Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Constitutive nitric oxide synthase is expressed and nitric oxide-mediated relaxation is preserved in retrieved human aortocoronary vein grafts.

Although little is known about the endothelial cell function of human saphenous vein coronary artery bypass grafts, there is evidence to suggest that receptor-activated, endothelial-dependent relaxation mediated by nitric oxide is impaired. This study examines the expression and function of endothelial cell constitutive nitric oxide synthase (cNOS) of aortocoronary vein bypass grafts and human saphenous veins obtained from 10 patients undergoing repeat coronary artery bypass grafting for recurrent ischemic symptoms. Following precontraction with norepinephrine (10(-5) M), responses to acetylcholine (receptor-mediated, endothelium-dependent), calcium ionophore (A23187; receptor-independent, endothelium-dependent), and sodium nitroprusside (endothelium-independent) were assessed. Following total RNA extraction using phenol/guanidinium isothiocyanate from specimens of human saphenous vein and vein graft, a quantitative RNase Protection Assay (RPA) was performed using a cRNA riboprobe corresponding to a fragment of the human endothelial cell cNOS gene. Histologically, the vein grafts showed both intimal hyperplasia development and focal atherosclerosis formation compared to the saphenous veins. Scanning electron microscopy of the saphenous veins and the vein grafts showed an intact endothelium. Precontracted vein grafts did not relax in response to acetylcholine; in contrast, the saphenous vein relaxed in a dose-dependent manner to reach a maximal relaxation of 19 +/- 4% precontracted tension. Saphenous veins and vein grafts relaxed in response to A23187 with maximal relaxation of 92 +/- 5 and 73 +/- 13%, respectively. Both vessels relaxed in a dose dependent manner to sodium nitroprusside. RPA normalized to beta-actin showed similar levels of expression of endothelial cell cNOS equivalent to 1 pg of sense RNA in both the saphenous vein and vein graft. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Engineering Reality in Single-Answer Problems

The purpose of this work has been to investigate one method by which some of the outside reality of the world of engineering can be presented in single-answer problems. The technique involves a tool readily available to all engineering educators: the current technical literature. Single-answer problems are particularly important in the earlier phases of engineering education, when they serve to develop the student's capacity to use fundamental intellectual abilities such as recall and manipulation. Textbook problems are typical. They are generally considered to have little direct relation to the real world of engineering. However, if some of this outside reality can be presented in such problems, the student will perceive them as relevant and will be motivated to higher levels of achievement.
Clinical effects of intrathecally administered fentanyl in patients undergoing cesarean section.

The clinical effects of spinally (subarachnoid) administered, preservative-free fentanyl were assessed in 120 healthy women who underwent cesarean section with spinal anesthesia using 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine. Subjects were divided at random into four groups (n = 30) the first of which received 2 mL of saline containing no fentanyl (group 0); the second, 0.25 micrograms/kg (group 25); the third, 0.5 micrograms/kg (group 50); and the fourth, 0.75 micrograms/kg (group 75) of fentanyl in a blinded manner. Surgical anesthesia was excellent in 100% of treated patients and in 87% of group 0. Respiratory rate decreased significantly in groups 50 and 75 and was recorded as early as 4 min after the administration of the drug. Nevertheless, respiratory depression did not develop in any patient, and 40 min later all groups had a similar respiratory rate. Regression of anesthesia to the T-12 dermatome took a longer time as the dose of fentanyl increased, but all patients had recovered by 240 min after the injection. Effective postoperative analgesia lasted longer and significantly increased with the dose of fentanyl administered: group 0, 197 +/- 77 min; group 25, 305 +/- 89 min; group 50, 640 +/- 142 min; and group 75, 787 +/- 161 min (data expressed as mean +/- SD; P less than 0.001 between groups). Neonatal status was the same in all groups. Sedation and pruritus were the main side effects. The combination of bupivacaine and a low dose of fentanyl (0.25 micrograms/kg) provides excellent surgical anesthesia with short-lasting postoperative analgesia and very few negative side effects. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Geographic Patterns of (Genetic, Morphologic, Linguistic) Variation: How Barriers Can Be Detected by Using Monmonier's Algorithm

