Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
[Occupational risk for blood exposure and staff behaviour: a cross-sectional study in 3 Moroccan healthcare centers].

OBJECTIVE As in other countries, Moroccan health-care workers are exposed to occupational blood exposure (OBE) hazards. The purpose of this study was to estimate the occupational safety and hygiene conditions determining the OBE risk for health-care workers. WORKERS AND METHODS: In March 2000, a multicentric study was carried out in Morocco on 420 health-care workers, with an anonymous questionnaire. The study included health-care workers in the Taza and Temara hospitals and health centers, as well as in a Rabat public medical analysis laboratory. RESULTS The participation rate was 67.8% (285/420). The population was mainly female (61%) with a mean age of 41.4 years (+/-7 years). Health-care workers answered that: occupational hygiene and safety were inadequate (55.1%); wearing single-use gloves was rare (34.5%); resheathing used needles was frequent (74.5%); safe containers were often missing (67%). In 1999, the annual average incidence of OBE was 1.5 (+/-4.3) per capita. If we consider the whole career of health-care workers, the incidence reached about 14.3+/-28.1 per capita. The absence of post-exposure chemoprophylaxis was the rule. CONCLUSION The study shows that there is a need to improve occupational hygiene and safety conditions for Moroccan health-care workers in order to reduce OBE hazards.
The importance of factor XIII as a component of fibrin sealants.

BACKGROUND The need for factor XIII (FXIII) in fibrin sealant is subject to discussions. Some commercially available fibrin sealants (FS) contain high levels of FXIII (up to 70-80 U/mL) while others contain low levels or none. The objective of the present studies was to investigate the need for FXIII in FS. MATERIALS AND METHODS Beriplast P, a commercial FS containing 40-80 U/mL FXIII, was compared with FS with different concentrations of FXIII or FXIII depleted FS. In Study 1, Beriplast P or FS with 4 U/mL FXIII was allowed to cross-link for 0.25, 1, and 2 min and the resulting fibrin gamma- and beta-chains as well as gamma-gamma-chain dimers were analyzed by SDS-PAGE and densitometry. In Study 2, a series of six FS was prepared from fibrinogen containing 0 (FS-FXIII), 17.5, 35, 70, 140, and 280 U/mL FXIII. The intrasealant strength was determined using a biomechanical test (twin-bottle test). In Study 3, 18 rabbits underwent bilateral partial kidney resection (acute model); right (n = 18) and left (n = 18) kidneys were treated with Beriplast P or FS with 4 U/mL FXIII (FS + 4U FXIII). In Study 4, rabbits were randomly assigned to receive FXIII depleted FS (FS-FXIII) (n = 15); FS + 3 U/mL FXIII (n = 10); FS + 10 U/mL FXIII (n = 10); or Beriplast P (n = 15), after partial rabbit kidney resection (chronic model). The primary endpoint for Studies 3 and 4 was hemostasis. RESULTS In Study 1, Beriplast P produced significantly more fibrin gamma-chain cross-linking in the observed period than FS with 4 U/mL FXIII. In Study 2, fibrin clot strength increased as a function of FXIII concentration with a maximum of 70 U/mL. In Study 3, significantly more animals achieved hemostasis in the Beriplast P treated group than in the FS + 4U FXIII group (P = 0.03 at 15 s; P < 0.001 at 1 and 2 min). In Study 4, FS containing FXIII (all concentrations) achieved more efficient hemostasis and reduced the need for respray compared with FS-FXIII. Beriplast P was associated with a lower incidence of postoperative adhesions compared with the other treatment groups. At autopsy, the majority of clots formed from FXIII containing FS exhibited mild to moderate clot lysis, whereas the majority of clots in the FS-FXIII group showed severe lysis. CONCLUSIONS FXIII, when added to fibrinogen concentrate in FS, improved fibrin cross-linking and clot strength. FXIII containing FS achieved more effective hemostasis than FXIII depleted FS. FXIII is an essential component of commercial FS and should be present in FS at an optimal concentration of about 40-80 U/mL.
Macular Dysfunction in Oguchi Disease with the Frequent Mutation 1147delA in the SAG Gene

