Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Frequency of preoperative anxiety in Pakistani surgical patients.

OBJECTIVE To measure the frequency of preoperative anxiety in patients coming to our hospital and to correlate Visual analogue scale (VAS) with State Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) questionnaire. METHODS This cross sectional study included 300 ASA I and II adult surgical in-patients admitted over a period of one year. STAI questionnaire and VAS was used as study tools. STAI score of > 44 or VAS score of > or = 50 were considered as significant anxiety. Enrolled patients were visited by primary investigator the day before surgery and patients were asked to fill the STAI questionnaire and VAS score. RESULTS Significant preoperative anxiety was seen in 62% patients (73% females and 42% males). Frequency of anxiety decreased with advancing age but increased with higher educational status. A total of 77% of patients with no previous exposure to surgery and 26% of patients who had previous surgery, were anxious. Also 49% of patients who had visited the clinic and 86% of patients who had not visited the clinic were anxious. VAS correlated with STAI in 90% cases. Cut off value of VAS which showed positive correlation with STAI was 45. CONCLUSION Frequency of preoperative anxiety was 62%. Female gender, younger age and higher educational status were positively correlated while prior experience of surgery while preoperative anaesthesia clinic visit were negatively correlated with anxiety. VAS correlated well with STAI.
Structure-Based Assessment of Missense Mutations in Human BRCA1

The BRCA1 gene from individuals at risk of breast and ovarian cancers can be screened for the presence of mutations. However, the cancer association of most alleles carrying missense mutations is unknown, thus creating significant problems for genetic counseling. To increase our ability to identify cancer-associated mutations in BRCA1, we set out to use the principles of protein three-dimensional structure as well as the correlation between the cancer-associated mutations and those that abolish transcriptional activation. Thirty-one of 37 missense mutations of known impact on the transcriptional activation function of BRCA1 are readily rationalized in structural terms. Loss-of-function mutations involve nonconservative changes in the core of the BRCA1 C-terminus (BRCT) fold or are localized in a groove that presumably forms a binding site involved in the transcriptional activation by BRCA1; mutations that do not abolish transcriptional activation are either conservative changes in the core or are on the surface outside of the putative binding site. Next, structure-based rules for predicting functional consequences of a given missense mutation were applied to 57 germ-line BRCA1 variants of unknown cancer association. Such a structure-based approach may be helpful in an integrated effort to identify mutations that predispose individuals to cancer.
Reference Values for the Revised Anti-Müllerian Hormone Generation II Assay: Infertile Population-based Study

Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) is now accepted as an important clinical marker of ovarian reserve and is increasingly measured as an initial evaluation at infertility clinics. The aim of this study was to establish reference values for the revised second generation (Gen II) assay using population-based data. In this population-based cohort study, AMH data from unselected infertile women aged 25–45 years from June 2013 to June 2014 (n = 15,801) were collected. The AMH values were measured using the revised Gen II assay. We established and validated 5 AMH-age regression models. Based on the optimal AMH-age model, reference values and centile charts were obtained. The quadratic model (log AMH = 0.410 × age − 0.008 × age2 − 3.791) was the most appropriate for describing the age-dependent decrease in AMH measured using the revised Gen II assay. This is the largest population-based study to establish age-specific reference values of AMH using the revised Gen II assay. These reference values may provide more specific information regarding the ovarian reserve estimation of infertile women.
Performance Evaluation of Linux Virtual Server

