Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
[Duchenne muscular dystrophy: electrocardiographic analysis of 131 patients].

BACKGROUND Cardiac involvement is known to occur in patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). The electrocardiogram (ECG) shows some typical changes in DMD, which makes it a useful test for the diagnosis of cardiac lesion in this disease. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the electrocardiographic changes in patients with DMD and to correlate these changes with the age of the population studied. METHODS ECG of 131 patients diagnosed with DMD were examined. Several electrocardiographic variables were analyzed, and the patients were divided into two groups - one with and one without changes, for each variable studied. The correlation between the two groups and the age of the patients was analyzed. Garson's criteria were used to establish the electrocardiographic parameters of normality. RESULTS ECG was abnormal in 78.6% of the patients. All showed normal sinus rhythm. The following percentages were found for the main variables studied: short PR interval = 18.3%; abnormal R waves in V1 = 29.7%; abnormal Q waves in V6 = 21.3%; abnormal ventricular repolarization = 54.9%; abnormal QS waves in inferior and/or upper lateral wall = 37.4%; conduction disturbances in right bundle branch = 55.7%; prolonged QT C interval = 35.8%, and wide QRS = 23.6%. Unpaired t test was used to establish the correlation between age and the electrocardiographic variables studied in the two groups. Statistically significant differences were found only for the abnormal repolarization variable. CONCLUSION Electrocardiographic abnormalities are common in DMD, revealing early cardiac involvement. Only the abnormal ventricular repolarization variable was more frequent, however at a lower age range (p < 0.05).
Collateral, type of lender and relationship banking as determinants of credit risk

This paper analyses the determinants of the probability of default (PD) of bank loans. We focus the discussion on the role of a limited set of variables (collateral, type of lender and bank borrower relationship) while controlling for the other explanatory variables. The study uses information on the more than three million loans entered into by Spanish credit institutions over a complete business cycle (1988 to 2000) collected by the Bank of Spain? s Credit Register (Central de Informacion de Riesgos). We find that collateralised loans have a higher PD, loans granted by savings banks are riskier and, finally, that a close bank borrower relationship increases the willingness to take more risk.
Platelet GPIIb/IIIa (P1A1/2) polymorphism in SLE: clinical and laboratory association

A 13 year old girl presented with auricular chondritis and recurrent episodes of unexplained chest pain, arthritis, bronchitis, conjunctivitis, prolonged steroid resistant alopecia areata, and a history of recurrent tonsillitis. Both the mosaic of autoimmunity and relapsing polychondritis were considered in the differential diagnosis. The patient was successfully treated with co-trimoxazole. The significance of co-trimoxazole, which is an antibiotic and an immunomodulatory drug, in the treatment of autoimmune disease is discussed.
Good practices in building innovative rural institutions to increase food security.

rising incomes are likely to continue to put pressure on food demand. International prices for most agricultural commodities are set to remain at 2010 levels or higher, at least for the next decade (OECD-FAO, 2010). Small-scale producers in many developing countries were not able to reap the benefits of high food prices during the 2007-2008 food price crises. Yet, this upward food price trend could have been an opportunity for them to increase their incomes and food security. The opportunity that high food prices could have provided as a pathway out of poverty for small producers was not realized.
Environmental standards and the location choices of U.S. Multinational Enterprises

This study explores the effect of differences in environmental stringency on the location choices of U.S. multinational enterprises. It seeks to contribute to the literature in the following ways. First, the “knowledge-capital model” by Carr et al. (2001) is extended by including a measure of differences in environmental stringency. Second, new data which allows for distinguishing between horizontal -and vertical multinational activity is used. The effect of an environmental stringency gap on horizontal multinational activity is as expected statistically not significant. After some adjustments are made, the effect of an environmental stringency gap on vertical multinational activity has the expected sign but is statistically not significant.
Congestive Heart Failure Cardiopoietic Regenerative Therapy (CHART‐1) trial design

