treated group. The treatment with RBE and/or GBE significantly reduced oxidative damage in aortic endothelial cells by lowering nitrotyrosine immunoreactivity. These results suggest that GBE has an antihypertensive effect and may protect arterial endothelial cells from oxidative stress. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Influence of BMI and Predictors of Disordered Eating and Life Satisfaction on Postmenopausal Women

This study aims to compare eating behaviors, body satisfaction, exercise, and life satisfaction between normal-weight and overweight postmenopausal women and to examine the predictors of disordered eating and life satisfaction among postmenopausal women (n = 294). The overweight group had more eating disordered behavior, more body dissatisfaction, and lower physical quality of life. The increase of age predicted less disordered eating. Higher BMI, the perception of an ideal weight lower than the current one, lower body satisfaction, and physical quality of life predicted disordered eating. Higher body satisfaction, less psychosocial discomfort, and a greater degree of sexual symptom discomfort predicted life satisfaction.
Sarcoidosis-associated pulmonary hypertension

Purpose of review Pulmonary hypertension is a serious complication of sarcoidosis. This review discusses clinical characteristics of patients with sarcoid-associated pulmonary hypertension (SAPH) and pitfalls in the diagnosis, and highlights potential therapies. Recent findings SAPH is common in patients with advanced disease, but it can occur in patients with minimal disease burden. Risk factors for SAPH include restrictive lung physiology, hypoxemia, advanced Scadding chest X-ray stage, and low carbon monoxide diffusion capacity. Echocardiogram is a good initial screening tool in the diagnosis of pulmonary hypertension, but right heart catheterization is necessary to confirm the diagnosis. Treatment with pulmonary vasodilators, including endothelin antagonists, can lead to improvements in pulmonary hemodynamics in some patients but may not improve their exercise capacity. Forced vital capacity is an important predictor of exercise performance in patients with SAPH. Clinical observations and response to specific therapies for pulmonary hypertension suggest the presence of different SAPH phenotypes. Summary Patients who complain of persistent dyspnea should be screened for the presence of pulmonary hypertension. The prognosis of SAPH is poor and it is prudent to consider referral of these patients for lung transplantation. In some patients with SAPH, treatment with anti-inflammatory agents and pulmonary vasodilators can lower pulmonary arterial pressures, improve dyspnea and functionality, and enhance overall quality of life.
Sample preparation and digestion for proteomic analyses using spin filters

We describe the use of commercially available microcentrifugation devices (spin filters) for cleanup and digestion of protein samples for mass spectrometry analyses. The protein sample is added to the upper chamber of a spin filter with a ≥ 3000 molecular weight cutoff membrane and then washed prior to resuspension in ammonium bicarbonate. The protein is then reduced, alkylated, and digested with trypsin in the upper chamber and the peptides are recovered by centrifugation through the membrane. The method provides digestion efficiencies comparable to standard in‐solution digests, avoids lengthy dialysis steps, and allows rapid cleanup of samples containing salts, some detergents, and acidic or basic buffers.
Protective Immunity and Antibody-Secreting Cell Responses Elicited by Combined Oral Attenuated Wa Human Rotavirus and Intranasal Wa 2/6-VLPs with Mutant Escherichia coli Heat-Labile Toxin in Gnotobiotic Pigs

