Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Systematic mapping study of data mining–based empirical studies in cardiology

Data mining provides the methodology and technology to transform huge amount of data into useful information for decision making. It is a powerful process to extract knowledge and discover new patterns embedded in large data sets. Data mining has been increasingly used in medicine, particularly in cardiology. In fact, data mining applications can greatly benefits all parts involved in cardiology such as patients, cardiologists and nurses. This article aims to perform a systematic mapping study so as to analyze and synthesize empirical studies on the application of data mining techniques in cardiology. A total of 142 articles published between 2000 and 2015 were therefore selected, studied and analyzed according to the four following criteria: year and channel of publication, research type, medical task and empirical type. The results of this mapping study are discussed and a list of recommendations for researchers and cardiologists is provided.
Increased susceptibility to cortical spreading depression in an animal model of medication-overuse headache

Objective The objective of this article is to evaluate electrically evoked thresholds for cortical spreading depression (CSD) and stress-induced activation of trigeminal afferents in a rat model of medication-overuse headache (MOH). Methods Sumatriptan or saline was delivered subcutaneously by osmotic minipump for six days to Sprague-Dawley rats. Two weeks after pump removal, animals were anesthetized and recording/stimulating electrodes implanted. The animals were pretreated with vehicle or topiramate followed by graded electrical stimulation within the visual cortex. CSD events were identified by decreased EEG amplitude and DC potential shift. Additional unanesthetized sumatriptan or saline-pretreated rats were exposed to bright light environmental stress and periorbital and hindpaw withdrawal thresholds were measured. Following CSD stimulation or environmental stress, immunohistochemical staining for Fos in the trigeminal nucleus caudalis (TNC) was performed. Results Sumatriptan pre-exposure significantly decreased electrical stimulation threshold to generate a CSD event. Topiramate normalized the decreased CSD threshold as well as stress-induced behavioral withdrawal thresholds in sumatriptan-treated rats compared to saline-treated animals. Moreover, CSD and environmental stress increased Fos expression in the TNC of sumatriptan-treated rats, and these effects were blocked by topiramate. Environmental stress did not elicit cutaneous allodynia or elevate TNC Fos expression in saline-treated rats. Conclusions A previous period of sumatriptan exposure produced long-lasting increased susceptibility to evoked CSD and environmental stress-induced activation of the TNC that was prevented by topiramate. Lowered CSD threshold, and enhanced consequences of CSD events (increased activation of TNC), may represent an underlying biological mechanism of MOH related to triptans.
The action of serotonin and the nematode neuropeptide KSAYMRFamide on the pharyngeal muscle of the parasitic nematode, Ascaris suum

SUMMARY The pharyngeal component of the enteric nervous system of the parasitic nematode, Ascaris suum exhibits immunoreactivity for serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine or 5-HT) and for FMRFamide-like peptides. This paper describes the application of an in vitro pharmacological approach to investigate the functional role of 5-HT and FMRFamide-like peptides. The pharyngeal pumping behaviour of Ascaris suum was monitored using a modified pressure transducer system which measures pharyngeal pressure changes and therefore pumping. The pharynx did not contract spontaneously; however, 5-HT (10-1000 μM) stimulated pumping at a frequency of 0·5 Hz. FMRFamide had no apparent effect on pharyngeal pumping. The native nematode FMRFamide-related peptide (FaRP), KSAYMRFamide inhibited the pumping elicited by 5-HT. The duration of inhibition was dose-dependent (0·1-1000 nM) with a threshold of 0·1 nM. In 4 preparations, the inhibition of the pharyngeal muscle was preceded by an initial excitation and increase in the amplitude of pharyngeal pressure changes. The pharynx is involved in various nematode processes, including feeding, regulation of hydrostatic pressure and excretion. The role of 5-HT and KSAYMRFamide in the pharyngeal function of nematodes is discussed.
Who Seeks and Who Receives? Implications of Demand for and Access to Financial Capital by Young Firms

