Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cruise passengers’ expenditures

Cruise passengers’ expenditures in the city ports are an important economic incentive for local tourism and related industry sectors. A complex evaluation of the volume and structure of cruise passengers’ expenditures contributes to further development of the tourism and travel-related services, generates an increase of cruise passengers’ expenditures and enriches the cruise tourist industry as a whole. This theoretically and practically studied topic is of crucial importance for the further adequate development of the cruise port tourist services supply, which serves to the overall satisfaction of the cruise passengers. This article focuses on cruise passengers’ expenditures in the Port of Koper. The results highlight that gender, nationality, experience regarding the transport services and motives for disembark have statistically significant effect on cruise passenger expenditures.
Detection of myeloma in skeleton of mice by whole-body optical fluorescence imaging

Development of new therapies for myeloma has been hindered by the lack of suitable preclinical animal models of the disease in which widespread tumor foci in the skeleton can be detected reliably. Traditional means of detecting skeletal tumor infiltration such as histopathology are cumbersome and labor-intensive and do not allow temporal monitoring of tumor progression or regression in response to therapy. To resolve this problem, we modified the Radl 5TGM1 model of myeloma bone disease such that fluorescent myeloma tumors can be optically imaged in situ. Here, we show that murine myeloma 5TGM1 tumor cells, engineered to express enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP; 5TGM1-eGFP cells), can be imaged in a temporal fashion using a fluorescence illuminator and a charge-coupled device camera in skeletons of live C57BL/KaLwRij mice. High-resolution, whole-body images of tumor-bearing mice revealed that myeloma cells homed almost exclusively to the skeleton, with multiple focal tumor foci in the axial skeleton, consistent with myeloma tumor distribution in humans. Finally, the tested antitumor treatment effect of Velcade (bortezomib), a proteasome inhibitor used clinically in myeloma, was readily detected by GFP imaging, suggesting the power of the technique in combination with the Radl 5TGM1-eGFP model for rapid preclinical assessment and sensitive monitoring of novel and potential therapeutics. Whole-body GFP imaging is practical, convenient, inexpensive, and rapid, and these advantages should enable a high throughput when evaluating in vivo efficacy of new potential antimyeloma therapeutics and assessing response to treatment. [Mol Cancer Ther 2007;6(6):1701–8]
Variable response to exogenous Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM® consumed in different delivery vehicles

Aims: To study the effects of the delivery vehicle for Lactobacillus acidophilus on the human faecal microbiota. Our hypotheses were that (i) the delivery vehicle would influence faecal lactobacilli numbers and (ii) consumption of Lact. acidophilus would influence the populations of Bifidobacterium and hydrogen sulphide‐producing bacteria.
A look inside the courtroom: an analysis of 292 cosmetic breast surgery medical malpractice cases.

BACKGROUND Malpractice claims affect the cost and quality of health care. OBJECTIVE The authors examine litigation in cosmetic breast surgery and identify factors influencing malpractice litigation outcomes. METHODS The Westlaw database was searched for jury verdict and settlement reports related to medical malpractice and cosmetic breast surgeries. Cases included for analysis were examined for year, geographic location, patient demographics, procedure performed, alleged injury, causes of action, verdict, and indemnity payments. RESULTS Of 292 cases, the most common injury sustained was disfigurement (53.1%). Negligent misrepresentation had a 98% greater chance of resolution in favor of the plaintiff (relative risk [RR], 1.98; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.41-2.79), and fraud had a 92% greater chance of disposition in favor of the plaintiff (RR, 1.92; 95% CI, 1.32-2.80). The most common causes of action cited were negligence (88.7%) and lack of informed consent (43.8%). One hundred sixty-nine (58.3%) cases resulted in favor of the defendant and 121 (41.7%) cases were disposed in favor of the plaintiff; 97 (33.4%) cases resulted in damages awarded and 24 (8.3%) cases resulted in settlement. No significant difference was found between the medians of indemnity payments awarded to plaintiffs ($245 000) and settlements ($300 000). CONCLUSIONS Based on this study, negligent or intentional misrepresentation strongly favors plaintiffs in either awarded damages or settlements in cases of cosmetic breast surgery litigation. This study emphasizes that transparency and adequate communication are at the crux of the physician-patient relationship and are tools by which plastic surgeons may reduce the frequency of litigations, thereby containing health care costs at a minimum.
An Analysis of the Effects on Application of Management Accounting Information Systems and Quality Management Accounting Information

