Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Occipital condyle fractures in the pediatric population

Background: The purpose of this study was to determine associated injuries and outcomes in children with occiptal condyle fracture (OCF). Methods: From review of medical records, children with OCF were identified. Demographics, length of stay, Glasgow Coma Scores (GCS), associated injuries, and outcomes were collected. The Anderson-Montesano classification system was used to define the fracture patterns. Results: Of 587 children with a base of the skull fracture, only 13 with OCF were identified (10 type II; three type I). All patients were treated nonoperatively except one patient who had an atlantooccipital dislocation. Associated injuries included scalp contusion, concussion, cerebral edema, neck injury, thoracic trauma, abdominal trauma, and appendicular skeletal fracture. Complications noted within 2 months included tinnitus in three patients and hearing loss in one. One patient had convulsions and syncope 2 years after injury. One patient had difficulties with temperature regulation and bladder control, inability to sweat, headaches, comprehension difficulty, weakness, and tremor 3 years after the accident. One patient was lost to follow-up. Conclusions: OCF is rare in children but is associated with head, thoracic, and abdominal trauma. Type I and II fractures predominate. Although operative treatment rarely is necessary, it is required in patients with atlantooccipital dislocation. Ligamentous structures should be assessed with MRI.
Seismic modelling for reservoir studies: a comparison between convolutional and full‐waveform methods for a deep‐water turbidite sandstone reservoir

Two seismic modelling approaches, that is, two‐dimensional pre‐stack elastic finite‐difference and one‐dimensional convolution methods, are compared in a modelling exercise over the fluid‐flow simulation model of a producing deep‐water turbidite sandstone reservoir in the West of Shetland Basin. If the appropriate parameterization for one‐dimensional convolution is used, the differences in three‐dimensional and four‐dimensional seismic responses from the two methods are negligible. The key parameters to ensure an accurate seismic response are a representative wavelet, the distribution of common‐depth points and their associated angles of incidence. Conventional seismic images generated by the one‐dimensional convolutional model suffer from lack of continuity because it only accounts for vertical resolution. After application of a lateral resolution function, the convolutional and finite‐difference seismic images are very similar. Although transmission effects, internal multiples and P‐to‐S conversions are not included in our convolutional modelling, the subtle differences between images from the two methods indicates that such effects are of secondary nature in our study. A quantitative comparison of the (normalized root‐mean‐square) amplitude attributes and waveform kinematics indicates that the finite‐difference approach does not offer any tangible benefit in our target‐oriented seismic modelling case study, and the potential errors from one‐dimensional convolution modelling are comparatively much smaller than the production‐induced time‐lapse changes.
Sectoral Loan Portfolio Concentration and Bank Stability: Evidence from an Emerging Economy

In this study, the effect of sectoral loan portfolio concentration on bank stability is investigated in the Ghanaian banking sector between 2007 and 2014. Specifically, we investigate the linearity and non-linearity effects of sectoral loan concentration on bank stability given the limited exploration of this nexus. Employing a two-step generalized method of moments (GMM) robust random and fixed effects panel models of 30 banks, the study provides evidence showing that sectoral loan concentration weakens the stability of banks. This confirms the concentration-fragility hypothesis and the diversification theory of traditional banking but may promote bank stability beyond a certain threshold point. This implies that bank sectoral loan concentrate has a direct non-linear U-shape effect on bank stability in Ghana. We argue that although sectoral loan concentration may weaken stability of banks in the short run, it may however enhance the stability of banks in the long run through prolonged expert knowledge, experience and understanding of sectors. From these findings, policymakers, regulators and bank managers must not only develop and design policies and regulations that prohibit sectoral loan concentration but should also incorporate plans and policies that encourage banks to develop core competence and competitive advantage to take advantage of advancing bank stability through sectoral loan concentration. JEL Codes: G10; G18; G41
Anesthetic-induced myocardial protection in cardiac surgery: relevant mechanisms and clinical translation

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0) which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Copyright c the Korean Society of Anesthesiologists, 2018 K S C V A Anesthetic-induced myocardial protection in cardiac surgery: relevant mechanisms and clinical translation Sarah Soh, Jong Wook Song, Nakcheol Choi, and Jae-Kwang Shim
A comparative evaluation of surrogate measures of adiposity as indictors of cardiometabolic disease

