Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A New Type of Shotgun Ammunition Produces Unique Wound Characteristics

ABSTRACT: The Tucson Police Department, Tucson, AZ, has begun using the Polyshok Impact Reactive Projectile (IRP), a new type of shotgun ammunition that includes a lead bead core that travels within single, plastic‐encased projectile. On impact, the core is released to distribute over a small area, thereby disintegrating on impact to reduce the likelihood of exit or collateral damage on missed shots. After a brief review of shotgun slug ballistics and wound characteristics and a discussion of the mechanism of the Polyshok IRP, we report the first death in the United States from this ammunition. Findings included a single entrance wound with plastic ammunition components and small lead particles recovered from the body, the combination of which normally would suggest a close‐range shooting with birdshot. However, the characteristics of this ammunition create different patterns than are found with slugs or shot, so that a medical examiner unfamiliar with the Polyshok IRP could draw inaccurate conclusions about ammunition and range of fire. Because the single projectile fired from this ammunition is composed of both plastic and lead, plastic components are likely to be found within the wound at any range of fire, unlike traditional shot or slug ammunition. Also, the small size of lead particles found spread through the wound cavity would ordinarily suggest a small‐size shot, whereas the external appearance of the wound (a single entrance with no dispersion of shot) and the pattern of tissue destruction are more consistent with the patterns of injury associated with shotgun slugs.
Interleukin 4 therapy for patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia: a phase I/II study

Interleukin 4 (IL‐4) is a pleiotropic type II cytokine which has been shown to have a direct killing effect on lymphoma and B‐cell chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (B‐CLL) cells in vitro. The clinical effects and toxicity of IL‐4 treatment in patients with B‐CLL were evaluated. Fourteen patients with B‐CLL who were in partial remission after chemotherapy received one, two or three 8‐week cycles of escalating doses (2, 4 or 6 µg/kg/d s.c.) of IL‐4 for 3 d/week. Clinical response was analysed after each treatment cycle and toxicity was monitored continuously. Ten patients (71%) had progressive disease (PD) during IL‐4 treatment. This was mainly attributable to an increase (two‐ to fourfold) of the blood lymphocyte count during IL‐4 therapy. After cessation of IL‐4 treatment, the lymphocytosis decreased spontaneously in 8 out of 12 evaluable patients. Splenomegaly remained unchanged in 7/7 patients, whereas enlarged lymph nodes were reduced by > 50% in 1/13 patients and by 25–50% in 4/13 patients. None of the patients achieved an objective tumour regression (complete or partial remission). A temporary increase (16–60%) of the platelet count was observed during IL‐4 treatment. The platelet count decreased in 8/11 patients after the end of IL‐4 therapy. World Health Organization (WHO) grade I/II fever, arthralgia and fatigue was observed in one‐third of the patients and was more commonly seen with the highest dose (6 µg/kg/d). One patient developed pulmonary oedema and WHO grade III neutropenia was recorded in three patients. IL‐4 was well tolerated by most patients in an outpatient setting. The anti‐tumour activity observed in previous in vitro studies was not verified by the present in vivo trial which showed that IL‐4 may instead increase the number of CLL cells in blood, indicating that IL‐4 may have induced a stimulatory or antiapoptotic effect on the CLL cells in blood. These results may have important implications for the development of immunotherapy of CLL. In addition, the potential platelet‐stimulatory effect of IL‐4 warrants further studies.
Trust, commitment, customer intimacy and customer loyalty in Islamic banking relationships

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the role of trust in enhancing customer loyalty, and to test the mediation role of commitment and customer intimacy in the relationship between trust and customer loyalty. Design/methodology/approach A total of 500 questionnaires were distributed and 200 were returned (40 percent response rate), and a structural equation modeling technique was used to test the hypotheses. Findings The results of this study show that trust has a significant relationship with commitment and customer intimacy but no significant relationship was found with customer loyalty. Commitment and customer intimacy have a significant relationship with customer loyalty. The mediation analysis reveals that commitment and customer intimacy play a mediation role in the relationship between trust and customer loyalty. Practical implications This study indicates that commitment and customer intimacy affect customer loyalty. The role of commitment and customer intimacy as a mediator between trust and customer loyalty indicates that customers are committed to continuing and maintaining the relationships with Islamic banks. Originality/value This study provides empirical evidence on interrelationships between trust, commitment, customer intimacy and customer loyalty in banking relationships.
The impact of an experimentally induced increase in arterial blood pressure on left ventricular twist mechanics

