Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
La calidad de servicio bancario: entre la fidelidad y la ruptura

Esta investigacion pretende arrojar luz sobre la controversia suscitada entre los dos principales enfoques o paradigmas de medicion de la Calidad de Servicio (Parasuraman, Zeithaml y Berry - Cronin y Taylor), proponiendo una diferente escala de medida del constructor para el sector de banca comercial, fruto de la replicacion "ex novo" de la investigacion de PZB, comun enfoque de convergencia o triangulacion metodologica y de tecnicas de analisis. Se enfrentan los dos modelos dominantes en un intento de confirmacion/refutacion de la forma de operacionalizar el constructor "calidad de servicio" en cada uno de ellas, asi como de la unidimensionalidad del mismo frente a la multidimensionalidad. Supone, asimismo, el desarrollo de las sugerencias de los citados investigadores en el sentido de ampliar el domino de los contenidos de la calidad de servicio a los productos/servicios, precio e imagen de las entidades,y de analizar con mayor profundidad las relaciones de la calidad con la satisfaccion y con la lealtad, buscando mejores predictores de la ultima con la integracion de aspectos actitudinales y comportamentales en su operativizacion. Entre los principales resultados destaca la falta de adecuacion del modelo explicativo de la calidad de servicios basado en las divergencias, siendo la forma de operacionalizacion del constructor que mejor se ajusta a los datos aquella que se basa solo en la percepcion del desempeno, cuyos resultados obtienen mejor ajuste, fiabilidad y validez tanto convergente como predictiva. Respecto a la estructura dimensional se confirma la multidimensionalidad del constructor, abogando por una estructura compleja superior a los 25 factores, que en la practica implica su reduccion a una sola (magnitud escalar) que puede ser expresada en un indice de calidad, lo que facilita su utilizacion en el proceso de toma de decisiones
Prevention of Post-Operative Thrombosis in Peripheral Arteriopathies. Pentoxifylline vs. Conventional Antiaggregants: A Six-Month Randomized Follow-up Study

The patency rate and reocclusion incidence were studied in 97 patients following vascular surgery necessitated by occlusion in the aortoiliac or femoropopliteal regions or both. Forty-nine patients were treated orally with a combination of acetylsalicylic acid and dipyridamole (1050 mg + 150 mg/day) and 48 patients with the haemorheologically active agent pentoxifylline (1200 mg/day, Trental® 400 tds.) for uniform periods of 6 months. Reocclusion occurred in 10 patients receiving ASAD and in 5 patients receiving pentoxifylline. Adverse reactions were recorded in 12 patients with ASAD (discontinuation in 11) and in 3 patients with pentoxifylline (discontinuation in 2). Patency and tolerability rate were significantly superior in those patients treated with pentoxifylline, suggesting that the combination of haemorheological effects with antihaemostaseological and antithrombotic properties offered by pentoxifylline may be of benefit in the prevention of reocclusion after vascular surgery.
Genetic analysis of HIV-1 discordant couples in Thailand: association of CCR2 64I homozygosity with HIV-1-negative status.

According to the Bangkok Collaborative Perinatal HIV Transmission Study 26% of partners of HIV-1-infected women in Bangkok were still uninfected. Multiple factors including host genetic polymorphisms HIV-1 specific cellular immunity neutralizing antibodies and mucosal immunity may be involved in protection against HIV-1 transmission. In this article genes of the chemokines chemokine receptors and cytokines were analyzed in these discordant cases to assess the effect of host genetic polymorphisms on resistance to HIV-transmission. EDTA blood was obtained from 22 HIV-1 discordant Thai couples registered at an antenatal care unit of the Siriraj Hospital between 1999 and 2000. Overall data from the analysis suggests that homozygosity of the CCR2-641 allele is implicated in natural resistance to HIV-1 transmission through heterosexual contact. Further analysis with a larger population of discordant couples would add support to these findings.
Tenue au flux des couches minces optiques en régime subpicoseconde

L'endommagement laser est le resultat d'une interaction laser-matiere qui se traduit par une degradation physique des optiques, entrainant une deterioration de leur fonction optique. C'est un des facteurs limitant le developpement des lasers de puissance et de leurs applications. Dans les materiaux dielectriques et en regime femtoseconde, ce phenomene repose sur des processus non lineaires et depend des proprietes intrinseques du materiau, contrairement au regime nanoseconde. Un banc d'endommagement laser femtoseconde a ete developpe et applique a l'etude du comportement des couches minces dielectriques. Le caractere deterministe de l'endommagement femtoseconde a ete confirme sur les substrats et les couches minces. Nous montrons de plus que les couches minces sont le siege d'effets transitoires, capables d'affecter le seuil d'endommagement, lorsque la densite d'electrons libres atteint une valeur critique. Un modele dynamique a ete developpe afin de prendre en compte ces effets. Son efficacite a predire l'evolution du seuil d'endommagement en fonction de la duree de l'impulsion a ete demontree experimentalement. Les tests d'endommagement menes sur des monocouches HfO2 montrent une dependance du seuil d'endommagement avec la technique de depot. Par ailleurs le comportement lineaire du seuil d'endommagement en fonction de la largeur de bande interdite a ete confirme pour les oxydes purs. Enfin nous presentons la premiere etude exhaustive sur la tenue au flux de mixtures d'oxydes, menee en collaboration avec le centre laser de l'Universite de Vilnius, Lituanie et le Laser Zentrum Hannover LZH, Allemagne.
Raltegravir, Etravirine, and Ritonavir-Boosted Darunavir: A Safe and Successful Rescue Regimen for Multidrug-Resistant HIV-1 Infection

