Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Selecting a prospective test for early detection of diabetic polyneuropathy

Microneurolysis of entrapped peripheral nerve has the best chance of success when compression has not created significant axonal loss. The purpose of this study is to learn the best way to identify potential surgical candidates at the earliest time for intervention, by examining patients in a clinical setting using objective, electrodiagnostic nerve conduction studies (NCS), and subjective touch threshold studies, Semmes‐Weinstein monofilaments (SWM) and Pressure‐Specified Sensory Device™ (PSSD). Fifty‐five patients with diabetic polyneuropathy over the age of 30 years were included. Neuropathy symptom score was the gold standard for statistical calculation, with a prevalence of 70%. In the symptomatic population, prevalence was 64% for NCS (n = 25), 59% for SWM (n = 43), and 88% for PSSD (n = 51). In the asymptomatic population, prevalence was 70% for NCS, 27% for SWM, and 92% for PSSD. It is concluded that the PSSD is the most sensitive device of those tested for identifying peripheral neuropathy in an at risk population of patients. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microsurgery 35:512–517, 2015.
Drug quality in South Africa: perceptions of key players involved in medicines distribution.

PURPOSE Substandard medicines contribute to poor public health and affect development, especially in the developing world. However knowledge of how manufacturers, distributors and providers understand the concept of drug quality and what strategies they adopt to ensure drug quality is limited, particularly in the developing world. The purpose of this paper is to explore pharmaceutical manufacturers', distributors' and providers' perceptions of drug quality in South Africa and how they ensure the quality of drugs during the distribution process. DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH The approach taken was qualitative data collection through key informant interviews using a semi-structured interview guide. Transcripts were analysed thematically in Johannesburg, Pretoria and Durban, South Africa. Participants were recruited purposefully from a South African pharmaceutical manufacturer, SA subsidiaries of international manufacturers, national distribution companies, national wholesaler, public and private sector pharmacists, and a dispensing doctor. In total, ten interviews were conducted. FINDINGS Participants described drug quality in terms of the product and the processes involved in manufacturing and handling the product. Participants identified purchasing registered medicines from licensed suppliers, use of standard operating procedures, and audits between manufacturer and distributor and/or provider as key strategies employed to protect medicine quality. Effective communication amongst all stakeholders, especially in terms of providing feedback regarding complaints about medicine quality, appears as a potential area of concern, which would benefit from further research. ORIGINALITY/VALUE The paper hightlights that ensuring medicine quality should be a shared responsibility amongst all involved in the distribution process to prevent medicines moving from one distribution system (public) into another (private).
Pregnancy outcome in kidney transplant patients.

INTRODUCTION Advances in surgical techniques and immunosuppressive therapy have improved the survival and quality of life in organ transplant patients. Thus, the number of organ transplant women at their reproductive age has also increased. We sought to investigate the allograft and obstetric outcomes in pregnant kidney recipients. MATERIALS AND METHODS Seventy-four kidney recipient women with 95 conceptions during their posttransplant period were evaluated. Pregnancy outcome, kidney allograft function, and maternal, fetal, and neonatal complications were evaluated in these patients. RESULTS The mean interval between kidney transplantation and pregnancy was 41.0 +/- 9.5 months. Twenty-three pregnancies (24.2%) were unsuccessful due to abortion and stillbirth. The mean birth weight was 2385.0 +/- 161.7 g and 45 newborns (62.5%) had a birth weight less than 2500 g (low birth weight). The mean Apgar score of the live babies was 7.9 +/- 0.7. Forty-four (61.1%) babies were admitted to neonatal intensive care unit and early neonatal death happened in 4 (5.5%). Fifteen mothers (15.78%) had an uneventful perinatal period. The most common maternal complications in the 95 pregnancies were anemia in 62 (65.3%) and preeclampsia in 45 (47.4%). Three patients 3 (3.2%) lost their graft and 6 (6.3%) had impaired kidney allograft function 2 years after pregnancy. CONCLUSION Pregnant kidney allograft recipients should be considered as high-risk patients needing special care under the supervision of a team of obstetricians and nephrologists.
Neuroendocrine response to violence during pregnancy – impact on duration of pregnancy and fetal growth

