Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Efficacy of helical dynamic CT versus integrated PET/CT for detection of mediastinal nodal metastasis in non-small cell lung cancer.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of our study was to compare the diagnostic efficacies of helical dynamic CT and integrated PET/CT for the prediction of mediastinal nodal metastasis in stage T1 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). MATERIALS AND METHODS One hundred forty-three patients with stage T1 NSCLC underwent both helical dynamic CT and integrated PET/CT followed by surgical nodal staging. In helical dynamic CT, patients were regarded to have stage N2 disease when a nodule showed a peak enhancement > or = 110 H or a net enhancement > or = 60 H. In integrated PET/CT, nodes were regarded as positive for malignancy when they showed > or = 3.5 in maximum standardized uptake value with a discrete margin and more 18F-FDG uptake than mediastinal structures. Sensitivities, specificities, and accuracies for mediastinal nodal metastasis detection were compared for helical dynamic CT and integrated PET/CT using the McNemar test. RESULTS Of the 143 patients, 34 (24%) had positive mediastinal nodes. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy for mediastinal nodal metastasis prediction on helical dynamic CT were 65% (22 of 34 patients), 89% (97 of 109), and 83% (119 of 143), respectively, whereas those on integrated PET/CT were 56% (19 of 34), 100% (109 of 109), and 90% (128 of 143). The p values were 0.664, < 0.001, and 0.015. CONCLUSION In stage T1 NSCLC, contrast-enhanced helical dynamic CT better predicts, but not significantly so, mediastinal nodal metastasis than PET/CT, whereas PET/CT shows perfect specificity and higher accuracy than helical dynamic CT.
Validation of a Predictive Model to Identify Patients at High Risk for Hospital Readmission

Background:Hospital readmission is an adverse patient outcome that is serious, common, and costly. For hospitals, identifying patients at risk for hospital readmission is a priority to reduce costs and improve care. Purpose:The purposes were to validate a predictive algorithm to identify patients at a high risk for preventable hospital readmission within 30 days after discharge and determine if additional risk factors enhance readmission predictability. Methods:A retrospective study was conducted on a randomized sample of 598 patients discharged from a Southeast community hospital. Data were collected from the organization's database and manually abstracted from the electronic medical record using a structured tool. Two separate logistic regression models were fit for the probability of readmission within 30 days after discharge. The first model used the LACE index as the predictor variable, and the second model used the LACE index with additional risk factors. The two models were compared to determine if additional risk factors increased the model's predictive ability. Results:The results indicate both models have reasonable prognostic capability. The LACE index with additional risk factors did little to improve prognostication, while adding to the model's complexity. Conclusion:Findings support the use of the LACE index as a practical tool to identify patients at risk for readmission.
Prevalence of dyslipidemic risk factors in hemodialysis and CAPD patients.

BACKGROUND Dyslipidemic factors obviously contribute to the high cardiovascular risk in dialysis patients but are often an underestimated problem. Therefore, we determined the prevalence of dyslipidemic factors in a large group of unselected hemodialysis (N = 564) and CAPD (N = 168) patients. METHODS We used the recently published recommendations of the Medical Experts Group concerning cardiovascular risk factors for the categorization of dyslipidemic factors. These were total cholesterol>200 mg/dL, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol>100 mg/dL, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol <40 mg/dL, triglycerides>180 mg/dL, and Lp(a)>30 mg/dL. RESULTS CAPD patients had, in sum, a markedly worse lipid profile when compared with HD patients. They had higher frequencies of elevated total cholesterol (67% vs. 34%), triglycerides (47% vs. 28%), and Lp(a) concentrations (37% vs. 30%) when compared with HD patients. In both patient groups, about two thirds of the patients had LDL cholesterol above 100 mg/dL and HDL cholesterol below 40 mg/dL. When we analyzed the total frequency of dyslipidemic factors, we observed that the CAPD group included a markedly higher number of patients with three or four concurrent dyslipidemic factors than HD patients (P < 0.001). Furthermore, we analyzed apolipoprotein A-IV (apoA-IV), which was recently shown to be associated with cardiovascular disease, and which was about twice as high in both patient groups when compared with controls (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Dyslipidemic risk factors are highly prevalent in dialysis patients, and the concomitant occurrence of several risk factors in a given patient is more often observed in CAPD than HD patients.
Market Structure and Performance in Australian Banking

