Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Up‐front versus sequential randomizations for inference on adaptive treatment strategies

Adaptive treatment strategies are useful in the treatment of chronic diseases such as AIDS and cancer because they allow tailoring the treatment to a patient's need and disease status. We consider two randomization schemes for clinical trials that are commonly used to design studies comparing adaptive treatment strategies, namely, up‐front randomization and sequential randomization. Up‐front randomization is the classical method of randomization where patients are randomized at the beginning of the study to pre‐specified treatment strategies. In sequentially randomized trials, patients are randomized sequentially to available treatment options over the duration of the therapy as they become eligible to receive subsequent treatments. We compare the efficiency and the power of the traditional up‐front randomized trials with that of sequentially randomized trials designed for comparing adaptive treatment strategies based on a continuous outcome. The analytical and simulation results indicate that, when properly analyzed, sequentially randomized trials are more efficient and powerful than up‐front randomized trials. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The role of early contrast-enhanced chest computed tomography in the aetiological diagnosis of patients presenting with cardiac tamponade or large pericardial effusion.

AIMS The role of chest computed tomography (CT) is not well defined for either diagnosis or management of pericardial disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate the added value of early chest CT in the diagnostic workup for patients presenting with cardiac tamponade or large pericardial effusion of unknown aetiology as the first manifestation of disease. METHODS AND RESULTS We performed CT scan on 55 patients with pericardial effusion as defined above, undergoing echo-guided pericardiocentesis. We compared the success rate in making diagnosis and/or staging the underlying disorder of three sequential workups, including, respectively, (i) clinical presentation, inflammatory markers, chest X-ray imaging, (ii) all of the above and pericardial fluid analysis, and (iii) all of the above and chest CT. We were able to make diagnosis in 53 patients (96%): the major cause of effusion was malignancy (38%). Clinical and biochemical data were not able to differentiate non-tumour from tumour patients. CT revealed pathological findings in all patients with malignancy: tumour mass in 15/21 (71%) and pathological lymphadenopathy in the remaining 6 cases. The workup including CT provided a significantly higher diagnostic yield than the other two workups (P < 0.0001), both in the overall population and in the two subgroups of neoplastic (Npl) and non-Npl patients. CONCLUSION In all patients with cardiac tamponade or large pericardial effusion, CT was useful either in identifying the underlying disease or in excluding other potential causes of pericardial effusion. We conclude that chest CT is a very useful non-invasive diagnostic tool to identify and stage pericardial diseases.
The Effect of Disclosure of Intellectual Capital Components on the Market Price of Shares in Jordanian Industrial Companies: An Empirical Study

This study aims to identify the effect of the disclosure of intellectual capital on the market value of shares in Jordanian commercial banks by shedding light on the level of disclosure of intellectual, human, structural and relational capital on the market value of the share. The study community shall be composed of all the Jordanian industrial companies and public shares traded in the Amman Stock Exchange during the study period (2013-2016). To achieve the objectives of the study, the researcher collected secondary data through reference to previous studies, books and administrative research on the subject of disclosure, as well as specialized journals. The researcher used the statistical program (SPSS) to analyze the data. The study reached the most important results which showed that the general trend in the four years (2013-2016) was towards increasing the level of disclosure of the components of intellectual capital. This indicates the continuous increase by the industrial companies at the level of disclosure, However, this level was below the required threshold, not exceeding in all years (56.0%). There is also a relative increase in the level of disclosure of structural capital and interest relative to the disclosure of human capital, which may be seen as a decline in the interest of companies in the development of their human resources compared to the structural aspect and relations with other parties. The study recommended that companies' managements should monitor the changes in their share prices, trading volume and how investors evaluate the company's shares, in order to confirm the achievement of the most important objectives of financial management. Disclosure of intellectual capital components, and companies based on reference comparisons with international companies, to reach full disclosure of all items that measure the components of intellectual capital.
Differences in defence responses of Pinus contorta and Pinus banksiana to the mountain pine beetle fungal associate Grosmannia clavigera are affected by water deficit.

