Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Ventilation with lower tidal volumes for critically ill patients without the acute respiratory distress syndrome: a systematic translational review and meta-analysis

Purpose of reviewThere is convincing evidence for benefit from lung-protective mechanical ventilation with lower tidal volumes in patients with the acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). It is uncertain whether this strategy benefits critically ill patients without ARDS as well. This manuscript systematically reviews recent preclinical studies of ventilation in animals with uninjured lungs, and clinical trials of ventilation in ICU patients without ARDS on the association between tidal volume size and pulmonary complications and outcome. Recent findingsSuccessive preclinical studies almost without exception show that ventilation with lower tidal volumes reduces the injurious effects of ventilation in animals with uninjured lungs. This finding is in line with results from recent trials in ICU patients without ARDS, demonstrating that ventilation with lower tidal volumes has a strong potential to prevent development of pulmonary complications and maybe even to improve survival. However, evidence mostly comes from nonrandomized clinical trials, and concerns are expressed regarding unselected use of lower tidal volumes in the ICU, that is, in all ventilated critically ill patients, since this strategy could also increase needs for sedation and/or neuromuscular blockade, and maybe even cause respiratory muscle fatigue. These all then could in fact worsen outcome, possibly counteracting the beneficial effects of ventilation with lower tidal volumes. SummaryVentilation with lower tidal volumes protects against pulmonary complications, but well-powered randomized controlled trials are urgently needed to determine whether this ventilation strategy truly benefits all ventilated ICU patients without ARDS.
Fuzzy-based assignment algorithm for channel sensing task in cognitive radio networks

In cognitive radio networks, cognitive users are allowed to use the licensed portions of spectrum, as long as no harmful interference affects the primary (licensed) users. Towards achieving this goal, spectrum sensing is an essential process to determine spectrum access opportunities for the cognitive users. In wide spectrum applications, it is recommended to distribute the sensing task of the required bands among the cognitive nodes to reduce the sensing process overhead. This paper presents a fuzzy inference based scheme for distributing the sensing task among cognitive nodes. This scheme is proven, via simulations, to reduce the overall probability of sensing error compared to two other cooperative sensing mechanisms.
Angiotensin-converting enzyme gene polymorphisms, blood pressure and pulse pressure in subjects with essential hypertension in a South Sulawesi Indonesian population.

AIM to investigate the potential association between the ACE gene polymorphism, essential hypertension and pulse pressure. METHODS the study included 99 non-hypertensive and 104 hypertensive subjects. Hypertension is defined as systolic blood pressure 140 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure 90 mmHg. Pulse pressure refers to the differences between the systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure. DNA amplication to examine ACE I/D polymorphism was conducted by Rigat-modification PCR method. RESULTS this study showed no significant difference in genotype distribution and allele frequency between two groups. We found PP >60 mmHg is different between ACE gene genotype. Genotype DD has a risk of 1.8 times of having PP >60 mmHg than ID genotype while DD genotype has a risk of 4.4 times of having PP >60mg than II genotype. CONCLUSION this study does not support that the I/D polymorphism at ACE gene locus associated with hypertension in Makassar, South-Sulawesi, Indonesia. However, there were a significant correlation with pulse pressure independent from blood pressure.
A Multiple Degrees of Freedom Electrothermal Actuator for a Versatile MEMS Gripper

In this paper, we present a versatile MEMS gripper capable of two-dimensional manipulation. This is accomplished by a multiple degrees of freedom electrothermal actuator which can achieve independent in-plane and out-of-plane motions. The device is fabricated with the MetalMUMPs process, which offers silicon nitride, polysilicon, and nickel as the major structural materials. The electrothermal actuator achieves large movement. The in-plane and out-of-plane tip displacements are 83.7 ¿m at 0.6 V and 98 ¿m at 87.2 V, respectively.
Questions of Legitimacy in Probation Practice after Transforming Rehabilitation

In this article, we discuss the impact of changes to the organisational structure of probation on the legitimacy of probation practice. In particular, we explore how the division of probation into the National Probation Service (NPS) and Community Rehabilitation Companies (CRCs) could affect the self-legitimacy felt by probation practitioners in both organisations and the implications for probation of a possible lack of overall legitimacy post-Transforming Rehabilitation (TR). This article is based on empirical research exploring the views of probation staff of the (then) impending changes introduced via TR and reflections on what has happened since.
INSTITUTIONAL PRACTICES FOR ADOPTION OF DISTANCE LEARNING/B-LEARNING IN HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS: PROMOTING TEACHERS MOTIVATION

