Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A prospective cohort study comparing early opioid requirement between Chinese from Hong Kong and Caucasian Australians after major abdominal surgery.

BACKGROUND The relationship between ethnicity and early opioid consumption is not well understood. Our prospective cohort study tested whether Chinese patients in Hong Kong require less opioid after major abdominal surgery compared with Caucasian patients in Australia. METHODS Matched cohorts of patients from Hong Kong (n=68) and Australia (n=68) were recruited. Patient attitudes and expectations to pain management documented. After operation, all patients received i.v. morphine using a patient-controlled analgesia device. Postoperative opioid consumption, pain intensity, and incidence of opioid-related side-effects were recorded. RESULTS The average (sd) opioid requirement (i.v. morphine equivalent) at 72 h after surgery was significantly less among Chinese patients [86.8 (62.6) mg (95% CI 71.8, 101.8)] compared with Caucasian patients [130.6 (71.9) mg, (P<0.0005) (95% CI 113.4, 147.8)]. Numeric rating scale pain score (0-10) was, however, higher in Chinese patients compared with Caucasian Australians, 5.3 (2.7) vs 4.4 (2.3) (P=0.029). The incidence of pruritus among Chinese patients was significantly higher than Caucasians at 24-48 h (P=0.001) and 48-72 h (P=0.001). Chinese patients also reported a strong preference for others to manage their pain, and their nurse carers were more likely to expect severe pain after surgery. CONCLUSIONS Chinese patients in Hong Kong required less opioid and experienced greater pain intensity and pruritus than Caucasian patients. Clinicians should consider differences in the side-effect profile of morphine and patient expectations related to pain control when planning postoperative analgesia for patients of Chinese ethnicity.
An Empirical Study of Changes in Accounting Policy

A review of the financial literature of the last few years indicates a concern within the financial community about the loss of interperiod comparability in the financial statements of firms which implement changes in their accounting policies. ' Accountants have responded to this problem by debating such issues as flexibility, uniformity, and comparability,2 and by engaging in empirical studies of the effects of accounting policy decisions on financial reports. Gordon, Horwitz, and Meyers3 first used a smoothing criterion for assessing these effects. Other more recent empirical studies in which this criterion was adopted have
Run-time performance analysis of non-agent based solution for Inter Process Synchronization problem

Inter Process Synchronization is aimed at providing interrupt free and deadlock free well-structured communication among processes. The approach used is generally non-agent oriented approach which may lead to deadlock situation. This paper analyzes the runtime performance of non-agent based solution to IPS Problem. In this paper the testing is carried out and the results are obtained under time intervals T1 to T10 for eleven different parameters. Further based upon the correlation among parameterized variables, only five dependent variables were selected during the test conducted. The analysis is based upon the testing conducted on Window 7, a GUI based operating system. The results motivate the need of agent oriented approach to resolve the IPS problem.
Automated registration and enhanced processing of clinical optical coherence tomography angiography.

BACKGROUND Motion artifacts degrade the quality of optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA). Orthogonal registration can eliminate the majority of these artifacts, but some artifacts persist in most clinical images. We evaluate an automated registration algorithm with selective merging and filtering to remove remaining artifacts and improve the quality of images. METHODS A 70 kHz commercial spectral domain OCT was used to obtain 3 mm × 3 mm OCTA in 10 healthy, 5 age-related macular degeneration (AMD), and 31 diabetic retinopathy (DR) participants. Projection artifacts were removed and images were segmented into 3 inner retinal plexuses. Amplitude thresholding identified lines containing a residual artifact and correlation between neighboring lines identified distorted stripes. Then the angiograms were registered and the lines selectively merged. A vesselness filter was applied to the resulting images. The images were evaluated for signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), image entropy, vessel connectivity and vessel density. RESULTS Registration and selective merging (RSM) algorithm improved the SNR (P<0.02) compared to orthogonal registration alone. RSM with vesselness filter increased the image entropy (P<10-8) and reduced inter-subject variability (standard error ≤3%, n=10) in healthy eyes. The method improved vessel details and connectivity in OCTA of healthy, DR and neovascular AMD eyes. CONCLUSIONS This automated registration method eliminates residual motion artifacts and enhances the visualization of vessels in OCTA.
Feasibility of Exercise During Treatment for Multiple Myeloma

