Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Fresh frozen plasma transfusion does not affect outcomes following hepatic resection for hepatocellular carcinoma.

AIM To investigate whether fresh frozen plasma (FFP) transfusion affects outcomes following hepatic resection for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in terms of liver function, postoperative complications and cancer prognosis. METHODS We retrospectively compared the incidence of postoperative complications between 204 patients who underwent hepatectomy for HCC with routine FFP transfusion in an early period (1983-1993, Group A) and 293 with necessity for FFP transfusion during a later period (1998-2006, Group B), and also between two subgroups of Group B [22 patients with FFP transfusion (Group B1) and 275 patients without FFP transfusion (Group B2)]. Additionally, only in limited patients in Group B1 and Group B2 with intraoperative blood loss ≥ 2000 mL (Group B1(≥ 2000 mL) and Group B2(≥ 2000 mL)), postoperative complications, liver function tests, and cancer prognosis were compared. RESULTS No mortality was registered in Group B, compared to 8 patients (3.9%) of Group A. The incidence of morbidity in Group B2 [23.2% (64/275)] was not significantly different from Group B1 [40.9% (9/22)] and Group A [27.0% (55/204)]. The incidence of complications and postoperative liver function tests were comparable between Group B1(≥ 2000 mL) vs Group B2(≥ 2000 mL). Postoperative prognosis did not correlate with administration of FFP, but with tumor-related factors. CONCLUSION The outcome of hepatectomy for HCC is not influenced by FFP transfusion. We suggest FFP transfusion be abandoned in patients who undergo hepatectomy for HCC.
Clinical Significance of Metastatic Lymph Nodes in the Gut of Patients with Pure and Mixed Primary Appendiceal Carcinoids

BACKGROUND: Right hemicolectomy is indicated for primary appendiceal carcinoids with diameters greater than 2 cm because of an increased risk of metastasis to the lymph nodes of the gut. However, the natural history of positive nodes remains unknown. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of metastatic lymph nodes on survival among patients with pure or mixed primary appendiceal carcinoids, while controlling for potential confounders such as age, sex, tumor size, surgical intervention, and lymph node rate (number of positive lymph nodes/lymph node yield). DESIGN: This is a retrospective comparative study. SETTINGS: Data were retrieved from the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results database. PATIENTS: Patients undergoing colectomy for appendiceal carcinoids between 1998 and 2009 were selected. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The survival curves for the 2 groups were compared to evaluate differences in prognosis. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed. RESULTS: Lymph node rates did not significantly differ between the pure and mixed carcinoid groups (p = 0.768), although overall survival was poorer among patients with mixed carcinoids (p = 0.004; HR, 0.498; 95% CI, 0.310–0.800). For pure carcinoids, surgical intervention (p = 0.029; HR, 0.241; 95% CI, 0.067–0.867), age (p < 0.001; HR, 1.083; 95% CI, 1.051–1.116), and lymph node rate (p = 0.039; HR, 5.295; 95% CI, 1.089–25.754) were independent predictors of overall survival. For mixed carcinoids, surgical intervention (p = 0.019; HR, 1.675; 95% CI, 1.088–2.578), tumor size (p < 0.001; HR, 0.442; 95% CI, 0.286–0.683), age (p < 0.001; HR, 1.041; 95% CI, 1.026–1.056), and lymph node rate (p < 0.001; HR, 17.471; 95% CI, 10.047–0.382) were significant prognostic factors. LIMITATIONS: The study is limited by its retrospective nature and by the shortcomings of the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results database related to the availability and quality of data. CONCLUSION: Based on the data retrieved from the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results database and adjusted for potential confounding factors, the lymph node rate of metastasis strongly impacts overall survival among patients with pure or mixed carcinoids. Nodal metastasis thus appears to be a reliable clinical hallmark of tumor aggressiveness.
Internationalisation commitment of emerging market firms: A comparative study of Chile and Brazil

