Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Groups Analysis via Text-Based Computer-Mediated Communication: Case study

Fora encourages collaboration creating not only a positive social environment but also a sense of community. This particular study focuses on working groups using fora for educational purpose and specifically deals with the matter of an ideal size of a group in the process of distant learning, referring to groups with homogenous characteristics. This study examines the topic through the viewpoint of distance education (in terms of a mixed learning programme concerning computer teachers),the most suitable size for a group, as far as participation and learning efficiency are concerned (by utilizing groups of 5 or 7 people) when the working groups technique is applied via a forum of distance learning, using the Moddle open source framework.
Variation of hepatic glucuronidation: Novel functional polymorphisms of the UDP‐glucuronosyltransferase UGT1A4

UDP‐glucuronosyltransferases are a family of drug metabolizing enzymes contributing to hepatic drug metabolism and protection against environmental toxins. The aim of this study was to identify polymorphisms at the human UGT1A gene locus and to characterize their function and potential association with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Genomic DNA from the blood of 363 subjects (128 patients with HCC, 235 blood donors) was analyzed for polymorphisms of the UGT1A3, UGT1A4, UGT1A8, UGT1A9, UGT1A10 genes using polymerase chain reaction, sequencing analysis. Recombinant variant UGT protein was analyzed by activity assays. In the UGT1A8 gene an A173G variant and a conserved G to A exchange at position 765 were detected in 25% and 15%. UGT1A9 exhibited two variants C3Y and M33T in 1% and 3%. UGT1A10 exhibited conserved nucleotide exchanges (128 G→A and 696 C→T) in 2% and 13%. In the UGT1A3 gene a W11R, a V47A variant, and a conserved G to A exchange at position 81 with an incidence of 65%, 58%, and 65%, respectively, were identified. UGT1A4 exhibited a P24T and an L48V variant in 8% and 9%. UGT1A SNPs were not associated with HCC. UGT1A4 P24T and L48V exhibited reduced glucuronidation activities: β‐naphthylamine 30% and 50%, and dihydrotestosterone 50% and 0%, respectively. In conclusion, the high prevalence of SNPs throughout the human UGT1A gene locus illustrates a genetic basis of interindividual variations of hepatic metabolism. Two polymorphisms of the hepatic UGT1A4 protein show a differential metabolic activity toward mutagenic amines and endogenous steroids, altering hepatic metabolism and detoxification. (HEPATOLOGY 2004;39:970–977.)
How Are Payments Made in Austria

This study presents the results of a survey conducted in fall 2005 on the payment habits of Austrian households, comparing its findings with those of similar surveys carried out in 1996 and 2000. The focus is to analyze changes in the use of payment means over time and, on this basis, to assess future trends. As the analysis in the 2005 survey shows, cash continues to dominate the structure of payment transactions, remaining by far the most important means of payment. Cash payments account for 86% of all direct payment transactions by Austrian households and for 70% of the total payment value. Compared with the previous surveys, however, the share of cash has contracted noticeably whereas the share of payments at point-of-sale (POS) terminals (via debit card payments) has more than doubled in the last five years to 11.5%. Although credit card payments have posted a slight increase, their share in the total volume still remains very low (1.3%). Overall, the results indicate the continuation of cash-card substitution. From a central banking perspective, assessing future trends in cash demand is a key monetary policy issue. The findings of this study suggest that Austrian households’ payment habits will not change abruptly, therefore, any impact on monetary policy can be expected to remain very limited.
Body Mass Index Is Prognostic in Metastatic Colorectal Cancer: Pooled Analysis of Patients From First-Line Clinical Trials in the ARCAD Database.