We tested the hypotheses that responses to the mountain pine beetle fungal associate Grosmannia clavigera will differ between the evolutionarily co-evolved host lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta var. latifolia) and the naïve host jack pine (Pinus banksiana) and that these responses will be influenced by water availability. G. clavigera inoculation resulted in more rapid stem lesion development in lodgepole than in jack pine; water deficit delayed lesion development in both species. Decreased hydraulic conductivity was observed in inoculated lodgepole pine seedlings, likely because of tracheid occlusion by fungal hyphae and/or metabolite accumulation. Drought but not inoculation significantly impacted bark abscisic acid levels. Jasmonic and salicylic acid were implicated in local and systemic responses of both species to G. clavigera, with salicylic acid appearing to play a greater role in jack pine response to G. clavigera than lodgepole pine. Water deficit increased constitutive levels and/or attenuated induced responses to G. clavigera for several monoterpenes in lodgepole but not jack pine. Instead, inoculation of well-watered but not water deficit jack pine resulted in a greater number of xylem resin ducts. These findings reveal mechanisms underlying differences in G. clavigera-induced responses between lodgepole and jack pine hosts, and how water availability modulates these responses.
Cerebrospinal fluid PCR and antibody concentrations against Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato in dogs with neurological signs.

BACKGROUND The tick-borne bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (sl) and Anaplasma phagocytophilum have been suspected to cause neurological signs in dogs. Diagnosis often has been made based on positive antibody titers in serum of dogs with neurological signs, but a high seroprevalence in dogs in at-risk populations makes diagnosis difficult. OBJECTIVE To determine if the neurological signs in dogs examined were caused by any of these bacteria. ANIMALS Fifty-four dogs presented to a board-certified neurologist. METHODS Prospective study. We divided dogs into 2 groups: those with inflammatory diseases of the central nervous system (CNS) and those with neurological signs from other diseases. Blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from all dogs were analyzed. RESULTS Dogs with inflammatory CNS diseases showed no serum antibodies against any of the agents. Among dogs with neurological signs from other diseases, 10.3% had serum antibodies for B. burgdorferi sl and 20.5% for A. phagocytophilum. All blood samples analyzed for bacterial deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and all CSF analyzed for antibodies and bacterial DNA for the 2 agents were negative. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE Based on this study, these bacteria are unlikely causes of neurologic disease in dogs and the presence of serum antibodies alone does not document or establish a definitive diagnosis of CNS disease caused by these organisms. Dogs that have neurologic disease and corresponding serum antibodies against these agents should have additional tests performed to assess for other potential etiologies of the signs.
Extent of Non-Publication in Cohorts of Studies Approved by Research Ethics Committees or Included in Trial Registries

Background The synthesis of published research in systematic reviews is essential when providing evidence to inform clinical and health policy decision-making. However, the validity of systematic reviews is threatened if journal publications represent a biased selection of all studies that have been conducted (dissemination bias). To investigate the extent of dissemination bias we conducted a systematic review that determined the proportion of studies published as peer-reviewed journal articles and investigated factors associated with full publication in cohorts of studies (i) approved by research ethics committees (RECs) or (ii) included in trial registries. Methods and Findings Four bibliographic databases were searched for methodological research projects (MRPs) without limitations for publication year, language or study location. The searches were supplemented by handsearching the references of included MRPs. We estimated the proportion of studies published using prediction intervals (PI) and a random effects meta-analysis. Pooled odds ratios (OR) were used to express associations between study characteristics and journal publication. Seventeen MRPs (23 publications) evaluated cohorts of studies approved by RECs; the proportion of published studies had a PI between 22% and 72% and the weighted pooled proportion when combining estimates would be 46.2% (95% CI 40.2%–52.4%, I2 = 94.4%). Twenty-two MRPs (22 publications) evaluated cohorts of studies included in trial registries; the PI of the proportion published ranged from 13% to 90% and the weighted pooled proportion would be 54.2% (95% CI 42.0%–65.9%, I2 = 98.9%). REC-approved studies with statistically significant results (compared with those without statistically significant results) were more likely to be published (pooled OR 2.8; 95% CI 2.2–3.5). Phase-III trials were also more likely to be published than phase II trials (pooled OR 2.0; 95% CI 1.6–2.5). The probability of publication within two years after study completion ranged from 7% to 30%. Conclusions A substantial part of the studies approved by RECs or included in trial registries remains unpublished. Due to the large heterogeneity a prediction of the publication probability for a future study is very uncertain. Non-publication of research is not a random process, e.g., it is associated with the direction of study findings. Our findings suggest that the dissemination of research findings is biased.
Effect of packetization interval on number of connections in AAC audio streaming over WLAN 802.11g

