Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Geometric changes in ventriculoaortic complex after transcatheter aortic valve replacement and its association with post-procedural prosthesis–patient mismatch: an intraprocedural 3D-TEE study

Aims Prosthesis–patient mismatch (PPM) after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) leads to increased mortality. However, its peri-procedural determinants remain unknown. We investigated geometric changes in aortic annulus (AoA) and left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) during TAVR by three-dimensional transoesophageal echocardiography (3D-TEE) and its association with post-procedural PPM. Methods and results A total of 131 patients with severe aortic stenosis underwent intraprocedural 3D-TEE during balloon-expandable TAVR. The severity of PPM was graded using the indexed effective orifice area calculated by Doppler echocardiography at discharge, with moderate defined as ≥0.65 and ⩽0.85 cm2/m2 and severe defined as <0.65 cm2/m2. 3D planimetered AoA area decreased after TAVR (P< 0.001), whereas the LVOT increased (P= 0.004). The eccentricity of both AoA and LVOT decreased after TAVR (both, P< 0.001). At discharge, the incidence of overall and severe PPM was 44 and 12%, respectively. Patients with PPM had a larger body surface area, smaller aortic valve area, and less frequent balloon dilation (all P< 0.05). Patients with PPM had a lower post-TAVR AoA area/pre-TAVR AoA area (91 ± 8 vs. 95 ± 7%, P= 0.001) than those without PPM. The post-TAVR AoA area/pre-TAVR AoA area was independently associated with overall PPM (odds ratio, 1.80; 95% CI, 1.06–3.05; P= 0.031) and severe PPM (odds ratio, 2.50; 95% CI, 1.05–5.36; P= 0.04). Additionally, a cut-off value of this ratio >86.3% had a sensitivity of 84% and a specificity of 44% for the prevention of severe PPM. Conclusion 3D-TEE can evaluate geometric changes in AoA and LVOT during balloon-expandable TAVR and predicts post-procedural PPM.
Prognostic factors of primary transitional cell carcinoma of the upper urinary tract.

OBJECTIVES We presented and analyzed our results in order to determine the relationship between patient survival and tumor grade and/or stage. In addition, a retrospective tumor DNA ploidy study was done to evaluate its possible role in predicting future tumor recurrence in the bladder. METHODS A total of 112 patients with upper urinary tract transitional cell carcinomas (TCCs) were recorded at our hospital. Of these, 68 patients without concurrent bladder tumors (ages ranged from 36 to 80, mean 62.4 years; male:female = 1:1.2) were treated by nephroureterectomy and bladder cuff resection. They were followed up for 14-79 months (average 38.2 months). Eight (36.4%) of the 22 patients who had stage C or D tumors had received adjuvant systemic methotrexate, vinblastine, epirubicin, cisplatin chemotherapy after surgery. DNA flow cytometry using paraffin-blocked tumor specimens was performed on the tumors of 52 patients. RESULTS Their pathologic stages and grades were 11 at stage 0, 15 at stage A, 20 at stage B, 14 at stage C, 8 at stage D; 9 of grade I, 41 of grade II, and 18 of grade III. Postoperatively, 13 patients (19.1%) subsequently developed bladder tumors with a latent period ranging from 2 to 37 months (average 14.9 months). The difference of the tumor DNA ploidy distribution pattern among tumors of high versus low stages and/or grades is not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Overall, the 5-year survival rates for patients with low- and high-stage tumors were 100 and 66.7%, respectively; for patients with grade I-II and III tumors they were 93.6 and 28.3%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Patient survival was mainly related to both tumor stages (p = 0.0037) and grades (p = 0.0001), rather than to tumor DNA ploidy. For patients with grade II upper urinary tract tumors, tumor DNA ploidy seems to provide no additional predictive value on subsequent tumor recurrence in the bladder.
The role of the human Fc receptor Fc gamma RIIA in the immune clearance of platelets: a transgenic mouse model.

