Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Prospective Surveillance Study of Invasive Pneumococcal Disease Among Urban Children in the Philippines

Background: Worldwide, invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) causes considerable morbidity and mortality among children, but incidence data in Asia are lacking. This 2-year hospital-based, prospective, surveillance study was conducted at 3 study sites in urban areas of the Philippines to estimate IPD and pneumonia incidence in children and describe the serotype distribution of invasive Streptococcus pneumoniae isolates. Methods: Children aged 28 days to <60 months residing within the 3 surveillance areas presenting with possible IPD were enrolled. Initial diagnosis, history of pneumococcal vaccine receipt and previous antimicrobial treatment were recorded. Blood specimens were collected for S. pneumoniae identification and serotyping. Final diagnosis was determined for hospitalized subjects, subjects whose culture yielded S. pneumoniae and subjects with clinically suspected meningitis. Results: A total of 5940 subjects were enrolled, 47 IPD cases identified. IPD site rates were 33.49 per 100,000, 25.38 per 100,000 and 25.85 per 100,000. Chest radiograph-confirmed pneumonia incidence ranged from 633.74 to 1683.59 per 100,000. Highest chest radiograph-confirmed pneumonia incidence occurred in those 28 days to <6 months of age at 2 sites (2166.16 and 3891.94 per 100,000) and those 6–12 months of age at the third site (3847.52 per 100,000). Thirty-five S. pneumoniae isolates were serotyped; most commonly identified were serotypes 1, 2, 5, 6B, 14 and 18F. One serotype 14 isolate was erythromycin resistant. Previous antibiotic therapy was documented in 17–53% of subjects; 2 subjects had received pneumococcal vaccine. At 2 sites, one-third of IPD subjects died. Conclusions: IPD is an important cause of morbidity and mortality among urban children in the Philippines. Our data support the expectation that widespread immunization would decrease IPD disease burden.
User Empowerment and Audience Commodification in a Commercial Television Context

This paper aims to provide insights into the concept of ‘user empowerment’ in current –digital and connected- media industries. We start by defining empowerment as a concept rooted in certain research traditions that focus on user behaviour and capabilities in dealing with digital and connected technologies and the production, aggregation, distribution and consumption of content. We then oppose ‘user empowerment’ to ‘audience commodification’, a concept that highlights how the audience and its members are exploited by the media industry through their usage of digital and connected technologies. This research tradition typically looks at the meso-level of media usage and how it is embedded in the media industries. In light of this paper on media innovations, we then argue that the concepts of ‘empowerment’ and ‘commodification’ are strongly embedded in the underlying social imaginaries. This helps us to redefine ‘user empowerment’ and ‘audience commodification’ as interactive processes underlying innovation within the (commercial) media industry. We use the case of Flemish commercial television to demonstrate this hypothesis.
AIS Electronic Library (AISeL)

This study tests a measurement model of consumer’s trust in Internet shopping (CTIS), proposed by C. Cheung and M. Lee. The model posits trustworthiness of Internet vendors (including perceived security control, privacy control, integrity and competence) and external environment (third part recognition and legal framework) as being positively related to CTIS and moderated by propensity to trust. The model also posits a negative relationship between CTIS and perceived risk in Internet shopping. The author sampled 118 day and evening MBA students at a midwestern university using Cheung’s instrument. The model was partially supported. Confounding influences from a multinational sample influenced the results
Impact of Corporate Information Releases on Ownership - Evidence with Various Investor Types

This study focuses on non-institutional trading behavior around interim earnings announcements in the emerging market. We separate the stock trading activity of Finnish households into five trading classes and compare the results to institutional trading. Data covering the years 1996-2000 shows that earnings news triggers trading in every trading class. We also find some evidence that actively trading individuals especially (compared to passively trading ones) show increased buying and selling activity before the event compared to the non-event period. After the event we find that Finnish households in the most active investor class tend to follow a contrarian strategy, especially selling after good news. This adds to previous evidence by Grinblatt and Keloharju (2000b). Furthermore, the performance of the active investor classes is superior to that of passive ones. Finally, the institutional trading class is clearly less affected by the announcement than the active investor classes, suggesting that institutions utilize a broader information set than individual investors.
Intraportal delivery of immunosuppression to intrahepatic islet allograft recipients

