Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Efficacy of long-term subcutaneous treprostinil sodium therapy in pulmonary hypertension.

STUDY OBJECTIVES The aim of this long-term multicenter analysis was to investigate whether subcutaneously infused treprostinil could provide sustained improvements of exercise capacity and survival benefits in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and inoperable chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH). Subcutaneous administration of the prostacyclin analog treprostinil is an effective treatment for PAH that, unlike epoprostenol, does not require the insertion of a permanent central venous catheter. DESIGN Multicenter retrospective study. SETTING Three European university hospitals. METHODS Ninety-nine patients with PAH and 23 patients with CTEPH in New York Heart Association (NYHA) classes II-IV were followed up for a mean of 26.2 +/- 17.2 months (+/- SE) [range, 3 to 57 months]. Long-term efficacy was assessed by 6-min walking distance (SMWD), Borg dyspnea score, and NYHA class. Clinical events were monitored to assess survival and event-free survival. RESULTS At 3 years, significant improvements from baseline were observed in mean SMWD (305 +/- 11 to 445 +/- 12 m, p = 0.0001), Borg dyspnea score (5.7 +/- 0.2 to 4.5 +/- 1, p = 0.0006), and NYHA class (3.20 +/- 0.04 to 2.1 +/- 0.1, p = 0.0001). These changes were observed under a mean dose of subcutaneously infused treprostinil at 40 +/- 2.6 ng/kg/min (range, 16 to 84 ng/kg/min). Subcutaneously infused treprostinil was well tolerated, and local pain at the subcutaneous site accounted for treatment interruption in only 5% of the cases. Survival was 88.6% and 70.6% at 1 year and 3 years, respectively. At the same time points, the event-free survival rates, defined as survival without hospitalization for clinical worsening, transition to IV epoprostenol, and need for combination therapy or atrial septostomy, were 83.2% and 69%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Long-term subcutaneous therapy with treprostinil appears to continuously improve exercise tolerance and symptoms in patients with PAH and inoperable CTEPH. Moreover, treatment may provide a significant survival benefit.
When should we warn the surgeon?

Clinical neurophysiologists use brainstem auditory evoked potentials (BAEPs) to monitor the auditory nerve during surgery in which there is a risk of postoperative hearing deficits. Over the last 25 years, monitoring these potentials has decreased operative morbidity by providing the operating team prompt feedback about the functional integrity of the auditory pathway.1–4 Despite this fact, there are no uniformly accepted criteria for determining when an observed BAEP waveform change demands the attention of the surgeon.5 Ethical considerations prevent studies specifically addressing what changes might indicate impending complications. Specific but divergent warning criteria have been proposed based …
Feasibility and Safety of Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection of Esophageal or Gastric Carcinomas under General Anesthesia

Objective: To investigate the feasibility and safety of endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) of esophageal or gastric carcinomas under general anesthesia. Subjects and Methods: ESD removal of esophageal or gastric carcinomas was performed in 59 patients under midazolam sedation (control group), and in 46 patients under general anesthesia (GA group). The procedural times, perioperative complications and patient's satisfaction with the procedures were recorded. Results: There was no statistically significant difference in age (65 ±12 vs. 58 ±11), male gender (43.5 vs. 49.2%), types or location or the size of the carcinomas (30 ± 6 vs. 28 ± 7 mm) between the control and GA groups (p > 0.05). The mean procedural time in the GA group was shorter than in the control group (42.5 ± 5.5 vs. 79.0 ± 13.2 min, p = 0.01). The combined gastric perforation and postprocedural bleeding rate in the GA group was lower than in the control group, but the difference did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.06). In the GA group, all patients rated the procedural experience as satisfactory, while in the control group, 38 (64.5%) rated the experience as satisfactory (p = 0.001). Conclusion: ESD under general anesthesia was associated with a shorter procedure time and a high rate of patient's satisfaction with the procedures.
Diversity and inheritance in cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) on protein and yield components characters

