Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Congenital thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura: Upshaw–Schulman syndrome: a cause of neonatal death and review of literature

Abstract Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is a rare disorder in children characterized by microangiopathic hemolytic anemia (MAHA) and thrombocytopenia. The classic Moschcowitz Pentads of TTP include hemolytic anemia, with fragmentation of erythrocytes, thrombocytopenia, diffuse and non-focal neurologic findings, decrease renal function and fever. We report a newborn who was diagnosed with congenital TTP. The newborn was admitted at age of 40 h, in our hospital, in view of respiratory distress with impending respiratory failure and red colored urine. On examination, the newborn was febrile, tachypneic, had deep icterus, pallor and no hepatosplenomegaly. Family history was significant with one unexplained neonatal death at age of 24 with symptoms of red colored urine. Examination of peripheral smear was diagnostic with the presence of fragmented RBCS, giant but fewer platelets consistent with a diagnosis of MAHA. The diagnosis of TTP was confirmed with low ADAMTS activity and gene analysis showed c 2203 G > T-p.Glu735X (domain TSP1-2) mutation in exon 18 of ADAMTS 13 gene. The newborn had rapid deterioration, with respiratory distress and refractory shock leading to death. Post-mortem bone marrow done showed marrow hyperplasia.
Consumer responses to private nutrition signals

ABSTRACT Mandatory labelling of nutrition information with a numerical nutrition facts panel is commonly required for prepackaged food products. Recently, food manufacturers and retailers have developed simplified nutrition signals such as front-of-package labelling (e.g. the Traffic Light label) or retail shelf labels (e.g. Guiding Stars), which provide a more intuitive signal of nutritional content. Using survey data from a sample of consumers from western Canada, this paper examines consumer responses to two private nutrition labelling programs: Guiding Stars and the Traffic Light label. Consumers are more receptive to the Traffic Light label than the Guiding Stars. Ordered probit models explore the factors influencing the likelihood of using these nutrition signals. Trust in the food label, perceived difficulty of using nutrition information, nutrition knowledge, and the importance placed on nutrition influence receptively to these labels. Simplified nutrition labels are likely to complement, rather than substitute for, the existing Nutrition Facts Table.
Breast-feeding in the Oxford Child Health Survey

In a recent paper some of the social and biological factors which influenced the breast-feeding habits of mothers in the Oxford Child Health Survey were discussed (Westropp, 1953). It remains to discover what special advantages, if any, were enjoyed by-the breastfed babies. In the following account the change-over from breastfeeding to artificial feeding is referred to as the weaning period. In a few cases complete breast-feeding was never established, but for most of the babies three distinct modes of feeding were represented in the first year: (1) Complete breast-feeding or pre-weaning period: during this phase the only additions to a diet of breast milk were vitamin concentrates. (2) Mixed feeding or weaning period: during this phase the babies were receiving breast milk and other liquid or solid foods: (3) " Other " feeding or post-weaning period: this phase began when the baby ceased to have any breast milk.
Centrifuge technique consistently overestimates vulnerability to water stress-induced cavitation in grapevines as confirmed with high-resolution computed tomography.

