Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Vulnerability to electric shocks in the regionally-ischemic ventricles

Although the majority of patients undergoing defibrillation suffer from coronary heart disease, little is known about defibrillation in the setting of ischemic disease. The goal of this study is to aid understanding of defibrillation failure in ischemic hearts by studying changes in cardiac vulnerability to electric shocks the first 10 min following LAD occlusion. To do so, a 3D anatomically-accurate electrophysiologically-detailed bidomain model of the regionally ischemic ventricles following LAD occlusion was developed based on experimental data. The ventricles were paced at the apex and truncated exponential monophasic shocks were applied over a range of coupling intervals to determine the upper limit of vulnerability (ULV) and the vulnerable window (VW) in normoxia and 10 min post-occlusion. Simulation results demonstrate that, despite the profound electrophysiological changes in the ischemic region, the ULV remains unchanged 10 min post-occlusion because following high shock strengths gesULV virtual electrode polarization and postshock behavior remain unaffected by ischemia. However, the range of coupling intervals comprising the VW increases from spanning 60 ms in normoxia to 90 ms at 10 min post-occlusion. The increased in vulnerability in regional ischemia stems from the fact that slow conduction and increased dispersion of refractoriness in the ischemic region increase the likelihood of the establishment of a reentrant circuit following shocks of strength <ULV
Global Analysis of Condition-specific Subcellular Protein Distribution and Abundance*

Cellular control of protein activities by modulation of their abundance or compartmentalization is not easily measured on a large scale. We developed and applied a method to globally interrogate these processes that is widely useful for systems-level analyses of dynamic cellular responses in many cell types. The approach involves subcellular fractionation followed by comprehensive proteomic analysis of the fractions, which is enabled by a data-independent acquisition mass spectrometry approach that samples every available mass to charge channel systematically to maximize sensitivity. Next, various fraction-enrichment ratios are measured for all detected proteins across different environmental conditions and used to group proteins into clusters reflecting changes in compartmentalization and relative conditional abundance. Application of the approach to characterize the response of yeast proteins to fatty acid exposure revealed dynamics of peroxisomes and novel dynamics of MCC/eisosomes, specialized plasma membrane domains comprised of membrane compartment occupied by Can1 (MCC) and eisosome subdomains. It also led to the identification of Fat3, a fatty acid transport protein of the plasma membrane, previously annotated as Ykl187.
Genetic variation in the renin—angiotensin system, use of renin—angiotensin system inhibitors and the risk of myocardial infarction

Introduction. This study investigated whether variation in the genes encoding for ACE, AGT and AGTR1 modifies the risk of myocardial infarction (MI) related to ACE inhibitors and AT II antagonists. Methods. A nested case-control study among users of antihypertensive drugs, in whom the polymorphisms ACE-G4656C, ACE-T3892C, AGT-C235T and AGTR1-A1166C were genotyped. Results. Among 613 cases and 3630 controls, the risk of MI was significantly lower among users of ACE inhibitors compared with that in users of other antihypertensives (adjusted OR, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.63—0.97). In patients using ACE inhibitors the largest risk reduction was found in patients carrying the ACE-4656-G allele (GC and GG genotypes) compared with patients carrying the CC genotype (OR, 0.68; 95% CI, 0.53—0.86 and OR, 1.26, 95% CI, 0.78—2.02, respectively). The synergy index for this interaction was statistically significant (SI, 0.58; 95% CI, 0.35—0.95). The risk of MI was reduced in those who were current users of ACE inhibitors those who had been prescribed dosages lower than the equivalent of 1 defined daily dose (DDD) and those having the AGTR1-1166AC or AA genotype compared with that in users of ACE inhibitors with the AGTR1-1166CC genotype (SI, 3.67; 95% CI,1.18—11.4). None of the polymorphisms modified the effectiveness of AT II antagonists regarding the risk of MI. Conclusion. This study shows an interaction between the use of ACE inhibitors and ACE-G4656C polymorphism, and in low doses also with AGTR1-A1166C polymorphism, in the prevention of MI.
The Performance of Low External Input Technology in Agricultural Development: A Summary of Three Case Studies