What is the central question of this study? Increases in blood pressure elicited by isometric hand‐grip exercise (IHG) have been shown to impair ventricular twist mechanics. However, the utility of the IHG model is confounded by a concurrent increase in heart rate, which independently influences ventricular mechanics. What is the main finding and its importance? We show that a period of post‐IHG circulatory occlusion isolates the effect of an arterial blood pressure increase from heart rate and magnifies the impairment of left ventricular twist when compared with IHG alone. A protocol using IHG followed by brief circulatory occlusion may serve as a useful tool in examining and understanding the relationships between afterload and cardiac function in various disease states.
Accurate excluded-volume corrections to the single-chain static properties of a melt of unentangled polymers

Actual polymer chains cannot cross themselves and each other. However, the popular Rouse model for unentangled polymers considers the chains as being like ‘phantoms’. It is shown that excluded volume effects on single-chain statics may be introduced by analytic corrections to the Rouse results. The final expressions do not depend on free parameters. They exhibit excellent agreement with the molecular-dynamics simulations of polymer melts with chain lengths in the range 3≤M≤30. Preliminary results for entangled polymer melts are presented.
Analysis on implementation of Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) in the Directorate General of Taxes (DGT), the Ministry of Finance (MoF) of the Republic of Indonesia

This research paper critically analyze implementation of standard operating procedures (SOP) in Indonesian Directorate General of Taxes (DGT) as part of their agenda in bureaucracy reform and tax administration reform. The concept of standardization and street-level bureaucracies are used in this research paper, where this two concept stand in opposite side. This research paper focused on the perspective of DGT employees toward SOP implementation, and how it brings changes in their jobs. The findings of this research show that SOP are being implemented in SOP to reduce uncertainty, variety as well as reducing corruption in DGT. Furthermore, DGT employees admit that SOP make their jobs become easier and more productive. They also see that SOP give assurance and protection for their jobs. However, interesting remarks in this research where DGT employees feel that SOP prevent their ability to use professional discretion as compensation of standardization of working procedures.
West Nile Virus‐Associated Meningoencephalitis in Two Chronically Immunosuppressed Renal Transplant Recipients

West Nile virus is a mosquito‐borne, single‐stranded RNA virus of the Flaviviridae family. Approximately 1 in 150 patients who have serologic evidence of West Nile virus infection develop encephalitis or meningitis. We report two chronically immunosuppressed renal transplant recipients with confirmed West Nile virus meningoencephalitis acquired through community exposure. Both patients presented with fever and neurological changes in the autumn of 2002. Flavivirus‐specific immunoglobulin M in antibodies in the cerebral spinal fluid and serum were detected by antibody‐capture enzyme immunoassay, and antibodies for West Nile virus were confirmed by the plaque neutralization reduction assay. Reduction in immunosuppression and supportive care were successful in treating both patients. West Nile meningoencephalitis should be considered in transplant recipients that present with signs and symptoms of meningoencephalitis.
Analisis Pengaruh Leverage,Cash Conversion Cycle,Cash Flow terhadap Cash Holding Perusahaan

Kas adalah asset yang sangat mudah untuk dicairkan oleh perusahaan dan dapat digunakan sesegara mngkin untuk dapat memenuhi kebutuhan kegiatan operasional perusahaan. Dan cash holding yang ada dipenyimpanan perusahaan adalah uang tunai yang dimiliki oleh perusahaan yang digunakan untuk membeli keperluan persedian perusahaan,pembayaran utang jangka perusahaandan juga untuk kegiatan perusahaan lainnya. Pada penelitian ini membahas tentang analis pengaruh leverage ,cash conversion cycle dan cash flow terhadap cash holding perusahaan dengan studi empiris perusahaan property dan real estate yang terdaftar di BEI tahun 2012-2016 berdasarkan dari 20 sampel perusahaan property dan real estate yang terdaftar di bursa efek Indonesia tahun 2012-2016 dengan 100 data yang telah dioutlier menjadi 94 data hasil penelitian ini peneliti menemukan bahwa : leverage berpengaruh terhadap cash holding , cash conversion cycle tidak berpengaruh terhadap cash holding dan cash flow berpengaruh positif terhadap cash holding perusahaan .
Less Lipoatrophy and Better Lipid Profile With Abacavir as Compared to Stavudine: 96-Week Results of a Randomized Study

