Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Assessing the severity of truncal gunshot wounds: a nation-wide analysis from Finland.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS Gunshot wounds of the chest and abdomen are potentially life-threatening, but there is a great variation in their actual severity emphasising the importance of accurate severity assessment for prehospital decision-making, clinical management and outcome prediction. The purpose was to analyse the severity of truncal gunshot injuries from a nation wide data base during a 5-year period with comparison to a previous 5-year period, and to assess the ability of the New Injury Severity Score (NISS) in comparison with the "old" Injury Severity Score (ISS) in predicting short-term morbidity. MATERIAL AND METHODS Based on the National Hospital Discharge Register, 199 patients admitted for truncal gunshot wounds in Finland during 1990-4 were identified and their hospital records analysed. RESULTS Of the 199 truncal gunshot wounds, 146 (73%) were caused by low, 16 (8%) by high-energy bullets and 37 (19%) by shotgun blasts. Sixty-seven patients (34%) had wounds, which did not enter the thoracic or abdominal cavity. Nonoperative management including wound surgery and placement of a chest tube was possible in 86% of the thoracic wounds, 13% of the thoracoabdominal and 19% of the abdominal wounds. The overall mortality and morbidity rates were 2% and 23%, respectively. In comparison to the previous 5-year period, there was a 47% increase in total and 67% increase in truncal gunshot wound admissions. The presence of cavitary penetration (positive predictive value 31% and negative predictive value 93% for morbidity), the ISS and the NISS scores were all statistically significant (p = 0.000 in all categories) predictors of hospital morbidity and length of stay. CONCLUSIONS The admission rate for gunshot wounds in Finland is increasing. A large proportion of patients can be managed nonoperatively and the overall outcome is very good. Both ISS and NISS scores can be used to predict hospital morbidity and length of stay with little benefit in replacing ISS with NISS. The assessment of cavitary penetration is useful and has a high negative predictive value for short-term morbidity.
Reducing macrophages to improve bone marrow stromal cell survival in the contused spinal cord

We tested whether reducing macrophage infiltration would improve the survival of allogeneic bone marrow stromal cells (BMSC) transplanted in the contused adult rat thoracic spinal cord. Treatment with cyclosporine, minocycline, or methylprednisolone all resulted in a significant decrease in macrophage infiltration at 3 days postinjury. However, when BMSC were injected at that time point, survival 7 days later was similar between treatment groups and saline-injected controls. In fact, we found that the presence of BMSC resulted in a significant increase in macrophage infiltration into the contusion.
A Multivariate Analysis of Loss Reserving Estimates in Property-Liability Insurers

This article tests the hypotheses that exogenous economic developments and smoothing activity significantly affect loss reserving errors in the automobile liability insurance line. A sample of sixteen large automobile liability insurers is analyzed using pooled, cross-section time series regression for the period 1955-1975. The results indicate that loss reserving errors do stabilize reported underwriting results and that exogenous economic factors such as interest rates and unanticipated inflation are significantly related to loss reserving errors for the sample insurers. These findings can be used by regulators and stockholders to evaluate insurer performance more meaningfully.
Osteoporotic vertebral fractures: current concepts of conservative care.

INTRODUCTION Osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (VCFs) are a growing public health problem with important socio-economic effects in western countries. In the USA, 10 million people over 50 suffer from osteoporosis. In these patients, 1.5 million annual fractures have been registered, and 50% of these are vertebral compression. SOURCES OF DATA We performed a comprehensive search of PubMed, Medline, Cochrane, CINAHL and Embase databases using various combinations of the keywords 'osteoporosis', 'vertebral compression fractures', 'brace', 'bracing', 'orthosis', 'conservative management' and 'rehabilitation' over the years 1966-2011. All articles relevant to the subject were retrieved, and their bibliographies were hand searched for further references in the context of conservative management of osteoporotic vertebral fractures. AREAS OF AGREEMENT Conservative management for patients with osteoporotic vertebral fractures includes bed rest, pain medication, physiotherapy and bracing. AREAS OF CONTROVERSY A conservative management for patients with osteoporotic VCFs s has not been standardized. The utility of vertebral augmentation techniques has been questioned by recent randomized controlled trials. GROWING POINTS Randomized controlled trials are being performed worldwide on vertebral augmentation techniques. AREAS TIMELY FOR DEVELOPING RESEARCH Although spinal orthoses are commonly used for the management of patients with osteoporotic vertebral fractures, in the literature there is only one randomized controlled trial on bracing for this condition. While the best conservative management for subjects with osteoporotic VCFs s is not defined and standardized, no conclusions on the superiority of vertebral augmentation techniques over conservative management can be drawn.
The impact of malocclusion/orthodontic treatment need on the quality of life. A systematic review.