A comparative evaluation of surrogate measures of adiposity as indictors of cardiometabolic disease Author(s) Millar, Seán Russell Publication date 2016 Original citation Millar, S. R. 2016. A comparative evaluation of surrogate measures of adiposity as indictors of cardiometabolic disease. PhD Thesis, University College Cork. Type of publication Doctoral thesis Rights © 2016, Seán Russell Millar. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/
Association of Genotype and Haplotype of IL-28B Gene with Hepatitis C Infection Outcome in Iran: Spontaneous Clearance Versus Chronic Infection

Background: Spontaneous viral clearance occurs in 10% to 40% of individuals after hepatitis C virus infection. Some polymorphisms in IL-28B gene may influence the outcome of HCV infection. The present study aimed at investigating the genotype and allele frequency of IL-28B rs12979860 and rs8099917 SNPs in HCV infected patients in addition to determining their association with disease outcome. Methods: A total of 302 patients with chronic hepatic C infection and 36 individuals whose infection was spontaneously cleared were included in this case-control study. The presences of chronic or spontaneously cleared infection in participants were determined by serologic and molecular methods. Genomic DNA of the participants was extracted using salting out method. IL-28B/IFN-λ3 gene polymorphisms were conducted using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). Results: The frequency of CC genotype (P = 0.001) and C allele (P = 0.0007) of IL-28B gene at rs12979860 SNP was significantly higher in participants with spontaneously cleared HCV infection compared to that of those who were chronically infected. In the case of rs8099917 SNP of IL-28B, no correlation was found between frequency of genotype (P = 0.17) or allele (P = 0.12) and HCV infection outcome. The results of haplotype analysis showed the association of CT (P = 0.012) and TT (P = 0.013) haplotypes with spontaneous clearance and chronic infection, respectively. Conclusions: The findings implied that individuals with CC or CT genotype at rs12979860 SNP but rs8099917 SNP was not in association with spontaneous clearance of HCV in an Iranian population with HCV infection.
Phytochemical, Antibacterial, and Antioxidant Activities of Anthurium Hookerii leaves Extracts

Many plants of the family of Araceae possess significant benefit as medicinal plants. Anthurium hookerii is herbaceous genus of the family of Araceae. A. hookerii leaves were extracted with five dissimilarity solvents (methanolic, water, ethyl acetate, n-hexane, and dichloromethane). The extracts were evaluated for their phytochemical, total phenolic contents, and antibacterial potential. The presences of tannins and saponins were found in all crude extracts. The steroid was only found in dichloromethane extract, whereas flavonoid was obtained in methanol and water extracts. Besides; methanol, ethyl acetate, water, and n-hexane extracts showed triterpenoid contents. Alkaloid presences in ethyl acetate, methanolic, dichloromethane, and water extracts. The total phenol content was examined by Follin-Ciocalteu assay, which varied from 9.52-76.56 mg/g GAE. The highest total phenolic was found in methanol extract. Antioxidant activity was calculated based on diphenyl picryl hydrazyl radical scavenging ability that showed the scavenging activity with range 7.24-66.11%, which the methanoilic extract have the excellent antioxidant potential (IC50 232.90 µg/ml). Antibacterial activity of leaves extracts of A. hookerii was screened based on disc diffusion method. Water extract showed the wide spectrum antibacterial potential. Klebsiella sp. , Bacillus subtilis, Pripioni agnes, and Strepticoccus mutans with maximum diameter of inhibition zone 10.30, 14.20, 9.60, and 15.10 mm, respectively.
Knowledge of Perimenopausal Phase and Symptoms Women Experienced in Njoro District, Kenya

As women approach middle age, most of them experience a wide range of changes. With the decline of reproductive hormones estrogen and progesterone, women experience a number of symptoms, which due may affect their normal way of life. This paper examines the knowledge of perimenopausal phase and the symptoms experienced by the women in Njoro District, Kenya. The study used a descriptive survey design. Snowball sampling technique was used to select 118 women in their perimenopausal phase. Data was collected using interviews and focus group discussions. The validity and reliability of the instruments were ascertained using content validity and Cronbach coefficient alpha respectively. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics. Results of the study indicated that most of the women were ignorant about the perimenopausal phase with various symptoms. The study recommends that for this phase to be handled positively there should be awareness creation about it and its implications.
Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) and Political Corruption: Implication for the Consolidation of Democracy in Nigeria

