Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Randomized trial of two doses of vitamin D3 in preterm infants <32 weeks: Dose impact on achieving desired serum 25(OH)D3 in a NICU population

Background Recommendations for vitamin D supplementation for preterm infants span a wide range of doses. Response to vitamin D supplementation and impact on outcomes in preterm infants is not well understood. Objective Evaluate serum 25(OH)D3 concentration changes after 4 weeks in response to two different doses of vitamin D3 supplementation in a population of premature infants and quantify the impact on NICU outcomes. Design 32 infants born at 24–32 weeks gestation were prospectively randomized to receive 400 or 800 IU/day vitamin D3 supplementation. Serum 25(OH)D3 levels were measured every 4 weeks. The Wilcoxon signed rank test was used to compare serum levels of 25(OH)D3 at 4 weeks and each subsequent time point. A p-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results Serum 25(OH)D3 levels at birth were 41.9 and 42.9 nmol/l for infants in the 400 IU group and 800 IU group, respectively (p = 0.86). Cord 25(OH)D3 concentrations significantly correlated with gestational age (r = 0.40, p = 0.04). After 4 weeks of D3 supplementation, median 25(OH)D3 levels increased in both groups (84.6vs. 105.3 nmol/l for 400 vs. 800 IU/day respectively, with significantly more improvement in the higher dose (p = 0.048). Infants in the 400 IU group were significantly more likely to have dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) bone density measurements <10 percentile (56% vs 16%, p = 0.04). Conclusions Improvement in 25(OH)D3 levels at 4 weeks, bone density, and trends towards improvement in linear growth support consideration of a daily dose of 800 IU of vitamin D for infants <32 weeks cared for in the NICU.
Sonographic evaluation of gallbladder‐wall thickening in hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome: Prediction of disease severity

Gallbladder‐wall thickening (GBWT) frequently occurs in patients with hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS), an acute infectious disease caused by hantaviruses. HFRS is manifested by fever, hemorrhage, renal failure, and in many cases gastrointestinal symptoms, such as abdominal pain and tenderness. The clinical significance of GBWT in HFRS has not been reported. The purpose of this study was to investigate the incidence of GBWT and the relationship between GBWT and the severity of HFRS.
Magnetic Field Analysis in Eccentric Surface-Mounted Permanent-Magnet Motors Using an Improved Conformal Mapping Method

This paper presents an improved conformal mapping (ICM) method for magnetic field analysis in one typical surface-mounted permanent-magnet (SMPM) motor considering the static, dynamic, and mixed rotor eccentricities. The ICM method accurately accounts for the slotting effect, the winding distribution, the armature reaction, the magnetic saturation effect, and the working point variation of PMs throughout their volume. The ICM method is also very rigorous to separate the onload air gap field components. First, the slotless model of an eccentric SMPM motor is mapped to one concentric model using a new form of bilinear conformal mapping, and the field solution is then obtained through applying Hague's solution in the main canonical domain. Second, the slotted air gap magnetic field is obtained through the modulation of air gap magnetic field in the slotless physical domain using the complex relative air gap permeance. The ICM method is also used to investigate the influence of rotor eccentricity on the flux linkage of the stator coils. This developed model is validated through comparing with the corresponding results obtained through finite element method and the frozen permeability method. This method can also be used as a tool for design and optimization of electrical machines.
Governance, CEO Power, and Relative Performance Evaluation Effectiveness

We study whether changes in corporate governance and CEO power affect bonus-based implicit relative performance evaluation (RPE). We rely on a regression discontinuity design of shareholder proposals to proxy for shocks to CEO power. The effect of shareholder proposals on RPE is stronger under situations where shareholder proposals are expected to better capture changes in CEO power. We identify important real effects associated with the strengthening of RPE and find that idiosyncratic risk increases and co-movement decreases between firms and their peers in terms of changes in capital and inventory investment and changes in Tobin’s Q after a shareholder proposal is passed.
Deep-ultraviolet photodetectors grown by gas source molecular beam epitaxy on sapphire and AlGaN/sapphire substrates