Audio streaming over wireless local area network (WLAN) has an ability to transmit audio data ranging from short messages to music station. A popular application of this is in setting up a community radio, which is in demand, especially in developing countries where frequency spectrum management is still problematic. Audio streaming has to assure high quality of content reception without any packet loss, if possible. One such suitable coder-decoder (CODEC) is the Advanced Audio Coding (AAC). Packetization interval for audio streaming is usually set at a default value of 20 ms. This work develops an AAC Audio Streaming over WLAN 802.11g. It studies the effect of different packetization intervals has on the maximum number of possible connections (i.e. receivers) without any packet loss. The simulated environment comprises of 1 access point with 300 m2. Connecting media server to access point via wireless link is adopted for its mobility and ease of deployment in rural area. The range of packetization intervals under this study is from 20 ms. to 200 ms. The study reveals that the commonly use default value of 20 ms. can manage up to 13 connections. Under the scenario of this study, it was found that the best packetization interval is 70 ms. with the maximum of 33 connections. The study also reveals that packet delay is not an issue in this approach as all are under the acceptable standard of 400 ms.
Optimal Unemployment Insurance and International Risk Sharing

We discuss how cross-country unemployment insurance can be used to improve international risk sharing. We use a two-country business cycle model with incomplete financial markets and frictional labor markets where the unemployment insurance scheme operates across both countries. Cross-country insurance through the unemployment insurance system can be achieved without affecting unemployment outcomes. The Ramsey-optimal policy however prescribes a more countercyclical replacement rate when international risk sharing concerns enter the unemployment insurance trade-off. We calibrate our model to Eurozone data and find that optimal stabilizing transfers through the unemployment insurance system are sizable and mainly stabilize consumption in the periphery countries, while optimal replacement rates are countercyclical overall. Moreover, we find that debt-financed national policies are a poor substitute for fiscal transfers.
Kaempferol Derivatives as Antiviral Drugs against the 3a Channel Protein of Coronavirus

Abstract The protein coded by the open-reading-frame 3a of SARS coronavirus has been demonstrated to form a cation-selective channel that may become expressed in the infected cell. The activity of the channel is involved in the mechanism of virus release. Drugs that inhibit the ion channel can, therefore, inhibit virus release, and they could be a source for development of novel therapeutic antiviral agents. Various drugs found in Chinese herbs that are well known as anticancer agents also have an antiviral potency. Here we tested the flavonols kaempferol, kaempferol glycosides, and acylated kaempferol glucoside derivatives with respect to their potency to block the 3a channel. We used the Xenopus oocyte with a heterologously expressed 3a protein as a model system to test the efficacy of the flavonols. Some of these drugs turned out to be potent inhibitors of the 3a channel. The most effective one was the glycoside juglanin (carrying an arabinose residue) with an IC50 value of 2.3 µM for inhibition of the 3a-mediated current. Kaempferol derivatives with rhamnose residue also seem to be quite effective. We suggest that viral ion channels, in general, may be a good target for the development of antiviral agents, and that, in particular, kaempferol glycosides are good candidates for 3a channel proteins of coronaviruses.
The team absorptive capacity triad: a configurational study of individual, enabling, and motivating factors

Purpose The paper aims to understand how knowledge-intensive teams can develop and enhance their team absorptive capacity (ACAP) level, by exploring whether individual and organizational factors are complements or substitutes for team ACAP. Design/methodology/approach The study applies a configurational approach using fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis to identify combinations of individual and team factors that are associated with team ACAP. Data were gathered through a survey among 297 employees of four medium-sized Dutch firms, working in 48 functional teams. Findings The primary finding is that knowledge-intensive team ACAP depends on a triad of complementary factors: team members’ individual ACAP, factors that enable knowledge integration and factors that motivate knowledge integration. Underdevelopment of one or more factors leads to lower team ACAP. Research limitations/implications The study contributes to the discussion on the locus of knowledge-creation and enhances understandings of why knowledge-intensive teams differ in knowledge processing capabilities. It suggests future research on cross-functional teams in new ventures and large firms. Practical implications The paper informs managers and team leaders about the factors that determine knowledge-intensive teams’ ACAP, enabling them to develop team-specific strategies to increase their teams’ performance. Originality/value The study takes a holistic perspective on knowledge-intensive team ACAP by using a configurational approach. It also highlights the potential of team-level research in the knowledge management literature for both researchers and practitioners.
ABAKA: An Anonymous Batch Authenticated and Key Agreement Scheme for Value-Added Services in Vehicular Ad Hoc Networks

In this paper, we introduce an anonymous batch authenticated and key agreement (ABAKA) scheme to authenticate multiple requests sent from different vehicles and establish different session keys for different vehicles at the same time. In vehicular ad hoc networks (VANETs), the speed of a vehicle is changed from 10 to 40 m/s (36-144 km/h); therefore, the need for efficient authentication is inevitable. Compared with the current key agreement scheme, ABAKA can efficiently authenticate multiple requests by one verification operation and negotiate a session key with each vehicle by one broadcast message. Elliptic curve cryptography is adopted to reduce the verification delay and transmission overhead. The security of ABAKA is based on the elliptic curve discrete logarithm problem, which is an unsolved NP-complete problem. To deal with the invalid request problem, which may cause the batch verification fail, a detection algorithm has been proposed. Moreover, we demonstrate the efficiency merits of ABAKA through performance evaluations in terms of verification delay, transmission overhead, and cost for rebatch verifications, respectively. Simulation results show that both the message delay and message loss rate of ABAKA are less than that of the existing elliptic curve digital signature algorithm (ECDSA)-based scheme.
Pectoral fin locomotion in the striped surfperch. II. Scaling swimming kinematics and performance at a gait transition

