Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Design of a broadband and highly efficient 45W GaN power amplifier via simplified real frequency technique

A comprehensive approach for designing broadband and highly efficient power amplifier based on optimal impedance analysis and simplified real frequency technique (SRFT) is presented. Upon determining the impedances for highest efficiency across the bandwidth of interest, the SRFT is used to obtain the optimal matching topology and element values. The effectiveness of this design technique is illustrated using a commercially available 45W GaN device which achieved an average drain efficiency of 63% from 1.9 GHz to 2.9 GHz (∼42%) with an average output power and gain of 45.8 dBm and 10.8 dB respectively. The PA with DPD yielded ACPR below −50dBc when driven with WCDMA and LTE at 2.14 and 2.6 GHz respectively
Association of Epstein–Barr virus with human immunodeficiency virus‐negative peripheral T‐cell lymphomas in Japan

Abstract: The association of Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) with human immunodeficiency virus‐negative T‐cell lymphoma was examined in 68 patients using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with DNA obtained from formalin‐fixed paraffin‐embedded tissues and an in situ hybridization technique. EBV‐encoded RNA (EBER) was detected in 43 of 68 cases (63%) of peripheral T‐cell lymphoma: in 100% (11 of 11 cases) of NK/T‐cell lymphomas, 70% (14 of 20 cases) of angioimmunoblastic T‐cell lymphomas (AILT) and 49% (18 of 37 cases) of other types of peripheral T‐cell lymphoma. A positive band was also detected at high incidence (36 of 65 cases; 55%) in a PCR analysis using primers to detect the Bam HI‐W fragment of EBV. In the immunohistochemical analysis using a monoclonal antibody to latent membrane protein 1 (LMP‐1) of EBV, one of the EBV‐encoded latent gene products, LMP‐1, was found to be expressed in 13 of 64 cases (20%), but EBNA‐2 was not expressed in all the cases examined (0 of 59 cases; 0%). The 5‐yr survival rate was 28% for peripheral T‐cell lymphomas overall, 0% for NK/T‐cell lymphomas, 38% for AILTs and 28% for other types of peripheral T‐cell lymphoma. The difference in the overall survival rate between NK/T‐cell lymphoma and non‐NK/T‐cell lymphoma was significant (P = 0.0498 by Log‐rank test). Among peripheral T‐cell lymphoma patients overall, the group severely infected with EBV (EBER‐ISH ++) had a lower 5‐yr survival rate (8%) than the group slightly (EBER‐ISH +) or not infected (38%; P = 0.0013).
Leading Turnaround and Improvement in Low Performing Schools in Malaysia and Indonesia

Scanning the international school-turnaround literature highlights that the empirical evidence largely embodies and reflects a Western perspective and that most of studies of turnaround schools have been undertaken in Western education systems, particularly the United States, United Kingdom, and Europe. Most notably, the evidence base on school turnaround in Asia remains relatively limited, particularly in developing countries. Consequently, this chapter outlines the findings from a small-scale, exploratory, comparative study of leading school school turnaround in Asia remains relatively limited, particularly in developing countries. Consequently, this chapter outlines the findings from a small-scale, exploratory, comparative study of leading school turnaround in Malaysia and Indonesia. This study outlines the turnaround process in each context from the perspective of principals and teachers in a small sample of schools. The aim of this chapter is to offer insights into the turnaround process in each setting and to provide illustrative insights into the process of leading school turnaround in Malaysia and Indonesia.
Antibiotic treatment during surgery for diffuse peritonitis: A prospective randomized study comparing the effects of cefuroxime and of a cefuroxime and metronidazole combination

