Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Effect of Home Healthcare on Quality of Life in Patients Diagnosed With Gastrointestinal Cancer

This study was undertaken to determine the effect of home healthcare on the quality of life (QOL) in patients diagnosed with gastrointestinal cancer. A total of 42 patients, who met eligibility criteria, were enrolled in the study and randomly assigned to either a control group or an experimental group. Control group patients received “usual care” defined as pain control and management through the pain clinic. Experimental group patients received pain control through the clinic plus three home visits. During the home visits, their nursing care was guided by an evidence-based protocol developed by the research team. Data were collected on pain, performance, symptoms, and QOL by using previously developed and validated instruments. Significant differences were found between the two groups on physiological function, psychological concerns, and total stress. In the experimental group, there was a significant decrease in pain and increase in performance from baseline to the final data collection period. For the control group, a significant decrease in QOL over the study period was observed. There were no significant differences between the two groups on pain, performance, QOL, and QOL subscales at the final visit.
Mitochondrial 3-Hydroxy-3-Methylglutaryl-CoA Synthase Deficiency: Clinical Course and Description of Causal Mutations in Two Patients

Hereditary deficiency of mitochondrial HMG-CoA synthase (mHS, OMIM 600234) is a poorly defined, treatable, probably underdiagnosed condition that can cause episodes of severe hypoketotic hypoglycemia. We present clinical follow-up and molecular analysis of the two known mHS-deficient patients. The diagnosis of mHS deficiency is challenging because the symptoms and metabolite pattern are not specific. Moreover, enzyme analysis is technically difficult and requires sampling of an expressing organ such as liver. The patients, now aged 16 and 6 y, have normal development and have had no further decompensations since diagnosis. Patient 1 is homozygous for a phenylalanine-to-leucine substitution at codon 174 (F174L). Interestingly, although the F174 residue is conserved in vertebrate mHS and cytoplasmic HS isozymes, a Leu residue is predicted in the corresponding position of HS-like sequences from Caenorhabditis elegans, Arabidopsis thaliana, and Brassica juncea. Bacterial expression of human F174L-mHS produces a low level of mHS polypeptide with no detectable activity. Similarly, in purified cytoplasmic HS, which in contrast to purified human mHS is stable and can be studied in detail, the corresponding F→L substitution causes a 10,000-fold decrease in Vmax and a 5-fold reduction in thermal stability. Patient 2 is a genetic compound of a premature termination mutation, R424X, and an as-yet uncharacterized mutant allele that is distinguishable by intragenic single nucleotide polymorphisms that we describe. Molecular studies of mHS are useful in patients with a suggestive clinical presentation.
Developed urban air quality monitoring system based on wireless sensor networks

Air pollution is one of environmental issues that have been often discussed. The fast-growing population and urbanization result in the population concentrated in certain areas. Heavy transportation may lead to poor air quality, and inhaling pollutants for a long time also causes damages in human health. A traditional air quality monitoring method is to build air quality monitoring stations, but this method is expensive and provides low resolution sensing data. In addition, monitoring stations are generally less densely deployed. This paper proposed an urban air quality monitoring system based on the wireless sensor network (WSN) technology and integrated with the global system for mobile communications. The system consists of sensor node, a gateway, and a back-end platform controlled by the LabVIEW program through which sensing data can be stored in a database. This system is deployed to the main roads in the Taipei city to monitor the carbon monoxide (CO) concentration caused by vehicle emissions. The experimental results show that the proposed system can provide micro-scale air quality monitoring in real-time through the WSN technology.
A 3800 GENE MICROARRAY FOR CATTLE FUNCTIONAL GENOMICS: COMPARISON OF GENE EXPRESSION IN SPLEEN, PLACENTA, AND BRAIN

ABSTRACT A cDNA microarray representing approximately 3800 cattle genes was created for functional genomic studies. The array elements were selected from >7000 cDNA clones identified in a large-scale expressed sequence tag (EST) project that utilized spleen and normalized and subtracted placenta cDNA libraries. Sequence similarity searches of the 3820 ESTs represented on the array using BLASTN identified 3290 (86.1%) as putative human orthologs, with the remainder consisting of “novel” genes or highly divergent orthologs. Experiments were conducted with a prototype 768 gene microarray created from spleen cDNAs and with the 3800 gene array that included genes from spleen and placenta. The 768 gene array was used to profile RNA transcripts expressed by adult and fetal spleen. The 3800 gene array was used to profile transcripts expressed by adult brain and placenta. Microarray analysis of RNA extracted from fetal and adult spleen identified 29 genes that were differentially expressed two-fold or more. Transcriptional differences of two of these genes, IGJ and CTSS, were confirmed using TaqMan™ technology. The comparison of brain and placenta revealed 400 genes expressed at higher levels in brain and 72 genes expressed at higher levels in placenta. These results demonstrate the potential power of microarrays for understanding the molecular mechanisms of cattle development, disease resistance, nutrition, fertility and production traits.
Diffusion of Electronic Commerce in Developing Countries: The Case of Costa Rica

