Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Incidence and predictors of post-cardiotomy delirium.

OBJECTIVE To determine the incidence and predictors of delirium after cardiac surgery. METHOD A prospective, observational study of postcardiotomy surgical patients was conducted during a 5 month period at the Minneapolis, MN, VAMC. RESULTS Of the 53 patients who completed the study, 12 patients (23%) met criteria for postoperative delirium and 18 patients (34%) met criteria for postoperative subsyndromal delirium. Significant predictors of postoperative delirium included a history of cerebrovascular disease (Charlson Index item, VA CICSP), high medical comorbidity (VA morbidity risk score, Charlson Index), increased preoperative creatinine level, and an increased preoperative pain rating. When delirium and subsyndromal delirium patients were combined, a history of cerebrovascular disease, left ventricular dysfunction, or diabetes predicted the development of delirious symptoms. CONCLUSIONS Incident delirium occurred in 23% of patients after cardiac surgery and incident delirium symptoms, in 57%. The strongest predictor of both incident delirium and delirium symptoms was a history of cerebrovascular disease.
Corpus-Based Diacritic Restoration for South Slavic Languages

In computer-mediated communication, Latin-based scripts users often omit diacritics when writing. Such text is typically easily understandable to humans but very difficult for computational processing because many words become ambiguous or unknown. Letter-level approaches to diacritic restoration generalise better and do not require a lot of training data but word-level approaches tend to yield better results. However, they typically rely on a lexicon which is an expensive resource, not covering non-standard forms, and often not available for less-resourced languages. In this paper we present diacritic restoration models that are trained on easy-to-acquire corpora. We test three different types of corpora (Wikipedia, general web, Twitter) for three South Slavic languages (Croatian, Serbian and Slovene) and evaluate them on two types of text: standard (Wikipedia) and non-standard (Twitter). The proposed approach considerably outperforms charlifter, so far the only open source tool available for this task. We make the best performing systems freely available.
The Impact of Real Rents and Wages on Household Formation

Although the economic literature has analyzed some components of the headship decision, study of household formation has been primarily in the realm of demography. The authors expand the demographic model to include economic determinants of the decision to remain with parents or not and to live with a group or separately. They focus on measuring the effect of spatial variations in rental costs on the probability of forming a household. The authors' results, based on a sample of 2,573 youths in their twenties, indicate that the cost of housing and potential labor earnings are important variables in explaining this probability. Copyright 1993 by MIT Press.
Multi-Level Balanced Isolated Floating Difference Amplifier

An innovative amplifier is proposed for applications involving high capacitive load and large voltage output swing, such as piezoelectric (PZT) actuator drivers. This amplifier is configured in a multi-level arrangement with floating amplifiers, yielding a high voltage gain as a sum of all individual gains from its operational amplifiers. The merits of such an amplifier also include a wide bandwidth and high potential power. Experiments using a six-level arrangement demonstrate a 100 kHz bandwidth with plusmn200 V output swing for different capacitive loadings.
Competition and Banking Efficiency in the CEMAC Zone

The objective of this study is to analyze the effect of competition on the cost and profit efficiency of banks in the Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa (CEMAC), over the period 2003–2010. The analysis is done in two stages. First, the stochastic frontier approach (SFA) permits us to estimate the efficiency scores and the competition levels measured by the adjusted Lerner index. Second, the competition measures thus obtained, and a set of control variables are introduced into a panel model to explain the cost and profit efficiencies. The results show that competition has been favorable to the profit efficiency, but not to the cost efficiency. This is because the diversification and the debtors’ prime rates have evolved in the expected way. However, the creditors’ prime rate, bank loans, inflation and the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) have evolved in an unexpected way. We recommend promotion of growth and a better inflation control by the government. As to the banks, they will gain from greater diversification of their products.
Health-related quality of life in Swedish patients with ulcerative colitis

