Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Measuring GFR: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND No comprehensive systematic review of the accuracy of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) measurement methods using renal inulin clearance as reference has been published. STUDY DESIGN Systematic review with meta-analysis of cross-sectional diagnostic studies. SETTING & POPULATION Published original studies and systematic reviews in any population. SELECTION CRITERIA FOR STUDIES Index and reference measurements conducted within 48 hours; at least 15 participants studied; GFR markers measured in plasma or urine; plasma clearance calculation algorithm verified in another study; tubular secretion of creatinine had not been blocked by medicines. INDEX TESTS Endogenous creatinine clearance; renal or plasma clearance of chromium 51-labeled ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (51Cr-EDTA), diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA), iohexol, and iothalamate; and plasma clearance of inulin. REFERENCE TEST Renal inulin clearance measured under continuous inulin infusion and urine collection. RESULTS Mean bias <10%, median bias <5%, the proportion of errors in the index measurements that did not exceed 30% (P30) ≥80%, and P10 ≥50% were set as requirements for sufficient accuracy. Based on the GRADE (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation) approach, the quality of evidence across studies was rated for each index method. Renal clearance of iothalamate measured GFR with sufficient accuracy (strong evidence). Renal and plasma clearance of 51Cr-EDTA and plasma clearance of iohexol were sufficiently accurate to measure GFR (moderately strong evidence). Renal clearance of DTPA, renal clearance of iohexol, and plasma clearance of inulin had sufficient accuracy (limited evidence). Endogenous creatinine clearance was an inaccurate method (strong evidence), as was plasma clearance of DTPA (limited evidence). The evidence to determine the accuracy of plasma iothalamate clearance was insufficient. With the exception of plasma clearance of inulin, only renal clearance methods had P30 >90%. LIMITATIONS The included studies were few and most were old and small, which may limit generalizability. Requirements for sufficient accuracy may depend on clinical setting. CONCLUSIONS At least moderately strong evidence suggests that renal clearance of 51Cr-EDTA or iothalamate and plasma clearance of 51Cr-EDTA or iohexol are sufficiently accurate methods to measure GFR.
Cutting Edge: CD1d Restriction and Th1/Th2/Th17 Cytokine Secretion by Human Vδ3 T Cells

Human γδ T cells expressing the Vδ3 TCR make up a minor lymphocyte subset in blood but are enriched in liver and in patients with some chronic viral infections and leukemias. We analyzed the frequencies, phenotypes, restriction elements, and functions of fresh and expanded peripheral blood Vδ3 T cells. Vδ3 T cells accounted for ∼0.2% of circulating T cells, included CD4+, CD8+, and CD4−CD8− subsets, and variably expressed CD56, CD161, HLA-DR, and NKG2D but neither NKG2A nor NKG2C. Vδ3 T cells were sorted and expanded by mitogen stimulation in the presence of IL-2. Expanded Vδ3 T cells recognized CD1d but not CD1a, CD1b, or CD1c. Upon activation, they killed CD1d+ target cells, released Th1, Th2, and Th17 cytokines, and induced maturation of dendritic cells into APCs. Thus, Vδ3 T cells are glycolipid-reactive T cells with distinct Ag specificities but functional similarities to NKT cells.
A welfare analysis of innovation in R&D markets

Analyses the economic efficiency of innovation under different market conditions within the context of a formal model that represents competitive innovation as the closed loop solution of a dynamic stochastic game in the spirit of Reinganum’s analysis. Goes beyond Reingnaum’s model in its explicit treatment of the product market (following Spence), which permits a consistent analysis of competitive innovation in the absence of patent protection. Measures efficiency by the expected net present value of total surplus, and studies the effect on it of competitive structure, elasticity of demand, fixed costs, spillovers and subsidies.
The CAT (Casino Tourism) and the MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, Exhibitions): Key Development Considerations for the Convention and Exhibition Industry in Macao