Fatigue and insomnia are problems for patients with cancer. Research findings show that aerobic exercise decreases cancer-related fatigue. Because patients with cancer who have skeletal muscle wasting may not obtain maximum benefit from aerobic exercise training, exercise programs may need to include resistance training. Thus far, testing exercise as an intervention for fatigue has focused on patients with breast cancer and excluded patients with bone metastasis. There is a need to test the feasibility and effectiveness of exercise for patients with other types of cancer and with bone involvement. The effect of aerobic and strength resistance training on the sleep of patients with cancer has not been tested. A pilot/feasibility study with a randomized controlled design was conducted to investigate homebased exercise therapy for 24 patients receiving high-dose chemotherapy and autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation as treatment for multiple myeloma. None of the patients injured themselves. Because of the small sample size in the feasibility study, the effect of exercise on lean body weight was the only end point that obtained statistical significance. However, the results suggest that an individualized exercise program for patients receiving aggressive treatment for multiple myeloma is feasible and may be effective for decreasing fatigue and mood disturbance, and for improving sleep.
Extended Ricardian Equivalence Theorem for Helicopter Money

This paper develops the Extended Ricardian Equivalence Theorem for helicopter money. It is shown that helicopter money, or money printing, to finance fiscal spending is inconsistent with existence of an equilibrium under ordinary assumptions used to derive the Ricardian Equivalence theorem. By relaxing some equality constraints into inequality constraints or by an open economy assumption, one may be able to save helicopter money from not being a part of an equilibrium.
Patterns of Bleeding after Endoscopic Sphincterotomy, the Subsequent Risk of Bleeding, and the Role of Epinephrine Injection

BACKGROUND:The patterns of bleeding following endoscopic sphincterotomy (ES) and their predictive value for subsequent bleeding are poorly understood. Similarly, the efficacy and side effects of epinephrine (E) injection for persistent bleeding have not been well studied.METHODS:Over a 44-month period, all patients undergoing ES were prospectively assessed and followed-up. The character of bleeding (pulsatile, oozing, trickle, none) was recorded immediately, 5 minutes following ES and at the completion of the procedure. Patients with persistent bleeding at the time the procedure was completed (5 minutes or greater) received E injection(s) (1:10,000 concentrations) into the bleeding point with a sclerotherapy needle. ES was performed in all patients with a single electrosurgical generator Valleylab (Force 1B) using pure cutting current.RESULTS:506 patients (68% females, mean age 54 years) who underwent 550 ES were studied. Bleeding patterns immediately following ES were: 6% pulsatile, 42% oozing, 27% trickle, and 24% none. E (median 0.5 cc; range 0.5–4 cc total) was injected during 79 procedures (14%); none of these patients had complications nor delayed bleeding. For all patients, delayed bleeding occurred in 8 (1.6%, 95% CI 0.57–0.0269); of these 8 delayed bleeders, 1 had no bleeding after ES, and only 1 had any bleeding at 5 minutes. The only variable associated with bleeding after ES was abnormal labs (thrombocytopenia, elevated creatinine concentration, hypoprothrombinemia). CONCLUSIONS:The pattern of bleeding following ES may not predict the risk of late bleeding. Abnormal labs are associated with visible bleeding. Epinephrine injection is safe and appears to provide effective hemostasis.
Intraabdominal Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus Infections: The New Threat

