Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Importance of lesion length on new device angioplasty of native coronary arteries

The influence of lesion length on early and late outcomes after new device angioplasty has not been well documented. We reviewed the clinical and angiographic outcomes of 2,980 patients (3,902 lesions) undergoing new device angioplasty of native vessels enrolled in the New Approaches to Coronary Interventions (NACI) Registry. Patients were divided into three groups according to the longest lesion length (< 10, 10–20, and > 20 mm) treated. Patients with the longest lesions had more multivessel disease (56.9% vs. 49.0%, P < 0.05), right coronary artery disease (52.7% vs. 32.0%, P < 0.001), and total occlusions (19.1% vs. 2.5%, P < 0.001) than patients with shorter lesions. Longest lesions had the smallest minimal lumen diameter (P < 0.001) at baseline and at the end of the procedure. Although in‐hospital events were similar, there were differences in clinical outcomes at 1 year due mainly to more target lesion revascularization in the longest lesion group (P < 0.01). Multivariate analysis showed that each 1‐mm increase in lesion length was associated with an increase relative risk of 1.014 (95% CI, 1.004–1.025) for target lesion revascularization at 1 year. We conclude that despite similar early clinical events, patients undergoing new device angioplasty of longer lesions have more target lesion revascularization at 1 year. Cathet. Cardiovasc. Intervent. 50:19–25, 2000. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The use of noninvasive positive pressure ventilation in the emergency department: results of a randomized clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE To determine whether the use of noninvasive positive pressure ventilation (NPPV) in the emergency department (ED) will reduce the need for tracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation. DESIGN Randomized, controlled, prospective clinical trial. SETTING ED of Barnes-Jewish Hospital, a university-affiliated teaching hospital. PATIENTS Twenty-seven patients meeting a predetermined definition of acute respiratory distress requiring hospital admission. INTERVENTIONS Conventional medical therapy for the various etiologies of acute respiratory distress and the application of NPPV. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS The primary outcome measure was the need for tracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation. Secondary outcomes also assessed included hospital mortality, hospital length of stay, acquired organ system derangements, and the utilization of respiratory care personnel. Sixteen patients (59.3%) were randomly assigned to receive conventional medical therapy plus NPPV, and 11 patients (40.7%) were randomly assigned to receive conventional medical therapy without NPPV. The two groups were similar at the time of randomization in the ED with regard to demographic characteristics, hospital admission diagnoses, and severity of illness. Tracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation was required in seven patients (43.8%) receiving conventional medical therapy plus NPPV and in five patients (45.5%) receiving conventional medical therapy alone (relative risk=0.96; 95% confidence interval=0.41 to 2.26; p=0.930). There was a trend towards a greater hospital mortality rate among patients in the NPPV group (25%) compared to patients in the conventional medical therapy group (0.0%) (p=0.123). Among patients who subsequently required mechanical ventilation, those in the NPPV group had a longer time interval from ED arrival to the start of mechanical ventilation compared to patients in the conventional medical therapy group (26.0+/-27.0 h vs 4.8+/-6.9 h; p=0.055). CONCLUSIONS We conclude that the application of NPPV in the ED may delay tracheal intubation and the initiation of mechanical ventilation in some patients with acute respiratory distress. We also demonstrated that the application of NPPV was associated with an increased hospital mortality rate. Based on these preliminary observations, larger clinical investigations are required to determine if adverse patient outcomes can be attributed to the early application of NPPV in the ED. Additionally, improved patient selection criteria for the optimal administration of NPPV in the ED need to be developed.
Real-Time Gross Settlement and Hybrid Payment Systems: A Comparison