In the aftermath of the latest financial crisis, policy-makers at all levels are concerned about the impact of the crisis on access to financial resources by young firms, particularly as major changes occur in bank-lending practices and uncertainties surround the implementation of financial reform legislation. In this paper, we analyze the types and sources of financing used in young firms over the years 2007 through 2009. We find differential outcomes for firms who applied for loans and received them, those who applied and were denied, and those which did not apply for fear of denial. We explore the factors that mitigate the decision to apply for a loan and the subsequent outcomes of firm survival and growth. Our work provides insights into the relative importance of supply and demand for financing both prior to and subsequent to the financial shocks. We leverage various measures and perceptions to disentangle the decision to seek bank loans from the likelihood of receiving a loan based on credit scores and other objective measures. We find that both tangible and intangible assets, particularly intellectual property, play a significant role in receipt of bank loans in the firms’ early years of operation.
At the movies, on the Web: An investigation of the effects of entertaining and interactive Web content on site and brand evaluations

An experiment was conducted to examine the effects of including entertaining and/or interactive content on evaluations of automotive Web sites and automotive brands. Research participants visited and evaluated four Web sites from major automotive manufactures. The four sites exhibited varying degrees of entertaining content and interactivity. The highly entertaining site (which included a mini, suspenseful movie) was associated with the most positive site evaluations, greatest intent to return to the site, and highest levels of arousal, as compared to the three other sites that included video product footage only, video footage and audio, or video footage and audio with an interactive feature. Significant increases in purchase intent were associated only with the brand featured in the site with the mini movie.
Lasers in Manufacturing Conference 2015 Precise structuring by 2-photon absorption in positive photoresist materials

Two-photon polymerization, based on two-photon absorption, is a convenient direct laser writing process to fabricate maskless structures in microand nanometer range with submicrometer resolution. Negative photoresists are used in combination with this technique, however, utilization of positive resists with two-photon absorption is very innovative. Due to less shrinkage and economic manufacturing, positive photoresists have many advantages. Possible applications of this technique are the production of micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) or micro-opto-electro-mechanical systems (MOEMS). In this paper, two-photon absorption of positive photoresist is discussed to be a potential basis for LIGA-process (lithography, electroplating, and molding) by two-photon absorption of positive photoresist is discussed. The maskless ultra short pulse illumination by femtosecond laser pulses with 780nm wavelength for generation of microstructures in positive photoresist is demonstrated. To assure high quality structure surfaces, the influence of processing parameters on the pattern width are studied. Therefore, the influence of average power of femtosecond laser pulses, as well as the influence of the scan velocity on the resolution for 3D-grid structure is experimental tested. These studies enable fabrication of arbitrary 3D-structures with high resolution and high aspect ratio. By utilizing a commercial positive photoresist, a minimum linewidth in submicron order with essential rise of the aspect ratio has been accomplished. Furthermore, the test of a precise structuring of complex geometry fabrication is presented with an elastomeric molding. Based on these results, the application possibility for LIGA-process is demonstrated.
Human protein C receptor is present primarily on endothelium of large blood vessels: implications for the control of the protein C pathway.

BACKGROUND The protein C anticoagulant pathway is critical to the control of hemostasis. Thrombomodulin and a newly identified receptor for protein C/activated protein C, EPCR, are both present on endothelium. EPCR augments activation of protein C by the thrombin-thrombomodulin complex. METHODS AND RESULTS To gain a better understanding of the relationship between thrombomodulin and EPCR, we compared the cellular specificity and tissue distributions of these two receptors by using immunohistochemistry. EPCR expression was detected almost exclusively on endothelium in human and baboon tissues. In most organs, EPCR was expressed relatively intensely on the endothelium of all arteries and veins, most arterioles, and some postcapillary venules. EPCR staining was usually negative on capillary endothelial cells. In contrast, thrombomodulin was detected at high concentrations in both large vessels and capillary endothelium. Both thrombomodulin and EPCR were expressed poorly on brain capillaries. The liver sinusoids were the only capillaries in which EPCR was expressed at moderate levels and thrombomodulin was low. EPCR and thrombomodulin were both expressed on the endothelium of vasa recta in the renal medulla, the lymph node subcapsular and medullary sinuses, and some capillaries within the adrenal gland. Even in these organs the majority of capillaries were EPCR negative or stained weakly. CONCLUSIONS These studies suggest that EPCR may be important in enhancing protein C activation on large vessels. The presence of high levels of EPCR on arterial vessels may help explain why partial protein C deficiency is a weak risk factor for arterial thrombosis.
The H+-ATPase in the Plasma Membrane ofSaccharomyces cerevisiae Is Activated during Growth Latency in Octanoic Acid-Supplemented Medium Accompanying the Decrease in Intracellular pH and Cell Viability

