Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The metabolic syndrome in Bulgaria

ABSTRACT The prevalence of the metabolic syndrome (MetS), a cluster of central obesity, hyper/dyslipiemia, hyperglycemia, and hypertension is constantly increasing worldwide. Although, the exact mechanisms underlying the development of the MetS are not completely understood, modern lifestyle of physical inactivity and unhealthy nutrition, obesity, and their interaction with genetic factors are considered largely responsible. It has been convincingly demonstrated that the metabolic syndrome is associated with substantially increased risk for the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus, as well as, with increased cardiovascular disease (CVD) morbidity and mortality. The prevalence of obesity and type 2 diabetes in Bulgaria has dramatically increased in the last decades. For the same period CVD mortality in the country have also gradually increased and Bulgaria is nowadays among the countries with the highest macrovascular disease death rates in Europe. A number of epidemiological studies have demonstrated that the prevalence of the MetS and of its individual components has also increased during the last decades and is nowadays relatively high among the general population in Bulgarian and extremely high among high-risk individuals. Surprisingly, the prevalence of the MetS is also high among the low risk population in the country and most of its components that are independent predictors of CVD mortality are largely undiagnosed. Furthermore, the presence of the MetS is associated with history of myocardial infarction in the country. Although objective data is somewhat scarce, several studies have reported association of the low physical activity level and the unhealthy nutritional habits with the prevalence of cardiometabolic diseases among the Bulgarian population. Taking into account these observations it may be suggested that indeed the high metabolic syndrome prevalence that results as a consequence of unhealthy lifestyle is responsible for the extremely high CVD mortality rates in Bulgaria. Therefore, largescale screening programmes should be undertaken within this population in combination with health prevention strategies promoting regular physical activity and improvement of nutritional habits.
Blinding Applicants in a First-Stage Peer-Review Process of Biomedical Research Grants: An Observational Study.

To blind or not researcher’s identity has often been a topic of debate in the context of peer-review process for scientific publication and research grant application. This article reports on how knowing the name and experience of researchers/institutions influences the qualification of a proposal. We present our experience of managing the peer-review process of different biomedical research grants. The peer-review process included three evaluation stages: first, blinded assessment; second, unblinded assessment by the same reviewer; and final, assessment of the better qualified proposals by an ad hoc committee. The change between the first (applicants blinded) and the second assessments (unblinded) for each evaluation and reviewer was evaluated. Factors associated with change were analysed, taking into account the characteristics of proposals, reviewers, and researchers. A qualitative content analysis of the reviewers’ comments was also carried out to assess the reasons for change. The analysis of 5,002 evaluations indicated that in 18.5% of the evaluations (from 10.5 to 27.7% depending on the year of the edition), the reviewer changed the second assessment: either for better (11.9%) or worse (6.6%). Our findings also suggest that a change in the second assessment was highly correlated with a positive evaluation of the experience of the principal investigator or research team. With a change of 1 in 10 to 1 in 4 depending on the year of the edition, we believe that concealing the identity of researchers/institutions could help to focus exclusively on the proposal and reduce some of the common biases of the peer-review process in grant decisions.
Pamidronate in the treatment of childhood SAPHO syndrome.

BACKGROUND SAPHO syndrome is increasingly recognized within the paediatric population. Conventional therapeutic approaches have often not been effective. Pamidronate is a second-generation bisphosphonate that affects bone turnover and demonstrates anti-inflammatory properties. In small case series it has given symptomatic relief to adults with this condition. OBJECTIVES To report the clinical experience with pamidronate in childhood SAPHO syndrome. METHODS A retrospective observational study of all children with SAPHO syndrome treated with pamidronate between 1996 and 2003 at a tertiary rheumatology centre. The standard dosing regime for pamidronate was 1 mg/kg to a maximum of 30 mg, administered daily for three consecutive days, repeated 3-monthly as required. Response to treatment was determined by clinical observation, patient subjective response and reduction in other treatments RESULTS Seven girls were treated, with a median (range) age at diagnosis of 11 yr (9-15 yr). All patients demonstrated a beneficial clinical response, with relief of pain, increased activity and improved well-being. Subsequent courses of pamidronate were used in all patients. Other medications including corticosteroids and methotrexate could subsequently be stopped. Transient symptoms were associated with the initial course of pamidronate in some patients. No serious adverse events were reported. CONCLUSIONS Pamidronate was associated with a marked improvement in function and well-being, and a reduction of pain and use of other medications in all patients, with no significant adverse effects. This study represents preliminary clinical data. A prospective multicentre study is necessary to assess the role and long-term safety of pamidronate in the management of childhood SAPHO syndrome
Nuclear Factor‐κB is Involved in the Catecholaminergic Suppression of Immunocompetent Cells