This paper summarises the findings of a study that examined the performance of low external input technology (LEIT) in three major projects. The projects promoted soil restoration (Honduras), soil and water conservation (Kenya) and IPM (Sri Lanka). The focus projects were large and well-managed and the study examined outcomes five or more years after project completion. An assessment of the utilisation, adaptation and abandonment of the technologies, found fairly consistent experiences that allow several general conclusions. In many instances LEIT makes important contributions to farm productivity. LEIT is not usefully categorised as labour-intensive, and the growing importance of hired labour makes it difficult to see LEITas a separate class of technology. Its uptake patterns are similar to those of conventional technology (with commercial incentives particularly important) and spontaneous diffusion of the technology is often less than expected. LEIT, on its own, makes only modest contributions to strengthening human and social capital. Implications for the promotion of LEIT and the development of farmer organisations are discussed.
Therapeutic electrical stimulation of the hypoglossal nerve in obstructive sleep apnea.

BACKGROUND Hypoglossal nerve stimulation has been demonstrated to relieve upper airway obstruction acutely, but its effect on obstructive sleep apnea is not known. OBJECTIVE To determine the response in obstructive sleep apnea to electrical stimulation of the hypoglossal nerve. METHODS Eight patients with obstructive sleep apnea were implanted with a device that stimulated the hypoglossal nerve unilaterally during inspiration. Sleep and breathing patterns were examined at baseline before implantation and after implantation at 1, 3, and 6 months and last follow-up. RESULTS Unilateral hypoglossal nerve stimulation decreased the severity of obstructive sleep apnea throughout the entire study period. Specifically, stimulation significantly reduced the mean apnea-hypopnea indices in non-rapid eye movement (mean +/- SD episodes per hour, 52.0 +/- 20.4 for baseline nights and 22.6 +/- 12.1 for stimulation nights; P<.001) and rapid eye movement (48.2 +/- 30.5 and 16.6 +/- 17.1, respectively; P<.001) sleep and reduced the severity of oxyhemoglobin desaturations. With improvement in sleep apnea, a trend toward deeper stages of non-rapid eye movement sleep was observed. Moreover, all patients tolerated long-term stimulation at night and did not experience any adverse effects from stimulation. Even after completing the study protocol, the 3 patients who remained free from stimulator malfunction continued to use this device as primary treatment. CONCLUSION The findings demonstrate the feasibility and therapeutic potential for hypoglossal nerve stimulation in obstructive sleep apnea.
Why work–life balance now?

In the vast literature on work-life balance one question remains seriously under-elaborated: Why now? The paper opens by recognising that flexible working practices can be employee friendly or employer friendly, and that current employer friendly practices tend to constrain, rather than enable, possibilities for work-life balance. Part two introduces neoliberalism, interpreting it as a new class strategy: the iron fist of a renewed ruling class offensive is wrapped in the velvet glove of freedom, individualism, and (re-habilitated) discourses of flexible working practices. Part three introduces socio-linguistics to overcome an elision between work-life balance as a set of practices and as a set of discourses. We then see that discourses of flexibility have been un-coupled from discourses associated with employee unfriendly flexible working practices, and re-coupled with discourses associated with employee friendly working practices and, hence, with work-life balance. Data show that current flexible working practices are characterised as much by employee unfriendly working practices that tend to constrain work-life balance, as they are by employee friendly practices that tend to enable work-life balance. Shorn of its employee unfriendly connotations, the term 'flexibility' has been discursively 'rehabilitated' such that it no longer connotes any negativity. In conclusion one of New Labour's work-life balance policies (the right to request and the duty to consider flexible working practices) is analysed in an attempt to answer the initial question: 'Why work-life balance now? '
Convergence Towards the Normal Rate of Capacity Utilization in Neo‐Kaleckian Models: The Role of Non‐Capacity Creating Autonomous Expenditures

