Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
[Indications for coronarography in heart valve diseases].

Among 407 patients with rheumatic heart disease studied in our department, we found 8.3% with coronary atherosclerosis: 2.7% with mitral stenosis and 2.4% with aortic stenosis, lower figures than those reported in the literature. In our patients with coronary atherosclerosis, the male to female ratio was 1.6:1. The mean age of men and women with coronary atherosclerosis were 58.9 +/- 8.48 years and 60.33 +/- 5.75 years respectively. The cumulated relative frequency curve of the age was shifted to the right in the patients with coronary atherosclerosis, compared with the age frequency curve of the patients with normal coronary arteries: 50% of the cases with coronary atherosclerosis were < or = 60 years old; on the other hand, 50% of the patients with normal coronary arteries were < 53 years old. We only discovered 3 patients younger than 50 years old with coronary atherosclerosis. In order of frequency, the coronary arteries more affected were the anterior descending, right and circumflex. The mean coronary stenosis was 75.2 +/- 21.2%. Disease of one vessel was observed more frequently. We believe that age is not a good parameter to indicate coronarography in patients with valvular heart disease. If coronarography would be performed in all patients with valvular disease > or = 30 or 40 years old, would result in a great number of normal studies, with the consequent misspend of supplies and the increased risk of complications. On the other hand, restricting the coronarography indication, would miss the diagnosis in patients that might need myocardial revascularization. To restrict or to increase the indication of coronarography in patients with valvular disease will depend of the frequency between rheumatic heart disease and associated coronary atherosclerosis, and also on the atherosclerosis risk factors present in each patient. We recommend not to use the age of the patients as an index to indicate coronarography.
Space charge behavior in low density polyethylene at pre-breakdown

It has been known that the electrical breakdown of insulating materials is strongly affected by the formation of space charge in the bulk of the materials. Many researchers have attempted to study the relationship between the space charge and the breakdown; however, it has not been clarified yet. Although the pulsed electroacoustic (PEA) method has been widely used to observe space charge profiles, previous works have not shown clear evidence of the influence of the space charge on the breakdown. Therefore, we have developed a new PEA system with an interval of 0.5 ms to observe the space charge distribution continuously under the ultra-high electric field. Using this system, we observed the space charge dynamics in the low-density polyethylene (LDPE) at and around the breakdown. We also investigated the dependence of the applied electric field on space charge behavior. From the results, it is found that the injected charge packet moved faster and deeper under a relatively lower electric field rather than that under a higher electric field. Furthermore, we found that the maximum electric field in each specimen was almost the same when the breakdown happened in a specimen.
Large negative linear compressibility of Ag3[Co(CN)6]

Silver(I) hexacyanocobaltate(III), Ag3[Co(CN)6], shows a large negative linear compressibility (NLC, linear expansion under hydrostatic pressure) at ambient temperature at all pressures up to our experimental limit of 7.65(2) GPa. This behavior is qualitatively unaffected by a transition at 0.19 GPa to a new phase Ag3[Co(CN)6]-II, whose structure is reported here. The high-pressure phase also shows anisotropic thermal expansion with large uniaxial negative thermal expansion (NTE, expansion on cooling). In both phases, the NLC/NTE effect arises as the rapid compression/contraction of layers of silver atoms—weakly bound via argentophilic interactions—is translated via flexing of the covalent network lattice into an expansion along a perpendicular direction. It is proposed that framework materials that contract along a specific direction on heating while expanding macroscopically will, in general, also expand along the same direction under hydrostatic pressure while contracting macroscopically.
Statins, 3-Hydroxy-3-Methylglutaryl Coenzyme A Reductase Inhibitors, Are Able to Reduce Superoxide Anion Production by NADPH Oxidase in THP-1-Derived Monocytes

Reactive oxygen species formation by phagocytes and subsequent modifications of vascular wall are involved in the early step of human atherogenesis. This study looked for the effect of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG CoA) reductase inhibitors on NADPH oxidase–dependent superoxide anion production in THP-1 cells, a monocyte-derived cell line, and on the translocation of p21 Rac 2 and p67phox. A 30-min incubation with simvastatin (50 &mgr;M) inhibited phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate–induced superoxide anion production by monocytes (32%) and a maximum inhibition was obtained at 3 h of incubation (69.5%). In addition, after 3 h of incubation a dose-dependent inhibition was obtained in the range 10–50 &mgr;M of simvastatin with a median inhibitory concentration of 36 ± 2.3 &mgr;M. Mevalonic acid (100 and 300 &mgr;M) and geranylgeraniol (100 &mgr;M) totally prevented the simvastatin-induced inhibitory effect of superoxide production by monocytes whereas farnesyl PP (100 &mgr;M) partially prevented (50%) this effect. In addition, simvastatin inhibited the translocation of p21 rac 2 and p67phox, suggesting that geranylgeranylation is required for NADPH oxidase activation. In another set of experiments, the rank order of potency of different statins on NADPH oxidase was determined (pravastatin < cerivastatin < lovastatin < fluvastatin < simvastatin). In conclusion, inhibition of superoxide formation by HMG CoA reductase inhibitors is highly suitable to prevent or limit the oxidative stress involved in the atherosclerosis process.
Fast manual long-axis strain assessment provides optimized cardiovascular event prediction following myocardial infarction.

