Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Danish Nephrology Registry

Aim of database The Danish Nephrology Registry’s (DNR) primary function is to support the Danish public health authorities’ quality control program for patients with end-stage renal disease in order to improve patient care. DNR also supplies epidemiological data to several international organizations and supports epidemiological and clinical research. Study population The study population included patients treated with dialysis or transplantation in Denmark from January 1, 1990 to January 1, 2016, with retrospective data since 1964. Main variables DNR registers patient data (eg, age, sex, renal diagnosis, and comorbidity), predialysis specialist treatment, details of eight dialysis modalities (three hemodialysis and five peritoneal dialysis), all transplantation courses, dialysis access at first dialysis, treatment complications, and biochemical variables. The database is complete (<1% missing data). Patients are followed until death or emigration. Descriptive data DNR now contains 18,120 patients, and an average of 678 is added annually. Data for each transplantation course include donor details, tissue type, time to onset of graft function, and cause of graft loss. Registered complications include peritonitis in peritoneal dialysis patients, causes of peritoneal dialysis technique failure, and transplant rejections. Fifteen biochemical variables are registered, mainly describing anemia control, mineral and bone disease, nutritional and uremia status. Date and cause of death are also included. Six quality indicators are published annually, and have been associated with improvements in patient results, eg, a reduction in dialysis patient mortality, improved graft survival, and earlier referral to specialist care. Approximately, ten articles, mainly epidemiological, are published each year. Conclusion DNR contains a complete description of end-stage renal disease patients in Denmark, their treatment, and prognosis. The stated aims are fulfilled.
Tics in TACs: A Step into an Avalanche? Systematic Literature Review and Conclusions

Trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias (TACs) comprise cluster headache, paroxysmal hemicrania, short‐lasting unilateral neuralgiform headache attacks, and hemicrania continua. In some cases, trigeminal neuralgia (TN, “tic douloureux”) or TN‐like pain may co‐occur with TACs.
Taux de change d'équilibre et ampleur des désajustements internes à la zone euro

A partir d’une modelisation des taux de change reel d’equilibre, nous cherchons a quantifier les ajustements a effectuer – aussi bien a l’interieur de la zone euro que vis-a-vis du reste du monde – pour parvenir a resorber les desequilibres de balance courante tout en stabilisant les positions exterieures nettes des pays de la zone euro. Nos estimations indiquent que des desajustements substantiels subsistent, le desajustement moyen (en valeur absolue) par rapport au niveau de l’euro s’elevant a 11 % en 2016. Le differentiel nominal relatif entre l’Allemagne et la France s’eleverait a 25 %. La prise en compte des incertitudes sur la valeur des elasticites-prix des exportations et des importations ne remet pas en cause notre diagnostic, mais une incertitude forte subsiste sur la quantification des desajustements, un desajustement de pres de 35 % de l’Allemagne par rapport a la moyenne de ses partenaires ne pouvant etre ecarte dans le pire des scenarios. Enfin, nous estimons la cible de long terme de la parite euro/dollar a 1,35 dollar pour un euro.
Forensic identification using skin bacterial communities

Recent work has demonstrated that the diversity of skin-associated bacterial communities is far higher than previously recognized, with a high degree of interindividual variability in the composition of bacterial communities. Given that skin bacterial communities are personalized, we hypothesized that we could use the residual skin bacteria left on objects for forensic identification, matching the bacteria on the object to the skin-associated bacteria of the individual who touched the object. Here we describe a series of studies de-monstrating the validity of this approach. We show that skin-associated bacteria can be readily recovered from surfaces (including single computer keys and computer mice) and that the structure of these communities can be used to differentiate objects handled by different individuals, even if those objects have been left untouched for up to 2 weeks at room temperature. Furthermore, we demonstrate that we can use a high-throughput pyrosequencing-based ap-proach to quantitatively compare the bacterial communities on objects and skin to match the object to the individual with a high degree of certainty. Although additional work is needed to further establish the utility of this approach, this series of studies introduces a forensics approach that could eventually be used to independently evaluate results obtained using more traditional forensic practices.
Barriers to Insulin Initiation

