Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Which antihypertensive drugs are the most nephroprotective and why?

Importance of the field: Hypertension is a major independent risk factor for kidney disease and for faster renal function loss. Choice of antihypertensive strategies with highest nephroprotective effect is crucial to prevent or reverse progression to end stage renal disease (ESRD). Areas covered in this review: The present review focuses on the role of hypertension in the progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD), the renoprotective effects of different antihypertensive therapies, and the blood pressure levels that should be targeted in different patient populations. To this end, the PubMed (1975 – 2010) database was searched for English-language articles, using the following keywords: hypertension, kidney disease, ACE-inhibitor, angiotensin receptor blocker, aldosterone antagonist, renin inhibitor, proteinuria. What the reader will gain: A comprehensive review of data on the association between hypertension and progression of chronic nephropathies and on the antihypertensive treatments with highest nephroprotective effects. Take home message: Blood pressure should be targeted to 140/90 mmHg or less in patients with hypertension but no renal injury and 130/80 mmHg or less in those with CKD. Amongst different antihypertensive drugs, renin angiotensin aldosterone system (RAAS) inhibitors have an incremental nephroprotective effect in proteinuric patients. Maximal RAAS inhibition should be aimed to optimize renoprotection in hypertensive patients with CKD and proteinuria.
Between a Rock and a Hard Place: The Shaping of Employment in a Global Economy

ABSTRACT Introducing this volume, this article discusses how employment practices are shaped in a global economy, asking to what extent national policies and institutions still play a role and the importance of other social, economic, political and cultural factors in determining how work is organised and the pay, conditions and job security of workers. Whilst it is clear that there are general tendencies of erosion of labour standards, fragmentation of labour and intensification of working time, it is also clear that workers in some occupations, industries and countries are better able to resist these tendencies than others. The papers in this issue present a range of theoretical and empirical research from across Europe that seek to explain these differences, with results that are also relevant for audiences in other parts of the world.
Factors Affecting Auditors' Evaluations of Forecasts

The auditor's role in judging the reasonableness of financial forecasts has developed into an important issue for the accounting profession.1 Evidence of this importance is manifested by the AICPA's publication of the Guide for a Review of a Financial Forecast (AICPA [1980]), its exposure draft entitled Accountant's Report on a Financial Forecast Contained in Filings Under Federal Securities Statutes (AICPA [1982]), and recent actions taken by the SEC to encourage public dissemination of managements' financial forecasts and other forward-looking information (SEC [1978; 1979; 1982]). This paper reports the results of two experiments which were designed to determine auditors' perceptions of factors which influence their evaluations of corporate forecasts. The experiments were conducted prior to the issuance of the AICPA's Guide and before the subject auditors had any formal experience in reviewing forecasts for disclosure in annual reports. This allowed us to capture auditors' preferences prior to their professional involvement. Such knowledge should be relevant to policymakers and those involved in auditor training. A previous study (Danos and Imhoff [1982a]) investigated which factors auditors considered to be most useful in evaluating corporate financial forecasts. The results indicated that auditors found such discoverable factors about a corporation's forecasts as the historical accu-
Quantifying the U.S. Coast Guard Ecological Risk Assessment on Diluted Bitumen

As the Federal On-Scene Coordinator in the coastal zone, the U.S. Coast Guard is charged with preparing for and responding to oil and hazardous material spills throughout our nation’s waterways to protect human health and the environment. As the scientific community continues to amass technical knowledge of unconventional crude oils, the response community must continually assess the environmental risks and update spill response plans. This research seeks to quantify the recent U.S. Coast Guard Sector Delaware Bay Consensus Ecological Risk Assessment (CERA) on diluted bitumen (DB) and compare the toxicity of DB to conventional crude (CC) oils. At the height of the domestic energy renaissance, 103,000 barrels of DB were transported via railcar each day to five refineries throughout the Delaware Bay tri-state region. To assess the emerging risks associated with DB oil spills and develop the most effective response plans, Sector Delaware Bay completed a CERA in 2016. The CERA qualitatively compared and evaluated response actions and impacts to hypothetical spills in Mantua Creek, a freshwater tributary of the Delaware River, and in the brackish Delaware River. Following the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) three-phase approach to Ecological Risk Assessments, the CERA is adapted and quantified with two new data sets from Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) and the University of Quebec National Institute of Scientific Research (INRS). Utilizing Alberta Mixed Sweet Blend (CC) and Cold Lake Blend (DB) molecular composition and weathering data from NRCan and preliminary Fathead Minnow (Pimephales promelas) toxicity data from INRS, exposure and stressor-response profiles to DB are created. The ecological risk of Fathead Minnow exposure to DB spills is characterized and compared to the risks associated with CC oil spills. Based on the risk characterizations, recommendations are provided on how CC spill response techniques should be altered for DB spills to reduce the risk to mid-water zone fish. Disciplines Environmental Sciences | Physical Sciences and Mathematics This thesis or dissertation is available at ScholarlyCommons: https://repository.upenn. edu/mes_capstones/77
Ventilatory effects of prolonged hyperoxia at pressures of 1.5-3.0 ATA.