Linux Virtual Server (LVS) is an open source technology which can be used to construct a scalable and highly available server using a collection of real servers. LVS load balances a variety of network services among multiple machines by manipulating packets as they are processed by the Linux TCP/IP stack. One of the most common roles for LVS is to act as a front end to a farm of web servers.This paper documents a series of experiments performed on LVS by Mission Critical Linux, Inc. in a cooperative effort with Intel Corporation. The objective of these experiments was to evaluate LVS's ability to distribute web requests among several servers. We investigated a variety of LVS configurations and offer a comparison of LVS's ability to scale on Linux 2.2 versus Linux 2.4. In contrast to similar evaluations, our entire test effort was accomplished using open source software on Linux based platforms.Our results show that in a uni-processor environment the performance of LVS on Linux 2.4 is on par with Linux 2.2, however in a multi-processor configuration, Linux 2.4 significantly surpasses Linux 2.2. LVS on Linux 2.2 actually exhibits minimal scaling in a multi-processor environment. We reveal the detrimental impact that multiple devices sharing interrupts can have on LVS throughput. A comparison of LVS to a commercial load balancer indicates that LVS is a viable alternative to the more expensive, proprietary solution. Our results show that LVS is nearly twice as cost effective in terms of price/performance when compared to the hardware based load balancer. Lastly, we document the steps necessary to enhance the capabilities of our load generator which in turn reduces the amount of client hardware needed.
Advantages of Susceptibility-Weighted Magnetic Resonance Sequences in the Visualization of Intravascular Thrombi in Acute Ischemic Stroke

Background In gradient echo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), intravascular thrombi (IT) can appear as vascular susceptibility artifacts, linked to local presence of intra-arterial deoxyhaemoglobin, and called susceptibility vessel signs (SVS). Aims Our objectives were to evaluate the sensitivity of susceptibility-weighted sequences, such as T2* weighted angiography (SWAN) in the visualization of SVS compared with T2*, to consider whether it enabled a better understanding of the importance of SVS, and to compare cerebral circulation regulation profiles according to the localization of the SVS (i.e. proximal or distal). Methods We prospectively studied the clinical and imaging data of 78 consecutive patients admitted for acute cerebral ischemia to the stroke unit of Besançon University Hospital between 1 April 2009 and 31 January 2010. Results An SVS was visualized in 44/78 (56%) patients using SWAN and in 13/78 (16%) patients using T2*. All the SVS visible using T2* were also visible on the SWAN. The interobserver kappa score was 0·72 [CI (0·53–0·91)] for T2*, 0·72 [CI (0·57–0·87)] for SWAN, and weighted kappa was 0·77 [CI (0·61–0·92)] for both T2* and SWAN. When an MCA occlusion was visible on MRA imaging (22/78 patients), a SVS was visualized in 7/22 cases (31·8%) using T2* and in 20/22 cases (91%) using SWAN. When the occlusion was visible in the M1 or M2 segments (17/78 patients), an SVS was visualized in 6/17 cases (35·3%) using T2* and in 15/17 cases (88·2%) using SWAN. When the occlusion was visible in the M3 segment (5/78 patients), an SVS was visualized in 1/5 cases (20%) using T2* and in 5/5 cases (100%) using SWAN. Presence of SVS was not associated with cardioembolic etiology of the stroke. Conclusions SWAN was more sensitive than T2* in the visualization of SVS in the intracranial arteries during the acute phase of ischemic stroke. Our study shows that the low number of SVS visualized using T2* in previous studies is probably related to a lack of sensitivity of the sequence, rather than to the nature or age of the thrombus. The greater sensitivity of SWAN seems to be linked to the visualization of SVS in cases of small thrombi.
The Effect of Using Dynamic Geometry Software on The Success of Geometry: A Meta-Analysis Study

This study evaluates with the meta-analysis method that is defined as a systematic review of experimental studies the results of the dynamic geometry software applied in Turkey in the last nine years and analyzes the effect of using dynamic geometry software on the success of geometry. In order to access these studies, the YOK National Thesis Center, Ulakbim and Google Scholar databases were reviewed. As a result of a survey of the literature of dynamic geometry software a total of 41 studies on the effect on students' achievements in geometry were included in the meta-analysis. An effect size value of 43 was calculated from these studies. As a result of necessary analyses, it was concluded that using dynamic geometry software in Turkey is more successful than ongoing education and the calculated effect size of 0.954 is at a strong level. Comparative effect sizes according to education level, application duration, sample size and publication size were calculated and it was discovered that effect size on academic success does not differ according to education level, application duration, sample size and publication size. According to the results obtained in the study, recommendations were made to researchers.
Renin-Aldosterone System in Parkinson's Disease

