Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Appendicitis in pregnancy, Diagnosis, management and complications

BACKGROUND Acute appendicitis is the most common surgical emergency in pregnancy. The purpose of this study is to investigate the clinical presentation, management and outcome in patients who underwent appendectomy during pregnancy. MATERIAL AND METHODS The case records of 56 women who underwent appendectomy during pregnancy between January 1985 and December 1997 were reviewed and analyzed. RESULTS The incidence of appendicitis in pregnancy was one in 766 births. The preoperative diagnosis was correct in 75% of the cases. Uterine contractions and a history of diffuse or periumbilical pain migrating to the right lower abdominal quadrant were significantly more frequent among women with appendicitis compared to those patients where the appendectomy revealed a normal appendices. Abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, leukocyte count, CRP and body temperature were not helpful in establishing the correct diagnosis. There was no maternal morbidity related to the appendectomy. Pregnancy complications were found to be considerable: 4/12 (33%) who underwent appendectomy for appendicitis during the first trimester aborted spontaneously. Second trimester appendectomy for appendicitis was followed by premature delivery in 4/28 (14%). However, no pregnancy complications were observed following third trimester appendectomy for appendicitis. We found no increase in pregnancy complications in cases with perforated appendicitis. CONCLUSION Appendicitis in pregnancy should be suspected when a pregnant woman complains of new abdominal pain. No laboratory finding was found to be diagnostic for acute appendicitis during pregnancy. Considerable fetal loss was found after appendectomy during pregnancy in the first and second trimester. No increase in pregnancy complications in cases with perforated appendicitis was observed. The combination of symptoms and clinical judgement is still vital in deciding which patient needs surgical treatment. Based on the results in the present study we recommend prophylactic antibiotic treatment in all laparotomies during pregnancy when appendicitis is suspected.
Trolleybuses in Smart Grids as effective strategy to reduce greenhouse emissions

This paper analyses the need of reintroduce electric transportation systems in countries that abandoned these modes and brings a methodology to assess the effectiveness of the electrification in terms of global warming mitigation. The potential interaction of grid connected vehicles and Smart Grids is presented among some ideas related to features that could be developed for massive transportation systems based on electric traction. As will be presented, Smart Grids could help to accelerate the electrification of transportation systems and the electrification could be used to accelerate the introduction of Smart grids. As reference cases in Colombia and Ecuador will be taken.
Interactions between Non-Discrimination Laws and Socioeconomic Status of Sexual Minorities

At its core, this project analyzes the interactions between state non-discrimination laws and the socioeconomic status of same-sex households in the United States. There is a large body of work examining the earnings gap for sexual minorities, but there is a dearth in studies looking at the effect of such protective laws. Using annual American Community Survey (ACS) data from 2000 to 2016, we examine the personal total income, household income, and unemployment in the ten states experiencing relevant reform. This study has two main findings. First, we confirm that sexual minorities experience substantial earnings differences, finding that lesbian women experience an income premium of 32.2 percent and gay men face an income penalty of 21.4 percent. Second, we find that non-discrimination laws seem to be decreasing the pay gap in both directions, shrinking the lesbian premium by 6.7 percent and the gay penalty by 12.1 percent. While we are unable to say these effects are causal, in the context of a history of wage penalties for gay males and wage premiums for lesbian women, protective reforms are positively and strongly correlated with closing the lesbian and gay income gap. From these main findings we are left with additional questions including: why does the lesbian premium exist, and why do protective reforms seem to chip away at it? While we review some relevant theories and offer our own, in the end these findings remain a puzzle.
Toward a dynamic model of organizational resilience

Purpose This study aims to examine contemporary research on organizational resilience and then propose an integrated dynamic model to study organizational resilience with a more inclusive concept and future research agenda developed. Design/methodology/approach This conceptual paper uses the literature review method to analyze and categorize current research on organizational resilience, and then based on the analysis of existing organizational resilience studies, this paper proposes an integrated model for a more inclusive and integrated concept of organizational resilience with refined future research directions. Findings A thorough analysis of current organizational resilience research shows that existing studies on organizational resilience have largely focused on isolated dimensions by treating organizational resilience as a state rather than a dynamic capability. This paper proposes that an integrated concept of organizational resilience consists of three dimensions including cognitive, behavioral and contextual resilience, and this dynamic capability should be examined from three different levels, including individual, group and organizational levels to better conceptualize organizational resilience and for better applicability in management practice. Originality/value The past decades have seen increasing interests in organizational resilience both from academic scholars and from management practitioners. However, research on this emerging field remains fragmented, and there is little consensus on the conceptualization of organizational resilience. This study contributes to the literature by thoroughly examining current research on organizational resilience and proposes an integrated dynamic model to study organizational resilience.
Exploring the Glocal Competence of Students Through the Global LeadershipCenter : A Qualitative Case Study on the Lived Experience of Graduates

