Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Intermittent hypoxia induces early functional cardiovascular remodeling in mice.

RATIONALE Intermittent hypoxia, a hallmark of sleep apnea, is a major factor for hypertension and impaired vasoreactivity. OBJECTIVES To examine the temporal occurrence of these two outcomes in order to provide insight into mechanisms and early cardiovascular disease identification. METHODS Functional and structural cardiovascular alterations were assessed in C57BL6 mice exposed to intermittent hypoxia (21-4% Fi(O(2)), 30-s cycle, 8 h/d) or air for up to 35 days. Blood pressure, heart rate, and urinary catecholamines were measured at Days 1 and 14. Hindquarter vasoreactivity was assessed at Days 14 and 35, including vasoconstriction to norepinephrine, endothelium-, and non-endothelium-dependent vasodilation. Aorta, heart, and hindquarter skeletal muscles were immunostained for vascular markers PECAM-1 and collagen IV. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS Hemodynamic alterations occurred from Day 1, characterized by blood pressure surges with bradytachyarrhythmia driven by cyclic hypoxia. At Day 14, blood pressure at normoxia was elevated, with predominant diastolic increase. With hypoxia, vasopressive catecholamines were elevated, blood pressure surged with a lower hypoxic threshold, whereas heart rate fluctuations decreased. Histologic alterations started from Day 14, with decreased endothelial PECAM-1 expression in descending aorta and left heart. Impaired peripheral vasoreactivity occurred at Day 35, including hypervasoconstriction to norepinephrine secondary to sympathetic hyperactivity, without changes in pre- and postsynaptic alpha-adrenoceptors or in endothelium- and non-endothelium-dependent vasodilation. CONCLUSIONS Intermittent hypoxia induces sequential cardiovascular events suggesting increased chemoreflex and depressed baroreflex, resulting in sympathoadrenal hyperactivity, early hemodynamic alterations with proximal histologic remodeling, and delayed changes in peripheral vasoreactivity. Such early alterations before overt cardiovascular disease strengthen the need for identifying at-risk individuals for systematic treatment.
A bandpass filter with an ultra wide stopband based on Liquid Crystal Polymer (LCP)

A bandpass filter with a ultra wide stopband is implemented on a Liquid Crystal Polymer (LCP) with a thickness of 100 µm. The bandpass filter (BPF) is realized in a double-sided structure, of which the top side provides the main filtering characteristics by employing T-shaped resonators and the bottom side provides efficient signal feeding. The filter has been investigated numerically and experimentally. Measured result shows that the stopband can be extended to 40GHz with the harmonic suppression at the level of 23.2 dB.
Adolescent perceptions of maternal approval of birth control and sexual risk behavior.

OBJECTIVES This study examined the relationship between adolescent perceptions of maternal approval of the use of birth control and sexual outcomes across a 12-month period. METHODS A subsample of the Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health database was used in the context of a prospective design. Approximately 10,000 students in grades 7 to 11 were interviewed twice, 1 year apart. RESULTS Adolescent perceptions of maternal approval of birth control were associated with an increased likelihood of sexual intercourse over the next 12 months for virgins at wave 1. The perceptions also were related to an increase in birth control use but showed an ambiguous relation to the probability of pregnancy. High relationship satisfaction between adolescents and mothers was associated with a higher probability of birth control use and a lower probability of both sexual intercourse and pregnancy. CONCLUSIONS The results suggest that perceived parental approval of birth control may increase the probability of sexual activity in some adolescents. "Safer sex" messages must be conveyed by parents with thought and care.
Relationship Between Fear of Falling , Balance Impairment and Functional Mobility in Community Dwelling Elderly

