Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Trends in place of death: The role of demographic and epidemiological shifts in end-of-life care policy

Background: Surveys suggest that most people prefer to die at home. Trends in causes of mortality and age composition could limit the feasibility of home deaths. Aim: To examine the effect of changes in decedents’ age, gender and cause of death on the pattern of place of death using data on all deaths in Norway for the period 1987–2011. Design: Population-based observation study comparing raw, predicted, as well as standardised shares of place of death isolating the effect of demographic and epidemiological changes. The analysis was bolstered with joinpoint regression to detect shifts in trends in standardised shares. Setting/participants: All deaths (1,091,303) in Norway 1987–2011 by age, gender and cause of death. Place of death at home, hospital, nursing home and other. Results: Fewer people died in hospitals (34.1% vs 46.2%) or at home (14.2% vs 18.3%), and more in nursing homes (45.5% vs 29.5%) in 2011 than in 1987. Much of the trend can be explained by demographic and epidemiological changes. Ageing of the population and the epidemiological shift represented by the declining share of deaths from circulatory diseases (31.4% vs 48.4%) compared to the increase in deaths from neoplasms (26.9% vs 21.8%) and mental/behavioural diseases (4.4% vs 1.2%) are the strongest drivers in the shift in place of death. Joinpoint regression shows important differences between categories. Conclusion: Demographic and epidemiological changes go a long way in explaining shifts in place of death. The analyses reveal substantial differences in trends between different decedent groups.
[In vitro fertilization versus intracytoplasmic sperm injection for primary and secondary infertility using sibling oocytes: clinical analysis of the outcomes].

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the clinical outcomes of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) and conventional in vitro fertilization (IVF) using sibling oocytes for treatment of primary and secondary infertility. METHODS A total of 149 cycles of IVF and ICSI were conducted between January, 2003 and December, 2008 in our center, including 98 cycles in patients with primary infertility and 51 in those with secondary infertility. According to the embryos derived from ICSI, IVF and their combination, the clinical pregnancy rate, delivery rate and birth defect of the 3 groups were analyzed. RESULTS The fertilization failure rate of IVF was significantly higher in primary infertility group than in secondary infertility group (10.2% vs 3.9%, P<0.05). No fertilization failure occurred in ICSI group. The fertilization rates and good quality embryo rates in ICSI group were significant higher than those in IVF group, and the abnormal fertilization rate was significantly lower in ICSI group (P<0.05). No significant difference were found in the implantation rates, clinical pregnancy rates, delivery rates or the rates of birth defects of the offsprings between IVF, ICSI and IVF+ICSI groups. CONCLUSION IVF combined with ICSI may result in increased fertilization rate and avoid total fertilization failure with favorable clinical outcomes in patients with long-term infertility, and ICSI may not increase the birth defects of the offspring in these patients.
Efficient, Reliable and Secure Distributed Protocols for MANETs.

This thesis is divided into two parts. The first part explores the difficulties of bootstrapping and maintaining a security infrastructure for military Mobile Ad Hoc NETworks (MANETs). The assumed absence of dedicated infrastructural elements necessitates, that security services in ad hoc networks may be built from the ground up. We develop a cluster algorithm, incorporating a trust metric in the cluster head selection process to securely determine constituting nodes in a distributed Trust Authority (TA) for MANETs. Following this, we develop non-interactive key distribution protocols for the distribution of symmetric keys in MANETs. We explore the computational requirements of our protocols and simulate the key distribution process. The second part of this thesis builds upon the security infrastructure of the first part and examines two distributed protocols for MANETs. Firstly, we present a novel algorithm for enhancing the efficiency and robustness of distributed protocols for contacting TA nodes in MANETs. Our algorithm determines a quorum of trust authority nodes required for a distributed protocol run based upon a set of quality metrics, and establishes an efficient routing strategy to contact these nodes. Secondly, we present a probabilistic path authentication scheme based on message authentication codes (MACs). Our scheme minimises both communication and computation overhead in authenticating the path over which a stream of packets travels and facilitates the detection of adversarial nodes on the path.
Inhibition of Protease-Resistant Prion Protein Accumulation In Vitro by Curcumin

