Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Aortic valve replacement in patients older than 85 years: outcomes and the effect on their quality of life

PurposeThe aim of this study was to investigate the outcome of aortic valve replacement (AVR) and the effect on quality of life in patients aged over 85 who had symptomatic aortic stenosis. MethodsWe performed a retrospective analysis of 21 patients, aged 85–91 years (mean age 86.5), who underwent AVR, 10 of whom underwent concomitant coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) between 1989 and 1995. All patients were categorized as New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class III and IV. A questionnaire was used to evaluate heart symptoms and quality of life among the 13 patients who were alive at follow-up (9–83 months). ResultsEighteen patients were categorized as NYHA functional class I and II for 1 year (9 months for one patient) after AVR. Three patients, all undergoing concomitant CABG, died early. The overall 1-, 2− and 3-year actuarial survival rate was 85%, 64% and 53% (among the patients undergoing only AVR the figures were 100%, 100% and 85%). Follow-up questionnaire results showed an improvement in the patients' symptoms of heart disease, dyspnea (P =0.017) and angina (P =0.03). An improvement in the patients' physical functioning (P = 0.025), satisfaction with physical ability (P = 0.005), sleep (P = 0.025), health status (P = 0.025) and perception of general health (P = 0.005) was also observed. ConclusionsOur results show that AVR can be performed on patients ≥ 85 years of age or older, with an improvement in heart symptoms and quality of life.
Foreign Direct Investment and the Environment

We review the literature that investigates the relationship between foreign direct investment (FDI) and the environment. After reviewing the theoretical literature, we discuss two broad strands of research. First, the impact of environmental regulations on the choice of plant location and second, the impact of FDI on the emissions of various pollutants and the related question of whether we can observe environmental spillovers from foreign to domestic firms. Finally, we review the more recent literature on environmental outsourcing as an alternative to FDI and conclude with suggestions for future research.
Genetic research and testing in sport and exercise science: A review of the issues

Abstract This review is based on the BASES position stand on “Genetic Research and Testing in Sport and Exercise Science”. Our aims are first to introduce the reader to research in sport and exercise genetics and then to highlight ethical problems arising from such research and its applications. Sport and exercise genetics research in the form of transgenic animal and human association studies has contributed significantly to our understanding of exercise physiology and there is potential for major new discoveries. Researchers starting out in this field will have to ensure an appropriate study design to avoid, for example, statistically underpowered studies. Ethical concerns arise more from the applications of genetic research than from the research itself, which is assessed by ethical committees. Possible applications of genetic research are genetic performance tests or genetic tests to screen, for example, for increased risk of sudden death during sport. The concerns are that genetic performance testing could be performed on embryos and could be used to select embryos for transplantation or abortion. Screening for risk of sudden death may reduce deaths during sporting events but those that receive a positive diagnosis may suffer severe psychological consequences. Equally, it will be almost impossible to keep a positive diagnosis confidential if the individual tested is an elite athlete.
Prognosis of ischaemic stroke — a multivariate analysis

Paucity of studies on the prognosis of ischaemic stroke prompted this study. Sixty‐seven patients with CT‐proven infarction were studied after a mean duration of 9 days to evaluate the role of a number of clinical, CT scan and evoked potential parameters in predicting the prognosis. Their mean age was 53 (range 22–82) years and 16 were females. Four of these patients died and 20 had poor recovery. Out of 24 clinical, CT scan and evoked potential parameters analysed by univariate analysis, 11 variables were found to be significant These were Canadian Neurological Scale, Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), Motoricity Index, muscle tone, tendon reflex, incontinence, sensations, motor area involvement on CT scan, size of infarction, motor evoked potential and somatosensory evoked potential. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was employed to study the combined effect of different variables on the outcome. The best model included past history of stroke, GCS, pulse pressure and involvement of motor area on CT scan. The model proposed by us is simple and useful for predicting 3 month outcome of ischaemic stroke. A larger study is recommended to confirm these findings. ‐
Applicability of Gross National Happiness index to Taiwan A religious perspective

This article examine the applicability of the spiritual indicators in GNH, which mainly evolved in Bhutan, to Taiwan in a comparison of their religion. Although both two sites share some commonality in religious participation level, we propose to consider the multi-religious behaviors in Taiwan for the applicability. The adjustment for indicators to present the influence of multi-religious impacts, avoid the bias of Buddhism as well. We suggest that Taiwan government must adopt the impact how religious influence wellbeing while measuring the happiness in Taiwan.
Cross-cultural Risk Communications of Alien Labor Dispute - A Taiwan's example of alternative dispute resolution