INTRODUCTION It was hypothesized that long-duration exposures to toxic levels of hyperoxia would have effects on respiratory control function or activity. METHODS Ventilatory parameters of human subjects breathing spontaneously at rest were measured before, during, and after hyperoxia in a study of organ systems' tolerance to toxic O2 exposures at 1.5 ATA (17.7 h), 2.0 ATA (9.3 h), 2.5 ATA (5.7 h) and 3.0 ATA (3.5 h). RESULTS Average neurotoxic changes in ventilatory parameters during and after prolonged hyperoxia were mild. They included: 1) timing component of ventilation decreased progressively with exposure duration at all four O2 pressures, slopes increased with O2 pressure, changes were significantly late in exposure at 1.5 ATA (-11%) and 3.0 ATA (-10%); 2) post-O2 exposure respiratory rates were significantly above controls by 15% to 59%; and 3) ventilation increased significantly by 20% late during the 1.5 ATA O2 exposures. There were severe neurotoxic changes prior to occurrence of an "O2 convulsion" at 3.0 ATA in one subject. Expiratory time increased by 184%; resultant reductions in respiratory rate and ventilation caused respiratory Pco2 increase, accelerating rate of brain O2 poisoning. Significant nontoxic physiological hyperventilation (21% to 45% above control) early in hyperoxia at all exposure pressures persisted throughout hyperoxia, and reversed post-O2 exposure. Hyperventilation increased and end-tidal Pco2 decreased as inspired PO2 increased. Changes reached maximum values at approximately 2.0 ATA. DISCUSSION Hyperoxia has concurrent toxic and physiological effects on respiratory control; degrees depend on O2 dose (exposure pressure and duration).
Genomics and population biology of Cryptosporidium species

We describe recent advances in the genomics and population biology of Cryptosporidium parvum and C. hominis, the causative agents of cryptosporidiosis in humans and animals. Many basic aspects of the biology of Cryptosporidium species remain to be investigated and effective drugs to control cryptosporidiosis are not available. Sequencing and annotation of the genome of C. parvum and C. hominis has uncovered unique features of the metabolism of these species. The recently sequenced genome of the gastric species C. muris is providing new insights into the evolution of the genus. Cryptosporidian sequence information has facilitated the identification of polymorphic genetic markers. Genotyping of oocysts excreted by human and animal hosts using such markers has revealed many new species and genotypes, and is leading to a better understanding of the epidemiology of cryptosporidiosis.
Decomposição espacial nos preços de imóveis residenciais no município de São Paulo

Muitos trabalhos estudaram fatores que determinam o preco de imoveis. Todavia, pouco esforco foi atribuido para estudar o spillover espacial entre distritos, atentando ao fato das hierarquias dos objetos de analise. Nesse contexto, utilizando o Metodo Hierarquico Linear Espacial, o presente artigo busca analisar o efeito vizinhanca e o efeito adjacencia no municipio de Sao Paulo, isto e, quais os fatores afetam o preco intra-distrito e quais os fatores atuam entre-distritos. O resultado aponta que 68,2% do preco do imovel e explicado pelas caracteristicas intrinsecas e de localizacao, enquanto 31,8% e explicado pelas caracteristicas dos distritos e o spillover espacial entre estes. Em relacao a ultima decomposicao, 24,8% pode ser entendido como efeito vizinhanca
Low Loss SOI Waveguides and MMIs at the MIR Wavelength of $2~\mu$ m

In this letter, we demonstrate high-performance waveguides and MMIs on an SOI platform at the fixed wavelength of 2 μm. The propagation loss demonstrated by the waveguides and the insertion loss of the MMIs are as low as 1 dB/cm and 0.29 dB, respectively, with TE polarization. To the best of our knowledge, this is the lowest loss for Si rib waveguides reported at a wavelength of 2 μm.
Tumor Response Assessment to Treatment with [177Lu-DOTA0,Tyr3]Octreotate in Patients with Gastroenteropancreatic and Bronchial Neuroendocrine Tumors: Differential Response of Bone Versus Soft-Tissue Lesions