Objective:The aim of this study was to characterize the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in a Swedish population of patients with ulcerative colitis.Methods:A total of 211 patients with ulcerative colitis were studied. Demographic and disease-related factors were noted. HRQOL was measured by one disease specific questionnaire, the Rating Form of IBD Patient Concerns (RFIPC) and one generic, The Sickness Impact Profile (SIP). Additional questions regarding information needs, medication, and well-being were asked. Disease activity was measured by symptom cards, laboratory samples, endoscopy, and two indices of disease activity. The influence of additional concomitant disease was also evaluated.Results:Functional impairment as measured by the SIP was primarily in psychological and social areas and to a lesser extent in the physical areas. The highest scores for individual items of the RFIPC were those related to potential complications, e.g., needing an ostomy appliance, needing surgery, developing cancer, losing bowel control, and uncertainty about the disease and effects of medication. Patients with active disease scored higher on both SIP and RFIPC when compared to patients in remission. Presence of coexisting disease weighted heavily on HRQOL.Conclusion:Ulcerative colitis has a negative influence on the subjective functional status and seems to cause many worries and concerns. Patients in relapse had greater concerns, more impairment of functional status, and a reduced subjective sense of well-being than patients in clinical remission. Nevertheless, the patients in this Swedish study scored a much better HRQOL than has previously been reported using these questionnaires in patients with ulcerative colitis from the US, France, and Austria.
INHIBITORY EFFECT OF EMODIN ON RAW 264.7 ACTIVATED WITH DOUBLE STRANDED RNA ANALOGUE POLY I:C

Background: Emodin (3-methyl-1, 6, 8-trihydroxyanthraquinone) is a compound which can be found in Polygoni Multiflori Radix (PMR). PMR is the root of Polygonum multiflorum. PMR is used to treat dizziness, spermatorrhea, sores, and scrofula as well as chronic malaria traditionally in China and Korea. The anti-tumor property of emodin was already reported. However, anti-viral activity of emodin on macrophages are not fully reported. Materials and Methods: Effects of emodin on RAW 264.7 mouse macrophages induced by polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (poly I:C), a synthetic analog of double-stranded RNA, were evaluated. Results: Emodin restored the cell viability in poly I: C-induced RAW 264.7 at concentrations of up to 50 μM. Emodin significantly inhibited the production of nitric oxide, IL-1α, IL-Ιβ, IL-6, GM-CSF, G-CSF, M-CSF, MCP-1, MIP-1a, MIP-Ιβ, MIP-2, RANTES, and IP-10 as well as calcium release and mRNA expression of signal transducer and activated transcription 1 (STAT1) in poly I:C-induced RAW 264.7 (P < 0.05). Conclusion: This study shows the inhibitory effect of emodin on poly I: C-induced RAW 264.7 via calcium-STAT pathway.
A Bacillus subtilis Gene of Previously Unknown Function, yhaG, Is Translationally Regulated by Tryptophan-Activated TRAP and Appears To Be Involved in Tryptophan Transport

ABSTRACT Computer analysis of the Bacillus subtilis genome sequence revealed a gene with no previously attributed function,yhaG, specifying a transcript containing a presumptive binding site for the tryptophan-activated regulatory protein, TRAP. The presumptive TRAP binding site overlaps the yhaGShine-Dalgarno sequence and translation initiation region. TRAP was shown to regulate expression of yhaG translationally. Production of the yhaG transcript in vivo was found to compete for the binding of TRAP to other known TRAP binding sites. YhaG is likely to be a transmembrane protein involved in tryptophan transport.
Development of a novel controlled-release nanocomposite based on poly(lactic acid) to increase the oxidative stability of soybean oil