Cardiopoiesis is a conditioning programme that aims to upgrade the cardioregenerative aptitude of patient‐derived stem cells through lineage specification. Cardiopoietic stem cells tested initially for feasibility and safety exhibited signs of clinical benefit in patients with ischaemic heart failure (HF) warranting definitive evaluation. Accordingly, CHART‐1 is designed as a large randomized, sham‐controlled multicentre study aimed to validate cardiopoietic stem cell therapy.
Methodological issues in cross‐cultural marketing research: A state‐of‐the‐art review

Notes that methodological problems are hampering the growth of cross‐cultural marketing research and presents a review of methodological issues to address these problems. Organizes these issues around a six‐step framework which includes elements such as problem definition, the development of an approach and research design formulation. Notes that the marketing research problem can be defined by comparing the phenomenon or behaviour in separate cultural contexts and eliminating the influence of the self‐reference criterion. Discusses issues in data analysis such as treatment of outliers and standardization of data. Concludes with an interpretation of results and report presentation.
Renal function following living, standard criteria deceased and expanded criteria deceased donor kidney transplantation: impact on graft failure and death

We examined United States Renal Data System (USRDS) data for adult kidney transplant recipients in 1995–2003 (n = 87 575) to investigate associations of 12‐month renal function with long‐term clinical outcomes. Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was computed by the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) equation. Associations of eGFR at the first transplant anniversary with graft and patient‐survival in years 1–9 post‐transplant were evaluated by multivariate nonlinear regression with spline forms, adjusted for recipient, donor, and transplant factors. Regardless of donor type, the likelihood of graft failure and death increased significantly with lower eGFR. The impact of poor eGFR was more pronounced for graft failure than death. Relative effects were similar across donor types, but were strongest among living‐donor recipients. For example, compared with reference eGFR of 80 ml/min/1.73 m2, 1‐year eGFR of 20 ml/min/1.73 m2 was associated with adjusted hazards ratios for subsequent death‐censored graft failure of 9.2 in living, 8.9 in standard criteria deceased, and 5.9 in expanded criteria deceased‐donor recipients. First‐year renal function after kidney transplantation has strong, nonlinear associations with subsequent allograft and patient survival regardless of donor type. Post‐transplant eGFR may be a useful end‐point for discriminating benefits of care strategies that differentially affect renal function.
Cross-Sectional Stock Option Pricing and Factor Models of Returns

Is the pricing of index and individual stock options consistent with a factor model of stock returns? To answer this question, we use returns and option prices for a cross-section of stocks and a market index to carry out an integrated estimation of a multivariate stochastic volatility models with systematic factors and idiosyncratic return components. In particular, we estimate both the objective and risk neutral (RN) dynamics of the model using particle filter techniques. For a one-factor "market model" of stock returns we find that 1) the market (S&P 500) betas of individual stocks are similar under the objective and RN measures, 2) there is a statistically and economically important common factor in the volatility of idiosyncratic returns, 3) the factor loadings of individual stocks on this common component of idiosyncratic volatility are also similar under the objective and RN measures, and 4) both market and common idiosyncratic volatility appear to be priced in option prices.
Target Situation Analysis in Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) in Malaysia-Based Multi-National Enterprises: the Case of German