Purpose Enhancing firm commitment towards internationalisation is an important step towards ensuring successful international performance. However, there is limited research on this topic for emerging market firms. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the factors that influence the internationalisation commitment of emerging market firms located in two Latin American countries with different institutional environments. Design/methodology/approach This study proposes and tests a conceptual model that includes drivers and barriers of internationalisation commitment. Data were collected from Chilean and Brazilian firms. The model uses confirmatory factor analysis to develop the underlying multi-item constructs and structural equation modelling to test the model. Findings The results show that managers’ perceptions of firm resources and capabilities are significant drivers of internationalisation commitment in both countries. In addition, perceptions of internal firm-specific barriers, such as a manager’s lack of international experience and knowledge, are negatively related to internationalisation commitment in Chile, but not in Brazil. Finally, external environmental barriers are negatively related to internationalisation commitment in Brazil, but not in Chile. Practical implications The context for the study is Chile and Brazil. Both are important emerging markets in Latin America, with a strong focus on firm internationalisation. The research design is cross-sectional and so does not allow for any causal claims to be made. The findings have important implications for internationalisation efforts of managers and export promotion agencies of emerging markets with different institutional environments. Originality/value This research contributes to the relatively scant but increasing number of empirical studies which investigate emerging market internationalisation in Latin America.
Micro vapor extractor for on-site determinations of volatile organic compounds in water and biofluids

A passive, membrane-mediated, microfabricated vapor extractor (μVE) chip for collecting volatile organic compounds (VOC) from water and biofluids is presented. Its performance when interfaced to a micro-scale gas chromatograph (μGC) prototype is demonstrated. A mixture of 4 VOCs spiked into synthetic urine at ppm concentrations was extracted by the 2.8×2.3 cm μνΕ chip from a 700-μL sample in 3.5 min, and then preconcentrated, injected, separated and detected by μGC in ∼80 sec with detection limits as low as 660 ppb. Response patterns provided by the μGC sensor-array detector facilitated VOC identification. The hybrid μνΕ-μGC microsystem may eventually permit rapid field/clinical analyses of water contaminants and urinary biomarkers of exposure and disease.
The effects of menopausal health training for spouses on women's quality of life during menopause transitional period

Objective:Spouses’ support during menopausal transition has an important role for improving the quality of life in postmenopausal women. Since the first step in providing support is having adequate knowledge, this study aimed to investigate the effects of an educational program on menopause health for spouses on women's quality of life during the menopausal transition. Methods:This clinical trial was conducted in Yazd, Iran. A hundred healthy women aged 45 to 60 years were recruited by random sampling. The spouses in the intervention group (n = 50) attended three training sessions about the management and health of menopausal transition. The spouses in the control group (n = 50) did not receive any intervention. Knowledge and performance about menopausal health were assessed in all spouses before and 3 months after intervention. All women were assessed by the Menopause Rating Scale, and the Menopause Quality of Life questionnaire before and 3 months after educational intervention. Analyses were carried out using SPSS 16 software. The level of significance was set at P less than 0.05. Results:The knowledge and performance of spouses in the intervention group were significantly higher 3 months after intervention (P < 0.0001). The quality of life in women in the intervention group was higher 3 months after intervention (P < 0.0001). The mean scores of psychological and physical domains were significantly lower in the intervention group (P = 0.002 and P = 0.001, respectively). Conclusions:The training of menopausal health for spouses improves the quality of life in women during menopausal transition. We suggest integrating such educational programs in menopausal management programs.
Gathering innovative end-user feedback for continuous development of information systems: a repeatable and transferable e-collaboration process

Receiving innovative end user feedback on an information system is essential for acquiring further development ideas. The feedback gathering method should encourage end users to freely bring out new ideas. The method should be repeatable and transferable to allow its use in various contexts. We employ the principles of collaboration engineering using so-callled thinkLets as building blocks to construct a feedback gathering process. We apply the principles for receiving new development ideas for a multi-university student information system in Finland. We reflect on the experiences and give insights on applying two alternative processes in a complex organizational context.
A combined top-down bottom-up approach for introducing nanoparticle networks into nanoelectrode gaps