Vulnerability to cavitation is a key variable defining the limits to drought resistance in woody plants (Kursar et al., 2009). This trait is typically assessed by a vulnerability curve, which can be generated by a range of methods, including dehydration (Sperry et al., 1988), air injection (Cochard et al., 1992), and centrifugation (Alder et al., 1997). Results from two recent papers suggest that one of the most widely used methods, the centrifuge technique, overestimates vulnerability to cavitation in species with very long vessels (Choat et al., 2010; Cochard et al., 2010). Typically, the centrifuge technique produces characteristic ‘R shaped’ curves for long-vesseled species, compared with ‘S shaped’ curves produced by the dehydration method (Cochard et al., 2010). Both research groups proposed that open vessels contained in the centrifuged samples were responsible for this artifact. Grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.), a liana species known to have unusually long and wide vessels, appears to be particularly susceptible to artifacts with the centrifuge method (Choat et al., 2010), but the conclusions of this paper have been challenged by Jacobsen & Pratt (2012). They contend the dehydration technique actually underestimates vulnerability to cavitation in grapevine because the production of gels and ⁄ or tyloses causes a decline in maximum specific hydraulic conductivity (Ks max) over time. On the basis of their results and previously published hydraulic data, they concluded that the centrifuge technique is the most appropriate technique for estimating vulnerability to embolism (see details in Jacobsen & Pratt, 2012). Here we demonstrate that declining Ks max did not influence the results of Choat et al. (2010) and present new evidence from high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) to support our original conclusions and refute those of Jacobsen & Pratt (2012). We also contend that the analysis of previous literature presented in Jacobsen & Pratt (2012) was oversimplified and obscured the specific comparison of cavitation resistance in current year shoots of grapevine. Overall, the findings presented in Jacobsen & Pratt (2012) for V. vinifera cv Glenora are in direct contrast to published and unpublished results generated by our research groups for other V. vinifera varieties.
An Indirect Alternative Method of Measurement for Conducted Emissions of High-Power Equipments

This paper deals with a novel indirect measurement method using a “virtual” LISN to get normalised, reproducible and accurate results. According to the CISPR 16-2-1 standard [1], in the low frequency range, conducted emission measurements should be performed on power supply lines either with a Line Impedance Stabilized Network (LISN) or with a passive voltage probe. However both methods have drawbacks in terms of accuracy, feasibility, etc. This paper briefly compares different direct alternative methods of conductive emission measurement in case of high-power equipements. Furthermore, a new indirect method of measurement based on the research of a simple and stable EUT model and using a “virtual” LISN is presented.
A new approach to the design of three-channel perfect-reconstruction linear-phase FIR filter banks

A new approach is presented for the design of three-channel perfect reconstruction (PR) FIR filter banks employing linear-phase analysis and synthesis filters. The approach formulates the design as a quadratic programming problem with nonlinear constraints. The design technique is extendable to M-channel (M/spl ges/2), and this extension is currently under development. <<ETX>>
Essays on user acquisition, retention, experience, engagement and purchase decisions of a hybrid mobile wallet

The popularity of “mobile wallets” (or “mobile payment” platforms) is one of the most prominent trends in the mobile commerce (m-commerce) era. However, like most mobile applications (apps), mobile wallet apps usually suffer from low repeat usage rates. Most extant research on mobile users’ app usage behavior focuses on the early stage of app usage, such as app download and adoption intentions, and researchers know little about what makes a mobile payment app successful in engaging users, maintaining user base, and achieving favorable economic outcomes. In addition, extant research on mobile users’ experience, engagement and usage are based primarily on subjective survey responses, and there has been a lack of empirical investigation on users’ actual behavior. To bridge these research gaps, this dissertation empirically examines multiple stages during users’ app usage with individual-level tap stream data from a hybrid mobile wallet app. The first essay explores three intersections: first, it considers jointly users’ acquisition and retention processes with the mobile wallet app; it also examines the relationship between acquisition and retention; and third, it analyzes the effects of vii marketing and operational factors on the previous two processes. Results of the analysis suggest that while an aggressive “onboarding” promotion at “born” stage has a positive effect on user acquisition, it does not have any effect on subsequent retention. In addition, this dissertation finds a negative duration dependence on both acquisition and retention compounded by a negative correlation between the two processes. This negative duration indicates an unfavorable situation, which suggests the ineffectiveness of current marketing promotion strategies in gaining loyal users for the mobile wallet app. The second essay examines user experience and user engagement with the mobile wallet app during multiple usage sessions. Measuring user experience and engagement with observable user actions based on individual-level tap stream data, the essay investigates the effecs of user experience and firms’ marketing efforts on user engagement and purchase decisions. The results reveal an intermediate role of user engagement between user experience and purchase decisions. Surprisingly, the negative experience of technical failure does not always discourage users in engaging with the app or making purchases. Through empirical exploration and novel findings on mobile users’ app usage pattern, and through new determinations of the effects of marketing in the context of the emerging mobile payment, this dissertation contributes substantively to the literature of mobile marketing.
Development of the Psychological Contract Inventory (Psycon)