PURPOSE In recent retrospective analyses of early-stage colorectal cancer (CRC), low and high body mass index (BMI) scores were associated with worsened outcomes. Whether BMI is a prognostic or predictive factor in metastatic CRC (mCRC) is unclear. PATIENTS AND METHODS Individual data from 21,149 patients enrolled onto 25 first-line mCRC trials during 1997 to 2012 were pooled. We assessed both prognostic and predictive effects of BMI on overall survival and progression-free survival, and we accounted for patient and tumor characteristics and therapy type (targeted v nontargeted). RESULTS BMI was prognostic for overall survival (P < .001) and progression-free survival (P < .001), with an L-shaped pattern. That is, risk of progression and/or death was greatest for low BMI; risk decreased as BMI increased to approximately 28 kg/m(2), and then it plateaued. Relative to obese patients, patients with a BMI of 18.5 kg/m(2) had a 27% increased risk of having a PFS event (95% CI, 20% to 34%) and a 50% increased risk of death (95% CI, 43% to 56%). Low BMI was associated with poorer survival for men than women (interaction P < .001). BMI was not predictive of treatment effect. CONCLUSION Low BMI is associated with an increased risk of progression and death among the patients enrolled on the mCRC trials, with no increased risk for elevated BMI, in contrast to the adjuvant setting. Possible explanations include negative effects related to cancer cachexia in patients with low BMI, increased drug delivery or selection bias in patients with high BMI, and potential for an interaction between BMI and molecular signaling pathways.
Advanced oxidation protein products and ischaemia‐modified albumin in obstructive sleep apnea

Several studies have shown that obstructive sleep apnea increases incidence of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The high systemic oxidative stress in obstructive sleep apnea has been considered as a major pathogenic mechanism leading to cardiovascular disease. Oxidative stress‐related lipid and DNA oxidation in obstructive sleep apnea have been reported in the previous studies. In contrast, there is limited and contradictory information regarding protein oxidation in obstructive sleep apnea patients such as ischaemia‐modified albumin and advanced oxidation protein products. Therefore, we aimed to investigate plasma ischaemia‐modified albumin and advanced oxidation protein products and their correlation with total oxidative status and total antioxidative capacity in the obstructive sleep apnea patients.
Applying Beers Criteria for Elderly Patients to Assess Rational Drug Use at a University Hospital in Northern Cyprus

Background: Several regulations for potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) have been published specifically for elderly patients to rationalize drug use in such vulnerable communities. Objectives: To determine the proportion and characteristics of PIMs in patients receiving one or more drugs according to Beers Criteria 2015. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional prospective analysis of 451 inpatients admitted between September 25 and October 25, 2016, was conducted in Near East University Hospital, Northern Cyprus. Data were extracted from the patient medical records using special forms. Results: A total of 119 elderly patients were identified (26.4%) and evaluated, of which 107 were eligible and 12 were excluded. Of the 1039 prescribed medicines, 16.9% were PIMs during hospitalization, whereas 12% were at discharge. The most prevalent PIM group during hospitalization was identified as the “medications to be avoided in older adults” (48.8%), whereas it also formed 52% of medications prescribed at discharge. PIMs of the class “drugs used with caution” formed 19.4% of prescribed medicine during hospitalization and 18.4% on discharge. The prevalence of polypharmacy was 79.4%, mainly identified as unpreventable polypharmacy of elders. Conclusion: A significantly higher prevalence of PIMs was observed in hospitalized patients than those discharged, with high prevalence of polypharmacy. These results necessitate a nationwide assessment, and responsible bodies who adopt strategies should act to reduce or overcome the aforementioned high prevalence in Northern Cyprus.
Fractionation of Serum Cholesterol.∗

Summary Chloroform extraction of normal serum, dried in vacuo from a frozen state, removed a relatively small but constant fraction of the total cholesterol. A very high percentage of the total cholesterol of the serum of nephrotic patients was extracted under the same conditions. The same was true of rabbits rendered hypercholesterolemic by the administration of cholesterol with their food. The readily extractable fraction was slightly elevated in all the hypothyroid cases studied and in some diabetic patients.
Essays on Intertemporal Consumption and Portfolio Choice

