Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A longitudinal study of serum creatinine levels in patients of rheumatoid arthritis on long term NSAID therapy.

AIM Primary: To study the effect of long term NSAID therapy on serum creatinine in patients of rheumatoid arthritis. Secondary: To study the effect of discontinuation, reduction in the dose or continuation of NSAID and of rechallenge. MATERIAL AND METHODS Case records of RA patients with a minimum two years of follow up were analysed. Age, sex, duration of RA, type, dose and duration of NSAID and DMARD therapy, co-morbid conditions and serial serum creatinine levels were charted. RESULTS Ninety nine case records were studied. Incidence of abnormal creatinine level (renal insufficiency) defined as rise in creatinine equal to or above the upper limit of normal was 27.7%. This rise was asymptomatic in all patients. No NSAID was particularly associated with an increased risk in renal insufficiency. The rise of serum creatinine was reversible in most patients irrespective of discontinuation or continuation of NSAID but settled at a higher level. Rechallenge resulted in rise of serum creatinine in 50% patients. Hypertension, DM, IHD and diuretics carried a higher but not statistically significant risk of renal insufficiency. CONCLUSION NSAID-induced asymptomatic rise of creatinine in patients of RA on long term NSAIDs is common. It is mostly reversible. Regular monitoring of serum creatinine is essential.
Synergistic Actions of Nisin, Sublethal Ultrahigh Pressure, and Reduced Temperature on Bacteria and Yeast

ABSTRACT Nisin in combination with ultrahigh-pressure treatment (UHP) showed strong synergistic effects against Lactobacillus plantarumand Escherichia coli at reduced temperatures (<15°C). The strongest inactivation effects were observed when nisin was present during pressure treatment and in the recovery medium. Elimination (>6-log reductions) of L. plantarum was achieved at 10°C with synergistic combinations of 0.5 μg of nisin per ml at 150 MPa and 0.1 μg of nisin per ml at 200 MPa for 10 min. Additive effects of nisin and UHP accounted for only 1.2- and 3.7-log reductions, respectively. Elimination was also achieved for E. coli at 10°C with nisin present at 2 μg/ml, and 10 min of pressure at 200 MPa, whereas the additive effect accounted for only 2.6-log reductions. Slight effects were observed even against the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae with nisin present at 5 μg/ml and with 200 MPa of pressure. Combining nisin, UHP, and lowered temperature may allow considerable reduction in time and/or pressure of UHP treatments. Kill can be complete without the frequently encountered survival tails in UHP processing. The slightly enhanced synergistic kill with UHP at reduced temperatures was also observed for other antimicrobials, the synthetic peptides MB21 and histatin 5. The postulated mode of action was that the reduced temperature and the binding of peptides to the membrane increased the efficacy of UHP treatment. The increases in fatty acid saturation or diphosphatidylglycerol content and the lysylphosphatidyl content of the cytoplasm membrane of L. plantarum were correlated with increased susceptibility to UHP and nisin, respectively.
Evaluation of the indirect immunofluorescence and complement fixation tests for the serodiagnosis of schistosomiasis.

Sera from patients with a variety of infections were used to compare the sensitivity and specificity of the complement fixation (CF) and the indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) tests for schistosomiasis. Adult antigens were used in both tests. The sensitivities of the IIF and CF tests were 95% and 69%, respectively; the specificities were 98% and 100%, respectively. There was no statistical difference between the number of positive reactors among those individuals with no detectable helminth infection and those infected with helminths other than schistosomes. Infected people native to endemic areas had lower reactivity in both tests than did infected U.S. citizens who resided in endemic areas for only a few years. We concluded that the IIF test with adult antigen was more sensitive than and as specific as the CF test; therefore, the IIF test is the procedure of choice for routine diagnostic serology of schistosomiasis.
SEF@UHH at SemEval-2017 Task 1: Unsupervised Knowledge-Free Semantic Textual Similarity via Paragraph Vector