ABSTRACT In 2006, Macao became the world's leading gaming destination in terms of gaming revenue and by mid 2008 had surpassed the gaming revenues of Las Vegas and Atlantic City combined. Casino tourism (CAT) in Macao continues to grow, but with the opening of The Venetian, the first integrated resort on the Cotai Strip, 1 convention and exhibition-based tourism is beginning to emerge. Due to its lure of being a high-yield tourism sector, MICE (meetings, incentives, conventions, exhibitions) tourism has been increasingly introduced at destinations, including gaming jurisdictions such as Las Vegas. Yet, Macao's gaming industry for the greater part remains divorced from the need for a convention product in terms of revenue creation at present, with two models of gaming development emerging. It is a key aim of the Macao Government to develop Macao into a major leisure and entertainment center, widening and expanding its tourism market segment beyond gaming. The MICE sector has therefore become an increasingly important focus and direction of resources for the Macao Government. Macao, though, is faced with the challenge of changing traveler perceptions of the destination from being solely a gaming destination to that of additionally being an attractive convention and exhibition destination image. Macao is also entering a regional market with mature and leading MICE destinations. This article examines strategic planning and management considerations for Macao as it attempts to reposition itself to develop the MICE industry in the world's most lucrative gaming market. Highlighted are the challenges in re-branding and repositioning Macao, economic justification, and tourism policy considerations on issues such as infrastructure development to support this vision of the Macao Government and those of the newly integrated resorts emerging on Macao's Cotai Strip.
Differential Protein Kinase C Isoform Regulation and Increased Constitutive Activity of Acetylcholine-Regulated Potassium Channels in Atrial Remodeling

Rationale: Atrial fibrillation (AF) causes atrial-tachycardia remodeling (ATR), with enhanced constitutive acetylcholine-regulated K+ current (IKAChC) contributing to action potential duration shortening and AF promotion. The underlying mechanisms are unknown. Objective: To evaluate the role of protein-kinase C (PKC) isoforms in ATR-induced IKAChC activation. Methods and Results: Cells from ATR-dogs (400-bpm atrial pacing for 1 week) were compared to control dog cells. In vitro tachypaced (TP; 3 Hz) canine atrial cardiomyocytes were compared to parallel 1-Hz paced cells. IKAChC single-channel activity was assessed in cell-attached and cell-free (inside-out) patches. Protein expression was assessed by immunoblot. In vitro TP activated IKAChC, mimicking effects of in vivo ATR. Discrepant effects of PKC activation and inhibition between control and ATR cells suggested isoform-selective effects and altered PKC isoform distribution. Conventional PKC isoforms (cPKC; including PKC&agr;) inhibited, whereas novel isoforms (including PKC&egr;) enhanced, acetylcholine-regulated K+ current (IKACh) in inside-out patches. TP and ATR downregulated PKC&agr; (by 33% and 37%, respectively) and caused membrane translocation of PKC&egr;, switching PKC predominance to the stimulatory novel isoform. TP increased [Ca2+]i at 2 hours by 30%, with return to baseline at 24 hours. Buffering [Ca2+]i during TP with the cell-permeable Ca2+ chelator BAPTA-AM (1 &mgr;mol/L) or inhibiting the Ca2+-dependent protease calpain with PD150606 (20 &mgr;mol/L) prevented PKC&agr; downregulation and TP enhancement of IKAChC. PKC&egr; inhibition with a cell-permeable peptide inhibitor suppressed TP/ATR-induced IKAChC activation, whereas cPKC inhibition enhanced IKAChC activity in 1-Hz cells. Conclusions: PKC isoforms differentially modulate IKACh, with conventional Ca2+-dependent isoforms inhibiting and novel isoforms enhancing activity. ATR causes a rate-dependent PKC isoform switch, with Ca2+/calpain-dependent downregulation of inhibitory PKC&agr; and membrane translocation of stimulatory PKC&egr;, enhancing IKAChC. These findings provide novel insights into mechanisms underlying IKAChC dysregulation in AF.
Myasthenic crisis: a retrospective study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Myasthenic crisis (MC) is one of the important and common complications in the natural history of myasthenia gravis (MG). MC can be precipitated by multiple factors including deficiency or excess of the acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (AChEI). Any episode of MC is an emergency requiring aggressive therapy. We studied the demographic, clinical and treatment-related characteristics of patients who developed MC. MATERIALS AND METHODS A retrospective study was conducted in patients with MC admitted during a 31-month period from February 1999 to August 2001, at a tertiary care center in India. RESULTS Eleven patients (9.69% of the total 114 patients with MG) were admitted with 12 episodes of MC. Mean age at presentation was 39.83 + 13.18 years with male predominance. Seven patients had undergone thymectomy previously; of which 2 had postoperative MC. Six patients had thymoma. Steroid or cholinesterase inhibitor withdrawal and infections were the commonest precipitating factors for MC. Patients required ventilatory support for median 14 days. They responded to low volume of plasma exchange (PE) (mean 854 ml / day with mean 6.5 cycles per patient). CONCLUSIONS This report highlights that the subset of Indian patients with MG who are at risk to develop MC belong to the 3rd and 4th decade, have bulbar symptoms at presentation and are associated with thymoma. Patients with MC should have judicious drug adjustments under supervision and should be treated aggressively during impending MC.
Social Media, Democracy and Public Service Media