This paper contrasts Real-Time Gross Settlement and hybrid payment systems that are based on payment offset, using a two-period, multi-bank model. The comparison is performed according to two criteria: liquidity needs and speed of settlement. We assume that the existence of a payment is common knowledge but that the specific degree of time-criticality of a payment is the private information of the bank sending the payment. Hybrid payment systems are shown to outperform Real-Time Gross Settlement when payments are offset in the first period and when they are offset in both periods. This suggests that in a hybrid system, the offsetting facility should be in operation all day, or, at the very least, for some time after the system opens in the morning. A system in which the offsetting facility was only switched on late in the day would not necessarily be preferred to Real-Time Gross Settlement. These results are shown to be robust to changes in the transparency of the central queue of payments awaiting offset. However, this robustness may not hold with different forms of information asymmetry.
India's Nuclear Breeders: Technology, Viability, and Options

India's nuclear power program is based on indigenous materials and technology, with the potential for providing energy security for many centuries. This paper examines the technical validity of this plan, specifically the role of breeder reactors for extending the domestic uranium supplies. Our study shows breeding is unlikely to occur at anywhere near the rates envisioned, leading to a slow growth of fast breeder reactors. In addition, domestic uranium reserves restrict growth of Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs), which are likely to be the main contributors to nuclear capacity in the short-term. The Th-U233 cycle in fast breeders does not appear attractive, and, for the U238-Pu cycle, only metallic fuel offers hope of rapid increase in available fissile material. To increase the share of nuclear power in the coming decades, India should consider the construction of a number of large thermal reactors based on indigenous and imported uranium.
Screening for interstitial lung disease in systemic sclerosis: the diagnostic accuracy of HRCT image series with high increment and reduced number of slices

Objectives The objective of this study is to assess diagnostic accuracy for the detection of interstitial lung disease (ILD) in image series with high increment and reduced number of slices in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). Methods 45 patients with SSc underwent high-resolution CT (HRCT). Three series of secondary captures were reconstructed as follows: series 1, series with 10 mm increment and 1 mm slices; series 2, seven axial images with baso-apical gradient; series 3, three axial images were obtained at the apical, at the level of the carina and basal. The presence and extent of ILD, and the degree of diagnostic confidence were recorded. The effective dose for each image series was estimated. Standard HRCT was the standard of reference. Results The prevalence of ILD was 55% (25/45). Diagnostic sensitivity and accuracy of series 1, series 2 and series 3 were 100% and 94.4%, 94% and 97.8%, 92% and 97.8%, respectively. The extent of ILD was underestimated in series 3 (p<0.05) and was comparable to the standard HRCT in series 1 and 2 (p>0.05). Estimated dose reduction was more than 90% in all image series. Conclusions HRCT image series with low sampling rate allow an accurate detection of ILD with very-low-radiation dose, making this approach potentially valuable for screening in patients with SSc.
Eva, Accounting Profits, and CEO Turnover: An Empirical Examination, 1985–1994

A growing number of companies use EVA or related measures of economic profits as metrics for corporate planning and executive compensation. Unlike traditional accounting measures of performance, EVA attempts to measure the value that firms create or destroy by subtracting a capital charge from the cash returns they generate on invested capital. For this reason, EVA is seen by its proponents as providing the most reliable year‐to‐year indicator of a market based performance measure known as market value added, or MVA. Although EVA and MVA have received considerable attention in recent years, there has been little empirical study of these performance measures—and what studies have been produced have provided mixed results. This study joins the debate over EVA vs. conventional accounting measures by asking a different question: Which performance measures do the best job of explaining not only stock returns, but the probability that a CEO will be dismissed for poor performance? Using a sample of 452 firms during the period 1985–1994, the authors report that EVA has a somewhat stronger correlation with stock price performance than conventional accounting measures such as ROE and ROA. But, of greater import, EVA appears to be a considerably more reliable indicator of CEO turnover than conventional accounting measures.
Regionalization in the World Crude Oil Market: Further Evidence