Abstract: Catecholamines are known to exert a powerful impact on the immune system by downregulation of proliferation and differentiation, and induction of apoptosis. However, the mechanism for this regulatory route is still unclear. Therefore well established human monocytic cell‐lines and non‐transformed human monocytes, obtained from peripheral blood, were incubated with an optimal concentration of LPS and varying concentrations of the catecholamine dopamine. The proliferative response to LPS was determined by [3H]thymidine incorporation, and a significant suppressive effect by dopamine was obtained. LPS‐induced binding of NF‐κB to DNA, determined by electrophoretic mobility shift assay, was inhibited by extrinsic dopamine, leading to a decreased proliferation and cytokine expression. In contrast, the intracellular ceramide concentration was not affected by incubation of peripheral blood lymphocytes with dopamine. Our findings suggest that the NF‐κB‐I‐κB transcription machinery may well be involved in the catecholaminergic regulation of the immune system, while the ceramide‐SAPK/JNK cascade appears not to play a significant role in this suppression.
Experimenting with Snapchat in a University EFL Classroom

This article illustrates one professor’s experiment with using Snapchat in a university EFL classroom. Snapchat has become impossible to ignore and this study proves that it can be beneficial to students. This study shows how the use of Snapchat can engage students and encourage them to practice English outside the classroom. Keywords : Snapchat, social media in classroom, EFL education, technology in classroom
A Hybrid Stereo Feature Matching Algorithm For Stereo Vision-Based Bin Picking

Stereo vision-based bin picking systems require accurate 3D information to be recovered from 2D stereo images. To achieve this goal, we have developed a hybrid coarse-to-fine algorithm for stereo feature matching, which is based on the 2D six-parameter affine transformation and local similarity evaluation. With this algorithm, the coarse matching is performed by the 2D six-parameter affine transformation to get rough feature matches, imposing a strong constraint to further search instead of the traditional epipolar constraint. To obtain precise matches, the perspective effect is dealt with fine stereo feature matching by performing local similarity evaluation on the attribute vectors of features. Experimental results proving the performance of the stereo feature matching algorithm are also presented.
Amplification in the Rehabilitation of Unilateral Deafness: Speech in Noise and Directional Hearing Effects with Bone-Anchored Hearing and Contralateral Routing of Signal Amplification

Objective: Vibromechanical stimulation with a semi-implantable bone conductor (Entific BAHA device) overcomes some of the head-shadow effects in unilateral deafness. What specific rehabilitative benefits are observed when the functional ear exhibits normal hearing versus moderate sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL)? Design: The authors conducted a prospective trial of subjects with unilateral deafness in a tertiary care center. Patients: This study comprised adults with unilateral deafness (pure-tone average [PTA] >90 dB; Sp.D. <20%) and either normal monaural hearing (n = 18) or moderate SNHL (PTA = 25-50 dB: Sp.D. >75%) in the contralateral functional ear (n = 5). Interventions: Subjects were fit with contralateral routing of signal (CROS) devices for 1 month and tested before (mastoid) implantation, fitting, and testing with a bone-anchored hearing aid (BAHA). Outcome Measures: Outcome measures were: 1) subjective benefit; 2) source localization tests (Source Azimuth Identification in Noise Test [SAINT]); 3) speech discrimination in quiet and in noise assessed with Hearing In Noise Test (HINT) protocols. Results: There was consistent satisfaction with BAHA amplification and poor acceptance of CROS amplification. General directional hearing decreased with CROS use and was unchanged by BAHA and directional microphone aids. Relative to baseline and CROS, BAHA produced significantly better speech recognition in noise. Twenty-two of 23 subjects followed up in this study continue to use their BAHA device over an average follow-up period of 30.24 months (range, 51-12 months). Conclusion: BAHA amplification on the side of a deaf ear yields greater benefit in subjects with monaural hearing than does CROS amplification. Advantages likely related to averting the interference of speech signals delivered to the better ear, as occurs with conventional CROS amplification, while alleviating the negative head-shadow effects of unilateral deafness. The advantages of head-shadow reduction in enhancing speech recognition with noise in the hearing ear outweigh disadvantages inherent in head-shadow reduction that can occur by introducing noise from the deaf side. The level of hearing impairment correlates with incremental benefit provided by the BAHA. Patients with a moderate SNHL in the functioning ear perceived greater increments in benefit, especially in background noise, and demonstrated greater improvements in speech understanding with BAHA amplification.
An Improved Two-Scale Model for the Ocean Surface Bistatic Scattering