OBJECTIVE To assess the current evidence of the relationship between malocclusion/orthodontic treatment need and quality of life (QoL). MATERIALS AND METHODS Four electronic databases were searched for articles concerning the impact of malocclusion/orthodontic treatment need on QoL published between January 1960 and December 2007. Electronic searches were supplemented by manual searches and reference linkages. Eligible literature was reviewed and assessed by methodologic quality as well as by analytic results. RESULTS From 143 reviewed articles, 23 met the inclusion criteria and used standardized health-related QoL (HRQoL) and orthodontic assessment measures. The majority of studies (18/23) were conducted among child/adolescent populations. Seventeen of the papers were categorized as level 1 or 2 evidence based on the criteria of the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine. An observed association between HRQoL and malocclusion/orthodontic treatment need was generally detected irrespective of how they were assessed. However, the strength of the association could be described as modest at best. Key findings and future research considerations are described in the review. CONCLUSIONS Findings of this review suggest that there is an association (albeit modest) between malocclusion/orthodontic treatment need and QoL. There is a need for further studies of their relationship, particularly studies that employ standardized assessment methods so that outcomes are uniform and thus amenable to meta-analysis.
An Algorithmic Solution of Sequential Homophonic Ciphers

REMOVE_HOMOPHONES is a new cryptanalytic algorithm for the reduction of a sequential homophonic cipher without word divisions into a simple substitution cipher [8]. Sets of homophones, defined in the cipher alphabet, are detected algorithmically, without the use of either frequency analysis or trial-and-error backtracking, in a ciphertext-only attack. Given the output of REMOVE_HOMOPHONES, a simple substitution cipher, probabilistic relaxation [9,13] can complete the algorithmic solution of sequential homophonic ciphers without word divisions.
Properties and applications of monoclonal antibodies directed against determinants of the Thy-1 locus.

Fusion of cells of the mouse myeloma line, P3/X63-Ag8 with spleen cells from AKR/J mice immunized against C3H thymocytes or from (BALB/c x BALB.K)F1 mice immunized against AKR/J thymocytes gave rise to hybrid cell lines that continuously secrete antibodies specific for the Thy-1.2 and Thy-1.1 antigens, respectively. Monoclonal antibodies from four such cell lines were analyzed in detail. All were 19S IgM, and, in the presence of complement (C), had high lytic titers on T cells of the appropriate antigenicity. Their specificity was shown by lysis of thymocytes from Thy-1 congenic mouse strains, A/J(Thy-1.2) and A. Thy 1.1. Furthermore, they lyse only 60 to 70% of lymph node cells, suggesting cytotoxicity for mature T cells and not B cells. Treatment of peripheral lymphocyte populations with monoclonal antibody plus C eliminated effector cytotoxic T lymphocytes, their precursors, and the mitogenic response to Con A, but did not affect the response to LPS. Purified, fluorescein-labeled monoclonal anti-Thy-1 antibody could be used to distinguish T and B cells. Purified antibody coupled to Sepharose 6MB was used to separate viable T and B cells. Two independently isolated anti-Thy-1.2 hybridomas are indistinguishable and bind the same determinant whereas a third is unique and may bind a separate site.
Discrepancies among consensus documents, guidelines, clinical practice and the legal framework for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus patients.

