Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Anterior cervical corpectomy: review and comparison of results using titanium mesh cages and carbon fibre reinforced polymer cages

Different types of cages have recently become available for reconstruction following anterior cervical corpectomy. We review the results using titanium mesh cages (TMC) and stackable CFRP (carbon fibre reinforced polymer) cages. Forty-two patients who underwent anterior cervical corpectomy between November 2001 and September 2008 were retrospectively reviewed. Pathologies included cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM), cervical radiculopathy, OPLL (ossified posterior longitudinal ligament), metastasis/primary bone tumour, rheumatoid arthritis and deformity correction. All patients were evaluated clinically and radiologically. Outcome was assessed on the basis of the Odom's criteria, neck disability index (NDI) and myelopathy disability index (MDI). Mean age was 60 years and mean follow-up was 1½ years. Majority of the patients had single-level corpectomy. Twenty-three patients had TMC cages while 19 patients had CFRP cages. The mean subsidence noted with TMC cage was 1.91 mm, while with the stackable CFRP cage it was 0.5 mm. This difference was statistically significant (p < 0.05). However, there was no statistically significant correlation noted between subsidence and clinical outcome (p > 0.05) or between subsidence and post-operative sagittal alignment (p > 0.05) in either of the groups. Three patients had significant subsidence (>3 mm), one of whom was symptomatic. There were no hardware-related complications. On the basis of the Odom's criterion, 9 patients (21.4%) had an excellent outcome, 14 patients (33.3%) had a good outcome, 9 patients (21.4%) had a fair outcome and 5 patients (11.9%) had a poor outcome, i.e. symptoms and signs unchanged or exacerbated. Mean post-operative NDI was 26.27% and mean post-operative MDI was 19.31%. Fusion was noted in all 42 cases. Both TMC and stackable CFRP cages provide solid anterior column reconstruction with good outcome following anterior cervical corpectomy. However, more subsidence is noted with TMC cages though this might not significantly alter the clinical outcome unless the subsidence is significant (>3 mm).
The Vaccinia Virus Soluble Alpha/Beta Interferon (IFN) Receptor Binds to the Cell Surface and Protects Cells from the Antiviral Effects of IFN

ABSTRACT Poxviruses encode a broad range of proteins that interfere with host immune functions, such as soluble versions of receptors for the cytokines tumor necrosis factor, interleukin-1β, gamma interferon (IFN-γ), IFN-α/β, and chemokines. These virus-encoded cytokine receptors have a profound effect on virus pathogenesis and enable the study of the role of cytokines in virus infections. The vaccinia virus (VV) Western Reserve gene B18R encodes a secreted protein with 3 immunoglobulin domains that functions as a soluble receptor for IFN-α/β. We have found that after secretion B18R binds to both uninfected and infected cells. The B18R protein present at the cell surface maintains the properties of the soluble receptor, binding IFN-α/β with high affinity and with broad species specificity, and protects cells from the antiviral state induced by IFN-α/β. VV strain Wyeth expressed a truncated B18R protein lacking the C-terminal immunoglobulin domain. This protein binds IFN with lower affinity and retains its ability to bind to cells, indicating that the C-terminal region of B18R contributes to IFN binding. The replication of a VV B18R deletion mutant in tissue culture was restricted in the presence of IFN-α, whereas the wild-type virus replicated normally. Binding of soluble recombinant B18R to cells protected the cultures from IFN and allowed VV replication. This represents a novel strategy of virus immune evasion in which secreted IFN-α/β receptors not only bind the soluble cytokine but also bind to uninfected cells and protect them from the antiviral effects of IFN-α/β, maintaining the cells' susceptibility to virus infections. The adaptation of this soluble receptor to block IFN-α/β activity locally will help VV to replicate in the host and spread in tissues. This emphasizes the importance of local effects of IFN-α/β against virus infections.
Understanding Teaching Excellence in Higher Education: Towards a Critical Approach

Part 1: Beginnings 1. Introduction 2. A Critical Framework Part 2: Familiar Faces 3. Awards for Teachers 4. Institutions and Teaching Excellence 5. The Contribution of Subject Disciplines Part 3: Alternative Explorations 6. Local Knowledge: 'Ordinary' Teacher and Student Perceptions 7. Internationalisation and Inter-Cultural Learning 8. Seduced by Glitz and Glamour: Press Reporting of Teaching 9. Excellence 10. Professional Development and Teaching Excellence Part 4: Future Horizons 11. Lost in the Translation? 12. Research into Teaching Excellence in Higher Education
Association between Episodes of Upper Respiratory Infection and Exacerbations in Adult Patients with Asthma

