Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of demographic and physical factors on nerve conduction study values of healthy subjects in a multi‐ethnic Asian population

Introduction: We investigated the effects of demographic and physical factors on nerve conduction studies (NCS) in a multi‐ethnic Asian population. Methods: One hundred sixty‐six healthy Malaysians of different ethnicities (51.2% women, aged 21–77 years) underwent NCS using a standard protocol. Correlations of various factors to NCS were determined, and multiple linear regression analysis was used to develop predictive equations for each parameter. Results: Age and ethnicity were the commonest independent factors influencing NCS followed by gender, height, weight, and body mass index. Increasing age predicted a reduction in lower limb motor and all sensory nerve action potential amplitudes and decrease in motor and sensory (except sural) conduction velocities. Ethnic Indians had slower motor and sensory conduction velocities in several nerves and also had differences in action potential amplitudes. Conclusions: NCS parameters in multi‐ethnic Malaysians were influenced independently by various demographic and physical factors, including ethnicity. Muscle Nerve 54: 244–248, 2016
Late‐onset Epstein–Barr virus‐negative post‐transplant lymphoproliferative disorder presenting as ulcerated necrotic papules and nodules in a renal transplant patient

We report a case of B‐cell post‐transplant lymphoproliferative disorder in a 57‐year‐old female 19 years postrenal transplant patient who presented with multiple, progressive, painful ulcerated necrotic papules and nodules over the left leg. Histopathological examination showed diffuse infiltration of the dermis by large atypical B‐lymphoid cells, with a negative in situ hybridization test for Epstein–Barr virus. Gastrointestinal involvement was evident by the presence of atypical lymphoid cells in the peritoneal fluid. She only had partial response to localized radiotherapy and intravenous rituximab and died 4 months later of septicaemia. Unusual features highlighted in this case include the very late onset of disease 19 years post‐transplant, Epstein–Barr virus negativity and the aggressive course of disease that did not respond to the reduction of immunosuppression, localized electron beam therapy and intravenous rituximab.
The Impact of Measurement Frequency on the Domains of Glycemic Control in the Critically Ill-A Monte Carlo Simulation

Background: The role of blood glucose (BG) measurement frequency on the domains of glycemic control is not well defined. Methods: This Monte Carlo mathematical simulation of glycemic control in a cohort of critically ill patients modeled sets of 100 patients with simulated BG-measuring devices having 5 levels of measurement imprecision, using 2 published insulin infusion protocols, for 200 hours, with 3 different BG-measurement intervals—15 minutes (Q15’), 1 hour (Q1h), and 2 hours (Q2h)—resulting in 1 100 000 BG measurements for 3000 simulated patients. The model varied insulin sensitivity, initial BG value and rate of gluconeogenesis. The primary outcomes included rates of hyperglycemia (BG > 180 mg/dL), hypoglycemia (BG < 70 and 40 mg/dL), proportion of patients with elevated glucose variability (within-patient coefficient of variation [CV] > 20%), and time in range (BG ranges 80-150 mg/dL and 80-180 mg/dL). Results: Percentages of hyperglycemia, hypoglycemia at both thresholds, and patients with elevated glucose variability as well as time outside glycemic targets were substantially higher in simulations with measurement interval Q2h compared to those with measurement interval Q1h and moderately higher in simulations with Q1h than in those with Q15’. Higher measurement frequency mitigated the deleterious effect of high measurement imprecision, defined as CV ≥ 15%. Conclusions: This Monte Carlo simulation suggests that glycemic control in critically ill patients is more optimal with a BG measurement interval no longer than 1h, with further benefit obtained with use of measurement interval of 15’. These findings have important implications for the development of glycemic control standards.
Cellular prion protein localization in rodent and primate brain

