Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The 4q25, 1q21, and 16q22 polymorphisms and recurrence of atrial fibrillation after pulmonary vein isolation

Introduction The efficacy of pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) in atrial fibrillation (AF) is well documented. Several single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are associated with AF, mainly in the 4q25 locus, but also in 16q22 and 1q21. The aim of our study was to test the association between those SNPs and short- and long-term results of PVI. Material and methods Patients with AF who underwent PVI between 2006 and 2009 were included in the study. Pulmonary vein isolation was performed using a 4-mm non-irrigated ablation catheter, circular mapping catheter, and the LocaLisa system. All patients were genotyped for the 4q25, 16q22, and 1q21 SNPs. Results Two-hundred and thirty-eight patients were included. The median follow-up was 45 months. Six-month efficacy was 59.7%. None of the polymorphisms was linked with the risk of AF recurrence after 6 months in univariate analysis. In multivariate analysis rs2200733 in the recessive model was linked significantly with AF recurrence (odds ratio 1.87, p = 0.008). None of the polymorphisms predicted AF recurrence in long-term follow-up. Conclusions There is a trend in the relationship between TT genotype of the rs2200733 polymorphism and increased rate of AF recurrence after PVI in short-term (6 months) follow-up. None of the tested SNPs 4q25, 16q22, and 1q21 correlated with the results of a single AF ablation in long-term follow-up.
Exchange Rates, Prices and Trade Costs

The purchasing power parity (PPP) puzzle refers to the inability to reconcile the high short-run volatility of exchange rates with the glacial speed at which deviations from parity seem to damp out. Despite this, there is strong evidence of the long-run relationship between exchange rates and international price differentials. More recently, the alternative notion of non-linear mean reversion dynamics of rates is attracting substantial attention: as a consequence of various adjustment costs, there is a sizeable buffer region within which exchange rates can move independently of prices, generating persistent deviations from parity. This study seeks to integrate the idea of this “inaction band” with trade costs. When deviations fall within the band, movements in rates are close to a random walk; but when the threshold of the band is crossed, arbitrage causes movements back toward the band. To test this approach, we use a large number of disaggregated and highly tradable agricultural products over time in a large number of countries. We find some evidence in favour of the approach.
Inclusive education policies and practices in the context of international development. Lessons from Cambodia

ZEP : Zeitschrift fur internationale Bildungsforschung und Entwicklungspadagogik 39 (2016) 3, S. 16-21 Padagogische Teildisziplin: Vergleichende Erziehungswissenschaft; Behindertenpadagogik; als elektronischer Volltext verfugbar
A Novel Method for Fault Location of Transmission Lines by Wide-Area Voltage Measurements Considering Measurement Errors

Smart transmission grids are intended to utilize various measurements for enhanced operation. In particular, synchronized phasor measurements have found many applications in this context. This paper presents a linear weighted least-squares (WLS) method for fault location estimation of transmission lines by synchronized voltage measurements. The measurements may be taken from the faulted line terminals or buses far from the faulted line. The circuit equations of the network are used to find the transfer function between the fault location and each voltage measurement. Next, two auxiliary variables are defined to transform the nonlinear fault location estimation problem into a linear WLS problem. A closed-form solution is then obtained for fault location. The use of multiple measurements provides the opportunity of identifying erroneous measurements by a statistical test. The linearity of the problem expedites both estimation and identification procedures. Moreover, the method requires neither to classify the fault type nor to estimate the fault resistance. Furthermore, transmission lines are modeled by distributed parameters so that the method can be applicable to long lines. Electromagnetic transient simulations for 9-bus and 22-bus test systems reveal accurate fault location estimation, regardless of fault type and resistance, as well as successful identification of measurement errors.
Effect of Pre-Determined Maintenance Repair Rates on the Health Index State Distribution and Performance Condition Curve Based on the Markov Prediction Model for Sustainable Transformers Asset Management Strategies