Purpose - The aim of this study is to examine the German language needs of employees in multinational companies in Malaysia and the expectations of employers in the teaching of German in their companies. As an additional variable, training for sustainable development (ESD) is included. The language learning needs are described and worked as a basis for the development of language programs for adults. A special main focus is on the local situation in Malaysia and the situations that may arise in Germany during the posting to the headquarters of the respective company. Design / methodology / approach - The mixed-mode research method is chosen in order to obtain a spectrum of ideas about the teaching of German in German Companies in Malaysia (qualitative research) and to conduct a review of the German education (quantitative research). The needs analysis addressed the employers, employees and teachers in a survey period of about four weeks using a questionnaire. Results - The results of the needs assessment show a discrepancy between supply and demand in terms of the required skills in the German language as well as other skills that are regarded by employers as extremely important. In particular, skills that are necessary in key competencies and techniques are clearly required, but hardly included in class. Thus, the results of this needs assessment provide concrete starting points for the improvement of teaching German and with this, the improvement of communicative competence in the workplace. Originality / Benefits - This study contributes to the current issues concerning the German mediation requirements: How can the demand for German at the workplace be detected and exactly described? What methods are available, which studies at home and abroad already exist?
The Qualitative Evaluation of the Pharmacokinetics of Subconjunctivally Injected Antifungal Agents in Rabbits

Dutch-belted rabbits with corneal epithelium either intact or debrided were injected subconjunctivally with 300 µl of one of six antifungal agents: 10 mg/ml miconazole, 5 mg/ml fluconazole, 5 mg/ml ketoconazole, 2.5 mg/ml itraconazole, and 5 mg/ml amphotericin B. At intervals of 10 min to 96 h after injection, animals were killed and corneas removed at the limbus. Three vertical strips from the right cornea and four contiguous 3-mm disks trephined from the central vertical axis of the left cornea were placed on agar plates seeded with an appropriate indicator organism. After 24 h of incubation, the zones of inhibition were measured. For itraconazole, miconazole, fluconazole, saperconazole, and ketoconazole, central corneal levels peaked by 2 h in normal and debrided corneas. Little or no drug was detectable after 4-8 h, except for itraconazole, which persisted in the cornea for at least 24 h in both normal and debrided corneas. Peak levels of amphotericin B in the central cornea were achieved after 2 h in rabbits with debrided corneas, with no drug activity measured after 8 h. There were no detectable levels of drug found in the central corneas of rabbits with intact corneal epithelium. On the basis of this pilot study, the method offers a rapid approach to the screening of antifungal agents for possible use by subconjunctival injection.
Firm Dynamics and Productivity Growth

Countries differ substantially in the extent to which more productive firms are large and/or are becoming larger and less productive firms are small and/or becoming smaller. A challenge for both emerging and advanced economies is that achieving such static and dynamic allocative efficiency requires an ongoing process of restructuring and reallocation. Such restructuring and reallocation is by its very nature costly. Market structure and institutions that promote well-functioning business dynamism are, accordingly, critical for economic performance. In the 1980s abd 1990s, the US exhibited a robust pace of business dynamism that contributed substantially to US productivity and job growth. There are, however, some disturbing trends in the nature of US business dynamism - for example, the pace of business start-ups has declined secularly especially over the last decade. The decline in the pace of business dynamism may be contributing to the anaemic US recovery from the recent recession.
Dark-adapted pupil diameter as a function of age measured with the NeurOptics pupillometer.

PURPOSE To measure the dark-adapted pupil diameter of normal research participants in their second through ninth decades of life using the NeurOptics pupillometer (Neuroptics Inc). METHODS Individuals aged 18 to 80 years with no history of eye disease or injury, intraocular surgery, or use of systemic antihistamines or opiates were recruited. After 2 minutes of adaptation at 1 lux illumination, the right dark-adapted pupil diameter was measured using the NeurOptics pupillometer, with accommodation controlled by distance fixation. The NeurOptics pupillometer reported a mean dark-adapted pupil diameter and a standard deviation of the mean, which were analyzed as a function of age-decade. RESULTS Two-hundred sixty-three individuals participated. For participants aged 18 to 19 years (n=6), the mean dark-adapted pupil diameter was 6.85 mm (range: 5.6 to 7.5 mm); 20 to 29 years (n=66), 7.33 mm (range: 5.7 to 8.8 mm); 30 to 39 years (n=50), 6.64 mm (range: 5.3 to 8.7 mm); 40 to 49 years (n=51), 6.15 mm (range: 4.5 to 8.2 mm); 50 to 59 years (n=50), 5.77 mm (range: 4.4 to 7.2 mm); 60 to 69 years (n=30), 5.58 mm (range: 3.5 to 7.5 mm); 70 to 79 years (n=6), 5.17 mm (range: 4.6 to 6.0 mm); and 80 years (n=4), 4.85 mm (range: 4.1 to 5.3 mm). These values were consistent with studies using infrared photography. The standard deviation was >0.1 mm in 10 (3.8%) participants, all of whom were younger than 55 years. CONCLUSIONS The dark-adapted pupil diameter is an important clinical variable when planning refractive surgery. Surgeons can compare a patient's dark-adapted pupil diameter with the results of this population study to identify outlier measurements, which may be erroneous, and repeat testing prior to surgery.
Disabled Pupils` Use of Assistive ICT in Norwegian Schools

