Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Long-term outcomes following "presumed" total parathyroidectomy for secondary hyperparathyroidism of chronic kidney disease.

AIM The most efficacious surgical treatment for renal hyperparathyroidism is still subject of research. Considering its low incidence rate of long-term relapse, "presumed" total parathyroidectomy without autotrasplantation (TP) may be indicated for secondary hyperparathyroidism (2HPT) in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), not eligible for kidney transplantation. The aim of this study was to analyse the TP long-term results in 2HPT haemodialysis (HD) patients. METHOD Between January 2004 and October 2009, 25 2HPT HD patients, not eligible for kidney transplantation, underwent TP of at least four parathyroid glands. Clinical status and intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) serum levels were assessed intraoperatively and during a 36-month follow-up. RESULTS TP improved the typical clinical symptoms and a significant reduction of iPTH serum levels was achieved in each patient. Aparathyroidism was never observed; in case of severe postoperative hypocalcemia, hypocalcemic seizures were never reported and the long-term recurrence rate was 8%. Only one patient received a kidney transplantation. Postoperative cardiovascular events (hypertension, peripheral artery disease, arrhythmia, coronary or cerebrovascular disease) were observed in 32% of cases and mortality rate was 16%. CONCLUSIONS Considering its low long-term relapse rate and the absence of postoperative aparathyroidism, TP may still be considered the treatment of choice in patients with aggressive forms of 2HPT or of advanced dialytic vintage, with no access to renal transplantation. In case of postoperative hypoparathyroidism, hypocalcaemia can be effectively managed by medical treatment.
Country Road Bureaucracy: The Challenges of Social Service Delivery in an Economically Disadvantaged Rural State

The devolution of state authority embedded in the 1996 federal welfare reform law (since reaffirmed in the 2006 reauthorization of this law) has enormous implications for economically disadvantaged adults and their families as well as those responsible for the local management and delivery of these welfare services. Although over a decade of welfare reform “impact” research currently exists, the majority of this literature focuses primarily on welfare clients in urban areas. This study identifies service delivery processes in rural areas in an Appalachian state with high levels of poverty and unemployment, limited economic resources for investment and development, and inadequate administrative capacity. Welfare reform affects urban and rural beneficiaries differently. This article highlights (1) the challenges faced by TANF caseworkers who implement welfare reform policies on a daily basis in West Virginia, (2) how these daily practices are heavily influenced by cultural and organization practices, and (3) the “chaining of social problems” found within welfare reform. The data used in this research come from focus groups with approximately eighty caseworkers in West Virginia. Implications for service delivery and public policy are discussed.
Maintenance Decision-Making for Systems Operating Under Indirect Condition Monitoring: Value of Online Information and Impact of Measurement Uncertainty

This paper deals with maintenance decision-making for single-unit deteriorating systems operating under indirect condition monitoring. Based on a degradation and measurement model of crack growth propagation, two new maintenance policies using prognostic information are introduced. Their maintenance cost models are evaluated jointly by analytical and simulation approaches, and are compared with two more classical benchmark models. Such complete models integrating degradation phenomenon, monitoring characteristics, state estimation, prognostics, and maintenance assessment can give rise to fruitful numerical analyses and discussions. The main contributions of the paper are to i) analyze jointly the condition-based and dynamic structure of the considered maintenance policies; ii) propose some effective methods to reduce the effect of measurement uncertainty in condition-based maintenance decision-making; and iii) show the relevance of quantification methods when deciding to resort to prognostic approaches, and to invest in condition monitoring devices.
Relational ties - an empirical test of the role of transaction cost and network determinants in sustainable vertical business relationships in Albania

We develop a model of relational governance as a hybrid form of inter-firm relationships, conceptualizing it in terms of repeated exchange under low behavior uncertainty level. Furthermore, we derive a model of its determinants based on arguments of transaction cost economics, social network theory and sociological issues. Logistic regression modeling is employed to test the model on data collected from a sample of 170 Albanian farmers engaged in the cultivation and collection of medicinal aromatic plants. The results show that asset specificity and antecedents of trust are the strongest predictors of relational governance, and competition among suppliers has small but significant positive effect. Directions for further research on determinants of this particular governance choice are also developed in the light of the research limitations.
A portable prototype magnetometer to differentiate ischemic and non-ischemic heart disease in patients with chest pain