Neo-Kaleckian models of growth and distribution have been highly popular among heterodox economists. Two drawbacks of these models have, however, been underlined in the literature: first, the models do not usually converge to their normal rate of capacity utilization; second, the models do not include the Harrodian principle of dynamic instability. Some Sraffian economists have long been arguing that the presence of non-capacity creating autonomous expenditures provides a mechanism that brings back the model to normal rates of capacity utilization, while safeguarding the main Keynesian message and without going back to classical conclusions. The present article provides a very simple proof of this, showing within a neo-Kaleckian model that the Harrodian principle of dynamic instability gets tamed by the presence of autonomous consumer expenditures.
Solution structures, dynamics, and lipid‐binding of the sterile α‐motif domain of the deleted in liver cancer 2

The deleted in liver cancer 2 (DLC2) is a tumor suppressor gene, frequently found to be underexpressed in hepatocellular carcinoma. DLC2 is a multidomain protein containing a sterile α‐motif (SAM) domain, a GTPase‐activating protein (GAP) domain, and a lipid‐binding StAR‐related lipid‐transfer (START) domain. The SAM domain of DLC2, DLC2‐SAM, exhibits a low level of sequence homology (15–30%) with other SAM domains, and appears to be the prototype of a new subfamily of SAM domains found in DLC2‐related proteins. In the present study, we have determined the three‐dimensional solution structure of DLC2‐SAM using NMR methods together with molecular dynamics simulated annealing. In addition, we performed a backbone dynamics study. The DLC2‐SAM packed as a unique four α‐helical bundle stabilized by interhelix hydrophobic interactions. The arrangement of the four helices is distinct from all other known SAM domains. In contrast to some members of the SAM domain family which form either dimers or oligomers, both biochemical analyses and rotational correlation time (τc) measured by backbone 15N relaxation experiments indicated that DLC2‐SAM exists as a monomer in solution. The interaction of DLC2‐SAM domain with sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) micelles and 1,2‐dimyristoyl‐sn‐glycerol‐3‐phosphatidylglycerol (DMPG) phospholipids was examined by CD and NMR spectroscopic techniques. The DLC2‐SAM exhibits membrane binding properties accompanied by minor loss of the secondary structure of the protein. Deletion studies showed that the self‐association of DLC2 in vivo does not require SAM domain, instead, a protein domain consisting of residues 120–672 mediates the self‐association of DLC2. Proteins 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A compact planar orthomode transducer

In this paper, the design of a compact orthomode transducer (OMT) using substrate integrated waveguide technology (SIW) is presented. The orthomode signals come from a square waveguide and are coupled to four SIW lines through four wide slots placed on the end wall of the square waveguide. The out-of-phase signals from each opposite slot pairs are combined using a simple planar configuration to provide the two final uncoupled orthomode signals. This arrangement provides a compact and low insertion loss circuit. A back-to-back OMT having a central operating frequency of 30 GHz was fabricated. Measured insertion losses, including the losses due to two microstrip to SIW transitions and two SMA connectors used in the measurements, are less than 3.8 dB over a 1 GHz frequency band. Over this bandwidth, the return losses are lower than 10 dB and the isolations are better than 24 dB. Each OMT has a compact size of 1.1mm × 20.9mm × 20.7 mm when designed on a 20 mil thick Rt/duroid 5880 substrate with a dielectric constant of 2.2. Design guidelines are also provided.
Temporary Arrangements: The Activities of Employment Agencies in the UK