A poly(lactic acid) (PLA)-based nanocomposite active packaging was developed for the controlled release of tert-butylhydroquinone (TBHQ) antioxidant. The PLA-based active films were loaded with only TBHQ (3% wt) or a mixture of modified cellulose nanofibre (MCNF) (8% wt) and TBHQ (3% wt) to obtain active and nanocomposite active films, respectively. Release studies indicated that the release rate of TBHQ in 95% ethanol simulant was significantly decreased by the addition of MCNF. Moreover, the presence of MCNF diminished the increasing effect of temperature on the release rate as when storage temperature increased from 4°C to 40°C. The diffusion coefficient (D) for PLA-TBHQ and PLA-MCNF-TBHQ films increased from 6.75 and 4.34 × 10−8 cm2 s−1 to 19.85 and 8.49 × 10−8 cm2 s−1, respectively. Diffusion of TBHQ to soybean oil was enough to delay the induction of the oxidation of soybean oil stored for 6 months in contact with PLA-based films. Antioxidative activity of PLA-based active films considerably increased with increasing storage time as indicated by the increase in 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity and the oxidative stability index (p < 0.05). This study demonstrates that effective controlled release antioxidant packaging could be obtained by using MCNF nanofiller, which leads to prolonged activity and an extended shelf-life in fatty foods.
The Kyoto Agreement and the pursuit of relative gains

The Kyoto Protocol is thus far the only broadly international effort to regulate emissions of greenhouse gases. The withdrawal of US support in 2001 was a major blow to the Protocol and has been attributed to the influence of fossil fuel lobby groups. This study argues that the Protocol was effectively rejected by the Senate before it was even signed in 1997, due to relative gains concerns over China. China is a major source of disquietude in the US after the end of the Cold War, and Kyoto would allow China to make significant gains in competitiveness due to the costs the US would incur for implementation. The empirical evidence based on Congressional debates lends support to the argument of relative gains.
Koch fractalized compact spiral antenna based on Fibonacci sequence

This paper demonstrates a novel approach to miniaturize equiangular spiral antenna using fractals. The antenna is approximated using Fibonacci sequence and its behavior is studied without ground plane for broadband response. Koch fractal curve is superimposed onto the Fibonacci spiral antenna for 2 iterate to examine the extent of miniaturization. The final prototype which is miniaturized by 41% exhibits similar broadband behavior and attributes as that of the Fibonacci spiral antenna.
An institutional perspective of non‐financial management accounting measures: a review of the financial services industry

The inadequacies of conventional management accounting (MA) systems increase the need of up‐to‐date MA information. However, critical non‐financial success factors are emerging in highly competitive technologically advanced business organisations, especially in the service sector with its increasing contribution to advanced economies and employment markets. As a result, the importance of the role of MA in measuring emerging non‐financial performance (NFP) is increasing in services, but comparatively little is known about non‐financial MA measures in services, and almost nothing in banks/financial institutions (BFI). This study attempts to review/investigate the practice of MA in NFP measurement of BFIs within the context of “new institutional sociology” theory and, consequently, to modify theory for further research that fits the dynamic nature of NFP in the financial services industry.
Optimal guidance in atmosphere for aeroassisted space rendezvous

Aiming at time constraint and trajectory phase angle constraint of aeroassisted space rendezvous, a approach guidance method belonging to the nominal guidance was presented. Due to initial trajectory errors and external disturbances existing in atmospheric flight, linear quadratic regulator was designed and computation method of weighted coefficient matrixes was given. Mathematic simulation example indicated that the designed regulator was strong robustness to the initial trajectory errors and external disturbances.
The Challenges Women Whistleblowers Face

Women Whistleblowers face unique challenges in the workplace. The headline news of ethical concerns in business is transforming the workplace culture and the workforce. More women are beginning to step forward when ethical concerns arise. However they experience gender differences within the corporate culture when they come forward. Women often approach ethical concerns in a different manner than men. This article will bring research to this issue and uncover the unique challenges that women encounter as whistleblowers and the relationship of social status.
Immune suppression and induction of gamma interferon by pertussis toxin