OBJECTIVE Reasons for failing to initiate prescribed insulin (primary nonadherence) are poorly understood. We investigated barriers to insulin initiation following a new prescription. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS We surveyed insulin-naïve patients with poorly controlled type 2 diabetes, already treated with two or more oral agents who were recently prescribed insulin. We compared responses for respondents prescribed, but never initiating, insulin (n = 69) with those dispensed insulin (n = 100). RESULTS Subjects failing to initiate prescribed insulin commonly reported misconceptions regarding insulin risk (35% believed that insulin causes blindness, renal failure, amputations, heart attacks, strokes, or early death), plans to instead work harder on behavioral goals, sense of personal failure, low self-efficacy, injection phobia, hypoglycemia concerns, negative impact on social life and job, inadequate health literacy, health care provider inadequately explaining risks/benefits, and limited insulin self-management training. CONCLUSIONS Primary adherence for insulin may be improved through better provider communication regarding risks, shared decision making, and insulin self-management training.
Educators' Attitudes Towards Implementation of Inclusive Education

iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS . v LIST OF TABLES . viii LIST OF FIGURES . ix CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION . 1 Statement of the Problem . 1 Purpose of the Study . 6 CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW . 8 Introduction . 8 General Education Attitudes . 10 Special Education Teacher Attitudes . 12 Administration Attitudes . 13 CHAPTER THREE: METHODOLOGY . 15 Participants . 15 Data Collection . 16 Limitations . 19 Open Ended Questions . 23 CHAPTER FOUR: RECOMMENDATIONS AND CONCLUSIONS . 26
CAN DO Houston: A Community-Based Approach to Preventing Childhood Obesity

Background Comprehensive, community-based efforts may reduce rates of childhood obesity. Community Context Almost half of the children in Houston are overweight or obese, even though Houston has many available resources that support good nutrition, physical activity, and prevention of weight gain among children. Methods We used existing resources to implement a community-based, childhood obesity prevention initiative in 2 low-income neighborhoods in Houston. On the basis of input from community members, we coordinated various activities to promote healthy living, including after-school programs, grocery store tours, wellness seminars, cooking classes, and staff wellness clubs. Outcome Preliminary findings indicated that residents in the communities are using additional opportunities to participate in physical activity and nutrition education. Interpretation Implementing a successful childhood obesity prevention initiative in an urban setting is feasible with minimal funding through the use of existing resources.
The Cost-Effectiveness of Complex Projects: A Systematic Review of Methodologies

Most development interventions are complex, comprising several interacting activities affecting multiple outcomes. Impact evaluations of such interventions are widespread, but the literature offers little guidance on how to assess the cost-effectiveness of such integrated projects. We review the literature that conducts cost-effectiveness analyses of multiple interventions alongside impact evaluations in low- and middle-income countries. Only seven studies are identified in areas as diverse as de-worming, school support, conditional cash transfers, early childhood development, and social funds. We find that none of the applied approaches can be effectively employed in all instances, though each of them can be applied in some special cases. Furthermore, none of the studies reviewed addresses output synergies. Given the rising numbers of impact assessments in development practice and their importance for policy, research needs to develop sound methods to assess the cost-effectiveness of integrated interventions.
The role of NMDA and non-NMDA excitatory amino acid receptors in the functional organization of primate retinal ganglion cells