Abstract. Purnamasari I, Sobir, Syukur M. 2019. Diversity and inheritance in cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) on protein and yield components characters. Biodiversitas 20: 1294-1298. Diallel was a method that can be used to see inheritance and diversity character of plants. The objective of this study has evaluated the inheritance and diversity of the yield component characters and seed protein content. This study used genetic material from five homozygous cowpeas (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp) genotypes (KM1, KM2, KM4, KM5, and TG2) and 20 F1. Genotypes were planted using a randomized complete block design with three replications. The character observed were the yield components (weight of 100 seed, number of seeds per pod, number of pods per bunch, number of pods per plant and yield) and seeds protein content. Characters that were influenced by general combining ability (GCA) consist of weight of 100 seeds, number of pods per bunch, number of seeds per pod and seed protein content. The variance of GCA has a greater value than the variance of specific combining ability (SCA). Narrow sense and broad sense heritability values were high category consist of weight 100 seed, number seeds per pod, number pods per bunch and seed protein content. That characters were inherited additively. Characters were influenced by additive gene action and have high diversity make it possible to select in F2 generation using the pedigree selection method.
EARLY SCHOOL LEADERSHIP CHALLENGES IN KAZAKHSTANI EDUCATIONAL MANAGEMENT

The importance of the school leadership has increased significantly in the last decades. Leadership, especially effectiveness of the principal may play a key role in the success and sustainability of a school. The aim of this study was to identify the first year principalship challenges in the comprehensive schools of Kazakhstan. The small-scale study conducted in 2011 utilized a blend of qualitative and quantitative methodology approach with mixed-method techniques: the questionnaire and the semi-structured interview. The total number of the participants was 49 (43 questionnaire respondents and 6 interviewees); representatives of rural, suburban and urban schools. While some key findings of the study replicated previous research results, some other findings were indicated as unique to the Kazakhstani context. Specifically, the need for prior and after appointment trainings, especially in budget and finance areas, allocation of teaching hours among the staff and changing parental attitude towards the schooling were the most challenging issues of the principals in their first year of headship. The perceived gap between the government’s desires to integrate into the global educational arena and the schooling status quo demands rethinking and reviewing the current school leadership development. Although the findings are based on a limited sample, there is persuasive evidence for the necessity of a new systematic and strategic approach to the school leaders’ preparation and training which will take into account values of the post-soviet Kazakhstan people and needs of a modernized world.
Evidence Supporting the Network Perspective on Organizational Learning

The paper provides evidence for the network perspective to organizational learning on the cases of two companies different in size, industry and culture. It builds on an earlier paper that introduced the network perspective to organizational learning and proposes some common traits of the learning networks and tests them with the help of the tools of social network analysis. We find support for the network perspective to organizational learning. There are some traits of the learning network that are common to very different companies, like the fact that learning occurs mainly in clusters. Some other traits depend much on the organizational culture.
Intrahousehold Resource Allocation in Rural Pakistan

We estimate semiparametric Engel curves for rural Pakistan using a large household survey. This allows us to obtain consistent estimates of the effects of household size and composition on consumption patterns even when these demographic variables are correlated with an unknown function of income. The coefficients on the household composition variables are used to infer patterns of intrahousehold allocation. While there is little evidence of gender differences amongst children, adult males appear to consume more than adult females. Amongst males, workers consume more than dependents. There is no evidence of differential treatment of the elderly or of higher birth-order children. We identify substantial economies of size in food consumption. We also find that Engel curves for food, adult goods and child goods are quadratic logarithmic, which implies that some commonly used demand models are inappropriate.
A Test of Differential Performance Peaking for a Disembedding Task

