Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Clinical features and predictive factors of intraventricular rupture in patients who have bacterial brain abscesses

Background: Intraventricular rupture of brain abscesses (IVRBA) remains a catastrophic and fatal complication of bacterial brain abscess (BBA). However, no information has been reported about the risk factors that are predictive of intraventricular rupture. Methods: This study was undertaken to determine the potential risk factors that are predictive of intraventricular ruptures in patients with BBA but without intraventricular rupture when arriving at the hospital. A comparison is also made between patients who already have IVRBA at the time of admission (initial IVRBA) and those who have the episode during hospitalisation (subsequent IVRBA). Results: 62 patients, including 45 who had initial IVRBA and 17 who had subsequent IVRBA, were examined. Stepwise logistic regression analysis showed that the adjusted risk of intraventricular rupture during hospitalisation for patients with multiloculated brain abscesses had an odds ratio (OR) of 4.2 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.24 to 14.3; p = 0.02) compared with those without multiloculated brain abscesses (referent); a reduction of 1 mm in the distance between the ventricle and brain abscesses would increase the rupture rate by 10% (p = 0.006, OR 0.9, 95% CI 0.83 to 0.97). Conclusion: This study shows that if the abscess is deep seated, multiloculated and close to the ventricle wall, a reduction of 1 mm in the distance between the ventricle and brain abscesses will increase the rupture rate by 10%. Despite aggressive medical and surgical management shown in this series, many patients continue to progress poorly.
Influence of Corporate Social Responsibility Voluntary Disclosure on Financial Performance of Companies Listed in East Africa

Although, all firms are geared towards profit maximization there is need to engage in non profit making activities which are geared towards cordial relationship between all stakeholders. Information asymmetry has great impact on financial performance since investment decision is based on information availability. Thus, there is need for all listed companies to freely share information on social engagement so as to eliminate speculation. This will minimize information costs and consequently trigger positive financial performance. Currently, the influence of corporate social responsibility voluntary disclosure and how it impacted financial performance of listed companies in East Africa securities exchanges. Regression analysis was applied to analyse secondary data collected from annual financial statements. Positive and significant relationship was reported between social, environmental disclosures and financial performance of listed companies in East Africa securities exchanges.
Is There Any Difference of Financial Features between Bidder and Target Banks in Nigeria Mergers and Acquisitions

The Nigerian Banking sector has suffered problematic times since 1999, when the sector was facing problems of corporate governance as identified by the Central Bank of Nigeria. However, CBN started embarking on a comprehensive reform agenda since that time and many measures have been taken to bring the sector on the right track by imposing an IMF Code of Good Practices on Transparency in Monetary and Financial policies. Mergers and Acquisitions (M & A) is a process “where two or more companies are combined to achieve certain strategic and business objectives”. Therefore, Merger and Acquisition seems as a means of achieving business and strategy objectives. The study examined the differences of financial features among bidder and target banks in the Nigerian commercial banking sector. The findings of paired t-test on financial features among bidder and target banks show that bidders and targets’ mean of each variable and financial features between bidder and target banks for 3 years (2002-2004) average indicates that bidders and targets’ mean of each variable are statistically different at 5%. Similarly, the findings for bidder banks’ performance of 5 years (2000-2004) before and 5 years (2006-2010) after mergers and bidder banks’ performance of 3 years (2002-2004) before and 3 years after mergers (2006-2008) are also statistically different at 5%. The study recommends that managers of large and efficient banks seeking to go for merger and acquisition should halt from targeting small and less efficient banks because it will lead to operational inefficiency.
Analyzing the Effect of Outsourcing by SMEs on Company’s Performance Moderating Role of Risks Associated with Decision of Outsourcing: Evidence from SMEs operating in Karachi