Local delivery of immunosuppressive agents may dampen local alloreactive events with avoidance of systemic toxicity. We investigated the innovative strategy of intraportal (IPO) delivery of three immunosuppressive agents in streptozotocin diabetic rat recipients of islet allografts (Lewis to Wistar-Furth) transplanted intrahepatically. IPO budesonide (BUD, 240 or 360 μg/kg per day), a potent steroid, and cyclosporin (CyA, 2 or 4 mg/kg per day) did not prolong graft mean survival time [MST±standard deviation (SD)] as compared to nonimmunosuppressed recipients. Fourteen days of IPO FK 506 (0.16 mg/kg per day) significantly increased MST as compared with untreated controls (49±29 vs 7±1 days, P<0.01) and was more effective than intravenous (IV) FK 506 (17±7 days, P<0.01). When FK 506 was given for 28 days, the benefit of IPO over IV delivery was reaffirmed (MST 81±32 vs 34±4 days, P<0.01). The potential for toxicity was lessened by lower mean systemic levels in the IPO group as compared to the IV group (1.3±0.6 vs 3.5±0.9 ng/mg, P<0.02). The strategy of continuous IPO FK 506 was effective in the prevention of rejection of intrahepatic islet allografts.
Guilt by Association-Based Discovery of Botnet Footprints

Abstract : In this paper, we describe a Guilt-by-Association approach to determining botnet footprint starting from a subset of known domains belonging to a specific botnet, and demonstrate our approach using recent botnets. Our empirical results leverage the botnet database that we have collected over a period of 12 months with our real-time fast flux network detection algorithm [1]. Botnets exploit a network of compromised machines (zombies) for illegal activities such as Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks, spam campaigns, phishing scams and malware delivery using DNS record manipulation techniques. Our results, which build upon our behaviour [2] and social network analysis [3] results, show that it is possible to identify a large portion of a botnet once a small segment of that botnet is identified through manual means, and to explain the differences in botnet footprint prediction using our proposed connectivity metric.
On lessons learned from A. A. Milne with contributions from Winnie the Pooh

No matter how many courses, semesters and years pass by, I never seem to reach Christopher Robin's state of self-assurance. I am continually baffled by the challenge of determining "the best" method for organizing an HCI course and, like Eeyore, am never quite satisfied to remain with the status quo. So what's the big deal?
State Governments as Financiers of Technology Startups: Implications for Firm Performance

U.S. state governments are active financiers of new science and technology companies. Yet little is known about the effects of state R&D funding on the performance of recipient ventures. This study provides new evidence based on competitive R&D awards administered by the state of Michigan from 2002 through 2008. We find strong and compelling evidence that state R&D awards enhanced the commercial viability (i.e., survival) of recipient firms, suggesting a relaxation of financial constraints. Among firms with scores near the discontinuous funding threshold, our estimates suggest that awardees were 15% to 25% more likely to survive three years after the competition than otherwise comparable applicants that sought but failed to receive an award. We also find that receipt of state R&D funding enhanced the follow-on financing for these new ventures, but only for those with more onerous information challenges in entrepreneurial capital markets.
Compressing Deep Neural Networks: A New Hashing Pipeline Using Kac's Random Walk Matrices

The popularity of deep learning is increasing by the day. However, despite the recent advancements in hardware, deep neural networks remain computationally intensive. Recent work has shown that by preserving the angular distance between vectors, random feature maps are able to reduce dimensionality without introducing bias to the estimator. We test a variety of established hashing pipelines as well as a new approach using Kac's random walk matrices. We demonstrate that this method achieves similar accuracy to existing pipelines.
Driving brand value : using integrated marketing to manage profitable stakeholder relationships

This practical, "hands-on" guide to integrated marketing (IM) shows how it can enable companies to strategically use new database management systems and communication technologies to cost effectively, measure and control what until now has been considered the "intangible" side of business. Areas covered include: how to recognize the seven red flags of Marketing Dis-Integration; the 10 strategic drivers of IM; how to use "Mission Marketing" to achieve corporate goals; how to manage a brand's total "communication package"; and 20 tough questions to ask when looking for an IM agency.
Does Sonographic Needle Guidance Affect the Clinical Outcome of Intraarticular Injections?

Objective. This randomized controlled study addressed whether sonographic needle guidance affected clinical outcomes of intraarticular (IA) joint injections. Methods. In total, 148 painful joints were randomized to IA triamcinolone acetonide injection by conventional palpation-guided anatomic injection or sonographic image-guided injection enhanced with a one-handed control syringe (the reciprocating device). A one-needle, 2-syringe technique was used, where the first syringe was used to introduce the needle, aspirate any effusion, and anesthetize and dilate the IA space with lidocaine. After IA placement and synovial space dilation were confirmed, a syringe exchange was performed, and corticosteroid was injected with the second syringe through the indwelling IA needle. Baseline pain, procedural pain, pain at outcome (2 weeks), and changes in pain scores were measured with a 0–10 cm visual analog pain scale (VAS). Results. Relative to conventional palpation-guided methods, sonographic guidance resulted in 43.0% reduction in procedural pain (p < 0.001), 58.5% reduction in absolute pain scores at the 2 week outcome (p < 0.001), 75% reduction in significant pain (VAS pain score ≥ 5 cm; p < 0.001), 25.6% increase in the responder rate (reduction in VAS score ≥ 50% from baseline; p < 0.01), and 62.0% reduction in the nonresponder rate (reduction in VAS score < 50% from baseline; p < 0.01). Sonography also increased detection of effusion by 200% and volume of aspirated fluid by 337%. Conclusion. Sonographic needle guidance significantly improves the performance and outcomes of outpatient IA injections in a clinically significant manner.
Varenicline for smoking cessation: Is it a heartbreaker?