ABSTRACT Two combined rotavirus vaccination regimens were evaluated in a gnotobiotic pig model of rotavirus infection and disease and were compared to previously tested rotavirus vaccination regimens. The first (AttHRV/VLP2×) involved oral inoculation with one dose of attenuated (Att) Wa human rotavirus (HRV), followed by two intranasal (i.n.) doses of a rotavirus-like particle (2/6-VLPs) vaccine derived from Wa (VP6) and bovine RF (VP2) rotavirus strains. The 2/6-VLPs were coadministered with a mutant Escherichia coli heat-labile toxin, LT-R192G (mLT) adjuvant. For the second regimen (VLP2×/AttHRV), two i.n. doses of 2/6-VLPs+mLT were given, followed by one oral dose of attenuated Wa HRV. To compare the protective efficacy and immune responses induced by the combined vaccine regimens with individual rotavirus vaccine regimens, we included in the experiments the following vaccine groups: one oral dose of attenuated Wa HRV (AttHRV1× and Mock2×/AttHRV, respectively), three oral doses of attenuated Wa HRV (AttHRV3×), three i.n. doses of 2/6-VLPs plus mLT (VLP3×), three i.n. doses of purified double-layered inactivated Wa HRV plus mLT (InactHRV3×), mLT alone, and mock-inoculated pigs. The isotype, magnitude, and tissue distribution of antibody-secreting cells (ASCs) in the intestinal and systemic lymphoid tissues were evaluated using an enzyme-linked immunospot assay. The AttHRV/VLP2× regimen stimulated the highest mean numbers of intestinal immunoglobulin A (IgA) ASCs prechallenge among all vaccine groups. This regimen induced partial protection against virus shedding (58%) and diarrhea (44%) upon challenge of pigs with virulent Wa HRV. The reverse VLP2×/AttHRV regimen was less efficacious than the AttHRV/VLP2× regimen in inducing IgA ASC responses and protection against diarrhea (25% protection rate) but was more efficacious than VLP3× or InactHRV3× (no protection). In conclusion, the AttHRV/VLP2× vaccination regimen stimulated the strongest B-cell responses in the intestinal mucosal immune system at challenge and conferred a moderately high protection rate against rotavirus disease, indicating that priming of the mucosal inductive site at the portal of natural infection with a replicating vaccine, followed by boosting with a nonreplicating vaccine at a second mucosal inductive site, may be a highly effective approach to stimulate the mucosal immune system and induce protective immunity against various mucosal pathogens.
A Time Series Analysis of the Nexus Between Macroeconomic Fundamentals and Stock Prices in Nigeria

Abstract Since macroeconomic fundamentals have been found to play a vital role for changes in the economy of a country. Consequently, the onus is on the appropriate regulatory authorities to take measures in making amendments in these policies to put the economy on the right development track. The aim of this study is to use time series analysis to empirically showcase the nexus between macroeconomic fundamentals and stock prices in Nigeria. The method used for this study was the Co-integration test and the EGARCH technique to estimate the possible influence of the selected macroeconomic fundamentals on stock prices. Volatility was captured by using quarterly data and estimated using GARCH (1,1) respectively. The study found there is a positive relationship between macroeconomic factors and stock prices in Nigeria. Therefore, the study recommends that the Federal authority should put in place policy measures that will enable the exchange rate to be relatively stabilized. This is because empirical evidence from studies has shown that exchange rate affects stock market prices. In addition, the government authority should ensure an enabling environment that would build the mindset of institutional investors in the Nigerian stock market due to the existence of information asymmetry problems among potential investors.
Comparisons of lesion detectability in ultrasound images acquired using time-shift compensation and spatial compounding

The effects of aberration, time-shift compensation, and spatial compounding on the discrimination of positive-contrast lesions in ultrasound b-scan images are investigated using a two-dimensional (2-D) array system and tissue-mimicking phantoms. Images were acquired within an 8.8/spl times/12-mm/sup 2/ field of view centered on one of four statistically similar 4-mm diameter spherical lesions. Each lesion was imaged in four planes offset by successive 45/spl deg/ rotations about the central scan line. Images of the lesions were acquired using conventional geometric focusing through a water path, geometric focusing through a 35-mm thick distributed aberration phantom, and time-shift compensated transmit and receive focusing through the aberration phantom. The views of each lesion were averaged to form sets of water path, aberrated, and time-shift compensated 4:1 compound images and 16:1 compound images. The contrast ratio and detectability index of each image were computed to assess lesion differentiation. In the presence of aberration representative of breast or abdominal wall tissue, time-shift compensation provided statistically significant improvements of contrast ratio but did not consistently affect the detectability index, and spatial compounding significantly increased the detectability index but did not alter the contrast ratio. Time-shift compensation and spatial compounding thus provide complementary benefits to lesion detection.
Developing Volunteer Leaders: Let Their Intentions Guide the Way