Temporary employment agency working has increased dramatically in recent years. Labour Force Survey figures reveal that the number of workers employed on a temporary basis through agencies increased in the UK from 50,000 in 1984 to 250,000 in 1999, by which point temporary agency staff (temps) constituted 1.1 per cent of the employed workforce (Casey 1988: 490; Department of Trade and Industry 1999: 109). Studies which have considered UK employers' use of different forms of labour have revealed a range of reasons as to why firms seek recourse to employment agencies (McGregor and Sproull 1991; Hunter and MacInnes 1991; Cully et al. 1999). The 1998 UK Workplace Employee Relations Survey, for example, has indicated that of workplaces using agency staff, 59 per cent were doing so to provide short-term cover. Adjusting the workforce in line with demand was cited as a reason by 40 per cent of firms, and covering for maternity leave by 22 per cent of users (Cully et al. 1999:37).
Novel Chemically Modified Liquid Medium That Will Support the Growth of Seven Bartonella Species

ABSTRACT Bacteria of the genus Bartonella, a member of the Alphaproteobacteria, are fastidious, gram-negative, aerobic bacilli that comprise numerous species, subspecies, and subtypes. In human and veterinary medicine, species isolation remains a vital component of the diagnostic and therapeutic management of Bartonella infection. We describe a novel, chemically modified, insect-based liquid culture medium that supports the growth of at least seven Bartonella species. This medium will also support cocultures consisting of different Bartonella species, and it facilitated the primary isolation of Bartonella henselae from blood and aqueous fluid of naturally infected cats. This liquid growth medium may provide an advantage over conventional direct blood agar plating for the diagnostic confirmation of bartonellosis.
Randomised comparison of oestrogen versus oestrogen plus progestogen hormone replacement therapy in women with hysterectomy

Abstract Objective: To compare the acceptability and symptomatic and metabolic effects of two regimens of hormone replacement therapy in women with hysterectomy. Design: Randomised, double blind comparison. Setting: Seven group practices in the Medical Research Council's general practice research framework. Subjects: 321 women with hysterectomy aged 35-59. Interventions: Hormone replacement therapy with (a) conjugated equine oestrogen 625 µg daily alone or (b) conjugated equine oestrogen 625 µg daily plus the progestogen norgestrel 150 µg daily for the last 12 days of the “cycle. ” Main outcome measures: Changes in blood pressure, weight, symptoms, and haemostatic and lipid values. Results: After two years 36% (57/158) of women randomly allocated to take oestrogen alone had discontinued treatment as compared with 30% (49/163) of women allocated to take oestrogen plus progestogen. Smokers were more likely to withdraw than non-smokers. There were no clear differences between the two groups in symptoms often attributed to hormone replacement therapy or in blood pressure or weight. At one year low density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations had fallen substantially in both groups. High density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations rose to significantly higher values in women taking oestrogen alone compared with those taking oestrogen plus progestogen, though triglyceride concentrations and factor VII activity were also significantly higher in this group. Fibrinogen concentration tended to fall, though not significantly, in both groups, possibly more in women taking oestrogen alone. Conclusions: Oestrogen plus progestogen was no less well tolerated than oestrogen alone. There was a fairly even balance between possibly beneficial and adverse effects of the two regimens on lipid concentrations and coagulability. Concern that the combined regimen may not have the cardioprotective effects ascribed to oestrogen alone can to some extent be allayed, with reassurance for the growing numbers of women with intact uteri using the combined regimen. Misgivings about the combined regimen in women with hysterectomy on the grounds of its acceptability and its effects on lipid values may also be unfounded. Key messages Key messages In fact, in hysterectomised women norgestrel containing hormone replacement preparations may be as well tolerated as unopposed oestrogen There may be little difference between norgestrel containing hormone replacement therapy and oestrogen only preparations in their lipid and haemostatic effects Pending the results of clinical end point trials, anxieties about the metabolic effects of norgestrel in hormone replacement therapy can largely be allayed
Understanding Engagement through Search Behaviour