Objective. To study the neuroendocrine release of cortisol in response to perceived stress among pregnant women exposed to partner violence and how this affects the duration of pregnancy and the intrauterine growth of the infant. Design. Cross‐sectional community‐based study. Setting. Health and Demographic Surveillance System of León, Nicaragua. Population. One‐hundred and forty‐seven pregnant women. Methods. Standardized scales to measure intimate partner violence, social resources, perceived stress, and socio‐economic conditions were applied. Two salivary samples for cortisol were collected in the morning and afternoon on the same day. Linear regression and path analysis were used. Main outcome measures. Cortisol levels, gestational age, and weight at delivery. Results. Partner violence during the pregnancy, low social resources, and perceived maternal stress were associated with high level of salivary cortisol. Pregnant women with high cortisol levels were significantly more likely to give birth to small‐for‐gestational age babies, but not to deliver preterm. A substantial decrease of birthweight, 121–186 g, was associated with an increase in cortisol in association with violence exposure. Conclusion. Partner violence during pregnancy is a stressor that provokes high levels of cortisol, which is associated with reduction of birthweight.
An examination of the relationship of emotional intelligence levels to balanced leadership responsibilities and leadership effectiveness in high school principals

Recent changes in federal legislation accompanied by the threat of lost funding created a sense of urgency within educational systems to orchestrate changes that would increase the achievement of all students. Public concerns including low achievement levels, high drop-out rates, and inadequate preparation for college underscore an ever growing sense of urgency at the high school level. As high schools are required to raise levels of expectations and student achievement, the job of high school principal has transformed beyond managerial skill and instructional expertise to include relationship management requiring a set of emotions-based soft skills. Recent brain-functioning research has established the link between cognitive and emotional intelligence (Goleman, 1998; Goleman, Boyatzis, & McKee, 2002) while research in the field of leadership (Blake & Mouton, 1985; Bolman & Deal, 1997; Bruffee, 1997; Davis, 2003; Doyle & Smith, 2006; Fullan, 2001; George, 2004; Hersey & Blanchard, 1997; Kouzes & Posner,1987; Spillane & Camburn, 2006;) has placed emphasis on emotional competencies related to self and social emotional awareness and the regulation of emotions both personally and socially for the purpose of increasing leadership effectiveness. The fundamental problem being addressed through and guiding this study was: what emotional competencies reinforce leadership behaviors and practices that augment school improvement efforts resulting in increased student
Stock Market Exuberance: Linkages between U.S. And the European Markets

This paper investigates the high frequency behaviour of US, British and German stock market exuberance using an index provided by standard portfolio arbitrage relationships. Symmetric and asymmetric multivariate GARCH models are implemented to quantify international volatility comovements. In the period from January 1992 to April 2000 a change in the pattern of volatility transmission is detected at the beginning of summer 1997. Empirical analysis suggests that equity markets volatility modelling with exuberance indexes is more accurate than modelling with stock returns. Furthermore, the estimated conditional covariances between exuberance indexes fluctuate over time and tend to rise whenever volatility increases.
Breed comparisons for growth traits adjusted for within-breed genetic trend using expected progeny differences.

Records (2,910) of birth (BWT), weaning (WW), and yearling weight (YW) of F1 calves produced in a top-cross experiment involving Angus, Hereford, Pooled Hereford, Charolais, Limousin, Simmental, Gelbvieh, Maine-Anjou, Chianina, Tarentaise, Shorthorn, and Salers bulls mated to Hereford and Angus cows and records (4,592) of WW on three-breed-cross calves out of 986 F1 females of the same breed crosses were used in this study. The purposes were to estimate how much of the EPD of the sires was realized in crossbred calves and to estimate sire breed effects for the traits adjusted for genetic trend and sire sampling. Published EPD for BWT, WW, YW, net maternal ability (MLK), and maternal WW (MAT) were used. Average regressions (kilograms/kilogram +/- SE) of BWT, WW, and YW of F1 calves on EPD of the sire were 1.04 +/- . 10, . 88 +/- . 11, and 1.40 +/- . 11, respectively. The regressions (b, kilograms/kilogram) were similar to the expected values of 1.0 except for YW. For WW of three-way-cross calves on MLK EPD of the maternal grandsire, b was 1.02 +/- . 11, which was not different from the expected value of 1.0. Estimated sire-breed means were adjusted to a 1982 genetic base by adding b times the difference of the 1982-breed-mean EPD and mean EPD of sires used in the study. Three different adjustments were compared using the b pooled across breeds, a separate b for each breed, and the expected b of 1.0. In general, the adjustments tended to regress breed of sire means toward the average of all breeds, particularly for BWT and WW of F1 calves, and for WW of three-breed crosses. The effect of type of adjustment varied among breeds, but in most cases small differences resulted from using average or expected b. For WW, the range for net maternal effects among breeds was larger than that for direct breed effects.
Altered lipid metabolism in gastroschisis: A novel hypothesis