In this paper, we present the work that has been recently developed in University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro (UTAD) to promote teachers’ motivation for the use of technologies in their pedagogical practices. UTAD is a portuguese higher education institution that, despite the initiatives that have been developed since 2010, continues to growth regarding the effective adoption of Information and Communication Tools (ICT) in the pedagogical practices of its teachers. UTAD has a technical and pedagogical support team that assists in the process of designing educational activities with ICTs and has carried out different strategies that allow the dissemination of ICT in pedagogical practices. Based on the findings of a questionnaire that was applied to assess the main motivation factors (needs and expectations) for the adoption of the technologies by teachers, measures were implemented, and the results are starting to show up, including the development of two massive open online courses (MOOCs), several non-degree training courses being prepared to be taught in b-learning mode, and teachers of different scientific areas are developing multimedia content to be part of an online component of their classes.
Identification, Characterization, and Molecular Application of a Virulence-Associated Autotransporter from a Pathogenic Pseudomonas fluorescens Strain

ABSTRACT A gene, pfa1, encoding an autotransporter was cloned from a pathogenic Pseudomonas fluorescens strain, TSS, isolated from diseased fish. The expression of pfa1 is enhanced during infection and is regulated by growth phase and growth conditions. Mutation of pfa1 significantly attenuates the overall bacterial virulence of TSS and impairs the abilities of TSS in biofilm production, interaction with host cells, modulation of host immune responses, and dissemination in host blood. The putative protein encoded by pfa1 is 1,242 amino acids in length and characterized by the presence of three functional domains that are typical for autotransporters. The passenger domain of PfaI contains a putative serine protease (Pap) that exhibits apparent proteolytic activity when expressed in and purified from Escherichia coli as a recombinant protein. Consistent with the important role played by PfaI in bacterial virulence, purified recombinant Pap has a profound cytotoxic effect on cultured fish cells. Enzymatic analysis showed that recombinant Pap is relatively heat stable and has an optimal temperature and pH of 50°C and pH 8.0. The domains of PfaI that are essential to autotransporting activity were localized, and on the basis of this, a PfaI-based autodisplay system (named AT1) was engineered to facilitate the insertion and transport of heterologous proteins. When expressed in E. coli, AT1 was able to deliver an integrated Edwardsiella tarda immunogen (Et18) onto the surface of bacterial cells. Compared to purified recombinant Et18, Et18 displayed by E. coli via AT1 induced significantly enhanced immunoprotection.
Historical forest baselines reveal potential for continued carbon sequestration

One-third of net CO2 emissions to the atmosphere since 1850 are the result of land-use change, primarily from the clearing of forests for timber and agriculture, but quantifying these changes is complicated by the lack of historical data on both former ecosystem conditions and the extent and spatial configuration of subsequent land use. Using fine-resolution historical survey records, we reconstruct pre-EuroAmerican settlement (1850s) forest carbon in the state of Wisconsin, examine changes in carbon after logging and agricultural conversion, and assess the potential for future sequestration through forest recovery. Results suggest that total above-ground live forest carbon (AGC) fell from 434 TgC before settlement to 120 TgC at the peak of agricultural clearing in the 1930s and has since recovered to approximately 276 TgC. The spatial distribution of AGC, however, has shifted significantly. Former savanna ecosystems in the south now store more AGC because of fire suppression and forest ingrowth, despite the fact that most of the region remains in agriculture, whereas northern forests still store much less carbon than before settlement. Across the state, continued sequestration in existing forests has the potential to contribute an additional 69 TgC. Reforestation of agricultural lands, in particular, the formerly high C-density forests in the north-central region that are now agricultural lands less optimal than those in the south, could contribute 150 TgC. Restoring historical carbon stocks across the landscape will therefore require reassessing overall land-use choices, but a range of options can be ranked and considered under changing needs for ecosystem services.
Respiratory syncytial virus augments production of fibroblast growth factor basic in vitro: Implications for a possible mechanism of prolonged wheezing after infection

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) has been linked to the development of clinical asthma. Cellular mechanisms of this observation are not yet clearly elucidated. In chronic asthma, production of growth factors and remodeling are associated with prolonged wheezing. It was hypothesized that cells infected with RSV may produce excessive levels of fibroblast growth factor basic (FGFb), and epidermal growth factor (EGF). Airway epithelial cells were incubated with either: (i) virus, (ii) inactivated virus, or (iii) media only. The levels of FGFb and EGF were measured in the cellular supernatant fluid. The study demonstrated that by 24 h after RSV inoculation, or exposure to RSV‐killed virus, cells are stimulated to produce significantly more FGFb, compared with non‐infected/non‐exposed control cells. FGFb is an important factor in remodeling and fibroblast activation in the airway. Using treatment with actinomycin D and cylcohexamide the effect of inhibiting translation or transcription in the infected cells, on FGFb production was demonstrated. There were no alterations in EGF production detectable. Based on the findings, the mechanism of FGFb secretion after RSV inoculation, appears to be regulated at the levels of both transcription and translation. The increased FGFb release potentially could contribute to fibroblast activation and remodeling in the airway, and thus provide another possible mechanism for prolonged wheezing after infection.
Gut microbiota in hypertension