Abstract The role of excitatory amino acid (EAA) receptors in primate retinal ganglion cell function was analyzed in a superfused retina-eyecup preparation using single-unit, extracellular recording techniques. The effects of bath applied L-2–amino-4–phosphonobutyrate (APB), N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA), and non-NMDA EAA receptor agonists and antagonists were examined on the light-evoked responses and resting firing rates of ganglion cells. APB (30–100 μM) reduced or blocked the light-evoked responses and resting firing rates of all ON-center ganglion cells; higher doses of APB (100 μM) were required to block the light-evoked responses of ON-transient cells. In contrast, an increase in resting firing rates was observed when L-APB was applied to some OFF-center ganglion cells. The EAA agonists kainate (KA) (10–20 μM) and NMDA (200–350 μM) increased the firing rate of virtually all ganglion cells examined. Quisqualate (10–20 μM) increased firing in most cells, but occasionally (4/13 cases) produced inhibition. The NMDA antagonist D-amino-phosphono-heptanoic acid (D-AP7) (200–250 μM) reduced the light-evoked responses of ganglion cells by an average of 12% from control levels, while resting firing rates declined 37%. In the presence of D-AP7, the basic receptive-field characteristics of cells were not significantly altered. In contrast, two non-NMDA receptor antagonists, NBQX (2,3–Dihydroxy-6–nitro-7–sulfamoyl-benzo-(F)-quinoxalinedione) and DNQX (6,7–dinitro-quinoxaline-2,3–dione), produced substantial reductions in the light-evoked responses (82%) and resting firing rates (87%) of all ganglion cell classes. A striking observation in some neurons was the recovery of a persistent transient light-evoked response in the presence of NBQX. This NBQX-insensitive, light-evoked response was always blocked by adding D-AP7. Thus, neurotransmission from bipolar to ganglion cells in primates is mediated predominantly by non-NMDA EAA receptors, with NMDA receptors forming a minor component of the light-evoked response.
Multimodal Bio-Inspired Tactile Sensing Module

Tactile sensors are the last frontier to robots that can handle everyday objects and interact with humans through contact. To be effective, such sensors have to sense the geometry of touched surfaces and objects, as well as any other relevant information for their tasks, such as forces, vibrations, and temperature, that allow them to safely and securely interact within an environment. Given the capability of humans to easily capture and interpret tactile data, one promising direction in order to produce enhanced robotic tactile sensors is to explore and imitate human tactile sensing capabilities. In this context, this paper presents design and hardware implementation issues related to the construction a novel bio-inspired tactile sensing module. Drawing inspiration from the type, functionality, and organization of cutaneous tactile elements, the proposed solution comprises two shallow sensors, namely, a 32–taxel–tactile array and a nine DOF magnetic, angular rate, and gravity sensor, a flexible compliant structure, and a deep pressure sensor placed in a structure similar to human skin. The module’s compliant structure and sensor placement provides useful data to overcome the problem of estimating nonnormal forces accommodating sensing modalities essential for acquiring tactile images, and classifying surfaces by vibrations and accelerations. Issues related to the module calibration, its sensing capabilities and possible real world applications are also presented.
Sustained delivery of proangiogenic microRNA‐132 by nanoparticle transfection improves endothelial cell transplantation

Transplantation of endothelial cells (ECs) for therapeutic vascularization or tissue engineering is a promising method for increasing tissue perfusion. Here, we report on a new approach for enhanced EC transplantation using targeted nanoparticle transfection to deliver proangiogenic microRNA‐132 (miR‐132) to cultured ECs before their transplantation, thereby sensitizing cells to the effects of endogenous growth factors. We synthesized biodegradable PLGA polymer nanoparticles (NPs) that were loaded with miR‐132 and coated with cyclic RGD (cRGD) peptides that target integrin αvβ3 expressed on cultured human umbilical vein ECs (HUVECs), increasing NP uptake through clathrin‐coated pits. Unlike previously reported NPs for miR delivery, these NPs slowly release RNA for several weeks. The endocytosed NPs remain in clathrin‐coated vesicles from which they mediate intracellular delivery of siRNA or miRNA. Transfection of HUVECs with miR‐132 enhances growth factor‐induced proliferation and migration in 2D culture, producing a 1.8‐ and 5‐fold increase, respectively. However, while the effects of conventional transfection were short‐lived, NP transfection produced protein knockdown and biological effects that were significantly longer in duration (≥6 d). Transfection of HUVECs with miR‐132 NP resulted in a 2‐fold increase in the number of microvessels per square millimeter compared to lipid after transplantation into immunodeficient mice and led to a higher number of mural cell‐invested vessels than control transfection. These data suggest that sustained delivery of miR‐132 encapsulated in a targeted biodegradable polymer NP is a safe and efficient strategy to improve EC transplantation and vascularization. —Devalliere, J., Chang, W. G. , Andrejecsk, J. W. , Abrahimi, P., Cheng, C. J., Jane‐wit, D. , Saltzman, W. M. , Pober, J. S. Sustained delivery of proangiogenic microRNA‐132 by nanoparticle transfection improves endothelial cell transplantation. FASEB J. 28, 908–922 (2014). www.fasebj. org
Can differences in breast cancer utilities explain disparities in breast cancer care?