Outsourcing is a strategy which is even treated as a risk free for the conduction of business but the decision might not always ensure desired quality and results. Thus there is significant need of evaluation of outcomes associated with outsourcing decision, especially in Under Developed Countries (UDC) and Least Developed Countries (LDC) where there is significant lacking of research work on this strategy. Thus the aim of this research is to check the results associated with outsourcing in terms of its importance, especially for the most important sector of Pakistan’s economy (SMEs). Thus data has been collected from all those who are working on managerial positions in SMEs operating in Karachi and after detailed statistical testing through AMOS it has been revealed that outsourcing is fruitful for SMEs but results might be different for different types of SMEs as well as if we analyze small enterprises and medium enterprises on separate basis. Keywords : Outsourcing, SMEs, Cost, Quality, Firms Performance
Prevention of Acute Proximal Junctional Fractures After Long Thoracolumbar Posterior Fusions for Adult Spinal Deformity Using 2-level Cement Augmentation at the Upper Instrumented Vertebra and the Vertebra 1 Level Proximal to the Upper Instrumented Vertebra

Study Design. Retrospective cohort analysis. Objective. To evaluate efficacy of proximal junction fracture (PJF) prevention in adult spinal deformity (ASD) using 2-level cement augmentation at the construct's proximal extent. Summary of Background Data. Prevention of PJF after thoracolumbar fusions is critical because they may result in neurological injury. Cement augmentation of constructs' proximal vertebrae is postulated to decrease PJF. Methods. Patients with ASD after PSF from pelvis to thoracolumbar junction with 6 months or more follow-up were retrospectively studied. Demographics, deformity radiographical parameters, and health-related quality of life outcomes (HRQoL) scores were compared with patients with no cement, 2-level cement augmentation at upper instrumented vertebra (UIV) and vertebra 1 level proximal to UIV (UIV+1), and cement at another location (“Other”). Revision surgery for PJF was primary outcome. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used for statistical analysis. Results. 51 patients [female-29; male-22; average age: 65 yr (33–82)] met inclusion criteria (2-level-19; no-cement-23; “Other”-9). Average follow-up (mo) was longer for no-cement (25 ± 15) and “Other” (20 ± 16) than 2-level (15 ± 8) (P = 0.06). All perioperative radiographical parameters were similar, save first postoperative thoracic kyphosis and lumbopelvic mismatch. Compared with 2-level cement, non-2-level cement had significantly more revisions for PJF (0% vs. 19%; P = 0.02). After UIV adjustment, risks of PJF revision surgery were 13.1 times higher for “Other” (95% CI: 0.5–346.5, P = 0.12) and 9.2 times higher (95% CI: 0.4–239.1, P = 0.18) for no-cement. All HRQoL scores improved in 2-level cement; only back/leg pain significantly improved in non-2-level cement. Postoperative Oswestry Disability Index was significantly less in 2-level cement. Conclusion. The use of 2-level cement augmentation (UIV and UIV+1) in PSF from pelvis to thoracolumbar junction for ASD is associated with a decreased rate of acute proximal junctional fractures and associated revision surgeries. As only associations can be demonstrated from this study's design, prospective investigations with larger, consecutive cohorts should be performed to explore causal relationships. Level of Evidence: 3
Circulation in profound hypothermia.

HIBERNATING MAMMALS MAINTAIN effective cardiac action and circulation at temperatures of 5OC for prolonged periods of time [13, 15, 191. Nonhibernatom, on the other hand, undergo cardiac failure and expire at low body temperatures unless rewarmed and resuscitated within a short time [3, 171. Artificial circulation with a pump oxygenator has improved the tolerance of profound hypothermia and dogs have survived long-term with no ill effects after 2 hr at a body temperature below 10% [17]. The effect of maintaining an intact pulsatile circulation in profound induced hypothermia has not previously been reported. A noninvasive pulsatile pumping system, mechanical ventricular assist (MVA) has been extensively studied as a technique for total circulatory support in normothermia [l, 23, 30, 321. The use of the MVA at low body temperatures provides mechanical cardiac function, lack of which is the initial and most obvious cause of circulatory failure. Dogs have been maintained for 2 hr with core temper-
CD20-Negative T-Cell-Rich B-Cell Lymphoma as a Progression of a Nodular Lymphocyte-Predominant Hodgkin's Lymphoma Treated With Rituximab: A Molecular Analysis Using Laser Capture Microdissection