This dissertation consists of two parts, preceded by an introductory chapter. Part I (Chapters 2, 3 and 4) considers optimal consumption and portfolio choice using preference models. Chapter 2 analyzes optimal consumption and portfolio choice under loss aversion and endogenous updating of the reference level. I find that loss aversion triggers a demand for ‘‘guarantee like’’ features in pension products, and endogenous updating justifies a mechanism for smoothing the change in consumption due to financial shocks. Chapter 3 extends Chapter 2 by including probability weighting. I show that if the agent substantially distorts small probabilities, the model generates an endogenous floor on consumption. Chapter 4 considers a consumption and portfolio choice model that combines the ratio model of habit formation with stochastic differential utility. I show that the agent gradually adjusts consumption to financial shocks, justifying a return smoothing mechanism. Part II (Chapters 5, 6 and 7) explores the modelling of pension plans. Chapter 5 formalizes a new pension contract, a so-called personal pension plan with risk sharing (PPR). This chapter explores a consumption approach and an investment approach to a PPR. Chapter 6 explores the pricing and risk management of variable annuities for which the payouts respond gradually to financial shocks. I show that the market-consistent discount rate rises with the investment horizon. Finally, Chapter 7 explores the pricing and risk management of variable annuities in an economy with multiple risk factors.
The Effects of Minimum Wages on the Distribution of Family Incomes

An oft-stated goal of the minimum wage is to raise incomes of poor or low-income families. We present nonparametric estimates of the effects of minimum wages on the distribution of family income relative to needs in the United States. Although minimum wages increase the incomes of some poor families, the evidence indicates that their overall net effect is, if anything, to increase the proportions of families with incomes below or near the poverty line. It would appear that reductions in the proportions of families that are poor or near-poor should not be counted among the potential benefits of minimum wages.
Strength in Numbers: Why States Join Interstate Compacts

Interstate compacts hold tremendous promise for resolving tough public problems at the subnational level. They have also been promoted as one way that states can protect their sovereignty vis-à-vis the national government. But the rate at which states participate in such compacts varies widely. Thus, we ask: What explains a state's propensity to join national interstate compacts? Using time-series cross-sectional event count models of state compact participation from 1960–2000, we find that states join compacts to enhance their policymaking capacity and to substitute for policy action by the national government. We also find that the physical connection among states influences their preference for certain types of compacts. Isolated states show a preference for compacts that simply harmonize policies, while more proximate states are more likely to join compacts that effectively open their borders to other states. Contrary to the expectations of some observers, interstate compacts do not appear to be used strategically by states as a means to forestall federal preemption.
Internet-Based Guided Self-Help versus Group Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Chronic Tinnitus: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: The aim of this randomized controlled trial was to investigate the effects of conventional face-to-face group cognitive behavioral therapy (GCBT) and an Internet-delivered guided self-help treatment (Internet-based CBT, ICBT) on tinnitus distress. Methods: A total of 128 adults with at least mild levels of chronic tinnitus distress were randomly assigned to GCBT (n = 43), ICBT (n = 41), or a web-based discussion forum (DF) that served as a control condition (n = 44). Standardized self-report measures [the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI), Mini-Tinnitus Questionnaire (Mini-TQ), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Insomnia Severity Index and Tinnitus Acceptance Questionnaire] were completed at the pre- and post-assessments and at the 6-month follow-up. Results: Repeated-measures ANOVAs revealed significant time × group interaction effects on the primary outcomes (THI and Mini-TQ scores) in favor of both CBT interventions compared with the DF at post-assessment (0.56 ≤ g ≤ 0.93; all p ≤ 0.001). There were no significant differences between GCBT and ICBT (all p > 0.05) and the treatment effects remained stable at the 6-month follow-up. Conclusions: This study provides evidence that ICBT might be an equally effective alternative to conventional CBT in the management of chronic tinnitus. Despite encouraging results, further research is necessary to determine the actual potential of ICBT as a viable alternative to CBT, and under which circumstances it is effective.
Characteristics of a 4H-SiC Pin Diode With Carbon Implantation/Thermal Oxidation