ABSTRACT Inhibition of the accumulation of protease-resistant prion protein (PrP-res) is a prime strategy in the development of potential transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE) therapeutics. Here we show that curcumin (diferoylmethane), a major component of the spice turmeric, potently inhibits PrP-res accumulation in scrapie agent-infected neuroblastoma cells (50% inhibitory concentration, ∼10 nM) and partially inhibits the cell-free conversion of PrP to PrP-res. In vivo studies showed that dietary administration of curcumin had no significant effect on the onset of scrapie in hamsters. Nonetheless, other studies have shown that curcumin is nontoxic and can penetrate the brain, properties that give curcumin advantages over inhibitors previously identified as potential prophylactic and/or therapeutic anti-TSE compounds.
Reverse total shoulder arthroplasty: a review of results according to etiology.

BACKGROUND Reverse total shoulder arthroplasty provides a surgical alternative to standard total shoulder arthroplasty for the treatment of selected complex shoulder problems. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effects of etiology on the results of reverse total shoulder arthroplasty. METHODS Between May 1995 and June 2003, 240 consecutive reverse total shoulder arthroplasties were performed in 232 patients with an average age of 72.7 years. Patients were grouped according to etiology, and the clinical and radiographic outcomes for each group were measured and compared. RESULTS One hundred and eighty-six patients with 191 retained reverse total shoulder arthroplasty prostheses were followed for an average of 39.9 months. Overall, the average Constant score improved from 23 points before surgery to 60 points at the time of follow-up and 173 of the 186 patients were satisfied or very satisfied with the result. Although substantial clinical and functional improvement was observed in all etiology groups, patients with primary rotator cuff tear arthropathy, primary osteoarthritis with a rotator cuff tear, and a massive rotator cuff tear had better outcomes, on average, than patients who had posttraumatic arthritis and those managed with revision arthroplasty. Dislocation (fifteen cases) and infection (eight cases) were the most common complications among the 199 shoulders that were followed for two years or were revised prior to the minimum two-year follow-up. Patients who received the reverse prosthesis at the time of a revision arthroplasty had a higher complication rate than did those who received the reverse prosthesis at the time of a primary arthroplasty. CONCLUSIONS The reverse total shoulder arthroplasty prosthesis can produce good results when used for the treatment of a number of other complex shoulder problems in addition to cuff tear arthropathy. Patients with posttraumatic arthritis and those undergoing revision arthroplasty may have less improvement and higher complication rates in comparison with patients with other etiologies. The advanced age of the patients in the present series and the relatively short duration of follow-up suggest that the prosthesis should continue to be used judiciously.
Financial statement fraud: Detecting financial statement manipulation in Malaysian public listed companies using Beneish M-Score Model

This study attempts to assess the applicability of Beneish M-Score Model in detecting financial statement fraud from Malaysian perspective. Furthermore, the study also attempts to identify which financial statement information that may indicate the company engaged in fraud and to examine the relationship amongst variables in Beneish M-Score Model. The study uses several analysis methods to arrive at the conclusion. First, the study uses Beneish M-Score Model which consists of eight (8) variables; DSRI, GMI, AQI, SGI, DEPI, SGAI and TATA. From these variables, the study will derive to M-Score index. Based on the M-Score index, the study may conclude the Dependent Variables; if M-Score > -2.22 the companies will be classified as manipulators and if M-Score < -2.22 the companies will be classified as non-manipulators. Second, the study uses Mann-Whitney U Test to identify which financial statement information may indicate the company engaged in fraud. Third, the study uses Granger Causality Test to examine the relationship amongst the variables. From the analysis, Beneish Model has successfully detected 28 companies out of 33 companies that manipulated their financial statements with successful rate of 84.8%. Furthermore, among the eight (8) variables, stakeholders may focus on three (3) variables that have statistically significant differences between manipulator and non-manipulator companies. There are Days’ Sales in Receivables Index (DSRI), Gross Margin Index (GMI) and Selling, General and Administration Expenses Index (SGAI). Last but not least, stakeholders need to know there are four (4) variables may give cause and effect to or will influence the other five (5) variables. There are; GMI Granger Cause DEPI, SGI Granger Cause DSRI and GMI, LVGI Granger Cause SGAI and SGAI Granger Cause SGI. Beneish M-Score Model may assist stakeholders to analyse whether there were manipulations in the financial statement of a company and help them to make wise decision. However, it is not the holy grail of fraud detection, but may trigger the red flag of fraud. There is no assurance that the analysis will be 100% accurate. To become wise decision maker, stakeholders also need to be concerned on the corporate governance issues.
A compendium of cytogenetic abnormalities in myelofibrosis: molecular and phenotypic correlates in 826 patients