In humans, the Fc receptor for IgG, FcgammaRIIA, is expressed on macrophages and platelets and may play an important role in the pathophysiology of immune-mediated thrombocytopenia. Mice lack the genetic equivalent of human FcgammaRIIA. To better understand the role of FcgammaRIIA in vivo, FcgammaRIIA transgenic mice were generated and characterized. One transgenic mouse line expressed FcgammaRIIA on platelets and macrophages at levels equivalent to human cells, and cross-linking FcgammaRIIA on these platelets induced platelet aggregation. Immune-mediated thrombocytopenia in this transgenic line was studied using i.v. and i.p. administration of anti-mouse platelet Ab. In comparison with matched wild-type littermates that are negative for the FcgammaRIIA transgene, Ab-mediated thrombocytopenia was significantly more severe in the FcgammaRIIA transgenic mice. In contrast, FcR gamma-chain knockout mice that lack functional expression of the Fc receptors FcgammaRI and FcgammaRIII on splenic macrophages did not demonstrate Ab-mediated thrombocytopenia. We generated FcgammaRIIA transgenic x FcR gamma-chain knockout mice to examine the role of FcgammaRIIA in immune clearance in the absence of functional FcgammaRI and FcgammaRIII. In FcgammaRIIA transgenic x FcR gamma-chain knockout mice, severe immune thrombocytopenia mediated by FcgammaRIIA was observed. These results demonstrate that FcgammaRIIA does not require the FcR gamma-chain for expression or function in vivo. Furthermore, taken together, the data suggest that the human Fc receptor FcgammaRIIA plays a significant role in the immune clearance of platelets in vivo.
Refugee migration and service industries: advancing the research agenda

ABSTRACT The recent refugee influx into Europe has attracted considerable academic, political and media attention. Despite the large number of refugees entering Europe, especially following the outbreak of the conflict in Syria, there has been little academic research on the refugee migration-service industries nexus. The minimal attention on the interface between refugee migration and service industries is surprising, considering the impacts of the refugee movement on service sectors and the opportunities for refugee migrants within several service industries. In acknowledging this gap, this paper considers the development of the research on refugee migration within service industries and suggests that future studies distinguish between the terms ‘refugee’ and ‘migrant’, embrace longitudinal studies and consider a macro approach in their investigation to transcend research focus from specific service aspects to service industries as a whole. In drawing conclusions, the paper highlights key research themes and suggests directions for further research.
Secular Stagnation and Low Interest Rates Under the Fear of a Government Debt Crisis

By using a model incorporating a crisis risk triggered by the accumulation of government debt, we provide a new perspective to explain the driving forces behind secular stagnation associated with a persistent decrease in interest rates. According to the model, the fear of the imposition of a large-scale capital levy in the face of a crisis helps explain Japans decades of persistent stagnation by almost one quarter. As government debt accumulates, not only the level but also the growth rate of output declines persistently, while the government bond yield decreases. We then discuss the possible mechanisms that induce people to share the expectation of a capital levy at the time of a government debt crisis from the historical, theoretical, and political points of view. The model also shows that a permanent increase in consumption tax, which prevents a government debt crisis from occurring, increases social welfare.
SAARC and region-building: is South Asia a region?

ABSTRACT ‘Region’ is a contested concept. Although scholars have extensively debated the issue, there is no consensus on the definition of region. While some scholars emphasize geographic proximity as a key factor, others put importance to cognitive and ideational factors, yet some others seek to combine the two perspectives to define region. Against such a background, this paper explains the complexities of defining South Asia as a region. It explores the historical evolution of the identification of the region and analyses how region building in recent decades, instead of consolidating its regionness, has produced a multiplicity of discourses, narratives and meanings about South Asia as a region. This is particularly evident if South Asia is examined in terms of ‘economic,’ ‘security’ and ‘cultural’ region. Importantly, these discourses, narratives and meanings are not necessarily symmetrical and compatible with each other although they co-exist in an uneasy manner at both regional and national levels. And, they are contingent and subject to change over time.
Spatial Convergence Of Per Capita Co2 Emissions Among Mena Countries

This paper investigates the spatial convergence hypothesis for per capita CO2 emissions among Middle East and North Africa (MENA) countries during 1970–2010. Spatial econometric techniques bring us a powerful tool to model spatial spillover effects of pollutions. Also, according to the empirical studies, ignoring spatial autocorrelation and spatial heterogeneity will lead to biased statistical inference. By applying cross-section modeling and spatial dynamic panel data techniques, our results show: (1) per capita CO2 emissions among MENA countries have weak absolute convergence, (2) considering spatial dimension increases conditional convergence speed, but not affects the steady state level of emissions, (3) in long-term steady state, level of per capita CO2 emissions is determined by per capita GDP and degree of urbanization. The implications of these results for sustainable regional development policies are discussed.
Indigenous bacteria and bacterial metabolic products in the gastrointestinal tract of broiler chickens

