Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
CORONARY BYPASS SURGERY VERSUS PERCUTANEOUS CORONARY INTERVENTION: COST-EFFECTIVENESS IN IRAN: A STUDY IN PATIENTS WITH MULTIVESSEL CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate cost effectiveness of coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) versus percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with stenting from Iran society perspective. Methods: A retrospective study was carried out to estimate the annual cost and health related quality of life (HRQoL) of 109 patients who underwent coronary revascularization (PCI [n = 75] and CABG [n = 34]). A Markov model has been developed to determine the cost effectiveness of CABG compared with PCI. We used the model to calculate lifetime costs, life-years (LYs), and quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) of each strategy. We also used probabilistic sensitivity analysis to test model robustness. Results: We found that discounted QALY lived per person in CABG versus PCI group in 5 years, 10 years, and lifetime time horizon were (3.8 ± 0.13 versus 3.88 ± 0.14), (6.4 ± 0.23 versus 6.33 ± 0.22), and (8.74 ± 0.29 versus 8.33 ± 0.27), respectively. The estimated medical cost of CABG and PCI per patient in 5 years, 10 years, and lifetime time horizon were (USD 6,819 ± 765 versus 9,011 ± 1,816), (USD 8,852 ± 1,348 versus 12,034 ± 2,375), and (USD 14,037± 4,201 versus 18,798 ± 5,821), respectively. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio results showed CABG is a dominate alternative in 10 years and lifetime time horizon. Conclusions: This study demonstrated that despite higher initial cost and lower HRQoL, CABG is a cost-effective revascularization strategy compared with PCI for patients with multivessel coronary artery disease in long-term.
Speaking Up or Staying Silent in Bullying Situations: The Significance of Management Control

A frequent prescription for providing voice for employees with respect to bullying is a policy supported by a procedural complaint mechanism. Yet research points to a pervasiveness of employee silence in workplaces in situations of workplace bullying. We examine the efficacy of workplace bullying procedures as a voice mechanism for employees in countering bullying and explore the role of management in shaping employee propensity to speak out against bullying utilising procedures. In doing so, we advance knowledge on workplace bullying by using an industrial relations perspective and placing employer control as a conceptual lens. Based on a large survey of nurses in Ireland, the findings demonstrate that managerial actions have significant influence on employees' propensity to utilise bullying procedures. The findings also provide some empirical support for the premise that management seek to use bullying behaviours to constrain employees' contestation of management decision making.
Ileal Pouch Anal Anastomosis Without Ileal Diversion

ObjectiveTo evaluate continued experience with a one-stage stapled ileoanal pouch procedure without temporary ileostomy diversion. Summary Background DataMost centers perform colectomy, proctectomy, and ileal pouch anal anastomoses (IPAA) with a protective ileostomy. Following a previous report, the authors performed 126 additional stapled IPAA procedures for ulcerative colitis and familial adenomatous polyposis, of which all but 2 were without an ileostomy. Outcomes in these patients question the need for temporary ileal diversion, with its complications and need for subsequent surgical closure. MethodsTwo hundred one patients underwent a stapled IPAA since May 1989, 192 as a one-stage procedure without ileostomy, and 1 with a concurrent Whipple procedure for duodenal adenocarcinoma. Patient charts were reviewed or patients were contacted by phone to evaluate their clinical status at least 1 year after their surgery. ResultsAmong the patients who underwent the one-stage procedure, 178 had ulcerative colitis (38 fulminant), 5 had Crohn’s disease (diagnosed after IPAA), 1 had indeterminate colitis, and 8 had familial adenomatous polyposis. The mean age was 38 ± 7 (range 7–-70) years; there were 98 male patients and 94 female patients. The average amount of diseased tissue between the dentate line and the anastomosis was 0.9 ± 0.1 cm, with 35% of the anastomoses at the dentate line. With 89% follow-up at 1 year or more (mean 5.1 ± 2.4 years) after surgery, the average 24-hour stool frequency was 7.1 ± 3.3, of which 0.9 ± 1.4 were at night. Daytime stool control was 95% and night-time control was 90%. Only 2.3% needed to wear a perineal pad. Average length of hospital stay was 10 ± 0.3 days, with 1.5 ± 0.5 days readmission for complications. Abscesses or enteric leaks occurred in 23 patients; IPAA function was excellent in 19 of these patients (2 have permanent ileostomies). In patients taking steroids, there was no significant difference in leak rate with duration of use (29 ± 8 with vs. 22 ± 2 months without leak) or dose (32 ± 13 mg with vs. 35 ± 3 mg without leak). Two (1%) patients died (myocardial infarction, mesenteric infarction). ConclusionsThe triple-stapled IPAA without temporary ileal diversion has a relatively low complication rate and a low rate of small bowel obstruction, provides excellent fecal control, permits an early return to a functional life, and can be performed in morbidly obese and older patients.
Plasma Ribavirin Trough Concentrations at Week 4 Predict Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Relapse in HIV-HCV-Coinfected Patients Treated for Chronic Hepatitis C