This study presents several propositions about the perception of Taiwan Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) organization deal with alien labor dispute problems under the viewpoints of cross-cultural and risk communication. Researches are based on the researches of Cultural Constraints in Management Theories (Hofstede, 1993) and Risk Society Theories (Beck, 1992). The purpose of this article tries to address a mechanism based on cross-cultural, risk communication, and ADR concepts to solve alien labor dispute problems.
Catalytic Properties of the Asparaginyl Hydroxylase (FIH) in the Oxygen Sensing Pathway Are Distinct from Those of Its Prolyl 4-Hydroxylases*

The activity of hypoxia-inducible transcription factor HIF, an αβ heterodimer that has an essential role in adaptation to low oxygen availability, is regulated by two oxygen-dependent hydroxylation events. Hydroxylation of specific proline residues by HIF prolyl 4-hydroxylases targets the HIF-α subunit for proteasomal destruction, whereas hydroxylation of an asparagine in the C-terminal transactivation domain prevents its interaction with the transcriptional coactivator p300. The HIF asparaginyl hydroxylase is identical to a previously known factor inhibiting HIF (FIH). We report here that recombinant FIH has unique catalytic and inhibitory properties when compared with those of the HIF prolyl 4-hydroxylases. FIH was found to require particularly long peptide substrates so that omission of only a few residues from the N or C terminus of a 35-residue HIF-1α sequence markedly reduced its substrate activity. Hydroxylation of two HIF-2α peptides was far less efficient than that of the corresponding HIF-1α peptides. The Km of FIH for O2 was about 40% of its atmospheric concentration, being about one-third of those of the HIF prolyl 4-hydroxylases but 2.5 times that of the type I collagen prolyl 4-hydroxylase. Several 2-oxoglutarate analogs were found to inhibit FIH but with distinctly different potencies from the HIF prolyl 4-hydroxylases. For example, the two most potent HIF prolyl 4-hydroxylase inhibitors among the compounds studied were the least effective ones for FIH. It should therefore be possible to develop specific small molecule inhibitors for the two enzyme classes involved in the hypoxia response.
How Does Monetary Policy Affect Economic Vulnerability to Oil Price Shock as against US Economy Shock

This paper investigates the role of the monetary policy in protecting the economy against the external shocks of US output and oil price during the 2007-2009 financial crisis. It also considers economic vulnerability caused by these external shocks after the crisis abated. The application of the structural vector auto regression model using monthly data from 2002:M1 to 2013:M4 for Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand shows that poor influence of monetary policies on monetary policy transmission channels (namely, interest rate, exchange rate, domestic credit, and stock price) in the pre-crisis period could not shield these economies from shocks of oil price and US output. The results of post-crisis period indicate a significant increase in the positive impact of monetary policy on channels of monetary transmission channels compared to the pre-crisis period. However, these economies continue to remain vulnerable to oil price shocks.
Bone Density, Microarchitecture, and Tissue Quality Long-term After Kidney Transplant

Background Bone mineral density (BMD) measured by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry is used to assess bone health in kidney transplant recipients (KTR). Trabecular bone score and in vivo microindentation are novel techniques that directly measure trabecular microarchitecture and mechanical properties of bone at a tissue level and independently predict fracture risk. We tested the bone status of long-term KTR using all 3 techniques. Methods Cross-sectional study including 40 KTR with more than 10 years of follow-up and 94 healthy nontransplanted subjects as controls. Bone mineral density was measured at lumbar spine and the hip. Trabecular bone score was measured by specific software on the dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry scans of lumbar spine in 39 KTR and 77 controls. Microindentation was performed at the anterior tibial face with a reference-point indenter device. Bone measurements were standardized as percentage of a reference value, expressed as bone material strength index (BMSi) units. Multivariable (age, sex, and body mass index-adjusted) linear regression models were fitted to study the association between KTR and BMD/BMSi/trabecular bone score. Results Bone mineral density was lower at lumbar spine (0.925 ± 0.15 vs 0.982 ± 0.14; P = 0.025), total hip (0.792 ± 0.14 vs 0.902 ± 0.13; P < 0.001), and femoral neck (0.667 ± 0.13 vs 0.775 ± 0.12; P < 0.001) in KTR than in controls. BMSi was also lower in KTR (79.1 ± 7.7 vs 82.9 ± 7.8; P = 0.012) although this difference disappeared after adjusted model (P = 0.145). Trabecular bone score was borderline lower (1.21 ± 0.14 vs 1.3 ± 0.15; adjusted P = 0.072) in KTR. Conclusions Despite persistent decrease in BMD, trabecular microarchitecture and tissue quality remain normal in long-term KTR, suggesting important recovery of bone health.
A Mobile Platform's In‐App Advertising Contract Under Agency Pricing for App Sales