AbstractBACKGROUND: Black, older, and less affluent women are less likely to receive adjuvant breast cancer therapy than their counterparts. Whereas preference contributes to disparities in other healt care scenarios, it is unclear if preference explains differential rates of breast cancer care. OBJECTIVE: To ascertain utilities from women of diverse backgrounds for the different stages of, and treatments for, breast cancer and to determine whether a treatment decision modeled from utilities is associated with socio-demographic characteristics. PARTICIPANTS: A stratified sample (by age and race) of 156 English-speaking women over 25 years old not currently undergoing breast cancer treatment. DESIGN AND MEASUREMENTS: We assessed utilities using standard gamble for 5 breast cancer stages, and time-tradeoff for 3 therapeutic modalities. We incorporated each subject’s utilities into a Markov model to determine whether her quality-adjusted life expectancy would be maximized with chemotherapy for a hypothetical, current diagnosis of stage II breast cancer. We used logistic regression to determine whether socio-demographic variables were associated with this optimal strategy. RESULTS: Median utilities for the 8 health states were: stage I disease, 0.91 (interquartile range 0.50 to 1.00); stage II, 0.75 (0.26 to 0.99); stage III, 0.51 (0.25 to 0.94); stage IV (estrogen receptor positive), 0.36 (0 to 0.75); stage IV (estrogen receptor negative), 0.40 (0 to 0.79); chemotherapy 0.50 (0 to 0.92); hormonal therapy 0.58 (0 to 1); and radiation therapy 0.83 (0.10 to 1). Utilities for early stage disease and treatment modalities, but not metastatic disease, varied with socio-demographic characteristics. One hundred and twenty-two of 156 subjects had utilities that maximized quality-adjusted life expectancy given stage II breast cancer with chemotherapy. Age over 50, black race, and low household income were associated with at least 5-fold lower odds of maximizing quality-adjusted life expectancy with chemotherapy, whereas women who were married or had a significant other were 4-fold more likely to maximize quality-adjusted life expectancy with chemotherapy. CONCLUSIONS: Differences in utility for breast cancer health states may partially explain the lower rate of adjuvant therapy for black, older, and less affluent women. Further work must clarify whether these differences result from health preference alone or reflect women’s perceptions of sources of disparity. such as access to care, poor communication with providers, limitations in health knowledge or in obtaining social and workplace support during therapy.
Oxidative stress response pathways: Fission yeast as archetype

Abstract Schizosaccharomyces pombe is a popular model eukaryotic organism to study diverse aspects of mammalian biology, including responses to cellular stress triggered by redox imbalances within its compartments. The review considers the current knowledge on the signaling pathways that govern the transcriptional response of fission yeast cells to elevated levels of hydrogen peroxide. Particular attention is paid to the mechanisms that yeast cells employ to promote cell survival in conditions of intermediate and acute oxidative stress. The role of the Sty1/Spc1/Phh1 mitogen-activated protein kinase in regulating gene expression at multiple levels is discussed in detail.
A computational strategy for altering an enzyme in its cofactor preference to NAD(H) and/or NADP(H)