AIMS Cardiovascular magnetic resonance feature tracking (CMR-FT) global longitudinal strain (GLS) provides incremental prognostic value following acute myocardial infarction (AMI) but requires substantial post-processing. Alternatively, manual global long-axis strain (LAS) can be easily assessed from standard steady state free precession images. We aimed to define the prognostic value of LAS in a large multicentre study in patients following AMI. METHODS AND RESULTS A total of 1235 patients with myocardial infarction [n = 795 with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and 440 with non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI)] underwent cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging after primary percutaneous coronary intervention in eight centres across Germany. Assessment of LAS was performed in a blinded core-laboratory measuring the systolic shortening between the epicardial apical border and the middle of a line connecting the origins of the mitral leaflets. Primary clinical endpoint was the occurrence of major adverse clinical events (MACE) including death, reinfarction, and congestive heart failure within 1 year after AMI. During 1-year follow-up, 76 patients suffered from MACE. Impaired LAS was associated with higher MACE occurrence both in STEMI (P < 0.001) and NSTEMI (P = 0.001) patients. Association of LAS remained significant (P = 0.017) after correction for univariate significant parameters for MACE prediction. C-statistics revealed incremental value of additional LAS assessment for optimized event prediction compared with left ventricular ejection fraction (MACE P = 0.044; mortality P = 0.013) and a combination of established clinical and imaging parameters (MACE P = 0.084; mortality P = 0.027), but not CMR-FT GLS (MACE P = 0.075; mortality P = 0.380). CONCLUSION LAS provides software independent, widely available, easy and fast approximation of longitudinal left ventricular shortening early after reperfused AMI with incremental prognostic value beyond established risk stratification parameters. CLINICAL TRIALS.GOV NCT00712101 and NCT01612312.
Acute Myocarditis : Rapid Diagnosis by PCR in Children 331 TABLE 1 . Dallas Criteria * General definition : Myocardial cell injury with degeneration or necrosis with inflammatory infiltrate not due to ischemia

Background The diagnosis of viral myocarditis remains difficult and generally depends on clinical and histological criteria. Viral cultures and serology are often unrewarding, with low yields. The purpose of this study was to analyze the usefulness of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in the rapid diagnosis of acute myocarditis in children. Methods and Results PCR was used to analyze 38 myocardial tissue samples from 34 patients with suspected acute viral myocarditis and 17 control patients with congenital heart disease (14) or hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (3). Myocardial samples were obtained at the time of right ventricular biopsy (13 samples), from explanted hearts (18 samples) at transplantation, and from cardiac autopsy specimens (24 samples) and were evaluated for the presence of enterovirus, cytomegalovirus (CMV), adenovirus, and herpes simplex virus (HSV) using PCR primers designed to consensus and unique sequences of these viral genomes. Blood also was obtained at the time of
Pyrophosphate Stimulates Wild-type and Mutant Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator Cl− Channels (*)

A unique feature of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) Cl− channel is regulation by ATP through the two cytoplasmic nucleotide-binding domains (NBDs). To better understand this process, we asked how channel activity is affected by inorganic pyrophosphate (PPi), a compound that binds to NBDs in other proteins. PPi and three nonhydrolyzable PPi analogs reversibly stimulated the activity of phosphorylated channels. Kinetic modeling of single channel data demonstrated that PPi affected two distinct steps in channel regulation. First, PPi increased the rate at which channels opened. Second, once channels were open, PPi delayed their closure. PPi could only stimulate channels when it was applied in the presence of ATP. PPi also increased the photolabeling of CFTR by an ATP analog. These two findings suggest that PPi modifies the activity of ATP-dependent CFTR channel gating. Based on these and previous data, we speculate that the effects of PPi are mediated by binding of PPi to NBD2 where it regulates channel opening by NBD1, and then, because it is not hydrolyzed, it slows the rate of NBD2-mediated channel closing. Because PPi stimulated wild-type channels, we tested its effect on CFTR containing the cystic fibrosis mutations: ΔF508, R117H, and G551S. PPi stimulated all three. PPi also stimulated endogenous CFTR in the apical membrane of permeabilized T-84 epithelia. These results suggest that PPi or an analog might be of value in the development of new approaches to the treatment of cystic fibrosis.
A Comparison of ADAS and EEG in the Discrimination of Patients with Dementia of the Alzheimer Type from Healthy Controls