In a prospective randomized open study of patients operated upon for diffuse peritonitis, the effects of two different antibiotic regimens were evaluated. Cefuroxime given as a single drug (Group I; n = 59) was compared with a combination of cefuroxime and metronidazole (Group II; n = 63). Bacteriological cultures, both aerobic and anaerobic, were obtained peroperatively and in the event of any complication. The antibiotic sensitivities of isolated bacteria, and the serum and tissue concentrations of cefuroxime were determined. Postoperative infectious complications occurred in 22 per cent of Group I patients (cefuroxime), and in 17±5 per cent of Group II (cefuroxime plus metronidazole). The mortality rates were 5 per cent for Group I and 8 per cent for Group II. Tissue concentrations of cefuroxime were well above the MIC (minimal inhibiting concentration) values for most of the bacteria isolated. From a few patients in Group I, however, cultures were obtained with isolates sensitive to metronidazole but resistant to cefuroxime. Our findings suggest that, in the antibiotic treatment of patients operated for diffuse peritonitis, an agent which is primarily effective against aerobic bacteria (but not entirely without effect on anaerobes) is as effective as combination therapy covering both aerobic and anaerobic bacteria.
Lobbying for Minimum Wages

Using a common agency lobbying framework, this paper illustrates how the minimum wage set reflects the interaction between economic and political factors and under what circumstances will the policymaker be induced, through lobbying, to change the minimum wage. Specifically, when the labor demand elasticity is large, lobbying is successful in inducing the policymaker to set the minimum wage in accordance with her political ideology. However, the paper also shows the conditions under which lobbying will reverse the ideological preference and induce a business‐friendly government to increase the minimum wage. Empirical analysis on a panel data for ten Canadian provinces gives considerable support for theoretical predictions. The real minimum wage decreases in skill‐adjusted union density and political ideology, while larger labor demand elasticity reinforces the influence of political ideology in the presence of lobbying. (JEL J38, D72, D78)
Digit Ordering Test: Clinical, Psychometric, and Experimental Evaluation of a Verbal Working Memory Test

Cooper, Sagar, Jordan, Harvey, and Sullivan (1991) proposed a Digit Ordering Test (DOT) for the assessment of verbal working memory: A series of seven digits has to be memorized and immediately recalled in ascending order. In several studies Cooper and co-workers showed selectively reduced DOT performance in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). We present results from three studies on the properties of this test. In study 1 we replicated the original findings and evaluated a new scoring method. Study 2 addressed the psychometric features of the DOT and provides normative data based on a total of 134 test protocols (PD: 18, other neurological patients: 60, healthy controls: 56). In study 3 we used an experimental modification of the test (DOT-EXP) to evaluate the effects of the presentation rate on serial recall and digit ordering performance. The standard presentation rate of seven digits in 5 s was confirmed as most sensitive for detection of verbal working memory deficits. Findings confirmed that the DOT addresses the manipulatory component of verbal working memory and conveniently detects respective deficits in clinical testing.
Biomarkers for cardiovascular risk assessment in autoimmune diseases

Autoimmune diseases, such as antiphospholipid syndrome, systemic lupus erythematosus, and rheumatoid arthritis, are characterized by a high prevalence of cardiovascular (CV) disease (CVD), which constitutes the leading causes of morbidity and mortality among such patients. Although such effects are partly explained by a higher prevalence of traditional CV risk factors, many studies indicate that such factors do not fully explain the enhanced CV risk in these patients. In addition, risk stratification algorithms based upon traditional CV risk factors are not as predictive in autoimmune diseases as in the general population. For these reasons, the timely and accurate assessment of CV risk in these high‐risk populations still remains an unmet clinical need. An enhanced contribution of different inflammatory components of the immune response, as well as autoimmune elements (e.g. autoantibodies, autoantigens, and cellular response), has been proposed to underlie the incremental CV risk observed in these populations. Recent advances in proteomic tools have contributed to the discovery of proteins involved in CVDs, including some that may be suitable to be used as biological markers. In this review we summarize the main markers in the field of CVDs associated with autoimmunity, as well as the recent advances in proteomic technology and their application for biomarker discovery in autoimmune disease.
Oncofetal Epigenetic Bivalency in Breast Cancer Cells: H3K4 and H3K27 Tri‐Methylation as a Biomarker for Phenotypic Plasticity