Objective:To assess lipoatrophy, other toxicities, and efficacy associated with abacavir as compared with stavudine in HIV-infected antiretroviral-naive patients. Methods:This was a prospective, randomized, open trial, stratified by viral load and CD4 cell count, conducted January 2001 to July 2004. Two hundred thirty-seven adult patients with HIV infection initiating antiretroviral therapy were assigned to receive abacavir (n = 115) or stavudine (n = 122), both combined with lamivudine and efavirenz. The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients with lipoatrophy as assessed by physician and patient observation at 96 weeks. Results:A lower proportion of patients assigned to abacavir developed clinical signs of lipoatrophy (4.8% vs. 38.3%; P < 0.001). These observations were confirmed by anthropometric data. Dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scans performed in 57 patients showed significantly greater total limb fat loss in the stavudine arm (−1579 vs. 913 g; P < 0.001). The lipid profile in abacavir patients presented more favorable changes in the levels of triglycerides (P = 0.03), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLc; P < 0.001), and apolipoprotein A1 (P < 0.001) as well as in the ratio between total cholesterol and HDLc (P = 0.005). Throughout the study, a higher proportion of patients in the stavudine group received lipid-lowering agents as compared to the abacavir group (17% vs. 4%; P = 0.002). Similar virologic and immunologic responses were observed. Conclusions:Assuming the limitations inherent to clinical assessment, this study shows a notably weaker association of abacavir with lipoatrophy than stavudine. DEXA scans and anthropometric measurements supported the clinical findings. In addition, the lipid changes that occurred were more favorable in patients receiving abacavir.
Risky sexual behaviors among Malay adolescents: a comparison with Chinese adolescents in Singapore

ABSTRACT Objective: Malays, with majority of the individuals being Muslim, form the largest ethnic group in Southeast Asia. This region is experiencing a rising incidence of HIV infections. Due to circumcision and prohibition of sex outside marriage, being Muslim was argued to be a protective factor against sexually transmitted infections (STI) and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). However, Malay adolescents were found to be more likely to contract chlamydia and gonorrhea than non-Malay adolescents in Singapore. Design: Using a cross-sectional survey, we examined and compared safer sex knowledge, attitudes and self-efficacy, and sexual behaviors of 248 sexually active Malay adolescents with 384 Chinese adolescents aged 16–19 years in Singapore. Poisson regression, adjusted for socio-demographic characteristics, was used for modeling each dependent variable. Adjusted prevalence ratios (aPR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were obtained. Results: On multivariate analysis, Malay adolescents were more likely to report marginally unfavorable attitude towards condom use (aPR 1.21 CI 1.00–1.48) and significantly lower confidence in using condoms correctly (aPR 1.24 CI 1.05–1.47) than Chinese adolescents. They were also more likely to report significantly younger first sex age (aPR 0.98 CI 0.96–1.00), never use of condoms for vaginal sex (aPR 1.32 CI 1.16–1.49) and anal sex (aPR 1.75 CI 1.11–2.76) and non-use of contraceptives at last sex (aPR 1.30 CI 1.17–1.45) than Chinese respondents. Malay males were less likely to buy sex (aPR 0.56 CI 0.37–0.85), but they reported higher likelihood of inconsistent condom use with female sex workers (aPR 2.24 CI 1.30–3.87). Conclusion: Malay ethnicity was associated with unfavorable condom use attitude and lower self-efficacy in using condoms, which was consistent with risky sexual behaviors such as non-use of condoms. Future research should use mixed methods to explore and identify cultural influences to these behaviors.
Functional integration and the two-point correlation function of the one-dimensional Bose gas in a harmonic potential