ABSTRACT The influence of ribavirin trough concentrations (RBV Ctrough) on the risk of hepatitis C virus (HCV) relapse was retrospectively analyzed in 99 HIV-HCV-coinfected patients who achieved end-of-treatment response with pegylated alpha interferon plus weight-based RBV. The independent predictors (odds ratio [OR] [95% confidence interval (CI)]) of HCV relapse were RBV plasma Ctrough of <2.5 μg/ml (4.5 [1.3 to 15.5]), baseline serum HCV RNA (2.5 [1.2 to 5.1]), and HCV genotype 1 or 4 (13.3 [2.6 to 66.7]). Monitoring of RBV Ctrough may permit early adjustment of RBV dosage to avoid HCV relapse.
Association of interankle systolic blood pressure difference with peripheral vascular disease and left ventricular mass index.

BACKGROUND An interankle systolic blood pressure (SBP) difference has been associated with overall and cardiovascular mortality. We investigated whether an association existed between this difference and ankle-brachial index (ABI), brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV), and echocardiographic parameters. METHODS A total of 1,059 patients referred for echocardiographic examination were included in the study. The 4 limb blood pressures were measured simultaneously using an ABI-form device. RESULTS We performed multivariate forward analysis to determine the factors associated with an interankle SBP difference ≥ 15mm Hg. An ABI < 0.9 (P < 0.001), high baPWV (P < 0.001), and increased left ventricular mass index (LVMI; P = 0.004) were associated with an interankle SBP difference ≥ 15mm Hg. Also, the addition of an interankle SBP difference ≥ 15mm Hg to a model of clinical features could significantly improve the value in predicting ABI < 0.9 (P < 0.001) and increased LVMI (P = 0.036). CONCLUSIONS Our study demonstrated that ABI < 0.9, high baPWV, and increased LVMI were independently associated with an interankle SBP difference ≥ 15mm Hg. Also, an interankle SBP difference ≥ 15mm Hg could offer an extra benefit in identifying patients with ABI < 0.9 and increased LVMI beyond conventional clinical features. Hence, calculation of interankle SBP difference may provide additional information for identifying patients with peripheral vascular disease and increased LVMI.
Insight into Inflation: Persistence, Variability and Predictability

This paper provides a macroeconomic analysis of US inflation and its persistence from 1947 to 2007 and three subperiods. An ARFIMA-GARCH model is estimated to capture the stylized facts of inflation dynamics and investigate the causalities between persistence and the level of aggregate inflation, and persistence and inflation uncertainty, as well as predictability of inflation and its volatility. The main findings point to a rather low inflation persistence, a time-varying persistence positively correlated with inflation reflecting monetary policy switches and a moderate predictability of inflation and its volatility.
Specific Infections, Infection-Related Behavior, and Risk of Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma in Adults

