Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Impact of In-Hospital Revascularization on Survival in Patients With Non–ST-Elevation Acute Coronary Syndrome and Congestive Heart Failure

Background— Patients with non–ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome complicated by congestive heart failure (CHF) have a poor prognosis. The aims of this study were to describe the use of revascularization in non–ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome and CHF and to analyze its impact on survival. Methods and Results— In the Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events, 29 844 patients with non–ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome were enrolled at 120 hospitals in 14 countries between April 1999 and June 2007; 4953 had CHF at presentation. One fifth of the patients with CHF underwent revascularization versus 35% of those without CHF (P<0.001). Among CHF patients, revascularized patients had lower-risk baseline clinical characteristics than nonrevascularized patients and were more likely to receive evidence-based cardiac medications. Hospital rates were not affected by revascularization (adjusted hazard ratio 0.97, 95% confidence interval 0.72 to 1.33, P=0.87). Death from discharge to 6-month follow-up was lower in patients who underwent revascularization than in those who did not (odds ratio 0.51, 95% confidence interval 0.35 to 0.74, P<0.001). This difference persisted after adjustment for GRACE risk score variables, country, and propensity for revascularization (odds ratio 0.58, 95% confidence interval 0.40 to 0.85, P=0.005). When revascularization as a time-varying covariate was taken into account in an adjusted Cox regression, the rate of death was again lower in patients undergoing revascularization (hazard ratio 0.64, 95% confidence interval 0.45 to 0.93, P=0.02). Conclusions— This observational study suggests a low use of in-hospital revascularization in non–ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome patients with CHF. The consistent reduction in postdischarge death in revascularized patients suggests that broader application of revascularization in this high-risk group may be beneficial.
The cranial mesenteric artery in the porcupine ( Hystrix cristata )

ATALAR, Ö. , S. YILMAZ: The cranial mesenteric artery in the porcupine (Hystrix cristata). Vet. arhiv 75, 75-82, 2005. ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to investigate the arteria mesenterica cranialis and its branches in the porcupine (Hystrix cristata). Nine adult porcupines (5 males, 4 females) were each injected with a coloured latex mixture from the aortic arch for demonstration of the arteria mesenterica cranialis. The results indicated that the arteria colica dextra was anastomosed with the arteria colica media and the ramus colicus. The arteria pancreaticoduodenalis caudalis separated from the arteria mesenterica cranialis as a third branch after the arteria colica media and the arteria colica dextra. Vascularization of the jejenum was made by the jejunal arteries, which originated from the arteria mesenterica cranialis and truncus jejunalis. The arteria ileocolica was continuous with the arteria mesenterica cranialis after giving off the jejunal arteries. Vascularization of the ileum was supplied by the ramus ilealis and the ramus ilei mesenterialis. The arteria ileocolica ended by separating into the rami colici and arteria cecalis. In summary, in the present study the branches of the arteria mesenterica cranialis were studied for the first time in porcupines. The results of this study may contribute to the data in this area of science.
Learning (not) to predict: Grammatical gender processing in second language acquisition

In two experiments, this article investigates the predictive processing of gender agreement in adult second language (L2) acquisition. We test (1) whether instruction on lexical gender can lead to target predictive agreement processing and (2) how variability in lexical gender representations moderates L2 gender agreement processing. In a pretest–posttest design, Experiment 1 trained 34 intermediate first language (L1) English learners of German on gender assignment. After training, the L2 group showed predictive gender processing; yet, performance correlated with accuracy in gender assignment. Experiment 1 suggests that target knowledge of lexical gender in the L2 lexicon is a prerequisite for predictive use of gender agreement in L2 syntax: Non-target gender assignment would lead to partially erroneous gender prediction such that use of gender agreement is costly for the parser and therefore abandoned. To test this account, Experiment 2 investigated predictive processing in 42 German native speakers who have target-like gender assignment and agreement. In a between-group design, one group received target input and the other received filler items with non-target gender assignment. The latter group subsequently stopped using gender agreement predictively in all experimental trials. Hence, L2 problems with gender agreement can be emulated in native processing. Taken together, the experiments suggest that variability of lexical gender assignment affects processing of gender agreement in natives and non-natives. We interpret the findings in the context of current probabilistic theories of implicit learning and processing adaptation.
Screening for atrial fibrillation in primary care