We report here on the fabrication of a three-dimensional array of nanoparticles which bridges the gap between lithographically defined gold electrode contacts separated by 20 nm. The nanoparticle assemblies are formed from about 5 nm gold nanoparticles and benzenedimethanethiol (BDMT) bridging ligands. These assemblies are introduced between the contacts using a layer-by-layer protocol with successive BDMT self-assembly being followed by nanoparticle adsorption until the gap is bridged. The temperature dependent electrical properties of these devices are analysed to establish whether they are consistent with the notion that the networks are built up from molecularly interlinked discrete gold nanoparticles. To aid this analysis the molecular conductance of single bridging molecules is also characterized at room temperature using a recently introduced method based on the scanning tunnelling microscope (STM). From these measurements it is concluded that the room temperature electrical properties of the nanostructured networks are limited by the small interparticle connectivity and the inherent resistance of the linker molecules.
A Study of Perceived Ethicality of Low Corporate Effective Tax Rates

SYNOPSIS: U.S. corporations have the ability to avoid paying domestic taxes to achieve an effective tax rate that is much lower than the statutory federal tax rate. This study evaluates the extent that individuals differ in their attitudes about the ethicality of corporations avoiding domestic taxes to achieve low effective tax rates. We also examine the extent to which the specific tax avoidance method used by corporations to access a low effective tax rate affects perceived ethicality. Eighty-two members of the general public and 112 accountants participated in an experiment with two participant groups and three tax avoidance methods manipulated randomly between subjects. The results indicate a significant interaction between participant group and tax avoidance method, with the general public considering shifting profits out of the country to achieve a low effective tax rate to be highly unethical, while the accountants find tax avoidance from carrying forward prior operating losses to be highly ethical.
Falls, risk factors and fear of falling among persons older than 65 years of age

Falling represents a major public health problem among older persons because it leads to premature mortality, loss of independence, and placement in assisted‐living facilities. The purpose of this study was to assess the main features and risks for falls among persons older than 65 years of age as well as to quantify their fear of falling.
Plasmatic extracellular vesicle microRNAs in malignant pleural mesothelioma and asbestos-exposed subjects suggest a 2-miRNA signature as potential biomarker of disease

Background Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma (MPM) is an aggressive cancer mainly caused by asbestos exposure and refractory to current therapies. Specific diagnostic markers for early MPM diagnosis are needed. Changes in miRNA expression have been implicated in several diseases and cancers, including MPM. We examined if a specific miRNA signature in plasmatic extracellular vesicles (EV) may help to discriminate between malignant pleural mesothelioma patients (MPM) and subjects with Past Asbestos Exposure (PAE). Methodology/Principal findings We investigated 23 MPM patients and 19 cancer-free subjects with past asbestos exposure (PAE). We screened 754 miRNAs in plasmatic EVs by OpenArray and found 55 differential miRNAs using logistic regression models adjusted for age, sex, BMI, and smoking. Among the top-20 differential miRNAs chosen for validation by Real time PCR, 16 were confirmed. Using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, the most discriminating miRNA combination was given by miR-103a-3p + miR-30e-3p, which generated an AUC of 0.942 (95% CI 0.87–1.00), with a sensitivity of 95.5% and a specificity of 80.0%. Using multivariate Cox regression analysis including gender, age, BMI and smoking we found a Hazard Ratio for miR-103a-3p above the median of 0.37 (95%CI 0.13–1.13) and of 0.51 (95%CI 0.17–1.52) for miR-30e-3p. Conclusions This study suggests EV-associated miR-103a-3p and miR-30e-3p are able to discriminate MPM from PAE subjects. Larger and prospective studies are needed to confirm these two-miRNA signature alone or in combination with other biomarkers as diagnostic tools for MPM.
Stimulation SFEMG in myasthenia gravis

The diagnostic usefulness of single‐fiber electromyography (SFEMG) in the diagnosis of neuromuscular transmission disorders is well established. Increased jitter is one of the earliest indications of abnormality. In patients with severe weakness, tremor, or altered consciousness, performance of the study is difficult because of the degree of cooperation needed.
Investigating the Emotional Responses of Individuals to Urban Green Space Using Twitter Data: A Critical Comparison of Three Different Methods of Sentiment Analysis