Infections were examined as possible risk factors for non-Hodgkin lymphoma in a population-based case-control study in New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory, Australia. Incident cases (n = 694) had no history of HIV infection or transplantation. Controls (n = 694) were randomly selected from electoral rolls and frequency matched to cases by age, sex, and area of residence. A postal questionnaire and telephone interview measured history of specific infections, occupational exposures, and behavioral and other risk factors for infection. Blood samples were tested for antibodies to human T-lymphotrophic virus type I and hepatitis C virus. Logistic regression models included the three matching variables and ethnicity. There was no association between risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma and any of the variables analyzed, including sexually transmitted infections, sexual behavior, blood transfusions, influenza, acne, and either occupational or domestic exposure to zoonotic infections. Non-Hodgkin lymphoma risk was nonsignificantly elevated (odds ratio, 2.99; 95% confidence interval, 0.78-11.51) for those with a history of injecting drug use. Three cases and two controls (odds ratio, 1.32; 95% confidence interval, 0.22-7.98) tested positive to hepatitis C virus infection and none tested positive to human T-lymphotrophic virus type I/II infection. This study provides consistent evidence that sexually transmitted infections and zoonoses are not risk factors for non-Hodgkin lymphoma. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2006;15(6):1102–8)
Wide-Bandwidth and High-Linearity Envelope- Tracking Front-End Module for LTE-A Carrier Aggregation Applications

The envelope-tracking front-end module (ETFEM) consisting of an envelope-tracking supply modulator (ETSM), a dual-power-mode power amplifier (PA), and a single-pole-double-throw (SPDT) switch is proposed for the Long-Term Evolution-Advanced (LTE-A) intraband carrier aggregation (CA) signal. The linear stage of ETSM is implemented by introducing the dual-path crossover current-reuse mechanism to obtain the measured efficiency 79.6%, 76.4%, 74%, and 72.8% for 7.4-, 9.6-, 11.2-, and 12.3-dB peak-to-average-power ratio (PAPR) 16-QAM LTE-A CA signals with <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$1 \times 20$ </tex-math></inline-formula>, <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$2 \times 20$ </tex-math></inline-formula>, <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$3 \times 20$ </tex-math></inline-formula>, and <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$4 \times 20$ </tex-math></inline-formula> MHz bandwidths, respectively. A SiGe BiCMOS dual-power-mode PA with two output power modes is realized and incorporated with ETSM to improve the adjacent channel leakage ratio (ACLR) by 11.7, 7.9, and 4.7 dB and the error vector magnitude (EVM) by 7.1%, 6.1%, and 4.1% at 26.8-, 24.3-, and 21.7-dBm output powers for the LTE-A 16-QAM signals with <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$1 \times 20$ </tex-math></inline-formula>, <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$2 \times 20$ </tex-math></inline-formula>, and <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$3 \times 20$ </tex-math></inline-formula> MHz bandwidths at 1.95 GHz, respectively. The SPDT switch integrated with ETSM provides 0.3-dB power loss reduction, 1.1-dB ACLR improvement, and 0.7% EVM enhancement at 12-dBm average input power. The ETFEM operated at 12.5-dB PAPR 64-QAM LTE-A CA signal with <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$4 \times 20$ </tex-math></inline-formula> MHz bandwidth demonstrates that the improvements of 1.3-dB ACLR and 1% EVM at 13.1-dBm output power are achieved for the wide-bandwidth and high-linearity FEM applications.
Hexachlorobenzene-Induced Incisor Degeneration in Sprague—Dawley Rats

Hexachlorobenzene (HCB) was administered to female Sprague—Dawley rats in a 13-week toxicity study conducted for the National Toxicology Program (NTP). Groups of 10 rats were treated by gavage with 0.0, 0.03, 0.1, 0.3, 1.0, 3.0, 10, or 25 mg/kg HCB in corn oil 5 days/week for 13 weeks. Dose-dependent, region-specific, maxillary incisor degeneration was observed in animals given HCB at doses of 1.0 mg/kg/day and higher. Treatment with 1.0 mg/kg/day resulted in focal mesenchymal cell vacuolation and focal osteodentin formation within the pulp. Lesions were restricted to a short linear region subjacent to the odontoblast layer along the lateral aspect of the incisor at the level of the dentin-enamel interface. When observed in both incisors, lesions were bilaterally symmetric. Treatment with 3.0 mg/kg/day resulted in lateral and medial pulp lesions and focal odontoblast degeneration with dentin niche formation along the lateral incisor margin in some animals. Treatment with 10 mg/kg/day resulted in a higher incidence of lateral dentin niches and a low incidence of medial dentin niches. In animals treated with 25 mg/kg/day, a high incidence of bilaterally symmetric, lateral and medial, dentin niches were observed. The morphology and distribution of HCB-induced incisor lesions in rats are consistent with injury to a selective population of preodontoblasts.
Corporate social responsibility and corporate fraud