Coenzyme engineering, especially for altered coenzyme specificity, has been a research hotspot for more than a decade. In the present study, a novel computational strategy that enhances the hydrogen‐bond interaction between an enzyme and a coenzyme was developed and utilized to alter the coenzyme preference. This novel computational strategy only required the structure of the target enzyme. No other homologous enzymes were needed to achieve alteration in the coenzyme preference of a certain enzyme. Using our novel strategy, Gox2181 was reconstructed from exhibiting complete NADPH preference to exhibiting dual cofactor specificity for NADH and NADPH. Structure‐guided Gox2181 mutants were designed in silico and molecular dynamics simulations were performed to evaluate the strength of hydrogen‐bond interactions between the enzyme and the coenzyme NADPH. Three Gox2181 mutants displaying high structure stability and structural compatibility to NADH/NADPH were chosen for experimental confirmation. Among the three Gox2181 mutants, Gox2181‐Q20R&D43S showed the highest enzymatic activity by utilizing NADPH as its coenzyme, which was even better than the wild‐type enzyme. In addition, isothermal titration calorimetry analysis further verified that Gox2181‐Q20R&D43S was able to interact with NADPH but the wild‐type enzyme could not. This novel computational strategy represents an insightful approach for altering the cofactor preference of target enzymes.
Determinants of Airbnb demand in Vienna and their implications for the traditional accommodation industry

This study identifies key determinants of Airbnb demand and quantifies their marginal contributions in terms of demand elasticities. A comprehensive cross-sectional data set of all Viennese Airbnb listings that were active between July 2015 and June 2016 is examined. Estimation results, which are obtained by cluster-robust ordinary least squares, show that Airbnb demand in Vienna is price-inelastic. Significant positive drivers include listing size, number of photos, and responsiveness of the host. Significant negative drivers include listing price, distance from the city center, and response time of the host. Implications for the traditional accommodation industry are that, on the one hand, it should better communicate its sought-after advantages (e.g. lower average minimum duration of stay). On the other hand, it should increase its offer of bigger and better equipped hotel rooms since hosting more than two guests at a time is one of the major benefits of Airbnb.
ISTehnology - Metamodel based approach to information system development

Document describes experience of using metamodel-based tool ISTehnology in development of information systems. The author of this document is one of the developers of ISTehnology. The main goal of the research is to figure out the framework (methodology and tools) for building information systems able to work in variable business environment and easy changeable. ISTechnology is such a framework. The document describes a metamodel of ISTehnology, approach to information systems development, advantages and disadvantages of its usage and possibilities to prevent disadvantages by using modern graphical tools of modeling.
Single point mutation on the gene encoding dysbindin results in recognition deficits

The dystrobrevin‐binding protein 1 (DTNBP1) gene is a candidate risk factor for schizophrenia and has been associated with cognitive ability in both patient populations and healthy controls. DTNBP1 encodes dysbindin protein, which is localized to synaptic sites and is reduced in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus of patients with schizophrenia, indicating a potential role in schizophrenia etiology. Most studies of dysbindin function have focused on the sandy (sdy) mice that lack dysbindin protein and have a wide range of abnormalities. In this study, we examined dysbindin salt and pepper (spp) mice that possess a single point mutation on the Dtnbp1 gene predicted to reduce, but not eliminate, dysbindin expression. By western blot analysis, we found that spp homozygous (spp −/−) mutants had reduced dysbindin and synaptosomal‐associated protein 25 (SNAP‐25) in the prefrontal cortex, but unaltered levels in hippocampus. Behaviorally, spp mutants performed comparably to controls on a wide range of tasks assessing locomotion, anxiety, spatial recognition and working memory. However, spp −/− mice had selective deficits in tasks measuring novel object recognition and social novelty recognition. Our results indicate that reduced dysbindin and SNAP‐25 protein in the prefrontal cortex of spp −/− is associated with selective impairments in recognition processing. These spp mice may prove useful as a novel mouse model to study cognitive deficits linked to dysbindin alterations. Our findings also suggest that aspects of recognition memory may be specifically influenced by DTNBP1 single nucleotide polymorphisms or risk haplotypes in humans and this connection should be further investigated.