Objective To investigate a population of elderly people for atrial fibrillation and to determine how many of the cases identified might benefit from treatment with anticoagulants. Methods From a practice of four primary care physicians, 1422 patients aged 65 years and over were identified, of whom 1207 (85% of the total population) underwent electrocardiographic screening to detect the presence of atrial fibrillation. Patients with the arrhythmia were further evaluated by echocardiography and interview, to stratify their risk of stroke based on echocardiographic and clinical risk factors, their perceived risk from anticoagulation, and their attitude towards this treatment. Their primary care physician was also interviewed to determine the factors influencing the prescription of anticoagulants. Results The arrhythmia occurred in 65 patients (5.4% overall), its prevalence increasing markedly with age (2.3% in 65 to 69 years age group; 8.1% in those over 85). Warfarin was being prescribed to 21.4% of these patients, although the findings of the study indicate that a further 20% were eligible for this treatment. Symptoms suggestive of cardiac failure were common (32.1%) and coexisting pathology was often identified by cardiac ultrasound in these patients (left ventricular hypertrophy, 32.1%; impaired left ventricular contractility, 21.4%; left atrial dilatation, 80.4%; mitral annular calcification, 42.9%; mitral stenosis, 7.1%; mitral regurgitation, 48.2%; aortic stenosis, 8.9%). In all but one case, the decision to anticoagulate was based on the clinical rather than the echocardiographic findings. Conclusions Individual risk–benefit assessment in elderly patients with atrial fibrillation suggests that almost half (41.4%) are eligible for full anticoagulation with warfarin, whereas presently only one fifth are receiving this treatment. The decision to anticoagulate can be made on clinical grounds in most cases. If these results are confirmed, a doubling of the current number of patients taking anticoagulants can be anticipated.
Diameter-dependent conductance of InAs nanowires

Electrical conductance through InAs nanowires is relevant for electronic applications as well as for fundamental quantum experiments. Here, we employ nominally undoped, slightly tapered InAs nanowires to study the diameter dependence of their conductance. By contacting multiple sections of each wire, we can study the diameter dependence within individual wires without the need to compare different nanowire batches. At room temperature, we find a diameter-independent conductivity for diameters larger than 40 nm, indicative of three-dimensional diffusive transport. For smaller diameters, the resistance increases considerably, in coincidence with a strong suppression of the mobility. From an analysis of the effective charge carrier density, we find indications for a surface accumulation layer.
Formation of SiO2/Si3N4/SiO2 Positive and Negative Electrets on a Silicon Substrate

A new technique is presented for creating an electret from a plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) multilayer film of SiO2/Si3N4/SiO2. The technique uses a direct contact silicon electrode during poling. This thin-film electret formation process capitalized on deep traps in the silicon nitride, which is known to develop from hydrogen interactions with silicon dangling bonds and, in some stoichiometries, nitrogen dangling bonds. The materials used are compatible with standard microfabrication processes, and the electret activation process is accomplished with a commercial anodic bonding system, traditionally used for bonding borosilicate glass to silicon wafers. Negative electrets with an effective surface voltage (ESV) up to -236 V and positive electrets with an ESV up to 195 V are produced. The lifetime of the electrets are evaluated by performing accelerated aging at elevated temperatures. Results indicate that the electrets are expected to provide a mean lifetime effective charge for decades at a temperature of 125 °C. A thin-film multilayer electret fabrication process is shown to yield electrets with a half-life 5 times greater than those values reported for other PECVD fabricated multilayer electrets.
Globalisation , Productivity and Technology Research Paper 2003 / 14 Absorptive Capacity and Frontier Technology : Evidence from OECD Manufacturing Industries