Aim/Background: A 1-bp deletion (1147delA) in the SAG (also known as arrestin or S-antigen) gene is the most frequently seen mutation in Japanese patients suffering from Oguchi disease, a recessively inherited stationary night blindness. We investigated macular function in a patient with Oguchi disease with the 1147delA mutation. Methods: A 43-year-old Japanese male patient was diagnosed with Oguchi disease. The patient underwent complete ophthalmic examinations, including spectral-domain optical coherence tomography and Humphrey visual field testing. Full-field electroretinograms (ff-ERG) and multifocal ERG (mf-ERG) were recorded. Mutational analysis of the SAG gene was performed. Results: Corrected visual acuity was good in both eyes. Funduscopy showed retinal pigment epithelium atrophy along the vascular arcade bilaterally. The inner segment-outer segment (ISOS) boundary lines were preserved in the foveal and parafoveal areas, whereas ISOS boundary defects and thinning of the outer nuclear layer (ONL) were seen outside the preserved ISOS boundary. Humphrey testing showed significant paracentral field defects in both eyes. In addition to an absence of rod responses, cone and 30-Hz flicker responses were markedly reduced in ff-ERG. The central (ring 1) and paracentral (ring 2) responses with normal latencies were relatively preserved, but the outer waveforms (rings 3–5) were attenuated and prolonged in mf-ERG. The deletion mutation (1147delA) was identified homozygously. Conclusions: The reduced/delayed mf-ERG responses and visual field defects in paracentral macula areas are most likely to be correlated with ISOS boundary defects and thinning of the ONL. Macular dysfunction can occur in Oguchi disease with the 1147delA mutation in the SAG gene.
Unravelling Shariah audit practice in Saudi Islamic banks

This paper critically reviews the limited literature on the practice of Shariah audit and expounds on its meaning and scope and explores issues on contemporary practice in Islamic banks. The study focusses on Saudi Arabia as it is the largest global player in the Islamic finance industry. The authors construct a measure for Shariah audit comparison using guidelines issued by regulators of Malaysian Islamic banks - a country with the most developed governance framework for Islamic financial institutions. Using these guidelines, we critically review comparatively the current role of internal audit and Shariah Boards (SBs) of Saudi Islamic banks in ensuring religious compliance. The study identifies a lack of consistency in the Shariah audit framework to mitigate ambiguity and risk between banks internal audit function and their respective SBs. A discernable gap exists in banks operating Islamic windows which are found to be more susceptible to religious non-compliance risk compared to their fully-fledged counterparts. Our review finds that the Shariah audit function amongst Islamic banks in Saudi still remains vague without any guidelines issued. Islamic banks in Saudi Arabia are required to develop their own internal policies to be applied by SBs and internal auditors. The paper further highlights that Saudi authorities, regulators and practitioners should ensure uniformity in Shariah audit practice for its Islamic banking industry by moving from a self-serving regulatory model and to urgently consider implementing robust Shariah audit practice and governance framework.
Thrombelastographic whole blood clot formation after ex vivo addition of plasma substitutes: improvements of the induced coagulopathy with fibrinogen concentrate.

BACKGROUND Plasma substitutes such as hydroxyethyl starch (HES) and various dextrans may compromise the haemostatic system, thereby causing potentially dangerous bleeding. Whilst several mechanisms have been advanced to explain the nature of the coagulopathy induced by this colloid, there has been comparably little interest in devising ways to optimize haemostasis after a relative colloid overdose. METHODS Real-time whole blood (WB) clot formation profiles were recorded using a thrombelastographic method employing activation with tissue factor. The coagulation tracings were transformed into dynamic velocity profiles of WB clot formation. WB from healthy individuals (n=20) was exposed to haemodilution of approximately 55% with isotonic saline, HES 200/0.5, HES 130/0.4, and dextran 70, respectively. Possible modalities for improvement of the induced coagulopathy were explored, in particular ex vivo addition of a fibrinogen concentrate. RESULTS WB coagulation profiles changed significantly with decreased clot strength, and a compromised propagation phase of clot formation. The duration of the initiation phase of WB coagulation was unchanged. No statistical differences were detected amongst the HES solutions and dextran 70. However, dextran 70 returned a more suppressed clot development and strength compared with the HES solutions. Ex vivo haemostatic addition of washed platelets (75 x 10(9) litre(-1)) and factor VIII (0.6 IU ml(-1)) produced insignificant changes in clot initiation, propagation, and in the clot strength. In contrast, ex vivo addition of a fibrinogen concentrate (1 g litre(-1)) improved the coagulopathy induced by all of the three individual plasma expanders tested. CONCLUSION Coagulopathy induced by haemodilution with either HES 200/0.5, HES 130/0.4, and dextran 70 may be improved by fibrinogen supplementation.
The Impact of Service Quality on Customer Loyalty: A Study of Banks in Penang, Malaysia