ABSTRACT Saccharomyces cerevisiae plasma membrane H+-ATPase activity was stimulated during octanoic acid-induced latency, reaching maximal values at the early stages of exponential growth. The time-dependent pattern of ATPase activation correlated with the decrease of cytosolic pH (pHi). The cell population used as inoculum exhibited a significant heterogeneity of pHi, and the fall of pHi correlated with the loss of cell viability as determined by plate counts. When exponential growth started, only a fraction of the initial population was still viable, consistent with the role of the physiology and number of viable cells in the inoculum in the duration of latency under acid stress.
Perspectives on Personalization

In E-Commerce and mobile commerce, personalization has been recognized as an indispensable element of customer relationships and of Web strategies. However, there are wide differences in how this concept is defined, characterized, and operationalized in the literature. The purpose of this paper is to explore the theoretical perspectives and underlying assumptions exhibited in various views and conceptions of personalization across a number of fields, with the goal of delineating different approaches that might be taken to personalization. Based on a review of personalization that spanned a number of fields, we distill four distinct perspectives on personalization. Each perspective is discussed in terms of several dimensions relevant to design of personalized systems. Following this we discuss several implications for IS research and practice.
Report of the Canadian Society of Nephrology Vascular Access Working Group

The members are all nephrologists and members of the Canadian Society ofNephrology (CSN). D.Mendelssohn (Chair)—Ontario M. Beaulieu—British Columbia M.Kiaii—British Columbia K. Jindal—Alberta J.MacRae—Alberta J. Kappel—Saskatchewan L.Miller—Manitoba C. Lok—Ontario L.Moist—Ontario S.Donnelly—Ontario M.Oliver—Ontario C. Chan—Ontario J. Ethier—Quebec C.Delziel—Quebec M.McKinnon—NewBrunswick S. Soroka—Nova Scotia D.Hirsch—Nova Scotia B. Barrett—Newfoundland
Raman Spectroscopy for Geological Materials Analysis

Natural rocks composing the Earth are complex. They consist of an aggregate of one or more minerals. Each mineral can be defined by its chemical composition and its crystalline structure and sometimes can also contain fluid inclusions. Geologists need a powerful characterization technique to get detailed information on the rock formation history. Raman spectroscopy is extremely information-rich (chemical identification, characterization of molecular structures, effects of bonding, environment and stress on a sample). With its non-destructive properties and high spatial resolution (< 1 μm), it is thus a tool of choice for geological studies.
Antioxidant vitamin C improves endothelial dysfunction in chronic smokers.

BACKGROUND Chronic smoking is associated with endothelial dysfunction, an early stage of atherosclerosis. It has been suggested that endothelial dysfunction may be a consequence of enhanced degradation of nitric oxide secondary to formation of oxygen-derived free radicals. To test this hypothesis, we investigated the effects of the antioxidant vitamin C on endothelium-dependent responses in chronic smokers. METHODS AND RESULTS Forearm blood flow responses to the endothelium-dependent vasodilator acetylcholine (7.5, 15, 30, and 60 micrograms/min) and the endothelium-independent vasodilator sodium nitroprusside (1, 3, and 10 micrograms/min) were measured by venous occlusion plethysmography in 10 control subjects and 10 chronic smokers. Drugs were infused into the brachial artery, and forearm blood flow was measured for each drug before and during concomitant intra-arterial infusion of the antioxidant vitamin C (18 mg/min). In control subjects, vitamin C had no effect on forearm blood flow in response to acetylcholine and sodium nitroprusside. In contrast, in chronic smokers the attenuated forearm blood flow responses to acetylcholine were markedly improved by concomitant administration of vitamin C, whereas the vasodilator responses to sodium nitroprusside were not affected. CONCLUSIONS The present studies demonstrate that the antioxidant vitamin C markedly improves endothelium-dependent responses in chronic smokers. This observation supports the concept that endothelial dysfunction in chronic smokers is at least in part mediated by enhanced formation of oxygen-derived free radicals.
Contribution of retinoic acid receptor gamma to retinoid‐induced craniofacial and axial defects