Fear of falling in elderly is a major cause of loss of independence, which has an effect on the physical function in them. The focus of the study is to find whether a relationship exist among fear of falling, balance impairment and functional mobility in the community dwelling elderly people. The sample consisted of 52 community dwelling elderly people of age between 65 years to 90 years (mean = 71.96, SD± 5.92). Fear of falling was measured using falls efficacy scale (FES), balance was measured using Berg balance scale (BBS) and functional mobility was assessed using the Timed Up and Go test (TUG). The data was analyzed using Pearson co-efficient of correlation to examine the relationship between FES, BBS and TUG test and with ttest. The correlation co-efficient between fall efficacy and balance performance wais –0.97 (p £ 0.01) and correlation coefficient between fall efficacy and TUG was 0.95 (p£0.05). This study concluded that there was a significant association between the fall efficacy, the balance performance and the functional mobility in the elderly people. This relationship has an important implication for the development of the rehabilitation programs that aim to improve the balance confidence and diminish its impact on function in elderly people.
Franchised fast food brands: An empirical study of factors influencing growth

Orientation : Franchising is a popular and multifaceted business arrangement that captures a sizeable portion of the restaurant industry worldwide. Research purpose : The study empirically investigated the influence of various site location and branding factors on the growth of franchised fast food restaurant brands across the greater Gauteng region. Motivation of the study : Researching which factors influence the growth of franchised fast food restaurant brands is important for an emerging market context such as South Africa when considering the marked increase in the consumption of fast foods. Design : A sample of 140 customers was surveyed from 12 leading franchised fast food outlets. Primary data were collected for various items representing site location and brand factors. Regression analysis was used to test the hypotheses. Findings : The overall findings showed that convenience and central facilities of a retail location are positively and significantly associated with the growth of the franchise fast food outlet. Practical implications: The study findings have implications for practitioners who need to take into account which factors influence revenue growth, since targeted interventions may be required to implement sustainable strategies by franchisors. Contribution : The findings may serve as a catalyst for this growing and important activity in South Africa and other emerging markets.
Service Delivery in the Healthcare and Educational Systems for Children Following Traumatic Brain Injury: Gaps in Care

Objective: To provide a review of evidence and consensus-based description of healthcare and educational service delivery and related recommendations for children with traumatic brain injury. Methods: Literature review and group discussion of best practices in management of children with traumatic brain injury (TBI) was performed to facilitate consensus-based recommendations from the American Congress on Rehabilitation Medicine's Pediatric and Adolescent Task Force on Brain Injury. This group represented pediatric researchers in public health, medicine, psychology, rehabilitation, and education. Results: Care for children with TBI in healthcare and educational systems is not well coordinated or integrated, resulting in increased risk for poor outcomes. Potential solutions include identifying at-risk children following TBI, evaluating their need for rehabilitation and transitional services, and improving utilization of educational services that support children across the lifespan. Conclusion: Children with TBI are at risk for long-term consequences requiring management as well as monitoring following the injury. Current systems of care have challenges and inconsistencies leading to gaps in service delivery. Further efforts to improve knowledge of the long-term TBI effects in children, child and family needs, and identify best practices in pathways of care are essential for optimal care of children following TBI.
Expression Profiles and RNAi Silencing of Inhibitor of Apoptosis Transcripts in Aedes, Anopheles, and Culex Mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae)

Abstract Effective mosquito control is vital to curtail the devastating health effects of many vectored diseases. RNA interference (RNAi)-mediated control of mosquitoes is an attractive alternative to conventional chemical pesticides. Previous studies have suggested that transcripts for inhibitors of apoptosis (IAPs) may be good RNAi targets. To revisit and extend previous reports, we examined the expression of Aedes aegypti (L.) IAPs (AaeIAPs) 1, 2, 5, 6, 9, and a viral IAP-associated factor (vIAF) as well as Anopheles quadrimaculatus Say and Culex quinquefasciatus Say IAP1 homologs (AquIAP1 and CquIAP1) in adult females. Expression profiles of IAPs suggested that some older female mosquitoes had significantly higher IAP mRNA levels when compared to the youngest ones. Minor differences in expression of AaeIAPs were observed in mosquitoes that imbibed a bloodmeal, but the majority of the time points (up to 48 h) were not significantly different. Although in vitro experiments with the Ae. aegypti Aag-2 cell line demonstrated that the various AaeIAPs could be effectively knocked down within one day after dsRNA treatment, only Aag-2 cells treated with dsIAP1 displayed apoptotic morphology. Gene silencing and mortality were also evaluated after topical application and microinjection of the same dsRNAs into female Ae. aegypti. In contrast to previous reports, topical administration of dsRNA against AaeIAP1 did not yield a significant reduction in gene expression or increased mortality. Knockdown of IAP1 and other IAPs by microinjection did not result in significant mortality. In toto, our findings suggest that IAPs may not be suitable RNAi targets for controlling adult mosquito populations.
THE TOPOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION OF SENILE PLAQUES AND NEUROFIBRILLARY TANGLES IN THE BRAINS OF NON‐DEMENTED PERSONS OF DIFFERENT AGES

