Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
PEDIATRIC AND CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE Original Studies Endovascular Stents for Treatment of Coarctation of the Aorta: Acute Results and Follow-Up Experience

Balloon angioplasty as treatment for coarctation of the aorta is increasingly performed. Endovascular stents have been proposed as a means of improving the efficacy and safety of the procedure. In this report, we describe one institution’s immediate results and clinical follow-up after implantation of endovascular stents. Retrospective analysis for endovascular stent placement for coarctation of the aorta between 1993 and 2002 was made. The immediate hemodynamic results and clinical follow-up were reviewed. Thirtytwo patients underwent attempted stent placement for coarctation. Twenty-three patients had postoperative recurrent coarctation and nine had native coarctation. The systolic gradient decreased from 31 to 1.8 mm Hg (P 0.001) and the diameter was increased 8.1 to 13.5 mm (P–0.001). Mean follow-up was 1.5 years. The mean follow-up gradient as assessed by sphygomomanometry was 13.1 mm Hg. Eight patients underwent 10 successful further dilations. Complications included one stent migration and one aortic dissection. The use of stents as an adjunct to balloon angioplasty in selected patients with coarctation can be performed with low complication rates and provides excellent immediate relief of obstruction with promising follow-up. Further dilation of these stents is possible. Long-term follow-up is warranted. Catheter Cardiovasc Interv 2004;62:499–505. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Acute myeloid leukaemia with t(8;21) associated with “occult” mastocytosis. Report of an unusual case and review of the literature

Approximately 20% of patients with systemic mastocytosis (SM) have an associated haematological, clonal, non-mast cell lineage disease, and most exhibit an associated myelogenous neoplasm. This report describes a 48 year old man with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) and a type t(8;21) cytogenetic abnormality. Associated bone marrow mastocytosis (a defined subtype of SM) was only detected after successful polychemotherapy in the state of bone marrow aplasia, and persisted after complete remission of AML. The diagnosis of mastocytosis was based on the demonstration of a multifocal dense mastocytic infiltrate. The atypical mast cells showed prominent spindling and an aberrant immunophenotype, with coexpression of tryptase, chymase, KIT, and CD25—which is expressed only on neoplastic (not normal) mast cells. In addition, the transforming somatic mutation D816V of the c-kit gene was detected. Re-examination of the pretherapeutic (initial) bone marrow revealed a slight diffuse increase in partially spindle shaped mast cells also exhibiting an abnormal immunophenotype, with CD25 expression, although compact mastocytic infiltrates were not detected. Because the D816V mutation was detected in the initial bone marrow specimen, strict application of three minor diagnostic criteria (spindling, CD25, D816V) enabled a diagnosis of SM-AML to be confirmed retrospectively in the initial bone marrow tissue.
Authentic leadership’s influence on ambidexterity with mediators in the South African context

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the influence of a positive form of leadership, particularly authentic leadership, on ambidexterity, as ambidexterity has shown to improve financial performance. What is less clear, however, is how to create the organisational context towards ambidexterity or balanced exploitative and explorative innovation. This study set out to fill that gap in researching the direct influence of authentic leadership as well as indirect effect through innovation climate on ambidexterity. Design/methodology/approach A quantitative research approach was followed, with an online survey to employees in South African organisations. There were 733 useable questionnaires. Structural equation modelling was used to test proposed hypotheses of direct, indirect and moderation effects. Findings The results revealed that authentic leadership has a significant and positive direct effect on ambidexterity and a significant indirect effect through an innovation climate. Environmental dynamism lessened the regression weight of the relationship between authentic leadership and ambidexterity. Research limitations/implications The data collected were cross-sectional and respondents were South African employees; therefore, caution should be exercised when generalising the results to other organisations in a broader African context. Practical implications Understanding that both authentic leadership and innovation climate are required to significantly influence ambidexterity allows organisations to direct their leadership selection and development. Originality/value The main contribution of this research lies in clarifying the influence of authentic leadership on ambidexterity in the South African context.
Home literacy environments, interest in reading and emergent literacy skills of children with Down syndrome versus typical children.