Unlike advertising in traditional media, a mobile platform's in‐app advertising market exhibits two unique features—split structure of the mobile platform with a platform owner and an app developer jointly provisioning in‐app advertising, and agency pricing for app sales. We develop a two‐sided market model to analyze the role of these two unique features in determining the platform owner's optimal advertising revenue‐sharing contract. Our results reveal an interesting N‐shaped dynamic regarding the platform owner's optimal choice of her ad revenue share with respect to the overall advertisers’ valuation of in‐app ads. We identify a between‐agent subsidization strategy for the platform owner, where she finds it optimal to subsidize the developer via the advertising channel, leading to greater profits for both of them. We find that the advertising revenue‐sharing contract under agency pricing for app sales leads to a higher app price than would be offered by the integrated platform found in traditional advertising. However, the ad price is coordinated under the platform owner's optimal choice of ad revenue share when she obtains revenue from both the advertising and app sales channels, leading to an alignment of her interest with the app developer's on ad level.
Immigration to the United States: journey to an uncertain destination.

This study "examines recent trends in immigration in the light of laws designed to control the type and number of people entering the country. The authors discuss the major policy issues and public debates surrounding U.S. immigration. They also look at the projected demographic impact of current immigration patterns and review evidence of the economic costs of immigrants to native-born Americans. They examine how the foreign-born U.S. residents especially those who entered in the 1980s differ from U.S.-born residents. " (EXCERPT)
Chalkle: The case study of an edtech social enterprise aspiring to transform Adult and Community Education in Aotearoa, New Zealand

This thesis examines Chalkle, an edtech social enterprise, through an exploratory case study which offers an in-depth analysis of its operations, policies, procedures, and practices in the period between July 2012 and December 2015. The study of Chalkle explores the company’s aspirations to transform the field of Adult and Community Education (ACE) in Aotearoa, New Zealand. This thesis examines the motivations, challenges, and opportunities presented by Chalkle from the perspective of various stakeholders: learners, teachers, providers, Champions, as well as the organisation’s co-founders. The study of Chalkle offers insights into an alternative model of ACE, which harnessed the power of a technology platform and utilised a social enterprise business model to encourage greater connectivity within the ACE sector. An analysis of Chalkle is important in order to explore and understand how collaboration across and beyond the ACE sector, in this case through a mix of education, technology, and business, could offer insights into sustainable solutions to withstand changes in government policy and funding.
Iron depletion and repletion with ferrous sulfate or electrolytic iron modifies the composition and metabolic activity of the gut microbiota in rats.

Iron (Fe) deficiency anemia is a global health concern and Fe fortification and supplementation are common corrective strategies. Fe is essential not only for the human host but also for nearly all gut bacteria. We studied the impact of Fe deficiency and Fe repletion on the gut microbiota in rats. Weanling rats were fed an Fe-deficient diet for 24 d and then repleted for 13 d with FeSO₄ (n = 15) or electrolytic Fe (n = 14) at 10 and 20 mg Fe · kg diet⁻¹. In addition, one group of rats (n = 8) received the Fe-deficient diet and one group (n = 3) received a Fe-sufficient control diet for all 37 d. Fecal samples were collected at baseline and after the depletion and repletion periods, and colonic tissues were examined histologically. Microbial metabolite composition in cecal water was measured and fecal samples were analyzed for microbial composition with temporal temperature gradient gel electrophoresis and qPCR. Compared to Fe-sufficient rats, Fe-deficient rats had significantly lower concentrations of cecal butyrate (-87%) and propionate (-72%) and the abundance of dominant species was strongly modified, including greater numbers of lactobacilli and Enterobacteriaceae and a large significant decrease of the Roseburia spp. /E. rectale group, a major butyrate producer. Repletion with 20 mg FeSO₄ · kg diet⁻¹ significantly increased cecal butyrate concentrations and partially restored bacterial populations compared to Fe-deficient rats at endpoint. The effects on the gut microbiota were stronger in rats repleted with FeSO₄ than in rats repleted with electrolytic Fe, suggesting ferrous Fe may be more available for utilization by the gut microbiota than elemental Fe. Repletion with FeSO₄ significantly increased neutrophilic infiltration of the colonic mucosa compared to Fe-deficient rats. In conclusion, Fe depletion and repletion strongly affect the composition and metabolic activity of rat gut microbiota.
Noninvasive detection of occlusive disease of the carotid siphon and middle cerebral artery

Recently, transcranial Doppler sonography has been introduced into clinical practice for noninvasive investigation of the large intracranial arteries. To determine its accuracy for detection of stenosing or occluding lesions, 133 consecutive patients were studied by both transcranial Doppler sonography and selective cerebral arteriography. Statistical analysis of findings was done separately for various arterial segments. High values for sensitivity and specificity were found for detecting obstruction of the carotid siphon and main stem of the middle cerebral artery. Diagnostic reliability of transcranial Doppler sonography was also confirmed by the calculation of a chance‐corrected measure of agreement (kappa), which was close to + 1 in all subanalyses. Transcranial Doppler sonography seems to be a valuable tool for noninvasive detection of intracranial lesions of the middle cerebral artery and carotid siphon.
New Chromogenic Agar Medium for the Identification of Candida spp