The forward voltage drops of pin diodes with the carbon implantation or thermal oxidation process using a drift layer of 120 μm thick are around 4.0 V and are lower than those with the standard process. The reverse recovery characteristics of pin diodes with the standard or carbon implantation process show almost the same tendency. In the reverse recovery characteristics at 250 °C, pin diodes with the carbon implantation process, however, have the longer reverse recovery time than those with the standard process. These characteristics suggest that the forward voltage drops depend on the bulk carrier lifetime. In the reverse recovery characteristics, other recombination paths, such as interface or surface recombination, become dominant.
Socioeconomic and programmatic determinants of renewal of membership in a voluntary micro health insurance scheme: evidence from Chakaria, Bangladesh

ABSTRACT Background: Out-of-pocket (OOP) healthcare expenditure is a major obstacle for achieving universal health coverage in low-income countries including Bangladesh. Sixty-three percent of the USD 27 annual per-capita healthcare expenditure in Bangladesh comes from individuals’ pockets. Although health insurance is a financial tool for reducing OOP, use of such tools in Bangladesh has been limited to some small-scale voluntary micro health insurance (MHI) schemes run by non-governmental organizations (NGO). The MHI, however, can orient people on health insurance concept and provide learning for product development, implementation, barriers to enrolment, membership renewal, and other operational challenges and solutions. Keeping this in mind, icddr,b in 2012 initiated a pilot MHI, Amader Shasthya, in Chakaria, Bangladesh. This paper explores the determinants of membership renewal in this scheme, which is a perpetual challenge for MHI. Objective: Identify socioeconomic and programmatic determinants and their effects on membership renewal in a voluntary MHI scheme. Methods: Data came from the online management information system of the scheme and Health and Demographic Surveillance System of Chakaria, covering the period February 2012–May 2015. Association between renewal and independent variables was examined using cross-tabular and logistic regression analyses. Results: Nearly 20% of households in the catchment area ever enroled in the scheme, and 38% renewed membership over the initial 3 years of operation. Frequency of consultation with healthcare providers, benefits received, proximity of member’s residence to health facility, socioeconomic status, educational level, and age of the household head showed significant positive association with renewal of membership. Conclusions: Villagers’ enrolment in the scheme indicated that even in poor economic and literacy conditions people can be motivated to enrol in insurance schemes. Degree of service utilization and benefits received can greatly enhance the probability of membership renewal, which can be ensured with good quality of services and ease of access.
The Debt Consolidation of Hungarian Local Governments

The total debt of Hungarian local governments accumulated during the 2002–2008 period was consolidated in full by the government between 2011 and 2014. Most of the debt assumed by the central budget was denominated in foreign currency, which involved high exchange risk and, therefore, financial instability for both the central and the local subsystems of public finances. According to some economists, the bailout of local governments by the state is another manifestation of the soft budget limit, showing that the Hungarian market economy is unable to break with the bad culture of centrally planned economy. The present study – building on primary research – presents the process that led to the indebtedness of local governments, as well as the theoretical and practical background of consolidation. The author believes it is unwarranted to enforce a hard budget limit for the local governments at any price.
Prescribed Drinking Leads to Better Cycling Performance than Ad Libitum Drinking