BACKGROUND The present study examined home literacy environments, children's interest in reading and emergent literacy skills of pre-school-aged children with Down syndrome (DS; n=20), school-aged children with DS (n=17) and typically developing children (n=18) matched on chronological age with the younger DS group and mental age (MA) with the older DS group. METHOD Parents filled out questionnaires on their home literacy environments and their children's interest in reading. School-aged children with DS and typical children were assessed on cognitive functioning, receptive vocabulary, alphabet knowledge, familiarity with print conventions and comprehension of meaning. RESULTS School-aged children with DS and typical children - as opposed to pre-school-aged children with DS - were exposed to more literacy-rich home environments and had greater interest in reading. School-aged children with DS also outperformed the MA-matched typical group on letter and sight word knowledge and familiarity with print conventions. CONCLUSIONS Parents of children with DS tailor home literacy environments to their children's developmental levels. Confirming earlier studies, children with DS achieved some higher literacy skills than what was expected for their MA, emphasising the importance of early reading interventions for this population.
Astrovirus infection in young children with diarrhea hospitalized at Beijing Children's Hospital.

BACKGROUND This study was to assess certain epidemiological and clinical characteristics of astrovirus infection in children with diarrhea below 5 years old hospitalized at the Beijing Children's Hospital. METHODS From September 1999 to August 2001, a total of 288 children with diarrhea below 5 years old hospitalized at Beijing Children's Hospital were studied. Fecal specimens collected from each patient were tested for astrovirus by using enzyme immunoassay (EIA) and further serotyped by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) using serotype-specific primers. RESULTS Astrovirus antigen was positive in 9.0% of the patients, and the rate of coinfection with rotavirus was 19.2% among the astrovirus positive patients. The patients with astrovirus infection were at the age of 7 days to 17 months, most (92.3%) of them were less than 12 months. Astrovirus infection occurred mainly between October and March of the following year. Main symptoms included watery stool, vomiting, fever, and dehydration. Increased activity of myocardial enzyme was seen in 4 patients. Of the 22 astrovirus positive specimens, 14 were successfully serotyped by RT-PCR and they were all serotype 1. CONCLUSIONS The overall incidence of astrovirus infection in young children with diarrhea hospitalized at the Beijing Children's Hospital was 9.0%. The predominant serotype was type 1. Astrovirus may play an important role in viral diarrhea in young children in Beijing, China.
Transcriptome-Wide Analysis Identifies Novel Associations With Blood Pressure

Hypertension represents a major cardiovascular risk factor. The pathophysiology of increased blood pressure (BP) is not yet completely understood. Transcriptome profiling offers possibilities to uncover genetics effects on BP. Based on 2 populations including 2549 individuals, a meta-analyses of monocytic transcriptome-wide profiles were performed to identify transcripts associated with BP. Replication was performed in 2 independent studies of whole-blood transcriptome data including 1990 individuals. For identified candidate genes, a direct link between long-term changes in BP and gene expression over time and by treatment with BP-lowering therapy was assessed. The predictive value of protein levels encoded by candidate genes for subsequent cardiovascular disease was investigated. Eight transcripts (CRIP1, MYADM, TIPARP, TSC22D3, CEBPA, F12, LMNA, and TPPP3) were identified jointly accounting for up to 13% (95% confidence interval, 8.7–16.2) of BP variability. Changes in CRIP1, MYADM, TIPARP, LMNA, TSC22D3, CEBPA, and TPPP3 expression associated with BP changes—among these, CRIP1 gene expression was additionally correlated to measures of cardiac hypertrophy. Assessment of circulating CRIP1 (cystein-rich protein 1) levels as biomarkers showed a strong association with increased risk for incident stroke (hazard ratio, 1.06; 95% confidence interval, 1.03–1.09; P=5.0×10–5). Our comprehensive analysis of global gene expression highlights 8 novel transcripts significantly associated with BP, providing a link between gene expression and BP. Translational approaches further established evidence for the potential use of CRIP1 as emerging disease-related biomarker.
Testing the Monthly Calendar Anomaly of Stock Returns in
 Pakistan: A Stochastic Dominance Approach

