Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
nontraditional and traditional factors in renal atherosclerosis

Premature cardiovascular disease (CVd) is a frequent complication in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKd). the traditional (framingham) risk factors only partly explain the high prevalence of CVd in these patients and nontraditional risk factors/markers such as oxidative stress, persistent inflammation, cardiovascular ossification, endothelial dysfunction and anaemia are prevalent and seem to play an important role in the pathogenesis of CVd in CKd patients. in addition, the so-called reverse epidemiology phenomenon, which occurs in advanced kidney disease, complicates the search for causative mechanisms. Here we review a few recently developed concepts regarding the high incidence of CVd in CKd patients.
Integrating ChIP-seq with other functional genomics data

Abstract Transcription is regulated by transcription factor (TF) binding at promoters and distal regulatory elements and histone modifications that control the accessibility of these elements. Chromatin immunoprecipitation followed by sequencing (ChIP-seq) has become the standard assay for identifying genome-wide protein–DNA interactions in vitro and in vivo. As large-scale ChIP-seq data sets have been collected for different TFs and histone modifications, their potential to predict gene expression can be used to test hypotheses about the mechanisms of gene regulation. In addition, complementary functional genomics assays provide a global view of chromatin accessibility and long-range cis-regulatory interactions that are being combined with TF binding and histone remodeling to study the regulation of gene expression. Thus, ChIP-seq analysis is now widely integrated with other functional genomics assays to better understand gene regulatory mechanisms. In this review, we discuss advances and challenges in integrating ChIP-seq data to identify context-specific chromatin states associated with gene activity. We describe the overall computational design of integrating ChIP-seq data with other functional genomics assays. We also discuss the challenges of extending these methods to low-input ChIP-seq assays and related single-cell assays.
OUTLET DISSIPATIVE CONDITIONS FOR AIR FLOW IN THE BRONCHIAL TREE

We propose inflow and outflow boundary conditions to handle the airflow through the upper part of bronchial tree-like domains. This approach is based on a condensation of the part of the domain which is geometrically complex by using the linearity of the flow through a net of ducts with small diameters with respect to the pressure jumps. We show that the boundary conditions we obtain lead to a well-posed problem, and we present some numerical tests where the results with those new conditions are compared with the results obtained by simulating the flow over the full (non-condensed) domain.
Invited Paper Special Section on Recent Progress in Antennas and Propagation in Conjunction with Main Topics of Isap2012 a Wideband Zeroth-order Resonance Antenna for Wireless Body Area Network Applications

SUMMARY A wideband on-body antenna for a wireless body area network for an Industrial, Scientific, and Medical band is proposed. A wide-band characteristic is achieved by combining two zeroth-order resonance (ZOR) modes at adjacent frequencies by controlling the value of the shunt capacitance. The size of the proposed antenna is 0. 072λ 0 × 0. 33λ 0 , and the measured 10-dB return loss bandwidth is 340 MHz (14.3%). In addition, the resonance frequencies operating in the ZOR mode are insensitive to the effects of the human body by virtue of the ZOR characteristic.
Fluxes of CH 4 and N 2 O in aspen stands grown under ambient and twice-ambient CO