As more citizens choose to volunteer in local and national groups, volunteer organizations and leadership educators have recognized a need to identify who has intentions to develop their leadership as a volunteer. By identifying these intentions, leadership educators may more accurately target those individuals who would like to develop their leadership in a particular organization. For this purpose, the Volunteer Leadership Development Questionnaire (VLDQ) was developed using the theory of planned behavior to guide the collection of qualitative and quantitative data. This pilot study provides evidence the VLDQ may accurately measure an individual’s intentions to develop their leadership as a volunteer.
A Clinical Trial in Facial Fat Grafting: Filtered and Washed versus Centrifuged Fat

Background: Although the increasing trend is to rebuild facial soft-tissue volume with autologous fat transfer, there is no agreement concerning the best way of processing the harvested fat before reinjecting it. Among all the reported fat graft processing techniques, in the present study, the authors compared the clinical results obtained using simple filtered and washed fat with those achieved by means of pure centrifuged fat. Methods: A prospective double-blind study was conducted on 25 healthy patients undergoing facial fat transplantation from January of 2006 to June of 2006. During the same session, half the face was injected with simple filtered and washed fat, and the other half was instead treated with centrifuged fat. Subjective and objective methods were used to evaluate the results. The subjective methods included a questionnaire, sent to all patients, accompanied by an explanatory letter. The objective method involved the evaluation of preoperative and postoperative photographs by a three-member jury. The average follow-up period was 12 months. Results: The authors' experimental work demonstrates that there was no significant difference between the two fat-processing techniques. In the long term, the implanted hemifacial regions produced comparable results. Conclusion: The authors, following their personal experience based on the reported data, went back to using the simple filtered fat after some years of use of centrifuged fat.
Development of Systems of Care for Persons With Traumatic Brain Injury

The history of the development of comprehensive systems of care for treatment of survivors of traumatic brain injury is reviewed in relation to publications in The Journal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation (JHTR). This development has drawn from multiple other areas of clinical endeavor and has extended the range of services from an acute inpatient focus to include multisite delivery and lifetime supported living aspects. Widespread implementation of this comprehensive system approach continues to lag because of coordination and financing challenges. The history and details of these developments are comprehensively reflected in the published articles of JHTR over the past 20 years.
An Algorithm for Management of Deep Brain Stimulation Battery Replacements: Devising a Web‐Based Battery Estimator and Clinical Symptom Approach

Objective: Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is an effective technique that has been utilized to treat advanced and medication‐refractory movement and psychiatric disorders. In order to avoid implanted pulse generator (IPG) failure and consequent adverse symptoms, a better understanding of IPG battery longevity and management is necessary.
An Essential Role for the K+-dependent Na+/Ca2+-exchanger, NCKX4, in Melanocortin-4-receptor-dependent Satiety*