In this paper, we first examine the presence of monthly calendar anomaly in Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) using aggregate and firm-level monthly stock returns. Secondly, we classify the sample firms into low-beta, medium-beta, and high-beta firms to examine the monthly anomaly of stock returns for firms having different level of systematic risk. By considering the stochastic dominance approach (SDA), we employ the simulation based method of Barrett and Donald (2003) to identify the dominant month over the period from January 2000 to December 2017. We find significant evidence of the existence of the January effect in both firm and market stock returns. We also find that the January effect exists more prominently in both low-risk and high-risk firms categorised based on their systematic risk. On the other end of the continuum, for moderately risky firms, there is strong evidence of the presence of the December effect. One of possible explanations of the January effect is the yearend bonus received in the month of January. Such bonuses are generally used to purchase stocks, causing the bullish trend of stock prices in January. However, the evidence of the January anomaly in both low-beta and high-beta portfolios returns is puzzling, suggesting that investors may invest in both low- and high-risk stocks when enthusiastically investing in stock market. The findings of the paper suggest that investors may get abnormal returns by forecasting stock return patterns and designing their investment strategies by taking into account the January and December effects and the level of systematic risk associated with the firms. JEL Classification: G02, G12, G14 Keywords: Behavioural Finance, Stochastic Dominance Approach, Monthly Anomaly, January Effect, December Effect, TOY Anomaly, Abnormal Returns, KS Type Test, PSX
Pioglitazone enhances the blood pressure-lowering effect of losartan via synergistic attenuation of angiotensin II-induced vasoconstriction

Introduction: This study was designed to investigate the underlying mechanisms of synergistic antihypertensive effect produced by combination therapy of losartan and pioglitazone in metabolic syndrome (MS) rats. Materials and methods: An MS model was induced by feeding rats a high-fat, high-sodium diet and 20% sucrose solution. Losartan (20 mg/kg/day), pioglitazone (10 mg/kg/day), and their combination were orally administered for eight consecutive weeks. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) were measured using the tail-cuff method and carotid arterial catheterization, respectively. The aortas were isolated and in vitro vascular reactivity studies were performed. The protein expression of angiotensin type 1 receptor (AT1), endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), phosphorylated eNOS and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase subunit p47phox, level of nitrotyrosine as well as activity of eNOS and NADPH oxidase in aortas of MS rats were detected. Results: After eight weeks of treatment, the SBP and MAP in the losartan (115 ± 5 and 106 ± 6 mmHg), pioglitazone (130 ± 6 and 118 ± 6 mmHg), and combination therapy (105 ± 6 and 98 ± 5 mmHg) groups were lower than those in the model group (150 ± 8 and 136 ± 9 mmHg). Combination therapy of losartan and pioglitazone reduced BP more than either monotherapy, and showed additive effects on improving endothelial dysfunction and abolishing the increased vascular responsiveness to angiotensin II. These synergistic effects were associated with further reductions in protein expression of p47phox and AT1, NADPH oxidase activity, and nitrotyrosine level. Conclusions: Our data indicate that combined treatment exerts more beneficial effects on lowering BP and improving vascular lesions.
Operation Analysis of Fast Charging Stations With Energy Demand Control of Electric Vehicles

For dc fast charging stations (FCS), short charging time duration is its main advantage over other ac charging stations. However, due to the characteristics of internal resistance of electric vehicle (EV) batteries, if charging request of an EV is near the full state of charge (SoC), its charging time increases significantly. In this paper, considering the impact of requested SoC on charging time, we propose an operation analysis of FCS, where operators of FCS can set a limit on the EVs' requested SoC to obtain maximized revenue. We model the FCS operation as an M/G/S/K queue and incorporate the dc fast charging model into the queuing analysis, as well as the revenue model of FCS. Simulation results indicate that limiting the requested SoC in an overloaded condition at FCS can increase total charged energy and revenue of FCS, as well as decrease the probability of blocking arriving EVs.
Perception of Addiction Treatment Specialists about Alcohol’s Harm to Others: The Case of Lithuania