Exogenous retinoic acid (RA) administered during mouse embryogenesis can alter the pattern of the axial skeleton during two developmental periods: an early window (7 to 8.5 days post‐coitum; dpc) and a late window (9.5 to 11.5 dpc). Treatment during the early window results in vertebral homeotic transformations (predominantly posteriorizations) concomitant with rostral shifts in Hox gene expression, while treatment at the later window results in similar transformations without detectable alterations in Hox gene expression patterns. Mice null for retinoic acid receptor gamma (RARγ) exhibit axial defects, including homeosis of several vertebrae, therefore establishing a role for this receptor in normal axial specification. RARγ null mutants are also completely resistant to RA‐induced spina bifida, which occurs in wildtype embryos treated at 8.5–9.0 dpc, suggesting that this receptor specifically transduces at least a subset of the teratogenic effects of retinoids.
Total Public Debt and Growth in Developing Countries

The global crisis and the expansionary government reaction in many countries have revamped the attention of policymakers and academics on the growth effects of large public debts. Recent empirical studies investigate the impact of public debt on growth in advanced and emerging countries. This article aims at complementing the existing evidence focusing on developing countries, where the increase in domestic borrowing, already started before the crisis, requires a more comprehensive analysis, based not only on external debt, but also on total public debt. Results on a panel of low- and middle-income countries over the period 1990–2007 show that public debt has a negative impact on output growth until it reaches 90 per cent of GDP. Beyond this threshold, the debt effect on growth becomes irrelevant. This nonlinear effect can be explained by country-specific factors, as debt overhang is a growth constraint only in countries with sound macroeconomic policies and stable institutions.La crise mondiale et les conséquent politiques expansive des gouvernements de plusieurs pays ont amené les décideurs politiques à s′intéresser à nouveau aux effets d′une forte dette publique sur la croissance. Etudes empiriques récents examinent l′impact de la dette publique sur la croissance dans les pays développés aussi bien que dans le pays émergentes. Cet article cherche à apporter des éléments d′information supplémentaires en portant une attention particulière aux pays en développement où la montée de la dette intérieure, datant d′avant la récession, requiert une analyse plus complète qui prenne en compte non seulement la dette extérieure, mais l′ensemble de la dette publique. Les résultats obtenus à partir d′un panel de pays à revenus faibles ou intermédiaires pour la période allant de 1990 à 2007 montrent que la dette publique a un impact négatif sur la croissance au seuil de 90 per cent du PIB, au delà duquel l′effet n′est plus significatif. Cet effet non linéaire s’explique par des facteurs spécifiques à chaque pays puisque le sur-endettement ne constitue une contrainte de croissance que dans les pays pourvus de politiques macroéconomiques saines et d′institutions stables.
Mobile Miners: Work, Home, and Hazards in the Yukon’s Mining Industry