The traditional Habermasian concept of the national public sphere created by the mass media of newspapers and television is said to have transformed to a multi-layered sphere of online and social networks which are increasingly important in engaging and mobilizing citizenship and in shaping the discourse within which rational discussion takes place. This article argues that the democratizing and empowering functions of the Internet and the new social media is being exaggerated and represent technological optimism for a number of reasons: the open participation of the Internet can turn chaotic; there is a problem of inclusiveness; censorship might be an issue; the Internet has become a major arena for corporate activity; the Internet’s content is highly partisan; and above all, extensive dialogue and critical discussion (the very essence of the public sphere) is often absent on the Net. The article argues that open-access Public Service Media (PSM) are capable of developing more comprehensive and inclusive social frameworks than online providers. As trusted media brands, PSM contribute to the creation of an inclusive public sphere, enhanced civic engagement and informed citizenship.
Clustering of Chinese tourists to Singapore: an analysis of their motivations, values and satisfaction.

This paper presents the findings of a survey through the use of a structured questionnaire of over 240 visitors from China to Singapore in February 2003. The main objective is to determine if these tourists could be effectively segmented based on their motivations for travel. The analysis of the survey data confirmed that they could be clustered into four main segments. Each of the segments was found to possess unique profiles in terms of demographic background, trip-related characteristics and personal values. The segments were also assessed of their levels of satisfaction with various attributes offered by Singapore as a tourist destination. In addition, their overall satisfaction, likelihood of revisit and likelihood of making positive word-of-mouth recommendation to others were also determined. In all of these, the segments were found to differ significantly from each other. Finally, the implications of these findings were discussed and suggestions made as to how Singapore could effectively develop marketing strategies to attract these tourists, bearing in mind that China was the third largest tourist generating country for Singapore and they collectively contributed over S$300 million to the Singapore economy in 2002. In fact, tourist arrival from China increased further after SARS in 2003, reaching over 880,000 in 2004 and became the second largest tourist group after Indonesia. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Electrical stimulation and swimming performance.

The purpose of the study was to examine the influence of a 3-wk period of electrostimulation training on the strength of the latissimus dorsi m. and the swimming performances of 14 competitive swimmers divided into 7 electrostimulated (EG) and 7 control swimmers (CG). The peak torques registered during the flexion-extension of the arm was determined with the help of an isokinetic dynamometer at different velocities (from -60 degrees.s(-1) to 360 degrees.s(-1)). Performances were measured over a 25-m pull buoy and a 50-m freestyle swim. For EG, a significant increase of the peak torques was measured in isometric, eccentric, and concentric conditions (P < 0.5). The swimming times declined significantly (P < 0.01) by 0.19 +/- 0.14 s, for the 25-m pull-buoy, and by 0.38 +/- 0.24 s, for the 50-m freestyle. For CG, no significant difference was found for any of the tests. For the whole group, the variations of the peak torques, measured in eccentric condition (-60 degrees.s(-1)) were related to the variations of the performances (r = 0.77; P < 0.01). These results showed that an electrostimulation program of the latissimus dorsi increased the strength and swimming performances of a group of competitive swimmers.
Building the plane while it's flying: enhancing the missed opportunity for quality assurance and capacity-building in Australian private higher education

