Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Clinical outcomes of percutaneous coronary intervention for chronic total occlusion lesions in remote hospitals without on-site surgical support.

BACKGROUND The safety of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for chronic total occlusion (CTO) lesions in remote hospitals without surgical facilities remains unknown. This study aimed to evaluate three-year outcomes after CTO for PCI in ten centers around China where no on-site coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) support was available. METHODS A total of 152 patients from 10 Chinese hospitals without on-site surgical facilities were prospectively studied. Intra-procedural and in-hospital events were assessed. Angiographic follow-up was indexed eight months after the initial procedure. Clinical follow-up was extended to three years. The primary outcome was the rate of major adverse cardiac events (MACE), defined as cardiac death, myocardial infarction and target-vessel revascularization (TVR). RESULTS The incidence of CTO was 7.9% in patients who underwent PCI. Successful recanalization was achieved in 132 patients (86.8%). Compared with patients in the PCI success group, patients with PCI procedural failure had longer lesion lengths ((42.32 +/- 22.08) mm vs (27.61 +/- 22.85) mm, P = 0.023), a higher rate of perforation (25.0% vs 0, P = 0.014), and a greater need for pericardial puncture. There were significant differences in MACE in-hospital and at one year and three years between the failure (10.0%, 30.0% and 35.0%) and the success (3.0%, 12.1% and 14.4%) groups (P = 0.037, 0.034 and 0.040, respectively). These led to a significant decrease in the MACE-free survival rate at one and three years in the failure group, compared with the success group (P = 0.031 and 0.023, respectively). Stump was the only predictor of recanalization success (HR 0.158, 95% CI 0.041-0.612, P = 0.008), whereas procedural failure (OR 13.023, 95% CI 6.67-13.69, P = 0.002), incomplete revascularization (OR 9.71, 95% CI 2.93-5.59, P = 0.005), and total stent length (OR 6.02, 95% CI 1.55-11.93, P = 0.027) were three independent predictors of MACE. CONCLUSIONS PCI for CTO was unsafe in remote hospitals without CABG facilities. Paying attention to coronary perforation is important for successful procedures.
Modeling the Interaction Between the Intra-Aortic Balloon Pump and the Cardiovascular System: The Effect of Timing

Because of the large number of interaction factors involved, the effects of the intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) have not been investigated deeply. To enhance its clinical efficiency and to better define indications for use, advanced models are required to test the interaction between the IABP and the cardiovascular system. A patient with mild blood pressure depression and a lowered cardiac output is modeled in a lumped parameter computational model, developed with physiologically representative elements for relevant components of circulation and device. IABP support is applied, and the moments of balloon inflation and deflation are varied around their conventional timing modes. For validation purposes, timing is adapted within acceptable ranges in ten patients undergoing IABP therapy for typical clinical indications. In both model and patients, the IABP induces a diastolic blood pressure augmentation as well as a systolic reduction in afterload. The support capabilities of the IABP benefit the most when the balloon is deflated simultaneously with ventricular contraction, whereas inflation before onset of diastole unconditionally interferes with ejection. The physiologic response makes the model an excellent tool for testing the interaction between the IABP and the cardiovascular system, and how alterations of specific IABP parameters (i.e., timing) affect this coupling.
Integration-Responsiveness Framework for Chinese MNCs: An Area for Future Study [in Chinese]

Based on a review of extant international business and management literature, this paper examines: (1) the global integration (I) and local responsiveness (R) paradigm and its impact on the adoption of international business strategy (IBS) by multinational corporations (MNCs); (2) determinants that are critical in the process of forming IBS by MNCs; and (3) the lacuna in current research with respect to strategic implications of the I-R framework for MNCs from transitional economies such as Chinese multinational corporations (CMNCs). Following a comprehensive review of prior studies on the I-R framework in the context of developed countries, the paper summarizes determinants of IBS in a three-category table. Having done so, it identifies a future research area in the field of international management; that is, how MNCs from emerging countries strive to coordinate global integration and local responsiveness when developing and implementing their international business strategies. This paper is a work in progress. Material in the paper cannot be used without permission of the author. DEPARTMENT OF MANAGEMENT WORKING PAPER SERIES
Identification of G Protein α Subunit-Palmitoylating Enzyme

