Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Acute ischaemic stroke patients – direct admission to a specialist centre or initial treatment in a local hospital? A systematic review

Objectives To assess the clinical effectiveness, in acute ischaemic stroke patients, of bypassing non-specialist centres in preference for a specialist stroke centre to receive the time-critical intervention of thrombolysis. Methods Systematic review and meta-analysis using: MEDLINE; MEDLINE In-Process; EMBASE; CINAHL; Cochrane Library including Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Cochrane CENTRAL Controlled Trials Register, DARE, NHS EED and HTA databases. Studies were included if they compared acute ischaemic stroke patients directly triaged to a specialist centre versus those initially triaged to a non-specialist centre with some or all later transferred to a specialist centre. Studies were excluded if they compared patients ever treated in a specialist centre versus those never treated in such a centre, since the aim was to assess the optimum initial triage route rather than the optimum location for overall management. The assumption being, based on previous research, that management in a specialist centre leads to better patient outcomes. Results Fourteen studies investigating 2790 patients were identified. Studies comparing commencement of thrombolysis in non-specialist centres versus the specialist centres (n=1394) showed no significant difference in unadjusted mortality (OR = 0.89; 95% CI = 0.61–1.30) or morbidity (favourable modified Rankin Score, n = 899) (OR = 1.16; 95% CI = 0.85–1.59) among thrombolysed patients. In studies where thrombolysis could only be administered in a specialist centre, data for patients arriving within the therapeutic window (n = 140) revealed significantly higher mortality for those initially admitted to a non-specialist centre compared to directly admitted to a specialist centre (OR = 6.62; 95% CI = 2.60–16.82); morbidity data also favoured direct admission to a specialist centre, although not consistently. Conclusions For ischaemic stroke patients, the location of initial thrombolysis treatment does not affect outcomes. However, if thrombolysis is only available at a specialist centre, outcomes are considerably better for those patients admitted directly. However, these conclusions are based on poor quality data with small sample populations, significant heterogeneity and subject to confounding.
Regression Discontinuity and Randomized Controlled Trial Estimates: An Application to The Mycotic Ulcer Treatment Trials

ABSTRACT Purpose: We compare results from regression discontinuity (RD) analysis to primary results of a randomized controlled trial (RCT) utilizing data from two contemporaneous RCTs for treatment of fungal corneal ulcers. Methods: Patients were enrolled in the Mycotic Ulcer Treatment Trials I and II (MUTT I & MUTT II) based on baseline visual acuity: patients with acuity ≤ 20/400 (logMAR 1.3) enrolled in MUTT I, and >20/400 in MUTT II. MUTT I investigated the effect of topical natamycin versus voriconazole on best spectacle-corrected visual acuity. MUTT II investigated the effect of topical voriconazole plus placebo versus topical voriconazole plus oral voriconazole. We compared the RD estimate (natamycin arm of MUTT I [N = 162] versus placebo arm of MUTT II [N = 54]) to the RCT estimate from MUTT I (topical natamycin [N = 162] versus topical voriconazole [N = 161]). Results: In the RD, patients receiving natamycin had mean improvement of 4-lines of visual acuity at 3 months (logMAR −0.39, 95% CI: −0.61, −0.17) compared to topical voriconazole plus placebo, and 2-lines in the RCT (logMAR −0.18, 95% CI: −0.30, −0.05) compared to topical voriconazole. Conclusions: The RD and RCT estimates were similar, although the RD design overestimated effects compared to the RCT.
Embryonic expression of type XIX collagen is transient and confined to muscle cells

Type XIX collagen is a poorly characterized extracellular matrix component thought to be involved in the formation of specialized basement membrane zones. Here we examined the developmental expression of the mouse gene (Col19a1) by in situ hybridization. Col19a1 expression during embryogenesis commences at ∼E9.5 in the myotome and with a pattern that closely follows the myogenic regulatory factor myf‐5. Like myf‐5, Col19a1 transcription gradually decreases in differentiating skeletal muscle progenitors and concomitantly to increased myogenin gene expression. Transient expression of Col19a1 in muscular tissues is confined to a few sites of the developing embryo, such as limbs, tongue, and the smooth muscle layers of the stomach and esophagus. Additional non‐muscular sites of Col19a1 activity include the skin of the E16.5 embryos and the cerebral cortex and hippocampus of the new born brain. Unlike all other tissues, expression of Col19a1 in the central nervous system gradually increases after birth. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Data fusion for QRS complex detection in multi-lead electrocardiogram recordings