Rituximab is a chimeric anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody. It has shown efficacy in patients with B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma and also in CD20-positive Hodgkin lymphoma. Recently, CD20-negative tumors have been described after Rituximab therapy. We report a 34-year-old man with a history of nodular lymphocyte-predominant Hodgkin lymphoma (NLPHL), treated with different chemotherapy regimens, including anthracyclines and Rituximab. After 4 years in complete remission, he developed a CD20-negative T-cell-rich B-cell lymphoma (TCRBCL) presenting as multiple lung lesions. This case shows the difficulties in the diagnosis of CD20-negative lymphomas when the number of tumor cells is low and when they are found in a predominant T-cell context. Using anti-CD79a as a B-cell marker is mandatory to overcome the difficulties in identifying these tumors. Moreover, this case illustrates the usefulness of laser capture microdissection to obtain purified cell populations for molecular studies in lymphomas with relative paucity of tumor cells, as well as the need to analyze different IgH gene regions to decrease the rate of false-negative results in PCR clonality studies.
Directors' Influence on Pay-Based Performance

The objective of this study is to examine earnings management influence on directors’ remuneration. Taking a calculation of the empirical evidence of earnings management, firm performance and directors’ remuneration, this study is able to demonstrate that pay-performance is not influenced by earnings management. Data for this study were extracted from the annual reports of 678 non-financial public listed companies in Malaysia for the years of 2009, 2010 and 2011 giving rise to final 2021 observations. The findings highlighted that earnings management played no role in determining the directors’ remuneration. However, the findings documented a significant and positive association between the directors’ influence and the directors’ remuneration. This study contributes to the growing literature by providing evidence which demonstrate that pay-performance was not directly influenced by earnings management but by the influence of the executive directors. More importantly the study documents even under strong governance, Malaysian listed firms are influenced by the executive directors.
Enhanced Classification Accuracy for Cardiotocogram Data with Ensemble Feature Selection and Classifier Ensemble

In this paper ensemble learning based feature selection and classifier ensemble model is proposed to improve classification accuracy. The hypothesis is that good feature sets contain features that are highly correlated with the class from ensemble feature selection to SVM ensembles which can be achieved on the performance of classification accuracy. The proposed approach consists of two phases: (i) to select feature sets that are likely to be the support vectors by applying ensemble based feature selection methods; and (ii) to construct an SVM ensemble using the selected features. The proposed approach was evaluated by experiments on Cardiotocography dataset. Four feature selection techniques were used: (i) Correlation-based, (ii) Consistency-based, (iii) ReliefF and (iv) Information Gain. Experimental results showed that using the ensemble of Information Gain feature selection and Correlation-based feature selection with SVM ensembles achieved higher classification accuracy than both single SVM classifier and ensemble feature selection with SVM classifier.
The LMA SupremeTM– a pilot study

References 1 Sawin PD, Todd MM, Traynelis VC, et al. Cervical spine motion with direct laryngoscopy and orotracheal intubation: an in vivo cinefluoroscopic study of subjects without cervical abnormality. Anesthesiology 1996; 85: 26–36. 2 Lennarson PJ, Smith D, Todd MM, et al. Segmental cervical spine motion during orotracheal intubation of the intact and injured spine with and without external stabilization. Journal of Neurosurgery 2000; 92 (Suppl. 2): 201– 6. 3 Lennarson PJ, Smith DW, Sawin PD, Todd MM, Sato Y, Traynelis VC. Cervical spinal motion during intubation: efficacy of stabilization maneuvers in the setting of complete segmental instability. Journal of Neurosurgery 2001; 94 (Suppl. 2): 265–70. 4 Crosby ET. Airway management in adults after cervical spine trauma. Anesthesiology 2006; 104: 1293– 318.
Stability of memory traces for speech sounds in cochlear implant patients