Background Magnetocardiography (MCG) is a non-invasive technique used to measure and map cardiac magnetic fields. We describe the predictive performance of a portable prototype magnetometer designed for use in acute and routine clinical settings. We assessed the predictive ability of the measurements derived from the magnetometer for the ruling-out of healthy subjects and patients whose chest pain has a non-ischemic origin from those with ischemic heart disease (IHD). Methods MCG data were analyzed from a technical performance study, a pilot clinical study, and a young healthy reference group. Participants were grouped to enable differentiation of those with IHD versus non-IHD versus controls: Group A (70 IHD patients); Group B (69 controls); Group C (37 young healthy volunteers). Scans were recorded in an unshielded room. Between-group differences were explored using analysis of variance. The ability of 10 candidate MCG predictors to predict normal/abnormal cases was analyzed using logistic regression. Predictive performance was internally validated using repeated five-fold cross-validation. Results Three MCG predictors showed a significant difference between patients and age-matched controls (P<0.001); eight predictors showed a significant difference between patients and young healthy volunteers (P<0.001). Logistic regression comparing patients with controls yielded a specificity of 35.0%, sensitivity of 95.4%, and negative predictive value for the ruling-out of IHD of 97.8% (area under the curve 0.78). Conclusion This analysis represents a preliminary indication that the portable magnetometer can help rule-out healthy subjects and patients whose chest pain has a non-ischemic origin from those with IHD.
Development and Characterization of an Infectious cDNA Clone of the Modified Live Virus Vaccine Strain of Equine Arteritis Virus

ABSTRACT A stable full-length cDNA clone of the modified live virus (MLV) vaccine strain of equine arteritis virus (EAV) was developed. RNA transcripts generated from this plasmid (pEAVrMLV) were infectious upon transfection into mammalian cells, and the resultant recombinant virus (rMLV) had 100% nucleotide identity to the parental MLV vaccine strain of EAV. A single silent nucleotide substitution was introduced into the nucleocapsid gene (pEAVrMLVB), enabling the cloned vaccine virus (rMLVB) to be distinguished from parental MLV vaccine as well as other field and laboratory strains of EAV by using an allelic discrimination real-time reverse transcription (RT)-PCR assay. In vitro studies revealed that the cloned vaccine virus rMLVB and the parental MLV vaccine virus had identical growth kinetics and plaque morphologies in equine endothelial cells. In vivo studies confirmed that the cloned vaccine virus was very safe and induced high titers of neutralizing antibodies against EAV in experimentally immunized horses. When challenged with the heterologous EAV KY84 strain, the rMLVB vaccine virus protected immunized horses in regard to reducing the magnitude and duration of viremia and virus shedding but did not suppress the development of signs of EVA, although these were reduced in clinical severity. The vaccine clone pEAVrMLVB could be further manipulated to improve the vaccine efficacy as well as to develop a marker vaccine for serological differentiation of EAV naturally infected from vaccinated animals.
Physical activity preferences of older home care clients.

BACKGROUND Physical activity contributes to an older person's health and well-being by maintaining strength, balance and mobility, all of which are important for older people who wish to remain living in their home for as long as possible. It is therefore essential that community nurses and those working with home care clients promote being physically active. To do this effectively requires an understanding of the type of physical activity older home care clients prefer to engage in. AIM The aims of this study were to identify the physical activity preferences of older people who received a home care service and to determine whether being physically active is important to this population. METHODS Twenty older home care clients were interviewed using a semi-structured interview schedule. Data were analysed using a descriptive qualitative methodology. RESULTS Walking, housework and gardening were identified as the activities of choice. The majority of interviewees suggested that it was important to be physically active. CONCLUSION Structured exercise programmes are not the activity of choice for older home care clients. Therefore, when community nurses and allied health workers promote physical activity to their clients, they should suggest activities such as walking, housework and gardening and also endorse the benefits of physical activity for well-being and staying independent. IMPLICATION FOR PRACTICE Health and community nurses and organisations should routinely encourage home care clients to increase their activity levels, especially utilising those activities they most enjoy.
In vivo bronchodilator action of a novel K+ channel opener, KC 399, in the guinea pig.