This paper reports the factor structure of a new measure of the psychological contract, the Psychological Contract Inventory (PsyCon). Previous work on the measurement of the psychological contract is reviewed. The study was based on data from 114 employees between the ages of 25 and 65, The solution is simple and has intuitive appeal. The PsyCon inventory can now be used in future research.
Combining general multi-class and specific two-class classifiers for improved customized ECG heartbeat classification

We present an approach for customized heartbeat classification of electrocardiogram (ECG) signals, based on the construction of one general multi-class classifier and one specific two-class classifier. The general classifier is trained on a global training dataset, containing examples of all possible classes and patterns. On the other hand, the individual-specific classifier is built using a small amount of individual data, which is a binary one-against-the-rest classifier, providing discrimination between normal and abnormal patterns from that individual. Such an individual-specific classifier can be a two-class classifier or a one-class classifier, depending on the availability of abnormal patterns in the individual training dataset. The classifications from the two classifiers are fused to obtain a final decision. The proposed approach is applied to the study of ECG heartbeat classification problem, significantly outperforming state-of-the-art methods. The proposed method can also be useful in anomaly detection of other biomedical signals.
Characterization of the Fecal Microbiota in Dogs with Chronic Enteropathies and Acute Hemorrhagic Diarrhea

Characterization of the Fecal Microbiota in Dogs with Chronic Enteropathies and Acute Hemorrhagic Diarrhea. (August 2012) Melissa Ellen Markel, B.A., Austin College; B.S. Texas A&M University Chair of Advisory Committee: Dr. Jan S. Suchodolski Recent 16S rRNA gene sequencing studies of the duodenal and fecal microbiota have revealed alterations in the abundance of specific bacterial groups in dogs with gastrointestinal (GI) disorders. The aim of this study was to establish a panel of quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) assays for the evaluation of specific bacterial groups in fecal samples of healthy dogs, dogs with chronic enteropathies (CE), and dogs with acute hemorrhagic diarrhea (AHD). Fecal samples from 242 healthy dogs, 118 dogs with CE, and 57 dogs with AHD were analyzed using qPCR assays targeting Faecalibacterium spp. , Turicibacter spp. , Bifidobacterium spp. , Lactobacillus spp. , Streptococcus spp. , Ruminococcaceae, C. perfringens, E. coli, γ-Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, and Firmicutes). Differences in bacterial abundance among the three groups were evaluated using a Kruskal-Wallis test followed by a Dunn’s post-test. A Bonferroni correction was used to correct for multiple comparisons and an adjusted p<0.05 was considered for statistical significance.
Comparison of clinical outcome of low-dose and high-dose rabbit antithymocyte globulin induction therapy in renal transplantation: a single-center experience.

BACKGROUND To explore a better balance between efficacy and complications, we respectively compared the clinical outcome of low-dose and high-dose rATG induction therapy with a control group in renal transplantations from March 2009 to March 2012. MATERIAL AND METHODS 281 kidney transplant recipients were included in 3 groups. The low-dose group (n=39) received rATG 1 mg/kg on the first day and 0.5 mg/kg on the next consecutive 3 days post-transplantation. The high-dose group (n=30) received rATG 1 mg/kg for 6 days. The control group (n=212) received no induction therapy. All patients were treated with Prednisolone, Mycophenolate mofetil, cyclosporine A, or tacrolimus capsules. Acute rejection rates, renal function, CMV infection, patient survival, and the adverse effects of rATG were reviewed. RESULTS The acute rejection rate was significantly lower in the rATG group compared with the control group (low-dose 17.9% vs. control 35.4%, P=0.03, and high-dose 16.7% vs. control 35.4%, P=0.038). There was no statistically significant difference in 3-year survival and graft survival rates among the groups. Renal function early recovery was similar in the rATG and the control group. The CMV infection rate in the high-dose rATG group was higher than the low-dose rATG and the control group (p=0.037 and p=0.002, respectively). rATG induction therapy was associated with thrombocytopenia in our series, especially in the high-dose rATG group. CONCLUSIONS Low-dose rATG induction may be superior to high-dose rATG induction therapy in renal transplantation.
Retracted: Immunohistochemical prognostic markers in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma: validation of tissue microarray as a prerequisite for broad clinical applications (a study from the Lunenburg Lymphoma Biomarker Consortium)