Purpose of reviewHypertension, which is present in about one quarter of the world's population, is responsible for about 41% of the number one cause of death – cardiovascular disease. Not included in these statistics is the effect of sodium intake on blood pressure, even though an increase or a marked decrease in sodium intake can increase blood pressure. This review deals with the interaction of gut microbiota and the kidney with genetics and epigenetics in the regulation of blood pressure and salt sensitivity. Recent findingsThe abundance of the gut microbes, Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes, is associated with increased blood pressure in several models of hypertension, including the spontaneously hypertensive and Dahl salt-sensitive rats. Decreasing gut microbiota by antibiotics can increase or decrease blood pressure that is influenced by genotype. The biological function of probiotics may also be a consequence of epigenetic modification, related, in part, to microRNA. Products of the fermentation of nutrients by gut microbiota can influence blood pressure by regulating expenditure of energy, intestinal metabolism of catecholamines, and gastrointestinal and renal ion transport, and thus, salt sensitivity. SummaryThe beneficial or deleterious effect of gut microbiota on blood pressure is a consequence of several variables, including genetics, epigenetics, lifestyle, and intake of antibiotics. These variables may influence the ultimate level of blood pressure and control of hypertension.
Who Will Drop Out and Who Will Drop In: Exercise Adherence in a Randomized Clinical Trial Among Patients Receiving Active Cancer Treatment

Background:Adherence has significantly affected the efficacy of a randomized clinical trial (RCT) to test exercise interventions. Objective:The aims of this study were to analyze exercise-related adherence patterns among patients receiving active cancer treatment and to identify factors related to exercise adherence and contamination in both the intervention and control groups. Methods:This is a secondary analysis of data from an RCT of a home-based walking intervention for patients receiving active cancer treatment. Hierarchical Poisson regression analysis was used to identify factors related to exercise adherence and exercise contamination in the exercise intervention and control groups. Results:A total of 126 patients finished the study. Exercise adherence rate in the intervention group was 32.35%, whereas exercise contamination rate in the control group was 12.07%. Independent predictors of adherence for the exercise group were baseline physical fitness, pretreatment fatigue level, treatment-related mood disturbance, and marital status (P < .01); exercise history significantly predicted exercise contamination (P < .00) in the control group. Conclusion:Adherence remains an issue in an exercise RCT among patients on active cancer treatment. Adherence is related to symptom, physical function, and exercise history. Implications for Practice:Exercise researchers should consider stratifying samples based on pretreatment variables found to be significantly associated with outcome variables in this study to reduce confounding effects. Oncology clinicians can use the study findings to appropriately tailor strategies to encourage exercise adherence among patients receiving active cancer treatment so that these patients can receive the known benefits of exercise.
Psychiatric disorders among veterans with hepatitis C infection.

BACKGROUND & AIMS The presence of psychiatric, drug-, and alcohol-use disorders in hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected patients may influence their management and prognosis. The frequency and the risk for these disorders among HCV-infected patients are unknown. METHODS We identified all HCV-infected veteran patients who were hospitalized during 1992-1999 and searched the inpatient and outpatient computerized files for predefined psychiatric, drug-, and/or alcohol-use disorders. We then performed a case-control study among Vietnam veterans; controls without HCV were randomly chosen from hospitalized patients. RESULTS We identified 33,824 HCV-infected patients, in whom 86.4% had at least one past or present psychiatric, drug-, or alcohol-use disorder recorded. However, only 31% had active disorders as defined by hospitalization to psychiatric or drug-detoxification bed sections. There were 22,341 HCV-infected patients from the Vietnam period of service (cases) who were compared with 43,267 patients without HCV (controls). Cases were more likely to have depressive disorders (49.5% vs. 39.1%), posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (33.5% vs. 24.5%), psychosis (23.7% vs. 20.9%), bipolar disorder (16.0% vs. 12.6%), anxiety disorders (40.8% vs. 32.9%), alcohol (77.6% vs. 45.0%), and drug-use disorders (69.4% vs. 31.1%). In multivariable regression analyses that adjust for age, sex, and ethnicity, drug use, alcohol-use, depression, PTSD, and anxiety remained strongly associated with HCV. CONCLUSIONS Several psychiatric, drug-, and alcohol-use disorders are commonly found among HCV-infected veterans compared with those who are not infected. At least one third of these patients have active disorders. A multidisciplinary approach to the management of HCV-infected patients is needed.
Causal Returns to Education