In this paper we analyse the discrepancies that exist in the widespread prescription of metformin in patients with type 2 diabetes and the lack of guidelines concerning its prescription in the different stages of renal failure. This cross-sectional study includes 304 patients with type 2 diabetes treated with oral antidiabetic drugs (ADOs) and a glomerular filtration rate (estimated GFR) <60ml/min/1.73m2. Patients were attended in consecutive visits to primary health centres or in hospital departments of endocrinology or nephrology during 2010. We studied the frequency of metformin and other ADO prescriptions according to renal function and the department in which the patient was treated. The ADO most frequently prescribed was metformin (54.9%), followed by repaglinide (47.7%), DPP4 inhibitors (28.6%), and sulfonylureas (18.4%). However, in nephrology departments, repaglinide was more frequently prescribed than metformin (P<.001), whereas in primary health centres, the prescription of DPP4 inhibitors increased. In patients with an estimated GFR of 15-29ml/min/1.73m2, metformin (13.3%) and sulfonylureas were the least prescribed, whereas metformin was much more frequently prescribed (70.0%) when estimated GFR was 45-59ml/min/1.73m2 (P<.001). In contrast, patients with an estimated GFR of 15-29ml/min/1.73m2 were mainly prescribed repaglinide (76.7%), as opposed to patients with an estimated GFR of 45-59ml/min/1.73m2 (38.9%) (P<.001). Substantial evidence suggests that the recommendations for the use of ADO should be modified. This would lead to safely prescribing ADO in patients with an estimated GFR<60ml/min/1.73m2, and more importantly in medical practice, according to the law.
Recursive least squares Harmonic identification in active power filters

A new least squares Harmonic identification technique is developed. This technique is used basically to estimate the fundamental component of the current drawn by nonlinear loads in order to calculate the reference currents of the active power filter on line. The effectiveness of the proposed technique is tested under a sudden change of the nonlinear load. The performance of the proposed technique is compared with the conventional harmonic extraction technique based on the synchronous reference frame method. Simulation results are given for both the proposed and the conventional technique.
Immature Ixodes scapularis (Acari: Ixodidae) parasitizing lizards from the southeastern U.S.A.

Preserved museum specimens of 13 lizard and 3 snake species common in the southeastern U.S.A. were examined for immature Ixodes scapularis Say ticks. Five Eumeces and 4 Ophisaurus lizard species yielded an infestation prevalence of 17.8% for species of Eumeces and 29.0% for species of Ophisaurus. Mean intensity of larvae and nymphs was 7.1 and 2.7, respectively, for species of Eumeces, and 6.3 and 1.4, respectively, for species of Ophisaurus. Collection dates of the lizards ranged from January through December, but most were collected from March through October. The maximum number of immatures found on a single specimen was 193 larvae and 11 nymphs on a specimen of Eumeces and 75 larvae and 7 nymphs on a specimen of Ophisaurus. For species of Eumeces, 75.2% of all nymphs observed were attached in the shoulder area. Larvae were most abundant on the rear legs (53.3%), followed by the front legs (26.3%) and shoulders (12.9%). Larvae and nymphs on species of Ophisaurus were found almost exclusively in the lateral groove area (84.0% and 94.4%, respectively). Three other lizard species (Anolis carolinensis, Sceloporus undulatus, Scincella lateralis) had only a few ticks or none. A fourth species, Cnemidophorus sexlineatus, hosted a total of 3 larvae on 3 specimens (infestation prevalence, 10.7%). Three snake species (Diadophis punctatus, Virginia striatula, Crotalus adamanteus) had none.
Linear independence of steering vectors of an electromagnetic vector sensor

We investigate linear independence of steering vectors of one electromagnetic vector sensor. We show that every three steering vectors with distinct directions of arrival (DOAs) are linearly independent. We also show that four steering vectors with distinct DOAs are linearly independent if the ellipticity angles of the signals associated with any two of the four steering vectors are distinct. Moreover, every four steering vectors corresponding to circularly polarized signals with the same spin direction are linearly dependent. We then establish that five steering vectors are linearly independent if exactly two or three of them correspond to circularly polarized signals with the same spin direction. Finally, we demonstrate that given any five steering vectors, then for any DOA there exists a steering vector that is linearly dependent on the five steering vectors.
Inhibition of calcium currents by noradrenaline, somatostatin and opioids in guinea‐pig submucosal neurones.