Neuropsychometric tests (for instance the Alzheimer’s Disease Assessment Scale, ADAS) and the EEG are often used in the diagnostic procedure of dementia. The validity of the instruments is only poorly investigated. The study aimed to investigate the accuracy of the discrimination between healthy controls and patients with dementia of the Alzheimer type (DAT) by ADAS and EEG. Thirty-six patients with DAT and 44 healthy controls were included. In a discriminant analysis of the 21 ADAS items and 18 EEG parameters (6 frequency bands, 12 topographic parameters), 6 ADAS items turned out to discriminate both groups with 100% sensitivity and specificity (remembering instructions, depression, following commands, pacing, restlessness and word finding difficulties). Regarding EEG parameters, 4 (topography of β- and δ-activity and amplitude of δ-activity) led to a sensitivity and specificity of over 90%. Thus, both methods demonstrated an excellent discrimination between healthy controls and DAT. The slightly higher discrimination with the ADAS may depend on its closer relation to clinical symptoms. However, the EEG measuring functional activity reached nearly the same result. Both methods provide complementary information. A combination of both methods in the diagnostic procedure to detect dementia is recommended.
Millennials Use of Social Media in Product Innovation Purchasing Processes

ABSTRACT The main aim of this article is to study the role of social media in the process of browsing through and choosing innovative products within Millennials. To verify the formulated hypotheses, we have built a research model grounded in the diffusion of innovation theory and in the consumer behavior theory. This model has been estimated by applying the Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). Our sample consists of 315 buyers representing Millennials. The study confirms the positive influence of the utilitarian factor (i.e. convenience) and hedonistic factors (i.e. habit and adventure) on the use of social media for innovative product browsing. The results also show that product innovation browsing and sharing information affect purchase intention.
Post hoc segmentation combining conjoint analysis and a two-stage cluster analysis

Tourism contributes to GDP and employment; therefore, several countries manage tourism resources using an R&D + I strategy (research and development of innovative methodologies). Thus, market segmentation adjusts tourism offer to consumers’ needs/preferences. Post hoc segmentation strategy has important advantages over a priori segmentation, allowing better adjustment of supply to tourists’ preferences. This paper illustrates the advantages of combined use of the conjoint analysis and cluster analysis when segmenting the tourist market post hoc -according to consumers’ preferences. From the results, we identify six different clusters and the most important attributes are weather and price.
Interest on Reserves and Sunspot Equilibria: Friedman's Proposal Reconsidered

Friedman's (1960) proposal to pay interest on (required) reserves is considered in a setting that eliminates the indeterminacy of steady-state equilibrium discussed by Sargent and Wallace (1985). In an overlapping-generations model where the real rate of interest is technologically determined, the payment of interest on reserves results in a determinate, Pareto optimal steady-state equilibrium. However, interest payments on reserves reduce the steady-state welfare of all young agents and, for many economies, result in the existence of stationary sunspot equilibria. This is the case even if such equilibria cannot exist when reserves do not earn interest.
Continuum theory for mechanical metamaterials with a cubic lattice substructure

A three-dimensional continuum theory for fibrous mechanical metamaterials is proposed, in which the fibers are assumed to be spatial Kirchhoff rods whose mechanical response is controlled by a deformation field and a rotation field, the former accounting for strain of the rod and the latter for flexure and twist of the rod as it deforms. This leads naturally to a model based on Cosserat elasticity. Rigidity constraints are introduced that effectively reduce the model to a variant of second-gradient elasticity theory.
Effect of tillage methods on soil properties and productivity of quality protein maize (Zea mays)-wheat (Triticum aestivum) system