The subject of this chapter is disabled pupils` use of assistive information and communication technologies (ICT) in Norwegian primary and secondary schools. The chapter investigates how use, or non-use, of assistive ICT at school influences disabled pupils’ opportunities for active participation in an inclusive educational system within the regular school system. This investigation draws on a qualitative pilot study carried out in Norwegian primary and secondary schools in autumn 2010.
Tandem practice model: A model for physician‐nurse practitioner collaboration in a specialty practice, neurosurgery

Purpose To describe the benefits of a physician–nurse practitioner (NP) collaborative practice model, specifically that of a tandem practice model, using a neurosurgeon and a primary care NP in the clinic and inpatient setting. Data sources Selected journal articles from Medline and CINAHL, and anecdotal clinical experience. Conclusions This collaborative practice model, in which the physician and NP deliver patient care in tandem, is beneficial to patients and their families because they receive comprehensive care that is patient oriented and holistic. Further, the model benefits multiple disciplines across the healthcare continuum by providing efficient communication of patient needs, accessibility of the specialty team, and timely implementation of patient interventions. The collaboration of the physician specialist and primary care NP provides a holistic approach to the care of diverse and challenging patient populations. Implications for practice Patients seen in a specialty practice, particularly that of neurosurgery, often have little understanding of their problem and may be frightened or confused because of their perceptions of the unknown. Providing care to such specialized patient populations in a constantly changing healthcare environment may prove demanding to the specialist. The introduction of a primary care NP into such specialty settings offers patients, their families, consultants, and staff members an additional resource for evaluation, intervention, education, and communication, improving the continuity and comprehensiveness of care to challenging patient populations. This model is an option for physician specialists interested in augmenting their practice and provides further resources for meeting the holistic needs of selected patient populations regardless of the setting.
Clinical application of the fast track surgery model based on preoperative nutritional risk screening in patients with esophageal cancer.

OBJECTIVES To investigate the clinical application of the fast track surgery (FTS) model based on preoperative nutritional risk screening (NRS) in patients with esophageal cancer. METHODS 180 patients with esophageal cancer who underwent surgery between January 2008 and April 2014 were randomly divided into study and control groups based on matched-pairs. The study group underwent assessment using the NRS 2002 and received treatment before surgery and the control group was treated by the conventional method. Postoperative indicators including time to first exsufflation, time to defecation, time to chest tube removal, hospitalization duration, and postoperative complications were examined after surgery. RESULTS Compared with the control group, the postoperative indicators including time to first exsufflation (88.4±2.76 vs 57.83±2.68 hours), time to first defecation (4.68±1.71 vs 3.28±1.34 days), time to chest tube removal (4.30±0.25 vs 2.70±0.33 days), postoperative hospitalization durations (11.71±1.39 vs 9.00±0.78 days), and total complication rate (18.9% [17/90] vs 6.67% [6/90]) were all significantly reduced in the study group (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS The FTS model based on NRS can effectively promote postoperative rehabilitation of patients, reduce the incidence of postoperative complications, and shorten hospital stay.
Rural Tourism Destination Performance in East Malaysia: Influencing Factors from the Communities' Perspective