Purpose - This study aims to examine the impact of corporate culture, measured by corporate social responsibility (CSR), on the likelihood and severity of corporate fraud. CSR literature indicates that corporate managers are moral actors and are obliged to exercise their discretionary decisions according to their moral standards. Based on the moral development theory, this study argues that higher managers’ ethical values reflected by higher CSR activities are less likely to commit fraud and have lower severity of fraud. Design/methodology/approach - This study argues that at the firm level, corporate culture can be measured by firms’ CSR activities. Using probit, match-pair, propensity matching and Heckman regressions on a sample of 152 criminal corporate fraud cases in the USA from the US Department of Justice (DOJ) during 2000 and 2010, this study empirically examines the impact of CSR, CSR strengths and concerns scores on the likelihood and the severity of corporate fraud. Findings - Firms with higher CSR and CSR strengths (concerns) scores have lower (higher) likelihood and lower (higher) severity of corporate fraud. This study finds that firms with higher community, employee, environment and product-related CSR have lower likelihood of fraud, and firms with higher diversity, employee, environment and product-related CSR have lower fraud severity. Practical implications - Establishing a positive corporate ethical culture is essential to curb the outbreak of corporate fraud that threatens our societal norms. The findings also shed some light for investors, corporate board of directors and regulators to consider CSR as a reflection of top managers’ moral values that is negatively related to the occurrence and severity of corporate fraud. Social implications - Strengthening moral values among top executives and employees in corporations by encouraging CSR activities aid our society to alleviate future outbreak of epidemic problem for corporate fraud. Originality/value - This study brings a new perspective that there is a relationship between corporate ethical culture within an organization, measured by CSR activities, and corporate fraud based on the cognitive moral development theory in organization.
Effects of horizontal misfit and bar framework material on the stress distribution of an overdenture-retaining bar system: a 3D finite element analysis.

PURPOSE To evaluate the influence of horizontal misfit change and bar framework material on the distribution of static stresses in an overdenture-retaining bar system using finite element (FE) analysis. MATERIALS AND METHODS A 3D FE model was created including two titanium implants and a bar framework placed in the anterior part of a severely resorbed jaw. The model set was exported to mechanical simulation software, where horizontal displacement (10, 50, 100, and 200 μm) was applied simulating the settling of the framework, which suffered shrinkage during laboratory procedures. Four bar materials (gold alloy, silver-palladium alloy, commercially pure titanium, and cobalt-chromium alloy) were also simulated in the analysis using 50 μm as the horizontal misfit. Data were qualitatively evaluated using von Mises stress, given by the software. RESULTS The misfit amplification presented a great increase in the stress levels in the inferior region of the bar, screw-retaining neck, cervical and medium third of the implant, and cortical bone tissue surrounding the implant. The higher stiffness of the bar presented a considerable increase in the stress levels in the bar framework only. CONCLUSION The levels of static stresses seem to be closely linked with horizontal misfit, such that its amplification caused increased levels of stress in the structures of the overdenture-retaining bar system. On the other hand, the stiffness of the bar framework presented a lower effect on the static stress levels.
The Effect of Stock Liquidity on the Firm's Investment and Production

We propose that stock market liquidity affects corporate investment and production. Illiquidity, which raises firms’ cost of capital, lowers investment in capital assets, R&D, and inventory. This effect holds after we control for endogeneity using exogenous liquidity events, the 2001 decimalization, and the 1997 Nasdaq reform and after employing instrumental variable estimation. Illiquidity affects investment regardless of firms’ financial constraints. Consequently, illiquidity induces firms to adopt less capital-intensive production processes. Illiquid firms have higher marginal productivity of capital, greater labor input increases for given increases in assets, and lower operating leverage, which means lower reliance on fixed costs.
Partial discharge echo obtained by chopped sequence