This paper describes our unsupervised knowledge-free approach to the SemEval-2017 Task 1 Competition. The proposed method makes use of Paragraph Vector for assessing the semantic similarity between pairs of sentences. We experimented with various dimensions of the vector and three state-of-the-art similarity metrics. Given a cross-lingual task, we trained models corresponding to its two languages and combined the models by averaging the similarity scores. The results of our submitted runs are above the median scores for five out of seven test sets by means of Pearson Correlation. Moreover, one of our system runs performed best on the Spanish-English-WMT test set ranking first out of 53 runs submitted in total by all participants.
Mimicking the bird flocking behavior for controlling congestion in sensor networks

This study deals with the problem of congestion in wireless sensor networks (WSNs) and proposes a robust and self-adaptable nature-inspired congestion control approach for realtime event-based applications. WSNs face important limitations in terms of energy, memory and computational power. The uncontrolled use of limited resources in conjunction with the unpredictable nature of WSNs in terms of traffic load injection, wireless channel capacity fluctuations and topology modifications (e.g. due to node failures) may lead to congestion. Inspiration is drawn from the flocking and obstacle avoidance behavior of birds to ‘guide’ packets bypass obstacles like congestion regions and dead node zones. Recent studies showed that the flock-based congestion control (Flock-CC) approach is robust, self-adaptable and energy-efficient, involving minimal information exchange and computational burden when used in uniform grid topologies. The applicability of the Flock-CC in random topologies is investigated in this paper. Performance evaluations showed that Flock-CC was able to both alleviate congestion and minimize energy tax. Also, Flock-CC demonstrated robustness against failing nodes, and outperformed other congestion-aware routing approaches in terms of packet delivery ratio, end-to-end delay and energy tax.
Viscosity dependence of protein dynamics

The influence of solvent viscosity on protein dynamics was investigated with molecular dynamics simulations of factor Xa in two solvents differing only in viscosity, by a factor of 10. We obtained this viscosity change by changing the masses of the solvent atoms by a factor of 100. Equilibrium properties of the protein, that is, the average structure, its fluctuations, and the secondary structure, show no significant dependence on the solvent viscosity. The dynamic properties of the protein, that is, the atom‐positional correlation times and torsional angle transitions, however, depend on the solvent viscosity. The protein appears to be much more mobile in the solvent of lower viscosity. It feels the influence of the solvent not only on the surface but even in its core. With increasing solvent viscosity, the positional relaxation times of atoms in the protein core increase as much as those of atoms on the protein surface, and the relative increase in the core is even larger than on the surface. Proteins 2001;42:414–421. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Effect of pelvic position and stretching method on hamstring muscle flexibility.

Hamstring muscle strain represents a significant injury to the athlete participating in sporting activities. Lack of hamstring flexibility has been correlated to hamstring muscle injury. There is, however, conflict concerning the most efficient hamstring stretching technique. The purpose of this study was to compare static stretch (SS) and proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) hamstring stretching techniques while maintaining the pelvis in two testing positions: anterior pelvic tilt (APT) or posterior pelvic tilt (PPT). Two groups of 10 subjects were randomly assigned to either an APT or PPT position. Each subject then performed eight sessions using PNF on one leg and SS on the other leg while maintaining the pelvis in the assigned position. Hamstring flexibility was assessed with the hip positioned at 90 degrees while actively extending the knee, i.e., active knee extension test (AKET). A two-way ANOVA comparing stretching technique and pelvic position revealed that the APT group significantly increased hamstring flexibility (P = 0.0375). There was not a significant difference between SS or PNF stretching technique in the APT position. There was not a significant increase in hamstring flexibility in the PPT group with either stretching technique (P > 0.05). The results suggest that APT position was more important than stretching method for increasing hamstring muscle flexibility.
Analysis of duplexing modes in the IEEE 802.16 wireless system