The effective design of information systems is a complex undertaking, often requiring the systems analyst to anticipate the effects of various reports on user performance. These effects may be studied from numerous perspectives. One prominent perspective is that of the theory of Human Information Processing (HIP) as proposed by Schroder, Driver, and Streufert [1967]. In this research paradigm, the dependent variable of interest is information integrations, that is, the number and quality of intellectual transformations required to recognize, differentiate, and process information. Two variables are suggested by the HIP theory as important in affecting one's ability to integrate information: individual differences-individuals are classified as integratively complex and integratively simple, and the relative abstractness of the stimuli used by members of the individual difference groups. HIP theory implies that differential performance peaks (i.e., optimal performance is attained by the individual difference groups only when differentiated stimuli are used) may be expected to result due to the differing integrative ability of the integratively simple and integratively complex individuals. However, research investigations conducted since the initial statement of the HIP theory have indicated that for various surrogations of information integrations differential peaking is not evidenced. ' In this research, the variable of interest is differential perform-
Tight-binding model and interactions scaling laws for silicon and germanium.

We provide a set of parameters for second-neighbor tight-binding model Hamiltonians, including spin-orbit interaction, in silicon and germanium. Our attempt is the construction of a simple Hamiltonian, useful as a stepping stone for the description of more complex systems. We introduce a criterion for establishing transferable scaling laws of the parameters. The results obtained, checked versus determination of deformation potentials under hydrostatic and uniaxial [001] stress, indicate a clear deviation from the ${\mathit{d}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}2}$ Harrison scaling law.
Potency and selectivity of inhibition of cathepsin K, L and S by their respective propeptides.

The prodomains of several cysteine proteases of the papain family have been shown to be potent inhibitors of their parent enzymes. An increased interest in cysteine proteases inhibitors has been generated with potential therapeutic targets such as cathepsin K for osteoporosis and cathepsin S for immune modulation. The propeptides of cathepsin S, L and K were expressed as glutathione S-transferase-fusion proteins in Escherichia coli. The proteins were purified on glutathione affinity columns and the glutathione S-transferase was removed by thrombin cleavage. All three propeptides were tested for inhibitor potency and found to be selective within the cathepsin L subfamily (cathepsins K, L and S) compared with cathepsin B or papain. Inhibition of cathepsin K by either procathepsin K, L or S was time-dependent and occurred by an apparent one-step mechanism. The cathepsin K propeptide had a Ki of 3.6-6.3 nM for each of the three cathepsins K, L and S. The cathepsin L propeptide was at least a 240-fold selective inhibitor of cathepsin K (Ki = 0.27 nM) and cathepsin L (Ki = 0.12 nM) compared with cathepsin S (Ki = 65 nM). Interestingly, the cathepsin S propeptide was more selective for inhibition of cathepsin L (Ki = 0.46 nM) than cathepsin S (Ki = 7.6 nM) itself or cathepsin K (Ki = 7.0 nM). This is in sharp contrast to previously published data demonstrating that the cathepsin S propeptide is equipotent for inhibition of human cathepsin S and rat and paramecium cathepsin L [Maubach, G. , Schilling, K. , Rommerskirch, W. , Wenz, I. , Schultz, J. E. , Weber, E. & Wiederanders, B. (1997), Eur J. Biochem. 250, 745-750]. These results demonstrate that limited selectivity of inhibition can be measured for the procathepsins K, L and S vs. the parent enzymes, but selective inhibition vs. cathepsin B and papain was obtained.
Effects of Hydrocortisone on Survival in Neonatal Beagles Given Endotoxin∗

Summary In beagles 6-9 days old, hydrocortisone sodium succinate (5—150 mg/kg), given intravenously 1 hour before intravenous lethal doses (2 mg/kg) of E. coli endotoxin, increased the rate of survival, and, in some animals, the duration of survival; the effect of hydrocortisone was not dependent on the dose given. Hydrocortisone (50 mg/kg) given immediately after endotoxin (0.1—2 mg/kg) did not increase the rate or duration of survival.
[Results after rebuilding the ossicular chain using the autogenous incus, ionomer-cement-and titanium implants (tympanoplasty type III)].