Abstract Costa Rica is one of the developing countries that are making inroads into electronic commerce (e-commerce). It has achieved initial results while dealing with technological, economic, and cultural specificities that have similarities with and differences from the model of e-commerce diffusion in developed countries. A multi- phase investigation into e-commerce in this Central American country has been conducted. The main finding is that there are some favorable conditions to diffusing e- commerce in Costa Rica but the obstacles are not insignificant.
Trade financing procedures in Britain and Japan

This paper compares the financing procedures adopted in foreign trade by British and Japnese companies, for such procedures have important implications for the teo countries' trading partners and are an important aspect of a country's trade competitiveness. Information relating to 11 variables generated by responses from some 282 British and Japnese companies are analyses and differences in practice are isolated in terms of total trade, and in tems of importers or exporters seperately in the cases of five of these variables. It is demonstrated that these variables can be utilized to classify correctly over 75% of the totle number of companies in the sample as belonging to the British or Japnese groupings. However, further investigation of the nature of the variables reveals that Japan's relative trading success cannot be ascribed to its trade financing procedures.
Understanding Heterogeneous Effects of Trauma Exposure: Relevance to Postmortem Studies of PTSD

Osuch and colleagues posit that the creation of a brain tissue bank for the investigation of the effects of “extreme environmental stressors” will fill a gap in current knowledge of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) by facilitating new discoveries that will enable scientists to correlate structural and functional imaging findings with tissue abnormalities (Osuch et al., 2004). The authors suggest that since knowledge of diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and schizophrenia have been advanced by the results from postmortem studies, so too, our understanding of the effects of extreme stress and disorders resulting from stress can be enhanced by applying molecular technologies to the collect ion of well–characterized postmortem tissue. Implicit in the authors’ perspective is that postmortem tissue of persons exposed to extreme stress will be informative about the pathophysiology of stress disorders such as PTSD, and, conversely, that brains of subjects with PTSD will provide information about the effects of extreme environmental stress. This assumption is reasonable only to the extent that PTSD represents a prototypic response to extreme environmental events. However, because PTSD only occurs in a subset of persons exposed to trauma, it does not appear prudent to make assumptions about PTSD based on knowledge about stress exposure, or use the presence of PTSD as a proxy for the effects of environmental stress. Rather, the challenge in brain banking for the purpose of understanding both the effects of trauma and how such events may culminate in the production of psychopathology (e.g., PTSD) involves understanding the areas in which exposure to trauma in the absence of PTSD results in distinct outcomes from those associated with the development of PTSD. For postmortem studies in any disorder to be meaningful, there must be a precise characterization of the clinical syndrome. However, to date, several important issues rePsychiatry 67(4) Winter 2004 391
Tarificación de la transmisión eléctrica: por qué licitar es (mucho) mejor que regular

There are at least two ways of fixing high voltage transmission tolls. One is to regulate them in standard fashion; another is to allocate new transmission lines in competitive auctions to the bidder offering the lowest toll. In this paper we show that expected tolls are considerably lower if lines are auctioned. Auctions dominate regulation for three reasons. First, bidder competition ensures lower expected tolls. Second, they increase the regulator’s bargaining power. Third, if, as in Argentina, project users are allowed to bid and build the line, they can induce even more intense competition. We use our theoretical model to analyze the auction for the fourth Comahue line in Argentina. We show that, had the toll been regulated, it would have been at least 61% higher.
Creative Clusters and District Economies: Towards a Taxonomy to Interpret the Phenomenon

Abstract This paper deals with the occurrence of district economies in creative clusters, through the systematization of the extensive literature on the spatial concentration of creative activities. The research contributes to a larger understanding of creative clusters according to a revised taxonomy, formerly applied to traditional industrial districts, based on the four main advantages that district economies seem to trigger: reduction of production and transaction costs, increased efficiency of factors of production and enhancement of dynamic efficiency. Addressing the extent to which the same factors can be found in creative clusters, the paper, firstly, seeks to review some of the most important contributions that deal with such externalities, in the context of creative industries. Secondly, it provides some related reflections on strengths and weaknesses and possible future research developments. The net result is an effective analytical framework that can be used to interpret this peculiar geographic agglomeration, combining the notion of district economies and the exceptional features of creative industries.
Symbol Error Rate of Wireless Multiuser Relay Networks in Nakagami-m Fading Channels