A field experiment was conducted with quality protein maize (Zea mays L.) and wheat [Triticum aestivum (L.) emnd Fiori & Paol. )] at Pantnagar, Uttrakhand between 2008–09 and 2009–10 to evaluate crop yield, economics and soil properties under different tillage methods, viz. zero tillage (ZT), conventional tillage (CT), raised fresh bed (RFB) and permanent raised bed (PRB). Results showed that organic C and bulk density varied significantly among the tillage methods. Organic C content in soil increased by 8.4 and 12.3% in ZT, followed by 5.6 and 9.4% in PRB over CT in maize and wheat, respectively. Bulk density was highest under ZT, and was negatively related with yield. Plant height and dry root biomass of maize and effective tillers/m2 and harvest index of wheat influenced significantly by tillage practices in both the years. Yields obtained under raised fresh beds (RFB) were superior to ZT, CT and PRB by 8.4 to 32.4% and 8.8 to 18.8% in maize and 5.0 to 39.5% and 7.3 to 42.1% in wheat during 2008–09 and 2009–10, respectively. Grain yields of both crops with ZT and PRB showed an increasing trend in second year. The applied irrigation water was highest (15.5 and 20.7cm) in maize and 31.9 and 30.9cm in wheat under CT and lowest being (11.3 and 10.0 cm) in maize and 23.5 and 19.0 cm in wheat under PRB. Highest water productivity was found for both crops with FRB but lowest with CT in maize and ZT in wheat. But, the magnitude of increase in water productivity was 0.35 to 1.44 kg/m3 higher in maize than that of wheat crop. Fresh raised bed gave highest net income of l8,600/ha in maize and 58,900/ha in wheat but highest benefit: cost ratio was found with FRB and PRB for maize and wheat, respectively. The highest energy consumption was recorded under FRB in maize (18,900 MJ/ha) and CT in wheat (22,800 MJ/ha) while energy use efficiency was highest with PRB in both crops. Thus adoption of FRB tillage method not only saved the resources like water and nutrients but also produced highest yields of maize and wheat in maize-wheat cropping systems.
R&D internationalisation patterns in the global pharmaceutical industry: evidence from a network analytic perspective

This study adopts a Social Network Analysis (SNA) perspective to investigate global R&D internationalisation patterns of the pharmaceutical industry. We use co-inventorships identified in pharmaceutical patents granted by the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) between 1996 and 2013, giving rise to an international collaboration network by drawing a cross-country link when a patent lists at least two inventors located in different countries. We describe changing R&D internationalisation patterns by exploring network structures as a whole as well as the changing role of different countries. The results show that R&D internationalisation indeed has gained momentum in pharmaceutical innovation, in particular after the year 2006. The network has developed from a mono-centric, star-like network – with the USA constituting the only hub – to a more distributed and dense network. The relative decline of the USA has not taken place at the expense of emerging economies but at the expense of European countries.
Optimization of Cooperative Sensing in Cognitive Radio Networks: A Sensing-Throughput Tradeoff View

In cognitive radio networks, protection to primary users can be quantified by the probability of detection. On the other hand, the probability of false alarm affects the achievable throughput of secondary users. Performances of these two probabilities depend heavily on the fusion scheme used when cooperative sensing is performed. In this paper, we consider the case where N secondary users sense the channel cooperatively using k-out-of-Nfusion rule. A sensing-throughput tradeoff under cooperative sensing scenario is formulated to find a pair of sensing time and k value that maximize the secondary users' throughput subject to sufficient protection provided to the primary user. An iterative algorithm is proposed to obtain the optimal values of these two parameters. Computer simulations show that significant improvement of the secondary users' throughput can be achieved when the parameters from the fusion scheme and sensing time are jointly optimized.
Parenthood and the Gender Gap in Pay

We compare the income and wage trajectories of women to those of their male partners before and after parenthood. Focusing on the within-couple gap allows us to control for both observed and unobserved attributes of the spouse and to estimate both short- and long-term effects of entering parenthood. We find that 15 years after the first child has been born, the male-female gender gaps in income and wages have increased by 32 and 10 percentage points, respectively. In line with a collective labor supply model, the magnitude of these effects depends on counterfactual relative incomes or wages within the family.
COMPANY SIZE, LISTED VERSUS UNLISTED STOCKS, AND EXTENT OF FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

Even a cursory examination of an extensive sample of corporate annual reports indicates that the adequacy of disclosure varies from company to company. In quite a few cases, the variation is substantial. There are many factors which could contribute to the observed variation. One of the problem areas in corporate reporting is that little is known about the extent to which these factors affect the adequacy of disclosure in annual reports. This paper reports on a study of the relationship between a subcomponent of adequate disclosure-the extent to which selected items of information are presented in corporate annual reports-and two company characteristics. One characteristic is the size of the company, and the other is the company's listing status. Listed companies have their common stock traded on either the New York (NYSE) or American (AMEX) Stock Exchanges. Unlisted companies are represented by those companies whose stock is traded in the Over-the-Counter (OTC) market. A measure of disclosure was constructed, based on the informational desires of financial analysts, and defined in terms of 39 selected types of information which might appear in the annual report. Weights were assigned to each of the 39 items (types) of information in order to recognize differences in the relative importance of their disclosure. The weights, as well as a justification for inclusion of the items in the study, were based on the responses contained in the completed questionnaires returned by 131 financial analysts. The measure of disclosure was applied to the annual reports of 88 com-