AYITEY, KOBINA , Ed.D. , May, 2018, Educational Administration Exploring the Glocal Competence of Students Through the Global Leadership Center : A Qualitative Case Study on the Lived Experience of Graduates Director ofDissertation: Emmanuel Jean-Francois The purpose of this study was to understand the meaning of glocal competence through the lived experiences of alumni from the Global Leadership Center (GLC) at a Midwestern University in the U.S. The GLC is an undergraduate certificate program, which purports to provide opportunities to internationalize curricula across campus and the necessary avenue for undergraduate students to complement their degree programs. Further, the program is intended to provide students with opportunities to be globally minded and locally engaged through “active learning projectand team-based learning concepts from problem-based-learning-pedagogy (PBL)” (GLC, 2004, p.4) with a focused on international themes. Jean-Francois’ (2015) glocal competence theory and conceptual framework informed the study. Using the GLC as a qualitative case study, this research explored the perceived glocal competence of 10 graduates based on their lived experiences in such program. In other words, this study drew from the experiences of students who have participated in the GLC program. The findings revealed that graduates of the GLC perceived that they developed glocal competencies (attitudes, knowledge, skills, and understanding), which enabled them to be effective in both global and local contexts.
Robert Torrens and the Ricardian model of dynamic equilibrium growth

ABSTRACT This paper reconstructs Torrens's dynamic theory of distribution which is based on three notions of wages. In the early stages of growth, capital increases faster than population, so the actual wage rises above the minimum. Thereafter, the economy grows with a tendency for the population to increase faster than the capital while limiting the actual wage below the decreasing maximum until it enters a stationary state and the actual wage and profit rates are reduced to their minimum. Such a theory has been attributed to Ricardo by some scholars, but Torrens proposed a more fully developed account than Ricardo's.
Thrombophilic mutations in high-risk atrial fibrillation patients: high prevalence of prothrombin gene G20210A polymorphism and lack of correlation with thromboembolism

Summary Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common arrhythmia that results in a high risk of cerebral and peripheral embolism. Factor V Leiden and factor II G20210A variant are two leading conditions for venous thrombosis. The aim of our study was to find out whether these two common prothrombotic mutations play a role in the occurrence of embolic events in AF patients. We investigated 336 non-valvular AF patients and 336 healthy control subjects. Factor II G20210A variant was found in 24/336 patients (7.14%) and in 11/336 of control subjects (3.3%). At a multivariate analysis, factor II G20210A variant was independently associated to AF (OR 2.4 95% CI 1.1-5.2; p<0.05). No significant difference was observed in the prevalence of factor V Leiden in the two groups investigated [6/304 (2.0%) in patients vs 13/336 (3.9%) in controls (p=0.24)]. AF patients were separately analyzed in relation to the occurrence or absence of a cerebral or peripheral embolic event (200 with and 136 without embolic event). The prevalence of the two mutations among AF patients with and without an embolic event was similar [factor II G20210A polymorphism (7% and 7.3% respectively) and factor V Leiden (1.2% and 2.9%, respectively)]. No differences were found in relation to the type of embolic event. Our results suggest a possible relationship between the presence of prothrombin gene variant and AF per se.
Metabolism of ferulic acid during growth of Lactobacillus plantarum and Lactobacillus collinoides.

BACKGROUND Food-isolated lactic acid bacteria can transform ferulic acid (FA) into several products. Since quantification of these metabolites during the different bacterial growth phases is lacking, the aim of this study was to identify and quantify conversion products of FA and to follow the kinetics of FA metabolism during growth of Lactobacillus plantarum and Lactobacillus collinoides. RESULTS Lactobacillus plantarum and Lactobacillus collinoides were incubated in MRS broth, to which different amounts of FA were added (final concentrations of 0, 0.5, 1.5 and 3 mmol L⁻¹), at 30 °C until the late stationary phase. Lactobacillus plantarum metabolised FA into 4-vinylguaiacol (4-VG) and hydroferulic acid (HFA). Conversion to 4-VG started simultaneously with the degradation of FA, while formation of HFA started in the mid-exponential phase. Lactobacillus collinoides only formed 4-VG, mainly in the stationary phase. No significant effect of the different amounts of FA was seen on the growth and fermentation characteristics of both bacteria. CONCLUSION The results demonstrate that both bacteria are able to convert FA. However, start of conversion differs between the two strains. The different amounts of FA had no influence on the growth and fermentation characteristics of both bacteria.
New Nonlinear Electrical Modeling of High-Speed Electroabsorption Modulators for 40 Gb/s Optical Networks