We have noted that bone lesions on CT respond differently from soft-tissue lesions to treatment with [177Lu-DOTA0,Tyr3]octreotate (177Lu-octreotate). We therefore compared the response of bone lesions with that of soft-tissue lesions to treatment with 177Lu-octreotate in patients with gastroenteropancreatic and bronchial neuroendocrine tumors (NETs). Methods: Forty-two patients with well-differentiated NETs who had bone metastases that were positive on [111In-DTPA0]octreotide somatostatin receptor scintigraphy (SRS) before treatment, and who had soft-tissue lesions, were studied. All patients had had a minimum of 1 follow-up CT scan. Lesions were scored on CT and bone lesions also on SRS before and after treatment. Tumor markers (chromogranin A and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid) before and after treatment were compared. Results: Because bone lesions were not visible on CT before treatment in 11 of 42 patients (26%), bone and soft-tissue lesions were evaluated in 31 patients. Whereas bone lesions increased in size, soft-tissue lesions decreased in size. The percentage change in bone and soft-tissue lesions was significantly different at all time points up to 12 mo of follow-up (P < 0.001). The intensity or number of bone lesions on SRS decreased after treatment in 19 of 23 patients (83%) in whom SRS after treatment was available. The tumor markers also decreased significantly after treatment. In 1 patient, bone lesions became visible on CT after treatment, mimicking progressive disease with “new” bone lesions, although there was an overall treatment response. Conclusion: In patients with NETs, the apparent increase in size of bone lesions or the appearance of new bone lesions on CT after treatment with 177Lu-octreotate should be interpreted cautiously, as this finding may be therapy-related rather than indicative of tumor progression.
How I manage patients with Fanconi anaemia

Fanconi Anaemia is a rare, genetic heterogeneous multisystem disease that is the most common congenital syndrome of marrow failure. Twenty genes have been reported to cause the disease. Remarkable progress has been made over the last 20 years in the understanding of the genetic and pathophysiological mechanisms. Unfortunately, these advances have not been completely paralleled by advances in medical treatment, where the most important component remains stem cell transplantation. This therapy, although contributing to long‐term negative effects, such as increased occurrence of late malignancies, is the only current option capable of prolonging the survival of patients. In spite of relevant recent progress in matched unrelated donor transplants, the largest studies with longer follow‐up still show a superiority of matched sibling donor transplants with a success rate, in selected cohorts, of over 90%. This article reviews different aspects of the disease, including genetics, diagnosis and treatment options, with special focus on stem cell transplantation, comprehensive post‐diagnosis management, decision‐making processes and long‐term follow‐up.
Ovarian Stimulation in Obese and Non-Obese Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Using a Low-Dose Step-Up Regimen with Two Different Starting Doses of Recombinant Follicle-Stimulating Hormone

Sixty-seven infertile women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) were divided into two groups, obese and non-obese, according to their body mass index. Waist-to-hip ratio, insulin resistance, total testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate levels were significantly elevated in obese, compared with non-obese, patients. Both groups were treated with a low-dose step-up protocol of recombinant follicle-stimulating hormone (rFSH) with a starting dose of 50 IU/day and, every third day, a 25-IU increase in the dose until the appropriate dose was achieved for each individual, up to a maximum of 175 IU/day. In the obese group only, repeat therapy commenced in the second ovulatory cycle in women who had not become pregnant, however a starting dose of 75 IU/day was then used, with incremental and maximum dose as before. The results of the starting dose of 75 IU/day rFSH were compared with the results of a 50 IU/day rFSH starting dose in the obese group. A starting dose of 50 IU/day rFSH in a low-dose step-up regimen was found to be effective, safe and well-tolerated for inducing follicular development in non-obese infertile women with PCOS. However, for obese PCOS patients, a starting dose of 75 IU/day rFSH is recommended.
Topical Review: Long-Term Developmental Outcome of Asphyxiated Term Neonates

Asphyxia remains one of the main causes of later disability in term infants. Despite many publications identifying possible predictors of outcome in this population of interest, little is known of the long-term developmental outcome of asphyxiated term neonates. Observational studies have largely focused on short-term outcomes, with an emphasis on significant neurologic sequelae and intellectual impairments. This article reviews the literature that has described the developmental outcome of asphyxiated term newborns. As part of this review, we have also highlighted the evolution of the definition of asphyxia and delineated appropriate markers that should be used in future research on this population. (J Child Neurol 2001;16:781—792).
Health, Poverty Reduction and Human Capital Development in Nigeria (1980-2011)

It should be noted that poverty has a strong link and two-way relationship with health: poverty makes people more vulnerable to ill-health, and ill-health tends to lead to low productivity, hence poverty. It is against this background that this study makes use of time series data from the secondary source, on Nigerian economy for the period 1980-2011, obtained primarily from the National Bureau of statistic and Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Bulletin, 2010 to explain the relationship among health, poverty and economic growth. It adopts some selected variables which have been tested valid as a measurement of health status and poverty measurement. The health care spending, life expectancy rate, fertility rate are used to capture health status, GDP per capita is used to measure the standard of living per head in Nigeria and unemployment rate to measure the level of poverty reduction in the economy while real GDP is used to capture economic growth. The results show that relationship between GDP per capital growth and the level of gross domestic is positive which satisfies the a priori condition. That is, a change in income will bring about 0.028 percentage change in the gross domestic product overtime but the variable is statistically insignificant using the probability value. The relationship between unemployment rate and economic growth is negative satisfying the a priori and statistically significant at 5% level. An indication that an increase in unemployment rate will reduce economic growth by 0.03 percent which affirms previous literatures on effect of unemployment on growth.
Pediatric biomarkers in asthma: exhaled nitric oxide, sputum eosinophils and leukotriene E4

