Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Wash-in kinetics for sevoflurane using a disposable delivery system (AnaConDa) in cardiac surgery patients.

BACKGROUND The use of volatile anaesthetics has increased in situations where conventional anaesthetic machines are inadequate or unavailable, for example, cardiac surgery and intensive care. The disposable anaesthetic conserving device, AnaConDa, allows vaporization of liquid volatile anaesthetics from a syringe pump and rebreathing of exhaled anaesthetic. Clinical use requires understanding of device-specific anaesthetic agent kinetics, which are not fully known. We compared the wash-in kinetics for sevoflurane administered by a conventional vaporizer in a non-rebreathing system and the AnaConDa and evaluated if a standard anaesthesia gas monitor gave accurate readings while using the AnaConDa. METHODS Cardiac surgery patients were randomized to maintenance of anaesthesia with sevoflurane either via a vaporizer or via the AnaConDa (n=8 in each group). Sevoflurane in arterial blood and airway gas was measured with gas chromatography and standard gas monitoring. RESULTS The initial increase in arterial sevoflurane tension was greater with the vaporizer than with the AnaConDa, but the time to reach 80% of maximum sevoflurane tension was close to 8 min in both groups. End-tidal sevoflurane tension mirrored arterial tension in both groups, whereas measured inspired tension was lower than expired and arterial tensions with the use of the AnaConDa. CONCLUSIONS The wash-in kinetics for sevoflurane delivered by the AnaConDa are similar to a vaporizer. End-tidal sevoflurane tension accurately reflects arterial tension whereas inspired tension may be underestimated using an AnaConDa.
Returns and volatility of water investments

Abstract This study analyzes the stock returns and volatility of the global water industry in different (full, pre-GFC, GFC and post-GFC) periods. The study estimates ARMA (1, 1)-GARCH (1, 1) and EGARCH (1, 1) models on the World Water index (WOWAX), S-Network Global Water Index (S-Net), S&P Global Water Index (S&P), and MSCI ACWI Water Utilities Index (MSCI ACWI), the Asia, Europe, Latin America and US water markets, Pictet Global Water Fund (Pictet), and KBC Eco Water Fund (KBC Eco) for the period 2004–2014. In this study, the EGARCH (1, 1) model results suggest the existence of persistence of volatility from four water indices, four water markets and two water funds in different periods and asymmetric volatility (leverage) for Asia and US, S-Net and Pictet in full, pre-GFC and GFC periods and for WOWAX in GFC and post-GFC periods. The WOWAX is not highly correlated with water markets and water funds, which suggests that it may provide a possible opportunity for portfolio diversification in different periods.
Nuclear localization of E‐cadherin but not beta‐catenin in human ovarian granulosa cell tumours and normal ovarian follicles and ovarian stroma

Ohishi Y, Oda Y, Kurihara S, Kaku T, Kobayashi H, Wake N & Tsuneyoshi M (2011) Histopathology58, 423–432 Nuclear localization of E‐cadherin but not beta‐catenin in human ovarian granulosa cell tumours and normal ovarian follicles and ovarian stroma
Teaching medical professionals online: A cross-discipline experience

Background: Teaching online and cross-discipline teaching are new experiences for many instructors. Aim: Our aim was to solicit the experiences of a group of College of Education faculty about teaching medical professionals in an online master's degree in education program. Method: We used a focus group approach (eight instructors) to explore and gain a deeper understanding about teaching medical professionals by instructors who are in cross disciplines (e.g., nonmedical backgrounds). Results: The data were analyzed using a qualitative thematic analysis approach. Six themes emerged from the instructors’ comments about online teaching to medical professionals compared with other students they have taught in a classroom setting. Conclusion: This study has implications for online teachers and for those who are planning cross-discipline teaching programs.
Analytical investigation of human resource’s current expenses role in earnings predictability and value relevance: evidence from Iran