We evaluated the in vivo bronchodilator effects of KC 399, a novel K+ channel opener. In anesthetized guinea pigs, i.v. administration of KC 399 (1-10 micrograms/kg), BRL38227 (lemakalim, 10-100 micrograms/kg) and salbutamol (0.3-3 microgram/kg) evoked a dose-related reduction in the histamine-induced bronchoconstriction. The dose of KC 399 producing a 50% inhibition of the bronchoconstriction induced by histamine was 2.6 (1.9-3.6) microgram/kg. In exerting this action, KC 399 was approximately 13 times more potent than BRL38227, but approximately 4 times less potent than salbutamol. The bronchodilator action of i.v. KC 399 (10 micrograms/kg) lasted for over 30 min, whereas that induced by either BRL38227 (100 micrograms/kg) or salbutamol (3 micrograms/kg) lasted less than 10 min. When given by inhalation, KC 399 (1-30 micrograms/ml) induced a more prolonged effect and was a more potent bronchodilator than BRL38227 (0.3-1 mg/ml) in the histamine-induced bronchoconstriction model. Inhaled KC 399 (30 and 100 micrograms/ml) also prevented the antigen-induced bronchoconstriction in sensitized guinea pigs under anesthetic. When given by the oral route, KC 399, BRL38227 and salbutamol protected conscious guinea pigs from asphyxic collapse in response to inhaled histamine, their effective doses being 0.03, 1 and 3 mg/kg, respectively. From these in vivo experimental results, we conclude that KC 399 is an orally active, potent and long lasting bronchodilator.
DEMOGRAPHIC CHANGES OF NOMADIC COMMUNITIES IN IRAN (1956–2008)

Nomadic living is one of the major lifestyles in Iran, due to the country's arid and semi-arid climates. Nomadism has played an important role in the Iranian economy, and is practised by thousands of tribal households. At present, however, although its economic role as a main supplier of dairy and protein products is quite influential, its social and political position has weakened due to the penetration of the modernisation process in all aspects of the Iranian society. A century ago, the nomadic population was prominent in the demographic structure of the country, possibly constituting about 25 per cent of the total population, but this had decreased to 1.7 per cent by 2008. This paper will investigate the transition of the tribal population, by reviewing the available statistics and then analysing these data in a historic context.
DISSOLVED AIR FLOTATION (DAF) FOR PRIMARY AND TERTIARY TREATMENT OF MUNICIPAL WASTEWATERS

ABSTRACT Tertiary treatment of municipal wastewater by dissolved air flotation was studied on a pilot‐scale. The effects of coagulant dose, flocculation pattern, dispersion water recycle ratio and hydraulic surface load on process performance were evaluated. The treatment of primary effluents by dissolved air flotation was investigated to assess the suitability of this process for the treatment of heavily polluted effluents and wastewater treatment plant by‐passes. The tertiary dissolved air flotation process typically achieved 90–99 % reductions in the numbers of enteric microbes (total coliforms, enterococci and F‐RNA coliphages). The average reductions of total phosphorus and chemical oxygen demand were 55–81 % and 28–39 %, respectively. Increasing the polyaluminium chloride coagulant dose from 2 to 10 mgAl3+ l−1 and the dispersion water recycle ratio from 11 to 22 % improved the efficiency of the process. Changes in the flocculation conditions (range of G‐values 10–55 s−1; retention time 4–8 min) and hydraulic surface load (5 or 10 m h−1) did not clearly affect the process efficiency. The dissolved air flotation process decreased the numbers of enteric microbes and reduced total phosphorus, chemical oxygen demand and suspended solids from the primary treated wastewaters on average by 98–99.8%, 90 %, 47% and 77 %, respectively. The dissolved air flotation process was demonstrated to be a suitable method for efficient tertiary treatment of wastewaters, as well as for the elimination of peak pollution loads or by‐pass wastewaters during the treatment plant overloading situations.
Regulation of Leptin by Sexual Maturation and Energy Status in Male Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar L.) Parr