Background: The melanocortin-4 receptor, MC4R, regulates satiety, but the signaling mechanism is unknown. Results: K+-dependent Na+/Ca2+-exchanger, NCKX4, knock-out mice are lean and hypophagic and display MC4R-dependent, Ca2+-sensitive, constitutive activation of paraventricular nucleus neurons. Conclusion: Ca2+ signaling is required for MC4R action, and its dysregulation in Nckx4−/− mice leads to anorexia. Significance: MC4R-mediated satiety requires NCKX4-modulated Ca2+ signaling. K+-dependent Na+/Ca2+-exchangers are broadly expressed in various tissues, and particularly enriched in neurons of the brain. The distinct physiological roles for the different members of this Ca2+ transporter family are, however, not well described. Here we show that gene-targeted mice lacking the K+-dependent Na+/Ca2+-exchanger, NCKX4 (gene slc24a4 or Nckx4), display a remarkable anorexia with severe hypophagia and weight loss. Feeding and satiety are coordinated centrally by melanocortin-4 receptors (MC4R) in neurons of the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN). The hypophagic response of Nckx4 knock-out mice is accompanied by hyperactivation of neurons in the PVN, evidenced by high levels of c-Fos expression. The activation of PVN neurons in both fasted Nckx4 knock-out and glucose-injected wild-type animals is blocked by Ca2+ removal and MC4R antagonists. In cultured hypothalamic neurons, melanocyte stimulating hormone induces an MC4R-dependent and sustained Ca2+ signal, which requires phospholipase C activity and plasma membrane Ca2+ entry. The Ca2+ signal is enhanced in hypothalamic neurons from Nckx4 knock-out animals, and is depressed in cells in which NCKX4 is overexpressed. Finally, MC4R-dependent oxytocin expression in the PVN, a key essential step in satiety, is prevented by blocking phospholipase C activation or Ca2+ entry. These findings highlight an essential, and to our knowledge previously unknown, role for Ca2+ signaling in the MC4R pathway that leads to satiety, and a novel non-redundant role for NCKX4-mediated Ca2+ extrusion in controlling MC4R signaling and feeding behavior. Together, these findings highlight a novel pathway that potentially could be exploited to develop much needed new therapeutics to tackle eating disorders and obesity.
Optimization of conditions for the glycosyltransferase activity of penicillin‐binding protein 1a from Thermotoga maritima

Cell wall biosynthesis is a key target for antibacterial drugs. The major constituent of the bacterial wall, peptidoglycan, is a netlike polymer responsible for the size and shape of the cell and for resisting osmotic pressure. It consists of glycan chains of repeating disaccharide units cross‐linked through short peptide chains. Peptidoglycan assembly is catalyzed by the periplasmic domain of bifunctional class A penicillin‐binding proteins. Cross‐linking of the peptide chains is catalyzed by their transpeptidase module, which can be inhibited by the most widely used antibiotics, the β‐lactams. In contrast, no drug in clinical use inhibits the polymerization of the glycan chains, catalyzed by their glycosyltransferase module, although it is an obvious target. We report here the purification of the ectodomain of the class A penicillin‐binding protein 1a from Thermotoga maritima (Tm‐1a*), expressed recombinantly in Escherichia coli. A detergent screen showed that detergents with shorter aliphatic chains were better solubilizers. Cyclohexyl‐hexyl‐β‐d‐maltoside‐purified Tm‐1a* was found to be monomeric and to have improved thermal stability. A miniaturized, multiwell continuous fluorescence assay of the glycosyltransferase activity was used to screen for optimal reaction conditions. Tm‐1a* was active as a glycosyltransferase, catalyzing the formation of glycan chains up to 16 disaccharide units long. Our results emphasize the importance of the detergent in preparing a stable monomeric ectodomain of a class A penicillin‐binding protein. Our assay could be used to screen collections of compounds for inhibitors of peptidoglycan glycosyltransferases that could serve as the basis for the development of novel antibiotics.
A review of studies of anaesthetic risk, morbidity and mortality.