Abstract Higher education across the world has experienced the growth of private higher education. Based on this growth, it is apparent that the sector will continue to grow as a result of many factors such as: change in government policy that allows such providers to grow; government funding of student places in private colleges; the growth and demand for higher education with public institutions unable to meet the demand; and finally the increased choice for students based on factors such as flexibility, location, small class sizes, specialized courses and ease of entry. While the private sector has the potential for significant growth, there seem to be a lack of planning and policy directions by governments in some countries on the role of private higher education in meeting access and equity agendas, which are now gaining prominence in many parts of the world. The growth of the private sector has also witnessed issues around quality and standards in many countries. The present paper analyzes the growth of private higher education in many parts of the world and discusses the emerging issues around quality and standards. The paper argues that private providers will undoubtedly grow in Australia and will play a key role in access and opportunity for many disadvantaged students; however, there is a need for quality management and capacity-building at a time of growth in private higher education to shift focus from maximizing profit to academic rigour.
An Advertisement Video Analysis System Based on Eye-Tracking

Eye tracking technology provides a faster and more intuitive interface to evaluate video contents. Fewer researches presented complete application of the eye tracking technology in advertisement design, with difficulty in mapping eye tracking data for moving targets on computer displays. This paper proposes an advertisement video analysis system based on eye-tracking for advertiser to evaluate the advertisement content objectively. A cheap eye tracking device is used in our system in order to reduce the burdens of medium-sized and small enterprises and research organizations to contact with eye tracking technology. Simple mouse operations are needed to define the dynamic Area of Interests (AOIs) in the video. Finally, the video which integrates the eye movement data and the dynamic AOIs is provided with some outputs, a simple statistical chart and a detail fixation information analysis. To evaluate the effectiveness of proposed system, we use an advertisement video with multiple moving targets to test eye movement of 20 participants. Experimental results show our system support the analysis of eye movement data for tracking multiple moving targets.
Parched Prospects: The Emerging Water Crisis in South Africa

South Africa is over-exploiting its freshwater resources and water could be a large constraint on the implementation of the National Development Plan. Using the International Futures forecasting system, this paper models and forecasts water demand and supply until 2035, the period covered by the National Water Resource Strategy 2013. The authors’ research finds that the gap between demand and supply increases and that the solutions proposed by the Department of Water Affairs and Sanitation will not close the gap without additional, aggressive measures. The authors propose such measures for each sector of demand and each source of water supply.
Chloroquine modulation of specific metabolizing enzymes activities: investigation with selective five drug cocktail.

AIMS The aim of this study was to investigate whether chloroquine can inhibit drug metabolism in humans, if such inhibition is general or selective for certain enzymes and evaluate the potential for and clinical significance of any drug-drug interactions when chloroquine is co-administered with other drugs. METHODS The study was conducted in fourteen normal non-smoking healthy male volunteers using a cocktail of five drugs consisting of caffeine, mephenytoin, debrisoquine, chlorzoxazone and dapsone to assess activities of cytochromes P450 (CYP) 1A2, 2C19, 2D6, 2E1 and 3A4 respectively. Dapsone was also used to assess N-acetyltransferase activity. The activities were assessed at baseline, after one and seven daily doses (250 mg daily) of chloroquine and 7 and 14 days after stopping chloroquine dosing. RESULTS Chloroquine caused a progressive and significant decrease in CYP2D6 activity as measured by debrisoquine metabolism from first to seventh dose and the activity returned to baseline gradually over 14 days after stopping administration. There was no effect on the metabolism of any of the other probe drugs. CONCLUSIONS Chloroquine has been shown to be capable of inhibiting the activity of CYP2D6 in vivo in humans. This effect is selective as activities of other enzymes investigated were not affected. The effect was modest but suggests a potential for drug-drug interactions when co-administered with other drugs that are substrates for this enzyme. The clinical significance of such an interaction will depend on the therapeutic index of any drug involved.
Gonadotrophic , prolactin , corticosterone , and gonadal hormones levels over 15 months in Giant Amazon River Turtles-Podocnemis expansa ( Schweigger , 1812 ) ( Testudines : Podocnemididae ) , in captive conditions

