Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The impact of renal protection clinics on prescription of and adherence to cardioprotective drug therapy in chronic kidney disease patients

Abstract Background: The aim of this study was to assess the impact of follow-up in renal protection clinics on the prescription of and adherence to cardioprotective drugs in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Methods: We studied stage 4 and 5 CKD patients who initiated follow-up in three renal protection clinics. The prescription pattern of antihypertensive agents (AHA) and lipid-lowering agents (LLAs) was measured as the percentage of patients who are prescribed the agents of interest at a given time. Adherence to drug therapy was defined as the percentage of days, during a pre-defined observation period, in which patients have an on-hand supply of their prescribed medications. Results: A total of 259 CKD patients were enrolled and followed for up to 1 year after referral to renal protection clinics. There was a significant increase in the prescription of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (34–39%), angiotensin II receptor blockers (11–14%), beta-blockers (40–51%), calcium channel blockers (62–74%), diuretics (66–78%) and LLAs (39–47%) during follow-up in the renal protection clinic compared with baseline (P-values <0.01 for all comparisons). The proportions of patients with good (≥ 80%) and poor (< 80%) adherence to AHA (P = 0.41) and LLAs (P = 0.11) were similar in the year preceding and the year following the first visit to the renal protection clinics. Conclusion: Our results suggest that referral and follow-up in a renal protection clinic may increase the prescription of cardioprotective agents in CKD patients, but does not appear to improve adherence to these medications.
Analysis and evaluation of near field noise voltage on power electronics circuits

Design procedure for power electronics circuit structures has recently been discussed for high power density circuits or thin structure converters. Then the control circuit may be connected close to the power circuit. When a pulse current flows into the power circuit, it radiates a magnetic field and it may produce a near field noise voltage in the control circuit and this can be a cause of malfunction. Therefore it is important that the near field noise voltage is evaluated for power electronics circuits. In this paper, a malfunction of a low-voltage circuit close to a power circuit is demonstrated, and the measurement results of the near field noise voltage using a small area loop antenna with a buck chopper circuit of 20 A and 100 kHz are shown. In addition, it is analytically explained that the noise voltage may affect the control circuits in high power density circuits.
Anti–myelin‐associated glycoprotein IgM antibody titers in neuropathy associated with macroglobulinemia

Twenty‐seven patients with neuropathy and IgM monoclonal gammopathy were tested for antigen specificity of the M‐protein and for anti–myelin‐associated glycoprotein (MAG) IgM levels by immunoblot. In 16 patients (59.2%) the M‐protein reacted with MAG and with cross‐reactive glycoconjugates. Anti‐MAG IgM titers in these patients ranged between 1 : 12,800 and 1 : 100,000. A fainter IgM reactivity with MAG and related glycoconjugates was detected in 3 additional patients with neuropathy, but also in 8 of 24 patients with IgM M‐protein without neuropathy (33.3%). This reactivity was not due to the M‐protein and corresponded to antibody titers of 1:400 or less in all but 1 patient with a titer of 1 : 3,200. Low titers of anti‐MAG IgM (1 : 200 or less) were also detected in 17 of 101 control patients without IgM M‐proteins (16.8%), while 1 patient with neuropathy of unknown cause had anti‐MAG IgMk titers of 1 : 25,600. In 1 patient with neuropathy and IgM M‐protein that was not anti‐MAG, the M‐protein bound to other antigens in nerve, while in 6, other possible causes or mechanisms for the neuropathy were found. In this study, high titers of anti‐MAG IgM antibodies were always associated with neuropathy. The presence of low levels of anti‐MAG IgM in a significant proportion of controls suggests that monoclonal expansion of naturally occurring B‐cell clones secreting anti‐MAG IgM may be responsible for the high incidence of this antigen specificity of the M‐protein.
GALAXY MERGERS DRIVE SHOCKS: AN INTEGRAL FIELD STUDY OF GOALS GALAXIES

