Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Factor V Leiden in central venous catheter‐associated thrombosis

Summary. Subclavian vein thrombosis is a well‐recognized complication following central venous catheter insertion and is associated with significant morbidity. The factor V Leiden mutation is an important risk factor for deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. Whether this mutation also predisposes patients fitted with a central venous catheter to subclavian vein thrombosis is not known. The occurrence of central venous catheter‐associated thrombosis was investigated in 277 consecutive patients receiving an allogeneic bone marrow transplantation. All patients received a tunnelled double or triple catheter positioned in the subclavian vein. Catheter‐associated thrombosis was diagnosed on the basis of clinical signs of thrombosis, i.e. swelling and/or redness of the limb or venous engorgement and was confirmed with a colour‐flow Doppler ultrasound. Thirteen patients were heterozygous for the factor V Leiden mutation. Seven of these patients had a subclavian vein thrombosis (54%), while this occurred in only 9% of the factor V Leiden‐negative patients, corresponding with a relative risk of 7·7 (95% CI 3·3–17·9). Factor V Leiden is attributable for 17·3% of all thrombosis in patients with central venous catheters. The majority of patients with the factor V Leiden mutation with a central venous catheter will develop thrombosis. Patients with a factor V Leiden mutation should receive adequate thrombosis prophylaxis upon catheter introduction and the catheter should be removed immediately after the treatment. Based on this very high risk, we advise testing for factor V Leiden in all bone marrow transplantation patients receiving a central venous catheter.
Performance analysis for higher order Alamouti schemes with different modulation formats

This paper presents the performance comparison of Space Time Block Codes (STBC) using different antenna configurations and modulation techniques. A sequence of bits were modulated and split according to the type of antenna configuration used in the transmitting side. The modulated bits are then encoded using STBC. Each antenna transmits these codes in different time slots using a zero forcing equalizer (ZFE) simultaneously over Rayleigh channels. The received signals are equalized first which are then passed through maximum likelihood (ML) decoder. This operation was carried out several times which showed significant reduction in BER for increased value of Eb/No.
Age of Sex-Determining Mechanisms in Vertebrates

Certain characteristic patterns of physiologic sex determination are not causally linked with types of genic and chromosomal constitution (XX-XY or ZW-ZZ). The observed widespread but not universal parallelism in the distribution of genetic and physiologic patterns among vertebrate groups expresses genealogic relationship. On the basis of this interpretation one may estimate the approximate evolutionary age of the mechanism of genetic sex determination. It is concluded that in all tetrapod vertebrates these mechanisms originated during the Jurassic period. Environmental conditions seem to affect the progress of this evolution.
Review: fetal programming of polycystic ovary syndrome by androgen excess: evidence from experimental, clinical, and genetic association studies.

CONTEXT Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder of premenopausal women, characterized by hyperandrogenism, polycystic ovaries, and chronic anovulation along with insulin resistance and abdominal obesity as frequent metabolic traits. Although PCOS manifests clinically during adolescence, emerging data suggest that the natural history of PCOS may originate in intrauterine life. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION Evidence from experimental, clinical, and genetic research supporting the hypothesis for the fetal origins of PCOS has been analyzed. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS Female primates, exposed in utero to androgen excess, exhibit the phenotypic features of PCOS during adult life. Clinical observations also support a potential fetal origin of PCOS. Women with fetal androgen excess disorders, including congenital 21-hydroxylase deficiency and congenital adrenal virilizing tumors, develop features characteristic of PCOS during adulthood despite the normalization of androgen excess after birth. The potential mechanisms of fetal androgen excess leading to a PCOS phenotype in humans are not clearly understood. However, maternal and/or fetal hyperandrogenism can provide a plausible mechanism for fetal programing of PCOS, and this, in part, may be genetically determined. Thus, genetic association studies have indicated that common polymorphic variants of genes determining androgen activity or genes that influence the availability of androgens to target tissues are associated with PCOS and increased androgen levels. These genomic variants may provide the genetic link to prenatal androgenization in human PCOS. CONCLUSION Prenatal androgenization of the female fetus induced by genetic and environmental factors, or the interaction of both, may program differentiating target tissues toward the development of PCOS phenotype in adult life.
Interaction of extravillous trophoblast galectin-1 and mucin(s)—Is there a functional relevance?