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of human resources current expenses, as a large and persistent component of earning, on the prediction of firm future performance. So, based on existing literature, the employee model and earning model have introduced and two dependent variables, earning predictability and value relevance, have entered into these models. In this study, 125 listed companies on TSE over a period of 7 years, between 2006 and 2013 selected as sample. Firstly, in this research by using mean comparison test (t-test), the two models have been compared and the results show that employee model, due the consideration of employee expenses (in addition to the earnings), has a better explanation of company’s future performance. Then by using multiple regression and ordinary least squares method, three properties of human resource current expenses; named average salary per employee, employee expenses intensity, employee expenses persistence; and the difference in earning predictability and value relevance of two models have been investigated. This study is the first to investigate the effects of human Resource’s current expenses on earnings predictability and value relevance of Iranian firms. Also, the provided empirical evidence in this paper further enhances the role of an employee by developing employee model. Results show that there is a significant relationship between the persistence of human resource current expenses and earning predictability and value relevance. The two other properties have a significant relationship with earning predictability but do not have a significant relationship with value relevance.
Roles of lineage sorting and phylogenetic relationship in the genetic diversity at the self-incompatibility locus of Solanaceae

Allelic polymorphism at the S locus that determines the gametophytic self-incompatibility (GSI) system in the pistil predates speciation. Understanding the evolution of a GSI system therefore requires knowledge of how lineage sorting and interspecific phylogenetic relationship affect S allele polymorphism. In searching for patterns of lineage sorting among species of various phylogenetic relationships, 22 S-alleles from 34 genets randomly taken at three Tennessee sites from a newly known GSI species Physalis longifolia were sequenced. Analyses of these data along with the previous sequences of three solanaceous species indicate that much of the combined allelic genealogy may be explained by lineage sorting and phylogenetic relationship. Using the mean terminal branch lengths of trans-specific alleles on the allelic genealogy to infer phylogenetic relationship among species, P. longifolia was found to be more closely related to P. cinerascens than to P. crassifolia. Nonetheless, the distribution of terminal branch lengths of P. longifolia was more similar to that of P. crassifolia than to that of P. cinerascens, suggesting phylogenetic relationship may have little effect on species-specific polymorphism. Similar habitat and growth characters, yet contrasting S-polymorphism, between P. longifolia and P. cinerascens also reject previous hypotheses that habitat and growth characters are the major factors responsible for interspecific differences in S-polymorphism. A likely scenario is that species-specific S-polymorphism is based on lineage sorting whose effect is further modified by species age and historical changes in population parameters.
Role of sex steroids, intrahepatic fat and liver enzymes in the association between SHBG and metabolic features

Auteur Bonnet, Fabrice [1], Cephise, Fritz-Line Velayoudom [2], Gautier, Alain [3], Dubois, Séverine [4], Massart, Catherine [5], Camara, Alioune [6], Larifla, Laurent [7], Balkau, Beverley [8], Ducluzeau-Fieloux, Pierre-Henri [9] Editeur Wiley Type Article scientifique dans une revue à comité de lecture Année 2013 Langue Anglais Date 2013 Oct Numéro 4 Pagination 517-522 Volume 79 Titre de la revue Clinical Endocrinology
Host Restriction of Salmonella enterica Serotype Typhimurium Pigeon Isolates Does Not Correlate with Loss of Discrete Genes

ABSTRACT The definitive phage types (DT) 2 and 99 of Salmonella enterica serotype Typhimurium are epidemiologically correlated with a host range restricted to pigeons, in contrast to phage types with broader host ranges such as epidemic cattle isolates (DT104 and DT204). To determine whether phage types with broad host range possess genetic islands absent from host-restricted phage types, we compared the genomes of four pigeon isolates to serotype Typhimurium strain LT2 using a DNA microarray. Three of the four isolates tested caused fluid accumulation in bovine ligated ileal loops, but they had reduced colonization of liver and spleen in susceptible BALB/c mice and were defective for intestinal persistence in Salmonella-resistant CBA mice. The genomes of the DT99 and DT2 isolates were extremely similar to the LT2 genome, with few notable differences on the level of complete individual genes. Two large groups of genes representing the Fels-1 and Fels-2 prophages were missing from the DT2 and DT99 phage types we analyzed. One of the DT99 isolates examined was lacking a third cluster of five chromosomal genes (STM1555 to -1559). Results of the microarray analysis were extended using Southern analysis to a collection of 75 serotype Typhimurium clinical isolates of 24 different phage types. This analysis revealed no correlation between the presence of Fels-1, Fels-2, or STM1555 to -1559 and the association of phage types with different host reservoirs. We conclude that serotype Typhimurium phage types with broad host range do not possess genetic islands influencing host restriction, which are absent from the host-restricted pigeon isolates.
Efficacy of nasopharyngeal culture in identification of pathogen in middle ear fluid in chronic otitis media with effusion.