We present an integral field spectroscopic study of radiative shocks in 27 nearby ultraluminous and luminous infrared galaxies (U/LIRGs) from the Great Observatory All-sky LIRG Survey, a subset of the Revised Bright Galaxy Sample. Our analysis of the resolved spectroscopic data from the Wide Field Spectrograph focuses on determining the detailed properties of the emission-line gas, including a careful treatment of multicomponent emission-line profiles. The resulting information obtained from the spectral fits is used to map the kinematics of the gas, sources of ionizing radiation, and feedback present in each system. The resulting properties are tracked as a function of merger stage. Using emission-line flux ratios and velocity dispersions, we find evidence for widespread, extended shock excitation in many local U/LIRGs. These low-velocity shocks become an increasingly important component of the optical emission lines as a merger progresses. We find that shocks may account for as much as half of the Hα luminosity in the latest-stage mergers in our sample. We discuss some possible implications of our result and consider the presence of active galactic nuclei and their effects on the spectra in our sample.
Bacterial Aggregation in Relation to Peritoneal Dialysis

The ability of gram-positive cocci to aggregate and form biofilms at the exit site and on catheter surfaces in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) has been associated with peritonitis. In the present study, 16 (80%) of 20 dialysate effluents from patients with staphylococcal peritonitis were found to contain aggregates of Staphylococcus epidermidis or S. aureus. Using an in vitro assay system, 20 (83%) of 24 pathogenic bacterial strains were found to aggregate in fresh dialysis solutions within 4 to 24 h at 37°C. Further studies with one strain, S. epidermidis 1938, showed increased aggregation when the bacteria were incubated in dialysate effluents compared to fresh dialysis solutions. Viability experiments showed that aggregated bacteria were less sensitive to the killing effects of fresh dialysis solutions and that dialysate effluents could support bacterial growth. The results suggest that attention be paid to aggregation as a potential mechanism used by bacteria in causation of peritonitis.
Can Machine Learning Learn a Decision Oracle for NP Problems? A Test on SAT

This note describes our experiments aiming to empirically test the ability of machine learning models to act as decision oracles for NP problems. Focusing on satisfiability testing problems, we have generated random 3-SAT instances and found out that the correct branch prediction accuracy reached levels in excess of 99%. The branching in a simple backtracking-based SAT solver has been reduced in more than 90% of the tested cases, and the average number of branching steps has reduced to between 1/5 and 1/3 of the one without the machine learning model. The percentage of SAT instances where the machine learned heuristic-enhanced algorithm solved SAT in a single pass reached levels of 80-90%, depending on the set of features used.
MAC Protocol for Opportunistic Spectrum Access in Multi-Channel Cognitive Relay Networks

In this paper, we propose a medium access control (MAC) protocol for multi-channel cognitive cooperative radio networks (CCRNs). In this protocol, each secondary user (SU) senses for spectrum opportunities within M licensed bands of the primary users (PUs). To enhance the accuracy of spectrum sensing, we employ cooperative sequential spectrum sensing where SUs mutually exchange their sensing results. Moreover, the information obtained from cooperative spectrum sensing at the physical layer is integrated into the channel negotiation process at the MAC layer to alleviate the hidden terminal problem. Finally, the performance of the proposed MAC protocol in terms of aggregate throughput of the CCRNs is analyzed. Numerical results are provided to assess the impact of channel utilization by PUs, number of contenting CCRNs, number of licensed bands, and false alarm probability of SUs on the aggregate throughput.
A Survey: Knowledge Discovery in Spatial Databases