The paper uses annual and pooled data on Australian banks for the years 1994 to 1996 to test the two competing hypotheses of market structure and performance; namely, the structure‐conduct‐performance hypothesis (in concentrated markets firms derive higher profits due to collusion) and the efficiency hypothesis (firms derive higher profits because they are efficient). We test these two and other two intervening hypothesis in the context of the Australian banking market. The results reject the efficiency hypothesis and also the two intermediate hypotheses but there is a lack of strong evidence to reject the structure‐conduct‐performance hypothesis. The results are important because such an empirical investigation has not been conducted in Australia to date. The results suggest that it may be hard to defend abolishing the Four‐pillar Policy (which was a major recommendation of Wallis Report 1997) on efficiency grounds.
Pricing Double-Trigger Reinsurance Contracts: Financial Versus Actuarial Approach

This article discusses various approaches to pricing double-trigger reinsurance contracts - a new type of contract that has emerged in the area of "alternative risk transfer. " The potential coverage from this type of contract depends on both underwriting and financial risk. We determine the reinsurer's reservation price if it wants to retain the firm's same safety level after signing the contract, in which case the contract typically must be backed by large amounts of equity capital (if equity capital is the risk management measure to be taken). We contrast the financial insurance pricing models with an actuarial pricing model that has as its objective no lessening of the reinsurance company's expected profits and no worsening of its safety level. We show that actuarial pricing can lead the reinsurer into a trap that results in the failure to close reinsurance contracts that would have a positive net present value because typical actuarial pricing dictates the type of risk management measure that must be taken, namely, the insertion of additional capital. Additionally, this type of pricing structure forces the reinsurance buyer to provide this safety capital as a debtholder. Finally, we discuss conditions leading to a market for double-trigger reinsurance contracts.
Developing leaders for sustainable business

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore how organisations can develop leaders who have the competences necessary to ensure the sustainability of the company. It considers how the understanding and practice of responsible leadership can be enhanced by defining the competencies for integrating social and environmental considerations into business decision‐making processes.Design/methodology/approach – The research comprised two phases. An initial questionnaire surveyed a sample of managers operating in the public and private sectors in Europe (n=108). A second stage of the research used in‐depth interviews with 11 leading European‐based multinational companies.Findings – Results indicate that, whilst the qualities and skills of responsible leadership can be identified, a further mediating concept deemed to be “reflexive abilitites” is posited as required to explain their translation into individual managerial behaviours. The paper describes the nature of these reflexive abilities.Research limitati.
Inhibition of Bak Activation by VDAC2 Is Dependent on the Bak Transmembrane Anchor*

Bax and Bak are pro-apoptotic factors that are required for cell death by the mitochondrial or intrinsic pathway. Bax is found in an inactive state in the cytosol and upon activation is targeted to the mitochondrial outer membrane where it releases cytochrome c and other factors that cause caspase activation. Although Bak functions in the same way as Bax, it is constitutively localized to the mitochondrial outer membrane. In the membrane, Bak activation is inhibited by the voltage-dependent anion channel isoform 2 (VDAC2) by an unknown mechanism. Using blue native gel electrophoresis, we show that in healthy cells endogenous inactive Bak exists in a 400-kDa complex that is dependent on the presence of VDAC2. Activation of Bak is concomitant with its release from the 400-kDa complex and the formation of lower molecular weight species. Furthermore, substitution of the Bak transmembrane anchor with that of the mitochondrial outer membrane tail-anchored protein hFis1 prevents association of Bak with the VDAC2 complex and increases the sensitivity of cells to an apoptotic stimulus. Our results suggest that VDAC2 interacts with the hydrophobic tail of Bak to sequester it in an inactive state in the mitochondrial outer membrane, thereby raising the stimulation threshold necessary for permeabilization of the mitochondrial outer membrane and cell death.
Hepatitis C Infection in Kidney Transplantion