This paper analyzes the performance of wireless multiuser relay networks (MRN) in unbalanced Nakagami-m fading channels. For such networks, we consider a single channel state information (CSI)-based amplify-and-forward (AaF) relay. We derive a new exact expression for the symbol error rate (SER), which is in closed-form and applies to a wide variety of modulations. Subsequently we present a simplified asymptotic expression for the SER in the high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) regime to identify key performance metrics such as the diversity order and array gain. Our asymptotic result explicitly reveals the direct relationship between the diversity order and both the number of destinations and the per-hop fading parameters. Moreover, we highlight the effect of the number of destinations on the optimal relay location aiming at minimizing the SER. The validity of our analysis is substantiated by numerical results.
Novel strategies in brachial plexus repair after traumatic avulsion

Clinical trials in spinal cord injury (SCI) can be affected by many confounding variables including spontaneous recovery, variation in the lesion type and extend. However, the clinical need and the paucity of effective therapies has spawned a large number of animal studies and clinical trials for SCI. In this review, we suggest that brachial plexus avulsion injury, a longitudinal spinal cord lesion, is a simpler model to test methods of spinal cord repair. We explore reconstructive techniques currently explored for the repair of brachial plexus avulsion and focus on the use of olfactory ensheathing cell transplantation as an adjunct treatment in brachial plexus repair.
Modern and traditional practices of Turkish infertile couples

Objective This investigation was carried out to determine modern and traditional practices of infertile couples in Kayseri, Turkey. Methods Two hundred and fifty-two infertile couples were selected from the study area. Modern and traditional practices of the infertile women and their husbands were investigated through a questionnaire. The effects of some factors on the utilization of traditional methods were analysed through the logistic regression method. Results It was found out that 92.5% of the infertile women and 71.8% of their husbands had consulted a physician for infertility and 92.1% of the women and 32.6% of their husbands had applied for medical or surgical intervention. However, only 11.1% of the couples had attempted in vitro fertilization. In contrast, 61.5% of the infertile couples admitted to carrying out traditional practices. All traditional practices were more prevalent among the women than the men. Conclusion It was concluded that traditional practices were more prevalent in the rural areas and among the older couples.
Developing the concept of supply strategy

This article proposes a conceptualisation for supply strategy – an explanation for how organisations arrange and conduct themselves within modern economic environments, in order to satisfy markets in the long and short terms. After an explanation of the emerging global environment within which organisations must compete, the previous approaches to explaining this area of business are explored and found to be insufficient for the new context. There follows a conceptualisation and an account of new, supporting research – a Delphi survey, conducted to test, extend and validate some of the features of the concept. Finally, some suggestions are made for the further development of supply strategy as a useful subject area for managers and researchers.
The Prevalence, Sources, and Effects of Herding

We test the prevalence, sources and effects of herding among large speculative traders in thirty U.S. futures markets over 2004–2009. We find significant herding levels within the large trader category of managed money traders (hedge funds) who are known to have similar performance evaluation measures. Our results support for the notion that greater public information takes away incentives to herd. The number of traders and floor‐based markets are positively associated with herding, while trading volume and electronic trading are negatively related to herding. Notably, we find little evidence that herding by managed money traders serves to destabilize prices in futures markets. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Jrl Fut Mark 36:671–694, 2016
Transformation of Istanbul from a monocentric to a polycentric city

Abstract This paper investigates the spatial transformation of Istanbul from a monocentric to a polycentric city following the growth of the city and the development of its communications systems. The population and employment of peripheral districts have been growing rapidly, while those of the core districts have decreased. In addition, other variables are utilized for the identification of polycentres such as tax revenues from commercial enterprises, weighted average trip length and volume of mail. The results of the study reveal that the old CBD of Istanbul is no longer a dominant employment centre. Instead, a new CBD is emerging at the intersection of the radial and the peripheral highways, and subcentres are developing in some of the first and second ring districts. A major contributing factor to Istanbul's polycentric development has been the transformation of its economy into one that requires large modem office space and facilities for private automobiles—both of which are difficult to provide wi.
HIV-malaria interactions in North-East India: A prospective cohort study