The emergence of new forms of banking channels such as Internet banking, Automated Teller Machines (ATM), phone banking and also maturing financial market and global competition have forced bankers to explore the importance of customer loyalty. Therefore, studies need to focus on the changing role of the banking system and its dynamic financial market. The underlying model of SERVQUAL (Parasuraman et al., 1988) with five dimensions was used by this research to evaluate the impact of service quality on customer loyalty among bank customers in Penang, Malaysia with customer satisfaction mediating these variables. The findings show that improvement in service quality can enhance customer loyalty. The service quality dimensions that play a significant role in this equation are reliability, empathy, and assurance. The findings indicate that the overall respondents evaluate the bank positively, but still there are rooms for improvements.
Series Resonant Multiinverter with Discontinuous-Mode Control for Improved Light-Load Operation

Operation under light-load conditions is a general issue when developing power converters as it can lead to system instability and/or decreased performance. This topic is particularly important for resonant converters as their efficiency significantly reduces when their operation point is set outside their resonant conditions. Considering the importance of efficiency for power converter reliability, environmental impacts, and regulation concerns, a major effort to improve the operation under light-load conditions is justified. Domestic induction heating is an application where variable loads and output power requirements imply operation under a wide range of conditions, including long-term light-load operation. The aim of this paper is to propose an improved control scheme for series resonant multiinverters, which are a cost-effective topology for supplying multiple inductive loads, based on discontinuous-mode operation. Two different control strategies are proposed: regenerative control and direct conduction control. An analytical study is performed, and the main simulation results are presented. An experimental series resonant multiinverter prototype is used to validate the simulation results.
Predictors of mortality and institutionalization after hip fracture: the New Haven EPESE cohort. Established Populations for Epidemiologic Studies of the Elderly.

OBJECTIVES Hip fractures can have devastating effects on the lives of older individuals. We determined the frequency of occurrence of hip fracture and the baseline factors predicting death and institutionalization at 6 months after hip fracture. METHODS A representative cohort of 2812 individuals aged 65 years and older was followed prospectively for 6 years. Hip fractures were identified, and the occurrence of death and institutionalization within 6 months of the fracture was determined. Prefracture information on physical and mental function, social support, and demographic features and in-hospital data on comorbid diagnoses, fracture site, and complications were analyzed to determine predictors of death and institutionalization after hip fracture. RESULTS Of 120 individuals suffering a hip fracture, 22 (18%) died within 6 months and 35 (29%) were institutionalized at 6 months. The predictors of death in multiple logistic regression included fracture site, a high number of comorbid conditions, a high number of complications, and poor baseline mental status. The primary predictor of institutionalization was poor baseline mental status. CONCLUSIONS The frequency of death, institutionalization, and loss of function after hip fracture should prompt a reevaluation of the current approach to this problem.
Involvement of caspases and of mitochondria in Fas ligation‐induced eosinophil apoptosis: modulation by interleukin‐5 and interferon‐γ