Goals To determine the clinical course and outcome in patients with intraabdominal vancomycin-resistant enterococcus infections (VRE-A) and to identify probable risk factors for VRE-A. Background Vancomycin-resistant enterococcus is one of the most notable nosocomial emerging pathogens. The incidence is increasing, especially in the abdominal surgery setting. Study A comparative study of patients with VRE-A and VRE infection in other sites (VRE-O) who were hospitalized for over 1 year. Fisher exact test and Student t test were used; a two-tailed p value of less than 0.05 was considered to be significant. Results Of 89 nine patients with VRE, six had VRE-A, 24 had VRE-O, and 59 had VRE colonization. The VRE-A group was comprised of one patient with an inoperable Klatskin tumor and biliary sepsis, one with acquired immune deficiency syndrome and an infected pancreatic pseudocyst, two with fecal peritonitis, and two with biliary sepsis after surgery for common bile duct stones. All six patients with VRE-A had recent surgery before VRE isolation, as compared with three in the VRE-O group (p = 0.0001). Despite adequate treatment with intravenous chloramphenicol, resulting in eradication of VRE in all six VRE-A cases, the mortality rate remained high at 50%. Conclusions Vancomycin-resistant enterococcus should be recognized as an emerging nosocomial pathogen that causes potentially fatal intraabdominal infections in the postsurgical setting. However, the impact of treatment on ultimate outcome needs further evaluation.
Hair Follicles – A Long-Term Reservoir for Drug Delivery

Nanoparticles represent an important drug carrier system. Recently, we have reported on the penetration and storage behavior of particular and non-particular substances revealing the superiority of particular substances in the range of 300–400 nm. In this regard, it was assumed that the rigid hair shaft acts as a geared pump, moving the particles deeper into the hair follicle. In the present investigation, the storage reservoir capacity of the stratum corneum and the hair follicle infundibulum and canal are compared. Interestingly, we could demonstrate a 10 times longer storage within the hair follicles. These results underscore the importance of the hair follicle for drug delivery purposes, mainly highlighting new possibilities for the future concerning retarded delivery, application frequency, and galenic design.
Epithelial-mesenchymal interactions in lung development.

Biological communication through cellular interactions is central to devel­ opment (83). The most characterized class of morphogenetic cellular inter­ actions are embryonic inductions that involve the instructive impact of an "inducing" tissue on a "responding" one (63). Primary induction occurs early in development, leads to the emergence of the three germ layers , ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm, and sets the stage for pattern formation (89). Pattern formation is a process by which the developmental fates of cells within the embryo are established. These events are followed by secondary induction, known as epithelial-mesenchymal interactions, that controls cellular proliferation and differentiation during organ and tissue development. The term epithelial-mesenchymal interaction is widely used in develop­ mental biology. In the present review, however, this term is used in its broadest connotation to refer to biological communications, either of an instructive or permissive nature, that occur between epithelially and mesenchymally derived cells and their progenitors during lung development, and in the maintenance (or repair after injury) of the functional status of the lung. A number of critical players have been identified in these interactions , the most studied of which are the extracellular matrix (ECM)
Computer assisted pyeloplasty in children: the retroperitoneal approach.

PURPOSE We describe the first series of computer assisted retroperitoneoscopic pyeloplasty in children using the Da Vinci Surgical System (Intuitive Surgical, Inc., Mountainview, California) with regard to setup, method, operation time, complications and preliminary outcome. The small space in the retroperitoneum of children and larger instruments of the computer assisted surgical system make modification of the retroperitoneal access necessary. MATERIALS AND METHODS In 13 children with a median age of 6.7 years (range 3.5 to 16.2) and ureteropelvic junction obstruction 15 pyeloplasties were performed with the Da Vinci Surgical System. With the patient in a lateral semiprone position the retroperitoneal space was developed by blunt and balloon dissection. Three ports were placed for the computer assisted system and 1 for assistance. Pyeloplasty was performed with the mounted system placed behind the patient. RESULTS The procedures were completed in all patients with the computer assisted system. Median operative time was 173 minutes (range 76 to 215) and there were no perioperative complications. Median postoperative hospital stay was 2 days (range 1 to 3). Two patients had postoperative complications related to the Double-J catheter (Cook Urological Inc., Spencer, Indiana). In 1 patient the catheter was displaced with its lower end in the distal ureter, and the other patient was rehospitalized with occlusion of the catheter and treated with nephrostomy for a few days. All patients had a satisfying outcome during the preliminary followup period of 1 to 7 months. CONCLUSIONS In this the first series of computer-assisted retroperitoneal pyeloplasty in children the method seems feasible with shorter operative time and similar complications as in standard retroperitoneoscopic procedures but easier handling of the instruments and shorter training for the surgeon. The costs for the system are still high and only longer followup will reveal whether the more precise placement of sutures and the advantage of the magnified 3-dimensional view lead to at least the same results as the open procedure.
A Semantic Social Network Service for Educating Saudi Breast Cancer Patients