Among 826 patients with primary myelofibrosis (PMF) and analysable metaphases on cytogenetic studies, 352 (42·6%) had abnormal karyotype, of which 240 (68·2%) were sole aberrations and 48 (13·6%) were complex; the most frequent abnormalities were 20q− (23·3%), 13q− (18·2%), +8 (11·1%), +9 (9·9%), chromosome 1q+ (9·7%) and −7/7q− (7·1%). Phenotypic correlates included: abnormal karyotype with anaemia (P = 0·02), leucopenia (P < 0·01) and thrombocytopenia (P < 0·01); complex karyotype with younger age (P = 0·04) and thrombocytopenia (P < 0·01); leucopenia with 20q−, +8 and −7/7q− and thrombocytopenia with 20q− and −7/7q−. Cytopenias were less likely to occur with 13q−. 476 patients were annotated for JAK2/CALR/MPL mutations; abnormal karyotype frequencies were 43% in JAK2, 42% CALR, 33% MPL mutated and 34% triple‐negative cases (P = 0·3). A proportion of patients were also screened for ASXL1, EZH2, IDH1, IDH2, SRSF2, U2AF1 and SF3B1 mutations; in all instances, mutational frequencies were higher in patients with normal karyotype, reaching significance for ASXL1 (P = 0·02) and U2AF1 (P = 0·01). 13q− was associated with mutant CALR (P = 0·03), +9 with mutant JAK2 (P = 0·02) and 20q− with mutant SRSF2 (P = 0·02). The current PMF study provides detailed cytogenetic information and correlations with mutations and clinical phenotype.
Radiation effects on LDPE/EVA blends

Radiation effects of low-density polyethylene/ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (LDPE/EVA) blends were discussed. EVA content in the LDPE/EVA blends was an enhancement effect on radiation crosslinking of LDPE/EVA blends, and the highest radiation crosslinking was obtained when the EVA content was reached at 30% when irradiated by γ-ray in air. The phenomenon was discussed with the compatibility, morphology, and thermal properties of LDPE/EVA blends and found that the enhanced radiation crosslinking of the LDPE/EVA blends was proportional to the good compatibility, the increasing degree of the amorphous region's content of the LDPE/EVA blends, and the vinyl acetate content of EVA. We also found that the vinyl acetate of EVA in the blends is easily oxidized by γ-ray irradiation in air. The possible radiation crosslinking and degradation mechanism of LDPE/EVA blends was discussed quantitatively with a novel method “step-analysis” process of irradiated LDPE/EVA blends in the thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) technique. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 86: 1296–1302, 2002
Probability, rarity, interest, and surprise.

THE unusual is often interesting. Moreover, the frequency definition of probability, which is the one consciously or tacitly used in all applications to experience, makes it clear that an improbable event means precisely a rare event. Hence, an improbable event is often interesting. But is an improbable event always interesting? We shall see that is is not. If an event actually occurs, and if its probability, as reckoned before its occurrence, is very small, is the fact of its occurrence surprising? The answer is that it may be, or it may not be. Suppose one shuffles a pack of cards and deals off a single bridge hand of thirteen cards. The probability, as reckoned before the event, that this hand contain any thirteen specified cards is 1 divided by 635,013,559,600. Thus the probability of any one specified set of thirteen cards is, anyone would agree, very small. When one hand of thirteen cards is dealt in this way there are, of course, precisely 635,013,559,600 different hands that can appear. All these billions of hands are, furthermore, equally likely to occur; and one of them is absolutely certain to occur every time a hand is so dealt. Thus, although any one particular hand is an improbable event, and so a rare event, no one particular hand has any right to be called a surprising event. Any hand that occurs is simply one out of a number of exactly equally likely events, some one of which was bound to happen. There is no basis for being surprised at the one that did happen, for it was precisely as likely (or as unlikely, if you will) to have happened as any other particular one.
Patterns of hippocampal‐cortical interaction dissociate temporal lobe memory subsystems