Background and Aims: The results of class prediction and the determination of prognostic markers in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) have been variably reported. Apart from biological variations, this may be caused by differences in laboratory techniques, scoring definitions and inter- and intra-observer variation. In this study, an international collaboration of clinical lymphoma research groups has concentrated on validation and standardisation of immunohistochemistry of the currently potentially interesting prognostic markers in DLBCL. Methods: Sections of a tissue microarray with 36 cases of DLBCL were stained in eight laboratories with antibodies to CD20, CD5, bcl-2, bcl-6, CD10, HLA-DR, MUM-1 and Ki-67 according to local methods. The study was performed in two rounds, firstly focused on the evaluation of laboratory staining variation, and secondly on the scoring variation. Results: Different techniques resulted in highly variable results and poor reproducibility for almost all markers. Reproducibility of the nuclear markers was highly sensitive to technical variations, including immunological enhancement techniques (agreements 34%). With elimination of variation due to staining and uniformly agreed on scoring criteria, significant improvement was seen; however less so for bcl-6 and Ki-67 (agreement 53–58%). Absence of internal controls that preclude scoring, significantly influenced the results for CD10 and bcl-6. Conclusion: Semi-quantitative immunohistochemistry for subclassification of DLBCL is feasible, but with varying rates of concordance for different markers and only using optimised techniques and strict scoring criteria. These findings may explain the wide variation in prognostic impact reported in the literature. Harmonisation of techniques and centralised consensus review appears mandatory when using immunohistochemical biomarkers for treatment stratification.
Adolescent internal condylar resorption (AICR) of the temporomandibular joint can be successfully treated by disc repositioning and orthognathic surgery, part 2: Treatment outcomes

Abstract Objective To evaluate treatment outcomes for patients with TMJ adolescent internal condylar resorption (AICR) treated by a specific surgical protocol, including: (1) Removal of bilaminar tissue surrounding the condyle, (2) Articular disc repositioning with Mitek anchor technique, and (3) Concomitant orthognathic surgery. Methods This study evaluated 24 AICR patients treated by the specific surgical protocol with clinical subjective and objective examinations and lateral cephalogram assessments for surgical changes and long-term outcomes. Results Mean age at diagnosis was 16.5 years, and mean follow-up was 30.3 months. All 24 patients had significant reduction in TMJ pain, facial pain, and headaches, with improvement in jaw function, diet, and disability. Cephalometric analysis showed significant surgical changes but good long-term occlusal and skeletal stability. Conclusion Patients with AICR treated with the specific surgical protocol demonstrated good skeletal and occlusal stability as well as improvement in TMJ pain, headaches, jaw function, diet, and disability.
Synthesis and Application of Aurophilic Poly(Cysteine) and Poly(Cysteine)-Containing Copolymers