This paper presents an investigation of the condition state distribution and performance condition curve of the transformer population under different pre-determined maintenance repair rates based on the Markov Prediction Model (MPM). In total, 3195 oil samples from 373 transformers with an age between one and 25 years were tested. The previously computed Health Index (HI) prediction model of the transformer population based on MPM utilizing the nonlinear minimization technique was employed in this study. The transition probabilities for each of the states were updated based on 10%, 20% and 30% pre-determined maintenance repair rates for the sensitivity study. Next, the HI state distribution and performance condition curve were analyzed based on the Markov chain algorithm. Based on the case study, it is found that the pre-determined maintenance repair rates can affect the HI state distribution and improve the performance condition curve. The 30% pre-determined maintenance repair rate gives the highest impact, especially for the transformer population at state 4 (poor). Overall, the average percentage of change for all HI state distributions is 16.48%. A clear improvement of HI state distribution is found at state 4 (poor) where the highest percentage can be up to 63.25%.
Mental health liaison nursing in the emergency department: on-site expertise and enhanced coordination of care.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the Mental Health Liaison Nurse (MHLN) service based in the emergency department (ED) of a large, inner city teaching hospital in Sydney, Australia. DESIGN Data were gathered over the first two years of the position. Information is presented regarding the length of time that patients waited to be seen by the MHLN. Results from two rounds of surveys conducted with ED nursing and medical staff are tabulated. RESULTS Data obtained from the Emergency Department Information System (EDIS) demonstrates that the Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (MHNP) is able to see a majority of patients at, or close to, the point of triage. These findings are reinforced by ED staff who rate highly the readily available access to mental health assessment and enhanced coordination of care. The strong clinical focus of the role is acknowledged by the ED staff who perceive that patients are better supported therapeutically and spend less time waiting in the department due to MHLN intervention. CONCLUSIONS This evaluation suggests that the MHLN role has significant benefit for patients presenting to the ED by reducing waiting times, streamlining transition through the department and improving follow-up. The MHLN is highly regarded by the staff as an on-site source of clinical expertise. The information obtained supports the established model and will be used to guide the direction of the service.
Models for Individual Adoption of eCommerce, eBanking and eGovernment in Spain

This paper analyzes the adoption patterns of selected internet services such as eCommerce, eBanking and eGovernment in Spain. High quality official data from the Survey on Equipment and Use of Information and Communication Technologies in Households (ICT-H) of the National Institute of Statistics are used. The dataset is a cross section of 16,209 individuals for 2016. Theoretical demand models, grounded in a standard neoclassical utility maximization framework, are adapted to these services. Logistic regression techniques allow quantifying the impact of the socioeconomic characteristics of the individual on the adoption of each service. The resulting models are statistically significant and with a high predictive power. Age, education and levels of internet and computer skills are all significant in explaining the adoption of any of the three services; as are gender and income, but just for eCommerce and eBanking. Interestingly, the level of trust in internet is only significant to explain participation in eCommerce. Finally, policy recommendations are suggested, highlighting the desirability of using specific measures for the different socio-demographic groups and income strata.
Applications of Preference Assessment Procedures in Depression and Agitation Management in Elders with Dementia

Low levels of engagement with leisure activities are commonly seen in older adults with dementia and may lead to decreased social contact, depressed affect, and agitated behaviors. Adults with dementia often have difficulty choosing activities when asked directly about preferences due to cognitive decline, which makes it more difficult to increase their engagement levels. However, simply presenting leisure items without prior knowledge of preferences may be inefficient and may not yield desired results. Long-term care staff need more structured and efficient ways to determine individual preferences, and preference assessments (structured choice-making opportunities) may offer a solution. Preference assessments have been used to identify effective reinforcers both for individuals with developmental disabilities and for older adults with dementia and can provide staff with a brief method for identifying enjoyable activities. This study examines the utility of using stimuli (identified from preference assessments) in behavioral management protocols with 11 elders (mean age = 85.6 years) with dementia in a long-term care setting. Behavioral outcomes of depression and agitation were evaluated at baseline and throughout the intervention. Results indicated positive improvement in behavioral symptoms in 8 of 11 participants. The utility of using preferred items in behavioral management protocols was supported for reducing agitated behaviors but was only partially supported for decreasing depressive symptoms in individuals with dementia.
Intensive versus conventional glucose control in critically ill patients.

BACKGROUND The optimal target range for blood glucose in critically ill patients remains unclear. METHODS Within 24 hours after admission to an intensive care unit (ICU), adults who were expected to require treatment in the ICU on 3 or more consecutive days were randomly assigned to undergo either intensive glucose control, with a target blood glucose range of 81 to 108 mg per deciliter (4.5 to 6.0 mmol per liter), or conventional glucose control, with a target of 180 mg or less per deciliter (10.0 mmol or less per liter). We defined the primary end point as death from any cause within 90 days after randomization. RESULTS Of the 6104 patients who underwent randomization, 3054 were assigned to undergo intensive control and 3050 to undergo conventional control; data with regard to the primary outcome at day 90 were available for 3010 and 3012 patients, respectively. The two groups had similar characteristics at baseline. A total of 829 patients (27.5%) in the intensive-control group and 751 (24.9%) in the conventional-control group died (odds ratio for intensive control, 1.14; 95% confidence interval, 1.02 to 1.28; P=0.02). The treatment effect did not differ significantly between operative (surgical) patients and nonoperative (medical) patients (odds ratio for death in the intensive-control group, 1.31 and 1.07, respectively; P=0.10). Severe hypoglycemia (blood glucose level, < or = 40 mg per deciliter [2.2 mmol per liter]) was reported in 206 of 3016 patients (6.8%) in the intensive-control group and 15 of 3014 (0.5%) in the conventional-control group (P<0.001). There was no significant difference between the two treatment groups in the median number of days in the ICU (P=0.84) or hospital (P=0.86) or the median number of days of mechanical ventilation (P=0.56) or renal-replacement therapy (P=0.39). CONCLUSIONS In this large, international, randomized trial, we found that intensive glucose control increased mortality among adults in the ICU: a blood glucose target of 180 mg or less per deciliter resulted in lower mortality than did a target of 81 to 108 mg per deciliter. (ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00220987.)
Close Association between Pulmonary Disease Manifestation in Mycoplasma pneumoniae Infection and Enhanced Local Production of Interleukin-18 in the Lung, Independent of Gamma Interferon