Rural tourism is a rapidly growing tourism segment and has been given increasing importance, in view of its potential to contribute economic growth to the rural areas. However, any rural tourism destination development should be implemented in a way that maximises destination performance. In our study, we examine the relationship between support and participation of the local government, community leadership in tourism, community attitudes towards tourism, and community support towards tourism with destination performance (from the economic, socio-cultural and environmental aspects), from the local community perspective. We obtained, as voluntary respondents, 176 residents of a local community at a rural tourism destination in Sabah, Malaysia. SmartPLS 2.0 (M3) was applied to assess the developed model. Thereafter, to generate the standard error of the estimate and t-values, bootstrapping with 200 re-samples was applied. The findings suggested that community attitudes and community leadership in tourism have a significant positive impact on destination performance, whereas local government participation and support, and community support for tourism, had little impact on the same. Implications of these findings were further discussed.
An enterprise-wide knowledge management system infrastructure

The borderless global economy has accentuated the importance of knowledge as the most critical source of competitive advantage. Thus, knowledge management (KM) has become a strategic mandate for most world‐class organizations. A key enabler for implementing an effective KM system is advanced information technology (IT). Strategies for developing an enterprise‐wide KM system infrastructure with embedded IT are discussed. In particular, this paper discusses the concept of a KM life cycle – knowledge capture, knowledge development, knowledge sharing, and knowledge utilization, and how applications of new IT support each step of the KM practices within and between organizations is suggested.
Neuromorphic Networks Based on Sparse Optical Orthogonal Codes

A family of neuromorphic networks specifically designed for communications and optical signal processing applications is presented. The information is encoded utilizing sparse Optical Orthogonal Code sequences on the basis of unipolar, binary (0,1) signals. The generalized synaptic connectivity matrix is also unipolar, and clipped to binary (0,1) values. In addition to high-capacity associative memory, the resulting neural networks can be used to implement general functions, such as code filtering, code mapping, code joining, code shifting and code projecting.
Drivers of snack foods impulse buying behaviour among young consumers

Purpose – This article aims to examine the influence of marketing-controlled external motivators of impulse buying behaviour of snack foods in cafeterias among young students. Design/methodology/approach – A questionnaire was used to ask a sample of 200 young consumers about their impulse buying behaviour in cafeterias. The resulting data were submitted to an in-depth four-stage quantitative analysis. Findings – The results show that there is not a unique profile of impulse buying behaviour and that young consumers can be effectively segmented in five groups according to their impulsive buying behaviour of snack foods using the eight factors revealed in the exploratory factor analysis. A new segment of health/nutrition-conscientious impulsive consumers was uncovered and characterized. Research limitations/implications – The major constraints of this study are the use of a non-probability convenience sampling design and sample size. Future studies should include other products and a more heterogeneous samp.
Neurological disorders in essential thrombocythemia

Patients with essential thrombocythemia often complain of various subjective neurological symptoms. This prospective study aims to assess their incidence and response to therapy. Among 37 consecutive patients with essential thrombocythemia, 11 presented with neurological symptoms. Among them 4 had thrombotic events, 7 complained of transient or fluctuating subjective symptoms, and one had both. Brain magnetic resonance imagery failed to detect any substratum in patients with subjective symptoms. JAK2V617F mutation was found in 9 of 11 patients with neurological symptoms versus 14 of 26 patients without symptoms. Ten patients received low-dose aspirin for these symptoms: complete resolution was observed in 3, improvement with persisting episodes in 2, and resistance to aspirin in 2 patients, in whom addition of cytoreductive therapy became necessary to resolve those disabling symptoms. In this prospective cohort, 30% of patients with essential thrombocythemia presented neurological symptoms. Aspirin was fully efficient in only 30% of cases. JAK2V617F mutation could be a risk factor for such symptoms.