This paper extends the tests of Weiner's (1991) regionalization hypothesis in Gillen (1997), which employed monthly data, to weekly data from a more recent period (1991:4-1996:52). The higher frequency data allows us to analyze the co-movement of prices for similar quality crude oils from different regions of the world in shorter periods of time. In addition to the full sample, two subperiods (one of falling prices, 1991:4-93:52 and the other of rising prices, 1994:1 96:52) are analyzed. The results are usually similar to those from Gillen (1997) which rejected regionalization, but the comparison of the two subperiods leads to some interesting conclusions. First, prices (including that of Saudi Arabian Heavy) appear to be more in line with each other during tight market conditions than during weak market conditions. Second, the global benchmark role of WTI and UK Brent is reinforced.
Resistance to Virus Infection Conferred by the Interferon-Induced Promyelocytic Leukemia Protein

ABSTRACT The interferon (IFN)-induced promyelocytic leukemia (PML) protein is specifically associated with nuclear bodies (NBs) whose functions are yet unknown. Two of the NB-associated proteins, PML and Sp100, are induced by IFN. Here we show that overexpression of PML and not Sp100 induces resistance to infections by vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) (a rhabdovirus) and influenza A virus (an orthomyxovirus) but not by encephalomyocarditis virus (a picornavirus). Inhibition of viral multiplication was dependent on both the level of PML expression and the multiplicity of infection and reached 100-fold. PML was shown to interfere with VSV mRNA and protein synthesis. Compared to the IFN mediator MxA protein, PML had less powerful antiviral activity. While nuclear body localization of PML did not seem to be required for the antiviral effect, deletion of the PML coiled-coil domain completely abolished it. Taken together, these results suggest that PML can contribute to the antiviral state induced in IFN-treated cells.
"Happy Days are Here Again": Cocoa Farmers, Middlemen Traders and the Structural Adjustment Program in Southwestern Nigeria, 1986-1990s

This article examines the impact of the Structural Adjustment Program (SAP) that was installed by the military regime of Ibrahim Babangida in 1986 on the cocoa economy of southwestern Nigeria. The structural adjustment program resulted in the dissolution of the Cocoa Board. The scrapping of the Cocoa Board engendered significant changes in the marketing of cocoa, as Nigerian, and non-Nigerian exporters (Syrians and Lebanese) sought to gain control of the cocoa trade. This resulted in a price war that led to a monumental increase in the price of cocoa. The cocoa boom from 1987 to 1988 was compounded by the heightened inflationary situation created by the structural adjustment program. Prices of farm implements rose and laborers also increased their wages. With the end of the cocoa boom in early 1989, some farmers found it increasingly difficult to maintain their farms, resulting in the intensification of sharecropping. Also, some laborers who had benefited from the windfall during 1987 and 1988 began to buy their own farms from cocoa farmers.
Predicting Online Student Outcomes From a Measure of Course Quality

Given the rapid growth in online coursework within higher education, it is important to establish and validate quality standards for these courses. While many online learning quality rubrics do exist, thus far there has been little empirical evidence establishing a clear link between specific aspects of course quality and concrete, studentlevel course outcomes. In the current study, the authors develop an online course quality rubric that comprises four areas, and they explore the relationship between each quality area and student end-of-semester performance in 23 online courses at two community colleges. The results indicate that the quality of interpersonal interaction within a course relates positively and significantly to student grades. Additional analyses based on course observation and interview data suggest that frequent and effective student–instructor interaction creates an online environment that encourages students to commit themselves to the course and perform stronger academically.
Hypnosis Reduces Preoperative Anxiety in Adult Patients

In this study we examined the effect of hypnosis on preoperative anxiety. Subjects were randomized into 3 groups, a hypnosis group (n = 26) who received suggestions of well-being; an attention-control group (n = 26) who received attentive listening and support without any specific hypnotic suggestions and a “standard of care” control group (n = 24). Anxiety was measured pre- and postintervention as well as on entrance to the operating rooms. We found that patients in the hypnosis group were significantly less anxious postintervention as compared with patients in the attention-control group and the control group (31 ± 8 versus 37 ± 9 versus 41 ± 11, analysis of variance, P = 0.008). Moreover, on entrance to the operating rooms, the hypnosis group reported a significant decrease of 56% in their anxiety level whereas the attention-control group reported an increase of 10% in anxiety and the control group reported an increase of 47% in their anxiety (P = 0.001). In conclusion, we found that hypnosis significantly alleviates preoperative anxiety. Future studies are indicated to examine the effects of preoperative hypnosis on postoperative outcomes.
Silicon Mitigates Salinity Stress by Regulating the Physiology, Antioxidant Enzyme Activities, and Protein Expression in Capsicum annuum ‘Bugwang'