Background. Asthma has several phenotypical features, including recurrent exacerbations and recurrent episodes of upper respiratory infection (URI). Purpose. A retrospective study was performed to identify the characteristics of adult patients with recurrent exacerbations of asthma, especially in association with recurrent episodes of URI. Methods. Information was collected using a self-administered questionnaire given to 7070 patients in autumn–winter 2006, 4859 patients in spring–summer 2007, and 4452 patients in autumn–winter 2007. The patients reported the degree of symptoms and the frequency of febrile episodes of URI and exacerbations. Severe exacerbations were defined as a self-report of asthma-related hospitalization, an emergency department visit, or a requirement for systemic corticosteroids. Recurrent febrile URI and exacerbations were defined as two or more episodes within the previous 6 months. A Poisson regression model was used to identify the factors that were predictors of a risk for exacerbations. Results. Of the 6266 patients who completed the questionnaire, the frequencies of febrile URI and episodes of severe exacerbations were 1.54 and 0.54 per subject per year, respectively. Logistic regression analysis showed that an older age [odds ratio (OR): 1.57; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.15–2.13], female sex (OR: 1.58; 95% CI: 1.20–2.08), recurrent febrile episodes of URI (OR: 2.68; 95% CI: 1.47–4.91), a history of previous exacerbation within 1 year (OR: 1.74; 95% CI: 1.28–2.34), disuse of inhaled corticosteroids (ICSs) (OR: 2.63; 95% CI: 1.68–4.12), and disuse of add-on leukotriene receptor antagonists (LTRAs) (OR: 1.42; 95% CI: 1.06–1.74) were independently associated with moderate to severe symptom-severity. Poisson regression analysis showed that the independent factors that contributed to the frequency of recurrent severe exacerbations were female sex (regression coefficient β = 0.62, p < .01), an episode of sputum with coughing (β = 1.23, p < .01), nocturnal awakening (β = 1.22, p < .01), and severe exacerbation (β = 0.78, p < .01) within the previous 6 months. Conclusion. Symptom-severity of asthma and the frequency of severe exacerbations were associated with previous exacerbations and susceptibility to URI.
A robust extended Kalman filter for modeling piezoelectric actuators

This paper presents an improved hysteretic model for a piezoelectric actuator (PEA) based nano-positioning system. PEAs exhibit hysteresis nonlinearities, which can dramatically limit control performance and accuracy of the nano-positioning system. The paper provides a design of a hysteretic nonlinearity estimator using a robust extended Kalman filter to determine the best estimate for the hysteresis model. A good quality and an accurate level of the model is an important task and a prerequisite that may significantly affect the control performance in nano-positioning systems even using an advanced controller. With the respect to the hysteresis model considered in [1], the proposed approach in this paper demonstrates a significant improvement to have perfectly matched the experimental data of the measured hysteresis curve of the displacement by comparing the one presented in [1].
Identity‐based multi‐proxy multi‐signature scheme provably secure in random oracle model

A multi‐proxy multi‐signature scheme is a useful extension of the basic proxy signature scheme, which allows a group of original signers to delegate their signing rights to a group of proxy signers. At the best of our knowledge, no formal security model and proof has been formalised for the identity‐based multi‐proxy multi‐signature (IBMPMS) scheme from bilinear pairings so far, whereas due to applications of the IBMPMS scheme in distributed systems, grid computing, mobile agent environment and so on, construction of an efficient and provably secure IBMPMS scheme is desired. In this paper, we propose an IBMPMS scheme from bilinear pairings. We also formalise a security model for the IBMPMS schemes from bilinear pairings, and prove that the proposed scheme is secure against existential forgery on adaptive chosen‐message and adaptive chosen‐identity attacks in the random oracle model, under the computational Diffie–Hellman assumption. Moreover, the proposed scheme is more efficient in the sense of computation and operation time, with a small signature size than the existing IBMPMS schemes.Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Biological aggressiveness of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP)-positive gastric cancer.

BACKGROUND/AIMS Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP)-positive gastric cancer (APGC) which occupied well-defined gastric cancer entity, reportedly has an aggressive behavior with hematogenous metastasis. However, little information regarding the clinicopathological and biological behaviors of APGC is available due to the small size of reported series. METHODOLOGY We retrospectively analyzed the clinical features of APGC in 556 patients with gastric cancer who underwent preoperative measurement of serum AFP levels and gastrectomy in Kagoshima University Hospital. APGC was regarded as any cancer with preoperative serum AFP levels above the cutoff level of 5 ng/mL. Clinicopathological features of APGC were assessed using the General Rules of Gastric Cancer. Of the 556 patients, 97 patients underwent immunohistochemical evaluation of AFP expression in the primary tumor. Both p53 and MIB-1 expression were examined at the same time and compared with AFP expression. Biological aggressiveness of APGC was estimated. RESULTS Serum AFP positivity was detected in 4.3% of cases (range, 0-2202 ng/mL). Patients were divided into 25 APGC patients and 531 non-APGC patients. APGC displayed deeper tumor invasion, increased nodal involvement, increased venous invasion, and increased CEA concentrations compared to gastric cancer in non-APGC. Surgical outcomes for APGC were significantly worse than those for non-APGC (p < 0.05). All recurrences in patients with APGC involved hepatic metastasis. Abnormalities of p53 were more frequent for APGC than for non-APGC (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS APGC was strongly associated with hematogenous factors such as venous invasion, hepatic metastasis and aggressive biological factors (p53 abnormalities). Considering the aggressive biological behavior of APGC, we must closely follow up for patients with such tumor, including postoperative adjuvant therapy.
Education and Dowry: An Economic Exploration