A quantum field-theoretical model which describes spatially non-homogeneous one-dimensional non-relativistic repulsive Bose gas in an external harmonic potential is considered. We calculate the two-point thermal correlation function of the Bose gas in the framework of the functional integration approach. The calculations are done in the coordinate representation. A method of successive integration over the ``high-energy'' functional variables first and then over the ``low-energy'' ones is used. The effective action functional for the low-energy variables is calculated in one loop approximation. The functional integral representation for the correlation function is obtained in terms of the low-energy variables, and is estimated by means of the stationary phase approximation. The asymptotics of the correlation function is studied in the limit when the temperature is going to zero while the volume occupied by non-homogeneous Bose gas infinitely increases. It is demonstrated that the behaviour of the thermal correlation function in the limit described is power-like, and it is governed by the critical exponent which depends on the spatial and thermal arguments.
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Peritoneal Dialysis: Outcomes and Infectious Complications

Objective Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is the most common secondary glomerulonephritis resulting in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) among young adults in Taiwan. Studies of the infectious complications and outcomes among such SLE patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis (PD) are limited. Design A retrospective age- and gender-matched case control study. Setting A university teaching hospital. Patients There were 23 SLE patients with ESRD receiving PD for more than 3 months during the past 15 years. Another 46 age- and gender-matched non-SLE nondiabetic patients receiving PD were selected as the control group in this study. Intervention All patients underwent PD as renal replacement therapy and were regularly followed up at this hospital. Main Outcome Measures Technique survival and incidences of exit-site infection (ESI) and peritonitis in these patients. Results The SLE patients had a lower predialysis serum albumin than the control group (3.16 ± 0.50 g/dL vs 3.52 ± 0.50 g/dL, p < 0.01). The incidences of exit-site infection (ESI) and peritonitis were higher for SLE patients than for control patients (p < 0.01 and p < 0.001, respectively). Kaplan–Meier survival analysis indicated that SLE patients had shorter time intervals to first infectious complications, and poorer technique survival. Infection was the major cause of dropout and mortality in the SLE patients. The SLE patients had a reduced chance of receiving a renal transplant. The use of steroids by SLE patients was associated with a higher incidence of peritonitis (p = 0.04), but association with ESI was insignificant. In a Cox regression model, the underlying SLE was the only risk factor for technique failure and time interval to first infectious complication. Conclusion SLE patients undergoing PD are more susceptible to infection than age- and gender-matched non-SLE nondiabetic patients and have poorer technique survival. Systemic lupus erythematosus itself may further compromise the immunity of uremic patients.
The Impact of Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) Financial Fair Play Regulation on Audit Fees: Evidence from Spanish Football

This paper analyzes whether the Financial Fair Play (FFP) regulations set by Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) have influenced the auditing fees charged to football clubs. In addition, it explores the determinants of audit fees. We used a two-sample t-test with equal variances to determine whether differences are present. After this, we carried out a panel data regression with the clubs fix effect to estimate the determinants of audit fees in football clubs. Our findings revealed an increase of audit fees after the implementation of FFP regulations. On top of that, audit fees were explained by the presence of foreign investors if the audit firm was one of the Big 4 and if the auditor was a woman. The regulation change has had an impact on the audit fees charged by auditors for their services. However, this increase may be compensated over future years given the improving financial situation of clubs; therefore, the auditors’ risk diminishes and subsequent audit fees may be reduced. UEFA should monitor audit fees as well as the quality of the audit reports, which have become crucial to obtaining the license to participate in UEFA competitions.
Islet Cell Transplantation in Type 1 Diabetes: An Analysis of Efficacy Outcomes and Considerations for Trial Designs