Elevated atmospheric CO 2 has the potential to change below-ground nutrient cycling and thereby alter the soilatmosphere exchange of biogenic trace gases. We measured fluxes of CH 4 and N2O in trembling aspen ( Populus tremuloidesMichx.) stands grown in open-top chambers under ambient and twice-ambient CO 2 concentrations crossed with ‘high’ and low soil-N conditions. Flux measurements with small static chambers indicated net CH 4 oxidation in the open-top chambers. Across dates, CH4 oxidation activity was significantly ( P < 0.05) greater with ambient CO 2 (8.7μg CH4-C m−2 h−1) than with elevated CO 2 (6.5μg CH4-C m−2 h−1) in the low N soil. Likewise, across dates and soil N treatments CH4 was oxidized more rapidly ( P < 0.05) in chambers with ambient CO 2 (9.5μg CH4-C m−2 h−1) than in chambers with elevated CO 2 (8.8μg CH4-C m−2 h−1). Methane oxidation in soils incubated in serum bottles did not show any response to the CO 2 treatment. We suggest that the depressed CH 4 oxidation under elevated CO 2 in the field chambers is due to soil moisture which tended to be higher in the twice-ambient CO 2 treatment than in the ambient CO2 treatment. Phase I denitrification (denitrification enzyme activity) was 12–26% greater under elevated CO 2 than under ambient CO2 in the ‘high’ N soil; one sampling, however, showed a 39% lower enzyme activity with elevated CO2. In both soil N treatments, denitrification potentials measured after 24 or 48 h were between 11% and 21% greater ( P < 0.05) with twice-ambient CO2 than with ambient CO2. Fluxes of N2O in the open-top chambers and in separate 44 cm 2 cores±N fertilization were not affected by CO 2 treatment and soil N status. Our data show that elevated atmospheric CO 2 may have a negative effect on terrestrial CH 4 oxidation. The data also indicated temporary greater denitrification with elevated CO 2 than with ambient CO2. In contrast, we found no evidence for altered fluxes of N 2O in response to increases in atmospheric CO 2
Preparation, Characterization and In Vitro Evaluation of Metformin Loaded Hyaluronic Acid Nanoparticles for Oral Delivery

Metformin, an anti-diabetic drug, has a low oral bioavailability (50-60%) due to its poor intestinal absorption. Orally administered mucoadhesive nanoparticles have been shown to interact with the intestinal mucus layer and increase the intestinal permeability of the entrapped drug. The objective of the present study was to develop and characterize polymeric nanoparticulate system containing metformin with a mucoadhesive polymer hyaluronic acid. Blank and drug loaded nanoparticles were prepared using hyaluronic acid polymer by precipitation method with a high entrapment efficiency. The average particle size of the blank and drug loaded nanoparticles was found to be 155.52 ±18.70 nm and 114.53 ± 12.01 nm, respectively. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) revealed that the nanostructures were in form of nanofibres. Zeta potential was found to be in the range of -0.27 to 0.24 mV. Physical stability studies indicated that the particle size was maintained at 50% of metformin was released within one hour. Metformin nanoparticles were non-toxic at a concentration of ≤ 100 µM in Cacco-2 cells. Haemolysis studies indicated that these nanoparticles can also be safely administered via intravenous route. Cellular uptake studies on Caco-2 cells indicated higher uptake of metformin from nanoparticle relative to that from metformin solution, up to first 45 minutes. Permeability studies indicated no passive permeation of the nanoparticles through a synthetic membrane lacking mucin. Thus requires further in vivo studies in the future with more bio-relevant environment like Caco-2 cells or porcine intestine. Diabetes is a disease affecting millions of people globally. The outcomes of this study could increase bioavailability, reduce dose and side effects of the metformin (widely used first line therapy for type 2 diabetes) which could impact humanity globally.
Static Modulus of Elasticity of Concrete as Affected by Density

The elastic modulus of concrete is an important parameter in reinforced concrete design and ana lysis. With the increased use of lightweight aggregates for structural concrete a better understanding of the relationship between weight, strength, and the elastic modulus is needed. In this study the static modulus for a large variety of aggregates and concrete strengths was analyzed and an empirical formula was derived which is applicable to both lightweight and normal weight structural concretes. The formula is in excellent agreement with recognized empirical formulas for normal weight concrete.
Nutrient Physiology, Metabolism, and Nutrient-Nutrient Interactions Aerobic Exercise Training Increases Skeletal Muscle Protein Turnover in Healthy Adults at Rest