BACKGROUND A defective ossicular chain can reliably be reconstructed with standardized techniques using e. g. modern alloplastic materials. The comparison of clinical and functional results have proved its worth. Prospective clinical trial as well as collecting and evaluating relevant intraoperative and postoperative findings may be helpful to find the appropriate bone substitute in each case when rebuilding middle ear structures. METHOD In 354 middle ears (332 patients) the defective or destroyed ossicular chain was rebuilt with the carefully trimmed autogenous incus (n = 83), with ionomer-cement implants (n = 100) and with titanium prostheses (n = 171). The follow-up of the earmicroscopic findings and middle ear function extended over a period of 1.5 years postoperatively on an average (min. 3 months, max. 6 years). The modified otologic record form named "Würzburger Ohrbogen" was used for preoperative and operative data, the "Ohrnachsorgebuch" for the postoperative follow-up. RESULTS Using incus the air bone gap was improved up to 15 dB in the main speech area. Thus the average remaining conduction deficit was less than 10 dB. The "taking" of ionomer based cement prostheses and titanium prostheses was equally good. The cement implants showed a tendency to protrusion (n = 3), 2 titanium implants were extruded. The air bone gap decreased about 10 to 35 dB using titanium total prosthesis and about 15 to 20 dB using ionomer-cement total prosthesis. The remaining air bone gap with titanium implants was slightly less than with the ionomer-cement PORP (10-15 dB). The air bone gap using the titanium TORP was diminished in a reach of 10 to 35 dB, with the ionomer cement prosthesis between 15 to 20 dB. The remaining gap in the main speech area was slightly favorable to titanium (less than 15 dB) compared with the ionomer-cement TORP. Comparing higher frequencies the air bone gap of titanium was recognizable due to its light weight, but less impressive than expected. Revision surgery (n = 50) has to be performed by reason of cholesteatoma (n = 9), adhesive process (n = 8), dislocation of alloplastic prostheses (n = 8) and because of proposed "second look" (n = 14). CONCLUSIONS Compared with other materials autogenous implants used for reconstruction of the incus have proved their value, however a deterioration of the sound transmission may develop in the long run. The middle ear compatibility of ionomer-cement implants is similar to titanium implants. The functional results of the titanium implants seem to be slightly superior.
Spreading depression and focal venous cerebral ischemia enhance cortical neurogenesis

Endogenous neurogenesis can arise from a variety of physiological stimuli including exercise, learning, or “enriched environment” as well as pathological conditions such as ischemia, epilepsy or cortical spreading depression. Whether all these conditions use a common trigger to set off endogenous neurogenesis is yet unclear. We hypothesized that cortical spreading depression (CSD) induces neurogenesis in the cerebral cortex and dentate gyrus after cerebral venous ischemia. Forty-two Wistar rats alternatively underwent sham operation (Sham), induction of ten CSDs or venous ischemia provoked via occlusion of two adjacent superficial cortical vein followed by ten induced CSDs (CSD + 2-VO). As an additional control, 15 naïve rats received no intervention except 5-bromo-2′-deoxyuridine (BrdU) treatment for 7 days. Sagittal brain slices (40 μm thick) were co-stained for BrdU and doublecortin (DCX; new immature neuronal cells) on day 9 or NeuN (new mature neuronal cells) on day 28. On day 9 after sham operation, cell proliferation and neurogenesis occurred in the cortex in rats. The sole induction of CSD had no effect. But on days 9 and 28, more proliferating cells and newly formed neurons in the ipsilateral cortex were observed in rats subjected to CSD + 2VO than in rats subjected to sham operation. On days 9 and 28, cell proliferation and neurogenesis in the ipsilateral dentate gyrus was increased in sham-operated rats than in naïve rats. Our data supports the hypothesis that induced cortical neurogenesis after CSD + 2-VO is a direct effect of ischemia, rather than of CSD alone.
The Market Portfolio is NOT Efficient: Evidences, Consequences and Easy to Avoid Errors