When sampling locations are known, the association between genetic and geographic distances can be tested by spatial autocorrelation or regression methods. These tests give some clues to the possible shape of the genetic landscape. Nevertheless, correlation analyses fail when attempting to identify where genetic barriers exist, namely, the areas where a given variable shows an abrupt rate of change. To this end, a computational geometry approach is more suitable because it provides the locations and the directions of barriers and because it can show where geographic patterns of two or more variables are similar. In this frame we have implemented Monmonier's (1973) maximum difference algorithm in a new software package to identify genetic barriers. To provide a more realistic representation of the barriers in a genetic landscape, we implemented in the software a significance test by means of bootstrap matrices analysis. As a result, the noise associated with genetic markers can be visualized on a geographic map and the areas where genetic barriers are more robust can be identified. Moreover, this multiple matrices approach can visualize the patterns of variation associated with different markers in the same overall picture. This improved Monmonier's method is highly reliable and can be applied to nongenetic data whenever sampling locations and a distance matrix between corresponding data are available.
Use of standard risk screening and assessment forms to prevent harm to older people in Australian hospitals: a mixed methods study

Background Standard risk screening and assessment forms are frequently used in strategies to prevent harm to older people in hospitals. Little is known about good practices for their use. Objective Scope the preventable harms addressed by standard forms used to screen and assess older people and how standard forms are operationalised in hospitals across Victoria, Australia. Methods Mixed methods study: (1) cross-sectional audit of the standard risk screening and assessment forms used to assess older people at 11 health services in 2015; (2) nine focus groups with a purposive sample of 69 participants at 9 health services. Descriptive analysis examined the number of items on forms, preventable harms assessed and sources of duplication. Qualitative thematic analysis of focus group data identified themes explaining issues commonly affecting how health services used the forms. Results 152 standard assessment forms from 11 Victorian health services included over 3700 items with 17% duplicated across multiple forms. Assessments of skin integrity and mobility loss (including falls) were consistently included in forms; however, nutrition, cognitive state, pain and medication risks were inconsistent; and continence, venous thromboembolism risk and hospital acquired infection from invasive devices were infrequent. Qualitative analyses revealed five themes explaining issues associated with current use of assessment forms: (1) comprehensive assessment of preventable harms; (2) burden on staff and the older person, (3) interprofessional collaboration, (4) flexibility to individualise care and (5) information management. Examples of good practice were identified. Conclusions Current use of standard risk screening and assessment forms is associated with a high burden and gaps in assessment of several common preventable harms that can increase risk to older people in hospital. Improvement should focus on streamlining forms, increased guidance on interventions to prevent harm and facilitating front-line staff to manage complex decisions.
Neutrophil gelatinase‐associated lipocalin and end‐stage renal disease: it is not all about the kidneys!

Neutrophil gelatinase‐associated lipocalin (NGAL) is a powerful biomarker for the early detection of acute kidney injury. However, recent data suggest that NGAL also plays an important role in chronic kidney disease (CKD), reflecting the level of acute kidney damage within the CKD condition. To study whether elevated NGAL levels in CKD are a consequence of damaged tubular cells or rather due to extrarenal production, we investigated NGAL levels in anephric patients on dialysis.
The Effectiveness of Online Citizen Evaluation of Government Performance: A Study of the Perceptions of Local Bureaucrats in China

Since the 1990s, more local governments across China have launched Internet-based citizen participation in government performance evaluation. However, we know little about how it is perceived by bureaucrats whose attitudes are critical in determining the outcome of this citizen participation. In this article, we present an analytical framework to identify major factors influencing bureaucratic perceptions of the effectiveness of online citizen participation. We use survey data collected from local government bureaucrats in Guangdong Province, China, to test our research hypotheses. The results suggest that the effectiveness of online civic participation is primarily a function of citizens’ capacity and motivation, inter-agency difference, and administrative burden. This article concludes with a discussion about how our study extends previous research on citizen participation and the implications for practitioners and future research.
A study of the implementation stage of strategic decisions

Implementation is the most important stage in the strategic decision making process. However, many of the previous studies on implementation have focused on the first stage of the strategic decision making process. Furthermore, these studies have only been conducted in Anglo-Saxon countries. Therefore, the question was raised whether the implementation process and the factors affecting its outcome within banks in Jordan are different to those in organisations which operate in Anglo-Saxon countries. Consequently, more research is needed into the implementation stage and the need was perceived to investigate the implementation process in organisations operating in different countries. This book is one of the first to investigate the nature of the implementation process of strategic decisions outside Europe and North America. It investigates the criteria used in Jordanian banks to measure the outcome of the implementation process. It also explores the factors which may affect this outcome. Twelve strategic decision case studies were studied and fifty-eight semi-structured interviews, observation, and documentation research were conducted to collect the data.
Capitation Grant Spending: Adherence to Good Governance Principles in Primary Schools in Morogoro Region, Tanzania