Knowledge discovery in databases is a complex process concerned with the discovery of relationships and other descriptions from data. Knowledge discovery in spatial databases represents a particular case of discovery, allowing the discovery of relationships that exist between spatial and non-spatial data, and other data characteristics that aren’t explicitly stored in spatial databases. This paper describes the conception and implementation of PADRAO, a system for knowledge discovery in spatial databases. PADRAO presents a new approach to this process, which is based on qualitative spatial reasoning. The spatial semantic knowledge and the principles of qualitative spatial reasoning needed for the spatial reasoning process are available in the PADRAO’s geographic database and PADRAO’s spatial knowledge base, allowing the integration of the geo-spatial component, associated with the analyzed non-geographic data, in the process of knowledge discovery. This paper presented the PADRAO system, a system for knowledge discovery in spatial databases based on qualitative spatial reasoning. PADRAO represents a new approach to this particular case of knowledge discovery, in which the positional aspects of geographic data are provided by a spatial reference, gave by a geographic identifier (in the described case, the municipalities’ name). The PADRAO’s geographic database and spatial knowledge base store the spatial semantic Knowledge and the qualitative spatial reasoning principles needed for the inference of new spatial relations required in the knowledge discovery process.
Beyond the parameters of e-learning: In diverse learning environments me-learning comes before we-learning

In South African higher education, the establishment of an education system that is democratic, non-racial and non-sexist has been at the centre of the transformation agenda for almost two decades. It is, however, not easy to change a deeply embedded institutional culture. After 14 years in the higher education sector, first as nurse educator and later in academic development, my experience and research have shown that real transformative practice begins with me. I have had to become aware, not only of my own values, beliefs, world-view, etc., but also of my stereotypes, prejudices and biases. My self-explorative research began with a living theory study related to my personal transformation within the context of higher education. It included extensive theory building and an autoethnographic interrogation in my own privileged cultural environment. The concept of cultural competence was an important directive with its emphasis on self-awareness and a desire to “want to”, rather than to “have to” engage in a process of self-renewal. This is a process of cultural humility, where I discovered the concept of caring to be an important catalyst in the transformation of my teaching practice. A special opportunity to put my discoveries into practice presented itself with the launch of the Difficult Dialogues project at the University of the Free State in 2012. The project promotes the development of the art and skill of civil discourse in higher education by training lecturers to create democratic learning spaces. In the Difficult Dialogues project a participatory action research process, with the stages of plan, act, observe and reflect was followed. Data collection included qualitative feedback from two five-day intensive academic development workshops, substantiated by reflective feedback periodically received from the participants during the implementation of the project. As the participants in the Difficult Dialogues project have applied their knowledge and skills in the classroom, many of them have also learnt that they need to reflect critically on their educational practice. These observations strengthen my belief that we-learning begins with me-learning.
Posterior ankle impingement in professional soccer players: effectiveness of sonographically guided therapy.

OBJECTIVE The objective of our study was to describe the use of MRI and evaluate the efficacy of sonographically guided injection of steroid and anesthetic in the management of posterior ankle impingement in elite athletes. CONCLUSION The results show a role for sonographically guided steroid and anesthetic injection into a posterolateral capsule abnormality in athletes with clinical posterior impingement. The procedure was well tolerated and allowed a rapid return to athletic activity in all patients.
Non-binary or genderqueer genders

Abstract Some people have a gender which is neither male nor female and may identify as both male and female at one time, as different genders at different times, as no gender at all, or dispute the very idea of only two genders. The umbrella terms for such genders are ‘genderqueer’ or ‘non-binary’ genders. Such gender identities outside of the binary of female and male are increasingly being recognized in legal, medical and psychological systems and diagnostic classifications in line with the emerging presence and advocacy of these groups of people. Population-based studies show a small percentage – but a sizable proportion in terms of raw numbers – of people who identify as non-binary. While such genders have been extant historically and globally, they remain marginalized, and as such – while not being disorders or pathological in themselves – people with such genders remain at risk of victimization and of minority or marginalization stress as a result of discrimination. This paper therefore reviews the limited literature on this field and considers ways in which (mental) health professionals may assist the people with genderqueer and non-binary gender identities and/or expressions they may see in their practice. Treatment options and associated risks are discussed.
Inducible prophages contribute to Salmonella virulence in mice