Evaluating user engagement with search is a critical aspect of understanding how to assess and improve information retrieval systems. While standard techniques for measuring user engagement use questionnaires, these are obtrusive to user interaction, and can only be collected at acceptable intervals. The problem we address is whether there is a less obtrusive and more automatic way to assess how users perceive the search process and outcome. Log files collect behavioural signals (e.g., clicks, queries) from users on a large scale. In this paper, we investigate the potential to predict how users perceive engagement with search by modelling behavioural signals from log files using supervised learning methods. We focus on different engagement dimensions (Perceived Usability, Felt Involvement, Endurability and Novelty) and examine how 37 behavioural features can inform these dimensions. Our results, obtained from 377 in-lab participants undergoing goal-based search tasks, support the connection between perceived engagement and search behaviour. More specifically, we show that time- and query-related features are best suited for predicting user perceived engagement, and suggest that different behavioural features better reflect specific dimensions. We demonstrate the possibility of predicting user-perceived engagement using search behavioural features.
Swap Rates and Credit Quality

This article presents a model for valuing claims subject to default by both contracting parties, such as swaps and forwards. With counterparties of different default risk, the promised cash flows of a swap are discounted by a switching discount rate that, at any given state and time, is equal to the discount rate of the counterparty for whom the swap is currently out of the money (that is, a liability). The impact of credit-risk asymmetry and of netting is presented through both theory and numerical examples, which include interest rate and currency swaps. Copyright 1996 by American Finance Association.
More On Welfare Gains To Developing Countries From Liberalizing World Food Trade

The common presumption that food‐importing developing countries would be harmed by a liberalization of world food trade is questioned in this paper. Both theory and new empirical modelling evidence suggest the possibility of the opposite conclusion. Even if just advanced industrial countries were to liberalize their food trade, the present empirical analysis (using a model of world food markets) suggests that economic welfare and net foreign exchange earnings from food trade could improve for the vast majority of developing countries. The extent to which that gain would be greater if developing countries also were to liberalize their policies affecting food markets is shown as well. The analysis helps to reconcile differences between previous results using partial‐equilibrium models and those derived from computable general equilibrium models.
Knowledge Exchange in Strategic Alliances: Learning in Tension

The proliferation of corporate strategic alliances is explained by the opportunities this provides for the exchange of knowledge and more rapid learning than any other factor. Exploiting complementarities among products and services, strategic alliances enable value creation by capturing the benefits from leveraging knowledge, and discovering complementarities among technologies, and among the activities of the participants. This paper explores the relevance of factors, which may influence the relationship involving the imbalances of internal tensions and alliance instabilities. It is assumed that the objective in a strategic alliance partnership is to maintain the collaborative relationship and to prevent unplanned alliance dissolution. Factors such as availability of resources, bargaining power, alliance type, alliances with specific goals and stages of industry life cycles, and changing market conditions can influence internal tensions and therefore alliance stability. This article argues that alliance partners should balance the conflicting forces to maintain the collaborative knowledge creating and learning relationship.
Exporting and Productivity: The Effects of Multi‐Product and Multi‐Market Export Entry

type="main" xml:id="sjpe12077-abs-0001"> Empirical studies on the micro-level effects of exporting on productivity pay usually little attention to the potentially heterogeneous effects of the different modes of export market entry. We show that multi-product export entry is associated with higher post-entry productivity compared to other firms. This can imply significant benefits from experimentation with different products. Our analysis is based on detailed export data from full population of firms in Estonia, disaggregated for each firm by export markets and individual products.
A VIRTUAL INSTRUMENT FOR HIGHLY CONCENTRATED TIME-FREQUENCY DISTRIBUTIONS

A virtual instrument for highly concentrated time-frequency distributions is proposed in this paper. It provides efficient solutions for the analysis of signals with highly non-stationary instantaneous frequency. The timefrequency distributions of different orders are considered. Thus, due to the variations of signal phase function, the order of the distribution can be increased until a satisfactory concentration is achieved. The instrument could be used for both monocomponent and multicomponent signals. Application of this instrument is demonstrated on the examples.