Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
[Infective endocarditis: analysis of 300 episodes].

PURPOSE Study of clinical features and etiologic agents, treatment and mortality of patients with infective endocarditis (IE). PATIENTS AND METHODS 300 episodes of IE occurring in 288 patients, ages ranged between 0.2 and 78 (mean 30.76) years; 185 (62%) episodes occurred in males. RESULTS a) etiologic agents: viridans group streptococci in 93 (31%) episodes, enterococci en 21 (7%), group D-non enterococci in 19 (6%) (13 S. bovis), other streptococci in 14 (5%), Staphylococcus aureus in 59 (20%), Staphylococcus epidermidis in 14 (5%), gram-negative bacteria in 16 (5%), gram-positive bacteria other than streptococci and staphylococci in 8 (3%), fungi in 4 (1%). The etiologic agents were not identified in 52 (17%) episodes; b) underlying cardiac diseases: valvular heart disease in 119 (40%) episodes, congenital heart disease in 37 (12%), prosthetic heart valves in 69 (23%), other heart diseases in 6 (2%). There was no evidence of previous heart disease in 69 (23%); c) treatment: surgical treatment was undertaken in 102 (34%) episodes. The frequency of surgical treatment in relation to the etiologic agents ranged between 1% (non-group D streptococci) and 62% (negative blood cultures). The frequency of operation in relation to underlying heart disease ranged between 17% (other heart diseases), 19% (congenital heart disease) and 54% (prosthetic heart valve); d) mortality: 78 (26%) patients died, 56 (28%) of the 198 submitted to medical treatment and 22 (21%) of the 102 submitted also to surgical treatment. The mortality in the different groups of etiologic agents ranged between 5% (non-group D streptococci) and 62% (gram-positive bacteria other than streptococci and staphylococci); in relation to the underlying heart disease, the mortality was 16% in patients with other heart disease, 19% in valvular heart disease patients, 21% in patients with congenital heart disease, 23% in patients without known heart disease and 43% in patients with prosthetic heart valves. CONCLUSION The mortality associated with IE remains still high in spite of modern treatment; the mortality is different in relation to the different etiologic agents and in relation to the cardiac status before the IE.
Resource and service management architecture of a low capacity network for smart spaces

A smart space is typically composed of heterogeneous networks of communicating and collaborating nodes with varying capacities of resources such as processing power, memory and energy. Recent developments in wireless communication technology and miniaturization of Consumer Electronics (CE) hardware have made Low Capacity Networks (LCN) such as Wireless Sensor and Actuator Networks (WSAN) an important element of smart spaces. However, resource and service management in LCNs that interoperate with resource-rich nodes of a smart space is still a challenge. We propose and implement an architecture for lightweight resource and service management in LCNs. Furthermore, we present a validation of the proposed architecture through performance analysis in comparison to an existing interoperability architecture.
APLIKASI TEKNOLOGI PENDIDIKAN DI SEKOLAH

Dalam rangka pembangunan ekonomi yang berkelanjutan, kita tidak dapat lagi mengandalkan pada tersedianya tenaga kerja yang banyak dan murah, seperti yang selama ini telah dianggap sebagai suatu keuntungan kompetitif. Tenaga kerja yang diperlukan dalam era perubahan ini ada mereka yang terdidik dan terlatih dengan baik, serta menguasai informasi (well educated, well trained, and informed). Perubahan oganisasi untuk menyesuaikan diri dengan perubahan lingkungan merupakan azas dari organisasi belajar.
The Genetics of Adult-Onset Neuropsychiatric Disease: Complexities and Conundra?