In mammals, leptin acts as an adiposity signal and is a crucial link between nutritional status and the reproductive axis. So far the link between leptin and energy balance during sexual maturation in teleosts has been poorly investigated. In this study, seasonal gene expression changes in two leptin genes (lepa1 andlepa2) and the leptin receptor were investigated during early sexual maturation in male Atlantic salmon parr under fully fed (control) and feed restricted conditions from April through September. Both Atlantic salmonlepa1 and lepa2 in the liver and lepr in the brain were significantly down-regulated in non-maturing control males in early spring, coinciding with the start of the growth and fat accumulation. In maturing control males, hepatic leptin expression increased during mid-spermatogenesis and lepa1 and lepa2 mRNA levels were up-regulated by 7.7 and 49 times respectively during final maturation. For the first time in a fish species, a significant up-regulation of lepr expression was observed in the testis throughout mid to late spermatogenesis. Feed restriction decreased the incidence of sexual maturation by 53% and highly up-regulated both leptin genes in the liver and the leptin receptor in the pituitary. This study shows that hepaticlepa1 and lepa2 expression and lepr expression in the testis is affected by early sexual maturation in male Atlantic salmon parr. Fast growth and high fat stores are associated with low leptin levels while feed restriction has a stimulatory effect on hepatic leptin and leptin receptor gene expression in the pituitary, suggesting a role for leptin other than that as an adiposity signal.
TNF-α-Independent IL-8 Expression: Alterations in Bacterial Challenge Dose Cause Differential Human Monocytic Cytokine Response1

We examined the effects of different bacterial doses of Neisseria gonorrhoeae on the cytokine response of primary human monocytes. The data indicate that a low multiplicity of infection (MOI) challenge (MOI = 0.1) results in substantial production of IL-8 and other chemokines/cytokines, in the absence of significant TNF-α production. Positive control challenges (MOI = 10) induced levels of IL-8 that were comparable to the low MOI challenges, but now induced significant levels of TNF-α. Induction of IL-8 expression in low MOI challenges was not mediated by an autocrine response as pretreatment of monocytes with neutralizing Abs against TNF-α or IL-1β had no effect on IL-8 expression. IL-8 induction resulting from gonococcal challenge was shown to require NF-κB activation, though this activation was limited by the inoculating dose. These data indicate that IL-8 induction results from direct contact between bacteria and monocytes. Analysis of the overall cytokine profile revealed patterns of expression for growth-regulated oncogene, MCP-1, and IL-6 that were similar to IL-8. Analysis of various MAPKs indicated that low MOI challenges were able to efficiently activate both the ERK and p38 pathways, but in contrast to positive control samples, failed to activate the JNK pathway. A lack of phosphorylated JNK leads to decreased production of AP-1 dimers, transcription factors that are critical for efficient transcription of TNF-α. Therefore, we propose a mechanism where a low MOI gonococcal challenge results in diminished AP-1 activity and TNF-α production while IL-8 levels remain constant.
Sexual function problems and help seeking behaviour in Britain: national probability sample survey

The need for estimates of the extent of sexual function problems in the general population has become more urgent given recent debates surrounding the identification and definition of “sexual dysfunction,” the increased availability of pharmacological interventions, and possible changes in our expectations of what constitutes sexual function and fulfilment.1 We report results from the national survey of sexual attitudes and lifestyles (Natsal 2000). Natsal 2000 was a stratified probability sample survey done between May 1999 and February 2001 of 11 161 men and women aged 16-44 years resident in Britain.2 3 The response rate was 65.4%. A computer assisted self interview asked participants about their sexual lifestyles and attitudes. We asked questions about their experience of sexual problems based on those used in the US national health and social life survey,4 which measured the main dimensions of sexual dysfunction, …
Characterization of a carcinogenesis-associated long non-coding RNA