Abstract This paper examines the connection between democratic consolidation and political corruption which is deeply entrenched in the Nigerian society. Although successive regimes had established various anticorruption bodies to curb corruption, all failed to yield positive results. Most of these anti-corruption bodies have rather reinforced corruption in the country by posing difficulties for the consolidation of democracy. The administration of Olusegun Obasanjo was seen as one that was serious about confronting the menace of corruption through its establishment of the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) and the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC). The little impact which the EFCC had been able to achieve is criticized based on the fact that the arrest and prosecution is patchy, selective, and discriminatory. It is the position of the paper that the manner in which the EFCC operates is antithetical to the ideals, norms and values of democracy. It, therefore, suggests that for democracy to be consolidated in Nigeria, then the body charge with the responsibility of combating corruption should follow due process and fairness at all levels and in all cases. And also the body should be detached from the Presidency for fair, transparent and independent performance.
Cotransport of Cu with Graphene Oxide in Saturated Porous Media with Varying Degrees of Geochemical Heterogeneity

Graphene oxide (GO) is likely to encounter heavy metals due to its widespread use and inevitable release into the subsurface environment, where the ubiquitous presence of iron oxides (e.g., hematite) would affect their interaction and transport. The present study aimed to investigate the cotransport of GO (20 mg L−1) and copper (0.05 mM CuCl2) in the presence of varying degrees of geochemical heterogeneity represented by iron oxide-coated sand fractions (ω = 0‒0.45) in water-saturated columns under environmentally relevant physicochemical conditions (1 mM KCl at pH 5.0‒9.0). The Langmuir-fitted maximum adsorption capacity of Cu2+ by GO reached 137.6 mg g−1, and the presence of 0.05 mM Cu2+ decreased the colloidal stability and subsequent transport of GO in porous media. The iron oxide coating was found to significantly inhibit the transport of GO and Cu-loaded GO in sand-packed columns, which can be explained by the favorable deposition of the negatively charged GO onto patches of the positively charged iron oxide coatings at pH 5.0. Increasing the solution pH from 5.0 to 9.0 promoted the mobility of GO, with the exception of pH 7.5, in which the lowest breakthrough of GO was observed. This is possibly due to the fact that the surface charge of iron oxide approaches zero at pH 7.5, suggesting that new “favorable” sites are available for GO retention. This study deciphered the complicated interactions among engineered nanomaterials, heavy metals, and geochemical heterogeneity under environmentally relevant physicochemical conditions. Our results highlight the significant role of geochemical heterogeneity, such as iron oxide patches, in determining the fate and transport of GO and GO-heavy metal association in the subsurface environment.
Neurocognitive Psychometrics of Intelligence: How Measurement Advancements Unveiled the Role of Mental Speed in Intelligence Differences

More intelligent individuals typically show faster reaction times. However, individual differences in reaction times do not represent individual differences in a single cognitive process but in multiple cognitive processes. Thus, it is unclear whether the association between mental speed and intelligence reflects advantages in a specific cognitive process or in general processing speed. In this article, we present a neurocognitive-psychometrics account of mental speed that decomposes the relationship between mental speed and intelligence. We summarize research employing mathematical models of cognition and chronometric analyses of neural processing to identify distinct stages of information processing strongly related to intelligence differences. Evidence from both approaches suggests that the speed of higher-order processing is greater in smarter individuals, which may reflect advantages in the structural and functional organization of brain networks. Adopting a similar neurocognitive-psychometrics approach for other cognitive processes associated with intelligence (e.g., working memory or executive control) may refine our understanding of the basic cognitive processes of intelligence.
Comparison between preoperative computed tomography scan of paranasal sinuses and operative findings in functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) in chronic sinusitis

Background and objectives: The study was done to evaluate the role of computed tomography (CT) in clinically suspected cases of chronic sinusitis for detection, assessment of anatomical variants and pathological abnormalities of nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses. Also findings of CT were co-related with operative findings in functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS). The study was conducted on 60 cases attending CT section of Radiodiagnosis Department and ENT Department Rajindra Hospital, Patiala. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted on 60 cases over a period 3 years from 2010 to 2013 irrespective of gender and age group attending the ENT and radiology department. Selections of patients were based on clinical features like nasal or post nasal discharge, nasal obstruction, headache anosmia, cough and hoarseness of voice. Relevant history, clinical examination and CT examination of every patient were done. Results: In our study, the CT scan and operative findings correlated excellently in cases of paradoxical middle turbinate, bony destruction, concha bullosa, polypoidal changes in ethmoidal sinuses and osteomeatal complex normal widening. There was very good agreement between preoperative CT scan and operative findings for concha bullosa, paradoxical middle turbinate, bony destruction, osteomeatal complex normal widening, polypoidal change in sphenoid sinus. The most common pattern observed on CT scan was osteomeatal unit pattern in 35% followed by infundibular pattern (20%), sphenoethmoidal recess pattern (23.3%), unclassified pattern (15%) & sinonasal polyposis pattern (6.6%). Conclusion: CT is the imaging modality of choice to reveal mucosal changes deeper in osteomeatal complex which are not visible endoscopically and to identify extent of paranasal sinus disease. However, endoscopy has complementary role with CT in evaluation of patients of chronic sinusitis.
Fast star tracker hardware implementation and algorithm optimisations on a system-on-a-chip device