The Yukon is on the verge of a resource boom. A major change since the early 1980s has been mining companies’ increasing reliance on long-distance commuting to move their workers to mine sites. While long-distance commuting can be seen as reducing the benefits the Yukon receives from mining, it can also be seen as an effective way of reducing the negative impacts that arise from the boom and bust nature of the industry. Long-distance commuting also represents new opportunities for workers currently living in the Yukon. It represents the potential for longer-term employment without the need to continually move to different communities. Yet little has been written about the attitudes of these workers towards their employment situation. What are their major concerns? Are there specific concerns relating to their mobile lifestyle? As an exploratory attempt to answer these questions, this paper examines twelve in-depth interviews with respondents from diverse backgrounds who worked in the Yukon’s mining industry. The findings indicate that workers in long-distance commuting mining firms had a range of perspectives regarding their workplaces. Some are general concerns that are not unique to their mobile lifestyle, while others relate directly to this. In terms of long-distance commuting, it appears most workers responded positively and were content to travel. While the sample size was small, the research suggests several avenues for further research such as the situation of women in new mining operations, Aboriginal employment experiences, perceptions of safety, and the separation of home and work.
Randomized controlled trial of cholecalciferol supplementation in chronic kidney disease patients with hypovitaminosis D.

BACKGROUND Hypovitaminosis D is common in chronic kidney disease (CKD). Effects of 25-hydroxyvitamin D replenishment in CKD are not well described. METHODS An 8-week randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind parallel intervention study was conducted in haemodialysis (HD) and non-HD CKD patients. Treatment consisted of 40,000 IU of cholecalciferol orally per week. Plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD), plasma 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25-diOHD), plasma parathyroid hormone (PTH), serum phosphate, ionized serum calcium and serum fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF-23) were analysed. We also investigated biomarkers related to cardiovascular disease (plasma D-dimer, plasma fibrinogen, plasma von Willebrand factor antigen and activity, plasma interleukin 6, plasma C-reactive protein, blood pressure, aortic augmentation index, aortic pulse wave velocity and 24-h urinary protein loss). Objective and subjective health variables were assessed (muscle function tests, visual analogue scores and Health Assessment Questionnaire). RESULTS Fifty-two CKD patients with 25-OHD <50 nmol/L at screening were included. Cholecalciferol supplementation led to a significant increase to a median of 155 nmol/L 25-OHD (interquartile range 137-173 nmol/L) in treated patients (n = 25, P < 0.001). In non-HD patients, we saw a significant increase in 1,25-diOHD (n = 13, P < 0.01) and a lowering of PTH (n = 13, P < 0.001). This was not observed in HD patients. Cholecalciferol supplementation caused a significant increase in serum calcium and FGF-23. CONCLUSIONS 25-OHD replenishment was effectively obtained with the employed cholecalciferol dosing. In non-HD patients, it had favourable effects on 1,25-diOHD and PTH. Vitamin D-supplemented patients must be monitored for hypercalcaemia. The present study could not identify significant pleiotropic effects of 25-OHD replenishment.
tRNA base methylation identification and quantification via high-throughput sequencing

Eukaryotic transfer RNAs contain on average 14 modifications. Investigations of their biological functions require the determination of the modification sites and the dynamic variations of the modification fraction. Base methylation represents a major class of tRNA modification. Although many approaches have been used to identify tRNA base methylations, including sequencing, they are generally qualitative and do not report the information on the modification fraction. Dynamic mRNA modifications have been shown to play important biological roles; yet, the extent of tRNA modification fractions has not been reported systemically. Here we take advantage of a recently developed high-throughput sequencing method (DM-tRNA-seq) to identify and quantify tRNA base methylations located at the Watson-Crick face in HEK293T cells at single base resolution. We apply information derived from both base mutations and positional stops from sequencing using a combination of demethylase treatment and cDNA synthesis by a thermophilic reverse transcriptase to compile a quantitative “Modification Index” (MI) for six base methylations in human tRNA and rRNA. MI combines the metrics for mutational and stop components from alignment of sequencing data without demethylase treatment, and the modifications are validated in the sequencing data upon demethylase treatment. We identify many new methylation sites in both human nuclear and mitochondrial-encoded tRNAs not present in the RNA modification databases. The potentially quantitative nature of the MI values obtained from sequencing is validated by primer extension of several tRNAs. Our approach should be widely applicable to identify tRNA methylation sites, analyze comparative fractional modifications, and evaluate the modification dynamics between different samples.