This paper describes a new and intriguing observation relating to partial discharges specifically those discharges which occur despite the absence of an applied voltage within chopped sequence. The discharge pulses, which are referred to as Partial Discharge Echoes, appeared in intervals where no voltage was being applied, immediately after the specimen had been exposed to a sinusoidal voltage above partial discharge inception level. The measurements were performed on specimens with an embedded void in insulating paper or cross-linked polyethylene. In order to capture the echo signal, a modified phase-resolved partial discharge acquisition setup was used. The discharge mechanism around the transition point from sinusoidal to voltageless, echo intensity and impact of void material type were analyzed. The discharge echo pulses may allow the void to be analyzed in greater detail, revealing specific details of some of the mechanisms, for example time lag, surface charge decay and relation to void conductivity.
Growth trajectories of sexual risk behavior in adolescence and young adulthood.

OBJECTIVES Adolescence and young adulthood (ages 18-25 years) are periods of development and change, which include experimentation with and adoption of new roles and behaviors. We investigated longitudinal trajectories of sexual risk behaviors across these time periods and how these trajectories may be different for varying demographic groups. METHODS We developed multilevel growth models of sexual risk behavior for a predominantly African American sample (n=847) that was followed for 8 years, from adolescence to young adulthood. We investigated differences in growth parameters by race/ethnicity and gender and their interactions. RESULTS The final model included linear and quadratic terms for both adolescence and young adulthood, indicating acceleration of sexual risk behaviors during adolescence and a peak and deceleration during young adulthood. African American males exhibited the highest rate of sexual risk behavior in ninth grade, yet had the slowest rate of growth. Compared with their White peers, African American males and females exhibited less sexual risk behavior during young adulthood. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that youths of different races/ethnicities and genders exhibit varying sexual risk behavior trajectories.
Supporting economic growth through innovation: How does human capital influence the rate of growth?

Using VAR modeling techniques and Granger causality, this research examines the impact of innovation and human capital on economic growth in the context of the Tunisian economy during the period 1970/2015. The study found a correlation between human capital and economic growth on the one hand and innovation and completion rate of primary school on the other. Indeed, confirmed to the theory of endogenous growth based on innovation, knowledge promotes growth.
Human papillomavirus vaccine uptake, predictors of vaccination, and self-reported barriers to vaccination.

OBJECTIVE To describe human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine uptake, predictors of vaccination, and barriers to vaccination in young women. METHODS Participants were 13-26-year-old girls and women recruited from an urban, hospital-based clinic. Between June and December 2007, 6 months after they had completed a baseline survey, they were recontacted to assess receipt of at least one HPV vaccine dose and barriers to receiving the vaccine. We assessed whether demographic factors, gynecological history, and attitudes measured at baseline were associated with vaccination at follow-up using logistic regression. RESULTS Of the 262 women who completed the baseline study, 189 (72%) participated in this follow-up study. At follow-up, 68 of 189 (36%) had received >or=1 HPV vaccine dose. Factors measured at baseline that predicted vaccination 6 months later included insurance coverage for HPV vaccination (odds ratio [OR] 5.31, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.61-17.49) and the belief that one's parents, partners, and clinicians endorsed HPV vaccination (OR 2.21, 95% CI 1.29-3.79); those with a history of an abnormal Pap test were less likely to have received the vaccine (OR 0.30, CI 0.10-0.92). Of the 121 who were unvaccinated, 54 (45%) had not returned to the clinic since the baseline study, 51 (42%) had returned but were not offered vaccine, and 15 (12%) had declined vaccination. CONCLUSIONS Interventions to increase HPV vaccination rates in women in the catch-up age group for vaccination should ensure that vaccine costs are covered, promote HPV vaccination as normative, and establish clinic-based systems to prevent missed opportunities for vaccination.
Energy efficient small cell operation under ultra dense cloud radio access networks

Deploying dense small cells is an emerging approach to improve network throughput by providing proximate hotspot access to users. Small cell enhancement is considered as one of the hot topics in 3GPP LTE Release 12. One of the important aspects in the small cell study is how to ensure efficient small cell operation by switching on/off small cells. This paper analyzes different small cell on/off schemes. The benefits of small cell on/off and adaptive baseband unit sharing under ultra dense networks (UDN) with centralized/cloud radio access network (C-RAN) architecture are evaluated in terms of both throughput increase and energy saving.