The IEEE 802.16 standard defines two main duplexing modes: Time Division Duplexing (TDD) and Frequency Division Duplexing (FDD). The FDD can be divided further into Full-FDD (F-FDD) and Half-FDD (H-FDD). F-FDD requires full duplexing support from subscriber stations and works with two frequency bands. TDD operates a single frequency band, but it does not need full-duplexing support. H-FDD is a combination of these: it works with two frequency bands and does not require full-duplexing support. The cost of this is a more complicated scheduling and added overhead. Still, H-FDD might be the only possible duplexing mode in some occasions. In this paper, these duplexing modes are compared and the H-FDD specific features, such as group balancing, are presented. The simulation results show that H-FDD does not quite match the performance of F-FDD or TDD. In the downlink direction, F-FDD and TDD have similar performance but in the uplink direction F-FDD can benefit from subchannelization gain with fewer bursts per frame.
Shielding Effectiveness Characterization of Metallic Rectangular Cascaded Enclosures

This paper presents a generalized model to investigate the wideband shielding performance of metallic rectangular cascaded enclosures with multiple rectangular apertures. The mathematical methodology is based on the integral equation technique combined with the method of moments, by which all unknown aperture fields are solved according to a set of linear algebraic equations of infinite order. Numerical computations are performed to show frequency- and geometry-dependent shielding effectiveness, especially of double- and triple-section cascaded enclosures, respectively. It is found that using metallic cascaded enclosures, high shielding performance can be achieved.
Mechanically isolated hepatocytes are unsuitable to detect antibodies directed against plasma membrane determinants.

The ultrastructural morphology of mechanically and enzymatically isolated hepatocytes was compared. Plasma membrane integrity was evaluated by electron microscopy, both in the absence and in the presence of ruthenium red, which stains cell coat glycoproteins and makes it possible to identify even partially permeable cells, and by indirect immunofluorescence using experimental antibodies directed against epithelial submembranous components (prekeratin, actin). In order to evaluate the antigenic integrity of the hepatocellular plasma membrane after the isolation procedures, an immuno-electronmicroscopical technique (Staph. pA-colloidal gold) was applied using the IgG fraction from two liver-kidney microsomal antibody (LKM) positive sera, known to react with both plasma membranes and smooth endoplasmic reticulum (SER). Enzymatic procedure made it possible to isolate hepatocytes with a good preservation of both plasma membranes and subcellular organelles. Ruthenium red staining was confined to plasma membranes, thus indicating the preservation of both cell-coat glycoproteins and plasma membrane. Most cells were negative after exposure to experimental antibodies. After exposure to LKM positive sera colloidal gold was strictly confined to the plasma membrane. On the other hand, mechanically isolated hepatocytes showed wide interruptions of the plasma membrane and gross alterations of subcellular organelles. Most cells were stained by ruthenium red, thus confirming the plasma membrane permeability. In addition, a linear peripheral positivity was found in the vast majority of the cells tested with anti-prekeratin and anti-actin antibodies. LKM-colloidal gold complexes were found at the level of both residual plasma membrane and SER. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Consumer Satisfaction Theories: A Critical Review

The marketing and consumer behavior literature has traditionally suggested that customer satisfaction is a relative concept, and is always judged in relation to a standard (Olander, 1977). Consequently, in the course of its development, a number of different competing theories based on various standards have been postulated for explaining customer satisfaction. The theories include the Expectancy-Disconfirmation Paradigm (EDP), the Value-Precept Theory, the Attribution Theory, the Equity Theory, the Comparison Level Theory, the Evaluation Congruity Theory, the Person-Situation-Fit model, the PerformanceImportance model, the Dissonance, and the Contrast Theory.
A Return to the Cash Conversion Cycle and Corporate Returns