Genetic factors play a major role in the etiology of adult-onset neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric disorders. Several highly penetrant genes have been cloned for rare, autosomal-dominant, early-onset forms of neurodegenerative diseases. These genes have provided important insights into the mechanisms of these diseases (often altering neuronal protein processing). However, the genes associated with inherited susceptibility to late-onset neurodegenerative diseases, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder appear to have smaller effects and are likely to interact with each other (and with nongenetic factors) to modulate susceptibility and/or disease phenotype. Several strategies have recently been applied to address this complexity, leading to the identification of a number of candidate susceptibility loci/genes.
Overexpression of Cytosolic Glutamine Synthetase. Relation to Nitrogen, Light, and Photorespiration1

In plants, ammonium released during photorespiration exceeds primary nitrogen assimilation by as much as 10-fold. Analysis of photorespiratory mutants indicates that photorespiratory ammonium released in mitochondria is reassimilated in the chloroplast by a chloroplastic isoenzyme of glutamine synthetase (GS2), the predominant GS isoform in leaves of Solanaceous species including tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum). By contrast, cytosolic GS1 is expressed in the vasculature of several species including tobacco. Here, we report the effects on growth and photorespiration of overexpressing a cytosolic GS1 isoenzyme in leaf mesophyll cells of tobacco. The plants, which ectopically overexpress cytosolic GS1 in leaves, display a light-dependent improved growth phenotype under nitrogen-limiting and nitrogen-non-limiting conditions. Improved growth was evidenced by increases in fresh weight, dry weight, and leaf soluble protein. Because the improved growth phenotype was dependent on light, this suggested that the ectopic expression of cytosolic GS1 in leaves may act via photosynthetic/photorespiratory process. The ectopic overexpression of cytosolic GS1 in tobacco leaves resulted in a 6- to 7-fold decrease in levels of free ammonium in leaves. Thus, the overexpression of cytosolic GS1 in leaf mesophyll cells seems to provide an alternate route to chloroplastic GS2 for the assimilation of photorespiratory ammonium. The cytosolic GS1 transgenic plants also exhibit an increase in the CO2 photorespiratory burst and an increase in levels of photorespiratory intermediates, suggesting changes in photorespiration. Because the GS1 transgenic plants have an unaltered CO2 compensation point, this may reflect an accompanying increase in photosynthetic capacity. Together, these results provide new insights into the possible mechanisms responsible for the improved growth phenotype of cytosolic GS1 overexpressing plants. Our studies provide further support for the notion that the ectopic overexpression of genes for cytosolic GS1 can potentially be used to affect increases in nitrogen use efficiency in transgenic crop plants.
The empirical evidence of corporate tax impact on private investment of developing countries using Ghana as a case study

Understanding and appreciating the crucial role privates’ investment plays in developing economies towards it sustainable growth, it became an imperative assignment to investigate the effect of corporate taxes and it impacts on privates’ Investment in developing countries, but focused the study on Ghana for the hypothetical test. For this very reason, the study sort to derive a cogent argument between corporate tax and it impacts on private investment including controllable variables like real GDP, Inflation estimated under consumer price index, exchange rate measured nominally, government expenditure and finally domestic credits as a vector indicators using Johansen approach to co-integration.
Prevalence, risk factors, clinical consequences, and treatment of enteral feed intolerance during critical illness.

BACKGROUND We aimed to determine the incidence of enteral feed intolerance and factors associated with intolerance and to assess the influence of intolerance on nutrition and clinical outcomes. METHODS We conducted a retrospective analysis of data from an international observational cohort study of nutrition practices among 167 intensive care units (ICUs). Data were collected on nutrition adequacy, ventilator-free days (VFDs), ICU stay, and 60-day mortality. Intolerance was defined as interruption of enteral nutrition (EN) due to gastrointestinal (GI) reasons (large gastric residuals, abdominal distension, emesis, diarrhea, or subjective discomfort). Logistic regression was used to determine risk factors for intolerance and their clinical significance. A sensitivity analysis restricted to sites specifying a gastric residual volume ≥200 mL to identify intolerance was also conducted. RESULTS Data from 1,888 ICU patients were included. The incidence of intolerance was 30.5% and occurred after a median 3 days from EN initiation. Patients remained intolerant for a mean (±SD) duration of 1.9 ± 1.3 days . Intolerance was associated with worse nutrition adequacy vs the tolerant (56% vs 64%, P < .0001), fewer VFDs (2.5 vs 11.2, P < .0001), increased ICU stay (14.4 vs 11.3 days, P < .0001), and increased mortality (30.8% vs 26.2, P = .04). The sensitivity analysis demonstrated that intolerance remained associated with negative outcomes. Although mortality was greater among the intolerant patients, this was not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS Intolerance occurs frequently during EN in critically ill patients and is associated with poorer nutrition and clinical outcomes.
Analysis of the human lumbar cerebrospinal fluid proteome