Hepatitis C is one of the commonest chronic viral infections world-wide and has major health‐ care implications. According to World Health Organization (WHO), the estimated prevalence of chronic HCV infection world-wide ranges from 0.1% to more than 12%, equating to approxi‐ mately 170 million chronic carriers and incidence of 3-4 million new cases per year (Carbone et al., 2011). Chronic kidney disease (CKD) in general is present in approximately 10% of the population with many of these patients requiring renal replacement therapy in the form of dialysis and or kidney transplant. A major cause of morbidity and mortality in dialysis patients and kidney transplant recipients is liver disease secondary to hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. The prevalence of HCV infection is high among renal transplant donors, recipients, and in end stage renal disease (ESRD) patients on dialysis. When HCV infection is present in this group of patients, it has major implications (Scott et al., 2010; Goodkin et al., 2003; Carbone et al., 2011). The major factors associated with this increased relative risk of HCV infection in dialysis patients as opposed to general population are overall exposure of blood products, age, and duration of dialysis (Periera & Levey, 1997; Finelli et al., 2005; Fissell et al., 2004). On the other hand, some recent reports indicate possible decline in prevalence of HCV infection in dialysis patients (Carbone et al., 2011; Scott et al., 2010; Finelli et al., 2005; Fissell et al., 2004; Jadoul et al., 2004; Fribrizi et al., 2002). This decline could be related to the use of erythropoiesis-stimulating agents that consequently lead to decrease in blood transfusions, and progressive enhancement of dialysis conditions to control infections. In developed countries, the prevalence of HCV infection is higher in renal trans‐ plant recipients than in dialysis patients, major contributing factors being longer survival of the former with more exposure to blood products, and most probably dialysis.
Corporate Governance and Bank Performance in Emerging Markets: Evidence from Russia and Ukraine

Abstract This article presents evidence on the relationship between corporate governance and operating performance in banks using a sample of 107 banks in Russia and fifty banks in Ukraine surveyed by International Financial Corporation in 2003–6. We find some significant, but modest, relationships between governance and contemporaneous operating performance and a largely not significant link with the subsequent performance. We conclude that aside from the popularity of corporate governance in public discussion, it has at best a second-order effect on operating performance in Russian and Ukrainian banks.
Real-time face detection during the night

To address the challenges in unconstrained real scenes face detection during the night, we propose a real-time night face detector. First, we use histogram equalization methods to process the input image of night to increase its contrast. Second, the image features called Promotion Normalized Pixel Difference [3] (PRO-NPD) is proposed. PRO-NPD features are computed as the ratio of difference to sum between two pixel values. Third, we use a deep quadratic tree to learn the optimal subset of PRO-NPD features and their combinations. We construct a Face Detection at Night in Surveillance (FDNS) database with 741 images in actual surveillance environment with various lighting. Experiment performed well in both accuracy and speed. We achieved 30 fps high-speed face detection in a robot with embedded ARM Cortex A17 quad-core 1.4GHz CPU.
Adoption of AAOIFI accounting standards by Islamic banks of Bahrain

Purpose - – The objective of this paper is to determine the level of compliance with Accounting and Auditing Organization for Islamic Financial Institutions (AAOIFI) accounting standards by Islamic banks of Bahrain. Design/methodology/approach - – The paper is based on diffusion of innovation theory whereby the perceived relative advantage, compatibility, complexity, trialability and observability factors are expected to influence the level of compliance with AAOIFI accounting standards. Findings - – The findings indicate that Islamic banks of Bahrain are in full convergence with AAOIFI accounting standards. Research limitations/implications - – This research, just like many other studies, faces data limitations. Sample size employed for this study contains only the accountants in Islamic banks of Bahrain. Originality/value - – The results of this paper are expected to serve as a guide to the regulatory bodies and the setter of accounting standards for Islamic financial institutions (IFIs).
Clinical utility of panfungal polymerase chain reaction for the diagnosis of invasive fungal disease: a single center experience.