Optically-based chemical and biological sensors require optoelectronic devices with specific emission and detection wavelength ranges. Semiconductor optoelectronic devices applicable to this sensing are of particular interest due to their low power consumption, compact size, long lifetime, and low cost. We report the electrical and optical properties of deep UV p-i-n photodiodes (PDs) based on short period superlattices (SPSLs) of AlN/AlGaN. All device and test structures are grown by gas source molecular beam epitaxy with ammonia on sapphire and AlGaN/sapphire substrates. AlGaN/sapphire substrates were grown by stress controlled hydride vapor phase epitaxy (HVPE). The cutoff wavelength of PDs based on these SPSLs can be varied from 250 to 280 nm by changing the SPSL barrier/well thickness ratio. For mesa diodes with 150 μm diameter we obtain extremely low dark leakage current of ~ 3 pA/cm2, and high zero-bias resistance of ~ 6 x 1014 Ω. A cutoff wavelength of 247 nm is obtained for these devices with four orders of magnitude rejection by 315 nm. We obtain a maximum responsivity of 60 mA/W.
ADMA and hyperhomocysteinemia

Hyperhomocysteinemia is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease and stroke. Like many other cardiovascular risk factors, hyperhomocysteinemia produces endothelial dysfunction due to impaired bioavailability of endothelium-derived nitric oxide (NO). The molecular mechanisms responsible for decreased NO bioavailability in hyperhomocysteinemia are incompletely understood, but emerging evidence suggests that asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), an endogenous inhibitor of NO synthase, may be a key mediator. Homocysteine is produced during the synthesis of ADMA and can alter ADMA metabolism by inhibiting dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolase (DDAH). Several animal and clinical studies have demonstrated a strong association between plasma total homocysteine, plasma ADMA, and endothelial dysfunction. These observations suggest a model in which elevation of ADMA may be a unifying mechanism for endothelial dysfunction during hyper-homocysteinemia. The recent development of transgenic mice with altered ADMA metabolism should provide further mechanistic insights into the role of ADMA in hyperhomocysteinemia.
The Effect of IFRS on Investment Decisions: European Evidence during Crisis and Non Crisis Economic Conditions

This study investigates the effect of a change in financial reporting regulation, the adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), on investment decisions in Europe. It further investigates whether capital investment decisions were influenced by the adverse macroeconomic conditions that took place during the crisis period in the Eurozone in years 2008-2010. Moreover, we control for the fact that the impact of the IFRS adoption may differ depending on a) the timing of the adoption i.e. voluntary versus mandatory adopters and b) the legal enforcement and corruption levels. We provide evidence that financial reporting practices of mandatory versus voluntary adopters cause significant differences in (a) the cost of equity capital, (b) the level of capital investments and (c) the return on invested capital. Our evidence suggest that mandatory adopters improved the level of capital investments and the return on invested capital in the post IFRS period and that the cost of equity capital was reduced. These evidence are more pronounced under the strong legal enforcement environment. For the group of voluntary adopters, we verify also a significant reduction in the cost of equity capital in the post IFRS adoption period. Regarding their investment practices, we document higher level of capital investment relative to mandatory adopters in both the pre and post IFRS period and even after controlling for the legal enforcement environment. We provide evidence that during the crisis period the cost of equity capital was increased for both groups. Nevertheless, our results suggest that both groups keep their investment policy unchanged by not reducing the level of capital investments.
Reported sexual abuse and subsequent psychopathology among women attending psychology clinics: the mediating role of dissociation.