The persistence differences in productivity are a notable feature of cross-country data. One explanation given for this variation is the inefficiency with which frontier technology is used due to differences in absorptive capacity. We utilise stochastic frontier analysis to investigate two potential sources of inefficiency: differences in human capital and R&D for nine industries in twelve OECD countries over the period 1973-92. We find that inefficiency in production does indeed exist and it depends upon the level of human capital of the country’s workforce. Evidence that the amount of R&D an industry undertakes is also important is less robust. JEL classification: O3; O57; L60
Does hospitality diversity education make a difference in undergraduate students’ emotional intelligence

ABSTRACT Soft skills are typically referred to as the attributes exhibited or contained by an individual that display his/her ability to interact with others. Two types of soft skills that are often discussed within the hospitality industry are diversity awareness and emotional intelligence. Diversity may be explained or defined as a state of unlikeness, the conditions of being different, and all things that make us different. Areas where differences may exist include race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, age, physical abilities, religious beliefs, political affiliation and emotional reaction. Emotional intelligence (EI) has been defined as the ability to perceive, understand, regulate, and harness emotions in the self and others. How one deals with emotion is one characteristic that varies from culture to culture. Research has shown that EI may be a contributing factor in a moment of truth being considered a failure or success. The purpose of this study was to examine if undergraduate student EI scores change after completing a diversity issues course. Students completed the Assessing Emotions Scale on the first class day. At the conclusion of the 15-week course covering approximately 20 diversity issues concepts students completed the same EI assessment. Paired sampled t-testing was conducted to determine whether mean differences existed when comparing post and pre-course scores. Results of this study suggest that certain components of EI are significantly changed after taking the diversity issues course.
Parenting techniques and parent characteristics associated with child externalizing behavior problems

Parenting Techniques and Parent Characteristics Associated with Child Externalizing Behavior Problems. (May 2007) Beth Hackethorn Garland, B.A., University of the South; M.A., James Madison University Co-Chairs of Advisory Committee: Dr. Robert W. Heffer Dr. Antonio Cepeda-Benito Child behavior problems are commonly reported difficulties within the education community and one of the largest referral reasons for parents seeking therapeutic services for their child. These behaviors can escalate to deviant and harmful behaviors that affect a child’s home life, academic success, and relations with family and peers. Current research has identified several parenting variables related to child behavior problems. This study considered the partial mediating role of parenting techniques on the relation between maternal characteristics and child behavior problems as reported by the parents and teachers of Head Start children. Participants in the study were 161 parents with children enrolled in Head Start at one of three programs in Texas or Mississippi. Results suggested that inconsistent discipline partially mediates the relation between maternal distress and parent reported child hyperactivity and aggression. Inconsistent discipline partially mediates the relation between maternal stress and parent-reported child hyperactivity and aggression. Parental involvement was found to be significantly related to childhood attention problems above and beyond maternal distress or stress and relevant demographic characteristics; however, it did not partially
PENGARUH TINGKAT MARGIN TERHADAP KEPUTUSAN PENGAMBILAN PEMBIAYAAN MURABAHAH DI BMT UGT SIDOGIRI CABANG WARU SIDOARJO

The research was titled â€œPengaruh Tingkat Margin Terhadap Keputusan Pengambilan Pembiayaan MurÄbahah di BMT UGT Sidogiri Cabang Waru Sidoarjoâ€ is a a quantitative research to answer the questions whether the margin influence on customerâ€™s decision-making margin murabaha financing and the extent of influence on the decisions-making murabaha financing at BMT UGT Sidogiri Waru Sidoarjo. This research uses a purposive sampling method with a sample of 90 customers who take murabaha financing. Questionnaires were tested for validity and reliability of the 20 customers prior to the collection of research data. Test equipment used in this research is to use analysis prerequisite test including normality test and test heteroskedastisitas. For data analysis used a simple linear regression analysis. The analysis of this study concluded that the level of margin positive and significant impact on the decision-making Murabaha financing as indicated by the value of the correlation coefficient (R) of 0.989, the coefficient of determination (R2) of 0.977.
Calcium Influx into Human Neuroblastoma Cells Induces ALZ‐50 Immunoreactivity: Involvement of Calpain‐Mediated Hydrolysis of Protein Kinase C