Remote sensing applications require developing accurate models to predict radar bistatic scattering from rough surfaces. In this context, an improved two-scale model (TSM) is proposed for electromagnetic bistatic scattering from sea surface. The simplest TSM combines the first order small perturbation method (SPM1) with Kirchhoff Approximation. We add the second order SPM contribution to SPM1 to develop an improved TSM. The calculations are made by assuming the surface-height spectrum of Elfouhaily et al. for fully developed seas. In backscattering configuration the numerical results are compared with the published experimental data and SSA. The new TSM results are in good agreement with the experimental data specially, in cross-polarization. Finally, we use the new TSM to predict the sea scattering in bistatic configuration and compare the results with SSA.
Policy evaluation before and after the governmental reform in Flanders (Belgium): progress in evaluating progress?

Evaluation practice and culture have spread rather slowly and unevenly among European countries. Belgium is usually in a second wave of countries that have developed an evaluation practice, mainly under external pressures. Unlike in a few pioneer countries, evaluation was here not introduced as a autonomous tool, but part of a broader package of reform, of which ‘New Public Management’ is an example.
Parameterized assembling model of communication service

Protocol components and protocol component library are constructed by dividing protocols into components. Component character parameter describes the quantization character of certain components. Quantization-oriented assembling model is driven by component character parameter. This model provides a transparent layer between operating system and protocol component library and deals with the encapsulated components. Then specific communication service is offered to communication devices. In the architecture of quantization-oriented assemble model, independent sub-functions are implemented by different intelligent agent. By the collaboration of multiple sub-modules, assemble process driven by component character parameter is implemented.
Effects of different regimens to lower blood pressure on major cardiovascular events in older and younger adults: meta-analysis of randomised trials

Objective To quantify the relative risk reductions achieved with different regimens to lower blood pressure in younger and older adults. Design Meta-analyses and meta-regression analyses used to compare the effects on the primary outcome between two age groups (<65 v ≥65 years). Evidence for an interaction between age and the effects of treatment sought by fitting age as a continuous variable and estimating overall effects across trials. Main outcome measures Primary outcome: total major cardiovascular events. Results 31 trials, with 190 606 participants, were included. The meta-analyses showed no clear difference between age groups in the effects of lowering blood pressure or any difference between the effects of the drug classes on major cardiovascular events (all P≥0.24). Neither was there any significant interaction between age and treatment when age was fitted as a continuous variable (all P>0.09). The meta-regressions also showed no difference in effects between the two age groups for the outcome of major cardiovascular events (<65 v ≥65; P=0.38). Conclusions Reduction of blood pressure produces benefits in younger (<65 years) and older (≥65 years) adults, with no strong evidence that protection against major vascular events afforded by different drug classes varies substantially with age.
HVDC network: Wind power integration and creation of super grid

This paper investigates the possibility of using HVDC networks to create a large power pool that may facilitate the following objectives: increased connection of renewable power to the ac network without the need for bulky storage systems; improve the resiliency of the ac networks attached to this power pool against power and frequency instability problems during local loss of generation or major load; and enable power trading between these regional networks in real time. In this investigation, a generic HVDC network comprising four terminals connected to three strong ac networks and one weak ac network (mainly, wind farm based on fixed speed induction generators) is simulated under two scenarios. First case, where the wind farm power output varies, and variable power injection at the terminals of the converters that control active power. The second case has tested the resiliency of the HVDC network during loss of the ac network at one of the converter station.
Clairvoyance: Look-ahead compile-time scheduling