Abstract The gastrointestinal tract is a dynamic ecosystem containing a complex microbial community. In this paper, the indigenous intestinal bacteria and the microbial fermentation profile particularly short chain fatty acids (SCFA), lactate, and ammonia concentrations are reviewed. The intestinal bacterial composition changes with age. The bacterial density of the small intestine increases with age and comprises of lactobacilli, streptococci, enterobacteria, fusobacteria and eubacteria. Strict anaerobes (anaerobic gram-positive cocci, Eubacterium spp., Clostridium spp., Lactobacillus spp., Fusobacterium spp. and Bacteroides) are predominating caecal bacteria in young broilers. Data from culture-based studies showed that bifidobacteria could not be isolated from young birds, but were recovered from four-week-old broilers. Caecal lactobacilli accounted for 1.5 – 24% of the caecal bacteria. Gene sequencing of caecal DNA extracts showed that the majority of bacteria belonged to Clostridiaceae. Intestinal bacterial community is influenced by the dietary ingredients, nutrient levels and physical structure of feed. SCFA and other metabolic products are affected by diet formulation and age. Additional studies are required to know the bacterial metabolic activities together with the community analysis of the intestinal bacteria. Feed composition and processing have great potential to influence the activities of intestinal bacteria towards a desired direction in order to support animal health, well-being and microbial safety of broiler meat.
Evaluation of stationary and semi-stationary acquisitions in a dual-head multi-pinhole system for myocardial perfusion SPECT

Previously we proposed a multi-pinhole (MPH) collimator for stationary clinical myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) based on a dual-head clinical SPECT/CT scanner. However, artifacts from non-sufficient angular sampling were observed. This study aims to investigate different stationary MPH designs and the potential improvement in image quality by semi-stationary configurations with increased number of acquisition views. The 2 detectors were connected at ~90° or L-mode with minimal imaging distance of 18.3 cm for MPI. We first optimized the MPH collimator parameters including pinhole number, imaging distance, collimator length, aperture size and acceptance angle by maximizing the sensitivity for a pre-determined field-of-view of 16 cm and target resolution of 1.095 cm. Based on the optimized results, a 3D analytical MPH projector was used to generate noise-free projections of (i) five stationary designs (L-mode-I to L-mode-V) and (ii) semi-stationary designs with 4 detector positions using the 4D extended cardiac torso (XCAT) phantom which was scaled to fit for 95% of Asian male population. Simulations of low energy high resolution (LEHR) collimator was used as a reference. The angle between 2 L-mode positions in the semi-stationary acquisition was evaluated from -45° to 180°. A 3D MPH ML-EM/LEHR OS-EM algorithm was used to reconstruct the MPH/LEHR data and normalized-mean-square-error (NMSE) was evaluated in a 2D ROI with 32 × 32 pixels which covered the center slice of the left ventricle. Our optimized MPH parameters are 12-pinhole, acceptance angle of 51°, aperture size of 4.65 mm, collimator length of 15.8 cm and imaging distance of 18.6 cm. The NMSE of L-mode-I was the lowest (0.3021) among all stationary designs. Semi-stationary mode with 40° rotation based on the stationary L-mode-I configuration provided the least NMSE result (0.1306) among all acquisitions which was better than the LEHR (0.2186). We concluded that semi-stationary MPH acquisition substantially improved the image quality as compared to the full stationary design as well as the conventional LEHR in MPI.
Roller-massager application to the hamstrings increases sit-and-reach range of motion within five to ten seconds without performance impairments.