A little over twenty years ago, Jose, Lancaster, and Stevens (1996) wrote a paper examining the relationship between profitability and ongoing liquidity management for firms over a twenty-year period, from 1974 to 1993. They test the relationship between the cash conversion cycle, ongoing liquidity management, and other methods of profitability using a regression analysis (Jose, Lancaster, and Stevens, 1996). This paper aims to do the same but with a selection of firms over a different twenty-year period, from 1993 to 2013. We implement Jose et al.’s methodology with updated data to see if contemporary data yields similar results: aggressive working capital management policies enhance profitability and performance. The previous literature found that the cash conversion cycle does have an implication for the profitability and the liquidity of a company. This study replicates these processes and examines the impact to stock returns in addition to traditional measures, ROA and ROE. We gather data from 1974-2017 from firms on Compustat and estimate regression analyses of the cash conversion cycle, ROA, and ROE. There is strong evidence that working capital management policies still affect profitability and performance. Using the same time period, we create a calendar time portfolios of high and low CCC firms. By applying the Fama-French factors, we find that firms with higher cash conversion cycles have lower risk-adjusted stock returns.
PWM waveform generation using rotary encoder on Spartan-3E starter kit

A PWM waveform generator with variable duty cycle has been designed and implemented in this paper. The design has been simulated for different frequencies. The waveform is generated on Spartan 3E FPGA starter kit which has on board rotary encoder. The on board clock signal and rotary encoder generates the required PWM signal. The duty cycle of PWM is varied by rotating the encoder in clockwise and anticlockwise directions. Various frequencies of PWM signal is generated by pressing it up and down. The design has been proposed where duty cycle can be varied from 0 to 100%. The frequency of the on board clock signal i.e., 50 MHz and this has been varied to generate different frequencies. The output can be observed on DSO and CRO. The PWM is used in controlling inverters, electrical motors and many communication and control applications. The usage of FPGA provides the reconfigurable architecture and also provides flexibility as well as economically viable.
#13ReasonsWhy Twitter Users are Tweeting about a Netflix Show about Teen Suicide

This study explored how Twitter users engaged with and responded to a popular Netflix series on the topic of teen suicide. This research is set within an emerging research stream focused on how people use social media to discuss issues, events, or, in this case, an entertainment product. Because this study focused on a Netflix program that released all 13 episodes on the day it premiered, it differed from previous studies that explored conversation about broadcast television series. Topics discussed by users in original tweets and retweets, the prevalence of Twitter interactivity about the show, and the communities formed were examined in this study.
Preimmunization epidemiology of hepatitis B virus infection in South African children

The prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) was determined in a community‐based, cross‐sectional, age‐stratified sample of children from 0 to 6 years of age (n = 2,299) from the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. The purpose of the study was to investigate the epidemiology and the age of acquisition of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in children, thus providing a preimmunization baseline measure of this infection in the population targeted for HBV immunization in South Africa. Overall, 10.4% (95% CI, 9.2–11.7) of the children tested were HBsAg‐positive. There was a high rate of positivity in the 0–6‐ and 7–12‐month age groups at 8.1% (95% CI, 5.5–11.7) and 8.9% (95% CI, 6.1–12.7), respectively, suggesting a higher rate of early acquisition of this infection than previously reported in South Africa. The proportion of HBsAg‐positive children increased significantly with increasing age (χ trend2 = 5.9, df = 1, P = 0.02), reaching 15.7% in the 61–72‐month age group. This is the highest rate of HBV infection reported in community‐based children from South Africa, indicating a significant burden of this infection. The difference in HBsAg prevalence between urban and rural children was not statistically significant (χ2 = 0.32, df = 1, P = 0.57). There was also no difference in positivity between males (10.5%; 95% CI, 8.7–12.5) and females (9.8%; 95% CI, 8.1–11.7), (χ2 = 0.006, df = 1, P = 0.94). This study provides the most recent preimmunization, community‐based baseline investigation of the epidemiology of HBV infection in children targeted for universal immunization in South Africa. J. Med. Virol. 58:111–115, 1999. © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Using measurement and simulation for understanding distributed development processes in the cloud