Idiopathic low back pain has no known cause, and the molecular basis is unknown. Neuropeptidergic systems have been previously studied, and proteomics methods have been applied in this present study. Proteomics combines high‐resolution two‐dimensional (2‐D) gel electrophoresis, high‐sensitivity mass spectrometry, and continuously expanding protein databases. Proteomics offers a comprehensive, bird’s‐eye view to analyze, at a systems level, all of the proteins in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) that might contribute to idiopathic low back pain. CSF contains a high salt concentration and low protein concentration. In order to obtain a high‐quality 2‐D pattern, several sample preparation methods were tested to remove salts – protein precipitation with either acetone or trichloroacetic acid/acetone, or sample treatment with a Bio‐Spin column. More spots were visualized on the 2‐D gel of human CSF, and a relatively high protein recovery was obtained when a Bio‐Spin column was used to process a human CSF sample. Sixty‐one protein spots, obtained from 2‐D gels with a pH range of either 3–10 or 4–7, were identified by matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization‐mass spectrometry (MALDI‐MS) and MALDI‐post‐source decay (PSD)‐MS. These 61 protein spots represent 22 proteins; six of those proteins were not annotated in any previously published 2‐D maps. Those six proteins are PRO2619, pigment epithelium‐derived factor, albumin homolog, kallikrein‐6 precursor, DJ717I23.1, and AMBP protein precursor. These protein‐mapping data will contribute to the database that will be used in the future to compare the proteomes obtained from the CSF of controls and low back pain patients, to characterize differentially expressed proteins, and to elucidate the biological markers for idiopathic low back pain.
Are bacterial biofilms constrained to Darwin's concept of evolution through natural selection?

Numerous antimicrobial agents have been developed which act at the molecular, cellular, and organismal levels. However, few have been developed which act at the community-level. This results largely from the failure of Darwinian selection theory to envision communities as units of proliferation and evolution. It is thus difficult to conceive of microbial communities as causative agents and to develop antimicrobials which are effective against them. Consequently, we find it necessary to consider a more comprehensive biological paradigm which envisions biofilm communities and other microbial associations (e.g. mixed infections, food spoilage, tooth decay) as units of existence, activity, ecology, proliferation, survival, and evolution. These communities exist in the same sense that organisms exist as units of ecological activity. This is a simpler, more comprehensive, and more unifying theory of ecology. It is simpler in that it no longer requires convoluted explanations of altruistic behavior in terms of individual selection. It is more comprehensive by not constraining evolution to the selection of any single level of biological organization (genes, races, lineages, or groups). It unifies in that it bridges the boundaries between microbial ecology, evolutionary ecology and ecosystem ecology. The basis for this theory lies in recognizing that life consists of various forms of information (order) which evolve not only through genetic recombination and mutation, but also through the recombination of organisms within communities (as well as other mechanisms, some of which are considered beyond the realm of biology). It also involves setting aside the concept of evolution through selection and competition, in favor of evolution through proliferation and association.
The Development of Beta-cell Mass: Recent Progress and Potential Role of GLP-1