In this study, we examined the relative importance of caspases and mitochondria in Fas‐mediated eosinophil apoptosis. Stimulation of human peripheral blood eosinophils with an agonistic anti‐human Fas monoclonal antibody, but not with control IgM, induced a time‐dependent increase in their apoptosis, which was associated with a loss in mitochondrial transmembrane potential (ΔΨm) and with caspase‐8 and caspase‐3 activation. Interleukin (IL)‐5 and interferon (IFN)‐γ, two cytokines known to prolong eosinophil survival, inhibited Fas‐mediated apoptosis and caspase activation but poorly affected the decrease in ΔΨm. Eosinophil incubation with bongkrekic acid, an inhibitor of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore (MPTP) opening, failed to modify Fas‐mediated loss in ΔΨm, caspase activation, and apoptosis. In contrast, caspase inhibitors markedly reduced eosinophil apoptosis without significantly affecting ΔΨm dissipation. We conclude that caspase‐8 and caspase‐3 activation, but not MPTP opening, mediate Fas‐induced eosinophil apoptosis and are the main targets for the protective effect of IL‐5 and IFN‐γ.
Eustachian tube function in secretory otitis media.

In ears with secretory otitis media, the Eustachian tube function was determined by the aspiration method. It was shown that tubal function was poor in all ears and there was no significant change in tubal function in most cases during a follow-up period of three months. Despite the poor tubal function, all ears healed after removal of the initially inserted polyethylene tube. A probable explanation is that these ears basically have poor tubal function and may be looked upon as a group of high-risk cases.
A comparative genetic map of the turkey genome

Genetic markers (microsatellites and SNPs) were used to create and compare maps of the turkey and chicken genomes. A physical map of the chicken genome was built by comparing sequences of turkey markers with the chicken whole-genome sequence by BLAST analysis. A genetic linkage map of the turkey genome (Meleagris gallopavo) was developed by segregation analysis of genetic markers within the University of Minnesota/Nicholas Turkey Breeding Farms (UMN/NTBF) resource population. This linkage map of the turkey genome includes 314 loci arranged into 29 linkage groups. An additional 40 markers are tentatively placed within linkage groups based on two-point LOD scores and 16 markers remain unlinked. Total map distance contained within linkage groups is 2,011 cM with the longest linkage group (47 loci) measuring 413.3 cM. Average marker interval over the 29 linkage groups was 6.4 cM. All but one turkey linkage group could be aligned with the physical map of the chicken genome. The present genetic map of the turkey provides a comparative framework for future genomic studies.
Corporate governance, professional regulation and audit quality

The recent spate of corporate failures around the world has attracted considerable attention from corporate regulators and professional bodies.Although corporate failures are not new, what is of increasing concern to stakeholders is the unexpected collapse of many apparently financially robust companies. One of the many victims of these collapses has been the reputation of audit firms, the audit process, and the accounting profession generally. The purpose of this paper is to first, outline the importance of audit quality in the operation of capital markets. Second, to place the issue of audit quality in context. Third, outline and synthesize prior research on audit quality and finally, to consider the responses that regulators and the profession can and should consider based on the available empirical evidence.
Age and Accent in a Second Language: A Reply

This article responds to the arguments raised against the Critical Period Hypothesis (CPH) by James Emil Flege in 'A Critical Period for Learning to Pronounce Foreign Laniuages ? 'published in Applied Linguistics (8/2). An examination of the relevant literature leads to the conclusion that there is sufficient evidence to support the notion of an age-based limitation on eventual proficiency that can be attained by learners in a second language. It is argued that Flege did not represent the CPH entirely accurately, and that convincing counter-evidence to the CPH has not been presented. It is further argued that there is enough evidence to show that child second language acquirers are indeed superior in terms of ultimate ability, so that rejection of the CPH is unjustified at this time.
The eyes have it: lexical and syntactic comprehension in a new paradigm

ABSTRACT A new method to assess language comprehension in infants and young children is introduced in three experiments which test separately for the comprehension of nouns, verbs, and word order. This method requires a minimum of motor movement, no speech production, and relies on the differential visual fixation of two simultaneously presented video events accompanied by a single linguistic stimulus. The linguistic stimulus matches only one of the video events. In all three experiments patterns of visual fixation favour the screen which matches the linguistic stimulus. This new method may provide insight into the child's emerging linguistic capabilities and help resolve longstanding controversies concerning language production versus language comprehension.
Multi-level Residual Networks from Dynamical Systems View