Low blood pressure is frequent in the akinetic form of Parkinson's disease. A low renin activity in plasma as well as a low rate of aldosterone secretion is demonstrated in these patients. Renin activity in the plasma is further decreased by treatment with L-dihy-droxyphenylalanine, thus partially accouinting for the hypotensive episodes seen with this form of therapy.
Ozone Nucleolysis for Management of Pain and Disability in Prolapsed Lumber Intervertebral Disc

The prevalence rate of low back pain in a number of studies ranged from 22% to 65% in one year, and lifetime prevalence ranged from 11% to 84%. Over the years many percutaneous minimally invasive therapeutic modalities have evolved. Intradiscal oxygen-ozone therapy has also showed promising results. We undertook a prospective cohort study to evaluate the therapeutic outcome of oxygen-ozone therapy on patients with lumber disc herniation in the Indian population. After obtaining ethical committee and investigational review board permission, 53 consecutive patients complying with selection criteria were treated with a single session of oxygen-ozone therapy. All presented with clinical signs of lumber nerve root compression supported by CT and MRI findings. All patients received 3–7 ml of ozone-oxygen mixture at an ozone concentration of 29–32 mc/ml of oxygen. Therapeutic outcome was assessed after three weeks, three months, six months, one year and two years on a visual analog scale and Oswestry low back pain disability questionnaire. Pain intensity was significantly reduced following treatment (VAS baseline 7.58 ± 0.86, after three weeks 2.75 ± 1.42 and after two years 2.64 ± 2.14). Similarly the Oswestry disability index showed a remarkable improvement in the functional status of the patients (p<0.05). No major complication was observed in this case series. Oxygen-ozone treatment is highly effective in relieving low back pain due to lumber disc herniation.
A Study on Upgrading Competitive Advantages for the Modern Service Enterprises Based on the Customer Value

It is the general descipline that, instead of industry economy, service economy has become the main power which promotes the rapid development of the whole society and economy. Especially, modern service industry, whose development is mainly based on the high technology including electronic information technology and the idea of modern management, operation and organization, is of great significance for advancing the alteration of the way of economic growth, finding new economic growth points, realizing full employment and helping building a harmonious society. The key factor which makes modern service enterprise develop further is whether it can meet customer's demands, create value for customer and gain competitive advantages by providing the customers with latest products or service value which can satisfy the customers.This article discusses the relationship between the customer value and the competitive advantages of modern service industry, and how to build and increase the competitive advantages of the modern service enterprises based on the customer value.
Effector Activity of Decidual CD8+ T Lymphocytes in Early Human Pregnancy1

Abstract Although CD8+ T lymphocytes are present in human decidua throughout pregnancy, albeit as a minor population in early pregnancy, their role in normal pregnancy is largely unknown. The present study aimed to characterize their effector phenotype, including cytolytic activity, cytokine profile, and capacity to affect placental invasion. CD8+ lymphocytes were positively selected from normal early pregnancy decidua (7–14 wks gestational age). Decidual CD8+ T lymphocytes were studied using standard and redirected chromium release assays to investigate natural killer cell-sensitive cytotoxicity and cytotoxicity that requires T-cell receptor signal transduction respectively, multiplex cytokine analysis to analyze cytokine production, and a placental explant invasion model to assess the effect of soluble products of decidual CD8+ T lymphocytes on trophoblast invasion. Decidual CD8+ T lymphocytes exhibited cytolytic ability against P815 target cells (mean % Specific Chromium Release at effector:target ratio of 32:1 [SCR32] of 32.7 ± 5.8) and against K562 target cells (mean SCR32 of 20.3 ± 0.5). Phytohemagglutinin-P (PHA-P)-stimulated decidual CD8+ T lymphocytes produced high levels of both interferon gamma and interleukin (IL) 8, and low levels of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (CSF2), IL1B, IL2, IL6, IL10, IL12, and tumor necrosis factor; these did not vary with gestational age. IL4 was undetectable. Decidual CD8+ T lymphocyte supernatants increased the capacity of extravillous trophoblast cells to invade through Matrigel compared with the PHA-P control. These findings suggest that decidual CD8+ T cells can display cytolytic activity, do not evoke a predominant local intrauterine Th2 type cytokine environment, and may act to regulate invasion of extravillous trophoblast cells into the uterus, a crucial process for normal uteroplacental development.
The relationship between professional quality of life and general health of postgraduates in a Tertiary Care Hospital