Gastroschisis is a congenital abdominal wall defect where there is herniation of abdominal organs. Optimal maternal nutritional intake, in particular, fatty acids, are vital for proper growth and development of the fetus. This pilot case–control study explored the association of several biomarkers of fatty acids and gastroschisis. Between 2008 and 2011, we recruited 13 pregnant women in mid‐gestation who were referred to the UCSD Prenatal Center for evaluation of an abnormal maternal serum alpha‐fetoprotein (MSAFP) test and subsequently identified as carrying a baby with gastroschisis. Nine controls were selected from a false positive MSAFP or from the UCSD prenatal clinic. At enrollment, maternal blood was drawn for analysis of fatty acids. Mann–Whitney–Wilcoxon tests were used to test for mean differences between erythrocyte fatty acid biomarkers and the fatty acid lipogenic (palmitic acid: linoleic acid) and desaturation (palmitoleic acid: palmitic acid) indices and gastroschisis. Mothers carrying a baby with gastroschisis and gastroschisis babies had consistently higher levels of palmitoleic acid (all P's < 0.05), gastroschisis mothers had lower levels of oleic acid during pregnancy and at delivery, and higher levels of DHA at delivery (all P's < 0.05). The lipogenic index was significantly lower at delivery for gastroschisis mothers (P < 0.05) and the desaturation index was consistently higher in gastroschisis mothers and babies (all P's < 0.01). These findings suggest that early maternal inflammation possibly resulting from an imbalance of fatty acids, leading to a vascular disruption, may be the underlying mechanism responsible for at least some cases of gastroschisis. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Local Elections in Authoritarian Regimes

Why do authoritarian regimes permit elections in some settings but not in others? Focusing on the decision to hold subnational elections, we argue that autocrats can use local elections to assuage powerful subnational elites. When subnational elites control significant political resources, such as local political machines, leaders may need to co-opt them to govern cost-effectively. Elections are an effective tool of co-optation because they provide elites with autonomy and the opportunity to cultivate their own power bases. We test this argument by analyzing variation in the decision to hold mayoral elections in Russia’s 207 largest cities between 2001 and 2012. Our findings suggest that Russian mayoral elections were more likely to be retained in cities where elected mayors sat atop strong political machines. Our findings also illustrate how subnational elections may actually serve to perpetuate authoritarianism by helping to ensure elite loyalty and putting the resources of powerful elites to work for the regime.
THE EFFECT OF DIGESTION WITH STREPTOMYCES HYALURONIDASE UPON CERTAIN HISTOCHEMICAL REACTIONS OF HYALURONIC ACID-CONTAINING TISSUES

The effect of digestion with Streptomyces hyaluronidase upon certain histochemical reactions of hyaluronic acid-containing tissues has been studied in a series of human, mammalian and avian specimens. These histochemical reactions are those for the demonstration of neutral and sulfated and nonsulfated acid mucosaccharides such as periodic acid-Schiff, Alcian Blue (pH 1.0), azure A (pH 1.5), high iron diamine, aldehyde fuchsin, Alcian Blue (pH 2.5), Alcian Blue (pH 2.5)-periodic acid Schiff, azure A (pH 4.5), low iron diamine and colloidal iron. In addition, the effect of digestion with testicular hyaluronidase upon the same reactions of the same tissues was observed for comparison. Digestion with Streptomyces hyaluronidase diminishes the staining reactions due to hyaluronic acid but fails to affect those for neutral and sulfated acid mucosaccharides. These results indicate that digestion with Streptomyces hyaluronidase is a method of choice for the identification of hyaluronic acid in mucosaccharide histochemistry.
Burnout in the practice of oncology: Results of a follow-up survey.