ABSTRACT The heterotrimeric G protein α subunit (Gα) is targeted to the cytoplasmic face of the plasma membrane through reversible lipid palmitoylation and relays signals from G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) to its effectors. By screening 23 DHHC motif (Asp-His-His-Cys) palmitoyl acyl-transferases, we identified DHHC3 and DHHC7 as Gα palmitoylating enzymes. DHHC3 and DHHC7 robustly palmitoylated Gαq, Gαs, and Gαi2 in HEK293T cells. Knockdown of DHHC3 and DHHC7 decreased Gαq/11 palmitoylation and relocalized it from the plasma membrane into the cytoplasm. Photoconversion analysis revealed that Gαq rapidly shuttles between the plasma membrane and the Golgi apparatus, where DHHC3 specifically localizes. Fluorescence recovery after photobleaching studies showed that DHHC3 and DHHC7 are necessary for this continuous Gαq shuttling. Furthermore, DHHC3 and DHHC7 knockdown blocked the α1A-adrenergic receptor/Gαq/11-mediated signaling pathway. Together, our findings revealed that DHHC3 and DHHC7 regulate GPCR-mediated signal transduction by controlling Gα localization to the plasma membrane.
Selective stimulation of murine cytotoxic T cell and antibody responses by particulate or monomeric hepatitis B virus surface (S) antigen

In the murine system, we tested in vivo the immunogenicity of different preparations of the yeast‐derived surface antigen (S‐antigen or S‐protein) of hepatitis B virus (HBV). Native S‐protein molecules self‐assemble into stable 22‐nm particles. BALB/c mice immunized with low doses of native S‐particles without adjuvants efficiently generated an H‐2 class I‐restricted CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) response, and developed easily detectable serum antibody titers against conformational determinants of the native S‐particle or linear epitopes of the denatured S‐protein. Disruption of S‐particles with sodium dodecyl sulfate and β‐2‐mercaptoethanol generated p24 S‐monomers. Injection of an equal dose of S‐monomers into mice efficiently primed CTL, but did not stimulate an antibody response against conformational or linear epitopes of the native or denatured S‐protein. In vivo priming of CTL by S‐particles or S‐monomers required “endogenous” processing of the antigen because the injection of an equimolar (or higher) dose of an antigenic, S‐derived 12‐mer peptide into mice did not prime CTL. Native (particulate) or denatured (monomeric) S‐antigen injected with mineral oil (incomplete Freund's adjuvant) or aluminum hydroxide failed to stimulate a CTL response. Hence, different preparations can be produced from a small protein antigen which specifically stimulate selected compartments of the immune system.
Are Mergers and Acquisitions Necessarily Anti-competitive? Empirical Evidence from India’s Manufacturing Sector

Policy initiatives and regulatory changes made during the last two-and-half decades of economic reforms have led to a considerable increase in the number of mergers and acquisitions (M&As) in the Indian corporate sector. Given the policy-induced flexibilities, while the domestic firms have taken the route of mergers to restructure their business and grow, the foreign firms have preferred to enter into specific markets through acquisitions and raise monopoly power therein. In this context, the present article attempts to examine the impact of M&As on market the structure in major industries of the Indian manufacturing sector during the post-reform period. Using a panel dataset of 34 major industries for the period 2001–2009, the article finds that M&As do not necessarily cause any appreciable adverse impact on market concentration. Instead, the degrees of sellers’ concentration are influenced by the growth of market, capital intensity, firms’ advertising efforts and their financial performance. The findings of the present article, therefore, suggest for a rethink on policies and regulations relating to M&A, international trade and intellectual property, as they play a significant role in enhancing firms’ competitiveness and restricting the emergence of a monopolistic power. JEL Classification: L1, L4, L5, O3
An optical fast-frequency hopping code division multiple access (OFFH-CDMA) system using Fiber Bragg Grating Array (FBGA) with frequency-overlapping multigroup of prime codes

Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) utilizes spread spectrum techniques and has been widely deployed in wireless communications. Two major types of Spread Spectrum Multiple Access (SSMA) schemes are: i. Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum (DSSS) and ii. Frequency Hopped Multiple Access (FHMA). The benefits and technical advantages of CDMA could be translated in the optical-CDMA (OCDMA) for faster data throughput and better physical layer security. In this paper prime and one-coincidence frequency hop codes are being analyzed for auto-and-cross correlation properties and applied in an optical Fiber Bragg Grating Array (FBGA) to study multiple access interference (MAI) in an optical fast-frequency hopping code division multiple access (OFFH-CDMA) system. A novel frequency-overlapping multigroup scheme for a passive OFFH-CDMA [1] is being used for high speed code hopping, higher spectral efficiency, and interference reduction. In this paper OFFH-CDMA with frequency-overlapping multigroup scheme using prime code is proposed and the result is compared with the previously reported paper [1]. The BER of the proposed prime code shows better performance with respect to one-coincidence code.
An Econometrics Analysis of the Determinants of Exchange Rate in Nigeria (1980 - 2016)

The paper investigates the determinants of exchange rate in Nigeria using times series data ranging from 1980 to 2016 and employing the Vector Error Correction Mechanism (VECM) to separate the long-run determinants of exchange rate from its short-run determinants. The result from the dynamic model reveals that changes in domestic price level, interest rate differentials, trade openness, government purchases of tradable and non-tradable goods and capital inflow are the major long-run determinants of exchange rate in Nigeria while changes in the domestic price level, interest rate differentials and capital inflow are the major short-run determinants of exchange rate in Nigeria. The study recommended the actions of the monetary authorities towards the maintenance of relative low and stable price level, interest rate capable of attracting foreign investors and the design and implementation of trade policies which tend to increase the inflow of capital from abroad. Keywords: Exchange rate, Determinants, Nigeria, VECM
Efficacy of Virtual Reality and Exergaming in Improving Balance in Patients With Multiple Sclerosis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is one of the most common causes of neurological progressive disease and can lead to loss of mobility, walk impairment, and balance disturbance. Among several rehabilitative approaches proposed, exergaming and virtual reality (VR) have been studied in the recent years. Active video game therapy could reduce the boredom of the rehabilitation process, increasing patient motivation, providing direct feedback, and enabling dual-task training. Aim of this systematic review was to assess the efficacy of exergaming and VR for balance recovery in patients with MS. PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science were systematically searched from the inception until May 14, 2021 to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) presenting: patients with MS as participants, exergaming and VR as intervention, conventional rehabilitation as comparator, and balance assessment [Berg Balance Scale (BBS)] as outcome measure. We also performed a meta-analysis of the mean difference in the BBS via the random-effects method. Out of 93 records, this systematic review included and analyzed 7 RCTs, involving a total of 209 patients affected by MS, of which 97 patients performed exergaming or VR and 112 patients underwent conventional rehabilitation. The meta-analysis reported a significant overall ES of 4.25 (p < 0.0001), showing in the subgroup analysis a non-significant ES of 1.85 (p = 0.39) for the VR and a significant ES of 4.49 (p < 0.0001) for the exergames in terms of the BBS improvement. Taken together, these findings suggested that balance rehabilitation using exergames appears to be more effective than conventional rehabilitation in patients affected by MS.
Ex vivo neutrophil function in response to three different doses of glycosylated rHuG‐CSF (Lenograstim)