Rising levels of dowry often seem to be associated with increasing levels of education. In this article, we briefly survey some of the economic theories that have been put forward to explain the emergence, existence and spread of the dowry phenomenon, especially highlighting the role of education. For a more India-specific perspective, we look at the evolution of dowry among the Muslims and Christians of India. In general, it has been found that dowry increases with the level of the groom’s education but is unrelated to that of the bride. Apart from existing theories, we hypothesize about education serving as a signal for the quality of the groom. The idea is that the qualities that help a man earn more education, also make him more attractive in the marriage market and hence, a higher dowry might be a reflection of the price brides are willing to pay for the qualities.
Competition and Cooperation in Industrial Clusters: The Implications for Public Policy

Alfred Marshall believed that, while the benefits of clusters resulted from cooperation between firms, competition was an important driving force. In contrast, contemporary theories of clusters place most emphasis on collective action. This article seeks to distinguish processes of competition and cooperation within clusters, through a critical reading of different theoretical approaches. This distinction has important implications for the scale and nature of public policy. An emphasis on competitive processes implies a more macro-economic role for public agencies in seeking to raise investment in innovation while the fostering of cooperation implies measures to support decentralized public-private research collaborations.
Macrophages in T cell line‐mediated, demyelinating, and chronic relapsing experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis in Lewis rats

About 50% of the mononuclear cells in the perivascular lesions in the central nervous system (CNS) of rats suffering from experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) are blood‐borne macrophages. In this study we investigated the role of these macrophages in different variants of EAE, using a liposome‐mediated macrophage depletion technique. Intravenously injected liposomes containing dichloromethylene diphosphonate (C12MDP) are ingested by macrophages and cause temporary and selective elimination of these cells. Macrophage depletion during EAE induced by a T cell line specific for myelin basic protein (MBP; T cell‐EAE) suppresses development of neurological signs of EAE. T cell‐EAE with pronounced demyelination as induced by an additionally injected MoAb directed against myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) was also significantly ameliorated after macrophage depletion. During chronic relapsing EAE (CR‐EAE) the occurrence of relapses was prevented or suppressed, provided that the liposomes were injected before the initiation of a putative relapse. A chronic progressive course of CR‐EAE was not modified by CI2MDP containing liposome treatment. Histologic examination of the CNS of liposome‐treated animals confirmed decreased infiltration of macrophages into the parenchyma in the rats with T cell and AD‐EAE, whereas T cells were still present.
Targeting Young Voters in a Political Campaign: Empirical Insights into an Interactive Digital Marketing Campaign in the 2007 Finnish General Election

At general elections across Europe, turnout among young people tends to be significantly lower than among older voters. Therefore, this article examines a digital marketing campaign that was targeted at young voters in the 2007 Finnish general election. More specifically, this article aims to provide insights into the creative development process of a political marketing campaign and the nature of the client-agency relationship in political campaigns. The methodology adopted in this article consisted of in-depth interviews with key informants involved in the campaign planning and implementation. The results provide new empirical insights into the challenges that political campaigner may face when they target political marketing at young voters. In addition, the results suggest that there are differences between commercial and political marketing also in a digital marketing context. Finally, the results support the view that marketing professionals have a strong role in a creative development process of a political marketing campaign. The ideas put forth herein can certainly help advertising professionals to plan political marketing campaigns that engage young people in future elections and therefore aid candidates in their quest to achieve electoral success.
Influence of a 100-km Ultra-Marathon on Hepatitis B Carrier Runners