Over the last decade, remarkable strides in incretin hormone biology have laid the foundation for our more recent appreciation that GLP-1 not only regulates mature beta-cell function but also critically regulates beta-cell differentiation, beta-cell proliferation and beta-cell survival. Dysregulated beta-cell growth and function are central to the pathophysiology of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Thus, GLP-1 receptor agonists are being intensively developed for the treatment of human diabetes and are likely to become available to clinical use in the near future. A general overview of beta-cell development will be provided, with particular emphasis on recent contributions to our understanding of pancreas and islet development during the embryonic, fetal and neonatal periods. The transcriptional hierarchy and extracellular signals governing events during these periods will be highlighted. Evidence suggesting a role for endogenous GLP-1 and GLP-1 receptor during beta-cell development will be reviewed. Finally, the therapeutic potential for intervention with GLP1 receptor agonists during the neonatal period will be discussed.
Predicting Thermal Power Consumption of the Mars Express Satellite with Machine Learning

The thermal subsystem of the Mars Express (MEX) orbiter keeps the on-board equipment within its pre-defined operating temperatures range. To plan and optimize the scientific operations of MEX, its operators need to estimate in advance, as accurately as possible, the power consumption of the thermal subsystem. The residual power can then be allocated for scientific purposes. We present a machine learning-based pipeline for the prediction of MEX's thermal power consumption. We show that the proposed pipeline is superior in accuracy to the models currently used by MEX's operators. We also demonstrate that machine learning can provide the operators with insight about the orbiter's thermal behavior. Better understanding of the thermal subsystem and improved predictive accuracy of the thermal power consumption could help operators to improve science return and to prolong the operating life of MEX.
Sales Growth, CEO Pay, and Corporate Governance in India

Although stock return-based performance metrics are common in CEO compensation contracts in the United States, similar CEO pay arrangements may not be appropriate in India given higher stock return volatility and lower liquidity. Instead, sales growth as a performance metric could be useful in incentivizing Indian CEOs to pursue earnings growth consistent with shareholder value maximization. In this study, we examine the use of sales growth as a performance metric in extant Indian CEO pay arrangements and whether the usage is consistent with efficiency. Our findings suggest that the weight placed on sales growth in determining CEO compensation in India is positive and is higher for more powerful CEOs. We also find that board vigilance is effective in moderating the weight placed on sales growth in CEO pay arrangements. Finally, we show that the weight placed on sales growth in assessing CEO pay negatively impacts future firm performance, particularly for firms that are in the later stages of the firm life cycle, are less profitable, and have weaker shareholder monitoring. Collectively, our findings are consistent with inefficiency (efficiency) in CEO pay contracting in the use of sales growth as a performance metric in later (early) stage firms, less (more) profitable firms, and weaker (stronger) shareholder monitoring firms. More broadly, our findings albeit India-specific are of potential interest to CEO pay arrangement debates in the United States and elsewhere where sales growth is an important performance metric in determining CEO compensation.
Bioprocess Equipment: Characterization of Energy Dissipation Rate and Its Potential to Damage Cells

A study was conducted in which analytical, computational, and experimental measurements combined with analysis were made to characterize the local energy dissipation rate in a variety of conditions, vessels, and geometries that animal cells would encounter in typical bioprocessing situations. With no gas‐liquid interfaces present, as expected, the local energy dissipation rate is typically orders of magnitude lower than what has been experimentally demonstrated to catastrophically damage typically used, suspended animal cells. However, local energy dissipation rates shown to remove animal cells from microcarriers are achievable under some normal operating conditions and geometries. Whether local energy dissipation rates created under typical operating conditions can have nonlethal effects is still an open question and currently under investigation. Whether the sensitivity of other, nontypical, suspended animal cells such as cells obtained directly from tissue (primary cells) and clusters of cells, such as islets, are more sensitive than the typically used cells is also still under investigation.
The structural correlate of the receptive field centre of alpha ganglion cells in the cat retina.