Granulocyte colony‐stimulating factor (G‐CSF) is being considered as adjuvant treatment for infections in non‐neutropenic patients. Normal healthy donors were given rHuG‐CSF (Lenograstim) at 2.5, 5.0 and 7.5 μg/kg subcutaneously daily for 5 d. Polymorphonuclear leucocyte (PMN) function tests were carried out on peripheral blood PMN before the first injection and at 24 h and 96 h. Circulating PMN levels were also measured at these time intervals and found to be significantly increased with all doses by 24 and 96 h. Investigation of cell surface antigen expression revealed no changes in β2 integrin (CD11b/CD18) expression. L‐selectin (CD62L) expression was reduced with all doses by 96 h, this being significant with the 7.5 μg/kg dose. FcγRI (CD64) levels were significantly up‐regulated with the 7.5 μg/kg dose by 96 h whereas FcγRIII (CD16) expression was found to be reduced during G‐CSF treatment. Superoxide anion production was significantly increased in response to N‐formylmethionylleucylphenylalanine (FMLP) and opsonized Staphylococcus epidermidis stimulation at 24 h and 96 h with the 5.0 and 7.5 μg/kg doses. The initial rate of phagocytosis (0–2 min) appeared to have increased with the 7.5 and 5.0 μg/kg doses at 96 and 24 h compared with PMN responses pretreatment, although these increases were not statistically significant. These results show that G‐CSF enhances the functional responses of PMN stimulated by physiological agonists and may help in the treatment of infections.
An evaluation of parental knowledge of childhood asthma in a family practice setting.

STUDY OBJECTIVE To measure and evaluate parental knowledge of and misconceptions with regard to childhood asthma and its treatment. DESIGN A cross-sectional, descriptive survey. SETTING A family practice in Mandalay, Mitchell's Plain, on the Cape Flats. PARTICIPANTS The sample comprised all parents (N = 105) with an asthmatic child aged between 2 and 18 years attending the practice. The response rate was 95.2%. OUTCOME MEASURES A semi-structured questionnaire which included a 55-item psychometrically validated asthma knowledge test. RESULTS An average score of 72% was achieved. Parents were most knowledgeable about aetiology, symptomatology, pathophysiology, precipitants and environmental control. They were less informed about asthma therapy, asthma prognosis and general medical knowledge. In addition, numerous misconceptions were identified, which together with the knowledge deficiencies, could lead to inadvertent non-compliance. Parental concerns centred predominantly on their lack of confidence to manage acute asthma attacks, and fears about asthma prognosis. CONCLUSION The study underscores the need for systematic asthma education, especially with regard to acute attack management and preventive medications. In addition, parents must acquire confidence and practical skills to cope with acute attacks.
Boosting trust by facilitating communication: A model of trustee investments in information sharing

Trust problems hamper many social and economic exchanges. In such situations, there are often institutions that enable trustors to share information on the performance of trustees. While the benefits of such institutions have been researched extensively, little is known about their emergence. This article presents a game-theoretic model for the understanding of investments by trustees in establishing information sharing between trustors. The model allows for a simultaneous analysis of investments in and effects of institutions for information sharing. It captures two mechanisms by which a trustee’s investment can promote trust. First, a trustee’s investment in establishing information sharing can enable network effects that facilitate trust and trustworthiness. Second, it can promote trust by serving as a signal of intrinsic trustworthiness. The analysis of the model implies predictions for how characteristics of the interaction situation affect whether these mechanisms motivate a trustee to establish information sharing.
Are women more likely to self-test? A short report from an acceptability study of the HIV self-testing kit in South Africa

ABSTRACT This study assessed the acceptability of, as well as the facilitators of and barriers to the HIV self-testing kit in the Gauteng province, South Africa. An exploratory qualitative cross-sectional study was conducted using focus group discussions (FGDs) among a sample of 118 respondents selected from the Braamfontein and Soweto areas of Johannesburg. Sixteen FGDs were conducted in order to assess the acceptability of the HIV self-testing kit. Respondent groups were segmented according to area (Soweto or Braamfontein), gender (male or female), age (20–34 and 35–49 years of age) and HIV testing status (have previously tested for HIV or have never tested for HIV) in order to achieve maximum variability. The main advantage identified was that the self-testing kit allows for privacy and confidentiality with regard to HIV status, and does not require a visit to a health facility – two of the main barriers to current HIV counselling and testing uptake. However, respondents, predominantly males, were concerned about the lack of counselling involved, which they thought could lead to suicide ideation among testers. The HIV self-testing kit was found to be acceptable among the majority of respondents. However, there is still a need for follow-up services for self-testers. The idea of a hotline for telephonic counselling within the self-testing model seemed to be favourable among many respondents and is an alternative to traditional face-to-face counselling, although some respondents felt that this was not sufficient.
Ethics and the Party Brand: The Case of the Office of Congressional Ethics