See related research article by Singh and colleagues on page [1359][1] and at [www.cmaj. ca/lookup/doi/10.1503/cmaj.110218][2] and related letters on page [1404][3]. In this issue of CMAJ , Singh and colleagues[1][4] present a meta-analysis assessing the risk of serious adverse cardiovascular events
Fetal and postnatal development of palmar, plantar, and digital pads, and flexion creases of the rat (Rattus norvegicus)

Fetal development of the hands and feet of rats was investigated to determine the feasibility of using rats as an experimental model for studying the factors influencing early development of the hands and feet, and especially the dermatoglyphics in humans. Eighty rat fetuses of 14–21 days gestational age and 80 newborn rats of 0–7 days of age were used to study the morphological features of the palmar, plantar, and digital areas and to determine the timing of appearance and the location of the volar pads and flexion creases. Comparisons between analogous developmental stages of rat and human fetuses demonstrate striking similarities in overall fetal development. Marked differences, however, were found between rat and human fetuses in the timing of developmental milestones and in some morphological features. The results indicate that rats can serve as a useful experimental model in studies of the utility of the epidermal ridge configurations and flexion creases in medical disorders, provided that the differences in the timing of development are taken into consideration. © 1996 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Pregnancy Outcomes Following Use of Escitalopram: A Prospective Comparative Cohort Study

Escitalopram is a serotonin reuptake inhibitor prescribed for depression and anxiety. There is a paucity of information regarding safety in pregnancy. The objective of this study was to determine whether escitalopram is associated with an increased risk for major malformations or other adverse outcomes following use in pregnancy. The authors analyzed pregnancy outcomes in women exposed to escitalopram (n = 212) versus other antidepressants (n = 212) versus nonteratogenic exposures (n = 212) and compared the outcomes. Among the escitalopram exposures were 172 (81%) live births, 32 (15%) spontaneous abortions, 6 (2.8%) therapeutic abortions, 3 stillbirths (1.7%), and 3 major malformations (1.7%). The only significant differences among groups was the rate of low birth weight (<2500 g) and overall mean birth weight (P = .225). However, spontaneous abortion rates were higher in both antidepressant groups (15% and 16%) compared with controls (8.5%; P = .066). There were lower rates of live births (P = .006), lower overall birth weight (P <.001), and increased rates of low birth weight (<2500 g; P = .009) with escitalopram. Spontaneous abortion rates were nearly double in both antidepressant groups (15% and 16%) compared with controls (8.5%) but not significant (P = .066). Escitalopram does not appear to be associated with an increased risk for major malformations but appears to increase the risk for low birth weight, which was correlated with the increase in infants weighing <2500 g. In addition, the higher rates of spontaneous abortions in both antidepressant groups confirmed previous findings.
Experience, Information Asymmetry and Rational Forecast Deviation

Using a stylized construct where analysts wish to minimize their forecasting error, we model forecasted earnings when firm characteristics and prior forecasts are public information but analysts can gain private information by appeasing management via deviating from the consensus. Combining endogenously acquired private information with consensus beliefs, analysts determine the optimal forecast deviation. We analytically show and empirically verify that the degree of rational deviation is influenced by analysts' experience and the degree of information asymmetry about the firm's prospects. An analyst's rational deviation increases with information asymmetry, but is concavely related with experience, i.e., deviation increases with analyst experience but actually decreases when an analyst is a novice or highly seasoned.
Minoxidil topical treatment may be more efficient if applied on damp scalp in comparison with dry scalp

There is yet no consensus among prescribers whether minoxidil (MXD) formulations should be applied on wet/damp or dry scalp and no clear FDA guidelines on the matter. We hypothesized that the use of MXD on damp scalp may lead to higher drug penetration. First, because the drug diffusion and consequent deposition into the hair follicle may be favored when follicle cast is humid. Second, because humidity may also prevent drug crystallization and, therefore, maintain a higher thermodynamic activity for longer periods, which leads to increased penetration. Following in vitro experiments on rat and porcine skin we confirmed the hypothesis, which could markedly improve treatment effectiveness.
Isolation and infusion of donor CD34+ bone marrow cells in cadaver kidney transplantation.