We show that Salmonella typhimurium harbours two fully functional prophages, Gifsy‐1 and Gifsy‐2, that can be induced by standard treatments or, more effectively, by exposing bacteria to hydrogen peroxide. Curing bacteria for the Gifsy‐2 prophage significantly reduces Salmonella's ability to establish a systemic infection in mice. Cured strains recover their virulence properties upon relysogenization. Phage Gifsy‐2 carries the sodC gene for a periplasmic [Cu,Zn]‐superoxide dismutase previously implicated in the bacterial defences against killing by macrophages. The contribution of the Gifsy‐1 prophage to virulence — undetectable in the presence of Gifsy‐2 as prophage — becomes significant in cells that lack Gifsy‐2 but carry the sodC gene integrated in the chromosome. This confirms the involvement of Gifsy‐2‐encoded SodC protein in Salmonella pathogenicity and suggests that the Gifsy‐1 prophage carries one or more additional virulence genes that have a functional equivalent on the Gifsy‐2 genome.
Immunohistochemical Localization of S‐100 Protein in the Pig Pituitary Gland

Immunohistochemical localization of S‐100 protein was studied in anterior, intermediate and posterior lobe of the pig pituitary gland. Two immunopositive cells for S‐100 protein were identified: the folliculo‐stellate cells (FSc) in the glandular lobes and the pituicytes in the neural lobe. In the anterior lobe, immunoreactive folliculo‐stellate cells were scattered among secretory cells. In the area where the secretory cells form strands and follicle‐like groups the positive cells were concentrated in groups. In the intermediate lobe, S‐100 protein‐positive cells were located sparsely among secretory cells and next to secretory follicles and the pituitary cleft. These FSc were more voluminous and displayed fewer cytoplasmic processes. In the neurohypophysis, positive reaction for S‐100 protein was seen in the pituicytes. These cells were distributed singly or concentrated in groups. The distribution, and morphologic characteristics of the FSc in the glandular lobes and the pituicytes in the neural lobe in the pig indicate different origin of both S‐100 protein‐positive cells.
IITPB at SemEval-2017 Task 5: Sentiment Prediction in Financial Text

This paper reports team IITPB’s participation in the SemEval 2017 Task 5 on ‘Fine-grained sentiment analysis on financial microblogs and news’. We developed 2 systems for the two tracks. One system was based on an ensemble of Support Vector Classifier and Logistic Regression. This system relied on Distributional Thesaurus (DT), word embeddings and lexicon features to predict a floating sentiment value between -1 and +1. The other system was based on Support Vector Regression using word embeddings, lexicon features, and PMI scores as features. The system was ranked 5th in track 1 and 8th in track 2.
Guía para la formulación del programa agropecuario municipal (PAM)