ABSTRACT A new chromogenic agar medium (Candida diagnostic agar [CDA]) for differentiation of Candida spp. is described. This medium is based on Sabouraud dextrose agar (Oxoid CM41) and contains (per liter) 40.0 g of glucose, 10.0 g of mycological peptone, and 15.0 g of agar along with a novel chromogenic glucosaminidase substrate, ammonium 4-{2-[4-(2-acetamido-2-deoxy-β-d-glucopyranosyloxy)-3-methoxyphenyl]-vinyl}-1-(propan-3-yl-oate)-quinolium bromide (0.32 g liter−1). The glucosaminidase substrate in CDA was hydrolyzed by Candida albicans and Candida dubliniensis, yielding white colonies with deep-red spots on a yellow transparent background after 24 to 48 h of incubation at 37°C. Colonies of Candida tropicalis and Candida kefyr were uniformly pink, and colonies of other Candida spp. , including Candida glabrata and Candida parapsilosis, were white. CDA was evaluated by using 115 test strains of Candida spp. and other clinically important yeasts and was compared with two commercially available chromogenic agars (Candida ID agar [bioMerieux] and CHROMagar Candida [CHROMagar Company Ltd.]). On all three agars, colonies of C. albicans were not distinguished from colonies of C. dubliniensis. However, for the group containing C. albicans plus C. dubliniensis, both the sensitivity and the specificity of detection when CDA was used were 100%, compared with values of 97.6 and 100%, respectively, with CHROMagar Candida and 100 and 96.8%, respectively, with Candida ID agar. In addition, for the group containing C. tropicalis plus C. kefyr, the sensitivity and specificity of detection when CDA was used were also 100%, compared with 72.7 and 98.1%, respectively, with CHROMagar Candida. Candida ID agar did not differentiate C. tropicalis and C. kefyr strains but did differentiate members of a broader group (C. tropicalis, C. kefyr, Candida lusitaniae plus Candida guilliermondii); the sensitivity and specificity of detection for members of this group were 94.7 and 93.8%, respectively. In addition to the increased sensitivity and/or specificity of Candida detection when CDA was used, differentiation of colony types on CDA (red spotted, pink, or no color) was unambiguous and did not require precise assessment of colony color.
Genomic DNA Hypomethylation by Histone Deacetylase Inhibition Implicates DNMT1 Nuclear Dynamics

ABSTRACT Histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi) are promising antitumor drugs acting through reactivation of silenced tumor suppressor genes. Several HDACi are currently in clinical trials both for hematological and solid tissue malignancies. Cooperative action of HDACi and DNA methylation inhibitors (DNMTi) has been reported, making combined treatment an attractive choice for cancer therapy. There is some evidence that synergistic effects of HDACi and DNMTi are achieved by their action on common targets, including DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1). To further analyze this interaction, we investigated the effect of the HDACi trichostatin A on global and gene-specific DNA methylation and applied methods with single molecule sensitivity, confocal laser scanning microscopy with avalanche photodiode detectors (APD imaging) and fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS), to study its effect on the nuclear dynamics of DNMT1 in live cells. Our data show that trichostatin A treatment reduces global DNA methylation and the DNMT1 protein level and alters DNMT1 nuclear dynamics and interactions with chromatin. The mechanisms underlying these effects are apparently distinct from the mechanisms of action of the DNMT inhibitor 5-azacytidine. Our study sheds light on the molecular mechanisms underlying the synergistic action of HDACi and DNMTi and may also help to define improved policies for cancer treatment.
Making Two-Way Satellite Relaying Feasible: A Differential Modulation Based Approach

In this paper, we study two-way satellite relaying between two earth stations (ESs) willing to exchange their signals via a satellite. The satellite communication has big problems of propagation delay and fast channel gain fluctuations, due to which it is difficult to generate perfect channel information in ESs for self interference cancellation and decoding of transmitted symbols. Therefore, the usual two-way relaying developed for the terrestrial links is not applicable for the satellite links. In order to avoid the problem of channel estimation, we propose to use differential modulation in both ESs. Then we develop a differential detector of the symbols transmitted by the ESs. The satellite is assumed to be of transparent type. The proposed differential decoder allows for self interference cancellation and detection of the transmitted symbols without any channel information. However, the proposed differential detector requires a relative rotation between the constellations of both ESs for performing satisfactorily. The proposed two-way relaying is useful for the satellite communication systems as it allows the ESs to exchange their data via satellite without any training. The pairwise error probability (PEP) of the proposed scheme is also derived. Based on the PEP, we analytically find the diversity of the considered system.