Social networking services are presented as enablers in health and health care. This paper presents the idea of building Social Network system for educating Breast Cancer Patients in Saudi Arabia. The system will blend the general features of social networks along with the power of semantic web technologies to leverage the use of web applications for educating breast cancer patients in Saudi Arabia. The potential objective of the system is to help breast cancer patients to have the ability to talk and communicate with each other and with the outer world as well as to create a platform to exchange information among patients to increase their awareness against breast cancer.
Audit quality and earnings management: evidence from Jordan

Purpose - – The purpose of this paper is to test the association between audit quality and earnings management (EM). Audit quality studies documented that accruals would reduce when the auditor is independent or the audit firm is large. Design/methodology/approach - – This paper uses generalised least square regression to investigate the influence of audit quality on EM. The sample contained 86 companies listed on the Amman Stock Exchange from 2007 to 2010. The cross-sectional modified Jones model was employed to measure discretionary accruals as a proxy for EM. Findings - – This paper revealed that there is a significantly negative association between audit quality and EM. The result inferred that EM level is significantly lower among companies using the services of independent auditors. Moreover, this study exposed that the level of EM is significantly less among companies hiring a Big 4 audit firm, as compared to companies utilising the service of a non-Big 4 audit firm. Research limitations/implications - – The measurement error, which is a rigorous concern for studies on EM, is one of the limitations in this study. Hence, the current study wholly inherited the limits of the modified Jones model. Practical implications - – The findings based on the current study would provide beneficial information for regulators in Jordan and other countries with an institutional environment similar to that of Jordan. Moreover, the results provided valuable information to investors in assessing the influence of audit quality on financial reporting quality (FRQ). Originality/value - – The current study contributed to auditing and corporate governance literature and its influence on EM among Jordanian companies. This research will be of value to companies seeking to reduce EM and enhance FRQ.
Measuring Regulation in the Here and Now: The Development and Validation of the State Emotion Regulation Inventory (SERI)

The relationship between context and emotion regulation is currently at the center of a burgeoning area of research. Commonly used emotion regulation questionnaires, however, are predominantly trait-based, and insensitive to situational choice of regulatory strategy. The current work describes the development and validation of the State Emotion Regulation Inventory (SERI), a brief measure of situational use of distraction, reappraisal, brooding and acceptance. In Study 1, an initial item pool was constructed, based on commonly used trait-based emotion regulation surveys. Then, the psychometric properties of the items were examined with a group of 181 participants who recalled a saddening autobiographical event, identified a distressing thought it triggered, and then waited for 3 minutes without instruction, as an opportunity to allow for spontaneous emotion regulation. Participants then completed the initial item pool, and other relevant trait-based scales. Exploratory factor analysis suggested a 4-factor solution, corresponding to the 4 regulatory strategies measured in the SERI. The 4 items to exclusively load highest on each factor were selected for the final measure. Assembled subscales correlated with relevant trait-based subscales in the expected directions. In Study 2, another sample of 155 participants completed the same procedure and the new SERI, and confirmatory factor analysis supported the 4-factor structure of this instrument. As a brief, validated instrument, the SERI may be a useful measure for studies of state emotion regulation, in protocols that use repeated measures in a single session, over the course of multiple sessions, or via ecological momentary assessments.
Preventive HIV vaccine acceptability and behavioral risk compensation among a random sample of high-risk adults in Los Angeles (LA VOICES).