The presence of an abnormal, protease‐resistant form of the prion protein (PrP) is the hallmark of various forms of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSE) which can affect a number of mammalian species, including humans. The normal, cellular form of this protein, PrPc, while abundant in brain is also present in many tissues and a number of species. In order to address the unresolved question of the precise localization of normal cerebral PrPc, we used a free‐floating immunohistochemistry procedure to localize the protein at both the light and the electron microscopic levels in the brain of three TSE‐sensitive species: hamster, macaque and humans. This method shows that PrPc is abundant in synaptic terminal fields in olfactory bulb, limbic‐associated structures and in the striato‐nigral complex, whereas many other regions of the hamster brain are essentially devoid of immunoreactivity. With the striking exception of the olfactory nerve, in which axons are continually growing throughout life, PrPc is not abundant in fibre pathways. PrPc distribution in the primate hippocampus and cortex is very similar to the distribution observed in hamster. PrPc was present at synaptic profiles as shown by immunoelectron microscopy, but was not detectable in neuronal perikaryon either by light or electron microscopy. Our results show that PrPc is abundant in a number of brain structures known for ongoing plasticity, and are consistent with the hypothesis that the protein also plays a role in synaptic function.
Residents’ support for the Olympic Games: Single Host-City versus Multiple Host-City bid arrangements

ABSTRACT This study explored the efficacy of an extant resident support model developed by Gursoy and Kendall (2006) in a hypothetical Olympic Single Host-City (SHC) and Multiple Host-City (MHC) bid arrangements. Participants were undergraduate students enrolled in two Ontario universities and randomly assigned into one of two hypothetical 2028 Summer Olympic Games bid arrangements: (1) SHC – Toronto, and (2) MHC – Toronto and Montreal. Results revealed the extant model did not perform well in the MHC bid arrangement. Findings suggest the relative importance of perceived benefits (PB) and perceived costs (PC) in garnering support from residents may differ between SHC and MHC bid arrangements. Implications for the design and exploration of MHC resident support models for the Olympic Games are discussed. This is the first study to explore resident support in a MHC bid context. The study sets the scene for research following this new International Olympic Committee (IOC) development and informs future studies on this important topic.
A hybrid ANN/GA/ANFIS model for very short-term PV power forecasting

The aim of this work is to develop a robust model for short-term prediction of Photovoltaics (PV) generation. The model is structured with algorithms that belong to the technical field of computational intelligence. This approach provides the potential to form a forecasting system with high flexibility, efficiency and customization. The paper examines various combinations of inputs, in order to fully investigate the influence of exogenous variables on the PV predicted time series. Simulation results indicate that the proposed model can be successfully implemented in the decision making process of retailers, distribution system operators, prosumers and others, to fully exploit the generation capacity of grid connected PV systems in day-ahead electricity markets. Out of the different combinations of inputs studied, the one that involves the panels' temperature together with historical PV power values lead to lower predictions errors.
Towards a better integration of the informal sector : three empirical essays on the interaction between formal and informal firms in Egypt and beyond

Despite the impressive economic growth of African economies since 2000s, the actual context is threatening the sustainable development of the private sector. Large institutional imperfections and poor business environment are hindering the development of firms and are paving the way for a more persistent informal sector. This thesis reopens the controversial debate about the informal sector by looking at its entrepreneurial capacity rather than its threats. In order to understand the strong persistence of this sector despite its confirmed negative impacts, we investigate the extent to which the relationship between formal and informal firms, through market competition, could affect the Egyptian economy. We find that more intense competition stemming from informal firms can drive formal firms to become more productive. We also extend our analysis to Sub-Saharan African countries by underlining the effect of taxation and regulation on the strength of competition between formal and informal firms. Our findings call on the importance of introducing the informal sector in undertaken policies that target the reform of taxation and regulations in Africa. These policies should also target the firms’ access to source of finance, infrastructure and training as effective tools inducing the formalization process and fostering economic growth. Therefore, this thesis provides evidence on the importance of revisiting the impacts of the informal sector in developing countries by looking at it as a driver of economic growth rather than a threat.
Computer and Internet Use in the United States: 2003