BACKGROUND Foam rollers are used to mimic myofascial release techniques and have been used by therapists, athletes, and the general public alike to increase range of motion (ROM) and alleviate pressure points. The roller-massager was designed to serve a similar purpose but is a more portable device that uses the upper body rather than body mass to provide the rolling force. OBJECTIVES/PURPOSE A roller massager was used in this study to examine the acute effects on lower extremity ROM and subsequent muscle length performance. METHODS Seven male and ten female volunteers took part in 4 trials of hamstrings roller-massager rolling (1 set - 5 seconds, 1 set - 10 seconds, 2 sets - 5 seconds, and 2 sets - 10 seconds) at a constant pressure (13 kgs) and a constant rate (120 bpm). A group of 9 participants (three male, six female) also performed a control testing session with no rolling intervention. A sit and reach test for ROM, along with a maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) force and muscle activation of the hamstrings were measured before and after each session of rolling. RESULTS A main effect for testing time (p<0.0001) illustrated that the use of the roller-massager resulted in a 4.3% increase in ROM. There was a trend (p=0.069) for 10s of rolling duration to increase ROM more than 5s rolling duration. There were no significant changes in MVC force or MVC EMG activity after the rolling intervention. CONCLUSIONS The use of the roller-massager had no significant effect on muscle strength, and can provide statistically significant increases in ROM, particularly when used for a longer duration.
[Estimation of nitrogen-corrected metabolizable energy value of laboratory canine diets].

This study evaluates the reliability of the equation, metabolizable energy (ME) = digestible energy (DE) - 1.25 x digestible crude protein (DCP), as a means of estimating the energy value of non-purified diets for laboratory dogs. To do this, five digestion and nitrogen-balance (NB) trials and determination of the energy value of a diet were conducted using five diets and four mature, male Beagles for each experiment. The resulting digestibility of crude protein, acid ether extract, and nitrogen-free extract of these diets were 79.5%, 91.6%, and 84.8%, respectively. The NB in every diet was positive: 1.4-8.6 mg/g dry matter of ingested diet. Of the nitrogen (N) ingested, 21% was excreted into feces, 66% was excreted into urine, and 13% was retained. In terms of dietary gross energy (GE), 18% was lost in feces and 5% was excreted into urine leaving 77% as ME. Retained energy in the body was only 1%, and N-corrected metabolizable energy (MEn) was 76% of GE. The average urinary energy (UE) loss per gram of urinary N was 7.84kcal. The correlation between UE/DCP and NB values is statistically significant: UE/DCP = 1.24-0.03NB, r = 0.798, P < 0.001. Therefore, UE/DCP is 1.24kcal/g at N-equilibrium, almost the same as the factor in the above equation. The ME value calculated by the equation is identical to the MEn value and both are significantly lower (P < 0.05) than the empirically determined ME value. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Effects of Atenolol or Losartan on Fibrinolysis and von Willebrand Factor in Hypertensive Patients With Left Ventricular Hypertrophy

Objectives: To compare the effects of the β-blocker atenolol with the angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) losartan on plasma tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA) activity and mass concentration, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) activity, tPA/PAI-1 complex, and von Willebrand factor (VWF). Design: A prespecified, explorative substudy in 22 patients with hypertension and left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) performed within randomized multicenter, double-blind prospective study. Results: After a median of 36 weeks of treatment, there were significant differences between the treatment groups, atenolol versus losartan, in plasma median levels of tPA mass (11.9 vs 7.3 ng/mL, P = .019), PAI-1 activity (20.7 vs 4.8 IU/mL, P = .030), and tPA/PAI-1 complex (7.1 vs 2.5 ng/mL, P = .015). In patients treated with atenolol, median levels of tPA mass (8.9-11.9 ng/mL, P = .021) and VWF (113.5%-134.3%, P = .021) increased significantly, indicating a change toward a more prothrombotic state. No significant changes occurred in the losartan group. Conclusion: Losartan treatment was associated with preserved fibrinolytic balance compared to a more prothrombotic fibrinolytic and hemostatic state in the atenolol group. These findings suggest different fibrinolytic and hemostatic responses to treatment in hypertensive patients with LVH.
Technology for Human Resources Management: Seven Questions and Answers