A specific modeling method is investigated in order to predict the large-signal modulation behavior of integrated electroabsorption modulators (EAMs) for high-speed applications in optical networks. The equivalent dynamic model includes the main nonlinearity of the EAM and takes into account the electrical and optical characteristics of the optoelectronic device. The developed specific design process is a suitable and powerful tool for simulating over wide dc bias and frequency ranges, scattering parameters, small-signal modulation response, and large-signal eye-diagram performance. Moreover, 3-D electromagnetic simulations are associated with circuit simulations to carry out for the RF input line of the EAM. This simulation model can be easily integrated in a global optical communication system simulator to estimate the temporal behavior of the modulated output optical power and then digital performances.
Further evidence for an association of the Paraoxonase 1 (PON1) Met‐54 allele with Parkinson's disease

Paraoxonase1 (PON1) is an arylesterase mainly expressed in the liver that hydrolyzes organophosphates such as pesticides, reported risk factors for Parkinson's disease (PD), and other neurotoxins. A Leu‐Met 54 polymorphism in the gene for PON1‐affecting enzyme activity was recently shown, employing a new restriction enzyme technique, to be associated with Parkinson's disease. We examined the same polymorphism by automated capillary sequencing in a sample of Caucasian subjects from the Stockholm area in Sweden (127 healthy individuals and 114 patients with PD) and found similar distributions and a similar difference in our sample. The genotype distribution in our PD material was LL 36.0%, LM 45.6%, and MM 18.4%; in our control material, it was LL 45.7%, LM 44.1%, and MM 10.2%. Based on the previously established increase in allele frequencies of the lower‐activity Met‐variant of PON1, we could confirm a significant association using a one‐sided χ2 test. Results remained significant with a two‐sided χ2 test, allowing for both increases and decreases in frequencies. Our data confirm an association between the PON1 Leu‐Met 54 polymorphism and PD by demonstrating a similar association. The distribution between familial and nonfamilial PD patients was equal. No other synonymous or nonsynonymous polymorphisms were found in the sequenced coding region of PON1. © 2002 Movement Disorder Society
Association of neuropeptide Y gene rs16147 polymorphism with metabolic syndrome in patients with documented coronary artery disease

Abstract Background and aims: There have been few epidemiological studies that have investigated genetic susceptibility to cardiovascular risk associated with the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS). Neuropeptide Y (NPY) is a strong candidate gene for coronary artery disease (CAD). Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the association between the NPY gene rs16147 polymorphism and the presence of MetS in a well defined group of Iranian subjects with angiographically-defined CAD. Methods: A cross-sectional study design was used in which a total of 364 patients were recruited; 143 patients with MetS and 221 without MetS were genotyped using the ARMS-PCR technique. Logistic regression analyses were performed to determine the odds ratios (ORs) for the association of specific genotypes with the presence of MetS and related phenotypes. Results: The frequency of the variant G allele of the NPY gene was significantly higher in CAD patients without MetS (p = 0.032). Compared to the AA genotype of the NPY gene, individuals carrying the GG genotype had a reduced risk of MetS (OR = 0.51, 95% CI = 0.27–0.95, p = 0.034). Conclusion: The rs16147 polymorphism may be associated with presence of MetS among subjects with documented CAD. Carriage of NPY A allele in patients with CAD is associated with a higher prevalence of MetS.
Optimizing pattern recognition-based control for partial-hand prosthesis application

Partial-hand amputees often retain good residual wrist motion, which is essential for functional activities involving use of the hand. Thus, a crucial design criterion for a myoelectric, partial-hand prosthesis control scheme is that it allows the user to retain residual wrist motion. Pattern recognition (PR) of electromyographic (EMG) signals is a well-studied method of controlling myoelectric prostheses. However, wrist motion degrades a PR system's ability to correctly predict hand-grasp patterns. We studied the effects of (1) window length and number of hand-grasps, (2) static and dynamic wrist motion, and (3) EMG muscle source on the ability of a PR-based control scheme to classify functional hand-grasp patterns. Our results show that training PR classifiers with both extrinsic and intrinsic muscle EMG yields a lower error rate than training with either group by itself (p<;0.001); and that training in only variable wrist positions, with only dynamic wrist movements, or with both variable wrist positions and movements results in lower error rates than training in only the neutral wrist position (p<;0.001). Finally, our results show that both an increase in window length and a decrease in the number of grasps available to the classifier significantly decrease classification error (p<;0.001). These results remained consistent whether the classifier selected or maintained a hand-grasp.
Osteoprotegerin disrupts peripheral adhesive structures of osteoclasts by modulating Pyk2 and Src activities