The presence and use of computers has grown considerably over the past few decades. In 1984, 8 percent of households reported owning a computer according to the Current Population Survey (CPS). Over half of adults who said they used a computer at home in 1984, 59 percent reported they were learning how to use it.1 Adults used computers for a limited number of activities such as word processing, video games, and jobs. By 2015, however, the percentage of households with a computer had increased almost tenfold to 79 percent in the CPS. In 2016, the American Community Survey (ACS) found that 89 percent of households had a computer, making it a common feature of everyday life. Nowadays, people use computers for an even wider range of uses including online banking, entertainment, socializing, and accessing health care.
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT ATTITUDE: A STUDY ON PERCEPTION AMONG PRIVATE & PUBLIC HIGHER LEARNING INSTITUTIONS STUDENT IN MALAYSIA

The importance of sustainable development can be seen in many universities in Malaysia in establishing the syllabus and also an awareness on the concept itself among their students. The purposes of this study is to evaluate student’s perception on sustainable development concept and knowledge. The quantitative method has been choose where there are 300 numbers of questionnaire has been distributed and test to the respondents which actually there were comes from selected private and also public higher institutions. The overall findings reveal that even they are come from two different types of intuition but they are actually having the same perception towards sustainable development concept practising in their intuition. The weaknesses found in this study is a challenge to their intuition to provide clear picture on sustainable development concept and how they can react to achieve and well-implemented this concept in their institutions. Article DOI: https://dx.doi. org/10.20319/mijst.2017. 32.514524 This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Non-commercial 4.0 International License. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ or send a letter to Creative Commons, PO Box 1866, Mountain View, CA 94042, USA.
The Impact of Renegotiable Debt on Firms

This paper analyzes a structural model of a levered firm that can renegotiate debt outside and in distress. The firm renegotiates outside distress to waive its financing covenant when raising investment funds and renegotiates in distress to avoid bankruptcy costs. Incorporating the ability to renegotiate both outside and in distress is crucial to explaining timing patterns of debt renegotiations. Capturing realistic incentives and timing patterns of renegotiations allows us to quantify the value of creditor governance. We explain a rich set of empirical facts in terms of influence of renegotiable debt on security values and corporate policies.
THE PATHOPHYSIOLOGY OF OCCLUSIVE CEREBROVASCULAR DISORDERS

Introduction This is a summary of investigations on the pathophysiology of occlusive cerebrovascular disorders which during the last years have been carried out at the Departments of Clinical Physiology and Neurology at the Bispebjerg Hospital in Copenhagen, and at the Departments of Clinical Neurophysiology, Neuroradiology and Neurology at the University Hospital of Lund. Our studies have maiiily concerned focal cerebral ischemia and the development of clinical methods by which this state can be quantitatively defined. The present report is limited to pathophysiological mechanisms. For a review of the symtomatology of occlusive cerebrovascular disorders, reference is made to the subsequent report on the same topic, which will be given by Dr B. de Fine Olivarius (1967).
Cognitive-behavioral therapy, imipramine, or their combination for panic disorder: A randomized controlled trial.