Silicon- (Si-) induced salinity stress resistance was demonstrated at physiological and proteomic levels in Capsicum annuum for the first time. Seedlings of C. annuum were hydroponically treated with NaCl (50 mM) with or without Si (1.8 mM) for 15 days. The results illustrated that saline conditions significantly reduced plant growth and biomass and photosynthetic parameters and increased the electrolyte leakage potential, lipid peroxidation, and hydrogen peroxide level. However, supplementation of Si allowed the plants to recover from salinity stress by improving their physiology and photosynthesis. During salinity stress, Si prevented oxidative damage by increasing the activities of antioxidant enzymes. Furthermore, Si supplementation recovered the nutrient imbalance that had occurred during salinity stress. Additionally, proteomic analysis by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2DE) followed by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) revealed that Si treatment upregulated the accumulation of proteins involved in several metabolic processes, particularly those associated with nucleotide binding and transferase activity. Moreover, Si modulated the expression of vital proteins involved in ubiquitin-mediated nucleosome pathway and carbohydrate metabolism. Overall, the results illustrate that Si application induced resistance against salinity stress in C. annuum by regulating the physiology, antioxidant metabolism, and protein expression.
Hypusine modification for growth is the major function of spermidine in Saccharomyces cerevisiae polyamine auxotrophs grown in limiting spermidine

Spermidine and its derivative, hypusinated eIF5A, are essential for the growth of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Very low concentrations of spermidine (10−8 M) are sufficient for the growth of S. cerevisiae polyamine auxotrophs (spe1Δ, spe2Δ, and spe3Δ). Under these conditions, even though the growth rate is near normal, the internal concentration of spermidine is <0.2% of the spermidine concentration present in wild-type cells. When spe2Δ cells are grown with low concentrations of spermidine, there is a large decrease in the amount of hypusinated eukaryotic initiation factor 5A (eIF5A) (1/20 of normal), even though there is no change in the amount of total (modified plus unmodified) eIF5A. It is striking that, as intracellular spermidine becomes limiting, an increasing portion of it (up to 54%) is used for the hypusine modification of eIF5A. These data indicate that hypusine modification of eIF5A is a most important function for spermidine in supporting the growth of S. cerevisiae polyamine auxotrophs.
Preemptive Open Surgical vs. Endovascular Repair for Juxta-Anastomotic Stenoses of Autogenous AV Fistulae: A Meta-Analysis

Purpose There is controversy about the best mode of preemptive repair of juxta-anastomotic stenoses in radial-cephalic arteriovenous fistula (AVFs). The aim of the present review was to compare the outcome of surgical vs. endovascular repair of those AVF stenoses. Methods A systematic review and meta-analysis was performed for studies comparing the outcome of open surgical vs. endovascular preemptive repair of AVF stenoses located in the juxta-anastomotic region. A search was carried out in April 2015. The analyzed outcome measures were the primary patency at 12 and 18 months and the assisted primary patency at 24 months. In addition, assessment of the methodological quality of the included studies was carried out. Results Four non-randomized cohort studies (297 patients) were analyzed. A random effects model was used to pool the data. The pooled odds ratio (OR and 95% confidence intervals) for the primary patency at 12 and at 18 months was 0.42 (0.25-0.72) and 0.33 (0.2-0.56), respectively, showing statistically significant higher patency of the surgically repaired group. The pooled OR for the assisted primary patency at 24 months was 0.53 (0.28-0.98) also in favor of the surgically repaired group (p<0.04) Conclusions The available evidence, based on non-randomized cohort studies, suggests that surgery is the best way to treat ‘juxta-anastomotic’ stenotic lesions in distal radial-cephalic AVFs, although angioplasty remains a valuable but less durable option in this location of the stenosis.
Anthrax Lethal Toxin Kills Macrophages in a Strain-Specific Manner by Apoptosis or Caspase-1-Mediated Necrosis