The effect of a 4-wk aerobic exercise training program (30–45 min, 3–5 d/wk, $65% maximal heart rate) on mixed skeletal muscle protein fractional synthetic rate (FSR), fractional breakdown rate (FBR), and net protein balance (FSR FBR) (NET) was examined in 8 healthy, previously unfit men and women [21.0 6 0.4 y, 163.7 6 4.4 cm, 75.6 6 5.7 kg, 33.5 6 4.1% body fat, VO2peak 38.6 6 2.3 mL/(kg min)] fed eucaloric diets providing 0.85 g protein/(kg d) for the 6-wk study. Measurements were made at baseline after 2 wk of diet intervention only, and after 4 wk of aerobic exercise training and diet intervention. Primed continuous infusions of ring-[H5]-phenylalanine (2 mmol/kg; 0.05 mmol/(kg min) and [N]-phenylalanine (2 mmol/kg; 0.05 mmol/(kg min) were used to assess skeletal muscle protein turnover at rest via the precursor-product method. Endurance training improved cardiovascular fitness, with a significant increase in VO2peak (P , 0.01) and a significant decrease in running time on a standard course (P , 0.01). There were no significant changes in body mass or composition. There was a significant increase in FSR (0.077 6 0.007 vs. 0.089 6 0.006%/h, P , 0.05) and decrease in NET (FSR FBR) ( 0.023 6 0.004 vs. 0.072 6 0.012%/h, P , 0.05); FBR tended to increase (0.105 6 0.014 vs. 0.143 6 0.018%/h; P 1⁄4 0.06) after training. Findings show that aerobic training for 4 wk increases skeletal muscle protein turnover in previously unfit subjects. J. Nutr. 136: 379–383, 2006.
The Influence of Value Co-Creation on Consumer Satisfaction: A Mediating Role of Consumer Motivation

The importance of value co-creation processes to firms' competitive strategy is widely recognized, both in practice and in academia. Therefore, it becomes essential to identify which variables drive consumers to collaborate with companies. A primary influence on this consumer decision relates to the search for greater satisfaction. This article proposes a theoretical model that relates the process of co-creating value with customer satisfaction. The proposed conceptual model also includes the user's motivation as a potential mediating variable in the process that transforms co-creation activities into consumer satisfaction.
Gadolinium-Based Nanoparticles and Radiation Therapy for Multiple Brain Melanoma Metastases: Proof of Concept before Phase I Trial

Nanoparticles containing high-Z elements are known to boost the efficacy of radiation therapy. Gadolinium (Gd) is particularly attractive because this element is also a positive contrast agent for MRI, which allows for the simultaneous use of imaging to guide the irradiation and to delineate the tumor. In this study, we used the Gd-based nanoparticles, AGuIX®. After intravenous injection into animals bearing B16F10 tumors, some nanoparticles remained inside the tumor cells for more than 24 hours, indicating that a single administration of nanoparticles might be sufficient for several irradiations. Combining AGuIX® with radiation therapy increases tumor cell death, and improves the life spans of animals bearing multiple brain melanoma metastases. These results provide preclinical proof-of-concept for a phase I clinical trial.
Sustaining obesity prevention in communities: a systematic narrative synthesis review

Obesity is a global problem for which sustainable solutions are yet to be realized. Community‐based interventions have improved obesity‐related behaviours and obesity in the short term. Few papers have explored how to make the interventions and their intended outcomes sustainable. The aim of this paper is to identify factors that contribute to the sustainability of community‐based obesity prevention interventions and their intended outcomes.
Comparison of the effects on insulin resistance and glucose tolerance of 6-mo high-monounsaturated-fat, low-fat, and control diets.