In this study, we report the first allometric equations relating gait parameters and swimming speed to body size for fish employing pectoral fin locomotion. Comparisons of locomotor kinematics and performance among striped surfperch (Teleostei: Embiotocidae) are made at the pectoral­caudal gait transition speed (Up-c). Up-c is considered to elicit physiologically equivalent levels of exercise in animals varying over 100-fold in body mass (Mb) by virtue of dynamically similar pectoral fin movements (constant duty factor, length-specific stride length and fin-beat amplitude) and size-independent propulsive efficiency. At Up-c, pectoral fin-beat frequency scales in proportion to Mb-0.12±0.03, a size-dependence consistent with that observed for stride frequency in fishes swimming by axial undulatory propulsion and in many running tetrapods. It is proposed that the similarity in the scaling of frequency in these vertebrate groups reflects an underlying similarity in the allometry of the maximal velocity of muscle shortening. Absolute Up-c (m s-1) generally increases with body size, but the fastest speeds are not exhibited by the largest animals. A pattern of declining performance in fish 23 cm in standard length and longer may be related to their disproportionately small fin areas and aspect ratios. The pronounced negative allometry of Up-c expressed as standard body lengths per second indicates that a given length-specific speed does not induce comparable levels of activity in large and small fish. Thus, normalization of swimming speed to body length may not be a sufficient correction for kinematic comparisons across size.
Proteomics Analysis of Nucleolar SUMO-1 Target Proteins upon Proteasome Inhibition*

Many cellular processes are regulated by the coordination of several post-translational modifications that allow a very fine modulation of substrates. Recently it has been reported that there is a relationship between sumoylation and ubiquitination. Here we propose that the nucleolus is the key organelle in which SUMO-1 conjugates accumulate in response to proteasome inhibition. We demonstrated that, upon proteasome inhibition, the SUMO-1 nuclear dot localization is redirected to nucleolar structures. To better understand this process we investigated, by quantitative proteomics, the effect of proteasome activity on endogenous nucleolar SUMO-1 targets. 193 potential SUMO-1 substrates were identified, and interestingly in several purified SUMO-1 conjugates ubiquitin chains were found to be present, confirming the coordination of these two modifications. 23 SUMO-1 targets were confirmed by an in vitro sumoylation reaction performed on nuclear substrates. They belong to protein families such as small nuclear ribonucleoproteins, heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoproteins, ribosomal proteins, histones, RNA-binding proteins, and transcription factor regulators. Among these, histone H1, histone H3, and p160 Myb-binding protein 1A were further characterized as novel SUMO-1 substrates. The analysis of the nature of the SUMO-1 targets identified in this study strongly indicates that sumoylation, acting in coordination with the ubiquitin-proteasome system, regulates the maintenance of nucleolar integrity.
Changes in Heart Rate Variability in Response to Treatment With Electroconvulsive Therapy

Background: Objective methods are needed to determine when to terminate a course of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). Heart rate variability (HRV) has proven predictive value for patients with cardiac and neurologic disorders and correlates with depression severity and treatment effects. Variable changes in HRV after ECT have been reported. Methods: Holter monitoring was performed before and after ECT in 11 patients with depression. Measures of HRV were obtained from these recordings and the relationships between HRV and treatment outcome was analyzed. Response to ECT was measured by the 24-item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression. Results: Standard deviation of interbeat intervals (SDNN, a measure of HRV) increased in subjects who improved with ECT (P < 0.02) but not in those who became confused and agitated. Among those patients who acutely responded to ECT, SDNN increased (P < 0.05) in subjects with a sustained response but not in subjects who relapsed within 3 weeks. SDNN was significantly lower in the rapid relapse group at baseline (P < 0.05) and after ECT (P < 0.05) compared with the group with a sustained response. Conclusions: Low baseline HRV is associated with rapid relapse of depression after ECT. Both high baseline HRV and increasing HRV predict a sustained outcome. Further research is necessary to support these findings and to clarify if the serial measurement of HRV during ECT may help to determine the optimal number of treatments for each patient.