The role of panfungal polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays for diagnosis of invasive fungal disease (IFD) is inadequately defined. We describe the use of an internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS-1) region-directed panfungal PCR in this context at a tertiary referral transplant center. A retrospective review of patients at Alfred Health, Melbourne, Australia (2009-2014) who had clinical samples referred for panfungal PCR testing was conducted. Baseline patient characteristics, antifungal drug history, fungal culture/histopathology, and radiology results were recorded. For bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid samples, identification of a fungus other than a Candida spp. was defined as a potential pathogen.Of 138 panfungal PCR tests (108 patients), 41 (30%) were positive for a fungal product. Ninety-seven percent (134/138) of specimens were from immunocompromised hosts. Thirteen percent (19/138) of panfungal PCR positive results were for potential pathogens and potential pathogens were detected more frequently in tissue as compared with BAL (12/13 vs. 6/26; P = .0001). No positive panfungal PCR results were obtained from CSF specimens. If histopathology examination was negative, panfungal PCR identified a potential pathogen in only 12% (11/94) of specimens. For the 20 culture negative/histopathology positive specimens, diagnosis of IFD to causative species level by panfungal PCR occurred in 35% (6/20). Sterile site specimens, in particular tissue, were more frequently panfungal PCR positive for potential pathogens than BAL. The utility of panfungal PCR appears greatest in tissue specimens, as an adjunct to histopathology to improve diagnostic sensitivity and specificity. Based on the results of this study we are now only testing tissue specimens by panfungal PCR.
Black triangle dilemma and its management in esthetic dentistry

In recent years, clinician and dentist's esthetic demand in dentistry have increased rapidly, driven by an enhanced awareness of beauty and esthetics. The ultimate goal in modern restorative dentistry is to achieve “white” and “pink” esthetics in esthetically important zones. “White esthetics” is the natural dentition or the restoration of dental hard tissues with suitable materials. “Pink esthetics” refers to the surrounding soft-tissues, which includes the interdental papilla and gingiva that can enhance or diminish the esthetic result. Reconstruction of the lost interdental papilla is one of the most challenging and least predictable problems. Restoration and maintenance of these tissues with adequate surgical and prosthetic techniques are a real challenge in modern esthetic dentistry. Treatment of marginal tissue recession, excessive gingival display, deficient ridges, ridge collapse, and esthetic defects around teeth and implants are some of the esthetic problems associated with the interdental papilla that have to be corrected in todays scenario which has been discussed in this review.
E-Governance as an Anti Corruption Tool : Korean Cases

Corruption is an impediment for development and good governance. It is more than true especially in the least developed countries(LDC), and emerging and development economies (EDE). Academics have given strong attention on corruption since last couple of decades. In this modern information age Information and Communication Technology (ICT) becomes almost compulsory in daily life. E-governance is the by-product of ICT. Effort of this study is to see e-governance as an anti corruption tool. Cases of Republic of Korea i.e., the OPEN system and the GePS will be analyzed as example. This article will identify the successful actors and factors of Republic of Korea emphasizing on stakeholder mapping through ‘DOCTORS’ and explain how e-governance help to curb corruption.
A Vertical Midline Scar Is a ‘High-Risk’ Factor for Maximum Survival of the Rat TRAM Flap