1. Whole‐cell recordings were made from submucosal neurones acutely dissociated from guinea‐pigs. The actions of noradrenaline, somatostatin and [Met5]enkephalin on currents carried by calcium ions were studied. 2. On depolarization from a holding potential of ‐70 mV, an inward current activated at ‐40 mV, reached its peak amplitude at 10 mV and reversed to outward at 72 mV (with external calcium of 5 mM and internal caesium of 160 mM). 3. Cadmium, nickel and cobalt reversibly blocked the calcium current; concentrations causing 50% block were 2.5, 500 and 2000 microM respectively. The calcium current (holding at ‐70 or ‐30 mV) was reversibly blocked by omega‐conotoxin (100 nM), and unaffected by Bay K 8644 (0.1‐10 microM) and nifedipine (1 microM). Cadmium caused an outward shift in holding current at ‐30 mV, implying that there was a persistent inward calcium current at this potential. 4. Noradrenaline, somatostatin and [Met5]enkephalin decreased the calcium current. The maximal inhibition observed with any one agonist, or with a combination of two agonists, did not exceed 50%; concentrations giving half‐maximal inhibition were 5.5 microM for noradrenaline, 4 nM for somatostatin and 1 microM for [Met5]enkephalin. The inhibition was independent of membrane potential. All three agonists also reduced the persistent calcium current at ‐30 mV. 5. Inhibition of the calcium current by noradrenaline occurred with a latency of not less than 175 ms; cadmium applied by the same method depressed the current within 5‐45 ms. 6. Experiments with selective agonists and antagonists indicated that the receptor types involved in calcium current inhibition were alpha 2‐adrenoceptors and delta‐opioid receptors. Somatostatin acted at a distinct receptor. 7. Calcium currents were also inhibited by intracellular dialysis with guanosine 5'‐O‐(3‐thiotriphosphate) (GTP‐gamma‐S). Agonists were ineffective in cells pre‐treated with pertussis toxin, but their action was restored when purified GTP‐binding proteins (Go or Gi) were included in the intracellular recording solution. 8. It is concluded that noradrenaline, somatostatin and [Met5]enkephalin act at their respective receptors on guinea‐pig submucosal neurones to inhibit a voltage‐dependent calcium current. Activation of the same receptors also increases a potassium conductance in these cells: in both cases a pertussis‐sensitive G protein is involved.
Advances in ALOHA random multiple access techniques

Since the 1970s random multiple access techniques have made big progress and found a wide application in modern communication systems. In this paper we review the evolution of ALOHA random multiple access techniques: from pure ALOHA to Spread ALOHA. We introduce the principle of Spread ALOHA, investigate the relationship between spread-spectrum CDMA and Spread ALOHA, and discuss the prospective applications of Spread ALOHA. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Oligopoly: A Unified View

The theory of oligopoly has a long history and a chequered tradition. Since the pioneering work of Cournot [1] an extensive literature has prolif erated on this subject. Many paradigms under the rubric of this generic market morphology have been constructed. Debates, controversy and con tinuous reconstruction of this market phenomenon have enrichted everyone's understanding quite a great deal. Nevertheless one is substantially at a loss in the maze of so many results derived in this area of investigation. The purpose of this paper is to unify most of the major developments in this field, to synthesise the apparently unrelated or contradictory results, and finally to present the issues of existence, uniqueness and stability which have sprung up seriously rather in recent past in
Intracellular Calcium and Myosin Isoform Transitions