Heart diseases are the main cause of death worldwide. The first step in the diagnose of these diseases is the analysis of the electrocardiographic (ECG) signal. In turn, the ECG analysis begins with the detection of the QRS complex, which is the one with the most energy in the cardiac cycle. Numerous methods have been proposed in the bibliography for QRS complex detection, but few authors have analyzed the possibility of taking advantage of the information redundancy present in multiple ECG leads (simultaneously acquired) to produce accurate QRS detection. In our previous work we presented such an approach, proposing various data fusion techniques to combine the detections made by an algorithm on multiple ECG leads. In this paper we present further studies that show the advantages of this multi-lead detection approach, analyzing how many leads are necessary in order to observe an improvement in the detection performance. A well known QRS detection algorithm was used to test the fusion techniques on the St. Petersburg Institute of Cardiological Technics database. Results show improvement in the detection performance with as little as three leads, but the reliability of these results becomes interesting only after using seven or more leads. Results were evaluated using the detection error rate (DER). The multi-lead detection approach allows an improvement from DER = 3:04% to DER = 1:88%. Further works are to be made in order to improve the detection performance by implementing further fusion steps.
A Consistent Methodology for the Calculation of the Cost of Capital in Emerging Markets

This article presents in a rigorous manner a methodological approach for the calculation of the discount rate in emerging markets. This calculation requires a robust estimation of country risk. In addition, it requires to identify explicitly and rigorously the academic relationship between the WACC (Weighted Average Cost of Capital) methodology and the CAPM (Capital Asset Pricing Model). Finally, is demonstrated that by being consistent with the assumptions, the outcome of the discount rate calculation by the two previous alternatives must be consistent.
Development of a Simple Dry Eye Model in the Albino Rabbit and Evaluation of Some Tear Substitutes

The present paper is concerned with the development of a simple dry eye model in the rabbit, induced by daily repeated instillations of 1.0% atropine sulphate. The evolution of the dry eye syndrome in the animals was assessed by the Schirmer I test and by examination of the cornea after fluorescein staining. The model produced rapidly some typical dry eye symptoms and could be satisfactorily used for a preliminary assessment of the protective activity of some polymeric tear substitutes. These were based on hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, sodium hyaluronate, sodium polyacrylate or tamarind gum. The latter polymer showed the best overall results. Ferning tests on the formulations were also performed: their validity as predictors of the efficacy of tear substitutes is discussed.
Moving to Markets in Environmental Regulation: Lessons from Twenty Years of Experience

Over the last decade, market-based incentives have become the regulatory tool of choice when trying to solve difficult environmental problems. Evidence of their dominance can be seen in recent proposals for addressing global warming (through an emissions trading scheme in the Kyoto Protocol) and for amending the Clean Air Act (to add a new emissions trading systems for smog precursors and mercury--the Bush administration's "Clear Skies" program). They are widely viewed as more efficient than traditional command and control regulation. This collection of essays takes a critical look at this question, and evaluates whether the promises of market-based regulation have been fulfilled. Contributors put forth the ideas that few regulatory instruments are actually purely market-based, or purely prescriptive, and that both approaches can be systematically undermined by insufficiently careful design and by failures of monitoring and enforcement. All in all, the essays recommend future research that no longer pits one kind of approach against the other, but instead examines their interaction and compatibility. This book should appeal to academics in environmental economics and law, along with policymakers in government agencies and advocates in non-governmental organizations. Available in OSO: http://www.oxfordscholarship. com/oso/public/content/economicsfinance/0195189655/toc.html
Modified Multilevel Inverters With Reduced Structures Based on PackedU-Cell

Multilevel inverters are capable of generating high-quality staircase pseudosinusoidal voltage waveform with low total harmonic distortion. These types of topologies may require large number of switches and power supplies. This leads to higher cost and volume of the converter along with complicated control algorithms. Recently, a branch of multilevel converters is emerged as compact power conversion units, in which their “reduced-structure” topologies use lower number of active and passive devices compared with the available topologies. Packed U-cell (PUC), a new reduced-structure multilevel converter, has been recently reported in the literature to reduce component count. PUC requires lesser active switches as compared to the existing counterparts. However, there are some drawbacks associated with this topology such as restricted maximum output voltage, high-voltage stress on switches, and limited performance to low-voltage applications. The available literature presents generalization of the topology with special asymmetrical source ratio, but no sufficient and effective investigations have been made for modified structures or other symmetrical or asymmetrical source ratio with cascaded configurations. In this paper, the issues associated with PUC are addressed and two approaches as remedy are presented. The first approach presents a comprehensive analysis of cascaded topologies with the proposed basic units, and the second approach is related to a new modified configuration on the basis of the conventional converter for improving the performance of the PUC in terms of total blocking voltage, switch ratings, and extending its performance to high-voltage applications. Moreover, the design of a novel 49-level modified structure and 147-level cascade inverter based on conventional PUC is analyzed under optimal number of dc sources and power switches to get the best possible topology as a solution. Finally, the experimental validations were performed by implementing laboratory prototypes.
Physicochemical Characterization and Drug Release Studies of Nilvadipine Solid Dispersions Using Water-Insoluble Polymer as a Carrier