Murine macrophages have been classified as either susceptible or nonsusceptible to killing by anthrax lethal toxin (LT) depending upon genetic background. While considered resistant to LT killing, we found that bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMMs) from DBA/2, AKR, and C57BL/6 mice were slowly killed by apoptosis following LT exposure. LT killing was not restricted to in vitro assays, as splenic macrophages were also depleted in LT-injected C57BL/6 mice. Human macrophages, also considered LT resistant, similarly underwent slow apoptosis in response to LT challenge. In contrast, LT triggered rapid necrosis and a broad protein release in BMMs derived from BALB/c and C3H/HeJ, but not C57BL/6 mice. Released proteins included processed interleukin-18, confirming reports of inflammasome and caspase-1 activation in LT-mediated necrosis in macrophages. Complete inhibition of caspase-1 activity was required to block LT-mediated necrosis. Strikingly, minimal residual caspase-1 activity was sufficient to trigger significant necrosis in LT-treated macrophages, indicating the toxicity of caspase-1 in this process. IL-18 release does not trigger cytolysis, as IL-18 is released late and only from LT-treated macrophages undergoing membrane perturbation. We propose that caspase-1-mediated macrophage necrosis is the source of the cytokine storm and rapid disease progression reported in LT-treated BALB/c mice.
Improved outsourced private set intersection protocol based on polynomial interpolation

Private set intersection (PSI) protocols enable 2 parties to compute the intersection of their inputs without compromising anything about the datasets beyond the intersection. With the advent of cloud computing, outsourcing computation has been attracted wide range of attention from research community and applied widely in the industry. The cloud computing allows resources restrained devices to outsource their expensive computation to the cloud. Based on Abadi's O‐PSI, we present a variant of delegated private set intersection protocol secure in the semi‐honest model under RSA assumption, and we also give an efficient and secure outsourcing computation algorithm for RSA cryptosystem. Depending on this algorithm, we transform a variant of delegated private set intersection protocol into an improved outsourced one. It enables the clients only to perform simple modular multiplication for computing what they want during the execution of protocol. Besides, the variant of delegated protocol can be easily extended to multiple clients. Compared with the state of the art, our proposed protocol has great advantage in efficiency. We finally evaluate these protocols and prove their security in the semi‐honest model.
The Role of Generic Competencies in the Entrustment of Professional Activities: A Nationwide Competency-Based Curriculum Assessed.

BACKGROUND Entrustable professional activities (EPAs) seek to translate essential physician competencies into clinical practice. Until now, it is not known whether EPA-based curricula offer enhanced assessment and feedback to trainees. OBJECTIVE This study examined program directors' and senior residents' justifications for entrustment decisions and what role generic, cross-specialty competencies (such as communication skills, collaboration, and understanding health care systems) play in these decisions. METHODS Entrustment decisions for all Dutch obstetrics and gynecology residents between January 2010 and April 2014 were retrieved from their electronic portfolios. Justifications for entrustment were divided into 4 categories: the resident's experience, his or her technical performance, the presence of a generic competency, and training. Template analysis was used to analyze in depth the types of justifications, which play a role in entrustment decisions. RESULTS A total of 5139 entrustment decisions for 375 unique residents were extracted and analyzed. In 59% of all entrustment decisions, entrusting a professional task to a resident was justified by the experience of the resident. Generic competencies were mentioned in 0.5% of all entrustment decisions. Template analysis revealed that the amount of exposure and technical skills are leading factors, while the quality of the performance was not reported to be of any influence. CONCLUSIONS Entrustment decisions only rarely are based on generic competencies, despite the introduction of competency frameworks and EPAs. For program directors, a leading factor in entrustment decisions is a resident's exposure to an activity, and the quality of a resident's performance appears to play only a minor role.