The capitation grant governance in Government primary schools in Tanzania has been extended to parents through the democratically elected school committee members with expectation that the capitation grant would be spent well. However, there have been incidents of mismanagement of the grant and information on the governing aspect of the school committees is scanty. Hence, based on this problem, the research on which this paper is based was conducted in Morogoro Region from August, 2014 to March 2015. The study employed quantitative and qualitative data to examine the extent to which Government primary schools in the study area adhere to good governance principles in their capitation grant spending. The study found that the weighted means of good governance attributes of effectiveness (3.9), rule of law (3.4), and accountability (3.9) were below the extremely good range of 4.5-5.0. The results demonstrate the need to develop strategies to improve capitation grant governance in Government primary schools. Keywords: Capitation grant, good governance, school committee.
Targeting cell migration in rheumatoid arthritis

Purpose of reviewTo provide an update of past failures, future prospects and key challenges facing the therapeutic targeting of chemokines and their receptors in rheumatoid arthritis. Recent findingsClinical trials in rheumatoid arthritis have been undertaken with small molecule antagonists or neutralizing antibodies targeting CCR1, CCR5 and CXCL10. Some encouraging results have emerged. Laboratory and clinical research has identified CCL19, CXCL13 and CXCL12, and their receptors, as potential future targets. Developments in our appreciation of posttranslational chemokine modification highlight the complexity of chemokine networks operating in inflamed tissues, and the substantial gaps in existing knowledge. SummaryDespite previous disappointments, there are still reasons to be optimistic that drugs targeting chemokines and their receptors could be developed for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. However, a deeper understanding of the chemokine networks at work in inflamed joints is a necessary prerequisite.
Media and Human Capital Development: Can Video Game Playing Make You Smarter?

According to the literature, video game playing can improve such cognitive skills as problem solving, abstract reasoning, and spatial logic. I test this hypothesis using The Child Development Supplement to the Panel Study of Income Dynamics. The endogeneity of video game playing is addressed by using panel data methods and controlling for an extensive list of child and family characteristics. To address the measurement error in video game playing, I instrument children's weekday time use with their weekend time use. After taking into account the endogeneity and measurement error, video game playing is found to positively affect children's problem solving ability. The effect of video game playing on problem solving ability is comparable to the effect of educational activities.
Glycaemic control and restenosis after percutaneous coronary interventions in patients with diabetes mellitus: a report from the Insulin Diabetes Angioplasty study

Objective: We investigated the impact of glucose control on target lesion restenosis after PCI in patients with type 2 diabetes. Methods: Ninety-three consecutive patients with type 2 diabetes accepted for PCI were randomised to intensified glucose control based on insulin (I-group; n=44) or to continue ongoing glucose-lowering treatment (C-group; n=49). The treatment target was a FBG of 5—7 mmol/L and HbA1c <6.5%. Information on target lesion restenosis after six months was available in 82 patients. Results: At baseline HbA1c and FBG did not differ between the I- and C-groups, respectively (HbA1c: 6.5 vs. 6.5%; p=1.0 and FBG: 7.0 vs. 7.3 mmol/L; p=0.3). After six months there was no significant change in HbA1c or FBG in either group (change in HbA1c: -0.2 vs.-0.1%; p=0.3 and in FBG: +0.2 vs. -0.3 mmol/L; p=0.3 in the I- and C-groups, respectively). Target lesion restenosis at six months did not differ, I vs. C = 41 and 44% (p=0.8). Independent predictors for restenosis were previous myocardial infarction (OR 8.0, 95% CI 2.5—25.7; p=<0.001) and FBG at baseline (OR for an increase by 1 mmol/L = 1.4, 95% CI 1.1—1.9; p=0.015). Conclusions: Restenosis was predicted by baseline FBG suggesting that it would be of interest to target glucose normalisation in future trials. Intensified insulin treatment did not influence the rate of restenosis indicating that the main focus should be on lowering glucose rather than the tool to normalise glucose.
Quantitative imaging of electron density and effective atomic number using phase contrast CT

Compared to single energy CT, which only provides information for x-ray linear attenuation coefficients, dual-energy CT is able to obtain both the electron density and effective atomic number for different materials in a quantitative way. In this study, as an alternative to dual-energy CT, a novel quantitative imaging method based on phase contrast CT is presented. Rather than requiring two projection data sets with different x-ray energy spectra, diffraction-grating-based phase contrast CT is capable of reconstructing images of both linear attenuation and refractive index decrement from the same projection data using a single x-ray energy spectra. From the two images, quantitative information of both the electron density and effective atomic number can be extracted. Two physical phantoms were constructed and used to validate the presented method. Experimental results demonstrate that (1) electron density can be accurately determined from refractive index decrement through a linear relationship, and (2) the effective atomic number can be explicitly derived from the ratio of the linear attenuation to refractive index decrement using a power function plus a constant. The presented method will provide insight into the technique of material separation and find its use in medical and industrial applications.
Sensory Pleasure