Abstract Nilvadipine solid dispersions were prepared by the solvent method using water-insoluble polymers, including low-substituted hydroxypropylcellulose, croscarmellose sodium, carmellose calcium, carmellose, and crospovidone. Differential scanning calorimetry and powder x-ray diffraction analysis showed that nilvadipine was present in an amorphous state in the solid dispersion obtained using crospovidone as a carrier. The degree of crystallinity of nilvadipine was dependent on the ratio of nilvadipine to crospovidone, and nilvadipine was present in an amorphous state when the ratio of nilvadipine to crospovidone was below one-half. Fourier transform infrared studies suggested the presence of hydrogen bonding between nilvadipine and crospovidone in the solid dispersion. Dissolution studies indicated that the maximum percentage of dissolution and dissolution rate constants were markedly increased in nilvadipine with crospovidone solid dispersion, compared with those of pure nilvadipine and physical mixtures. The dissolution rate of nilvadipine solid dispersion with crospovidone could be calculated by the Higuchi square root time equation.
Dietary Therapy Mitigates Persistent Wake Deficits Caused by Mild Traumatic Brain Injury

Mild traumatic brain injury causes persistent deficits in wakefulness in mice, which are mitigated by a dietary therapy containing branched-chain amino acids. A Diet for Staying Awake Postconcussive syndrome can persist for months after mild traumatic brain injury (TBI), and includes debilitating neurological symptoms such as sleep-wake disturbances. Sleep disorders can hinder recovery from brain injury by exacerbating existing deficits in memory, cognition, and daily functioning. No proven therapies exist to mitigate the sequelae of TBI. Now, Lim et al. show that mild TBI in mice causes a persistent inability to maintain wakefulness and is associated with decreased activation of orexin neurons. Orexin is involved in human narcolepsy and other disorders of arousal. Lim et al. gave mice with TBI a dietary supplement of branched-chain amino acids (BCAA), precursors for de novo glutamate synthesis in the brain. BCAA therapy restored activation of orexin neurons and improved wakefulness in injured mice. These data suggest that dietary BCAA intervention, acting in part through orexin, can improve sleep-wake dysfunction after TBI and may potentially facilitate recovery of function from brain injury. Sleep disorders are highly prevalent in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) and can significantly impair cognitive rehabilitation. No proven therapies exist to mitigate the neurocognitive consequences of TBI. We show that mild brain injury in mice causes a persistent inability to maintain wakefulness and decreases orexin neuron activation during wakefulness. We gave mice a dietary supplement of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs), precursors for de novo glutamate synthesis in the brain. BCAA therapy reinstated activation of orexin neurons and improved wake deficits in mice with mild brain injury. Our data suggest that dietary BCAA intervention, acting in part through orexin, can ameliorate injury-induced sleep disturbances and may facilitate cognitive rehabilitation after brain injury.
Estimation of Individual Genetic Effects from Binary Observations on Relatives Applied to a Family History of Respiratory Illnesses and Chronic Lung Disease of Newborns

Summary. This paper considers methods for estimating the relationship between a binary response Y and the genetic effects responsible for a second binary trait Z. The responses Y are observed only for target individuals, and the responses Z are observed only for the relatives of these targets. The analysis consists of two parts. The first part concerns the analysis of the family data Z and the second part estimates the relation between the genetic effects and Y. For the family data, a generalized linear mixed model with a logit link and Gaussian genetic (random) effects is used. Estimates of the variances of the genetic effects are obtained by using a pseudo‐profile log‐likelihood method. Estimation of the log likelihood involves averaging over n‐dimensional normal distributions, which is done by importance sampling. The methods used in the second part are straightforward. The methods are applied to a data set containing chronic lung disease (CLDN) responses of newborns and asthma (AS), allergy (AL), chronic bronchitis (CB) and eczema (EC) responses observed for the relatives of these newborns. The clinical question is whether genetic effects of AS, AL, CB, and EC have an effect on the risk for CLDN. It can be concluded that for AS, AL, CB, and EC, the influence of genetic effects is significant. However, these genetic predispositions have no significant effect on CLDN.
The Impact of Company Human Resource Policies on Social Skills: Implications for Training Sponsorship, Quit Rates and Efficiency Wages