OBJECTIVE While there is now a good clinical research base that outlines the links between reported sexual abuse and psychological symptoms and disorders, there is less of an understanding of the psychological processes mediating that relationship. This study assessed the role of dissociation as a mediator between reported sexual abuse and a range of psychopathological characteristics. DESIGN A patient-series design was used. METHOD Participants were an unselected sample of 45 women attending clinical psychology services. Each woman was interviewed regarding a reported history of sexual abuse, and completed standardized measures of general psychopathology, borderline personality disorder characteristics and dissociation. RESULTS Sexual abuse per se was associated with the extent of depression, somatization, compulsive behaviour, phobic symptoms and borderline personality disorder characteristics. In each case, dissociation served as a complete mediator in that link. However, the same mediating relationship was not found when attempting to explain the greater psychopathological impact of more 'severe' forms of abuse (childhood experiences; intra-familial abuse). CONCLUSION These findings suggest that the effective of clinical work with these psychopathological features would be enhanced if dissociation symptoms were addressed in women with a reported history of sexual abuse. However, the importance of that therapeutic target may be unrelated to the severity of the psychological disturbance.
Significance of Periductal Lymphatic and Blood Vascular Densities in Intraductal Carcinoma of the Breast

Abstract: We investigated the significance of periductal lymphatic and blood vascular densities in intraductal carcinomas (IDC) of the breast. Thirty five cases of pure IDC treated by partial or total mastectomy were reviewed. Seven cases with normal breast tissue and 48 cases of invasive breast carcinoma were included as controls. All cases were immunostained with D2‐40 and CD31. Positively stained microvessels were counted in densely vascular/lymphatic foci (hot spots) at 400× (=0.17 mm2) in the periductal areas. IDC without comedonecrosis showed a mean periductal D2‐40 lymphatic microvessel density (LMD) of 5.8 ± 5 (range 0–18), and a CD31 microvessel density (MD) of 14 ± 8.9 (range 1–40). IDC with comedonecrosis showed periductal D2‐40 LMD of 8.4 ± 3.8 (range 4–18), and a CD31 MD of 24.3 ± 7.6 (range 14–40). There was a significant difference between periductal D2‐40 LMD and CD31 MD counts in IDC with and without comedonecrosis. There was a positive correlation of periductal D2‐40 LMD and CD31 MD counts with high nuclear grade (r = 0.39 and 0.56) of IDC as well as with the presence of comedonecrosis (r = 0.49 and 0.59). Both D2‐40 LMD and CD31 MD did not correlate significantly with tumor size, estrogen status, or progesterone status. As IDC with comedonecrosis and/or high nuclear grade has a worse prognosis than IDC without comedonecrosis and/or with low nuclear grade, it appears that lymphatic and blood vascular density evaluated by D2‐40 and CD31, respectively, are independent prognostic indicators for patients with IDC of the breast and may be an indicator of early or unrecognized invasion or “regression. ”
Analyzing the policy impact of the Olympic strategy on the soccer professionalization in China

In 2015, The Mid-to Long-Term Development Plan of Chinese Football (2016-2050) was promulgated by the Chinese government. As the first national long-term development plan for soccer in China, it elevated the significance of developing soccer to an unprecedented level. Two years later, the Chinese Football Association established a series of broadly-questioned regulations on the U23 players in domestic professional leagues. Since its implementation of the imposed age limits, the policy has been under substantial criticisms for multiple claims including deteriorated quality of play and shrinking league brand value. More importantly, the regulations are deemed overshadowed by the “Olympic Strategy”, as U23 being the current age restriction at the Olympic Men’s soccer tournament.
Mobile money adoption and spending behaviour: the case of students in Ghana

The purpose of this paper is to investigate how the use of the mobile money technology among students affects their spending behaviour. ,The study reports interesting findings by using a random sample of 506 students from the University of Ghana and applying ordinary least squares regression technique. ,The findings suggest that active use of mobile money services has significant influence on students spending behaviour. On a monthly basis, students who use mobile money spend on the average 20 Ghana Cedis more than their colleagues who do not use mobile money. Students who use both mobile money and ATMs jointly spend nearly 13 Ghana Cedis more than their counterparts who use either of them. ,The implication of this finding is that mobile money technology which provides easy access to money can increase spending behaviour of students and reduce the tendency of savings. The authors therefore conclude that although technological growth should not be curtailed given the numerous benefits technology accrues to society, its use must be controlled, in particular, when it comes to using it as a medium of exchange so as to minimize the negative influences (such as indiscriminate spending). ,This paper studies the post-adoption behavioural responses of mobile money users particularly among students in Africa which is rare in the literature.
Epinephrine for cardiac arrest