The presence of any abdominal scar, in addition to obesity, a smoking history, and prior irradiation are considered the major known “risk factors” for predictable success or failure of the lower transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous (TRAM) flap. For many, a vertical midline scar has even been considered to be a relative contraindication. The possibility that the scar instead could effect some form of delay or by neovascularization permit reperfusion across the midline might negate this concern. The validity of this hypothesis was tested in 40 Sprague-Dawley (CD) rats using our standard rat TRAM flap model. Every rat initially had a vertical skin incision made from xiphoid to pubis. At a second stage, either immediately or after a delay of 1 week, 2 weeks, or 6 months, a superior-pedicled (dominant) or inferior-pedicled (nondominant) TRAM flap was raised, with five rats in each subgroup. For the inferior-pedicled group, the percentage of ipsilateral (muscle-pedicle half) flap survival approached 75% and had a trend toward greater survival with each increase in the time of delay, but any difference was not statistically significant (F = 0.653, P = 0.538). In the superior-pedicled group, the ipsilateral half of the flap always survived completely. In both groups, the contralateral or opposite side always underwent complete necrosis regardless of pedicle orientation or time constraints. The midline scar did not enhance even unilateral TRAM flap survival when compared with historic controls, and long-term transmidline reperfusion across the scar did not seem to occur. These findings corroborate the clinical observation that only a unilateral TRAM flap would be reliable in the presence of a vertical midline abdominal scar.
China's Growing Role in World Trade

In less than three decades, China has grown from playing a negligible role in international trade to being one of the world's largest exporters, a substantial importer of raw materials, intermediate outputs, and other goods, and both a recipient and source of foreign investment. Not surprisingly, China's economic dynamism has generated considerable attention and concern in the United States and beyond. While some analysts have warned of the potential pitfalls of China's rise—the loss of jobs, for example—others have highlighted the benefits of new market and investment opportunities for US firms. Bringing together an expert group of contributors, China's Growing Role in World Trade undertakes an empirical investigation of the effects of China's new status. The essays collected here provide detailed analyses of the microstructure of trade, the macroeconomic implications, sector-level issues, and foreign direct investment. This volume's careful examination of micro data in light of established economic theories clarifies a number of misconceptions, disproves some conventional wisdom, and documents data patterns that enhance our understanding of China's trade and what it may mean to the rest of the world.
Update on the biology and therapy of gastrointestinal stromal tumors.

BACKGROUND Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs), the most common mesenchymal tumors of the gastrointestinal tract, are an example of a disease with an effective, molecularly targeted therapy. METHODS Published articles and author experience were used to comprehensively define the clinical features, biology, and state-of-the-art therapy of GISTs. RESULTS GISTs are thought to originate from the neoplastic transformation of the interstitial cells of Cajal, the intestinal pacemaker cells. GISTs commonly have mutations in the kit gene, resulting in a gain-of-function mutation and ligand-independent constitutive activation of the KIT receptor tyrosine kinase. Successful tyrosine kinase inhibitors target the aberrant pathways that are critical for tumor cell viability. The development of imatinib mesylate (formerly STI 571) in the treatment of metastatic GISTs represents a therapeutic breakthrough. CONCLUSIONS Progress in the clinical diagnosis has led to an increased recognition of this disease as a distinct clinical entity. Treatment of metastatic GIST with imatinib has led to unprecedented improvements in progression-free and overall survival. The use of imatinib in the preoperative and postoperative treatment of GISTs is an area of intense investigation.
A Remark on Lin and Chang's Paper 'Consistent Modeling of S&P 500 and VIX Derivatives'

Lin and Chang (2009, 2010) establish a VIX futures and option pricing theory when modeling S&P 500 index by using a stochastic volatility process with asset return and volatility jumps. In this note, we prove that Lin and Chang's formula is not an exact solution of their pricing equation. More generally, we show that the characteristic function of their pricing equation cannot be exponentially affine, as proposed by them. Furthermore, their formula cannot serve as a reasonable approximation. Using the (Heston, 1993) model as a special case, we demonstrate that Lin and Chang formula misprices VIX futures and options in general and the error can become substantially large.