BACKGROUND Infusion of donor bone marrow cells induces tolerance in allograft models. CD34+ stem cells present in human bone marrow could be endowed with tolerogenic properties. METHODS CD34+ stem cells were isolated from bone marrow extracted from vertebral bodies of cadaveric donors. Donor CD34+ cells (0.6-3.7 x 10(6)/kg) were infused during surgery in 10 kidney transplant recipients receiving OKT3 as induction therapy. Chimerism was investigated using nested PCR for donor-specific HLA alleles. RESULTS The infusion of CD34+ stem cells was perfectly tolerated. Five patients remained free of acute rejection at follow-up, 47-325 days post-operatively. The five other patients underwent a single episode of corticosensitive acute rejection. Long-term chimerism was not induced in the seven patients investigated for the persistence of donor DNA. CONCLUSIONS Infusion of donor CD34+ stem cells in kidney transplantation is safe. The clinical usefulness of the procedure remains to be established.
Oleic acid vs saline solution lung lavage-induced acute lung injury: effects on lung morphology, pressure-volume relationships, and response to positive end-expiratory pressure.

OBJECTIVE To compare two lung injury models (oleic acid [OA] and saline solution washout [SW]) regarding lung morphology, regional inflation, and recruitment during static pressure-volume (PV) curves, and the effects of positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) below and above the lower inflection point (Pflex). METHODS Fourteen adult pigs underwent OA or SW lung injury. Lung volumes were measured using CT. PV curves were obtained with simultaneous CT scanning at lung apex and base. Fractional inflation and recruitment were compared to data on PEEP above and below Pflex. RESULTS Severity of lung injury was comparable. At zero PEEP, SW showed an increased amount of edema and poorly aerated lung volume, recruitment during inspiration, and a better oxygenation response with PEEP. Whole-lung PV curves were similar in both models, reflecting changes in alveolar inflation or deflation. On the inspiratory PV limb, recruitment and inflation were on the same line, while there was a substantial difference between deflation and derecruitment on the expiratory limb. PEEP-induced recruitment at lung apex and base was at or above the derecruitment line on the expiratory limb and showed no relationship to the whole-lung expiratory PV curve. CONCLUSIONS The following conclusions were made: (1) OA and SW models are comparable in mechanics but not in lung injury characteristics; (2) neither inspiratory nor expiratory whole-lung PV curves are useful to select PEEP in order to optimize recruitment; and (3) after recruitment, there is no difference in derecruitment between the models at high PEEP, while more collapse occurs at lower PEEP in the basal sections of SW lungs.
The Service Quality and Its Influence in Expectations and Satisfaction Levels of the Consumers of Educational Services in the Business Schools

Nowadays, quality has become highly important, and many decisions regarding consumption are based on the degree of satisfaction obtained when experiencing products and services supplied by a business. For this reason, it is essential for the supply of such products (in the case of this research, educational services) not only to be of quality, but also to be capable of meeting consumer’s expectations. For that reason, the authors want to explain how the quality of service and the expectations has a direct influence in the satisfaction levels of the consumers. Based on the above, a model is presented that attempts to explain how the various elements that are involved in the process of expectation disconfirmation affect consumer-based decisions. To contrast the model empirically, information was gathered from students of a Business School located in Alicante, Spain. To achieve this, a measuring instrument was developed and validated, with which 264 valid questionnaires were gathered. Statistical analysis was carried out using SPSS and EQS. The statistical method used to analyze data was the Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). The result obtained is the role and the direct effect that expectations and the quality of educational services play in the satisfaction levels obtained and in client loyalty.
Localization by Hybrid TOA, AOA and DSF Estimation in NLOS Environments

Under the assumption of single bounce channel model, the position and velocity of a mobile station (MS) can be determined by time of arrival (TOA), angle of arrival (AOA) and doppler-shifted frequency (DSF) measurements at three base stations (BSs) when line of sight (LOS) paths between the three BSs and the MS are all blocked. The equations relating the measured TOAs, AOAs and DSFs to the location parameters are nonlinear and under-determined which are hard to solve. A novel grid search method which requires only two-dimensional search in x-y coordinates and achieves good location accuracy is presented. Simulation results verify the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Validation of a New Arabic Version of the Neuropathic Pain Diagnostic Questionnaire (DN4)

The “Douleur Neuropathique 4 (DN4) questionnaire” was developed for screening neuropathic pain. The purpose of this work was to validate the DN4 questionnaire in the standard Arabic language. First, the questionnaire was translated and semantically adapted to Arabic according to the international guidelines for cross‐cultural adaptation. Second, a prospective observational study was performed to validate this questionnaire.