In urban research, Twitter data have the potential to provide additional information about urban citizens, their activities, mobility patterns and emotion. Extracting the sentiment present in tweets is increasingly recognised as a valuable approach to gathering information on the mood, opinion and emotional responses of individuals in a variety of contexts. This article evaluates the potential of deriving emotional responses of individuals while they experience and interact with urban green space. A corpus of over 10,000 tweets relating to 60 urban green spaces in Birmingham, United Kingdom was analysed for positivity, negativity and specific emotions, using manual, semi-automated and automated methods of sentiment analysis and the outputs of each method compared. Similar numbers of tweets were annotated as positive/neutral/negative by all three methods; however, inter-method consistency in tweet assignment between the methods was low. A comparison of all three methods on the same corpus of tweets, using character emojis as an additional quality control, identifies a number of limitations associated with each approach. The results presented have implications for urban planners in terms of the choices available to identify and analyse the sentiment present in tweets, and the importance of choosing the most appropriate method. Future attempts to develop more reliable and accurate algorithms of sentiment analysis are needed and should focus on semi-automated methods.
Characterization of Glycoside Hydrolase Family 5 Proteins in Schizosaccharomyces pombe

ABSTRACT In yeast, enzymes with β-glucanase activity are thought to be necessary in morphogenetic events that require controlled hydrolysis of the cell wall. Comparison of the sequence of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae exo-β(1,3)-glucanase Exg1 with the Schizosaccharomyces pombe genome allowed the identification of three genes that were named exg1+ (locus SPBC1105.05), exg2+ (SPAC12B10.11), and exg3+ (SPBC2D10.05). The three proteins have different localizations: Exg1 is secreted to the periplasmic space, Exg2 is a membrane protein, and Exg3 is a cytoplasmic protein. Characterization of the biochemical activity of the proteins indicated that Exg1 and Exg3 are active only against β(1,6)-glucans while no activity was detected for Exg2. Interestingly, Exg1 cleaves the glucans with an endohydrolytic mode of action. exg1+ showed periodic expression during the cell cycle, with a maximum coinciding with the septation process, and its expression was dependent on the transcription factor Sep1. The Exg1 protein localizes to the septum region in a pattern that was different from that of the endo-β(1,3)-glucanase Eng1. Overexpression of Exg2 resulted in an increase in cell wall material at the poles and in the septum, but the putative catalytic activity of the protein was not required for this effect.
Angioscopic assessment of peri-stent contrast staining following drug-eluting stent implantation.

BACKGROUND Peri-stent contrast staining (PSS) has been recognized as a predictor of late stent thrombosis following drug-eluting stent (DES) implantation. However, the intravascular conditions at PSS sites remain unclear. METHODS AND RESULTS We evaluated 10 patients (median age 72 years, 80% male) with stable angina pectoris by coronary angioscopy. The patients had a total of 11 DES implantations (5 sirolimus-eluting stents; 4 paclitaxel-eluting stents; 2 everolimus-eluting stents) that showed PSS. Neointimal coverage (NIC), presence of thrombus, and yellow plaques underneath the stent were compared between PSS and non-PSS sites for each stent. NIC was graded as: grade 0, struts exposed; grade 1, struts bulging into the lumen, although covered; grade 2, struts embedded by neointima, but translucent; grade 3, struts fully embedded and invisible. Mean follow-up was 394±206 days (median: 289). NIC grade was lower at PSS sites (P=0.021) with 8 out of 11 stents (73%) having grade 0. Angioscopy detected a thrombus more frequently at PSS sites than at non-PSS sites (64% vs. 9%, P=0.012). Yellow plaques tended to be more significant at PSS sites than at non-PSS sites (82% vs. 45%, P=0.091). CONCLUSIONS The angioscopic findings suggest high thrombogenicity at PSS sites.
Cellular response after crush injury in adult zebrafish spinal cord