ABSTRACT To investigate pathophysiologies of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection from an immunological point of view, we measured the levels of interleukin-18 (IL-18) (originally designated gamma interferon [IFN-γ]-inducing factor) in 19 serum samples from 10 patients with pneumonia without pleural effusion (ages 1 to 16 years), 3 serum and 13 pleural fluid samples from 11 patients with pleural effusions (ages 11 months to 15 years), and 18 serum and 27 cerebrospinal fluid samples from 24 patients with central nervous system complications (ages 1 to 15 years). IL-18 was measured by a commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit (MBL, Nagoya, Japan). In addition, the levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha, IFN-γ, IL-6, IL-12, and KL-6 (a mucin-like glycoprotein expressed on type 2 pneumocytes) were measured in selected samples. The results concerning pleural effusions showed that elevated levels of IL-18 in pleural fluid, but not in serum, were solely associated with a sustained fibrotic change of the lung on chest roentgenography which might represent a pathological feature of intraluminal organization. All the pleural fluid samples with elevated levels of IL-18 were positive by PCR for M. pneumoniae DNA. There was no association between IL-18 and IFN-γ levels in serum or in the pleural fluid. On the other hand, elevated levels of IL-18 in serum, but not in cerebrospinal fluid samples, were observed in the cases complicated by central nervous system involvement, including profound brain dysfunction with seizures. Our study demonstrated that M. pneumoniae can induce IL-18 and that the enhanced local production of IL-18 in the lung is closely associated with pulmonary disease manifestation.
Visualizing cellulase activity

Commercial exploitation of lignocellulose for biotechnological production of fuels and commodity chemicals requires efficient—usually enzymatic—saccharification of the highly recalcitrant insoluble substrate. A key characteristic of cellulose conversion is that the actual hydrolysis of the polysaccharide chains is intrinsically entangled with physical disruption of substrate morphology and structure. This “substrate deconstruction” by cellulase activity is a slow, yet markedly dynamic process that occurs at different length scales from and above the nanometer range. Little is currently known about the role of progressive substrate deconstruction on hydrolysis efficiency. Application of advanced visualization techniques to the characterization of enzymatic degradation of different celluloses has provided important new insights, at the requisite nano‐scale resolution and down to the level of single enzyme molecules, into cellulase activity on the cellulose surface. Using true in situ imaging, dynamic features of enzyme action and substrate deconstruction were portrayed at different morphological levels of the cellulose, thus providing new suggestions and interpretations of rate‐determining factors. Here, we review the milestones achieved through visualization, the methods which significantly promoted the field, compare suitable (model) substrates, and identify limiting factors, challenges and future tasks. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2013; 110: 1529–1549. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Comparison of the therapeutic efficacy of phonophoresis and iontophoresis using dexamethasone sodium phosphate in the management of patients with knee osteoarthritis.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Many treatment options, including non-pharmacological and pharmacological measures, have been recommended in the management of osteoarthritis (OA). Among the non-pharmacological approach is physiotherapy, which involves the use of physical modalities like, heat therapy, exercise therapy, electrical stimulation, therapeutic ultrasound, iontophoresis, and phonophoresis. This study was therefore designed to compare the effectiveness of 0.4% Dexamethasone sodium phosphate (DEX-P) phonophoresis (PH) with 0.4% DEX-P iontophoresis (ION) therapy in the management of patients with knee joint OA. METHODS Fifty patients (19 males and 31 females) with a mean age of 53.6 +/- 8.9 years were randomly assigned to PH or ION groups with 25 patients in each group. Ultrasound waves of 1 MHz frequency was applied for 5 minutes to the target knee, so also was the direct current for 10 minutes for 10 sessions treatment period. Western Ontario and McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) scores, 20 meters ambulatory time, and knee range of motion (ROM) were evaluated before and after therapy as the outcome measures. RESULTS At the end of two weeks, significant improvement in total WOMAC scores was observed in 15 (60%) and 16 (64%) patients in the PH and ION groups respectively, indicating no significant difference in the improvement rate. Twenty (20) metres ambulatory time and knee range of motion also improved significantly in both groups, yet these variables showed no significant difference between the two groups. CONCLUSION Both therapeutic modalities were found to be effective and generally well tolerated after 10 treatment sessions. DEX-P phonophoresis was not superior to DEX-P iontophoresis in the treatment of patients with OA of the knee.
Evaluation of Reverse Transcription-PCR and a Bacteriophage-Based Assay for Rapid Phenotypic Detection of Rifampin Resistance in Clinical Isolates of Mycobacterium tuberculosis