OBJECTIVE To assess HIV vaccine acceptability among high-risk adults in Los Angeles. STUDY SETTING Sexually transmitted disease clinics, needle/syringe exchange programs, Latino community health/HIV prevention programs. STUDY DESIGN Cross-sectional survey using conjoint analysis. Participants were randomly selected using three-stage probability sampling. DATA COLLECTION Sixty-minute structured interviews. Participants rated acceptability of eight hypothetical vaccines, each with seven dichotomous attributes, and reported post-vaccination risk behavior intentions. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS Participants (n=1164; 55.7 percent male, 82.4 percent ethnic minority, mean age=37.4 years) rated HIV vaccine acceptability from 28.4 to 88.6; mean=54.5 (SD=18.8; 100-point scale). Efficacy had the greatest impact on acceptability, followed by side effects and out-of-pocket cost. Ten percent would decrease condom use after vaccination. CONCLUSIONS Findings support development of social marketing interventions to increase acceptability of "partial efficacy" vaccines, behavioral interventions to mitigate risk compensation, and targeted cost subsidies.
Diminished Expression of Constitutive Nitric Oxide Synthases in the Kidney of Spontaneously Hypertensive Rat

In kidney, nitric oxide (NO) synthesized by nitric oxide synthase (NOS) regulates sodium and water excretion, and renal medullary blood flow. The expression of constitutive NOS, endothelial NOS (eNOS) and neuronal NOS (nNOS), were assessed in kidney of the spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) and the normotensive Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rat by Western blot analysis and immunocytochemistry. Neuronal NOS expression was observed in the cortex and eNOS was detected only in the inner medulla of both WKY and SHR. In SHR, expression of eNOS was attenuated to 35.1 ± 10.8%, while expression of nNOS was only 57.5 ± 5.7% of the levels seen in WKY rat. Immunocytochemical studies revealed decreased staining of nNOS in the macula densa, collecting ducts and in the glomerulus of SHR compared to WKY rat. Endothelial NOS immunoreactivity was restricted to vascular structures of the inner intima cells and smooth muscle cells, and was markedly reduced in the vasculature of SHR. The decreased renal blood flow observed in SHR may be linked to a diminished expression of eNOS and nNOS, underscoring the importance of these enzymes in the pathophysiology and maintenance of genetic hypertension.
Hepatic sinusoidal obstruction syndrome in patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplant.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES To provide a comprehensive review of hepatic sinusoidal obstruction syndrome (HSOS) in patients receiving a hematopoietic stem cell transplant and to describe the implications for nursing care. DATA SOURCES Published research articles, reviews, case reports, and books. DATA SYNTHESIS Disagreement exists regarding the precise cause of HSOS. Prevention and treatment strategies have emerged based on these causative theories. Few published resources are available for nursing assessment and intervention specific to HSOS, although symptom management strategies derived from other disease etiologies can be used successfully. CONCLUSIONS HSOS is a complex consequence of myeloablative chemoradiotherapy. Although the overall incidence is declining, research continues to explore better methods for prophylaxis and develop more efficacious treatment options. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING Nurses caring for patients receiving a hematopoietic stem cell transplant must comprehend the proposed etiologies for HSOS and be familiar with the manifestations of the syndrome. Symptom management requires a thorough understanding of affected organ systems.
Estimation of heart rate and heart rate variability from pulse oximeter recordings using localized model fitting

Heart rate variability is one of the key parameters for assessing the health status of a subject's cardiovascular system. This paper presents a local model fitting algorithm used for finding single heart beats in photoplethysmogram recordings. The local fit of exponentially decaying cosines of frequencies within the physiological range is used to detect the presence of a heart beat. Using 42 subjects from the CapnoBase database, the average heart rate error was 0.16 BPM and the standard deviation of the absolute estimation error was 0.24 BPM.