Intracellular calcium levels can have profound effects on muscle biology via alterations in gene expression. In particular, intracellular calcium levels increase during muscle activation and are thought to underlie fast-to-slow shifts in muscle gene expression. In the present work, we determined that increased intracellular calcium has a significant effect on the activity of the adult fast myosin heavy chain (MyHC) promoters in the order of MyHC IIa ≫ IId/x > IIb. We have identified the pathways by which the calcium signal mediates increased activation of the MyHC IIa promoter. Inhibition of calcineurin or calcium-calmodulin kinase greatly attenuates ionophore-induced activation of the MyHC IIa promoter, whereas protein kinase C inhibitors have no effect. Inhibition and overexpression studies with members of the mitogen-activated protein kinase family reveal roles for MEK1/MEK2 and MEKK1, but not p38 or phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase. Downstream mediators of these effects are the activities of the MEF-2 and NFAT transcription factors, whose binding sites in the MyHC IIa promoter are required for calcium-induced activation of the MyHC IIa promoter.
Foreign direct investment and economic growth: empirical evidence from India

Foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows are considered to be one of the key factors in determining economic growth. As a fast developing economy, India has attracted lot of FDI in the recent past. The country which enjoys a higher economic growth is in a great position to attract larger FDI as it has the ability to generate higher return on the foreign investments. The study discusses the relationship between FDI flows into the country and economic growth during the period January 2000 to December 2014 using the quarterly data. The purpose of the study is to find the interrelationship between FDI and gross domestic product (GDP) in India. The study uses correlation, Granger causality test, Johansen cointegration test and vector autoregression (VAR) for studying the interrelationship between the variables. This study explores a positive association between the FDI inflows and GDP in the Indian economy. The study explores the unidirectional relationship flowing from FDI to GDP.
Accumulation of Pb , Zn , Cu and Fe in plants and hyperaccumulator choice in Galali iron mine area , Iran

ABSTRACT: In current time the environment is heavily polluted by various toxic metals, which create a danger for all living beings. Phytoremediation can be potentially used to remediate metal-contaminated sites. A major step towards the development of phytoremediation of heavy metal impacted soils is the discovery of the heavy metal hyperaccumulation in plants. This study evaluated the potential of 23 species growing on a contaminated site in a mining area. The case study was represented by a mining area in Hamadan province in the North West part of Iran. This study showed that the most of sampled species were able to grow on heavily metal-contaminated soils and also were able to accumulate extraordinarily high concentrations of some metals such as Pb, Zn, Cu and Fe. Based on the obtained results and using the most common criteria, Euphorbia macroclada can be classified as hyperaccumulator of some measured heavy metals and, therefore, it has suitable potential for phytoremediation of contaminated soils.
Laboratory assessment of new anticoagulants

Abstract With the introduction of new anticoagulant agents, there is a need for information on which coagulation tests are most suitable. These agents react differently to assays used to monitor older anticoagulant agents because they have alternative modes of action. Therefore, other tests, or modifications of existing tests which are more appropriate for newer agents, are needed. The prothrombin time test (with conversion to the international normalized ratio) is usually used to monitor warfarin. However, conversion to the international normalized ratio is not appropriate for measuring the effects of fondaparinux, dabigatran, rivaroxaban or apixaban. Instead, chromogenic assays, one-step prothrombinase-induced clotting time test and the HepTest with reduced incubation time, are among the different or modified tests that appear to give the most reproducible and accurate results. The tests show variations in response to anticoagulants – some of which have clinical relevance. Thus, it is important to be aware of the observed variations in order to prevent the misinterpretation of test results.
Hazardous Compounds in Tobacco Smoke

Tobacco smoke is a toxic and carcinogenic mixture of more than 5,000 chemicals. The present article provides a list of 98 hazardous smoke components, based on an extensive literature search for known smoke components and their human health inhalation risks. An electronic database of smoke components containing more than 2,200 entries was generated. Emission levels in mainstream smoke have been found for 542 of the components and a human inhalation risk value for 98 components. As components with potential carcinogenic, cardiovascular and respiratory effects have been included, the three major smoke-related causes of death are all covered by the list. Given that the currently used Hoffmann list of hazardous smoke components is based on data from the 1990s and only includes carcinogens, it is recommended that the current list of 98 hazardous components is used for regulatory purposes instead. To enable risk assessment of components not covered by this list, thresholds of toxicological concern (TTC) have been established from the inhalation risk values found: 0.0018 μg day−1 for all risks, and 1.2 μg day−1 for all risks excluding carcinogenicity, the latter being similar to previously reported inhalation TTCs.