A distributed network of brain regions supports memory retrieval in humans, but little is known about the functional interactions between areas within this system. During functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), subjects retrieved real‐world memories: autobiographical events, public events, autobiographical facts, and general knowledge. A common memory retrieval network was found to support all memory types. However, examination of the correlations (i.e., effective connectivity) between the activity of brain regions within the temporal lobe revealed significant changes dependent on the type of memory being retrieved. Medially, effective connectivity between the parahippocampal cortex and hippocampus increased for recollection of autobiographical events relative to other memory types. Laterally, effective connectivity between the middle temporal gyrus and temporal pole increased during retrieval of general knowledge and public events. The memory types that dissociate the common system into its subsystems correspond to those that typically distinguish between patients at initial phases of Alzheimer's disease or semantic dementia. This approach, therefore, opens the door to new lines of research into memory degeneration, capitalizing on the functional integration of different memory‐involved regions. Indeed, the ability to examine interregional interactions may have important diagnostic and prognostic implications. Hippocampus 10:475–482, 2000 © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Sovereign debt maturity structure and its costs

I propose a theoretical model of a debt contract between a sovereign and its international lenders that determines the optimal debt maturity structure and related costs. It is shaped by two financial frictions: limited liability (the country cannot guarantee that it will not dilute its obligations or default on them) and market incompleteness. In equilibrium, debt dilution constrains the amount of long-term debt issuance. I use this framework to evaluate the impact of two policy interventions: the possibility of sovereign debt restructuring with private creditors and international official lending in the event of exclusion from the international capital markets. The possibility of restructuring after default stimulates long-term debt issuance; however, in equilibrium, those tools are unable to loosen the constraint on long-term debt issuance. Consistently with the empirical literature, I find that even when these policy options are available, the country tends to issue mainly short-term debt.
Customer relationship management (CRM) practices in the hotel sector from the perspective of leisure travelers

Customer relationship management (CRM) is widely discussed in numerous industries including the hotel sector. Much of the discussions on CRM have focused on implementations related aspects with only scant attention given to the CRM practices that manifest due to CRM implementations. As a result while the existing understanding on CRM has been established through an organisations point of view by identifying the back stage CRM from the point of view of the organisation, this study demonstrates the importance to enhance the understating of CRM through the customers’ point of view. Thus this study explored CRM practices experienced by the leisure travellers in the hotel context and what they think of such practices. Data was collected through focus groups which consisted of 22 participants in total. The findings indicated numerous customer relationship management practices experienced by leisure travellers at the: pre-encounter, encounter and post-encounter stages.
Effect of diet supplementation with live yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) on performance of rabbit does and their progenies

A study was conducted to determine the effect of live yeast supplementation in the diet of rabbit does on their mortality and reproductive performance and the performance of their progeny. A total of 52 cross-bred rabbit does (New Zealand×Californian) were divided into 2 groups differing in diet offered during 2 reproductive cycles and containing (group S; n=26) or not (group C; n=26) 1 g of yeast (Actisaf Sc 47, S.I. LESAFFRE, France)/kg of feed. Natural mating was performed 11 d after kindling and kits were weaned at 28 d of age. Body weight of litters was measured at birth, 21 d and at 28 d of age (weaning). Mortality of kits and rabbit does was monitored daily, and fertility of rabbit does and viability rate of kits at birth were also determined. Weight and litter size at birth and at weaning, litter weight gain during lactation and length of gestation were similar between the 2 groups during the 2 cycles. The mortality of does during the experiment was higher in group C than in group S (27 vs. 4%; P<0.05). Fertility rate of rabbits does and viability rate of kits at birth were higher (P<0.05) in rabbits fed with the supplemented diet than those with the control diet during the second lactation. In the first cycle, kit mortality was lower in S group (15.5%) than the C group (24.7%) during the first 21 d (P<0.05). However, no difference was observed during the second lactation. In conclusion, our results suggest that the inclusion of yeast in the diet of rabbit does could trigger positive effects on the fertility and mortality of rabbit does, as well as on the viability rate of kits at birth.
Relative systemic availability of budesonide in patients with asthma after inhalation from two dry powder inhalers.