ABSTRACT New rapid phenotypic assays for the detection of rifampin resistance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis have recently been described, but most of these require liquid cultures, which reduces the utility of many tests in terms of turnaround times. In the United Kingdom, over 90% of rifampin-resistant isolates are also resistant to isoniazid, so rifampin resistance can be used as a sensitive marker for multidrug-resistant tuberculosis. In this study, two new rapid phenotypic assays were compared to the standard resistance ratio method on 91 clinical isolates of M. tuberculosis. One, the phage amplified biologically (PhaB) assay, has been described previously and is based on the inability of susceptible isolates of M. tuberculosis to support the replication of bacteriophage D29 in the presence of inhibitory doses of rifampin. The other employed reverse transcription (RT)-PCR to demonstrate a reduction in induciblednaK mRNA levels in susceptible isolates treated with rifampin. After incubation for 18 h with 4 μg of rifampin per ml, the PhaB assay showed concordance with the resistance ratio method for 46 of 46 (100%) susceptible and 31 of 31 (100%) resistant isolates, while RT-PCR showed concordance for 46 of 48 (96%) susceptible and 35 of 36 (97%) resistant isolates. We believe these assays provide a reliable rapid means of susceptibility testing with a total turnaround time of only 48 h, although the PhaB assay is better in terms of its lower technical demand and cost and its applicability to tuberculosis susceptibility testing in developing countries.
Changing head model extent affects finite element predictions of transcranial direct current stimulation distributions

Objective. In this study, we determined efficient head model sizes relative to predicted current densities in transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS). Approach. Efficiency measures were defined based on a finite element (FE) simulations performed using nine human head models derived from a single MRI data set, having extents varying from 60%–100% of the original axial range. Eleven tissue types, including anisotropic white matter, and three electrode montages (T7–T8, F3-right supraorbital, Cz–Oz) were used in the models. Main results. Reducing head volume extent from 100% to 60%, that is, varying the model’s axial range from between the apex and C3 vertebra to one encompassing only apex to the superior cerebellum, was found to decrease the total modeling time by up to half. Differences between current density predictions in each model were quantified by using a relative difference measure (RDM). Our simulation results showed that RDM was the least affected (a maximum of 10% error) for head volumes modeled from the apex to the base of the skull (60%–75% volume). Significance. This finding suggested that the bone could act as a bioelectricity boundary and thus performing FE simulations of tDCS on the human head with models extending beyond the inferior skull may not be necessary in most cases to obtain reasonable precision in current density results.
The process of identity formation for youth growing up in multicultural familial contexts

The present research examines the process of identity formation for young people who grew up in multicultural contexts. While identity development has been studied by many researchers, there is little research examining how young people who are simultaneously growing up in multiple cultures experience the process of identity formation. In the present research, ten young people (20-24 years old) who have parents from two different cultures that are different than the Euro-Canadian culture, and at least one parent is considered part of visible minority, were interviewed. Two of the participants took part in a focus group to enrich and validate the findings. The overarching category that emerged was processing being different. The first aspect of processing being different was exploring one’s belonging and one’s personal choices. The other aspect was managing relationships with family members and friends; and managing conflicts that arise in these relationships. While exploring different possibilities in how to belong to different cultural contexts and what choices to make, young people find themselves always trying to balance relationships and conflicts with significant people in their lives. The process of identity formation for multicultural youth is complex and dynamic. It requires them to exercise agency in exploring and making decisions. An appropriate support system that allows young people to express themselves and feel heard may facilitate the process of navigating between different cultural contexts and building resilience.
Perception of Peripersonal and Interpersonal Space in Patients with Restrictive‐type Anorexia

This study examines whether the perception of peripersonal action-space and interpersonal social-space is modified in patients with restrictive-type anorexia in two experimental conditions using videos. First, participants stopped the video of an approaching stimulus when they felt the distance to be comfortable for interacting with it (first-person perspective). Second, participants stopped the video when an observed individual approaching a stimulus, or being approached by it, was at a comfortable distance (third-person perspective). In the first-person perspective, the results showed an estimation of peripersonal space that did not differ from controls when an object was approaching and an increase in interpersonal space compared with controls when a male or female individual was approaching. In the third-person perspective, both individual-object and individual-individual distances were larger in anorexic patients. These results indicate a specific deficit in adjusting interpersonal distances in both the first-person and third-person perspectives. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association.