The incidence and severity of senile plaques (SP) and neurofibrillary tangles (NFT) were examined in six areas of brain in 60 non‐demented patients of age range 6–84 years. Thirty‐two patients showed neither SP nor NFT in any region (30 of these were under 65 years of age), 15 patients showed both SP and NFT in one or more regions (14 were over 60 years of age), 11 patients aged 21–84 years showed NFT only in one or more areas and two patients showed SP alone and only in the amygdala. Overall comparison of number and severity showed the greatest severity of SP within the amygdala in most instances, whereas NFT were found in most instances and at greatest severity within the hippocampus. The reason for this apparent vulnerability of these areas of brain to SP and NFT formation may lie with their connections with the outside world via the olfactory bulbs and tract. This pathway may thus provide an entry point to the brain for pathogenic agent(s) that may induce, either directly or indirectly, pathological processes that ultimately lead to SP and NFT formation.
Factors affecting flexion after total knee arthroplasty.

UNLABELLED Results of total knee arthroplasty have demonstrated excellent pain relief and increased patient function, particularly in activities such as walking. This procedure has not always met the needs of certain ethnic and religious groups as well as younger patients who require greater magnitudes of knee flexion. This has resulted in the introduction of new implant designs engineered to improve postoperative flexion. We reviewed factors known to influence postoperative flexion after total knee arthroplasty. An in vivo, weightbearing fluoroscopic kinematic analysis of multiple high-flexion total knee arthroplasty designs was performed, and demonstrated high levels of weightbearing flexion (125 degrees) can be obtained in some, but not all, evaluated designs. Multiple evaluations of the same high-flexion total knee arthroplasty design performed by different surgeons and involving different patient populations revealed one study group with high weightbearing flexion and other groups that did not achieve high flexion. This suggests numerous factors other than implant design influence eventual flexion, including the patient, surgical technique, knee kinematics, perioperative complications, and postoperative physiotherapy. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Level V, therapeutic study. See the Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Management Retraction of Previously-Issued Earnings Guidance

We examine the disclosure choice faced by managers when a previously-issued earnings forecast becomes inaccurate. In some cases, managers explicitly update the forecast with a revised earnings estimate, while in other cases, managers withdraw the original forecast without providing an update. We find that the latter choice, unexplored in prior research, has significantly negative short-term consequences, leading to both increases in uncertainty and decreases in stock price. The decision to retract forecasts also has longer-term consequences; investors respond less strongly to realized earnings, suggesting that they perceive those realized earnings to be imprecise or not reflective of future earnings. Finally, we find that firms are more likely to be sued following the retraction of previously-issued guidance and that this likelihood is driven by the large negative stock price reaction to the retraction announcement. This latter result suggests that early issuance of imprecise information is less effective at curbing litigation risk than later issuance of more precise information.
Food intake, plate waste and its association with malnutrition in hospitalized patients.