The study aims to prove empirically; (i) the influence of the business environment for the application of management accounting information systems; (ii) the influence of ethics on the application of management accounting information systems; (iii) the influence of organizational culture on the implementation of management accounting information systems; and (iv) the effect of the application of management accounting information system on the quality of management accounting information. The motivation of this study due to a phenomenon of having an integration on management accounting information system whereby the information generated is not qualified, as well as the uncertainty of business environment, ethics and organizational culture which are yet to have optimal conditions. The method used is explanatory research with a survey approach, using a statistical tool of SEM Partial Linear Regression, with the aim to obtain facts concerning the occurance of phenomena, seek actual and systematic information on the application of management accounting information systems, and the quality of accounting information management. The results showed that all variable of the business environment, ethics, organizational culture affect the application of accounting information management system; and the application of management accounting information system affects the quality of information management accounting.
Therapeutic time window of low‐frequency stimulation at entorhinal cortex for amygdaloid‐kindling seizures in rats

The present study was designed to determine whether low‐frequency stimulation (LFS) of the entorhinal cortex (EC) has an anticonvulsive effect, and whether LFS delivered at different times plays different roles. We found that LFS of the EC immediately or 4 s after kindling stimulation had an anticonvulsive effect, and that the latter had a better effect on both kindling and kindled seizures. However, LFS delivered after the cessation of afterdischarge or 10 s after the kindling stimulation, augmented the epileptic activity. So the EC is a potential target for LFS to interfere with epilepsy. Our findings suggest that even in the duration of afterdischarge, there exists a “time window” for LFS treatment, indicating that the time delay of closed‐loop stimulation is crucial for LFS treatment.
Routine removal of the plate after surgical treatment for mandibular angle fracture with a third molar in relation to the fracture line

Purpose: The purpose was to analyze the clinical course of surgically treated mandibular angle fractures from the viewpoint of routine removal of the plate because these fractures are associated with high rates of complications and plate removal. Subjects and Methods: The subjects were 40 patients with unilateral mandibular angle fracture, which was intraorally reduced and principally fixed with a single miniplate on the external oblique ridge. The third molar in relation to the fracture line was extracted in seven patients during the surgery. Clinical course was evaluated in terms of removal of the plate, preservation of the third molar and complications. Results: One patient showed a wound infection postoperatively, and two patients developed pericoronitis during the follow-up. These were managed with medication and local irrigation. One patient with a preserved third molar did not make a required visit and was lost from the follow-up. Removal of the plates was performed in 39 patients after confirmation of good fracture healing, mostly within a year. Twenty-four of 32 preserved third molars were simultaneously extracted. These procedures were generally performed under local anesthesia on an outpatient basis, and they did not cause any complications. Conclusions: Routine removal of the plate after surgical treatment for mandibular angle fractures, simultaneously with extraction of the third molar if indicated, may be beneficial to avoid complications related to the plate and the third molar later in life.
Evaluation of pumice, fissure enameloplasty and air abrasion on sealant microleakage.

PURPOSE The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate microleakage of pit and fissure sealants after using three different pit and fissure preparation techniques: (1) traditional pumice prophylaxis and acid etching, (2) fissure enameloplasty and acid etching and (3) air abrasion and acid etching. METHODS Sixty extracted third molars with no clinical evidence of caries were randomly divided into 3 groups of 20 each. Teeth were prepared using 1 of 3 occlusal surface treatments prior to placement of Delton opaque light-cured sealant. The teeth were thermocycled between 5 +/- 2 degrees C and 55 +/- 2 degrees C for 500 cycles with a dwell time of 30 seconds and then stored in 0.9% normal saline. All teeth were sealed apically and coated within 1.5 mm of the sealant margin with two layers of nail varnish. The teeth were immersed in a 1% solution of methylene blue for 24 hours to allow dye penetration into possible gaps between enamel and sealant. Three buccolingual cuts parallel to the long axis of the tooth were made yielding 4 sections and 6 surfaces per tooth for analysis. The surfaces were scored 0 to 3 for extent of microleakage using a binocular microscope at 25X magnification. RESULTS Kruskal-Wallis and t tests revealed no significant difference in microleakage between the 3 fissure preparation methods prior to sealant placement. CONCLUSIONS Neither air abrasion nor enameloplasty followed by acid etching produced significantly less microleakage than the traditional pumice prophylaxis with acid etching technique.
Hemorrhagic fever virus-induced changes in hemostasis and vascular biology