ABSTRACT In the course of embryo implantation extensive interaction of the trophoblast with uterine tissue is crucial for adequate trophoblast invasion. This interaction is highly controlled, and it has been pointed out that a specific glycocode and changes in glycosylation may be important for successful implantation and maintenance of pregnancy. Both uterine and trophoblast cells have been shown to express cell surface glycoconjugates and sugar binding proteins, such as mucins (MUC) and galectins (gals). An increasing number of studies have investigated potential candidates interacting in this process. However, knowledge about the biochemical nature of the interactions and their importance for trophoblast cell function, and, consequently, for pregnancy outcome are still lacking. This review is aimed at deliberating the possibility that mucins, as heavily glycosylated proteins, might be among the functionally relevant galectin ligands in human trophoblast, based on both published data and our original research.
Terahertz Conductivity of Copper Surfaces

Terahertz (THz) radiation holds great promise for applications in communications, molecular detection, and imaging. Effective THz system design requires accurate models for the frequency-dependent conductivity of metals and the effect of surface roughness on conduction loss. However, predictive methods are currently unverified in the region between 0.3 and 0.9 THz because few experimental data exist in this regime. In order to address this problem, we have measured the conductivity of copper, of various surface roughnesses, using a semi-confocal open resonator system. This paper describes our measurements of the THz conductivity, dc conductivity, roughness, and microstructure of copper. We show that the classical Drude theory is sufficient for predicting the THz conductivity of copper at room temperature and that dissipation loss enhancement caused by surface roughness is modeled better by the Hammerstad-Bekkadal formula than second-order small perturbation theory.
Visual hull-based prediction framework for 3D object coding

In this paper, we propose a visual hull-based predictive framework for compressing depth data of a 3D object. Given a 3D object represented by layered depth image, we obtain a visual hull as a model. Then we compute and encode prediction residuals between the visual hull and the original 3D object. We first explain the merits of a visual hull in terms of prediction accuracy, computational costs, and efficient encoding of a model, and then we show the overall process of the proposed method.
Using information contained in the curriculum management information tool (CurrMIT) to capture opportunities for student learning and development

The purpose of this paper is to examine how West Virginia University Medical School used the AAMC Curriculum Management Information Tool (CurrMIT) to map the undergraduate medical school curriculum. Information gleaned from this analysis identified what students are expected to learn, how they learn and how they are assessed. Information about the curriculum was entered into CurrMIT, creating a comprehensive picture of the curricular landscape. Learning outcomes were parceled out according to a competence-based framework. In addition, learning methods and assessment measures were identified. A total of 639 learning outcomes were identified across several competences. A total of 13 learning methods and 13 assessment measures were also identified in the undergraduate curriculum. The results suggest that students are expected to acquire varied knowledge, skills and attitudes. Further, students are presented with diverse learning methods and assessment measures. The curriculum map ascertains whether the program's components, such as learning outcomes, learning approaches and assessment methods, are designed and linked to further students’ learning. This analysis will lead to curricular improvements. The implications of this work can help faculty, students and other academic stakeholders shift tacit expectations of learning and development to a curricular reality and, in turn, help prepare future physicians for the changing field of medicine.
Reversible watermarking scheme for image authentication in frequency domain

Currently any digital media can be easily modified. As a measure to ensure authenticity of the media in question, watermarks may be used. However, for a specific media (military or medical imagery) modifications introduced by watermarking process are not acceptable. Reversible watermarking, that allows to restore exact original image, is designed for this usage. In this paper semi-blind reversible pixel-wise image authentication framework is proposed. The scheme allows us to authenticate and locate tampered pixels. Also exact recovery of the original image is possible
The Liquidity Cost of Private Equity Investments: Evidence from Secondary Market Transactions