The correlation between the receptive field centre and the dendritic tree of individual brisk transient, or alpha, ganglion cells in the cat retina was investigated by a combination of physiological and anatomical techniques. The sizes of receptive field centres of brisk transient (Y) cells were measured with a flickering spot of light. Contour maps and response (or sensitivity) profiles were measured at mesopic and scotopic backgrounds. Recording positions on the retina and nearby blood vessels were back‐projected onto the receptive field plots on the tangent screen. After recording, whole amount preparations of the retinae were stained by a reduced silver method to stain all alpha cells together with their dendritic trees. By comparing the landmarks on the screen plot with those of the whole mount it was possible to identify the recorded cells in the preparation and to study their morphology. The dendritic tree of an alpha cell determines the position, size and shape of its receptive field centre. The mesopic receptive field centres were found to be a factor of 1.4 +/‐ 0.13 larger than their respective dendritic fields. It is suggested that the dendritic fields of presynaptic neurones (bipolar and amacrine cell processes) add to the ganglion cell dendritic tree to produce the larger centre summating area.
Recent progress in the diagnosis and treatment of ovarian cancer

Epithelial ovarian cancer is the most lethal of the gynecologic malignancies, largely due to the advanced stage at diagnosis in most patients. Screening strategies using ultrasound and the cancer antigen (CA) 125 tumor marker are currently under study and may lower stage at diagnosis but have not yet been shown to improve survival. Women who have inherited a deleterious mutation in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene and those with the Lynch syndrome (hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer) have the highest risk of developing ovarian cancer but account for only approximately 10% of those with the disease. Other less common and less well‐defined genetic syndromes may increase the risk of ovarian cancer, but their contribution to genetic risk is small. A clear etiology for sporadic ovarian cancer has not been identified, but risk is affected by reproductive and hormonal factors. Surgery has a unique role in ovarian cancer, as it is used not only for diagnosis and staging but also therapeutically, even in patients with widely disseminated, advanced disease. Ovarian cancer is highly sensitive to chemotherapy drugs, particularly the platinum agents, and most patients will attain a remission with initial treatment. Recent advances in the delivery of chemotherapy using the intraperitoneal route have further improved survival after initial therapy. Although the majority of ovarian cancer patients will respond to initial chemotherapy, most will ultimately develop disease recurrence. Chemotherapy for recurrent disease includes platinum‐based, multiagent regimens for women whose disease recurs more than 6 to 12 months after the completion of initial therapy and sequential single agents for those whose disease recurs earlier. New targeted biologic agents, particularly those involved with the vascular endothelial growth factor pathway and those targeting the poly (ADP‐ribose) polymerase (PARP) enzyme, hold great promise for improving the outcome of ovarian cancer. CA Cancer J Clin 2011. © 2011 American Cancer Society, Inc.
Anabolic androgenic steroids: a survey of 500 users.

PURPOSE The use of anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) to increase muscle size and strength is widespread. Information regarding self-administered AAS used nonmedically to enhance athletic performance or improve physical appearance is sparse and poorly documented. The purpose of this study is to identify current trends in the drug-taking habits of AAS users. METHODS An anonymous self-administered questionnaire was posted on the message boards of Internet Web sites popular among AAS users. RESULTS Of the 500 AAS users who participated in the survey, 78.4% (392/500) were noncompetitive bodybuilders and nonathletes; 59.6% (298/500) of the respondents reported using at least 1000 mg of testosterone or its equivalent per week. The majority (99.2%) of AAS users (496/500) self-administer injectable AAS formulations, and up to 13% (65/500) report unsafe injection practices such as reusing needles, sharing needles, and sharing multidose vials. In addition to using AAS, 25% of users admitted to the adjuvant use of growth hormone and insulin for anabolic effect, and 99.2% (496/500) of users reported subjective side effects from AAS use. CONCLUSIONS This survey reveals several trends in the nonmedical use of AAS. Nearly four out of five AAS users are nonathletes who take these drugs for cosmetic reasons. AAS users in this sample are taking larger doses than previously recorded, with more than half of the respondents using a weekly AAS dose in excess of 1000 mg. The majority of steroid users self-administer AAS by intramuscular injection, and approximately 1 in 10 users report hazardous injection techniques. Polypharmacy is practiced by more than 95% of AAS users, with one in four users taking growth hormone and insulin. Nearly 100% of AAS users reported subjective side effects.