Summary This paper surveys the empirical evidence on causal effects of education on earnings for Germany and compares alternative studies in the light of their underlying identifying assumptions. We work out the different assumptions taken by various studies, which lead to rather different interpretations of the estimated causal effect. In particular, we are interested in the question to what extend causal return estimates are informative regarding educational policy advice. Despite the substantial methodological differences, we have to conclude that the empirical findings for Germany are quite robust and do not deviate substantially from each other. This also holds for the few studies which rely on ignorability conditions, regardless of whether they use educational attainment as a continuous treatment variable or as a discrete treatment indicator. Own estimates based on the matching approach indicate that the selection into upper secondary schooling is suboptimal
VERY LOW, LOW AND HEAVY WEIGHT BIRTHS IN HONG KONG SAR: HOW IMPORTANT IS SOCIOECONOMIC AND MIGRANT STATUS?

Summary Identification of modifiable factors and mediators linked to low and heavy birth weight is crucial in reducing infant mortality and health care expenditure. The present paper explores the associations of socio-demographic factors and immigrant status of parents with adverse pregnancy outcomes in Hong Kong. The analysis compares very low birth weight (VLBW: <1500 g), low birth weight (LBW: ≥1500 g and <2500 g) and heavy birth weight births (HBW: ≥4500 g) with births of normal weight (≥2500 g and <4500 g) using multinomial regression modelling of a large dataset of 828,975 births of singletons occurring between 1995 and 2009. The findings indicate the expected significant adverse associations between teenage and advanced age of the mother with compromised birth outcomes; teenage motherhood, however, has a protective effect against HBW births. A strong socioeconomic gradient is apparent, more marked among LBW births; low educational attainment of the father, low occupational class, public housing and single motherhood are strongly related to adverse pregnancy outcomes. Regarding immigrant status, women born in South and South-East Asia exhibit consistently higher odds of a compromised outcome. Women born in Hong Kong have significantly higher chances of LBW births while Mainland Chinese and parents from developed countries face higher odds of HBW births. The study identifies high-risk groups such as teenage, older and single mothers, South-East Asians and couples of low socioeconomic profile. Implementation of policies supporting these groups would be beneficial.
Task-binding based branch-and-bound algorithm for NoC mapping

Network-on-Chip (NoC) architecture is drawing intensive attention since it promises to maintain high performance in handling complex communication issues as the number of on-chip components increases. Mapping a given application onto the multi-core processors on NoC to obtain a high performance is a significant challenge. In this paper, we propose an optimized branch-and-bound (B&B) mapping algorithm to reduce the communication energy or improve the mapping efficiency by binding the tasks together when they have a large communication volume. Experimental results show that the proposed algorithm can achieve high performance in a short time compared with the traditional algorithm. For example, when mapping 64 tasks onto an 8×8 NoC system, with the approximate run time, 14.72% and 64.11% average energy consumption is saved compared with the original B&B and simulated annealing (SA) algorithms, respectively.
The Ethics of Tax Evasion: A Survey of International Business Academics

In 1944, Martin Crowe, a Catholic priest, wrote a doctoral dissertation titled The Moral Obligation of Paying Just Taxes. His dissertation summarized and analyzed 500 years of theological and philosophical debate on this topic, much of which took place in Latin. Since Crowe's dissertation, not much has been written on the topic of tax evasion from an ethical perspective, with a few exceptions. In 1998 and 1999, a few articles were published on the ethics of tax evasion in the Journal of Accounting, Ethics & Public Policy. An edited book on this topic was published in 1998. The present paper summarizes, updates and expands on Crowe's work. Recent literature is reviewed and the issues discussed in the last 500 years of theological and philosophical debate are incorporated into an 18-statement survey, which was distributed to members of the Academy of International Business (AIB), the International Management Development Association (IMDA) and the International Academy of Business Disciplines (IABD). These three groups were chosen to be the sample population because members of these groups are knowledgeable about international business practices and they come from a wide variety of backgrounds. They are more cosmopolitan in outlook than the average U.S. business school professor. A large percentage of the membership of these groups have lived in more than one country and many of them were born in a country other than the United States, which reduces the U.S. bias that would result if the sample population consisted of a random sample of American business school professors. A fair percentage of the membership of these organizations presently lives outside the United States. Three basic views on the ethics of tax evasion have emerged over the centuries. The statements in the survey instrument incorporate all three views, which give respondents an opportunity to express their opinion regardless of which of the three positions they come closest to. Most statements begin with the phrase Tax evasion is not unethical if . , which allows the respondents to either agree or disagree with the statement. Each question is graded on a 7-point Likert scale. The responses to each question were tallied and ranked to determine under which circumstances tax evasion might be considered most or least ethical.