La Secretaria de Agricultura y Desarrollo Rural del Departamento de Antioquia y la Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias de la Universidad de Antioquia, realizaron un proceso de capacitacion en el marco del convenio 4600004063 “Fortalecimiento Institucional de las entidades que prestan el servicio de asistencia tecnica municipal en la transferencia de tecnologia y extension agropecuaria en el Departamento de Antioquia”, el cual tuvo como finalidad el fortalecimiento de la Asistencia Tecnica Directa Rural en el departamento durante el segundo semestre del ano 2015. El proceso estuvo orientado al fortalecimiento de directores y tecnicos de las EPSATDIR. Para ello se desarrollaron talleres subregionales para dar a conocer las metodologias abordadas en esta guia, buscando coordinar las acciones y racionalizar el uso de los recursos destinados al desarrollo rural, por medio de un trabajo conjunto entre Estado y sociedad civil. Como resultado del proceso se genero esta guia que comprende la normatividad, conceptos y metodologias para la formulacion del Programa Agropecuario Municipal (PAM). Para la formulacion del programa agropecuario municipal (PAM) se proponen metodologias participativas ya que su utilizacion en la formulacion de proyectos incide en la transformacion de los niveles de participacion de los campesinos, desde la consulta y recoleccion de informacion hacia el planteamiento y concertacion de iniciativas. De esta forma deciden sobre los aspectos que consideran esenciales para el desarrollo del sector agropecuario. Por otro lado, la participacion activa de los campesinos incide en la formulacion de programas y proyectos mas efectivos y pertinentes para responder a las necesidades de las comunidades rurales. En la practica existen diversas herramientas metodologicas para la formulacion de planes, programas y proyectos; sin embargo, la correcta implementacion depende de la convocatoria de actores estrategicos, la claridad conceptual y metodologica, el analisis consecuente con la realidad, la disponibilidad institucional y el acompanamiento tecnico. Con el fin de contribuir a la claridad conceptual y metodologica, este manual presenta las orientaciones metodologicas para la elaboracion de un programa agropecuario que incluya acciones para enfrentar los nuevos retos sociales y ambientales del sector agropecuario, el cual precisa de un analisis profundo y de la identificacion estrategica de proyectos que contribuyan al desarrollo local del sector agropecuario.
Analyzing the Source Code of Multiple Software Variants for Reuse Potential

Software reuse approaches, such as software product lines, can help to achieve considerable effort and cost savings when developing families of software systems with a significant overlap in functionality. In practice, however, the need for strategic reuse often becomes apparent only after a number of product variants have already been delivered. Hence, a reuse approach has to be introduced afterwards. To plan for such a reuse introduction, it is crucial to have precise information about the distribution of commonality and variability in the source code of each system variant. However, this information is often not available because each variant has evolved independently over time and the source code does not exhibit explicit variation points. In this paper, we present Variant Analysis, a scalable reverse engineering technique that aims at delivering exactly this information. It supports simultaneous analysis of multiple source code variants and enables easy interpretation of the analysis results. We demonstrate the technique by applying it to a large industrial software system with four variants.
Sputum Cytokine Levels in Patients with Pulmonary Tuberculosis as Early Markers of Mycobacterial Clearance

ABSTRACT Sputum and serum from patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis (TB), healthy purified protein derivative-positive adults, and patients with bacterial pneumonia were collected to simultaneously assess local immunity in the lungs and peripheral blood. To determine whether cytokine profiles in sputum from TB patients and control subjects were a reflection of its cellular composition, cytospin slides were prepared in parallel and assessed for the presence of relative proportions of epithelial cells, neutrophils, macrophages, and T cells. Gamma interferon (IFN-γ) in sputum from TB patients was markedly elevated over levels for both control groups. With anti-TB therapy, IFN-γ levels in sputum from TB patients decreased rapidly and by week 4 of treatment were comparable to those in sputum from controls. Further, IFN-γ levels in sputum closely followed mycobacterial clearance. Although detected at fourfold-lower levels, IFN-γ immunoreactivities in serum followed kinetics in sputum. TNF-α, interleukin 8 (IL-8) and IL-6 also were readily detected in sputum from TB patients at baseline and responded to anti-TB therapy. In contrast to IFN-γ, however, TNF-α and IL-8 levels also were elevated in sputum from pneumonia controls. These data indicate that sputum cytokines correlate with disease activity during active TB of the lung and may serve as potential early markers for sputum conversion and response to anti-TB therapy.
Complete Clinical Response following Neoadjuvant Treatment of Stage II Rectal Cancer: Observation of Surgery

Received: 29-01-14 Accepted: 05-11-14 Abstract Complete clinical response after neoadjuvant therapy for locally advanced rectal cancer has been considered sufficient for implementation of a non-surgical approach of observation and monitoring by some authors. Standard management of this condition is radical resection of the primary tumor six to ten weeks after completion of neoadjuvant therapy. In this review the pros and cons of each proposal are presented, and implications and recommendations for each alternative are described.