Alterations in the epigenetic landscape are fundamental drivers of aberrant gene expression that contribute to cancer progression and pathology. Understanding specific modes of epigenetic regulation can be used to identify novel biomarkers or targets for therapeutic intervention to clinically treat solid tumors and leukemias. The bivalent marking of gene promoters by H3K4me3 and H3K27me3 is a primary mechanism to poise genes for expression in pluripotent embryonic stem cells (ESC). In this study we interrogated three well‐established mammary cell lines to model epigenetic programming observed among breast cancer subtypes. Evidence is provided for a distinct bivalent signature, activating and repressive histone marks co‐residing at the same gene promoter, in the MCF7 (ESR/PGR+) luminal breast cancer cell line. We identified a subset of genes, enriched for developmental pathways that regulate cellular phenotype and signaling, and partially recapitulate the bivalent character observed in ESC. We validated the biological relevance of this “oncofetal epigenetic” signature using data from ESR/PGR+ tumor samples from breast cancer patients. This signature of oncofetal epigenetic control is an informative biomarker and may provide novel therapeutic targets, selective for both recurring and treatment‐resistant cancers. J. Cell. Physiol. 231: 2474–2481, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Relationship between urodynamic findings and sexual function in multiple sclerosis patients with lower urinary tract dysfunction

Sexual dysfunction (SD) is prevalent in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients and affects quality of life. Furthermore, lower urinary tract dysfunction (LUTD) is common in MS patients. Our aim was to determine the relationship between urodynamic findings and SD in a cohort of MS patients with LUTD.
Effectiveness of Vancomycin or Beta-Lactam Therapy in Ampicillin-Susceptible Enterococcus spp. Bloodstream Infections

Background: De-escalation to a beta-lactam improves outcomes for patients with a methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus bloodstream infection (BSI). Whether a similar strategy is appropriate for enterococcal species is less clear. Objective: To determine whether definitive antibiotic selection affects outcomes for patients with an ampicillin-susceptible enterococcal BSI. Methods: This retrospective cohort study included patients over 18 years of age receiving definitive therapy with vancomycin or a beta-lactam for one or more blood cultures positive for Enterococcus spp. isolates between 2007 and 2014. Survival differences were examined using a Kaplan-Meier curve with log-rank test. Results: One-hundred eighty-six patients received definitive therapy with either vancomycin (n = 45, 24.2%) or a beta-lactam (n = 141, 75.8%). The primary outcome, 30-day all-cause mortality, was not different between groups (6.7% vs 7.1%; P = .992). A post hoc analysis of all-cause mortality 1 year after the index BSI was significantly higher in the vancomycin group (51% vs 33%; P = .032). In a Cox proportional hazards regression model, definitive vancomycin was associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality at 1 year (hazard ratio [HR]: 2.39; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.41-4.04). Conclusion: For patients with an ampicillin-susceptible enterococcal BSI, definitive therapy with vancomycin or a beta-lactam was not independently associated with a difference in 30-day all-cause mortality. Whether definitive vancomycin is associated with poor long-term outcomes warrants further exploration.
Enhancement of Runx2 Expression Is Potentially Linked to β‐Catenin Accumulation in Canine Intervertebral Disc Degeneration

Intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) greatly affects the quality of life. The nucleus pulposus (NP) of chondrodystrophic dog breeds (CDBs) is similar to the human NP because the cells disappear with age and are replaced by fibrochondrocyte‐like cells. Because IVDD develops as early as within the first year of life, we used canines as a model to investigate the in vitro mechanisms underlying IVDD. The mechanism underlying age‐related IVDD, however, is poorly understood. Several research groups have suggested that Wnt/β‐catenin signaling plays an important role in IVDD. However, the role of Wnt/β‐catenin signals in IVD cells is not yet well understood. Here, we demonstrate that Wnt/β‐catenin signaling could enhance Runx2 expression in IVDD and lead to IVD calcification. Nucleus pulposus (NP) tissue was obtained from Beagle dogs after evaluation of the degeneration based on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Histological analysis showed that lack of Safranin‐O staining, calcified area, and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) 13‐positive cells increased with progression of the degeneration. Furthermore, the levels of β‐catenin‐ and Runx2‐positive cells also increased. Real‐time reverse‐transcription polymerase chain reaction analysis showed that the MRI signal intensity and mRNA expression levels of β‐catenin and Runx2 are correlated in NP tissues. Moreover, supplementation of LiCl induced β‐catenin accumulation and Runx2 expression. In contrast, FH535 inhibited LiCl‐induced upregulation. These results suggest that Runx2 transcript and protein expression, potentially in combination with β‐catenin accumulation, are enhanced in degenerated and calcified intervertebral discs of CDBs. J. Cell. Physiol. 230: 180–190, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Endovascular treatment of ruptured intracranial aneurysms in patients 70 years of age and older

Background: An increasing number of elderly patients present with intracranial aneurysms. In addition to female gender, an older age is associated with a higher risk of developing a subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), and these patients often fare poorly in terms of long-term outcome. It is often thought that elderly patients would especially benefit from endovascular aneurysm treatment. We assessed the clinical outcomes in elderly patients with ruptured intracranial aneurysms (RIAs) who were treated by endovascular procedures. Methods: We performed a retrospective review of a prospective database of elderly patients treated with coil embolization for RIAs. The clinical outcomes were assessed using the modified Glasgow Outcome Scale. The rates of procedural complications and adverse events were also recorded. Results: During a period of 5 years, 162 patients with 183 intracranial aneurysms were treated in our hospital by means of an endovascular approach. Among them, 51 patients (31.5%) with a ruptured aneurysm were aged 70 years or older. These patients aged 70-91 years (mean age, 74 years) were treated by coil embolization for RIAs. Among them, seven had a Hunt and Hess (HH) grade of I or II, 42 had an HH grade of III or IV, and 2 had an HH grade of V. Endovascular treatment resulted in 32 complete occlusions (62.7%), 15 neck remnants (22%), and 4 body fillings (7.9%). Procedural complications occurred in five patients (9.8%). The outcomes were good or excellent in 17 patients (33.3%). Three patients (5.8%) who died had an HH grade of IV or V. Rebleeding occurred during follow-up in one patient (1.9%). Conclusions: Coil embolization of intracranial aneurysms is safe and effective in the elderly. However, the morbidity and mortality rates are higher in patients with high HH grades. This finding suggests that the timing of treatment should be based on the patient's initial clinical status.
Detection and identification of fungi in blood using broad‐range 28S rDNA PCR amplification and species‐specific hybridisation

The aim of the present study was to develop a PCR‐based method to detect and identify fungi directly from human venous blood. We used broad‐range PCR primers that targeted a part of the large subunit 28S rRNA genes. To obtain species‐specific hybridisation probes, type strains of Candida albicans, C. glabrata, C. krusei, C. parapsilosis, C. tropicalis and Cryptococcus neoformans were PCR amplified, and the amplicons were analysed by gene sequencing. Based on the sequence analysis, species‐specific probes that targeted variable regions were designed and used in hybridisation analyses. Between 2 to 10 fungal cells/ml of spiked blood samples could be detected and correctly identified to species. We applied the technique to blood samples obtained from two patients with or two patients without verified candidaemia. The three samples of candidaemia patients were correctly identified to species level, and those of the negative patients remained negative. This method is a potential tool for diagnosis of systemic invasive candidiasis.
Priorities in children's expectations about object label reference: form over color.