Abstract This paper uses proprietary data from a leading intermediary to explain the magnitude and determinants of transaction costs in the secondary market for private equity stakes. Most transactions occur at a discount to net asset value. Buyers average an annualized public market equivalent of 1.023 compared with 0.976 for sellers, implying that buyers outperform sellers by a market-adjusted 5 percentage points annually. Both the cross-sectional pattern of transaction costs and the identity of sellers and buyers suggest that the market is one in which relatively flexible buyers earn returns by supplying liquidity to investors wishing to exit.
Field studies to investigate safety distance violation with a low-cost observation system

Statistics show that safety distance violation is a major cause of traffic accidents with reasons including high vol-ume of traffic, aggressive driving, inattention/distraction and, in particular, an underestimation of braking distances at certain speeds [2]. To sort out this important safety prob-lem, modern premium cars are equipped with adaptive cruise control (ACC) systems. Nevertheless, the majority of consumer cars is still not provided with such a system and a later retrofit is often impossible. In this work, we are picking up on that issue and introducing a low-cost warning system based on simple distance measurements. The implementation on a Smartphone and preliminary user stud-ies have shown that such a system is capable of real-time traffic observation and feedback to the driver (in the form of bimodal visual and auditory warnings). Study results further suggest that its application enhances the perception of minimal inter-car distances and, with it, improves road safety. Future work includes performance and accuracy improve-ments as well as a large scale field test.
The effect of healthy dietary consumption on executive cognitive functioning in children and adolescents: a systematic review

Abstract A systematic review was conducted to evaluate whether healthier dietary consumption among children and adolescents impacts executive functioning. PubMed, Education Resources Information Center, PsychINFO and Thomson Reuters’ Web of Science databases were searched, and studies of executive functioning among children or adolescents aged 6–18 years, which examined food quality, macronutrients and/or foods, were included. Study quality was also assessed. In all, twenty-one studies met inclusion criteria. Among the twelve studies examining food quality (n 9) or macronutrient intakes (n 4), studies examining longer-term diet (n 6) showed positive associations between healthier overall diet quality and executive functioning, whereas the studies examining the acute impact of diet (n 6) were inconsistent but suggestive of improvements in executive functioning with better food quality. Among the ten studies examining foods, overall, there was a positive association between healthier foods (e.g. whole grains, fish, fruits and/or vegetables) and executive function, whereas less-healthy snack foods, sugar-sweetened beverages and red/processed meats were inversely associated with executive functioning. Taken together, evidence suggests a positive association between healthy dietary consumption and executive functioning. Additional studies examining the effects of healthier food consumption, as well as macronutrients, on executive functioning are warranted. These studies should ideally be conducted in controlled environments and use validated cognitive tests.
Exercise parameters in the treatment of clinical depression: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials.

RATIONALE, AIMS AND OBJECTIVES Previous systematic reviews have concluded that exercise programmes are effective in the management of clinical depression. The aim of this review was to analyse the parameters of exercise programmes reported in the primary research, in order to provide clinicians with evidence-based recommendations for exercise prescription for clinical depression. METHODS A systematic review of randomized controlled trials was undertaken. Only trials that reported exercise to be effective in treating depression were included and our review was limited to adults. Appropriate databases and reference lists were searched using established keywords. Data relating to the type, intensity, frequency, duration, mode of exercise and mode of application of exercise was extracted and collated. RESULTS A total of 14 randomized controlled trials were included in this review and from these trials 20 intervention arms were analysed. The majority of trials used an aerobic exercise intervention and were supervised. The most common exercise parameters were 60-80% of maximum heart rate for 30 minutes three times per week for an overall duration of 8 weeks. There is an equal volume of evidence supporting group as opposed to individually completed exercise programmes and no trends were identified which would support one mode of exercise over another. CONCLUSIONS Currently the primary research on this topic supports the use of aerobic exercise which is supervised in some capacity. The current evidence base supports a prescription of three 30-minute sessions per week of aerobic exercise at 60-80% of maximum heart rate for at least 8 weeks.
Classification of Astrocytomas and Malignant Astrocytomas by Principal Components Analysis and a Neural Net