Deep residual networks (ResNets) and their variants are widely used in many computer vision applications and natural language processing tasks. However, the theoretical principles for designing and training ResNets are still not fully understood. Recently, several points of view have emerged to try to interpret ResNet theoretically, such as unraveled view, unrolled iterative estimation and dynamical systems view. In this paper, we adopt the dynamical systems point of view, and analyze the lesioning properties of ResNet both theoretically and experimentally. Based on these analyses, we additionally propose a novel method for accelerating ResNet training. We apply the proposed method to train ResNets and Wide ResNets for three image classification benchmarks, reducing training time by more than 40\% with superior or on-par accuracy.
An Accurate and Robust Flux Splitting Scheme for Shock and Contact Discontinuities

A flux splitting scheme (AUSMDV) has been constructed with an aim at removing numerical dissipation of the Van Leer-type flux vector splittings on a contact discontinuity. The obtained scheme is also recognized as an improved advection upstream splitting method (AUSM) by Liou and Steffen. The proposed scheme has the following favorable properties: accurate and robust resolution for shock and contact (steady and moving) discontinuities; conservation of enthalpy for steady flows; algorithmic simplicity; and easy extension to general conservation laws such as that for chemically reacting flows. A simple shock fix is presented to cure the numerical shock instability associated with the ``carbuncle phenomenon'' and an entropy fix to remove an expansion shock or glitch at the sonic point. Extensive numerical experiments were conducted to validate the proposed scheme for a wide range of problems, and the results are compiled for comparison with several recent upwind methods.
Lysosomal membrane permeabilization contributes to elemene emulsion-induced apoptosis in A549 cells

Abstract Elemene is a broad-spectrum antitumor agent. In the present study, lysosomal membrane permeabilization (LMP) was detected after short elemene emulsion - exposure (12 h) that preceded a decrease of the mitochondrial membrane potential and DNA damage (24 h) in A549 cells. At later time points (36 h) elemene emulsion caused the appearance of A549 cells with apoptotic features, including apoptotic morphology, phosphatidylserine exposure, and caspase-3 activation. A significant increase in protein expression for cathepsin D was also observed utilizing Western blot analysis after exposure to elemene emulsion for 12 h. The present study showed that elemene emulsion induced the increased levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and depletion of glutathione (GSH) in A549 cells. Cells treated with pepstatin A, an inhibitor for cathepsin D, showed a significant inhibition in DNA damage, mitochondrial membrane permeabilization, caspase-3 activation, and phosphatidylserine exposure. These results demonstrated that apoptosis induced by elemene emulsion in A549 cells is mediated in part through LMP and lysosomal protease cathepsin D.
Receptivity to tobacco advertising and promotions among young adolescents as a predictor of established smoking in young adulthood.

OBJECTIVES We investigated whether receptivity to tobacco advertising and promotions during young adolescence predicts young adult smoking 6 years later. METHODS Two longitudinal cohorts of adolescents drawn from the 1993 and 1996 versions of the California Tobacco Surveys were followed 3 and 6 years later. At baseline, adolescents were aged 12 to 15 years and were not established smokers. The outcome measure was established smoking at final follow-up. Receptivity to cigarette advertising and promotions was included in a multivariate logistic regression analysis along with demographic and other variables. RESULTS The rate of established smoking at follow-up was significantly greater among members of the 1993 through 1999 cohort (21.0%) than among members of the 1996 through 2002 cohort (15.6%). However, in both cohorts, having a favorite cigarette advertisement and owning or being willing to use a tobacco promotional item showed nearly identical adjusted odds of future adult smoking (1.46 and 1.84, respectively). CONCLUSIONS Despite the success of tobacco control efforts in reducing youth smoking, tobacco marketing remains a potent influence on whether young adolescents become established smokers in young adulthood (18-21 years of age).
CN/sub 0/ estimation and near-far mitigation for GNSS indoor receivers

This paper covers two key points in indoor and dense-urban positioning using Global Navigation Satellite Systems: CN/sub 0/ estimation, and near-far estimation problem. For the former, a novel CN/sub 0/ estimator adequate to deal with the low signal levels encountered in indoor and dense-urban environments is described. For the latter, the results of a novel near-far problem mitigation technique are presented. Both simulations and live data have been used to illustrate the advantages of the proposed algorithms.