To enhance the performance of memory-bound applications, hardware designs have been developed to hide memory latency, such as the out-of-order (OoO) execution engine, at the price of increased energy consumption. Contemporary processor cores span a wide range of performance and energy efficiency options: from fast and power-hungry OoO processors to efficient, but slower in-order processors. The more memory-bound an application is, the more aggressive the OoO execution engine has to be to hide memory latency. This proposal targets the middle ground, as seen in a simple OoO core, which strikes a good balance between performance and energy efficiency and currently dominates the market for mobile, hand-held devices and high-end embedded systems. We show that these simple, more energy-efficient OoO cores, equipped with the appropriate compile-time support, considerably boost the performance of single-threaded execution and reach new levels of performance for memory-bound applications. Clairvoyance generates code that is able to hide memory latency and better utilize the OoO engine, thus delivering higher performance at lower energy. To this end, Clairvoyance overcomes restrictions which yielded conventional compile-time techniques impractical: (i) statically unknown dependencies, (ii) insufficient independent instructions, and (iii) register pressure. Thus, Clairvoyance achieves a geomean execution time improvement of 7% for memory-bound applications with a conservative approach and 13% with a speculative but safe approach, on top of standard O3 optimizations, while maintaining compute-bound applications' high-performance.
Analysts' Forecast Dispersion and Stock Split Announcements

This paper is an empirical investigation of the relation between the dispersion on analysts' earnings forecasts and the future performance following a change in the nominal price of shares. On a sample of US splits occurred from 1993 to 2013, we observe a change in the distribution of analysts' forecasts after the announcement of the event. In particular, we observe an increase in forecasts' dispersion. We distinguish the two components of private and common information, and we find that asymmetric information significantly increases after the announcement of stock splits, while no change is evinced in uncertainty. While we do not observe any relationship between dispersion and future returns in our sample of stocks, we shed light on the literature on disagreement observing a negative relation between asymmetric information and both future returns and cumulative abnormal returns post-split. We conclude observing that stock split have a stronger positive effect on future performance for shares with lower prior asymmetric information.
The Evolutionary Psychology of War: Offense and Defense in the Adapted Mind

The study of warfare from an evolutionary perspective has expanded rapidly over the last couple of decades. However, it has tended to focus on the ancestral origins, prevalence, and instruments of war rather than adaptationist analyses of its underlying psychology. I argue that our evolved coalitional psychology may contain a set of distinct evolved heuristics designed specifically for offensive and defensive coalitional aggression. Data from two survey experiments are presented, in which subjects were given scenarios depicting offensive or defensive aggression and were told to make decisions, for example, regarding their willingness to participate in the conflict, their opinions of others who did not choose to participate, and their expectations benefit. The results indicate that humans do indeed distinguish readily between these two domains and that their willingness to participate, as well as their emotional responses toward others, is highly contingent upon this informational cue in adaptively relevant ways. In addition, and consistent with parental investment theory, data reveal a range of sex differences in attitudes toward coalitional aggression in the two conflict domains. Beyond the study of warfare, this project has implications for our understanding of the relationship between individual behavior and group dynamics, as well as for our understanding of the mechanisms by which the psychological framing of political events can lead to important social outcomes.
Assessing nursing clinical skills competence through objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) for open distance learning students in Open University Malaysia

Background: The objective structured clinical skills examination (OSCE) has over the years emerged as a method of evaluating clinical skills in most medical and allied professions. Although its validity and objectivity has evoked so much debate in the literature, little has been written about its application in non-traditional education systems such as in distance learning. This study examined clinical skills competence among practising nursing students who were enrolled in a distance learning programme. The study examined the effect of work and years of nursing practice on nurses’ clinical skills competence. Methodology: This study used observational design whereby nursing students’ clinical skills were observed and scored in five OSCE stations. Two instruments were used for the data collection – A self-administered questionnaire on the students’ bio-demographic data, and a check list on the clinical skills which the examiners rated on a four point scale. Results: The findings revealed that 14% of the nurses had level four competence, which indicated that they could perform the tasks correctly and complete. However, 12% failed the OSCE, even though they had more than 10 years experience in nursing and post basic qualifications. Inter-rater reliability was 0.92 for the five examiners. Factor analysis indicated that five participant factors accounted for 74.1% of the variations in clinical skills performance. Conclusion: An OSCE is a necessary assessment tool that should be continuously applied in nursing education, regardless of the mode of the education program, the student’s years of experience or his/her clinical placement. This study validates the need for OSCE in both the design of tertiary nursing degree programs and the assessment of nurses’ clinical competency level.