Introduction: Professional quality of life (ProQOL) is the measure that everyone feels in relation to their work. Both the positive and negative aspects of doing a job, influence the ProQOL. The majority of people spend more time at work than they do anywhere else, doing anything else. Aims and Objectives: The aim of this research is to study the relationship between ProQOL and general health in the postgraduates of a tertiary care hospital. Methodology: This is a cross-sectional study, which is conducted at Mamata General Hospital in Khammam, Telangana during a 6-month period (2017). The tools used are the ProQOL questionnaire and general health questionnaire. Results: Statistical analysis needs to be done, and the results will be analyzed and presented later. Conclusion: The current study is carried out to support the findings between the ProQOL and general health among postgraduates at a tertiary care hospital.
Antidepressant Treatment Persistence in Low-Income, Insured Pregnant Women

BACKGROUND: Pregnant women with depression face complicated treatment decisions, either because of the risk associated with not treating depression or because of the risks associated with antidepressant use. Approximately 1 in 5 women experience depressive symptoms during pregnancy. This information suggests that many women may take an antidepressant at some time during pregnancy. Once pregnant women initiate antidepressant prescription pharmacotherapy, medication treatment persistence plays an important role in managing depression, yet little is known regarding antidepressant use behavior in pregnant women. OBJECTIVES: To determine antenatal antidepressant treatment nonpersistence and associated factors in low-income, insured pregnant women. METHODS: We identified eligible pregnant women (≥18 years) diagnosed with major depression who initiated antidepressant medications during pregnancy from South Carolina Medicaid claims data (2004-2009). Our main outcome measure was treatment nonpersistence to antidepressant therapy during pregnancy. We defined treatment nonpersistence to antidepressant pharmacotherapy as having a gap between 2 consecutive prescriptions lasting at least 15 days during pregnancy. We applied a proportional hazards model to identify predictors associated with the risk for antidepressant nonpersistence during pregnancy. RESULTS: Of 804 pregnant women meeting study criteria, nearly 45% of this cohort did not continue to use antidepressant pharmacotherapy, showing a gap ≥15 days between 2 prescriptions, after initiating antidepressant therapy during pregnancy. Women reporting nonwhite race were 36% more likely to show a gap in antidepressant medication use during pregnancy than white women. Women with a history of antidepressant use before pregnancy were 44% more likely to discontinue the antidepressant therapy during pregnancy. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment persistence to antidepressant medications was poor during pregnancy in low-income, insured pregnant women. Individualized treatment might be considered to reduce the risks of untreated depression and antenatal antidepressant use in vulnerable women.
Long-term neural processing of attention following early childhood traumatic brain injury: fMRI and neurobehavioral outcomes