For this study, we examined the perception and production of vowels by postlingually deafened patients with cochlear implant. Four patients and one normally hearing subject produced typical vowel sounds of Finnish by using a speech synthesizer. Also acoustic analyses of the pronounced vowels were made. The first (F1) and the second (F2) formant frequencies were measured. The mismatch negativity (MMN), a cortical cognitive auditory event related potential, was used to measure objectively the patients' preattentive discrimination of a prototypical /i/ sound from deviants differing in the F2 continuum. In the phonetic tests the hyperspace effect was seen also among the patients. The MMN, which reflects the phonetic discrimination ability, could be identified from the patient with the best vowel perception abilities. The phonetic memory traces once developed for vowels seem to remain quite stable even though they have not been activated by vowel information for years.
A Study of The Best Selling Smartphone in The Two Biggest Marketplace in Indonesia

The number of entrepreneurs in Indonesia has increased significantly in the past decade. Many entrepreneurs expand their business into digital by using marketplace platform. Although, there are a lot of entrepreneur use digital landscape to scale up their business, many online business ended in failure. This research aims to answer the following questions; what is the success factor of smartphone campaign in the Indonesia marketplace platform? Is there any difference success factor between each marketplace platform? The researcher uses secondary data, simple random sampling, and binary logistic regression modeling for the purpose to answer research questions. Interestingly, this research shows that there are no relationship between seller reputation and sales acquirement. Also, there is no difference behaviour between each marketplace platform. Therefore, to be succeed in marketplace competition, each seller should pay attention to their price competitiveness while at the same time find the best option to increases their number of store page views.
Exploring the Adoption, Spread, and Sustainability of an Informal STEAM Learning Innovation In Schools

This symposium brings together different studies on the adoption and sustainability of FUSE Studios, an alternative STEAM learning infrastructure. Since its launch, FUSE has been adapted successfully in 136 different school-based implementations operating across 18 different states and two countries (USA and Finland). Yet, despite being tailored to each context by local actors, FUSE has largely managed to preserve the integrity of implementation as educational innovation. Each contribution explores a point in the lifecycle of a FUSE adoption and describes local adaptations of the approach in the US and in Finland. In addition to addressing the critical question of how new educational innovations are adopted and sustained, this symposium provides perspectives on how to balance adaptability to local contexts and the integrity (rather than fidelity) of implementation.
Agreement Between Verbal and Electronic Versions of the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS-11) when Used to Assess Pain Intensity in Adolescents

Objectives:Electronic pain measures are becoming common tools in the assessment of pediatric pain intensity. The aims of this study were (1) to examine the agreement between the verbal and the electronic versions of the 11-point Numerical Rating Scale (NRS-11) (vNRS-11 and eNRS-11, respectively) when used to assess pain intensity in adolescents; and (2) to report participants’ preferences for each of the 2 alternatives. Materials and Methods:A total of 191 school children enrolled in grades 7 to 11 (mean age, 14.61; range, 12 to 18) participated. They were asked to report the highest intensity of the most frequent pain that they had experienced during the last 3 months using both the vNRS-11 and the eNRS-11. Agreement analyses were carried out using: (1) the Bland-Altman method, with confidence intervals (CI) of both 95% and 80%, and a maximum limit of agreement of ±1; and (2) weighted intrarater &kgr;-coefficients between the ratings for each participant on the vNRS-11 and eNRS-11. Results:The limits of agreement at 95% fell outside the limit established a priori (scores ranged from −1.42 to 1.69), except for participants in grade 11 (−0.80, 0.88). Meanwhile, the limits of agreement at 80% CI fell inside the maximum limit established a priori (scores ranged from −0.88 to 0.94), except for participants in grade 8 (Supplemental Digital Content 2, http://links.lww.com/CJP/A97) (−0.88, 1.16). The &kgr;-coefficients ranged from 0.786 to 0.912, indicating “almost perfect” agreement. A total of 83% of participants preferred the eNRS-11. Discussion:Pain intensity ratings on the vNRS-11 and eNRS-11 seem to be comparable, at least for the 80% CI.
Systemic lactate kinetics during graded exercise in man.