Drinking ad libitum during exercise often leads to dehydration ranging from −1% to −3% of body weight. Purpose This article aimed to study the effect of a prescribed hydration protocol matching fluid losses on a simulated 30-km criterium-like cycling performance in the heat (31.6°C ± 0.5°C). Methods Ten elite heat-acclimatized male endurance cyclists (30 ± 5 yr, 76.5 ± 7.2 kg, 1.81 ± 0.07 m, V˙O2peak = 61.3 ± 5.2 mL·min−1·kg−1, body fat = 10.5% ± 3.3%, Powermax = 392 ± 33 W) performed three sets of criterium-like cycling, which consisted of a 5-km cycling at 50% power max followed by a 5-km cycling all out at 3% grade (total 30 km). Participants rode the course on two separate occasions and in a counterbalanced order, during either ad libitum drinking (AD; drink water as much as they wished) or prescribed drinking (PD; drink water every 1 km to much fluid losses). To design the fluid intake during PD, participants performed a familiarization trial to calculate fluid losses. Results After the exercise protocol, the cyclist dehydrated by −0.5% ± 0.3% and −1.8% ± 0.7% of their body weight for the PD and AD trial, respectively. The mean cycling speed for the third bout of the 5-km hill cycling was greater in the PD trial (30.2 ± 2.4 km·h−1) compared with the AD trial (28.8 ± 2.6 km·h−1) by 5.1% ± 4.8% (P < 0.05). Gastrointestinal, mean skin, and mean body temperatures immediately after the last hill climbing were greater in the AD compared with the PD trial (P < 0.05). Overall, sweat sensitivity during the three climbing bouts was lower in the AD (15.6 ± 5.7 g·W−1·m−2) compared with the PD trial (22.8 ± 3.4 g·W−1·m−2, P < 0.05). Conclusion The data suggested that PD to match fluid losses during exercise in the heat provided a performance advantage because of lower thermoregulatory strain and greater sweating responses.
Intrauterine diagnosis and management of congenital goitrous hypothyroidism

The intrauterine recognition and treatment of congenital goitrous hypothyroidism may not only reduce the obstetric complications associated with large goiters, but possibly improve the prognosis for normal growth and mental development of affected fetuses. We present a case of fetal goiter diagnosed at 29 weeks of gestation following routine ultrasound examination. Fetal blood sampling performed at this time confirmed the presence of fetal hypothyroidism. Treatment was performed using a series of intra‐amniotic injections between 31 and 36 weeks, initially with tri‐iodothyronine (T3) and subsequently with thyroxine. During this period, shrinkage of the fetal goiter, increasing neck flexion and resolution of the polyhydramnios was observed. Following birth, neonatal serum thyroid‐stimulating hormone levels were within the normal range but thyroxine was reduced. The baby was started on daily oral thyroxine and, on examination 7 weeks following birth, he appeared clinically and chemically euthyroid. In the absence of maternal thyroid disease, fetal goiter is extremely rare, with only seven cases previously reported in the English literature to have used intra‐amniotic thyroxine injections as a form of treatment. This report reviews the current literature regarding the diagnosis and intrauterine management of fetal goiter and considers the possibility of T3 therapy in future cases of congenital hypothyroidism. Copyright © 2002 ISUOG
Impact of environmental factors on neglected emerging arboviral diseases

Background Brazil is a tropical country that is largely covered by rainforests and other natural ecosystems, which provide ideal conditions for the existence of many arboviruses. However, few analyses have examined the associations between environmental factors and arboviral diseases. Thus, based on the hypothesis of correlation between environment and epidemiology, the proposals of this study were (1) to obtain the probability of occurrence of Oropouche, Mayaro, Saint Louis and Rocio fevers in Brazil based on environmental conditions corresponding to the periods of occurrence of the outbreaks; (2) to describe the macroclimatic scenario in Brazil in the last 50 years, evaluating if there was any detectable tendency to increase temperatures and (3) to model future expansion of those arboviruses in Brazil based on future temperature projections. Methodology/Principal findings Our model assessed seven environmental factors (annual rainfall, annual temperature, elevation, seasonality of temperature, seasonality of precipitation, thermal amplitude, and daytime temperature variation) for their association with the occurrence of outbreaks in the last 50 years. Our results suggest that various environmental factors distinctly influence the distribution of each arbovirus, with temperature being the central determinant of disease distribution in all high-risk areas. These areas are subject to change, since the average temperature of some areas has increased significantly over the time. Conclusions/Significance This is the first spatio-temporal study of the Oropouche, Mayaro, Saint Louis, and Rocio arboviruses, and our results indicate that they may become increasingly important public health problems in Brazil. Thus, next studies and control programs should include these diseases and also take into consideration key environmental elements.