The main aim of this article is to reveal the experiences of specialists working in Lithuanian addiction treatment centres on supporting relatives of alcohol addicts and providing help. This study consisted of thematic analysis of interviews with 11 specialists from five addiction treatment centres (ATC) in Lithuania. The development of services in Lithuania is inadequate with the existing evidence of alcohol-related harm to others (AHTO). The ATC specialists’ perception about AHTO is drinker-centred, medically oriented and not based on family approach. We found that the relatives of alcohol addicts are seen more as resources for treatment of alcohol addicts but not as a separate target group with their personal needs and problems and who need services and help. Without systematic changes there is no place for relatives in the current addiction treatment system in Lithuania. Because of work overloads, ethical dilemmas raising from confidentiality issues, specialized professionals working with relatives (including children) are needed. Also, it is important to strengthen the specialists’ knowledge and possibilities to recognize AHTO. Finally, the state must take over the individualized responsibility to the collective level providing assistance both to alcohol addicts and their relatives. DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.5755/j01.ppaa. 18.1. 23124
Long-Term Recovery from Heroin Use Among Female Ex-Offenders: Marisol's Story

Ex-offenders experience various difficulties in successfully reentering communities post-incarceration. For those with a history of opioid misuse, despite various interventions, long-term recovery rates are relatively low. Additionally, the difficulties ex-offenders experience reintegrating with their families and communities are further compounded by the stigma and structural barriers posed by prior criminal and drug use histories. This qualitative study, using in-depth interviews conducted during an 18-month period between mid 2004 and late 2005 examines the process of creating and maintaining abstinence among 25 former heroin users, mostly Latino and African American New York City ex-offenders who have remained abstinent from heroin use for a period of 5 yr or longer. Focusing primarily on the story of one female respondent and in participants' own words, the factors that they found to be most salient in enhancing their recovery efforts (positive peer support, motivational tools, exercise, meditation, skills enhancement) are examined. The study findings suggest that reentry programs and policies can help ex-offenders sustain long-term abstinence and prosocial lifestyles by supporting the various coping strategies that they identify as being particularly valuable.
Walking support system with robust image matching for users with visual impairment

Recently, a number of studies on walking support systems for users with visual impairment have been reported. Most proposals, however, would require significant infrastructure investment and the use of dedicated devices. Auditory route maps that guide users to their destination have been proposed as a cost-reducing solution, but existing maps cannot be adapted to new routes according to individual preferences. This paper therefore proposes a walking support system consisting of three components: 1) an optimal routing method that selects the best route for an individual; 2) camera-based landmark matching to prevent users from losing their way; and 3) a remote assistance system to guide users back to the route if necessary. This paper also proposes methods for evaluating these system components.
Intelligence and other predisposing factors in exposure to trauma and posttraumatic stress disorder: a follow-up study at age 17 years.

CONTEXT Prospective data on standardized measures of early predispositions would allow a strong test of hypotheses about suspected risk factors of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and exposure to traumatic events. OBJECTIVE To prospectively examine the extent to which intelligence, anxiety disorders, and conduct problems in childhood influence the risk for PTSD and for exposure to traumatic events. DESIGN A longitudinal study of a randomly selected sample assessed at age 6 years and followed up to age 17 years. SETTING Samples were randomly selected from the 1983-1985 newborn discharge lists of 2 major hospitals in southeast Michigan (N=823). PARTICIPANTS Cohort members with follow-up data at age 17 years (n=713; 86.6% of the initial sample). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Cumulative exposure up to age 17 years of qualifying traumatic events; DSM-IV PTSD among participants who have experienced 1 or more traumatic events. RESULTS Youth with teacher ratings of externalizing problems above the normal range at age 6 years were at increased risk for exposure to assaultive violence (adjusted odds ratio, 2.6; 95% confidence interval, 1.4-4.9). Youth aged 6 years with an IQ greater than 115 had decreased risk for exposure to traumatic events (adjusted odds ratio for assaultive violence, 0.3; 95% confidence interval, 0.2-0.7); a decreased risk for nonassaultive trauma (adjusted odds ratio, 0.6; 95% confidence interval, 0.3-0.9); and a decreased conditional risk for PTSD (adjusted odds ratio, 0.2; 95% confidence interval, 0.1-0.9). The conditional risk for PTSD was increased for youth with anxiety disorders and teacher ratings of externalizing problems above the normal range at 6 years of age. CONCLUSIONS The results of this prospective community study highlight the role of intelligence in avoidance of exposure to traumatic experiences and their PTSD effects. They underscore the need for investigating cognitive processes in persons' responses to traumatic experiences and the involvement of general intelligence in these processes.
Entrepreneurial Intentions of Business and Economics Students in Germany and Cyprus: A Cross-Cultural Comparison