PURPOSE Chronic otitis media with effusion (OME) is the leading cause of hearing loss during childhood. In bacterial etiology of OME, the most frequent pathogens responsible are Haemophilus influenzae followed by Streptococcus pneumoniae and Moraxella catarrhalis. This study aimed at evaluating the accuracy of nasopharyngeal (NP) specimens in the identification of pathogens in the middle ear fluid (MEF) in patients with OME. MATERIALS AND METHODS In this cross sectional, case-control study, 95 MEFs and 53 NP secretion specimens were obtained from 53 children. As a control group, 102 NP specimens were taken from children having an operation other than an otological disease. Conventional culture methods and multiplex-PCR method have been used to determine the etiology of OME; NP carriage between cases and control groups were compared using conventional culture methods. Pearson Chi-Square and Fisher's Exact tests were used in statistical analysis. RESULTS Bacteria were isolated by culture in 37.9% of MEF specimens, 14.7% of which belonged to the group H. influenzae, S. pneumoniae and M. catarrhalis. PCR was positive in 30.5% specimens targeting the same pathogens. There was a two-fold increase in carriage rate of S. pneumoniae and H. influenzae in patients than controls for each pathogen. CONCLUSION PCR is a more reliable method to detect middle ear pathogens in MEF in comparison with the conventional culture methods. The NP colonization wasn't found to be an indicator of the pathogen in MEF although middle ear pathogens colonize more in nasopharynx of diseased children.
Response to Cetuximab With or Without Irinotecan in Patients With Refractory Metastatic Colorectal Cancer Harboring the KRAS G13D Mutation: Australasian Gastro-Intestinal Trials Group ICECREAM Study.

PURPOSE RAS mutations predict lack of response to epidermal growth factor receptor monoclonal antibody therapy in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC), but preclinical studies and retrospective clinical data suggest that patients with tumors harboring the exon 2 KRAS G13D mutation may benefit from cetuximab. We aimed to assess cetuximab monotherapy and cetuximab plus irinotecan in patients with molecularly selected (G13D mutation) chemotherapy-refractory mCRC in a randomized phase II trial of this rare molecular subtype. PATIENTS AND METHODS Patients with chemotherapy-refractory KRAS G13D mutation-positive mCRC who had progressed within 6 months of irinotecan therapy were randomly assigned to cetuximab 400 mg/m(2) loading dose and then 250 mg/m(2) once per week with or without irinotecan 180 mg/m(2) once every 2 weeks. The primary end point was 6-month progression-free survival; secondary end points were response rate, overall survival, quality of life, and toxicity. RESULTS Fifty-one of 53 patients recruited over 2 years were eligible. The 6-month progression-free survival rate was 10% (95% CI, 2% to 26%) for cetuximab versus 23% (95% CI, 9% to 40%) for cetuximab plus irinotecan with a hazard ratio of 0.74 (95% CI, 0.42 to 1.32). Response and stable disease rates were 0% and 58% for monotherapy versus 9% and 70% for combination treatment, respectively. Overall survival and quality of life were similar; toxicities were higher with combination therapy. CONCLUSION In patients with G13D-mutated chemotherapy-refractory mCRC, there was no statistically significant improvement in disease control at 6 months with either cetuximab monotherapy or cetuximab plus irinotecan. No responses were seen with single-agent cetuximab. The responses observed with the combination of cetuximab and irinotecan may reflect true drug synergy or persistent irinotecan sensitivity. The ICECREAM (Irinotecan Cetuximab Evaluation and Cetuximab Response Evaluation Among Patients with a G13D Mutation) study demonstrates the need to prospectively evaluate hypotheses that were previously supported by retrospective analyses and exemplifies the value of international collaboration in trials of rare molecular subtypes.
Multiphasic Perfusion Computed Tomography in Hyperacute Ischemic Stroke: Comparison with Diffusion and Perfusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Purpose The purpose of this study was to compare multiphasic perfusion computed tomography (CT) with diffusion and perfusion magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in predicting final infarct volume, infarct growth, and clinical severity in patients with hyperacute ischemia untreated by thrombolytic therapy. Method Multiphasic perfusion CT was performed in 19 patients with ischemic stroke within 6 hours of symptom onset. Two CT maps of peak and total perfusion were generated from CT data. Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and perfusion MRI were obtained within 150 minutes after CT. Lesion volumes on CT and MRI were compared with final infarct volume and clinical scores, and mismatch on CT or MRI was compared with infarct growth. Results The lesion volume on the CT total perfusion map strongly correlated with MRI relative cerebral blood volume (rCBV), and that on the CT peak perfusion map strongly correlated with MRI relative cerebral blood flow (rCBF) and rCBV (P < 0.001). The lesion volume on unenhanced CT or DWI moderately correlated with final infarct volume, but only lesion volume on unenhanced CT weakly correlated with baseline clinical scores (P = 0.024). The lesion volumes on the CT peak perfusion map and MRI rCBF similarly correlated with final infarct volume and clinical scores and more strongly than those on mean transit time (MTT) or time to peak (TTP). DWI-rCBF or CT mismatch was more predictive of infarct growth than DWI-MTT or DWI-TTP mismatch. Conclusion Multiphasic perfusion CT is useful and of comparable utility to diffusion and perfusion MRI for predicting final infarct volume, infarct growth, and clinical severity in acute ischemic stroke.
Interventional cardiology in Europe 1999.