Organizations increasingly develop software in a distributed manner. The Cloud provides an environment to create and maintain software-based products and services. Currently, it is widely unknown which software processes are suited for Cloud-based development and what their effects in specific contexts are. This paper presents a process simulation to study distributed development in the Cloud. We contribute a simulation model, which helps analyzing different project parameters and their impact on projects carried out in the Cloud. The simulator helps reproducing activities, developers, issues and events in the project, and it generates statistics, e.g., on throughput, total time, and lead and cycle time. The aim of this simulation model is thus to analyze the tradeoffs regarding throughput, total time, project size, and team size. Furthermore, the modified simulation model aims to help project managers select the most suitable planning alternative. Based on observed projects in Finland and Spain, we simulated a distributed project using artificial and real data. Particularly, we studied the variables project size, team size, throughput, and total project duration. A comparison of the real project data with the results obtained from the simulation shows the simulation producing results close to the real data, and we could successfully replicate a distributed software project. By improving the understanding of distributed development processes, our simulation model thus supports project managers in their decision-making.
Tackling psychosocial maladjustment in Parkinson’s disease patients following subthalamic deep-brain stimulation: A randomised clinical trial

Background Subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation (STN-DBS) is an effective treatment for the motor and non-motor signs of Parkinson’s disease (PD), however, psychological disorders and social maladjustment have been reported in about one third of patients after STN-DBS. We propose here a perioperative psychoeducation programme to limit such social and familial disruption. Methods Nineteen PD patients and carers were included in a randomised single blind study. Social adjustment scale (SAS) scores from patients and carers that received the psychoeducation programme (n = 9) were compared, both 1 and 2 years after surgery, with patients and carers with usual care (n = 10). Depression, anxiety, cognitive status, apathy, coping, parkinsonian disability, quality-of-life, carers’ anxiety and burden were also analysed. Results Seventeen patients completed the study, 2 were excluded from the final analysis because of adverse events. At 1 year, 2/7 patients with psychoeducation and 8/10 with usual care had an aggravation in at least one domain of the SAS (p = .058). At 2 years, only 1 patient with psychoeducation suffered persistent aggravated social adjustment as compared to 8 patients with usual care (p = .015). At 1 year, anxiety, depression and instrumental coping ratings improved more in the psychoeducation than in the usual care group (p = .038, p = .050 and p = .050, respectively). No significant differences were found between groups for quality of life, cognitive status, apathy or motor disability. Conclusions Our results suggest that a perioperative psychoeducation programme prevents social maladjustment in PD patients following STN-DBS and improves anxiety and depression compared to usual care. These preliminary data need to be confirmed in larger studies.
How foreign investments contribute to economic growth of industrial parks in China: a production-frontier decomposition approach

ABSTRACT We study the importance of foreign direct investment for economic growth of 52 Chinese industrial parks from 2007 to 2015. For this task, we extend a production-frontier methodology, specially designed to decompose economic growth into different sources, to take two types of capital into account. Our results reveal that foreign capital is necessary for boosting economic growth of the parks, but domestic capital played the main role.
On the combining schemes for MIMO systems with hybrid ARQ

Multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) systems with hybrid automatic-repeat-request (HARQ) promises high throughput with high reliability. However, combining-scheme design for such systems faces challenges, the presence of interference and the existence of multiple signal-to-interference-and-noise power ratios (SINRs). To overcome these challenges, this paper suggests to design combining schemes with the objective of directly optimizing the log-likelihood ratio (LLR) values. Using this approach, this paper proposes several combining schemes and then analyzes them based on three key design factors: decoding performance, scalability, and memory requirement. Computer simulations under the IEEE 802.16e standard settings show the performances of the proposed combining schemes, which align well with the analysis. Based on the analyses and the simulation results, this paper suggests preferable combining schemes respectively for MIMO systems with HARQ-chase combining (HARQ-CC) and HARQ-incremental redundancy (HARQ-IR).