BACKGROUND To improve dosing consistency and product features, budesonide inhalation powder delivered via a dry powder inhaler (DPI) (DPI-A 200 microg) was redesigned to include lactose, a newly shaped mouthpiece, and a new dose indicator (DPI-B). Budesonide DPI-B is available in two strengths (90 microg, 180 microg). OBJECTIVE To compare the relative rate and extent of the systemic availability of budesonide inhaled via DPI-A and DPI-B and test for systemic absorption bioequivalence. METHODS Adults (n = 37) with asthma as defined by the American Thoracic Society were randomized in an open-label, crossover, single-center, single-dose study to budesonide DPI-A 200 microg x 4 inhalations, budesonide DPI-B 180 microg x 4 inhalations, or budesonide DPI-B 90 microg x 8 inhalations, on 3 days, each separated by a washout period of >or= 5 days. Plasma samples were collected immediately before and up to 12 h after dosing. Primary pharmacokinetic variables were area under the drug plasma concentration-time curve from 0 to infinity (AUC(0-infinity)) and maximum plasma concentration (C(max)); plasma concentration at 12 h (C(12h)) and time to maximum plasma concentration (T(max)) were secondary variables. Treatments were considered bioequivalent if the 90% confidence intervals (CIs) for their AUC(0-infinity) and C(max) ratios fell between 80 and 125%. Adverse events were collected. RESULTS The 90% CIs for the ratios of AUC(0-infinity) and C(max) for budesonide DPI-A 200 microg and DPI-B 180 microg and for both budesonide DPI-B strengths fell between 80% and 125% (AUC(0-infinity): budesonide DPI-B 180 microg x 4/DPI-A 200 microg x 4: 96.3% [90% CI: 90.9, 102.1]; budesonide DPI-B 180 microg x 4/DPI-B 90 microg x 8: 92.2% [90% CI: 87.0, 97.7]; C(max): (budesonide DPI-B 180 microg x 4/DPI-A 200 microg x 4: 100.4% [95% CI: 92.1, 109.4]; budesonide DPI-B 180 microg x 4/DPI-B 90 microg x 8: 94.4% [90% CI: 86.6, 102.9]). No differences in C(12h) and T(max) were found between treatments. All treatments were well tolerated. CONCLUSIONS Budesonide DPI-A 200 mug and DPI-B 180 mug have systemic absorption bioequivalence, and DPI-B 90 microg and 180 microg are dose-strength equivalent when administered at the same dose. These results may not be generalized to all patients with asthma, as this analysis included only patients with mild-to-moderate asthma aged >or= 19 years.
The metabolism of anabolic-androgenic steroids in the greyhound.

BACKGROUND Effective control of the use of anabolic-androgenic steroids (AASs) in animal sports is essential in order to ensure both animal welfare and integrity. In order to better police their use in Australian and New Zealand greyhound racing, thorough metabolic studies have been carried out on a range of registered human and veterinary AASs available in the region. RESULTS Canine metabolic data are presented for the AASs boldenone, danazol, ethylestrenol, mesterolone, methandriol, nandrolone and norethandrolone. The principal Phase I metabolic processes observed were the reduction of A-ring unsaturations and/or 3-ketones with either 3α,5β- or 3β,5α-stereochemistry, the oxidation of secondary 17β-hydroxyl groups and 16α-hydroxylation. The Phase II β-glucuronylation of sterol metabolites was extensive. CONCLUSION The presented data have enabled the effective analysis of AASs and their metabolites in competition greyhound urine samples.