The classification of astrocytomas, astrocytomas with anaplastic foci and glioblastoma multiformes is not always straightforward because the tumors form a histological continuum. The use of principal component analysis (PCA) and neural nets in the classification of these tumors is explored. PCA was performed on 14 histological features recorded from 52 gliomas classified by the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group method (17 astrocytomas, 18 astrocytomas with anaplastic foci, 17 glioblastoma multiformes). Four of the 14 possible 'scores' derived from this analysis were selected to summarize the histological variability seen in all the tumors. These scores were mostly significantly different between tumor types and were thus used to successfully train a neural net to correctly classify these tumors. The first principal component (score) supported the use of increasing cellularity, mitoses, endothelial proliferation, and necrosis in differentiating between the tumor categories, but accounted for only 39% of the variability seen. Other histological features that were significant components of the other scores included the presence of multinucleated or giant cells, gemistocytes, atypical mitoses and changes in nuclear chromatin. Computer programs derived from the methodology described provide a way of standardizing glioma diagnosis and may be extended to assist with decisions.
Quantification of Restitution Dispersion From the Dynamic Changes of the  $T$-Wave Peak to End, Measured at the Surface ECG

Action potential duration restitution (APDR) curves present spatial variations due to the electrophysiological heterogeneities present in the heart. Enhanced spatial APDR dispersion in ventricle has been suggested as an arrhythmic risk marker. In this study, we propose a method to noninvasively quantify dispersion of APDR slopes at tissue level by making only use of the surface electrocardiogram (ECG). The proposed estimate accounts for rate normalized differences in the steady-state T-wave peak to T-wave end interval (Tpe). A methodology is developed for its computation, which includes compensation for the Tpe memory lag after heart-rate (HR) changes. The capability of the proposed estimate to reflect APDR dispersion is assessed using a combination of ECG signal processing, and computational modeling and simulation. Specifically, ECG recordings of control subjects undergoing a tilt test trial are used to measure that estimate, while its capability to provide a quantification of APDR dispersion at tissue level is assessed by using a 2-D ventricular tissue simulation. From this simulation, APDR dispersion, denoted as ΔαSIM, is calculated, and pseudo-ECGs are derived. Estimates of APDR dispersion measured from the pseudo-ECGs show to correlate with ΔαSIM, being the mean relative error below 5%. A comparison of the ECG estimates obtained from tilt test recordings and the ΔαSIM values measured in silico simulations at tissue level show that differences between them are below 20%, which is within physiological variability limits. Our results provide evidence that the proposed estimate is a noninvasive measurement of APDR dispersion in ventricle. Additional results from this study confirm that Tpe adapts to HR changes much faster than the QT interval.
Effects of Growth Hormone Treatment on Left Ventricular Dimensions in Children with Noonan’s Syndrome

Objective: To study the effects of long-term growth hormone (GH) treatment on left ventricular (LV) dimensions in children with Noonan’s syndrome (NS). Methods: Echocardiographic measurements of LV dimensions were performed before and during GH treatment in 27 participants (21 boys, 6 girls) in a partly controlled 3-year trial of high-dose GH treatment (0.15 IU/kg/day). Nineteen children had a congenital heart defect, 1 of them had hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy. In the first 3 years, the children were assigned to 1 of 2 groups: group A with discontinuation of GH treatment in the 3rd year, or group B without GH treatment in the 1st year. After the 3rd year, 12 of the 27 children were followed up for 2 additional years to evaluate the long-term effects of GH treatment on the heart. Results: At baseline, LV internal diameters were smaller, while posterior wall thickness were thicker than normal. Over the 1st year, changes in LV dimensions were comparable between the 2 groups. No significant differences were found in LV dimensions between the situation at baseline and after 4 years of GH treatment. Conclusion: Long-term high-dose GH treatment does not have clinically significant adverse effects on LV dimensions in children with NS.
Weak Form Efficiency of the Insurance Industry: Empirical Evidence from Nigeria