To estimate treatment effect size and other parameters required for planning the designs and analyses of future phase 3 islet transplant trials, we analyzed key clinical and laboratory outcomes of 347 allogeneic islet transplant recipients, using data from the Collaborative Islet Transplant Registry (CITR). At 1 year, approximately 59% of all transplant recipients were free of severe hypoglycemic events and maintained hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) level of ≤6.5%. The Kaplan–Meier (KM) survival analyses showed that 69%, 54% and 44% of these 1‐year responders maintained this composite endpoint at 2, 3 and 4 years, respectively. Ninety‐one percent of all recipients were free of severe hypoglycemic episodes at 1 year. Furthermore, the KM survival estimates showed that 91%, 85% and 80% of these subjects maintained this clinical benefit at 2, 3 and 4 years, respectively. These results can be very useful in developing framework for study designs, sample size estimates, and statistical analysis plans for future pivotal trials of islet cell transplantation in type 1 diabetes.
Synergic Effects of Sales-Configurator Capabilities on ConsumerPerceived Benefits of Mass-Customized Products

Sales configurators (SCs) are beneficial to both mass customizers and their customers. The widespread adoption of online SCs, which enable consumers to self-customize their product solutions online, reflects the importance of these tools for companies that pursue mass customization. Prior research has found empirical evidence that the SC capabilities of focused navigation, flexible navigation, easy comparison, user-friendly product-space description, and benefit-cost communication improve the utilitarian benefit consumers perceive to gain from the possession of a mass-customized product. Only the first three capabilities, however, have been shown to enhance the uniqueness and self-expressiveness benefits. These findings derive from the study of the independent effects of the five capabilities on the utilitarian, uniqueness and self-expressiveness benefits. The present paper adds to prior research results by conceptually and empirically examining the synergic effects of the five capabilities on such benefits. Data analysis is performed using structural equation modeling and a sample of 675 configuration experiences using real online SCs for laptops/notebooks, economy cars, and sport shoes/sneakers. The paper finds that all five capabilities become effective in improving all the three consumer-perceived benefits when the capabilities are implemented jointly. This result suggests that a holistic approach in the implementation of the five capabilities is more effective in improving the consumer-perceived benefits of mass-customized products than a piecemeal approach.
THE USE OF MOBILE DEVICES OUTSIDE OF THE CLASSROOM FOR SELF-DIRECTED LEARNING AMONG FEMALE EFL STUDENTS IN SAUDI ARABIA

English language proficiency is an increasingly vital skill for employment in Saudi Arabia. However, compulsory English as a foreign language courses at all levels of education have only produced inadequate results. One of the issues consistently raised as a barrier to effective EFL learning is the use of passive learning pedagogies and the lack of self-directed or deep learning in the Saudi EFL curricula. Increasingly, educators globally are turning towards technology to engage their students in more effective learning and they acknowledge that, in order for technologically-enhanced pedagogies to be effective, it is important for them to be congruent with the ways in which learners actually use their devices. However, current research has failed to explore how students use technologies to learn outside of the classroom. Therefore, this research aims to identify how university students at Saudi University taking a compulsory preparatory EFL course use their mobile devices to practice and learn English outside of the classroom. To do this, three phases of data collection are used, one quantitative and two qualitative. Phase one is a quantitative online survey measuring what mobile devices students use for learning, and what English language learning activities they engage in with those devices. Phase two involves the collection of 25 multi-modal journals over a two-week period using the WhatsApp messaging platform to collect text and pictures of participants using their devices to learn in real time. Phase three uses both a focus group interview with the 25 journal participants and individual interviews with each in order to explore the recorded activities in more depth and relate them to models of self-directed learning. Thus, this research aims to collect rich data from multiple perspectives on how, where and why university students use mobile devices for learning outside the classroom in Saudi Arabia, in order to develop effective in-classroom pedagogies.
Phenotypic and molecular differences between giant‐cell tumour of soft tissue and its bone counterpart

Giant‐cell tumour (GCT) of soft tissue (GCT‐ST) is a primary soft tissue neoplasm that is histologically similar to GCT of bone (GCT‐B). Recently, it has been reported that >90% of GCT‐Bs have a driver mutation in the H3F3A gene. As the relationship between GCT‐ST and GCT‐B is unclear, the aim of this study was to compare a series of GCT‐STs and GCT‐Bs with regard to the presence of H3F3A mutations and several immunophenotypic markers.