6053 Purpose: Stress burnout among oncologists is a continuing concern, particularly as professional, economic, and political challenges have intensified over the past decade. In a 1991 study of ASCO members [SurveyI], 56% of respondents reported feeling burnout in their professional lives. SurveyII (2002) addressed whether the prevalence and scope of burnout among oncologists had changed in the intervening decade. METHODS The 1991 survey instrument was used. Additional questions from the Maslach Burnout Inventory (Maslach & Jackson, 1981) were added to enrich the burnout measure. The web-based survey was sent to 16,635 ASCO members. RESULTS 1,299 (12.8%) surveys were completed. SurveyII respondents were comparable to ASCO membership in sex and age ratios. 57% SurveyII respondents had >10 years in practice since their training vs 17% in SurveyI. 34% of SurveyII respondents reported burnout in their professional lives (vs 56% in SurveyI). The most often cited reasons for burnout continue to be lack of personal or vacation time (40% SurveyII vs 57% SurveyI) and exposure to fatal illness (31% SurveyII vs 53% SurveyI). Frustration with limited therapeutic success diminished over the decade (22% SurveyII vs 45% SurveyI), and the sense of frustration or failure also dropped (38% Survey II vs 56% SurveyI). Ways to alleviate stress differed slightly, with fewer SurveyII respondents choosing sabbaticals (25% vs 44%) and more personal or vacation time (46% vs 69%). A third in both surveys recommended a smaller patient load to alleviate burnout. Over half said that burnout affected their personal lives and over one-third said it affected patient care. In SurveyII, 40% said they never considered a change in job or career, and 22% considered a change a few times per year. CONCLUSIONS Burnout continues to be reported by over one third of oncologists surveyed. The reduced sense of failure and frustration may account for the reduction in burnout from 12 years ago. More than one-third still report symptoms affecting their personal well-being and patient care. These data suggest that ASCO's programs should address burnout. [Table: see text].
Using soil-based and physiographic variables to improve stand growth equations in Uruguayan forest plantations

Abstract: Information provided by traditional growth models is an essential input in decision making processes for managing planted forests. They are generally fitted using inventory data guaranteeing robustness and simplicity. The introduction of explanatory factors affecting tree development in age-based sigmoidal growth and yield equations attempts not only to improve the quality of predictions, but also to add useful information underpinning forest management decisions. This study aimed to assess the use of the following soil-based and physiographic predictors: potentially available soil water (PASW), elevation (Elev), aspect (α) and slope (β) in a system of empirical stand equations comprising: dominant height (hdom), basal area (G), maximum diameter at breast height (dmax), and standard deviation of diameters (SDd). Augmented models were compared with the base models through precision and bias of estimations for two contrasting species: Pinus taeda (L.), and Eucalyptus grandis (Hill ex. Maiden), planted commercially in Uruguay. Soil-based and physiographic information significantly improved predictions of all the state variables fitted for E. grandis, but just hdom and G for P. taeda. Only PASW was consistently significant for the augmented models in P. taeda and E. grandis, while the contribution of other predictors varied between species. From a physiological point of view, predictors on the augmented models showed consistency. Models with such augmentation produced decrease of errors between 3 to 10.5%, however decreases in the prediction errors calculated with the independent dataset were lower. Results from this study contributed to add information to the decision-making process of plantations’ management.
On the causes and consequences of divorce