ABSTRACT Dating back to its creation in 2008, the independent Office of Congressional Ethics (OCE) has faced criticism from the very members of Congress it is tasked with investigating. Despite this criticism, a majority of House members both voted to create OCE in 2008 and have ultimately backed away from any efforts to rein in the office. Why? Through an examination of both the passage of OCE in 2008 and subsequent efforts to rein in its power, this article argues that partisan considerations and pressure from party leaders played a critical role in OCE's creation and survival. The creation of the independent commission in the House thus demonstrates the power of the party valence brand in the contemporary Congress.
Impact of channel estimation error on fixed‐gain two‐way relay network with user/antenna selection

This letter considers a multiuser two‐way relay network with a single fixed‐gain amplify‐and‐forward relay, where there are M antennas at the base station (BS) and N mobile stations. Depending on the channel conditions, one best antenna from BS and one best user are selected to communicate with each other. We study the impact of channel estimation error to the system over Rayleigh fading environments. In particular, a closed‐form expression is obtained for system outage probability. It is found that an error floor appears in the outage probability as long as the channel estimation is imperfect. We further study the power allocation (PA) among the network nodes to minimise the outage probability. Numerical results are presented to evaluate the effects of both channel estimation error and PA on the system performance. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Calculating Point of Origin of Blood Spatter Using Laser Scanning Technology

The point of origin of an impact pattern is important in establishing the chain of events in a bloodletting incident. In this study, the accuracy and reproducibility of the point of origin estimation using the FARO Scene software with the FARO Focus3D laser scanner was determined. Five impact patterns were created for each of three combinations of distances from the floor (z) and the front wall (x). Fifteen spatters were created using a custom impact rig, scanned using the laser scanner, photographed using a DSLR camera, and processed using the Scene software. Overall results gave a SD = 3.49 cm (p < 0.0001) in the x‐direction, SD = 1.14 cm (p = 0.9291) in the y‐direction, and SD = 9.08 cm (p < 0.0115) in the z‐direction. The technique performs within literature ranges of accepted accuracy and reproducibility and is comparable to results reported for other virtual stringing software.
Maternal Discipline of Young Children: Context, Belief, and Practice

This report describes maternal discipline of infants and toddlers, focusing on how the context of the misbehavior affects maternal beliefs and practices. Mothers of 1 - to 4-year-old children were interviewed using a 20-minute, structured questionnaire at two practice sites: (1) an inner-city teaching hospital pediatric clinic (n = 104) and (2) a private pediatrician's office in a nearby suburban neighborhood (n = 100). Measures were constructed to assess beliefs and practices about three kinds of discipline (teaching, spanking, and removing) and about two approaches to discipline (positive or negative). We found that mothers believe significantly (p < .001) more strongly in all three kinds of discipline for dangerous misbehavior compared with annoying ones. Belief in teaching, spanking, and negative approach increase with age; belief in removing decreases (p < .001); and belief in positive approach remains stable. Belief in spanking starts earlier than belief in teaching, and belief in negative tone increases with age. Mothers seem to have better formulated beliefs about spanking and negative and positive approach to discipline than about teaching or removing. Eighty-five percent believe time-out is at times appropriate for a 2 year old, but only 67% had practiced it in the past week. Belief and practice of time-out varied by the age of the child and practice site. Explaining, distracting, and praising were practiced frequently, whereas bribing was less common. Less than half (44%) reported that they had ever discussed discipline with their child's physician, although 85% thought that their physician could give good advice. There is evidence that mothers change their minds about the appropriateness of time-out as their child gets older, but beliefs about other kinds of discipline remain relatively constant. We conclude that the type of misbehavior and the age of the child affect a mother's beliefs about discipline. These findings suggest a role for pediatricians in exploring and broadening parents' concepts of discipline.