In the past two to three decades, advancing knowledge in the areas of physiology, pharmacology and scientific technology have allowed diversification from the purely technical aspects of administration of anaesthesia towards more accurate assessment of outcome for the individual in terms of both anaesthetic-induced morbidity and mortality. In addition, elucidation of the aetiology of the morbidity and mortality produced by anaesthesia, as opposed to that from surgery or concomitant medical or surgical disease processes, is assuming increased importance as a result of the expansion in medical litigation, where anaesthetists find themselves amongst the higher risk specialties in medicine. The morbidity produced by anaesthesia is relatively easy to define for specific populations, but the prediction of risk in an isolated individual remains elusive. For example, there are many studies indicating the incidence of postoperative myocardial infarction following surgical procedures in defined groups; but for the individual patient, more sophisticated risk assessments have so far failed to predict more accurately than the well-established ASA grading system. Nonetheless, it is expected that in future, studies in this area will permit increased precision in the assessment of risk, thereby permitting better consideration by both surgeon and patient of the options available regarding surgical and non-surgical therapy. Increasing emphasis on the safer administration of anaesthesia has been greatly aided by the use of the critical incident technique. By assessing near-misses in addition to existing morbidity and mortality, the technique increases the size and extent of the database, and by removal of the reticence inherent in an anaesthetist's confession of his mistakes, it increases the reporting of potential mishaps. Amongst the useful findings to have emerged from such studies is the previously unforeseen and unsuspected observation that the most dangerous period of anaesthesia is not during induction and recovery, but during the maintenance period. However, perhaps one of the more valuable aspects of this type of methodology is its potential use in quality control and audit within departments. There are undoubted problems and universally acknowledged difficulties in epidemiological research into anaesthetic mortality. Comparison of data between studies is rendered difficult owing to variations in procedure, including its prospective or retrospective nature, the definition of death, the perioperative time period studied, and the patient and hospital populations encompassed. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Six months results of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy in treatment of obesity and its metabolic complications.

BACKGROUND Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) has become a popular bariatric surgical procedure, with proven results in achieving weight loss, however data regarding its effectiveness on metabolic syndrome (MetS) components are scarce. The aims of the present study were to assess the outcomes of LSG on weight loss and obesity associated metabolic complications at six months following intervention. PATIENTS AND METHODS This was a retrospective study on 124 consecutive obese patients (29.8% men), who had undergone LSG between 01/01/2008 and 12/31/2010, in a highly specialized clinic. The dynamic of anthropometric and biochemical data between baseline and six months following LSG were evaluated. We also determined the change in MetS prevalence and used logistic regression to estimate predictors of MetS remission RESULTS 6 months after LSG, the body mass index (BMI) decreased from 46.84 +/- 8.62 to 33.81 +/- 7.04 kg/m2 (p < 0.001). Mean excess BMI loss (EBL) was 65.24 +/- 25.16%. The best results on weight loss were observed in young patients, not affected by MetS, with lower initial BMI. Lipids profile suffered a significant improvement (HDL cholesterol increased, while LDL, total cholesterol, triglycerides decreased, p < 0.05 for each). HOMA-IR values decreased by 75.2%, from 5.24 +/- 4.49 to 1.30 +/- 1.22 (p < 0.001). MetS prevalence was reduced from 74.3% to 18.4% (p < 0.001). In multivariate analysis, % EBL remained the only significant predictor of MetS remission, the risk for lack of a MetS remission being practically 3 times higher in patients with EBL < 50%, compared to those with EBL > 50% (OR: 2.97, CI: 1.1-10.23, p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS As early as 6 months after LSG we recorded a significant weight loss and improvement in insulin resistance and lipids metabolism, as well as an impressive reduction in metabolic syndrome prevalence.
The Idiosyncratic Pattern of Russian Corporate Dividend Policy During its Formative Era

© 2018 The Authors Annals of Public and Cooperative Economics © 2018 CIRIEC In general, the dividend payout pattern for Russian corporations during their formative period from 1998 to 2006 was seemingly independent of company earnings, size, growth opportunities and capital structure, as such firm policies appear not to conform to any of the main extant dividend payout theories. The only exception we find is that of utility firms, which were inclined to pay consistent dividends. Utility firms tended to be partly owned by the state and were subject to price regulation. Consequently, they may have had limited investment prospects. Our findings suggest that dividend payout policies in non-market economies may be driven by non-traditional determinants, such as the state's overall industrial strategy.