It has been suggested that pertussis toxin is a virulence factor of Bordetella pertussis. Although extracts enriched in pertussis toxin activity have been reported to enhance immune responsiveness, other studies have demonstrated a suppressive ability, suggesting that the toxin may contribute to the virulence of B. pertussis through mechanisms involving immune suppression. We report that purified pertussis toxin suppressed the in vitro immunoglobulin M antibody response of mouse splenocytes to sheep erythrocytes. At submitogenic doses, the toxin also suppressed [3H]thymidine incorporation by splenocytes, suggesting that it interfered with antibody formation by inhibiting lymphocyte proliferation. Antiviral activity was detected in culture supernatants obtained from pertussis toxin-suppressed splenocyte cultures by using a cytopathic effect inhibition assay. This antiviral activity was virus nonspecific, sensitive to pH 2.0 treatment, stable to heating at 56 degrees C, and neutralized by anti-gamma interferon antiserum. Finally, the fractionation of splenocytes by anti-immunoglobulin panning techniques suggested that Lyt2+ lymphocytes proliferated in response to pertussis toxin and produced interferon. Our results suggest that pertussis toxin may contribute to the virulence of B. pertussis through stimulation of Lyt2+ lymphocytes, resulting in the induction of gamma interferon and the subsequent inhibition of the primary antibody response.
Vulnerability Orderings for Expected Poverty Indices

type="main"> Vulnerability to poverty refers to the risk of an individual or household falling below the poverty line. A partial vulnerability to poverty ordering is defined to indicate when a situation characterized by uncertainty means that people are more vulnerable to poverty than in another situation. The family of expected poverty indices used in this context contains versions under vulnerability of many well-known poverty indices. The ordering resembles the Hardy et al. result on the Lorenz partial ordering. A separate ordering for the expected income gap ratio is also investigated. First-order stochastic dominance is used to indicate when the expected value of the censored returns from the states increases.
Treatment of hypertension in the elderly in 2010 – a brief review

Importance of the field: Populations, the world over, age. Prevalence of hypertension increases with advancing age. Despite the advances over the past 30 years, there are still unresolved issues regarding antihypertensive therapy in the elderly. Areas covered in this review: The present review discusses the available evidence supporting treatment of hypertension in the elderly. What the reader will gain: In the 1980s and 1990s, a number of trials were performed and proved that active treatment of hypertension in individuals above the age of 60 – 65 years, compared with placebo or no treatment, reduces the risk of complications. In the 1990s, the same was proven in patients specifically affected with isolated systolic hypertension, the predominant form of hypertension in the elderly. The subsequent years witnessed the publication of trials that showed that most antihypertensive drugs are capable of substantially reducing risk. Finally, treatment of hypertension in the very elderly was proven to be beneficial. Take home message: In spite of these advances, we still lack evidence in elderly patients with mild isolated systolic hypertension and are therefore in need of a properly designed, randomized, placebo-controlled trial.
A Cross-Sectional Test of Pecking Order Hypothesis Against Static Trade-Off Theory on UK Data

This study tests pecking order hypothesis against static trade-off theory on a cross-sectional sample of companies quoted on the London Stock Exchange. The study covers 1994-2000 and uses 608 firm-year observations. Evidence observed shows that new debt issues do not have the one-to-one relationship with internal funds flow deficits that pecking order hypothesis predicts. It appears from the evidence that only about 20-30% of internal funds flow deficit are financed by new debt issues and that while pecking order hypothesis does not explain new debt issues better than static trade-off theory, the theory explains levels of long term debt ratio much better than the hypothesis. Another interesting observation of the study is that pecking order hypothesis explains new debt issues much better at high debt ratio levels than at low debt ratio levels. Obviously, this is contrary to the suggestion of Shyam-Sunder and Myers (1999) that pecking order hypothesis should explain new debt issues better at low debt ratio levels than at high debt ratio levels. It is also observed that some of the variables suggested by static trade-off theory, but rejected by pecking order hypothesis as irrelevant to a firm's decision to issue new debt, such as expected growth and size, have significant power to explain new issues of debt. There is a considerable improvement in the fit with data when these variables are combined with internal funds flow deficits. However, evidence obtained from power tests conducted to determine whether the hypothesis and the theory are capable of giving negative results when they are false is mixed.
A novel approach for enhancement of geometric and contrast resolution properties of low contrast images