Abstract: Calcium influx into SH‐SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells after ionophore treatment or transient permeabilization in calcium‐containing medium increased ALZ‐50 immunoreactivity markedly. This increase was prevented by inhibitors active against calpain or against protein kinase C (PKC), suggesting that both of these enzymes were required to mediate the effect of calcium influx on ALZ‐50 immunoreactivity. Treatment with PKC activator TPA increased ALZ‐50 immunoreactivity in the absence of calcium influx or after intracellular delivery of the specific calpain inhibitor calpastatin, indicating that the influence of PKC was downstream from that of calpain. Calcium influx also resulted in μ‐calpain autolysis (one index of calpain activation) and the transient appearance of PKM (i.e., free PKC catalytic subunits, generated by calpain‐mediated cleavage of the regulatory and catalytic PKC domains). Inhibition of calpain within intact cells resulted in a dramatic increase in steady‐state levels of total τ (migrating at 46–52 kDa) but resulted in a relatively minor increase in 68‐kDa ALZ‐50‐immunoreactive τ isoforms. Although calcium influx into intact cells resulted in accumulation of ALZ‐50 immunoreactivity, total τ levels were, by contrast, rapidly depleted. Incubation of isolated fractions with calpain in the presence of calcium indicated that ALZ‐50‐immunoreactive τ isoforms were more resistant to calpain‐mediated proteolysis than were non‐ALZ‐50 reactive τ isoforms. These data therefore indicate that calpain may regulate τ levels directly via proteolysis and indirectly through PKC activation. A consequence of the latter action is altered τ phosphorylation, perhaps involving one or more kinase cascades, and the preferential accumulation of ALZ‐50‐immunoreactive τ isoforms due to their relative resistance to degradation. These findings provide a basis for the possibility that disregulation of calcium homeostasis may contribute to the pathological levels of conversion of τ to A68 by hyperactivation of the calpain/PKC system.
Authenticity at work – a job-demands resources perspective

Purpose – Previous research has demonstrated strong relations between work characteristics (e.g. job demands and job resources) and work outcomes such as work performance and work engagement. So far, little attention has been given to the role of authenticity (i.e. employees’ ability to experience their true selves) in these relations. The purpose of this paper is to explore the relationship of state authenticity at work with job demands and resources on the one hand and work engagement, job satisfaction, and subjective performance on the other hand. Design/methodology/approach – In total, 680 Dutch bank employees participated to the study. Structural equation modelling was used to test the goodness-of-fit of the hypothesized model. Bootstrapping (Preacher and Hayes, 2008) was used to examine the meditative effect of state authenticity. Findings – Results showed that job resources were positively associated with authenticity and, in turn, that authenticity was positively related to work engagement, job sa.
Increasing global freedoms : the role of psychological flexibility

This thesis seeks to add to the psychological literature that may help reduce global poverty and human rights abuse around the world. More specifically, it investigates the potential role of psychological flexibility and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) in helping to increase “global freedoms”. It makes a unique contribution through the way it applies psychological flexibility and ACT to this novel area. Following two introductory chapters, the next five describe the design and preliminary evaluation of new self-report measures. Specifically these assess: i. helping behaviour, ii. thoughts and cognitions, iii. feelings and emotions, and iv. values – all related to global freedoms. A fifth scale measures psychological inflexibility in an everyday context. Preliminary psychometric development includes both exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis. Following their development, the measures are used to answer five research questions. In general terms these explore the interrelationships between the measures; how they relate to helping behaviour and whether psychological flexibility plays a direct or indirect role in this. The research questions are answered using a cross-sectional dataset as well as a single session, lab based study which examines the potential of an ACT based intervention to increase helping behaviour. In summary, in both correlations and regressions, the thoughts and cognitions measure had a significant, negative correlation with helping behaviour, while the feelings and emotions, and values measure had significant, positive correlations with helping behaviour. Psychological flexibility did not show a significant, direct relationship with helping behaviour but, in mediation analyses, it was found to transmit its influence through thoughts and cognitions onto helping behaviour. In terms of the single session lab based study, neither ACT nor an education condition increased the level of donation to charity greater than a control. The general discussion focuses on the implications of these findings and the opportunities for future research.
Randomized phase II study of cetuximab plus cisplatin/vinorelbine compared with cisplatin/vinorelbine alone as first-line therapy in EGFR-expressing advanced non-small-cell lung cancer.