In response to a stimulus, a sensation is tridimensional: qualitative, quantitative, and affective. The affective part of sensation, pleasure or displeasure, depends on the qualities of the stimulus. Within a narrow range of intensity, chemical, thermal, and mechanical stimuli are able to arouse pleasure. In addition, pleasure depends on the internal state of the subject. This is easily observed in the case of temperature: pleasure is is aroused by a warm stimulus in a hypothermic subject and by a cold stimulus in a hyperthermic subject and by a cold stimulus in a hyperthermic subject. This property of given stimulus in a hypothermic subject and by a cold stimulus in a hyperthermic subject. This property of a given stimulus to arouse pleasure or displeasure according to the internal state of the subject is termed alliesthesia. Alliesthesia is also produced by chemical and mechanical stimuli. Acquired preferences or aversions for alimentary stimuli represent a case of alliesthesia. In the same way, the capacity of any indifferent stimulus to become rewarding, or punishing, by association with some reward or punishment, is also a case of alliesthesia. In all cases, pleasure is a sign of a stimulus useful to the subject; displeasure a sign of danger. Usefulness and danger are judged by the central nervous system with reference to homeostasis and the set point of the implied regulation. Pleasure and displeasure thus appear to motivate useful behaviors.
Local Delivery of Recombinant Human Bone Morphogenetic Protein-2 Increases Axonal Regeneration and the Expression of Tau Protein after Facial Nerve Injury

This study explored the function and possible mechanism of bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) in the healing of injured peripheral nerves in vivo. Rabbit facial nerves were injured by clamping and then treated with recombinant human BMP-2 (rhBMP-2) or phosphate-buffered saline (control) by injecting once during surgery and twice a day post-injury for 7 days. Facial nerve fragments within 5 mm of the clamping point were examined at different times post-surgery. Axon structures visualized by Bielschowsky staining were similar in experimental and control nerves 2 and 6 weeks post-injury. At 4 weeks post-injury, cross-section images of facial nerves showed that axons treated with rhBMP-2 were denser and thicker, and levels of tau protein were increased. It is concluded from these data that rhBMP-2 may affect injured facial nerve regeneration by inducing more neurons to return to embryonic patterns of tau gene expression.
INTERACTIONS OF NEUTROPHILS AND ENDOTHELIAL CELLS UNDER LOW FLOW CONDITIONS IN VITRO

The interactions of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) and endothelial cells are modulated by adhesion molecules, inflammatory cytokines, and shear stress. We investigated the changes in PMN-endothelial cell interactions induced by interleukin (IL)-1β under low flow conditions. PMN were isolated from the venous blood of healthy adults, and endothelial cells were obtained from human umbilical veins. The number of PMN that adhered to the endothelial cell monolayer that was treated with IL-1 increased significantly at shear stresses from . 5 to 4.0 dyn/cm2 as compared with untreated endothelial cells. Anti-intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1 monoclonal antibody (mAb), anti-E-selectin mAb, and anti-CD18 mAb each significantly inhibited the increase in PMN adherence induced by IL-1 at a low shear stress (1.0 dyn/cm2). Anti-CD18 mAb significantly reduced the number of PMN that migrated through the endothelial monolayer by blocking the adherence of PMN to the luminal surface of the endothelial cells, as well as their transendothelial migration. In contrast, anti-ICAM-1 and anti-E-selectin mAb each reduced the number of PMN that migrated by reducing the number of PMN that adhered to the luminal surface without significantly influencing the percent of the adherent PMN that had migrated. Although anti-L-selectin mAb reduced the adherence and migration of PMN, these effects were not statistically significant. These results indicated that under low flow conditions, as well as in the nonflow state, PMN-endothelial cell interactions were elicited via CD11/CD18 and ICAM-1 without the involvement of selectins.
WSN05-2: Distributed Medium Access Control in Pulse-Based Time-Hopping UWB Wireless Networks

This paper investigates distributed medium access control (MAC) to achieve rate guarantee in pulse-based time- hopping ultra-wideband (UWB) wireless networks, where the inherent spread spectrum supports simultaneous transmissions. In specific, we propose a transmission frame structure for the distributed MAC tailoring to the UWB characteristics, and develop a novel control message exchange procedure. Furthermore, we propose an effective distributed resource allocation algorithm to achieve high efficiency. The proposed distributed MAC can solve the near-sender-blocking problem and alleviate the negative effect of long acquisition time in UWB transmissions. Extensive simulations demonstrate the superior performance of the distributed MAC.