BACKGROUND The effect of dietary fat and carbohydrate on glucose metabolism has been debated for decades. OBJECTIVE The objective was to compare the effect of 3 ad libitum diets, different in type and amount of fat and carbohydrate, on insulin resistance and glucose tolerance subsequent to weight loss. DESIGN Forty-six nondiabetic, obese [mean (+/-SEM) body mass index (in kg/m(2)): 31.2 +/- 0.3] men (n = 20) and premenopausal women (n = 26) aged 28.0 +/- 0.7 y were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 diets after > or = 8% weight loss: 1) MUFA diet (n = 16): moderate in fat (35-45% of energy) and high in monounsaturated fatty acids ( > 20% of energy); 2) LF diet (n = 18): low-fat diet (20-30% of energy), and 3) control diet (n = 12): 35% of energy as fat ( > 15% of energy as saturated fatty acids). Protein accounted for 15% of energy in all 3 diets. A 2-h oral-glucose-tolerance test (OGTT) was performed before and after the 6-mo dietary intervention. All foods were provided by a purpose-built supermarket. RESULTS After 6 mo, the MUFA diet reduced fasting glucose (-3.0%), insulin (-9.4%), and the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance score (-12.1%). Compared with the MUFA diet, the control diet increased these variables [1.4% (P = 0.014), 21.2% (P = 0.030), and 22.8% (P = 0.015), respectively], as did the LF diet [1.4% (P = 0.090), 13.1% (P = 0.078), and 15.5% (P = 0.095), respectively]. No significant group differences were detected in glucose or insulin concentrations during the OGTT, in the Matsudas index, in body weight, or in body composition. CONCLUSION A diet high in monounsaturated fat has a more favorable effect on glucose homeostasis than does the typical Western diet in the short term and may also be more beneficial than the official recommended low-fat diet during a period of weight regain subsequent to weight loss.
Definition of cancer cachexia: effect of weight loss, reduced food intake, and systemic inflammation on functional status and prognosis.

BACKGROUND Cancer cachexia is a multifactorial syndrome that is poorly defined. OBJECTIVE Our objective was to evaluate whether a 3-factor profile incorporating weight loss (> or = 10%), low food intake (< or = 1500 kcal/d), and systemic inflammation (C-reactive protein > or = 10 mg/L) might relate better to the adverse functional aspects of cachexia and to a patient's overall prognosis than will weight loss alone. DESIGN One hundred seventy weight-losing (> or = 5%) patients with advanced pancreatic cancer were screened for nutritional status, functional status, performance score, health status, and quality of life. Patients were followed for a minimum of 6 mo, and survival was noted. Patients were characterized by using the individual factors, > or = 2 factors, or all 3 factors. RESULTS Weight loss alone did not define a population that differed in functional aspects of self-reported quality of life or health status and differed only in objective factors of physical function. The 3-factor profile identified both reduced subjective and objective function. In the overall population, the 3 factors, > or = 2 factors, and individual profile factors (except weight loss) all carried adverse prognostic significance (P < 0.01). Subgroup analysis showed that the 3-factor profile carried adverse prognostic significance in localized (hazard ratio: 4.9; P < 0.001) but not in metastatic disease. CONCLUSIONS Weight loss alone does not identify the full effect of cachexia on physical function and is not a prognostic variable. The 3-factor profile (weight loss, reduced food intake, and systemic inflammation) identifies patients with both adverse function and prognosis. Shortened survival applies particularly to cachectic patients with localized disease, thereby reinforcing the need for early intervention.
Vitamin D supplementation, 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations, and safety.