Attentional deficits are common and significant sequelae of pediatric traumatic brain injury (TBI). However, little is known about how the underlying neural processes that support different components of attention are affected. The present study examined brain activation patterns using fMRI in a group of young children who sustained a TBI in early childhood (n = 5; mean age = 9.4), and a group of age-matched control children with orthopedic injuries (OI) (n = 8) during a continuous performance task (CPT). Four children in the TBI group had moderate injuries, and one had a severe injury. Performance on the CPT task did not differ between groups. Both TBI and OI children activated similar networks of brain regions relevant to sustained attention processing, but the TBI group demonstrated several areas of significantly greater activation relative to controls, including frontal and parietal regions. These findings of over-activation of the relevant attention network in the TBI group contrast with those obtained in imaging studies of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder where under-activation of the attention network has been documented. This study provides evidence that young children's brains function differently following a traumatic brain injury, and that these differences persist for years after the injury. (JINS, 2008, 14, 424–435.)
Performance impact of and protocol interdependencies of IEEE 802.15.4 security mechanisms

The use of wireless technology is continuously gaining interest in industrial automation. With the standardization of the IEEE 802.15. 4 protocol, low-power sensor network protocols have been introduced in this field. Recently, we investigated the real-time communication capabilities of this protocol. This study is now extended by incorporating the security mechanisms as provided by the protocol standard. In contrast to other papers, which studied the effectiveness of these security techniques, we are interested in whether the real-time capabilities are affected by encryption and message authentication and to which extend. Based on extensive simulations, we investigated the interdependency of protocol parameters and available security options. The results can be used for optimally selecting such parameters according to the quality of service requirements of the application scenario.
The Interrupted Power Law and the Size of Shadow Banking

Using public data (Forbes Global 2000) we show that the asset sizes for the largest global firms follow a Pareto distribution in an intermediate range, that is “interrupted” by a sharp cut-off in its upper tail, where it is totally dominated by financial firms. This flattening of the distribution contrasts with a large body of empirical literature which finds a Pareto distribution for firm sizes both across countries and over time. Pareto distributions are generally traced back to a mechanism of proportional random growth, based on a regime of constant returns to scale. This makes our findings of an “interrupted” Pareto distribution all the more puzzling, because we provide evidence that financial firms in our sample should operate in such a regime. We claim that the missing mass from the upper tail of the asset size distribution is a consequence of shadow banking activity and that it provides an (upper) estimate of the size of the shadow banking system. This estimate–which we propose as a shadow banking index–compares well with estimates of the Financial Stability Board until 2009, but it shows a sharper rise in shadow banking activity after 2010. Finally, we propose a proportional random growth model that reproduces the observed distribution, thereby providing a quantitative estimate of the intensity of shadow banking activity.
Suction feeding performance and prey escape response interact to determine feeding success in larval fish

The survival of larval marine fishes during early development is strongly dependent on their ability to capture prey. Most larval fish capture prey by expanding their mouth cavity, generating a “suction flow” that draws the prey into their mouth. Larval fish dwell in a hydrodynamic regime of low Reynolds numbers, which has been shown to impede their ability to capture non-evasive prey. However, the marine environment is characterized by an abundance of evasive prey such as Copepods. These organisms can sense the hydrodynamic disturbance created by approaching predators and perform high-acceleration escape maneuvers. Using a 3D high-speed video system, we characterized the interaction between 8-33 day post hatching Sparus aurata larvae and prey from a natural zooplankton assemblage that contained evasive prey, and assessed the factors that determine the outcome of these interactions. Larvae showed strong selectivity for large prey that was moving prior to the initialization of the strike. As previously shown in studies with non-evasive prey, larval feeding success increased with increasing Reynolds numbers. However, larval feeding success was also strongly dependent on the prey’s escape response. Feeding success was lower for larger, more evasive prey, indicating that larvae might be challenged in capturing their preferred prey. The kinematics of successful strikes resulted in shorter response time but higher hydrodynamic signature available for the prey. Thus, despite being “noisier”, successful strikes on evasive prey depended on preceding the prey’s escape response. Our results show that larval performance, rather than larval preferences, determines their diet during early development.