Purpose of review Epinephrine is the primary drug administered during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) to reverse cardiac arrest. Epinephrine increases arterial blood pressure and coronary perfusion during CPR via alpha-1-adrenoceptor agonist effects. However, the dose, timing and indications for epinephrine use are based on limited animal data. Recent studies question whether epinephrine provides any overall benefit for patients. Recent findings A randomized controlled trial indicates that epinephrine for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest increases return of pulses, but does not significantly alter longer-term survival. Very large, well-controlled, observational studies suggest that, despite increases in return of pulses, epinephrine reduces long-term survival and functional recovery after CPR. Detrimental effects were greatest in patients found in ventricular fibrillation. Laboratory data suggest that harmful epinephrine-induced reductions in microvascular blood flow during and after CPR may offset the beneficial epinephrine-induced increase in arterial blood pressure during CPR. Summary The available clinical data confirm that epinephrine administration during CPR can increase short-term survival (return of pulses), but point towards either no benefit or even harm of this drug for more patient-centred outcomes (long-term survival or functional recovery). Prospective trials are needed to determine the correct dose, timing and patients for epinephrine in cardiac arrest.
Association of Cytomegalovirus with Idiopathic Chronic Anterior Uveitis with Ocular Hypertension in Korean Patients

Abstract Purpose: To investigate the association between cytomegalovirus and idiopathic chronic recurrent anterior uveitis with ocular hypertension. Methods: Medical records of 9 consecutive immunocompetent Korean patients with chronic recurrent anterior uveitis and ocular hypertension were retrospectively reviewed. Nested polymerase chain reaction was performed on aqueous humor samples for the herpes family, including cytomegalovirus, varicella zoster virus, herpes simplex virus, and Epstein-Barr virus. Results: In 7 (77.8%) of 9 patients, aqueous samples were culture-positive for cytomegalovirus (n = 6), Epstein-Barr virus (n = 2), and/or varicella zoster virus (n = 2). Two patients with cytomegalovirus had corneal endotheliitis, and 2 patients with varicella zoster virus had sectoral iris atrophy. Conclusion: Cytomegalovirus is the most common cause of idiopathic chronic unilateral anterior uveitis with ocular hypertension in immunocompetent Korean patients. The authors suggest that performing polymerase chain reaction on aqueous samples is useful in diagnosing cytomegalovirus in these patients.
Diabetes mellitus in Irish general practice: Level of care as reflected by HbA1c values

Objective: To assess the level of care given to people with diabetes by general practitioners and factors affecting it. Methods: A cross-sectional study of Irish general practitioners, looking at practice characteristics and patient care over the previous 2 years; a nationally representative sample of 27 general practitioners. A total of 1030 people with diabetes were studied, of whom 201 were type 1 and 829 were type 2. Results: The response rate was 27 out of 52 (52%). HbA1c values were not related to the patient's socioeconomic status. The average HbA1c for type 1 people with diabetes was 7.81%, and for type 2 it was 7.1%. HbA1c values were measured 3.02 times for type 1 and 3.16 times for people with type 2 diabetes. This is a good standard of care, especially for type 2 disease. Computerized practices and those patients whose care was shared with the hospital achieved better control, even though HbA1c levels were checked less frequently with computerization. The use of a protocol in the practices also improved care. Those practices employing a nurse had increased frequency of measurement of HbA1c and better control on univariate but not on multivariate analysis. Possible reasons for this are discussed. Conclusion: Diabetes Mellitus is treated to a good standard in Irish general practice, especially type 2 disease. This standard appears to be independent of the patient's socio-economic status, is improved by GPs being computerised, in group practices and by providing care according to a protocol. Shared care also improves control. Employing a practice nurse may also improve care.
Transport of premature infants is associated with increased risk for intraventricular haemorrhage