Fast Star Tracker Hardware Implementation and Algorithm optimisations on a System-on-a-Chip device. C. L. Von Wielligh Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, University of Stellenbosch, Private Bag X1, Matieland 7602, South Africa. Thesis: MEng (Elec.) December 2019 Star trackers are instruments used onboard a spacecraft that utilize digital image sensors, optics and digital hardware to determine the inertial attitude of the spacecraft. Currently, these star trackers are the most accurate sensor system used onboard a spacecraft ADCS (attitude determination and control system). The majority of space missions requires high precision attitude determination which stresses the need for star trackers. Modern ADCS’s, especially when making use of Control Moment Gyros (CMG’s), demand fast update rates for increased agility. Star detection, a process where centroid locations are extracted from a star image, takes significant time in the star tracker pipeline. This is due to a large number of pixels that needs to be processed, causing a high computational burden on conventional microprocessors. We propose a solution where centroid extraction is implemented through novel design on an FPGA. This architecture makes it possible to extract centroid locations at the same time as the image data is streamed from the sensor. Such parallelization significantly increases the update rate of the star tracker without compromising accuracy or power usage. The final design is implemented on a Xilinx Zynq SoC (System-on-a-Chip) device, which includes an FPGA and ARM processor. Tests are performed using simulated night sky images, real star images and a live sensor. Optimized matching algorithms are implemented on the processing system and validated independently. Distortion correction and QUEST is implemented, and a fully autonomous, end-to-end star tracker, with 10 Hz update rate is demonstrated under the night sky. 2 Stellenbosch University https://scholar.sun.ac.za
Design of Renewable and System-Beneficial District Heating Systems Using a Dynamic Emission Factor for Grid-Sourced Electricity

In future energy scenarios with a high share of renewable energies within the electricity system, power-to-heat technologies could play a crucial role for achieving the climate goals in the heating sector. District heating systems can integrate volatile wind and photovoltaic energy sources and resolve congestions within the electricity grid, leading to curtailment of renewable electricity generation. This paper presents a design approach for setting up system-beneficial power-to-heat-based district energy systems. Within the scope of the project QUARREE100 an existing district in the provincial town Heide in Northern Germany is examined. A linear investment and unit commitment optimization model is applied. By considering local dynamic emission factors for grid-sourced electricity, which contain information on local wind energy curtailment as well as the emission intensity of the overall electricity generation, a renewable and system-beneficial design can be derived. With this method, the minimal rated power and capacity of energy converter and storage units can be determined to achieve emission reductions with respect to minimum costs. The approach of using different methods for the consideration of the emissions of grid-sourced electricity is analyzed based on different scenarios. By using a dynamic emission factor for grid-sourced electricity, lower emissions with fewer costs can be achieved. It is shown that a dynamic assessment leads to different design decisions and far-reaching deviations in the unit commitment. The results clearly show that a constant emission factor is no longer an option for grid-sourced electricity in urban energy system models.
When others show off my brand: self-brand association and conspicuous consumption

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of conspicuous consumption on brand attitudes in the context of luxury brands market in China. Design/methodology/approach Two studies are conducted to test three hypotheses. In Study 1, the authors examine the mediating effect of self-brand association (SBA) on the relationship between social class and conspicuous consumption (H1 and H2); In Study 2, the authors examine the effect of observing others’ conspicuous consumption on the observer’s SBA (H3). Findings Results show that SBA negatively mediates the relationship between social class and conspicuous consumption. Moreover, the negative effect on SBA of observing conspicuous brand usage varies by social class. Research limitations/implications The current study focused on the principal linkage between social class, SBA and conspicuousness, and future research could examine the influence of different personality traits on luxury consumption or the existence of sub-types or variants of conspicuous brand users. Originality/value The present study has important implications for luxury brand management, and provides rich insights to consumers’ motivations that lead to distinctive luxury consumption behaviors.