In order to achieve successful captive breeding the Podocnemis expansa, it is necessary to study their reproductive endocrinology. The purpose of this research was to evaluate and characterize plasma concentrations in gonadotrophic, gonadic, corticosterone and prolactin hormones from Giant Amazon Turtles under captive conditions. Blood samples were collected over a 15 month period. The samples were assayed by the use of radioimmunoassay, prolactin, corticosterone, LH, FSH, testosterone, 17β-estradiol and progesterone. We verified significant seasonal pattern increase in 17β-estradiol levels and decrease in progesterone levels in the course of a year, which indicates vitellogenesis. This is related to normal ovarian cycles and possibly to the functional integrity of the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonad axis of captive females. There were negative correlations between testosterone and corticosterone in the male samples, suggestive of stress (management stress) on the reproductive system. The plasma concentrations of gonadotrophic, gonadic, prolactin and corticosterone hormones may be used as a reference for further research and possible therapeutic approaches. The data collected during this research are unprecedented for this species and may serve as a reference for future research regarding the reproductive cycle of this turtle, also allowing reproductive management while in captivity. Information about these hormones must be gathered from wild populations during different periods of the year for better clarification of the reproductive physiology of this species.
SEVEN SRATEGIES FOR RETAINING TOP TALENT

Not that long ago, companies were scrambling to find and keep great employees. The fierceness of competition in the job market was reflected in numerous reports of hefty signing bonuses and generous stock option packages for non-management hires, and even awards of BMWs to employees who referred new hires. With the slowing economy, however, recruiting and hiring top talent moved down the list of most organization’s priorities, and there was a growing complacency about keeping current employees. After all, with the unemployment rate rising and companies laying off, not hiring, where can potential job hoppers go?
Prx 1 Controls Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Proliferation and Tenascin-C Expression and Is Upregulated With Prx 2 in Pulmonary Vascular Disease

Prx1 and Prx2 are homeobox transcription factors expressed during vasculogenesis. To begin to elucidate how Prx1 and Prx2 are regulated and function in the adult vasculature, in situ hybridization studies were performed. Prx1 and Prx2 mRNAs were not detected in normal adult rat pulmonary arteries; however, both genes were induced with vascular disease, colocalizing to sites of tenascin-C (TN-C) expression. Because catabolism of the extracellular matrix (ECM) is a critical step in the development of vascular disease, we investigated whether changes in vascular smooth muscle cell (SMC)–ECM interactions regulate Prx1 and Prx2. A10 SMCs cultured on native type I collagen showed low levels of Prx1 and Prx2 mRNA expression, whereas cells cultured on denatured collagen showed higher levels of expression of both genes. At a functional level, transfection of SMCs with a Prx1 expression plasmid significantly increased their growth. Because TN-C also promotes SMC growth and its expression is also upregulated by denatured collagen, we tested and thereafter showed that Prx1 expression significantly enhances TN-C gene promoter activity 20-fold. Similar experiments conducted with truncated Prx1 proteins showed that the N-terminal portion and the homeodomain of Prx1 were necessary to induce the bulk of TN-C promoter activity. These findings support the hypothesis that Prx genes are regulated by changes in SMC adhesion and play key morphoregulatory roles during the development and progression of pulmonary vascular disease in adults. (Circ Res. 2001;89:131-138.)
Merger Control: More Stringent in Europe than in the United States?

Is the European Commission more interventionist or stringent than the US competition authorities? In the area of merger control, the gut reaction is "yes". At the forefront of everyone's mind is the European Commission's prohibition of General Electric's buyout of Honeywell in 2001. The ban sparked a major controversy in the United States. However, a statistical analysis of the 74 other merger and acquisition cases examined both by the European Commission and the US competition authorities prove this intuition wrong. What if the more stringent of the two is not who we think?