The World Economic Forum in Davos suggested that promoting entrepreneurship could be a solution to the problem of youth employment, which is a serious issue with 75 million young people out of work around the world. The entrepreneurial decisions of young people are especially important in regions where economic opportunities are restricted and people choose to move from that region. Two of such regions are East Germany and Northern Cyprus. In this article, the authors are interested in analyzing entrepreneurial tendencies of business and economics students from Northern Cyprus and East Germany in order to provide context-specific knowledge. For this purpose, a survey was conducted at the Technische Universität Dresden and the Near East University with n = 293 participants in 2016. The results were analyzed by using a logistic regression analysis. The study includes with policy implications on the transformation towards entrepreneurial universities to meet the different needs of small and poor cities.
Helicobacter pylori Seropositivity among Adolescents in Novosibirsk, Russia: Prevalence and Associated Factors

ObjectivesWe have reported previously that Helicobacter pylori infection is widespread among adults in Siberia, in whom prevalence rates range from 70% to 90%. The present study was undertaken to determine the seroprevalence of H. pylori infection and its relation to social factors in a community-based population of adolescents in Novosibirsk, Western Siberia. MethodsAll students in forms 9 to 11 of four randomly selected secondary schools participated. A total of 423 students (180 boys, 243 girls; age, 14–17 years) completed structured questionnaire concerning their lifestyle, and sera were tested for H. pylori using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (Pyloriset®–New EIA-G; Orion Diagnostica, Finland). Personal information, including parental history, educational level, occupation, and smoking habits, were collected via a questionnaire. ResultsOverall, the seroprevalence of H. pylori infection was 56.3%. Age, sex, smoking, alcohol consumption, number of children and pets in the household, and family history of gastric diseases were not associated with H. pylori positivity. The predictors of infection were dwelling without running hot water supply and sewage (odds ratio [OR] = 2.4; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.2–4.8), father's occupation as a manual worker (OR = 2.7; 95% CI, 1.5–5.0), mother's occupation as a manual worker (OR = 1.8; 95% CI, 1.0–3.0), father's lower educational attainment (OR = 2.1; 95% CI, 1.2–3.6), and father's smoking (OR = 1.8; 95% CI, 1.1–3.2). ConclusionsThe prevalence of H. pylori seropositivity among adolescents in Russia is higher than in developed countries. The infection is associated with lower socioeconomic status.
Degradation of Crystalline Silicon Due to Boron–Oxygen Defects

This paper gives an overview on the current understanding of a technologically relevant defect group in crystalline silicon related to the presence of boron and oxygen. It is commonly addressed as boron-oxygen defects and has been found to affect silicon devices, whose performance depends on minority charge carrier diffusion lengths-such as solar cells. The defects are a common limitation in Czochralski-grown p-type silicon, and their recombination activity develops under charge carrier injection and is, thus, commonly referred to as light-induced degradation. A multitude of studies investigating the effect have been published and introduced various trends and interpretations. This review intends to summarize established trends and provide a consistent nomenclature for the defect transitions in order to simplify discussion.