Background & objectives: The interactions between HIV and malaria co-infection have been shown to influence each other in their clinical outcomes in Sub-Saharan Africa. This study was carried out in the two States of north east India endemic for both HIV and malaria infections, to study the interactions between the two diseases in the HIV-infected population. Methods: In this prospective study, a total of 333 HIV-infected individuals were followed up for a period of 6-18 months in Mizoram and Manipur during 2010-2011. The study assessed the changes in viral load and also the therapeutic efficacy of artesunate plus sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine (AS+SP) combination therapy in HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected individuals with Plasmodium falciparum malaria. Results: Viral load in HIV-infected malaria patients on day zero (D0) ranged from 1110 to 147,000 copies/ml. The log transformation of the geometric means of HIV viral loads revealed no significant difference on different days of follow up. There was 100 per cent adequate clinical and parasitological response (ACPR) after treating with artemisinin based combination therapy (ACT) both in HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected P. falciparum-positive individuals. Similarly, chloroquine showed 100 per cent ACPR in P. vivax HIV-infected individuals. Interpretation & conclusion: The study showed no significant increase in HIV viral load in malaria cases. All HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected P. falciparum malaria-positive cases responded to the treatment with 100 per cent ACPR.
Dual sourcing in repeated procurement competitions

The issue of maintaining competition over time in a repeated procurement setting is important for both government and private sector buyers. The U.S. Department of Defense has experimented with splitting production quantities between two or more contractors in an effort to make government business more attractive for the private sector. This paper analyzes the effectiveness of this strategy. We find that in a two-period model with production learning and entry costs, dual sourcing, even for the specific mechanism we consider, in some cases, reduces overall expected cost. Moreover, if buyers are unable to commit to long-term contracts or suppliers are unable to bid away anticipated gains, the incentives to dual source are often stronger.
Are Spanish Ibex35 stock future index returns forecasted with non-linear models?

This study employs different nonlinear models (smooth transition autoregressive models (STAR), artificial neural networks (ANN) and nearest neighbours (NN)) to study the predictability of one-step-ahead forecast returns for the Ibex35 stock future index at a one year forecast horizon. It is found that the STAR, ANN and NN models beat the random walk (RW) and linear autoregressive (AR) models in out-of-sample forecast statistical accuracy, and also when economic criteria were used in a simple trading strategy including the impact of transaction costs on trading strategy profits. Finally, the overall results suggest that the nonlinear models (particularly ANN and NN) considered for the Ibex35 stock future index appear to provide a reasonable description of asset price movements in improving returns forecasts for the chosen horizon.
Factors influencing intention to use diminishing partnership home financing

Purpose - The purpose of this study is to examine the acceptance level of a new Islamic home financing concept, diminishing partnership (DP), by consumers in Malaysia using the theory of reasoned action as the guiding principle. Design/methodology/approach - Cross sectional data were collected through a survey and analysed by means of factor analysis, correlation and regression analysis. Findings - Positive attitude or degree of favorableness towards the DP concept and religious and social influence are jointly responsible in determining the intention to engage in DP though the former commands greater influence. Research limitations/implications - The use of convenience sampling and postgraduate students may not sufficiently capture the variations that could potentially exist in the market. Practical implications - Introducing a leading Islamic finance product requires more than just a mere Shariah Board approval as customers are far more critical than has often been assumed. Demand for the home diminishing product has clearly been substantiated. It is a challenge for bankers to devise products that use the spirit of the concept very closely without compromising its salient features. Marketing strategies to consumers with different religious backgrounds have also been identified. Originality/value - This study examines customers' acceptance level of a new Islamic home financing concept among multi ethnic/religion consumers with growing interest and consciousness about Islamic financial products.
Video Indexing and Retrieval Using Topic Keywords

In this paper, we propose a framework to help users to search and retrieve the portions in the lecture video of their interest. This is achieved by temporally segmenting and indexing the lecture video using the topic keywords. We use transcribed text from the video and documents relevant to the video topic extracted from the web for this purpose. The keywords for indexing are found by applying the non-negative matrix factorization (NMF) topic modeling techniques on the web documents. Our proposed technique first creates indices on the transcribed documents using the topic keywords, and these are mapped to the video to find the start and end time of the portions of the video for a particular topic. This time information is stored in the index table along with the topic keyword which is used to retrieve the specific portions of the video for the query provided by the users. Keywords—Video indexing and retrieval, lecture videos, content based video search, multimodal indexing.
Real-Time Onboard Mapping and Localization of an Indoor MAV Using Laser Range Finder

In this paper, we focus on the problem of micro aerial vehicle's (MAV's) localization in unknown, GPS-denied indoor condition. For this problem, we present a system to obtain the pose estimation and the occupancy grid map of the environment by using laser range finder. In addition, to improve the accuracy and robustness of tracking algorithm, we design a method by fusing the pose estimation from SLAM with IMU data. Furthermore, because of the length of the corridor may exceed the measurement range of the laser range finder, we specifically put forward an approach by fusing optical flow and IMU to compensate the error for this. Plenty of real flights and static precision experiments have proved the validity and accuracy of the proposed method.