AIMS The purpose of this registry is to collect data on trends in interventional cardiology within Europe. Special interest focuses on relative increases and ratios in newer revascularization approaches and its distribution in different regions in Europe. METHODS AND RESULTS Questionnaires distributed to delegates of the national societies of cardiology represented in the European Society of Cardiology to be completed by local institutions and operators yielded that 1,452,751 angiograms and 452,019 PTCAs were performed in 1999. This is an increase of 28% and 16%, respectively, compared with 1998. Most of these increases are due to high relative increases in eastern European countries. The number of PTCAs per 106 inhabitants rose to 714 in 1999. Coronary stenting increased by 31% to about 313,000 stents implanted in 1999. Complication rates remained stable, the need for emergency coronary artery bypass grafting showing a further slight decrease to currently 0.3%. CONCLUSION Interventional cardiology in Europe is still growing, mainly due to rapid growth in countries with lower socio-economical levels. In some central European countries a saturation seemed to be reached with only minor increases in procedures performed. Coronary stenting remains the only noteworthy and growing complement or alternative to balloon angioplasty.
Analog-to-Information and the Nyquist Folding Receiver

Recovering even a small amount of information from a broadband radio frequency (RF) environment using conventional analog-to-digital converter (ADC) technology is computationally complex and presents significant challenges. For sparse or compressible RF environments, an alternate approach to conventional sampling is analog-to-information (A2I) to enable sub-Nyquist rate sampling based on compressive sensing (CS) principles. This paper presents the Nyquist Folding Receiver (NYFR), an efficient A2I architecture that folds the broadband RF input prior to digitization by a narrowband ADC. The folding is achieved by undersampling the RF spectrum with a stream of short pulses that have a phase modulated sampling period. The undersampled signals then fold down into a low pass interpolation filter. The pulse sample time modulation induces a corresponding phase modulation on the received signals that is scaled by an integer modulation index that varies with the Nyquist zone (i.e., fold number), allowing the signals to be separated based on the measured modulation index. Unlike many schemes motivated by CS that randomize the RF prior to digitization, the NYFR substantially preserves signal structure. This enables information recovery with very low computational complexity algorithms in addition to traditional CS reconstruction techniques. The paper includes a comparison of seven other A2I architectures with the NYFR.
Gastrostomy buttons for nutritional support on chronic dialysis.