The Market Portfolio is not an efficient portfolio. There are many evidences that tell us that: the equal weighted indexes have beaten their market-value weighted indexes for many years, many easy-to-build portfolios (some “smart-beta”, “multifactors”) have beaten market-value weighted indexes. We document evidences about seven Equal weighted indexes that have had higher returns than the corresponding market-value weighted index: SP b) the unhelpfulness of the Sharpe ratio; and c) common (and easy to avoid) errors in portfolio management and corporate finance.
The Impact of the 2011 Short‐Sale Ban on Financial Stability: Evidence from the Spanish Stock Market

We examine the effect of the 2011 short‐selling ban on Spanish stocks on the financial sector's risk level. Before the ban, short positions were positive and significantly related to several indicators of bank default risk. Subsequently, the ban moderated the risk of banking institutions, especially those more exposed to short‐seller activity, which, on average, showed higher levels of maturity mismatch, uncertainty about their fundamentals, and exposure to sovereign risk. The ban also caused a side effect on non‐financial firms, since it led to an increase in their exposure to short sales, reflecting the existence of a common aggregate risk factor.
A Novel Distributed Direct-Voltage Control Strategy for Grid Integration of Offshore Wind Energy Systems Through MTDC Network

Although HVDC transmission systems have been available since mid-1950s, almost all installations worldwide are point-to-point systems. In the past, the lower reliability and higher costs of power electronic converters, together with complex controls and need for fast telecommunication links, may have prevented the construction of multiterminal DC (MTDC) networks. The introduction of voltage-source converters for transmission purposes has renewed the interest in the development of supergrids for integration of remote renewable sources, such as offshore wind. The main focus of the present work is on the control and operation of MTDC networks for integration of offshore wind energy systems. After a brief introduction, this paper proposes a classification of MTDC networks. The most utilized control structures for VSC-HVDC are presented, since it is currently recognized as the best candidate for the development of supergrids, followed by a discussion of the merits and shortcomings of available DC voltage control methods. Subsequently, a novel control strategy-with distributed slack nodes-is proposed by means of a DC optimal power flow. The distributed voltage control (DVC) strategy is numerically illustrated by loss minimization in an MTDC network. Finally, dynamic simulations are performed to demonstrate the benefits of the DVC strategy.
An indirect Lyapunov approach of stability of fractional order linear system with and without time delay

Lyapunov stability of fractional order linear system with time delay is addressed in this paper. The key concept is the frequency distributed fractional integrator model, which is the basis for a global state space model of FDEs. We give the sufficient condition of stability of fractional order system with time delay based on indirect Lyapunov approach, which is based on the continuous frequency distribution. No-memory and memory state feedback controller are designed to stabilized the fractional order system. The feasibility of the design method is verified by the examples.
Maternal secure base support and preschoolers' secure base behavior in natural environments

Abstract Bowlby and Ainsworth's theory of attachment poses that concurrent caregiving behavior is a key factor in influencing and maintaining a child's organization of secure-base behavior, and ultimately, security throughout childhood. Empirical demonstrations of the relation between the constructs after infancy are relatively scant and research is needed to examine the relation between the variables across a wide range of contexts, over longer observational periods, and in developmentally appropriate ways. Two studies of preschoolers and their mothers were conducted in naturalistic settings. Fifty child-mother middle-class dyads, predominantly Caucasian, participated in Study 1 and 40 in Study 2. The mean age for children was 52 months (Study 1) and 36 months (Study 2). In Study 1, a home and a playground visits were conducted. In Study 2, two home and a playground visits were conducted. Observers used the Maternal Behavior for Preschoolers Q-Set to provide age-relevant descriptions of maternal behavior, and the Attachment Q-Set to provide descriptions of child behavior. Overall, findings indicated that maternal secure base support was significantly related to the organization of child secure base behavior (r = .31 and .49 for Study 1 and Study 2, respectively). Results are discussed in terms of the importance of specifying caregiving domains and contexts of assessments, and their implications for attachment theory.