Background Intraventricular haemorrhages (IVH) greatly impact the outcome of very low birth weight (VLBW) infants. This study examines the correlation between inter-hospital transport and the incidence and severity of IVH in VLBW infants in a large cohort of data. Methods The US National Inpatient Sample Database (NIS) and its KID subportion were analysed for the years 1997–2004. Infants <1500 g were included in the study and were classified into transport and inborn groups. Groups were further classified according to birth weight into <1000 g and 1000–1499 g. IVH and severe IVH (grades 3–4) were compared between groups and subgroups. Adjusted OR for IVH or severe IVH in correlation with inter-hospital transport were calculated using logistic regression models while controlling for clinical and demographic confounders. We examined changing trends of the incidence of IVH, incidence of neonatal transport and OR for IVH in correlation with neonatal transport in VLBW infants over the years. Results A total of 67 596 VLBW infants were included in the study. Overall incidence of IVH in the sample was 14.7%; the transport group had more IVH compared to inborn group (27.4% vs 13.42%): adjusted OR 1.75 (95% CI 1.64 to 1.86; p<0.001). Severe IVH was higher in the transport group compared to the inborn group (44.1% vs 32.9%); adjusted OR 1.44 (95% CI 1.22 to 1.70, p=0.001). Similar results were demonstrated in weight-based subgroups. There was increasing trends for neonatal transport and for IVH over the years (p<0.001 for both) with no significant change in the OR for IVH in transported infants. Conclusion Inter-hospital transport of VLBW Infants is correlated with increased incidence and severity of IVH. This correlation has remained constant over the recent years.
Anti-CD25 Antibody-Mediated Depletion of Effector T Cell Populations Enhances Susceptibility of Mice to Acute but Not Chronic Toxoplasma gondii Infection1

Natural regulatory T cells (Tregs) constitutively express the IL-2R α-chain (CD25) on their surface. Consequently, administration of anti-CD25 Abs is a commonly used technique to deplete Treg populations in vivo. However, activated effector T cells may also transiently express CD25, and are thus also potential targets for anti-CD25 Abs. In this study using Toxoplasma gondii as a model proinflammatory infection, we have examined the capacity of anti-CD25 Abs to target effector T cell populations during an inflammatory episode, to determine to what extent that this action may modulate the outcome of disease. Anti-CD25 Ab-treated C57BL/6 mice displayed significantly reduced CD4+ T cell IFN-γ production during acute T. gondii infection and exhibited reduced weight loss and liver pathology during early acute infection; aspects of infection previously associated with effector CD4+ T cell responses. In agreement, anti-CD25 Ab administration impaired parasite control and caused mice to succumb to infection during late acute/early chronic stages of infection with elevated tissue parasite burdens. In contrast, anti-CD25 Ab treatment of mice with established chronic infections did not markedly affect brain parasite burdens, suggesting that protective T cell populations do not express CD25 during chronic stages of T. gondii infection. In summary, we have demonstrated that anti-CD25 Abs may directly abrogate effector T cell responses during an inflammatory episode, highlighting important limitations of the use of anti-CD25 Ab administration to examine Treg function during inflammatory settings.
Use of mini dental implants in ectodermal dysplasia children: follow-up of three cases.

BACKGROUND Ectodermal dysplasia is a hereditary genodermatosis characterised by a congenital defect of ectodermal structures, causing tooth malformations and anomalies. Implantology has become accepted in these subjects. However cases are often complicated by a reduction in the size of the alveolar process, making the insertion of conventional implants difficult without bone grafting. The reduced diameter of mini-implants and their ease of insertion provide an interesting solution in supporting removable or fixed prosthesis. The purpose of this paper is to report the follow-up of three cases of children (11-12 year- old) with ectodermal dysplasia in which mini-implants were used to support the prostheses. CASE REPORTS In the first case, two mini-implants were inserted into the anterior part of the mandible for stabilising a removable denture (2 years follow-up). In the other two cases, mini- implants were inserted in the maxilla and mandible to replace missing front teeth with fixed prostheses. Patients were called for follow- up every 6 months: in the sencod case follow-up lasted 4 years in the mandible and 2 years in the maxilla; in the third case, 2 years in the maxilla and 1 year in the mandible. CONCLUSION The use of mini-implants in children with ectodermal dysplasia can enhance aesthetics, and functional and psychosocial development.