Purpose of reviewMarkers of disease status that provide a numerical measure of disease activity, biomarkers, have come into more routine use in medicine. This is evidenced by troponin and brain natriuretic peptide when measuring cardiac function or glomerular filtration rate in relation to kidney function. Similar markers to assess inflammation in the asthmatic lung have emerged as possible tools to guide treatment. Three biomarkers, fractional exhaled nitric oxide, sputum eosinophils and leukotriene E4 in the urine and exhaled breath condensate, have been heavily investigated. Recent findingsRecent literature indicates that exhaled nitric oxide, sputum eosinophils and leukotriene E4 in the urine, and exhaled breath condensate could serve as good markers of inflammation in the asthmatic airway. These markers, when combined with conventional measures of lung function – forced expiratory flow in 1 s, peak flow or methacholine challenge – will be of benefit in improving asthma control in the pediatric population. SummaryExhaled nitric oxide and urinary leukotriene E4 are relatively easy to attain in the clinical setting. Sputum eosinophils are an excellent tool for assessing inflammation, however sputum induction can be challenging for a young child. Despite small limitations, all three biomarkers are potentially valuable when used in conjunction with conventional methods for airway control.
VSLAM and 3D Reconstruction Using πMatch

The πMatch pipeline is a monocular feature-based VSLAM method that relies on the plane information of the scene to compute the camera motion and to perform a dense Piecewise Planar Reconstruction (PPR). In contrast to other state of the art feature-based methods, this method relies on affine correspondences, instead of point correspondences, allowing an efficient plane detection and estimation of motion hypotheses. The camera motion and the relevant planes of the scene are selected and refined with PEaRL formulations, being the final PPR obtained with an image segmentation based on Markov Random Field (MRF). This thesis proposes a C++ implementation of the πMatch pipeline, originally implemented in Matlab, and important modifications in some parts of the pipeline that enable dramatic computational speed ups while preserving (or even improving) the overall accuracy and quality of reconstructions. As first task, a straight-forward translation between Matlab and C++ languages was performed to identify the pipeline modules with inadequate computational times. Thereby, the extraction of affine correspondences and MRF segmentation of the image into planes were selected as the essential pipeline bottlenecks. In order to overcome the poor computational efficiency of the methods, new alternative versions of these modules are suggested. The novel ACs extractor performs the division of the image in blocks, taking advantages of parallelization to achieve better computational times. Moreover, the new MRF segmentation method introduces the superpixel concept to reduce the complexity of the problem, achieving similar results to the original, with a dramatic improvement in the time performance. All the suggested alternative methods were validated in comparative tests with the respective original versions. At last, an application was designed to incorporate the pipeline, in order to allow an easier experimentation and visualization of the results, using the Unity 3D game engine. Experiments on KITTI dataset were used to prove the good performances of the overall pipeline, evaluating the estimation of the camera motion and the relative scale of translation. The final C++ version of the pipeline processes, approximately, vii 1 frame per second.
The Changing Trade Pattern of Emerging Economies: Gravity Model of Ghana's Trade Flow

This paper applies the augmented gravity model to study the changing pattern of Ghana's bilateral trade flows and to extract practical trade policy implications. Economic classification dummies are included in the gravity equation to characterize the peculiarity of South-South and North-South trade patterns. The result indicates that Ghana's trade especially the export sector has greater trading potential with the emerging and developing economies than the high income economies.
Study of Personal Credit Evaluation Method Based on PSO-RBF Neural Network Model

Personal credit evaluation is the basic method for the commercial banks to avoid the consumer credit risk. On one hand, the credit behavior of individuals is complex; on the other hand the personal credit assessment system in our country is not sound, assessment methods are mostly objective, therefore, more and better scientific methods for credit risk assessment need to be introduced. This paper proposed a method for personal credit evaluation based on PSO-RBF neural network, which used PSO algorithm to optimize the parameters of RBF neural network, then applied the optimized RBF neural network in the personal credit evaluation. This method combined the global searching ability of PSO algorithm and the high effectiveness of local optimize of RBF together, overcame the unstabitily of PSO algorithm and the drawback of RBF which easily leads to local minimum. The result shows that the personal credit assessment method based on PSO-RBF neural network is highly accurate in classification and prediction, and is suitable in personal credit assessment and prediction.