Abstract This study compares the serological markers between runners who are hepatitis B virus carries (HBVc) and runners who are non-HBVc in a 100-km ultra-marathon race. Blood samples of 8 HBVc and 18 non-HBVc runners were drawn 1 week before, immediately following, and 24 h after the race. Samples were analyzed and compared between the 2 groups for liver function tests, muscle damage markers and oxidative stress cytokines. For HBVc runners, HBV-DNA (hepatitis B virus-deoxyribonucleic acid) levels were also evaluated for virus reactivation. The results demonstrate a statistically significant increase in both immediate and 24-h post-race values for alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatine kinase (CK), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), compared with pre-race values. No statistically significant difference was observed between the 2 groups for the values of AST, LDH, CK, hs-CRP, IL-6 and TNF-α either before or after the race. There was also no statistically significant change in the levels of HBV-DNA in HBVc runners. These findings suggest that HBVc runners do not have higher risks of liver function impairment, muscle breakdown and inflammatory response compared to non-HBVc runners in such endurance races.
Internal audit function: an exploratory study from Egyptian listed firms

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the nature and characteristics of internal audit function in Egyptian listed firms and assess its ability to fulfill its role in corporate governance.Design/methodology/approach – The study has been carried out through a questionnaire survey that aims to explore the internal audit function in Egyptian listed firms from four main aspects: insourcing or outsourcing arrangements of the internal audit function; organizational setting; activities; and interaction with external auditors.Findings – The findings of the study reveal that a large proportion of Egyptian listed firms have internal audit function, but internal audit function in these firms is less matured. Internal audit function has low levels of organizational independence, management support, and qualification of internal audit staff. Also, the results reveal that internal audit function is still focused on financial audit and internal controls compliance and has not yet moved towards the expanded n.
Mapping Sites of Positive Selection and Amino Acid Diversification in the HIV Genome

A safe and effective HIV-1 vaccine is urgently needed to control the worldwide AIDS epidemic. Traditional methods of vaccine development have been frustratingly slow, and it is becoming increasingly apparent that radical new approaches may be required. Computational and mathematical approaches, combined with evolutionary reasoning, may provide new insights for the design of an efficacious AIDS vaccine. Here, we used codon-based substitution models and maximum-likelihood (ML) methods to identify positively selected sites that are likely to be involved in the immune control of HIV-1. Analysis of subtypes B and C revealed widespread adaptive evolution. Positively selected amino acids were detected in all nine HIV-1 proteins, including Env. Of particular interest was the high level of positive selection within the C-terminal regions of the immediate-early regulatory proteins, Tat and Rev. Many of the amino acid replacements were associated with the emergence of novel (or alternative) myristylation and casein kinase II (CKII) phosphorylation sites. The impact of these changes on the conformation and antigenicity of Tat and Rev remains to be established. In rhesus macaques, a single CTL-associated amino substitution in Tat has been linked to escape from acute SIV infection. Understanding the relationship between host-driven positive selection and antigenic variation may lead to the development of novel vaccine strategies that preempt the escape process.
Raw material procurement with fluctuating prices using speculative inventory under consideration of different contract types and transport modes

The paper develops a combined dynamic procurement and transport model for performance evaluation by explicitly considering fluctuating prices of raw material, alternative transport modes as well as contract types. In a dynamic environment the procurement managers face (i) the challenge to select the ‘right’ strategy (i.e. transport mode and contract type) and (ii) in each period the decision whether to procure or not, depending on the price; in case of procurement, the price-dependent quantity must be determined. For tackling the decision problems of procurement, contract price and transport mode, we propose an approach motivated by demand models depending on the reservation price which is derived from revenue management. Alternative strategies are characterised by the contract type (short-term, long-term and portfolio), by the possibility to hold speculative inventories or not, and by the modes of transport including intermodal and multi-mode transport. Based on the procurement, transport and inventory costs, the performance of selected strategies is illustrated for a real supply process in the chemical industry using dynamic process analysis. The findings show that the most efficient strategies lead to reduction of average total procurement costs between 8 and 18%. Subsequently, managerial guidelines are derived for the selection of the most appropriate strategy.
Entrepreneur's traits and firm innovation capability: an empirical study in Malaysia

This research investigates how entrepreneurs' personality traits affect firm innovation capability. It posits that entrepreneurs would feel inclined to become involved into the different phases of the innovation process in the firm depending on their personality traits. The convenient sampling of non-probability sampling was adopted. Most of the major towns in Peninsular Malaysia have been chosen for the purpose of collecting the data. Hypotheses relating the personality factors (achievement, opportunity, confidence, innovativeness, independent, risk taking and openness to experience) and firm innovation capability were tested by using multiple regression analysis on survey data from a sample of 1416 entrepreneurs from Malaysia. The study revealed that the personality traits of an entrepreneur had significant impact on the firm innovation capability in Malaysia. The area on which this study concentrates does not have many extensive academic researches yet. Even though this study has some limitations and problems, it has several managerial implications. This study could be particularly useful for policy makers to get some ideas and develop suitable training programs to help and assist the entrepreneur in their future endeavors.