To investigate the relationships between oxygen consumption (VO2) and the rates of systemic lactate appearance (Ra) and disappearance (Rd), six healthy males were studied at rest and during continuous graded exercise using a primed continuous infusion of lactate tracer. Subjects exercised for 6 min at 300, 600, 900, and 1,200 kg . m . min-1. L-(+)-[1-14C]lactate was infused intravenously, and arterial samples were drawn at rest and every 2 min throughout the exercise period. Ra and Rd were calculated using nonsteady-state equations. At rest Ra and Rd were 14.4 +/- 1.8 and 15.1 +/- 2.2 mumol . kg-1 . min-1, respectively. Near steady-state values were observed toward the end of the first two work loads. Ra and Rd values were 32.8 +/- 2.3 and 37.4 +/- 1.3 mumol . kg-1 . min-1 during min 5 and 6 at 300 kg . m . min-1 and were 59.1 +/- 2.6 and 55.4 +/- 2.3 mumol . kg-1 . min-1 during min 5 and 6 at 600 kg . m . min-1. Ra was significantly greater than Rd at both 900 and 1,200 kg . m . min-1. Ra and Rd averaged 145.4 +/- 10.5 and 110.2 +/- 5.6 mumol . kg-1 . min-1, respectively, during the last 2 min at 900 kg . m . min-1, and 309.4 +/- 20.8 and 169.7 +/- 10.6 mumol . kg-1 . min-1, respectively, at 1,200 kg . m . min-1. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Efficacy of community‐based second trimester genetic ultrasonography in detecting the chromosomally abnormal fetus.

We sought to assess prospectively the efficacy of community‐based genetic ultrasonography in detecting chromosomally abnormal fetuses in a high‐risk population and determine independent markers of aneuploidy. Patients 18 years old and older who were between 14 and 24 weeks' gestation were included if referred for maternal age greater than 35 years, increased risk of Down syndrome or trisomy 18 by second trimester serum screen, or prior affected offspring. All women had a targeted ultrasonographic examination between April 1997 and June 1999 and were offered fetal chromosomal analysis. Markers of aneuploidy and pregnancy outcomes were recorded prospectively. The primary outcome was prenatally or postnatally detected chromosomal abnormalities. Of the 1030 fetuses seen during the study, 789 had outcome data available and constituted the study group. In this group, 694 (87.9%) ultrasonograms were normal, 73 (9.2%) had one marker present, 17 (2.2%) had two markers present, and 5 (0.6%) had three or more markers present. Fourteen of 17 (82.3%) aneuploid fetuses had an abnormal ultrasonogram (one or more markers present), including 5 of 7 (71.4%) with Down syndrome. Logistic regression showed abnormal four‐chamber view, structural anomaly, and intracardiac echogenic focus to be significant aneuploidy markers. The amniocentesis rate was 334 of 1030 (32.4%), and it increased with the number of sonographic markers noted (0 = 29.9%, 1 = 60.2%, 2 = 70.6%, 3 or more = 80%). Genetic ultrasonography is highly effective in identifying chromosomally abnormal fetuses in a community‐based practice.
Perturbations and absorption cross section of infinite-radius black rings

We study scalar field perturbations on the background of nonsupersymmetric black rings and of supersymmetric black rings. In the infinite-radius limit of these geometries, we are able to separate the wave equation, and to study wave phenomena in its vicinities. In this limit, we show that (i) the nonsupersymmetric case is stable against scalar field perturbations (ii) the low energy absorption cross section for scalar fields is equal to the area of the event horizon in the supersymmetric case, and proportional to it in the nonsupersymmetric situation.
Use of numerical ILDC in RCS design optimization loop

This paper deals with the problem of analyzing the RADAR scattering from small constructive details on low RCS platforms. Starting from the ILDC formulations of gaps and cracks, as proposed by Shore-Yaghjian and other authors, we have generalized its applicability exploiting numerical results arising from 2D simulations. The procedure is simple and straightforward and allows the analysis of shapes whose analytical results are not available. Typical application examples are door enclosures, gaskets, or quasi planar geometries with discontinuities in electrical conductivity and so on. This process, useful in preliminary design phases, dramatically reduces the simulation times, therefore allowing to analyze a lot of different situations. Validations have been performed resorting to numerical simulations as well as measurement activities. Results are provided for some simple cases, describing the capabilities and limitations of the approach. Comparisons between simulated and measured results on proper mock-up will be shown in the Conference presentation.