BACKGROUND Hospital malnutrition is a worldwide dilemma and challenge. High levels of plate waste contribute to malnutrition-related complications in hospital. We investigated the association between the levels of plate waste, food intake and patient satisfaction with nutritional risk and malnutrition prevalence in three hospital settings. METHODS The sample population of 120 patients, aged 18-65 year, admitted consecutively over a 12 month period to 3 different educational university hospitals was included. For all the patients, diet history, anthropometric measurements, body mass index and patient satisfaction with the hospital food service was evaluated. Weight plate waste for all daily meals was done and actual intakes computed individually for each day. Nutrition risk screening (NRS)-2002 (≥ 3) tool was used for estimating the nutritionally at-risk population. Results: From one hundred twenty non-critically ill patients with a mean 8.9 ± 3.5 day length of hospital stay, 40.8% (49) were men and 59.2% (71) were female. Mean energy and protein requirements were 2,030.3 ± 409.03 kcal/day and 76.13 ± 15.33 g/day respectively. Mean intakes were 1,326 ± 681.44 kcal/day and 66.81 ± 31.66 g/day respectively. The mean percent of plate waste for lunch and dinner were 37.7 ± 29.88 and 30.4 ± 23.61 respectively. In the total population, 25% of patients were satisfied and 75% patients were unsatisfied with hospital foods. Based on BMI (< 20), unintentional weight loss (> 10%), malnutrition prevalence was 12.5% and 14.2% respectively during hospitalization. The prevalence of nutritionally at-risk population was 30% at admission time and reached 33.3% at discharge. CONCLUSION Plate waste and hospital malnutrition were highly prevalent in accompanying with increasing nutritionally risk progression. So it should be addressed as an important health issue and appropriate strategies for stimulating governmental policies should be adopted.
Investigation of factors affecting loosening of ilizarov ring‐wire external fixator systems at the bone‐wire interface

The potential for peri‐implant bone yielding and subsequent loosening of Ilizarov ring‐wire external fixation systems was investigated using non‐linear finite element (FE) analyses. A strain‐based plasticity model was employed to simulate bone yielding. FE models also incorporated contact behavior at the wire‐bone interface, orthotropic elasticity, and periosteal‐endosteal variation of bone properties. These simulations were used to determine the extent and location of yielding with change in age‐related bone structure and properties for the bone‐Ilizarov construct at the tibial midshaft. At critical wire‐bone interfaces, the predicted volume of yielded bone with four wires (on either side of the fracture) was ∼40% of that with two wires. Old‐aged cases showed considerably greater bone yielding at the wire‐bone interface than young cases (1.7–2.2 times greater volumes of yielded bone). The volume of yielded bone at all wire‐bone interfaces decreased with an increase in wire pre‐tension. The absence of continuous through‐thickness yielding offers an explanation for the clinical observation that Ilizarov ring‐wire fixation can provide stable fracture fixation even in bone with high porosity. © 2011 Orthopaedic Research Society Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 30:726–732, 2012
Molecular cloning and expression of human myocardial cGMP-inhibited cAMP phosphodiesterase.

We have cloned a cDNA for a myocardial cGMP-inhibited cAMP phosphodiesterase (cGI PDE) from a human heart cDNA library in lambda Zap II. The open reading frame [3.5 kilobases (kb)] of cDNA clone n.13. 2 (7.7 kb) encodes a protein of 125 kDa. In Northern blots of total human ventricle RNA, a single mRNA species (8.3 kb) hybridized with a 4-kb EcoRI restriction fragment of clone n.13. 2 cDNA (containing the entire open reading frame). The carboxyl-terminal region of the deduced amino acid sequence of the cGI PDE contains the putative catalytic domain conserved among mammalian PDE families. A partial cDNA clone, n.2, encoding a truncated, 54-kDa cGI PDE containing the conserved domain was expressed as a catalytically active fusion protein in Escherichia coli. cAMP hydrolytic activity was inhibited by cGMP and OPC 3911 but not by rolipram. Thus, this report provides direct proof that the conserved domain contains the catalytic core of cGI PDEs.
SVM-based Multi-textural Image Classification and its Uncertainty Analysis

Texture analysis, a hot issue in image processing, is a key technique for ground surface object recognition. This paper presents a supervised image classification method based on multiple and multi-scale texture features and support vector machines (SVM). By taking different scales of ground surface features into account, and by feature fusion technique, this method integrates seven-dimensional texture features of different characteristics from GLCM and fractal theory to realize the land use/cover classification. The seven features combine the abilities to describe image textures of different approaches, which can reach better classification performance than any of them and significantly improves the precision of automatic image interpretation. Classification uncertainty is also evaluated and analyzed at the scale of pixel using the extended probability vector and probability entropy model. The imagery used in this research is RADARSAT-1 SAR data.
Trypanosome infection rates in Glossina fuscipes fuscipes Newst. in the Busoga sleeping sickness focus, Uganda.