Viral hemorrhagic fever (VHF) denotes a virus-induced acute febrile, hemorrhagic disease reported from wide areas of the world. Hemorrhagic fever (HF) viruses are encapsulated, single-stranded RNA viruses that are associated with insect or rodent vectors whose interaction with humans defines the mode of disease transmission. There are 14 HF viruses, which belong to four viral families: Arenaviridae, Bunyaviridae, Filoviridae and Flaviviridae. This review presents, in order, the following aspects of VHF: (1) epidemiology, (2) anomalies of platelets and coagulation factors, (3) vasculopathy, (4) animal models of VHFs, (5) pathogenic mechanisms, and (6) treatment and future studies. HF viruses produce the manifestations of VHFs either by direct effects on cellular functions or by activation of immune and inflammatory pathways. In Lassa fever, Rift Valley fever and Crimean–Congo HF, the main feature of fatal illness appears to be impaired/delayed cellular immunity, which leads to unchecked viremia. However, in HF with renal syndrome and dengue HF, the immune response plays an active role in disease pathogenesis. The interplay of hemostasis, immune response, and inflammation is very complex. Molecular biologic techniques and the use of animal models have helped to unravel some of these interactions.
Flux-based control of PMSM

With increasing performance of magnet material and decreasing cost permanent magnet synchronous machines (PMSM) become more and more important for practical use in light railway and e-car applications. Excellent torque dynamics are extremely important in these applications - not because of acceleration or deceleration, but to meet additional demands as slip-slide protection and electronic stability control. Dynamics are limited by the rating and the switching frequency of the converter. Therefore, the control has to make optimal use of these limited resources. This paper presents a stator-flux based control scheme for PMSM which gives the maximum physically possible dynamics with regard to the limitations stated above. It bases on the indirect stator control (ISC) scheme for asynchronous machines and is similar to the virtual-grid-flux-based control of active front end converters (AFE). The simulation results presented are based on a simulation structure which is verified by measurement and simulation carried out at an AFE.
The Experiences of Poor Children beyond Poverty: The Case of Children Supported by Genete Eyesus Child and Family Development Program

This research aims to understand the experience of poor children beyond poverty who are supported by Genete Eyesus Child and Family Development Program. Data were gathered using in-depth interview and observation. A total of 10 respondents, between 14 to 18 years of age were used. The research employed qualitative, descriptive phenomenological approach to describe the experience of poor children. Children considered in this study shared their life experience as a life lacking happiness. The children blame their families for the challenges they face in life and for their unhappy life. The study revealed that shouldering household responsibilities and burdens, absence of parental support, social discrimination, sexual harassment by their own biological parent, and lack and denial of acceptance for their ideas within the family are challenges of the children that had left a negative print in their minds. The main challenges that poor children are facing in their daily lives include: missing basic needs, receiving inappropriate treatment and being exposed to various types of abuses and neglect. The study indicated that even though children are affected by lack of materials, they prioritize love and care from parents and society as a major risk factor to their wellbeing. Children from their own parents and caregivers in the households appear to be abused emotionally and physically. Children who lack family love and care tried to commit suicide, desire to commit patricide and matricide, feel lonely, depressed due to the influence they face in their household and society. Poor children are not passive victims of various socio cultural induced challenges. They actively employ coping strategies such as praying, peer support, and performing different mental relaxation activities to tackle their problems. However, there is minimal counseling service and no recreation activities in the studied organization that is necessary to help the affected children, which requires proper intervention in the area to improve the wellbeing of the affected children.
Respiratory muscle training in patients submitted to coronary arterial bypass graft.

OBJECTIVES 1) To demonstrate the impaired ventilatory capacity during the post operatory period, in patients submitted to coronary arterial bypass graft surgery (CABG). 2) To test the hypothesis that the respiratory muscle training (RMT), performed after the surgery, may increase the ventilatory capacity in this population. METHODS Thirty-eight patients (age: 65 ± 7 years, 29 male), whose underwent CABG with extra-corporeal circulation. Patients were randomized in two groups: 23 patients in the RMT group and 15 in the control group (CO). RMT group received conventional physiotherapy plus RMT. The CO group received the conventional physiotherapy. Evaluated parameters: maximum inspiratory and expiratory pressures (MIP) (MEP), dyspnea (Borg), peak expiratory flow (PEF), pain, tidal volume and hospitalization days. Measures were performed at pre, first post operatory day and also at the patients discharge from the hospital). RESULTS MIP and MEP in the RMT group were higher when compared with CO at the patients discharge (MIP: 90 ± 26 vs. 55 ± 38 cmH2O, P = 0.01) (MEP: 99 ± 30 vs. 53 ± 26 cmH2O, P = 0.02). The PEF was higher after hospitalization in the RMT group (237 ± 93 vs. 157 ± 102 lpm, P=0.02). Tidal volume was also higher in the RMT group at discharge (0.71 ± 0.21 vs. 0.44 ± 0.12 liters, P = 0,00). No differences were observed among the groups in the aspects: admission days, dyspnea and pain. CONCLUSIONS Patients submitted to CABG presents an impaired respiratory muscle strength in their post operatory. RMT performed in this phase was effective to restore the ventilatory capacity in the following parameters: MIP, MEP, PEF and tidal volume, in this group of patients.
Estrogen dependent activation function of ERβ is essential for the sexual behavior of mouse females