The concept of a firm's human capital is reconsidered to include both the technical and the social skills of its workforce. Technical skills are defined by the ability to turn inputs into outputs, and measured by the productivity of unit labour effort. Social skills are defined by the propensity to behave in a manner conducive to the firm's objectives. In other words, social skills are constituted as the norm of effort contribution to which an individual assents, and are measured by observed motivation and behaviour. The existence for firms of a labour management function is proposed and supported, relating social skills to human resource policies. Implications for the labour market are that: (i) firms pay for general training and, at the same time, wages do not necessarily increase with training; (ii) human capital acquisition may not lead to an increase in quitting, even controlling for wages; (iii) human resource policies substitute for efficiency wages or for employee monitoring; and (iv) economies with high organisational commitment have low equilibrium unemployment rates. Copyright 2000 by Scottish Economic Society.
Large-Truck Involved Crashes: An Exploratory Injury Severity Analysis

In recent years, a growing concern related to large-truck accidents has increased due to potential economic impacts and level of injury severity that can be sustained. Yet, studies related to large-truck involved crashes are scarce and lack human behavior factors that can greatly influence crash outcomes. In this study, the authors present an analysis of data from the fusion of several national data sets addressing large-truck involved injury severity. This is done by considering human, road-environment, and vehicular factors in large-truck involved crashes on U.S. interstates. A random parameter ordered probit model was estimated to predict the likelihood of five injury severity outcomes—fatal, incapacitating, non-incapacitating, possible injury, and no injury. The modeling approach accounts for possible unobserved effects relating to human, vehicular, and road environment factors not present in the data. Estimation findings indicate that the level of injury severity is highly influenced by a number of complex interactions of factors and that the effect of the some of the factors can vary across the observations.
Identification and Characterization of Sterol Acyltransferases Responsible for Steryl Ester Biosynthesis in Tomato

Steryl esters (SEs) serve as a storage pool of sterols that helps to maintain proper levels of free sterols (FSs) in cell membranes throughout plant growth and development, and participates in the recycling of FSs and fatty acids released from cell membranes in aging tissues. SEs are synthesized by sterol acyltransferases, a family of enzymes that catalyze the transfer of fatty acil groups to the hydroxyl group at C-3 position of the sterol backbone. Sterol acyltransferases are categorized into acyl-CoA:sterol acyltransferases (ASAT) and phospholipid:sterol acyltransferases (PSAT) depending on whether the fatty acyl donor substrate is a long-chain acyl-CoA or a phospolipid. Until now, only Arabidopsis ASAT and PSAT enzymes (AtASAT1 and AtPSAT1) have been cloned and characterized in plants. Here we report the identification, cloning, and functional characterization of the tomato (Solanum lycopersicum cv. Micro-Tom) orthologs. SlPSAT1 and SlASAT1 were able to restore SE to wild type levels in the Arabidopsis psat1-2 and asat1-1 knock-out mutants, respectively. Expression of SlPSAT1 in the psat1-2 background also prevented the toxicity caused by an external supply of mevalonate and the early senescence phenotype observed in detached leaves of this mutant, whereas expression of SlASAT1 in the asat1-1 mutant revealed a clear substrate preference of the tomato enzyme for the sterol precursors cycloartenol and 24-methylene cycloartanol. Subcellular localization studies using fluorescently tagged SlPSAT1 and SlASAT1 proteins revealed that SlPSAT1 localize in cytoplasmic lipid droplets (LDs) while, in contrast to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) localization of AtASAT1, SlASAT1 resides in the plasma membrane (PM). The possibility that PM-localized SlASAT1 may act catalytically in trans on their sterol substrates, which are presumably embedded in the ER membrane, is discussed. The widespread expression of SlPSAT1 and SlASAT1 genes in different tomato organs together with their moderate transcriptional response to several stresses suggests a dual role of SlPSAT1 and SlASAT1 in tomato plant and fruit development and the adaptive responses to stress. Overall, this study contributes to enlarge the current knowledge on plant sterol acyltransferases and set the basis for further studies aimed at understanding the role of SE metabolism in tomato plant growth and development.
Trajectories of social protection in Africa

Social protection in contemporary Africa is the product of several strands of social policy, from European social security systems to humanitarian relief interventions. Contributory social security mechanisms such as unemployment insurance and pensions were imported to Africa during the colonial period, but cover only a minority of formally employed workers. Food aid alleviates hunger but does not resolve problems of chronic food insecurity. Cash transfers are being promoted as an alternative to food aid, but have been criticised for being ineffective against price inflation and underwriting neoliberal economic policies. Some programmes link social transfers to public works employment and microfinance, with the aim of ‘graduating’ participants off social protection. This article argues instead for a ‘social contract’ approach – recognising the right to social protection, empowering passive beneficiaries to become entitled claimants, and introducing social audits to hold duty-bearers accountable for effective and equitable delivery of citizen-driven social protection policies.