A negative selection strategy was used in the present study to isolate long polyA-minus RNAs from the total transcriptome and a long non-coding RNA named Yiya was identified. Yiya is a 1.9 kb long intergenic ncRNA gene mapped to chromosome 1q41, a well-established cancer susceptibility locus. Expression profiling revealed a general and regulated expression pattern of Yiya in major tissues, and more interestingly, identified elevated mRNA levels in different cancers. Quantitative analysis further demonstrated a dynamic regulation of Yiya expression in cell cycle progression, suggesting that it was involved in cell cycle regulation. Supporting this, overexpression of Yiya promotes cell cycle progression at the G1/S transition, therefore identifying Yiya as a cell-cycle-associated long non-coding RNA.
Graduate education and hospitality management in Ireland

Purpose – The purpose of this research is to explore how tertiary education has met the needs of hospitality management in three‐, four‐ and five‐star hotels in Dublin, Ireland and the factors which the hospitality industry highlight as being important when recruiting managersDesign/methodology/approach – A questionnaire was chosen as the most appropriate means of obtaining information from managers.Findings – The data from this study indicate that the industry has a strong preference to hire people with practical skills and the providers of education need to concentrate on this element including placements in hotels as part of the courses they provide. It also highlights the fact that analytical skills are not considered to be very important, whereas problem‐solving and decision‐making skills are valued.Practical implications – As a result of these findings, the authors suggest that an evaluation of graduate education in the hospitality industry in Ireland should be undertaken. This will enable the resea.
AtNAP7 is a plastidic SufC-like ATP-binding cassette/ATPase essential for Arabidopsis embryogenesis

In bacteria, yeast, and mammals, iron-sulfur (Fe-S) cluster-containing proteins are involved in numerous processes including electron transfer, metabolic reactions, sensing, signaling, and regulation of gene expression. In humans, iron-storage diseases such as X-linked sideroblastic anemia and ataxia are caused by defects in Fe-S cluster availability. The biogenesis of Fe-S clusters involves several pathways, and in bacteria, the SufABCDSE operon has been shown to play a vital role in Fe-S biogenesis and repair during oxidative stress. Although Fe-S proteins play vital roles in plants, Fe-S cluster biogenesis and maintenance and physiological consequences of dysfunctional Fe-S cluster assembly remains obscure. Here we report that Arabidopsis plants deficient for the SufC homolog AtNAP7 show lethality at the globular stage of embryogenesis. AtNAP7 is expressed in developing embryos and in apical, root, and floral meristems and encodes an ATP-binding cassette/ATPase that can partially rescue growth defects in an Escherichia coli SufC mutant during oxidative stress. AtNAP7 is plastid-localized, and mutant embryos contain abnormal developing plastids with disorganized thylakoid structures. We found that AtNAP7 can interact with AtNAP6, a plastidic Arabidopsis SufD homolog, and because Arabidopsis plastids also harbor SufA, SufB, SufS, and SufE homologs, plastids probably contain a complete SUF system. Our results imply that AtNAP7 represents a conserved SufC protein involved in the biogenesis and/or repair of oxidatively damaged Fe-S clusters and suggest an important role for plastidic Fe-S cluster maintenance and repair during Arabidopsis embryogenesis.
A Quality- and Priority-Based Traffic Information Fusion Architecture

A novel architecture is proposed that enables the detection, automatic priority-based processing and validation of event messages, and data fusion of periodically gathered probe data to facilitate various Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) applications. Floating car data and mobile phone data are processed in a multilevel Event Validator service to identify road traffic events. Based on the data quality and the priority of the identified event, it is either sent to other cars in the area or processed further using additional information to achieve a higher reliability of the detected event.