ABSTRACT Osteoprotegerin has previously been shown to modulate bone mass by blocking osteoclast maturation and function. The detailed mechanisms of osteoprotegerin-induced disassembly of podosomes, disruption of adhesive structures and modulation of adhesion-related proteins in osteoclasts, however, are not well characterized. In this study, tartrate-resistant acidic phosphatase staining demonstrated that osteoprotegerin inhibited differentiation of osteoclasts. The use of scanning electron microscopy, real-time cell monitoring and confocal microscopy indicated that osteoclasts responded in a time and dose-dependent manner to osteoprotegerin treatments with retraction of peripheral adhesive structures and detachment from the extracellular substrate. Combined imaging and Western blot studies showed that osteoprotegerin induced dephosphorylation of Tyr 402 in Pyk2 and decreased its labeling in peripheral adhesion regions. osteoprotegerin induced increased intracellular labeling of Tyr 402 in Pyk2, Tyr 416 in Src, increased dephosphorylation of Tyr 527 in Src, and increased Pyk2/Src association in the central region of osteoclasts. This evidence suggests that Src may function as an adaptor protein that competes for Pyk2 and relocates it from the peripheral adhesive zone to the central region of osteoclasts in response to osteoprotegerin treatment. Osteoprotegerin may induce podosome reassembly and peripheral adhesive structure detachment by modulating phosphorylation of Pyk2 and Src and their intracellular distribution in osteoclasts.
Lecithin‐cholesterol‐acyltransferase deficiency: autosomal recessive transmission in a large kindred *

Thirty‐four members of a single Sardinian kindred with lecithin‐cholesterol‐acyltransferase deficiency have been studied. The kindred spans four generations and the parents of the two affected siblings are blood relatives. Segregation of the acyltransferase deficiency gene in the family clearly demonstrated an autosomal recessive mode of inheritance. Thirteen family members, including all obligate heterozygotes, had roughly half‐normal acyltransferase activities (mean ± S.D. = 0.39 ± 0.06 mU/ml) when compared to 17 intrafamilial controls and spouses (mean ± S.D. = 0.72 ± 0.09 mU/ml) and 40 blood donors from Marburg/Lahn (mean ± S.D. = 0.76 ±0.1 mU/ml). Characterization of the heterozygotes did not reveal abnormalities in their plasma lipoproteins. LCAT deficiency and the β‐thalassaemia trait coexisting in this kindred segregated independently.
Comparative Welfare State Analysis and the ‘Dependent Variable Problem’

Reforms of public pension schemes, health care systems and labour market programmes have been amongst the most salient political issues for some years. The reasons for governments to engage in welfare reform vary across countries, but generally include budgetary pressures and projected increases in spending on health care, social services and public pension systems. Economic internationalization and associated shifts in production and employment patterns have jointly contributed to new labour market risks, problems of long-term unemployment or labour market inactivity. Changing household formations as well as political forces, either of a domestic or a supranational nature (e.g., Europeanization), put additional pressures on policy makers to adapt existing forms of welfare state provision, and reinforce perceptions of welfare reform as a political topic which is likely to remain high on the public policy agenda for some time to come. Moreover, in terms of the political discourse, traditional left concepts favouring big welfare statism have become rather scarce. Instead of the public provision of social protection perceived as market restricting and correcting, current debates and new policies appear to present a shift towards market enabling principles. Within social science the notion of changing welfare states as a topic for comparative research is not new. In fact, it was the emergence and subsequent expansion of social protection until the 1970s which stimulated a large number of investigations into the causes for welfare state growth (e.g. Flora, 1987a) as well as processes of cross-national variation (e.g. Esping-Andersen, 1990). However, mirroring the more recent challenges to and current reform initiatives within advanced welfare states, the focus of research has shifted profoundly over the last decade. Whereas in the 1970s and 1980s most social scientists were studying the economic context, social
The role of monetary policy in Zimbabwe's hyperinflation episode

This paper explores the role of monetary policy in Zimbabwe’s hyperinflation episode, using the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) and Error Correction Model (ECM) approaches with monthly data from 2006:01 to 2008:07. Results from both the ECM and ARDL approaches show that during the study period, hyperinflation was caused by expansionary monetary policy, the exchange rate premium and inflation expectations for both the short and long-term. Zimbabwe’s hyperinflation episode brings to the fore the importance of ensuring that the Central Bank is independent in executing its mandate of influencing the monetary policy process in a manner that ensures price stability. Keywords: Monetary Policy; Hyperinflation; Autoregressive Distributed Lag; Error Correction Model