CONTEXT Panic disorder (PD) may be treated with drugs, psychosocial intervention, or both, but the relative and combined efficacies have not been evaluated in an unbiased fashion. OBJECTIVE To evaluate whether drug and psychosocial therapies for PD are each more effective than placebo, whether one treatment is more effective than the other, and whether combined therapy is more effective than either therapy alone. DESIGN AND SETTING Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial conducted in 4 anxiety research clinics from May 1991 to April 1998. PATIENTS A total of 312 patients with PD were included in the analysis. INTERVENTIONS Patients were randomly assigned to receive imipramine, up to 300 mg/d, only (n=83); cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) only (n=77); placebo only (n=24); CBT plus imipramine (n=65); or CBT plus placebo (n=63). Patients were treated weekly for 3 months (acute phase); responders were then seen monthly for 6 months (maintenance phase) and then followed up for 6 months after treatment discontinuation. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Treatment response based on the Panic Disorder Severity Scale (PDSS) and the Clinical Global Impression Scale (CGI) by treatment group. RESULTS Both imipramine and CBT were significantly superior to placebo for the acute treatment phase as assessed by the PDSS (response rates for the intent-to-treat [ITT] analysis, 45.8%, 48.7%, and 21.7%; P=.05 and P=.03, respectively), but were not significantly different for the CGI (48. 2%, 53.9%, and 37.5%, respectively). After 6 months of maintenance, imipramine and CBT were significantly more effective than placebo for both the PDSS (response rates, 37.8%, 39.5%, and 13.0%, respectively; P=.02 for both) and the CGI (37.8%, 42.1%, and 13.0%, respectively). Among responders, imipramine produced a response of higher quality. The acute response rate for the combined treatment was 60.3% for the PDSS and 64.1% for the CGI; neither was significantly different from the other groups. The 6-month maintenance response rate for combined therapy was 57.1% for the PDSS (P=.04 vs CBT alone and P=.03 vs imipramine alone) and 56.3% for the CGI (P=.03 vs imipramine alone), but not significantly better than CBT plus placebo in either analysis. Six months after treatment discontinuation, in the ITT analysis CGI response rates were 41.0% for CBT plus placebo, 31.9% for CBT alone, 19.7% for imipramine alone, 13% for placebo, and 26.3% for CBT combined with imipramine. CONCLUSIONS Combining imipramine and CBT appeared to confer limited advantage acutely but more substantial advantage by the end of maintenance. Each treatment worked well immediately following treatment and during maintenance; CBT appeared durable in follow-up. JAMA. 2000;283:2529-2536
Salvage Procedures for Failed Total Knee Arthroplasty

Revision total knee arthroplasty for aseptic loosening or following infection can pose formidable challenges to the reconstructive surgeon. In some cases, the patient will undergo a series of operations, each resulting in ever-increasing bone loss. In extreme circumstances, the end result may be amputation, arthrodesis, or permanent resection arthroplasty. Isiklar et al.1, in a study of amputation following total knee arthroplasty, found that patients had undergone an average of six operative procedures prior to having an amputation. In a review of patients who had a reinfection following reimplantation for an infection at the site of a total knee arthroplasty, Hanssen et al.2 found that patients had undergone an average of thirteen operative procedures. Although amputation or permanent resection arthroplasty results in a poor outcome that can be avoided in most patients, situations in which these options should be considered include life-threatening infection, persistent infection, irreparable soft-tissue deficiency, severe bone loss, and the wishes of the patient following multiple failed attempts at reconstruction. Resection arthroplasty may be best tolerated by patients who are willing to accept loss of ambulation, such as those who are already disabled because of multiple joint involvement. The prevalence of amputation following total knee arthroplasty has ranged from 0.02% to 0.18%, but it has been reported to be 6% in patients with a chronic infection at the site of a total knee arthroplasty1,3-5. The outcome of amputation or resection arthroplasty following total knee arthroplasty is predictably poor, with a low likelihood of ambulation. Isiklar et al.1 reported on a series of nine above-the-knee amputations in eight patients. The mean interval between the first total knee arthroplasty and the amputation was 9.7 years. Eight of the nine amputations were performed for infection with severe bone loss, and one …
Requirements and Guidelines for the Design of Team Awareness Systems

This paper presents a set of guidelines for the design of multi-user awareness systems. In a first step, general requirements for team awareness systems are analyzed. In the second part of the paper, the identified requirements are aggregated and transformed into concrete design guidelines for the development of team awareness systems. Keywords—User Interface Design, Awareness Systems, UserCentered Design, Human Factors.
Reduced Fibrinogen, Fibrinolytic Biomarkers, and Physical Parameters after a Weight-Loss Program in Obese Subjects