For adults, the 5-microg (200 IU) vitamin D recommended dietary allowance may prevent osteomalacia in the absence of sunlight, but more is needed to help prevent osteoporosis and secondary hyperparathyroidism. Other benefits of vitamin D supplementation are implicated epidemiologically: prevention of some cancers, osteoarthritis progression, multiple sclerosis, and hypertension. Total-body sun exposure easily provides the equivalent of 250 microg (10000 IU) vitamin D/d, suggesting that this is a physiologic limit. Sailors in US submarines are deprived of environmentally acquired vitamin D equivalent to 20-50 microg (800-2000 IU)/d. The assembled data from many vitamin D supplementation studies reveal a curve for vitamin D dose versus serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] response that is surprisingly flat up to 250 microg (10000 IU) vitamin D/d. To ensure that serum 25(OH)D concentrations exceed 100 nmol/L, a total vitamin D supply of 100 microg (4000 IU)/d is required. Except in those with conditions causing hypersensitivity, there is no evidence of adverse effects with serum 25(OH)D concentrations <140 nmol/L, which require a total vitamin D supply of 250 microg (10000 IU)/d to attain. Published cases of vitamin D toxicity with hypercalcemia, for which the 25(OH)D concentration and vitamin D dose are known, all involve intake of > or = 1000 microg (40000 IU)/d. Because vitamin D is potentially toxic, intake of >25 microg (1000 IU)/d has been avoided even though the weight of evidence shows that the currently accepted, no observed adverse effect limit of 50 microg (2000 IU)/d is too low by at least 5-fold.
Pattern and predictors of neurological morbidities among childhood cerebral malaria survivors in central Sudan.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES Cerebral malaria is considered a leading cause of neuro-disability in sub-Saharan Africa among children and about 25% of survivors have long-term neurological and cognitive deficits or epilepsy. Their development was reported to be associated with protracted seizures, deep and prolonged coma. The study was aimed to determine the discharge pattern and to identify potential and informative predictors of neurological sequelae at discharge, complicating childhood cerebral malaria in central Sudan. METHODS A cross-sectional prospective study was carried out during malaria transmission seasons from 2000 to 2004 in Wad Medani, Sinnar and Singa hospitals, central Sudan. Children suspected of having cerebral malaria were examined and diagnosed by a Pediatrician for clinical, laboratory findings and any neurological complications. Univariate and multiple regression model analysis were performed to evaluate the association of clinical and laboratory findings with occurrence of neurological complications using the SPSS. RESULTS Out of 940 examined children, only 409 were diagnosed with cerebral malaria with a mean age of 6.1 ± 3.3 yr. The mortality rate associated with the study was 14.2% (58) and 18.2% (64) of survivors (351) had neurological sequelae. Abnormal posture, either decerebration or decortication, focal convulsion and coma duration of >48 h were significant predictors for surviving from cerebral malaria with a neurological sequelae in children from central Sudan by Univariate analysis. Multiple logistic regression model fitting these variables, revealed 39.6% sensitivity for prediction of childhood cerebral malaria survivors with neurological sequelae (R² = 0.396; p=0.001). INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION Neurological sequelae are common due to childhood cerebral malaria in central Sudan. Their prediction at admission, clinical presentation and laboratory findings may guide clinical intervention and proper management that may decrease morbidity and improve CM consequences.
Splitting Bond Failure of Columns Under Seismic Action

ACI Structural Journal, V. 92, No. 5, September-October 1995. Received April 11, 1994, and reviewed under Institute publication policies. Copyright © 1995, American Concrete Institute. All rights reserved, including the making of copies unless permission is obtained from the copyright proprietors. Pertinent discussion will be published in the July-August 1996 ACI Structural Journal if received by March 1, 1996. Splitting Bond Failure of Columns under Seismic Action
Jul 29 th , 4 : 30 PM-5 : 30 PM Food Image , Satisfation and Behaviorall Intentions : The case of Malaysia ' s Portugese

The primary purpose of this study was to investigate Malaysians’ perceived image, satisfaction, and behavioral intentions toward Malacca Portuguese cuisine. Self-administered questionnaire were distributed to customers who were dining at the Portuguese restaurant. A total of 187 respondents participated in the study. The ‘quality’ and ‘variety and authenticity’ was recognized as the essential images of Malaysia’s Portuguese cuisine and on the other hand, the respondents were satisfied with the ‘core value’ and ‘food choices’ of the Portuguese food. Regression analyses showed that Portuguese food attribute satisfaction was significantly supported, and the overall satisfaction revealed a significant relationship with behavioral intentions.
Blind Queues: The Impact of Consumer Beliefs on Revenues and Congestion

In many service settings, customers have to join the queue without being fully aware of the parameters of the service provider (for e.g., customers at check-out counters may not know the true service rate prior to joining). In such “blind queues”, customers make their joining/balking decisions based on the limited information about the service provider’s operational parameters (from past service experiences, reviews, etc.), and queue lengths. We analyze a firm serving customers making decisions under arbitrary beliefs about the service parameters in an observable queue for a service with known price. We propose an ordering for the balking threshold distributions in customer population, which allows for comparing the effects of customer beliefs on the queue. We show that while revealing the service information to customers improves revenues under certain conditions, it may however destroy consumer welfare or social welfare. Given a market size, the consumer welfare can be significantly reduced when a fast server announces its true service parameter. When revenue is higher under some beliefs, one would expect the congestion to also be higher because more customers join, but we show the congestion may not necessarily increase.