This thesis consists of three papers that investigate the labour market activity of women following a divorce and discuss the possible causes of divorce from theoretical and empirical perspectives. One of the consequences of divorce for women with dependent children who are not fully employed in labour market, is a major loss of income and decrease in their well-being. For the past decades more married women became active in labour market, however their employment choice remains an interesting question which has been broadly addressed in the literature. With a focus on British Households during 1991 to 2008, the first chapter of this dissertation studies the employment rate among women who experience divorce. At the intensive margin, findings of this chapter suggest that labour supply increases after divorce. At the extensive margin the results suggest that probability of working part time decreases for women who do not hold a university degree whereas for women with a higher education degree, the probability of full time employment increases. The second chapter studies causes of divorce by focusing on Search and Matching theoretical framework. Despite a number of studies that suggest re partnering is the driving force of divorce, the �findings of this chapter do not agree with the prediction of such models and instead argues that odds of separation are higher among couples in which both spouses have low productivity levels. Continuing the discussion of previous chapter, chapter 3 reviews the welfare system of United Kingdom for the period of 1991 to 2008 and investigates the effect of tax and benefit system on probability of marital dissolution. The results of this chapter suggest that increase in benefit entitlement after divorce, to some extent explains the observed rate of marital dissolution specially among low productive households.
Plasma concentrations of insulin-like growth factor-I and insulin in the infant calf: ontogeny and influence of altered nutrition.

The developmental pattern of plasma insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and insulin in calves subject to different patterns of weaning was investigated from birth until the age of 6 months. Fifteen male Friesian calves were fed on whole milk (10% of body weight per day) for the first 8 weeks after birth, then allocated into three balanced groups. Group 1 was weaned at 8 weeks; group 2 was weaned at 8 weeks, returned to milk-feeding at 13 weeks to be weaned again at the age of 16 weeks; group 3 was weaned at 12 weeks. After weaning the calves were fed on concentrates and lucerne hay. At birth, circulating concentrations of IGF-I correlated with birth weight (r = 0.78, P less than 0.001). There was a significant (P less than 0.001) fall in plasma IGF-I from birth (40.3 +/- 2.5 micrograms/l) until 5 weeks (23.8 +/- 1.3 micrograms/l), and then a gradual (P less than 0.01) rise until week 8 (35.0 +/- 2.2 micrograms/l). Weaning (groups 1 and 2 after week 8) caused a significant (P less than 0.01) decrease in plasma IGF-I (20.5 +/- 1.9 micrograms/l); thereafter plasma levels of IGF-I rose gradually (P less than 0.01) in animals fed on concentrates. The milk-fed calves (group 3) showed a progressive increase in plasma IGF-I with age until they were weaned at 12 weeks (51.0 +/- 3.4 micrograms/l); IGF-I levels then decreased to be similar to group 1 (32.5 +/- 2.1 micrograms/l). (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
How Far Apart Can Two Riskless Interest Rates Be? (One Moves, the Other One Does Not)

In the presence of transactions costs, no matter how small, arbitrage activity does not necessarily render equal all riskless rates of return. When two such rates follow stochastic processes, it is not optimal immediately to arbitrage out any discrepancy that arises between them. The reason is that immediate arbitrage would induce a definite expenditure of transactions costs whereas, without arbitrage intervention, there exists some, perhaps sufficient, probability that these two interest rates will come back together without any costs having been incurred. Hence, one can surmise that at equilibrium the financial market will permit the coexistence of two riskless rates which are not equal to each other. For analogous reasons, randomly fluctuating expected rates of return on risky assets will be allowed to differ even after correction for risk, leading to important violations of the Capital Asset Pricing Model. The combination of randomness in expected rates of return and proportional transactions costs is a serious blow to existing frictionless pricing models.
Human Circovirus TT Virus Genotype 6 Expresses Six Proteins following Transfection of a Full-Length Clone

ABSTRACT The expression profile of the circovirus TTV has not yet been fully characterized. In this paper, we show that following transfection of a full-length viral clone of TTV genotype 6, each of the three virally encoded mRNAs is translated from two initiating AUGs, and therefore, the TTV genome generates at least six proteins. Localization studies of hemagglutinin-tagged versions of these proteins in fixed cells, and green fluorescent protein-tagged versions of these proteins in living cells, expressed following transfection, demonstrated that two were primarily nuclear, two were primarily cytoplasmic, and two were found throughout the cell.