Zebrafish proves to be an excellent model system to study spinal cord regeneration because it can repair its disengaged axons and replace lost cells after injury, allowing the animal to make functional recovery. We have characterized injury response following crush injury, which is comparable to the mammalian mode of injury. Infiltrations of blood cells during early phases involve macrophages that are important in debris clearance and probably in suppression of inflammatory response. Unlike mammals where secondary injury mechanisms lead to apoptotic death of both neurons and glia, here we observe a beneficial role of apoptotic cell death. Injury‐induced proliferation, presence of radial glia cells, and their role as progenitor all contribute to cellular replacement and successful neurogenesis after injury in adult zebrafish. Together with cell replacement phenomenon, there is creation of a permissive environment that includes the absence or clearance of myelin debris, presence of Schwann cells, and absence of inflammatory response. Developmental Dynamics 239:2962–2979, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Shall We Employ Women Guards in Male Prisons?

Since the Civil Rights Act of 1964, United States prisons have begun hiring women to work as guards in male prisons. In recent years, this policy has been challenged in the courts on two grounds: first, that women guards are a security risk, and second, that they invade prisoners' privacy. Research cited in this article questions the validity of both of these claims. Women guards appear to reduce tensions in male prisons and to be in less danger than the male guards. Three criteria are suggested for evaluating privacy invasion in particular cases, and using these criteria it appears that most prisons can avoid privacy invasion of male prisoners without excluding women from positions as guards.
Quality of life from the perspective of the patient with acute myeloid leukemia

Although outcomes for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) have improved over time, they remain poor overall, and toxicity from both the disease and its treatment can affect quality of life (QOL). One barrier to including QOL endpoints in clinical trials is the lack of a disease‐specific QOL instrument that can efficiently capture the major QOL deficits in this population.
Effectiveness of Cervical Spine Stabilization Techniques

Objective:To compare head motions that occur when trained professionals perform the head squeeze (HS) and trap squeeze (TS) C-spine stabilization techniques. Design:Cross-over design. Participants:Twelve experienced lead rescuers. Main Outcome Measures:Peak head motion with respect to initial conditions using inertial measurement units attached to the forehead and trunk of the simulated patient. We compared both HS and TS during lift-and-slide (L&S) and log-roll (LR) placement on spinal board, and agitated patient trying to sit up (AGIT-Sit) or rotate his head (AGIT-Rot). The a priori minimal important difference (MID) was 5 degrees for flexion or extension and 3 degrees for rotation or lateral flexion. Results:The L&S technique was statistically superior to the LR technique. The only differences to exceed the MID were extension and rotation during LR (HS > TS). In the AGIT-Sit test scenario, differences in motion exceeded MID (HS > TS) for flexion, rotation, and lateral flexion. In the AGIT-Rot scenario, differences in motion exceeded MID for rotation only (HS >TS). There was similar intertrial variability of motion for HS and TS during L&S and LR but significantly more variability with HS compared with TS in the agitated patient. Conclusions:The L&S is preferable to the LR when possible for minimizing unwanted C-spine motion. There is little overall difference between HS and TS in a cooperative patient. When a patient is confused, the HS is much worse than the TS at minimizing C-spine motion.
Market Efficiency in Malaysia: An Empirical Study of Random Walk Hypothesis of Kuala Lumpur Stock Market (Composite Index) – Bursa Malaysia

As long as financial markets are concerned, for many years’ economists, statisticians and financial analyst have been interested in developing and testing models of stock price behaviour and their forecast. This study examines whether the Kuala Lumpur Stock Market, Malaysia is efficient if the Stock Returns follow a random walk. The study employs daily closing prices of Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange – Bursa Malaysia Composite Index for a time period of 28 Apr 1998 to 30 Dec 2014. The existence of random walk for Bursa Malaysia Index has been examined through autocorrelation, Q-statistics and the run test and finds that the Kuala Lumpur Stock Market was not efficient in the weak form during the testing period. The results suggest that the stock prices in Malaysia do not reflect all the information in the past stock prices and abnormal returns can be achieved by investors through exploiting the market inefficiency.