The redox capacity, as well as the aurophilicity of the terminal thiol side groups, in poly(Cysteine) lend a unique characteristic to this poly(amino acid) or polypeptide. There are two major application fields for this polymer: (i) biomedical applications in drug delivery and surface modification of biomedical devices and (ii) as coating for electrodes to enhance their electrochemical sensitivity. The intended application determines the synthetic route for p(Cysteine). Polymers to be used in biomedical applications are typically polymerized from the cysteine N-carboxyanhydride by a ring-opening polymerization, where the thiol group needs to be protected during the polymerization. Advances in this methodology have led to conditions under which the polymerization progresses as living polymerization, which allows for a strict control of the molecular architecture, molecular weight and polydispersity and the formation of block copolymers, which eventually could display polyphilic properties. Poly(Cysteine) used as electrode coating is typically polymerized onto the electrode by cyclic voltammetry, which actually produces a continuous, pinhole-free film on the electrode via the formation of covalent bonds between the amino group of Cysteine and the carbon of the electrode. This resulting coating is chemically very different from the well-defined poly(Cysteine) obtained by ring-opening polymerizations. Based on the structure of cysteine a significant degree of cross-linking within the coating deposited by cyclic voltammetry can be assumed. This manuscript provides a detailed discussion of the ring-opening polymerization of cysteine, a brief consideration of the role of glutathione, a key cysteine-containing tripeptide, and examples for the utilization of poly(Cysteine) and poly(Cysteine)-containing copolymers, in both, the biomedical as well as electrochemical realm.
Elicitation of salient brand emotions in Western and East Asian markets: The role of elicitation context

The objective of this article is to show the effects of the use of Free Association Technique on the elicitation of brand emotions and functional associations across a Western and an East Asian culture as well as to identify and test underlying mechanisms. The use of Western techniques for eliciting brand emotions may prove challenging for marketers in East Asian markets because of the different styles of thinking and feeling of consumers in the West versus East Asia. This investigation focuses on the role of visual context (individual vs social), in which brands are presented when eliciting brand associations in the West and in East Asia. The study shows that elicitation context significantly influences the type of brand emotions and functional associations across two distinct cultures: Norway and Thailand. Consumers’ self-construal and thinking style mediate the effects of culture, as interdependent self-construal and holistic thinking explain more context-dependent brand emotions generated by Thai than Norwegian consumers. This research has important implications for studying and managing brand associations and emotions across markets. The traditional view of brands as possessing abstract, stable associations, and emotions should be reconsidered in the East Asian cultural context. Marketing managers should adapt established Western elicitation techniques to the characteristics of East Asian consumers to increase their validity.
Corporate governance and company performance: Exploring the challenging issues

The challenging issues in corporate governance and company performance were explored in the international conference that took place in Lisbon on October 26th, 2017, entitled “Corporate governance and company performance: Exploring the challenging issues” (the joint organization was composed by ISEG Lisbon, publishing house “Virtus Interpress”, ADVANCE/CSG Research Center and Virtus Global Center for Corporate Governance). The main purpose of the conference was to provide the platform at international level for academics to analyse recent trends and upcoming challenges in corporate governance and company performance, major challenges and new horizons in further research. Keynote speakers addressed valuable suggestions and examples of how researchers focused on the board of directors can learn from research approaches of behavioural scientists regarding individual and group behaviour. Scholars participated in the conference concluded that insights from various disciplines should be combined for performing more precise and accurate research on corporate boards. Moreover, scholars identified main challenges currently facing the boards, namely the exponential rise in the number of risks and the difficulties of developing relevant strategies. A relevant discussion was raised concerning as to whether discretionary accruals fit methodological needs of researchers focused on corporate governance and on the financial information disclosed. In the line with recent practices in corporate governance in Europe, scholars suggested that female directors were associated with fewer income-increasing discretionary accruals.
How useful are the equity analysts’ report? evidence from Malaysia

Using 657 Malaysian sell-side analyst recommendations from January 2010 until December 2015, this paper documents the usefulness of equity analyst reports to investors. The research findings revealed that target price and earnings forecast had a significant association with stock return. However, trading volume was shown to have an insignificant relationship with the return. Overall, our results indicate that the information content in the analyst report contained only 66.67% explanatory vis a vis stock return and only target price and earnings forecast were useful. This paper is expected to add value in enriching the literature available on analyst report especially in the context of Malaysian market.