On rapporte ici pour 2 regions, Wakatanga et Kityerera, en frequence de l'infection de Glossina fuscipes fuscipes par T. brucei, T. congolense, T. Vivax et T. Grayi (glandes salivaires, trompe, intestin moyen)
Incentives in Secondary Schools: the Impact of the Performance Threshold

This paper reports the results of interviews with the head teachers of 25 English secondary schools, designed to elicit their perception of the Threshold’s impact in schools. One of the stated objectives of the Performance Threshold was to provide a financial incentive for teachers to increase their effort. The Threshold’s effectiveness in meeting its objectives depends partly on whether its design is consistent with the characteristics of schools, including their use of team working and their incentive structures, and whether it measures the outcomes that are important. Most of the head teachers in our sample believed that team working is important in schools and that changes in pupil attainment are the result of a team effort. None had observed divisive behaviour as the result of the individual-basis of the Performance Threshold, but a number recognised the risk. Heads were divided over how they would use financial incentives to motivate teachers, with some believing they cannot be used to motivate teachers directly. Others believed that financial incentives can be used to motivate teachers, but that the Threshold may not be effective because of its flaws in design. Some, but not all, heads believed that the Threshold’s definition of success creates targets that are too narrow, and which may therefore generate perverse incentives. Others believed that the targets were constructive, promoting a broad focus on factors that are important in good teaching. JEL Classification: I28, J33, J44, J45
PENGARUH CORE QUALIT, RELATIONAL QUALITY, PERCEIVED VALUE, CUSTOMER SATISFACTION, SERVICE SWITCHING DAN VOICE TERHADAP LOYALITY PADA KANTOR KONSULTAN PAJAK HUSNI & MULYADI CONSULTING

ABSTRACT This study aimed to determine whether the core quality, relational quality, perceived value, customer satisfaction service, switching and voice significant effect partially and simultaneously to loyality to the Office of Tax Consultants Husni & Mulyadi Consulting and to determine which variables most influence on loyalty in Husni & Mulyadi Tax Consulting among core quality, relational quality, perceived value, customer satisfaction, service switching and voice. Some of the benefits expected from the results of this research that the researchers expected to improve the knowledge of scientific thinking and the ability to analyze a problem, especially with regard to core quality, relational quality, perceived value, customer satisfaction service, switching and voice effect on loyalty. The results of the regression test core quality, relational quality, perceived value, and customer satisfaction was significantly partially loyality to the Office of Tax Consultants Husni & Mulyadi Consulting. While the service switching and voice no significant effect partially on loyality to the Office of Tax Consultants Husni & Mulyadi Consulting. Core quality variable, relational quality, perceived value, customer satisfaction, service switching, and voice simultaneously significant effect on loyalty to the Office of Tax Consultants Husni & Mulyadi Consulting. Relational quality variables are variables that most influence on loyalty to the Office of Tax Consultants Husni & Mulyadi Consulting.
Second-order fast terminal sliding mode control for missile systems with backstepping technique

In this paper, a second-order fast terminal sliding mode control (SFTSMC) scheme with backstepping is proposed to achieve the desired tracking performance for an uncertain missile's lateral system with external disturbance. This control strategy can be applied to generate lateral control commands on missile operating in flight regimes where the effectiveness of conventional aerodynamic surfaces is reduced (high angle of attack). The design procedure is divided into two steps. Firstly, we use backstepping technique to design a second-order fast terminal sliding surface (FTSS), and it drive tracking-error to converge to zero in finite time. Secondly, the SFTSMC scheme is designed by using Lyapunov's method, which can ensure the occurrence of the sliding motion in finite time. Furthermore, It can hold the character of fast transient response, improve the tracking accuracy and particularly effective to eliminate the chattering. Finally, the simulation results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed control scheme.