BACKGROUND The Lung Cancer Cetuximab Study is an open-label, randomized phase II pilot study of cisplatin and vinorelbine combined with the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-targeted monoclonal antibody cetuximab versus cisplatin and vinorelbine alone, in patients with advanced EGFR-expressing, non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). End points of the study are activity, safety and pharmacokinetics. PATIENTS AND METHODS Following randomization, for a maximum of eight cycles, patients received three-weekly cycles of cisplatin (80 mg/m(2), day 1) and vinorelbine (25 mg/m(2) on days 1 and 8) alone or following cetuximab treatment (initial dose 400 mg/m(2), followed by 250 mg/m(2) weekly thereafter). RESULTS Eighty-six patients were randomly allocated to the study (43 per arm). Confirmed response rates were 28% in the cisplatin/vinorelbine arm (A) and 35% in the cetuximab plus cisplatin/vinorelbine arm (B). Median progression-free survival (PFS) was 4.6 months in arm A and 5.0 months in arm B, with PFS rates at 12 months of 0% and 15%, respectively. Median survival was 7.3 months in arm A and 8.3 months in arm B. The 24-month survival rates were 0% and 16%, respectively. The cetuximab combination was well tolerated. CONCLUSION In the first-line treatment of advanced NSCLC, the combination of cetuximab plus cisplatin/vinorelbine demonstrated an acceptable safety profile and the potential to improve activity over cisplatin/vinorelbine alone.
Kin Investment by Step-Grandparents—More Than Expected

Asymmetric grandparental caregiving is usually explained by the paternity certainty hypothesis. Accordingly, the lower investment by grandfathers (GFs) and paternal grandparents, as compared to grandmothers (GMs) and maternal grandparents, is based on differential kinship certainty to grandchildren. Hence, differential caregiving by grandparents is equated with their on-average different genetic relatedness to a grandchild. But what about nonbiological grandparents? All else being equal, step-grandparents should not invest highly in step-grandchildren and their investment should not be asymmetric because no differences in kinship certainty exist. However, coresidence with a biological grandparent might enhance step-grandparents' investment. From a total of 508 respondents from Germany and the USA, 108 were step-grandchildren who reported kin caregiving from 151 step-grandparents. Further, we analyzed data of 45 stepparents, 1,005 biological parents, and 1,585 biological grandparents. We identified different types of step-grandparents. Subjects reported step-grandparents who were spouses of biological grandparents (Type I) much more often than step-grandparents who were parents of stepparents (Type II). Investment and emotional closeness ratings for step-grandparents were relatively high, however, on average somewhat lower than that of biological grandparents. Step-GFs provided more caregiving than step-GMs for step-grandchildren. More detailed analyses, however, revealed that this applied only for later partners of biological GMs (Type Ib) who were not already stepparents of the parents (Type Ia). Type Ib step-grandparents generally invested less in step-grandchildren than Type Ia; however, Type Ib maternal step-GFs, by contrast, invested more. Similar to step-GFs, stepfathers also invested more than stepmothers. However, this could be explained by the stepfathers' household connection with their stepchildren. We conclude that mating effort best describes the differential step-GFs' step-grandchild investment.