Background: Obese subjects are at risk of multiple comorbidities including stroke and coronary heart disease (CHD), which is partly due to disturbances in the hemostatic system. Aims: The aims of the present study were to determine the effects of a weight-loss program on fibrinogen and fibrinolytic markers. Materials and Methods: Twenty-eight obese subjects were involved in a weight-loss program consisted of exercise and nutritional education for 12-weeks duration. Physical parameters were documented and blood specimen was tested at pre and post-intervention for fibrinogen, tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA), plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), and thrombin activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor (TAFI). Paired t-test was used for statistical analysis. Results: There was a significant decline in the levels of t-PA, PAI-I, TAFI and fibrinogen following the weight-loss program (P < 0.01 for each). A significant positive correlation between tPA levels and body weight, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, and fat-free mass were found. There was also a significant correlation betwen BMI and other blood parameters. Conclusion: Reduced fibrinogen, fibrinolytic, and physical parameters were demonstrated in obese subjects following the weight reduction program. These findings suggest the possible beneficial effects of this program on the hemostatic burden particularly on the fibrinolytic biomarkers.
Regulation of ompF porin expression by salicylate in Escherichia coli

The expression of ompF, the gene encoding a major outer membrane protein of Escherichia coli, is regulated by various environmental factors. The mechanism by which salicylate (SAL) drastically reduces ompF expression was studied here by means of lacZ fusions to ompF, ompC, and micF, by sodium dodecyl sulfate-gel electrophoresis of outer membrane proteins, and by measurements of outer membrane permeability. Growth of E. coli in LB broth containing SAL strongly reduced ompF-specific translation of an ompF-lacZ fusion. The extent of this reduction varied with the SAL concentration from 64% at 0.5 mM to 95% at 2 mM and greater than 99% at 10 mM. ompF-lacZ transcription was not affected by SAL, whereas ompC-lacZ transcription was elevated by 70%. Since the micF transcript is antisense to a portion of the ompF transcript and is capable of decreasing the translation of ompF, the effect of SAL on micF transcription was measured in a micF-lacZ fusion strain. SAL-grown cells contained three- to fourfold more micF transcript during the logarithmic phase of growth than did the control cultures. However, micF was not absolutely required for the response to SAL. In micF-deleted strains, the effects of SAL on ompF translation, on OmpF in the outer membrane, and on outer membrane permeability were diminished but still evident. The effect of SAL on ompF expression was independent of the osmolarity of the medium and was epistatic to certain ompB regulatory mutations: the high levels of ompF expression found in envZ3 and ompR472 strains were greatly reduced by growth in SAL. Unexpectedly, the OmpC- phenotypes of these mutants were suppressed by SAL. Thus, growth in SAL severely decreases the translation of ompF while enhancing the transcription of micF and ompC. In this respect, SAL-grown cells resemble certain marA and tolC mutants that have high levels of micF and ompC transcripts and low levels of OmpF.
Vision, Challenges and Solutions in the Development of Professional Social Work in Vietnam: Perceptions of Key Stakeholders

It was not until 2010 that social work was officially recognized as a profession in Vietnam when the government approved a national master blueprint to develop social work. This blueprint identified seven strategic objectives including: creating a foundational labor force, developing laws and policies, and raising awareness about social work. This exploratory study examines the degree to which key stakeholders in Vietnam have shared vision and perceptions about the challenges and solutions necessary to make this ambitious plan for Vietnamese social work succeed. An anonymous survey was conducted with 65 policy makers, educators, service providers, and practitioners. The survey revealed that key stakeholders in held a shared vision about Vietnamese social work, focusing on making it a genuine profession. They identified the top challenges for Vietnamese social work as lack of national policy and regulations, lack of public awareness about the profession, and lack of resources to develop high quality social work education. Key stakeholders considered social work to be an integral function of the government and, as such, depend upon the government to lay the foundation for, provide direction to, and make available the resources necessary for the profession to grow. In other words, there would not be a Vietnamese social work profession outside of and without the Vietnamese government, unlike how the social work profession has developed in many western countries.