The present work encompasses a new image enhancement algorithm using newly constructed Chebyshev fractional order differentiator. We have used Chebyshev polynomials to design Chebyshev fractional order differentiator. We have generated the high pass filter corresponding to it. The designed filters are applied for decomposing the input image into four bands and low-low U+0028 L-L U+0029 sub-band is updated using correction coefficients. Reconstructed image with updated L-L sub-band provides the enhanced image. The visual results obtained are encouraging for image enhancement. The applicability of the developed algorithm is illustrated on three different test images. The effects of order of differentiation on the edges of images have also been presented and discussed.
Why Every Cluster Cannot be a Successful Community?

The study of clusters is an important area of academic research. Clusters are also an important tool for public sector economic development. Historically, many organically developed clusters were based around a community of like-minded people. This may have led to a commonly held assumption in the literature that all clusters are communities. We suggest that not every cluster is also a successful community, based on empirical findings for four biotechnology clusters. Three issues of interests to practitioners are causes for clusters not being communities, the link between cluster success and development of “community” and policy failure at creating community within clusters. The discussion also aims to extend theory, first, by dealing with the rarely discussed question of the lack of collaboration “across” communities, and secondly, by attempting to help develop a theory of community formation in clusters.
Unions and Risk: Their Impact on the Level of Compensation for Fatal Risk

This paper distinguishes between the premia for fatal risk in jobs covered by union-negotiated terms and conditions and the premia in uncovered jobs. It employs a model which allows for the endogeneity of both covered status and fatal job risk. Values of a life in both the covered and uncovered sectors are computed. Copyright 1996 by The London School of Economics and Political Science.
The fetal adrenal gland.

Attaining approximately twice the size of the fetal kidney in human fetuses by midgestation, the fetal adrenal gland has occasioned much investigative interest. In domestic and experimental animals, secretions of the fetal adre­ nal gland play a key role in the induction of enzymes in various organ systems and in the initiation of parturition. Therefore, research now seeks to assess the extent to which the adrenal gland subserves parallel roles in the subhuman primate and human fetus. This review focuses upon the development, function, and regulation of the fetal adrenal gland in monkeys and humans. Studies of fetal adrenal function and regulation in other spe­ cies are cited as appropriate.
More Flexible Use of Survey Data on Expectations in Macroeconomic Models

A flexible procedure is proposed whereby both the random and systematic errors in measurement of survey data on inflation expectations can be appropriately handled when these surveys are used in the estimation of macroeconomic models. During the period 1952–1980, Livingston's two expectations series and the SRC series systematically underestimated inflation expectations by nearly 25%. The ASA–NBER survey, however, does not exhibit such underestimation. Thus, the use of the Livingston or SRC data as an unbiased measure of the true expectations of inflation would result in overestimation of the Fisher effect and the ex ante real interest rate.
Design and fabrication of mode size adapter in a photosensitive polymer waveguide

In this letter, we show the possibility to create by a photoinscription method a refractive index taper, in a photosensitive polymer waveguide, in order to reduce the coupling losses during connection to a single-mode optical fiber. The process uses the postirradiation of the guide by an ultraviolet source to gradually decrease the refractive index from the guide to the fiber. The losses decrease is controlled in situ in real time.
Modeling of RTS noise in MOSFETs under steady-state and large-signal excitation

The behavior of RTS noise in MOSFETs under large-signal excitation is experimentally studied. Our measurements show a significant transient effect, in line with earlier reports. We present a new physical model to describe this transient behavior and to predict RTS noise in MOSFETs under large-signal excitation. With only three model parameters the behavior is well described, contrary to existing models.