Young children show considerable interest in color similarity; thus we might expect them to use color as a basis for generalizing object labels. However, natural language observations suggest they do not: children tend to overextend labels based on form similarity and rarely, if ever, overextend labels to objects that share only color. Perhaps, then, children give form priority over color in their expectations about object-label reference. This hypothesis was investigated in 2 studies. In a first study, 40 2- and 3-year-olds sorted 10 sets of 3 pictures that contrasted form with color. Children participated in 1 of 2 conditions: half of the children were shown a target object and asked to "find another one" from among the two choice objects, while the other children heard a novel label for the target (e.g., "See this zom? ") and were asked to extend the label (e.g., "Can you find another zom? "). 3-year-olds sorted almost exclusively on the basis of form in both conditions, while 2-year-olds performed differently in the 2 conditions: they frequently chose the color match when labels were absent, but selected by form rather than color when asked to extend a novel label. A second study replicated these findings with novel objects that were real rather than pictured. This study also suggested that 3-year-olds grant color some role in their decisions about object-label reference as long as form differences are reduced to a tolerable level. In sum, young children expect form to be more important than color for guiding object-label reference, even though they may find color interesting when not asked to extend labels. This expectation helps explain the speed and relative ease with which children acquire object labels.
Development and preliminary validation of the Cricket Mental Toughness Inventory (CMTI)

Abstract The purpose of this research project was to develop a psychometrically sound measure of mental toughness in cricket, using a multi-method research design. Two qualitative studies in which current and former cricketers' (n = 16) perceptions of the key components of mental toughness in cricket and the suitability of an item pool to target those key components (n = 9) were assessed. We then conducted two quantitative studies to examine both the within- and between-network properties of the Cricket Mental Toughness Inventory (CMTI) using confirmatory factor analysis and correlations. Support for the existence of a five-factor, 15-item model was revealed with three independent samples of cricketers; two contained cricketers from several different countries (n = 285 and 285), whereas one contained Australian cricketers only (n = 433). Each of the five subscales (affective intelligence, attentional control, resilience, self-belief, and desire to achieve) were positively correlated with dispositional flow, hardiness, and resilience and negatively correlated with athlete burnout. Although requiring replication and extension, the results of the present study provide preliminary support for the factor structure, internal reliability, and construct validity of the CMTI.
A Qualitative Investigation of the Mental Health Needs of Syrian Refugees and Immigrants

The mental health of Syrian refugees has become extremely important for refugee and mental health scholars worldwide. A scoping review of 14 publications was conducted to synthesize current findings on this issue, which displayed a gap in understanding Syrian coping strategies and well-being. A qualitative investigation was done to explore the mental health perceptions and related resources of Syrians that migrated to Canada both before and after the war. Thirty semi-structured interviews were conducted with Syrian immigrants, 15 non-refugees and 15 refugees. The purpose was to investigate perspectives on mental health, resilience, and desired or received services. Study findings showed refugees’ mental health was affected by traumatic events and their resettlement process. Non-refugees expressed feelings of sadness because their homeland has been destroyed. All participants sourced social support as extremely helpful in their lives and was preferred over professional help. These findings can help develop appropriate mental health resources.
Expanding the occupational health methodology: A concatenated artificial neural network approach to model the burnout process in Chinese nurses

Artificial neural networks are sophisticated modelling and prediction tools capable of extracting complex, non-linear relationships between predictor (input) and predicted (output) variables. This study explores this capacity by modelling non-linearities in the hardiness-modulated burnout process with a neural network. Specifically, two multi-layer feed-forward artificial neural networks are concatenated in an attempt to model the composite non-linear burnout process. Sensitivity analysis, a Monte Carlo–based global simulation technique, is then utilised to examine the first-order effects of the predictor variables on the burnout sub-dimensions and consequences. Results show that (1) this concatenated artificial neural network approach is feasible to model the burnout process, (2) sensitivity analysis is a prolific method to study the relative importance of predictor variables and (3) the relationships among variables involved in the development of burnout and its consequences are to different degrees non-linear. Practitioner Summary: Many relationships among variables (e.g. stressors and strains) are not linear, yet researchers use linear methods such as Pearson correlation or linear regression to analyse these relationships. Artificial neural network analysis is an innovative method to analyse non-linear relationships and in combination with sensitivity analysis superior to linear methods.