This paper evaluates the insurance sector of the Nigeria Stock Exchange (NSE) for evidence weak-form efficiency using daily returns from January 2009 to February 2016. The study employs descriptive analysis, non-parametric runs test and autocorrelation function as well as Ljung-Box Q statistics in conducting the evaluation. Descriptive statistics of the insurance sector return series show negative skewness and leptokurtic distribution. Estimates from the Jarque-Bera normality test show that the insurance sector returns do not follow a normal distribution. Results of the runs test reject a null hypothesis of randomness in the return series of the insurance sector in the period studied. Furthermore, the autocorrelation functions and the Ljung-Box Q tests provide evidence of serial correlation in the stock returns of the insurance sector. Overall results from the study suggest that the insurance sector of NSE is not weak-form efficient. Consequently, technical analysis on the insurance sector of the NSE may not be fruitless. JEL Classification: G14, G22 DOI: https://doi.org/10.26905/jkdp.v22i1. 1800
Cystatin C and creatinine in an HIV cohort: the nutrition for healthy living study.

BACKGROUND Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected persons have an increased risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Serum creatinine level may underestimate the prevalence of CKD in subjects with decreased lean body mass or liver disease. Level of serum cystatin C, an alternative kidney function marker, is independent of lean body mass. STUDY DESIGN Cross-sectional. SETTING & PARTICIPANTS 250 HIV-infected subjects on highly active antiretroviral therapy in the Nutrition for Healthy Living (NFHL) cohort; 2,628 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2001-2002 subjects. PREDICTORS & OUTCOMES Comparison of serum creatinine levels in NFHL to those in NHANES subjects; comparison of CKD in NFHL subjects ascertained using serum creatinine versus cystatin C levels. MEASUREMENTS Standardized serum creatinine, serum cystatin C, glomerular filtration rate (GFR) estimated from serum creatinine and cystatin C levels. RESULTS Creatinine levels were lower in NFHL than NHANES subjects despite greater rates of hepatitis, diabetes, and drug use (mean difference, -0.18 mg/dL; P < 0.001 adjusted for age, sex, and race). Of NFHL subjects, only 2.4% had a creatinine-based estimated GFR less than 60 mL/min/1.73 m(2), but 15.2% had a cystatin-based estimated GFR less than 60 mL/min/1.73 m(2). LIMITATIONS GFR was estimated rather than measured. Other factors in addition to GFR may affect creatinine and cystatin C levels. Measurements of proteinuria were not available. CONCLUSIONS Serum creatinine levels may overestimate GFRs in HIV-infected subjects. Kidney disease prevalence may be greater than previously appreciated.
The Fit between Employees’ Perception and the Organization’s Behavior in Terms of Corporate Social Responsibility

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) refers to the set of behaviors that businesses ought to or are expected to perform in a society. Many companies expect to increase profits through CSR behavior. However, it is a reasonable question to consider whether employees commit to an organization when they do not agree with the organizations’ CSR behavior. Therefore, this study explores the effect of fit between employees’ perceptions of CSR and organizations’ CSR behavior on organization commitment. This study found that the fit between employees’ perceptions and organizations’ CSR behavior has a positive effect on commitment. Among the four CSR dimensions of economic, legal, ethical and philanthropic social responsibility, all dimensions excluding philanthropic responsibility are positively related to organizational commitment. Finally, comparing the effects of fit in Korea and China the effect of fit for ethical social responsibility differed between the two countries.