RATIONALE Nutritional support for children on chronic dialysis often involves the use of nasogastric tubes or gastrostomy feeding. We report our experience using gastrostomy buttons (GB) over a 6.6-year period to document their success/failure, the feeding regimens employed and the impact on growth. DESIGN In 339 patient months of prospective observation, 22 children (14 male) commenced gastrostomy feeding at a median age of 2.3 years (range 0.2-10.3 years). Sixteen patients had an initial gastrostomy catheter inserted at the same time as a chronic dialysis catheter. Eighteen patients were established on continuous cycling peritoneal dialysis (CCPD) and four on haemodialysis (HD). RESULTS The mean duration of combined gastrostomy feeding and chronic dialysis was 14.5 months (range 2.4 56 months). In 20 of the children followed for 6 months on combined GB feeding and dialysis, the mean protein and energy intakes were 2.5 g/kg bodyweight/day (range 1.7-3.4 g) and 108 kcal/kg bodyweight/day (range 72-129 kcal). The mean energy intake achieved was 116% (range 98-155%) of the estimated average requirement (EAR) for energy. The mean percentage of total energy and protein intakes delivered via the GB during the study period was 61% (33-95%) and 61% (23-98%) respectively. Mean height standard deviation score (SDS) was -2.22 prior to GB feeding and -2.06 at the end of the study period (P = 0.005) and mean weight SDS was -2.22 and -1.16 (P = 0.001) respectively. The mean life of the GB was 7.7 months (range 2.6 14 months) with most button changes due to leakage problems. Two episodes of peritonitis were attributable to the GB with one requiring peritoneal dialysis catheter removal due to candida infection. The GB was removed at a mean of 2.8 months (range 0.8-8.3 months) after renal transplantation in 13 children. CONCLUSION The gastrostomy button provides a valuable and aesthetically appealing route for nutritional support with few complications.
Non-singular Terminal Second Order Sliding Mode with Time Delay Estimation for Uncertain Robot Manipulators

In this paper, a second order sliding mode with time delay estimation based on non-singular terminal sliding surface is presented for high-accuracy tracking trajectory of uncertain robot manipulators. The design of the proposed controller is based on a non-singular terminal sliding surface that overcomes the problem of singularity and the restrictions of the exponent in classical terminal sliding surface. Then, a second order sliding mode control scheme with time delay estimation is proposed to eliminate the chattering phenomenon and to estimate the uncertainties and disturbances. Lyapunov theory is used to prove the finite-time convergence of the sliding surface and its derivative. Finally, simulation results are presented to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Use of complementary and alternative medicine among dermatology outpatients in Singapore

Background/Objectives: Although the prevalence of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use has been studied among general and specific disease populations, little is known on the use of CAM among Asian dermatology patients. This study assesses prevalence, demographics, disease determinants, expectations and reasons for CAM use among patients visiting a major referral dermatology centre in Singapore.
Corneal Hysteresis Is Correlated with Reduction in Axial Length After Trabeculectomy

Background: We sought to determine whether corneal biomechanical parameters are predictive of reduction in axial length after anti-metabolite trabeculectomy. Methods: Chinese subjects undergoing trabeculectomy with mitomycin C by a single experienced surgeon underwent the following measurements: Corneal hysteresis (CH, Ocular Response Analyzer, Reichert Ophthalmic Instruments), Goldmann intra-ocular pressure (IOP), central corneal thickness (CCT) and axial length (AL, IOLMaster, Carl Zeiss Meditec, Dublin, CA) were measured pre-operatively, and AL, CH and IOP were measured 1 day and 1 week post-operatively. Results: Mean age of 31 subjects was 52.0 ± 15.2 years, and 15 (48.4%) were female. The mean pre-operative IOP of 21.4 ± 9.3 mmHg was reduced to 8.2 ± 4.6 mmHg 1 day and 11.0 ± 4.4 mmHg 1 week post-operatively (p < 0.001). AL declined from 22.99 ± 0.90 to 22.76 ± 0.87 mm at 1 day and 22.74 ± 0.9 mm at 1 week; 30/31 (%) eyes had a decline in AL (p < 0.001, sign test). In multivariate linear regression models including post-operative data from 1 day and 1 week, greater decline in Goldmann IOP (p < 0.0001, greater pre-op axial length (p < 0.001) and lower pre-operative CH (p = 0.03), were all associated with greater decline in post-operative axial length. Conclusions: Eyes with lesser ability of the ocular coat to absorb energy (lower CH) had significantly greater decrease in axial length after trabeculectomy-induced IOP-lowering.