Public management is slowly being transformed by information technology. Technology today is the driver of new government processes for dealing with citizens and suppliers. But it is also reshaping important functions and processes that only those inside government may care about such as accounting, payroll, and personnel administration. Taken together, the internal and external impact of new technologies is changing the way governments manage and make decisions.1 This article examines the current state and future trends in human resource management systems (HRMS). Such systems are related to a broader “digital government” effort that seeks to apply technology to streamline government processes. The underlying architecture for digital government is the Internet and integrated administrative management systems (which are more commonly known as enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems). This article describes the technology and functional features of such systems and focuses specifically on the business benefits provided by the human resource management system (HRMS) components. Questions examined include: ▪ What are the challenging issues facing HRMS? ▪ What is the current state of HRMS technology? ▪ What is ERP? How is it related to HRMS? ▪ What are the major technology features of modern systems? ▪ What specific functions are encompassed by HRMS? ▪ What are the major business benefits of modern HRMS? ▪ What are some of the major risk factors in implementing HRMS solutions?
On the cost of being crude: a comparison of detailed and coarse occupational coding

Occupational categories constitute the backbone of sociological research in social stratification. However one conceptualizes occupational status (prestige, class, socio-economic status, cf. Ganzeboom & Treiman 2003), the way in which occupations are initially classified is always a core ingredient of the measurement procedure. Typically, in high quality surveys, information on occupations is recorded in a sequence of open-ended questions. These questions will ask for job title, main duties and activities, employment status and supervising status. Part of this information (usually job title and main activities/duties) is then converted to a detailed occupational classification in post-processing the information. The detailed occupational classifications used are mostly provided by national or international statistical agencies and often distinguish between 500 and 1500 different occupational categories. Coding these categories from the verbatim information is a time-intensive operation that consumes a substantial part of survey budgets.
Effect of Structural Modification on Photodynamic Activity of Hypocrellins

Abstract Aluminum ion complexed 5,8-di-Br-hypocrellin B is a new water-soluble perylenequinonoid derivative with enhanced absorption over hypocrellin B (HB) in the phototherapeutic window (600–900 nm). Electron paramagnetic resonance and 9,10-diphenyl-anthracene bleaching methods were used to investigate the photosensitizing activity of [Al2(5,8-di-Br-HB)Cl4]n in the presence of oxygen. Singlet oxygen, superoxide anion radical and hydroxyl radical can be generated by [Al2(5,8-di-Br-HB)Cl4]n photosensitization. Singlet oxygen (1O2) is formed via energy transfer from triplet-state [Al2(5,8-di-Br-HB)Cl4]n to ground-state molecular oxygen. 1O2 participates in the generation of a portion of superoxide anion radical (O2·−). Besides superoxide anion radical (O2·−) may originate from the electron transfer between the triplet-state [Al2(5,8-di-Br-HB)Cl4]n and the ground-state molecular oxygen. ·OH is formed through the Fenton–Haber–Weiss reaction and the decomposition of DMPO–1O2 adduct. Compared with HB [Al2(5,8-di-Br-HB)Cl4]n primarily remains and enhances the generation efficiency of superoxide anion radical and hydroxyl radical but that of singlet oxygen decreases.
Use of a solid‐phase fluorescent cytometric technique for the detection of bacteria in platelet concentrates

summary. Blood services worldwide are now striving to reduce the risk of transmission of bacteria by transfusion. The BacT/ALERT® microbial detection system (bioMérieux, Basingstoke, Hants, UK) is currently regarded as the ‘gold standard’ for bacterial screening of platelet concentrates. The BacT/ALERT® is a culture system and will not generate an ‘instant’ (within 2 h) determination. We report on the Scansystem™ (Hemosystem, Marseille, France), a solid‐phase fluorescent cytometric technique, which enables the rapid detection of bacteria (within 90 min) in platelet concentrates. The study was performed in two parts – one involving the routine screening of platelet concentrates and the other determining the sensitivity of the system. In both arms of the study, the BacT/ALERT® was used for comparative purposes. In total, 900 platelet concentrates were screened (63 apheresis and 837 buffy coat pooled). No bacteria were detected in any of the platelet concentrates tested by means of either the Scansystem™ or the BacT/ALERT®. The sensitivity of the Scansystem™ was in the order of 103 cfu mL−1. Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus were detected by using the Scansystem™ at 1 cfu mL−1. The BacT/ALERT® detected all organisms tested (n = 6) at 1 cfu mL−1. The Scansystem™ offers a sensitive alternative technology to bacterial culture, with the benefit of a rapid test time.