We previously generated and characterized a genuine estrogen receptor (ER) β-null mouse line (named ERβSTL−/L−) and showed that ERβSTL−/L− mice were sterile, due to an ovulation impairment in females and to an unknown reason in males, as their reproductive organs and spermatozoid motility appeared normal. We report here an assessment of the sexual behavior of ERβSTL−/L− null mice. We found that ERβSTL−/L− males display mildly impaired sexual behavior and that ERβSTL−/L− females are significantly less receptive and less attractive than wild-type (WT) females. Decreased attractivity is also exhibited by ERβAF20 but not by ERβAF10 mutant females (females devoid of either AF2 or AF1 activation function of ERβ). Interestingly, by using an odor preference test, we have determined that the low attractiveness of ERβSTL−/L− and ERβAF20 females is related to a deficiency of a volatile chemosignal.
Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunts in liver transplant recipients: technical analysis and clinical outcome.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study is to compare the technical success of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) in transplanted versus nontransplanted livers and to assess the clinical outcome of TIPS in liver transplant recipients. MATERIALS AND METHODS A retrospective audit of patients receiving a TIPS was performed in two institutions during 1996-2009. The technical success of the TIPS was compared for transplanted versus nontransplanted livers. Clinical success was defined as graft survival longer than 1 month with improvement in symptoms. The cohort was divided into grafts that survived less than 3 months versus 3 months or more. The model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) scores and portosystemic gradients before and after TIPS creation were evaluated for predictive value for graft survival. The TIPS stent type, MELD scores and portosystemic gradients before and after TIPS creation, and causes of liver disease were evaluated for their predictive value for ascites response after TIPS creation. RESULTS Thirty-nine TIPS in transplanted livers were found, representing 5.5% (39/715) of all TIPS procedures performed and 2.0% (39/1992) of all liver transplant recipients. Ninety percent of TIPS in transplanted livers had ascites. The median time from transplant to creation of the TIPS was 29 months (2-127 months). The median MELD score was 16 before and 22 after the TIPS procedure. The technical success rates for TIPS were 97% (38/39) in transplanted livers versus 97% (657/676) in nontransplanted livers (p = 1.00). Intent-to-treat clinical success rates were 36% for all indications versus 31% for ascites only. There were no predictors for ascites response. Six-, 12-, and 24-month graft survival rates were 43%, 32%, and 22%, respectively. One-year graft survival for a MELD score less than 17 versus a score of 17 or higher was 54% versus 8%, respectively (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION Transplantation does not pose a technical challenge to TIPS creation. One third of patients have a favorable outcome. MELD score is the only predictor of graft survival.
Clara Cell Secretory Protein (CC16): Features as a Peripheral Lung Biomarker

Abstract: Clara cell protein (CC16 or CC10) is a 15.8‐kDa protein secreted all along the tracheobronchial tree and especially in the terminal bronchioles where Clara cells are localized. Even though the exact in vivo function of CC16 remains to be clarified, evidence is accumulating that CC16 plays an important protective role in the respiratory tract against oxidative stress and inflammatory response. CC16, however, presents also a major interest as a peripheral lung marker for assessing the cellular integrity or the permeability of the lung epithelium. The serum concentrations of CC16 are decreased in subjects with chronic lung damage caused by tobacco smoke and other air pollutants as a consequence of the destruction of Clara Icells. By contrast, serum CC16 increases in acute or chronic lung disorders characterized by an increased airways permeability. The sensitivity of serum CC16 to an increased leakiness of the lung allows for the detection of defects of the epithelial barrier at ozone levels below current air‐quality guidelines. Although the clinical significance of these early epithelial changes detected by serum CC16 remains to be determined, these results clearly show that the assay in serum of lung secretory proteins such as CC16 represents a new noninvasive approach to evaluate the integrity of the respiratory tract.
Effects of photoperiod on hypothalamic luteinizing hormone releasing hormone in the male hamster.

Male hamsters were maintained on long (14 h light : 10 h darkness; 14L : 10D) or short (6L : 18D) photoperiods. Animals on short-days had reduced levels of LH in the serum and anterior pituitary gland, decreased androgen in the circulation and regressed testes and accessory sex organs. These same hamsters had significantly raised concentrations of hypothalamic luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LH-RH). There was no significant difference in the response to exogenous LH-RH between groups maintained on long- and short-days. Castration significantly reduced levels of LH-RH in the hypothalamus in the long-day animals but had little effect on this parameter in short-day animals which had already undergone testicular regression. The increased levels of LH-RH in the hyothalami of both intact and castrated hamsters on non-stimulatory photoperiods is interpreted as a decreased release of the neurohormone which subsequently results in a decreased release of LH.