Background:Boosted darunavir (DRV/r) plus etravirine (ETR), in DUET trials, and raltegravir, in BENCHMRK trials, showed high rates of virologic response in patients with multidrug-resistant HIV-1 infection, particularly when associated with two more fully active antiretroviral drugs. No data from clinical trials, about this combination, are available. Patients and Methods:Thirty-two consecutive heavily pretreated patients with multidrug-resistant HIV-1 infection who started a new salvage regimen with RAL (400 mg twice daily), ETR (200 mg twice daily), and DRV/r (600/100 mg twice daily) were studied. Clinical evaluation and immunologic, virologic, and biochemical parameters were collected at baseline and at Weeks 4, 12, and 24. Results:Median baseline characteristics were age 44 years, 13 years on antiretroviral therapy, nine prior highly active antiretroviral therapy regimens, 261 CD4 cells/mL, and HIV-1 RNA 4.2 log10 copies/mL. Sixteen (50%) and 14 (44%) patients were enfuvirtide- and tipranavir-experienced, respectively. Three-class resistance mutations were present in all patients. Three patients (9%) had isolates with three ETR resistance mutations. All patients were DRV-naïve with a median of one DRV resistance mutation. At Weeks 4, 12, and 24, respectively, 63%, 81%, and 94% of patients achieved HIV1-RNA less than 50 copies/mL. Median CD4 cell count increased 30, 73, and 103 cells/mL at Weeks 4, 12, and 24, respectively. No patient had adverse events leading to discontinuation of the regimen. Conclusion:The combination of raltegravir, ETR, and DRV/r was a highly effective and well-tolerated antiretroviral salvage regimen in patients infected with multidrug-resistant HIV-1.
Development of radiotracers for oncology – the interface with pharmacology

There is an increasing role for positron emission tomography (PET) in oncology, particularly as a component of early phase clinical trials. As a non‐invasive functional imaging modality, PET can be used to assess both pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of novel therapeutics by utilizing radiolabelled compounds. These studies can provide crucial information early in the drug development process that may influence the further development of novel therapeutics. PET imaging probes can also be used as early biomarkers of clinical response and to predict clinical outcome prior to the administration of therapeutic agents. We discuss the role of PET imaging particularly as applied to phase 0 studies and discuss the regulations involved in the development and synthesis of novel radioligands. The review also discusses currently available tracers and their role in the assessment of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics as applied to oncology.
Los mapas conceptuales como herramienta metodológica en el ámbito de Bachillerato

La Quimica de 2o de Bachillerato es una asignatura particularmente costosa para losalumnos. A la dificultad innata de su curriculo se le anade la forma tradicional de su ensenanza y desu aprendizaje. Sin embargo, la sociedad actual tiene otras demandas. Por ello se hace necesario ircreando nuevas condiciones para la ensenanza–aprendizaje de los estudiantes en esta asignatura.La experiencia efectuada se ha movido dentro de estas coordenadas. Ha sido realizada con un grupode 2o de Bachillerato, de la modalidad de Salud, pertenecientes a un centro privado–concertado,durante un trimestre (febrero–abril). Ha consistido en la elaboracion de uno o varios mapasconceptuales sobre una unidad didactica escogida del curriculo y su posterior autoevaluacionmediante un cuestionario. Los resultados han sido altamente satisfactorios.
The effect of DOPA on the spinal cord. 5. Reciprocal organization of pathways transmitting excitatory action to alpha motoneurones of flexors and extensors.

In unanaesthetized spinal cats, injected with L-DOPA, volleys in the flexor reflex afferents (FRA) evoke a long-latency, longlasting discharge in ipsilateral flexor and contralateral extensor motoneurones. It is postulated that this discharge is transmitted by a neuronal pathway which is inhibited in the normal acute spinal cat, presumably from the pathway, which in this state transmits the shortlatency effect from the FRA to motoneurones. The organization of the pathway released by an injection of DOPA has been analyzed by recording the discharges in efferents to flexors and extensors and with intracellular records from motoneurones. Combined stimulation of ipsilateral and contralateral FRA reveals a reciprocal organization in that either flexor or extensor motoneurones are activated. Transmission from the ipsilateral FRA to flexor motoneurones can be inhibited by volleys in the contralateral FRA, and transmissiqn from the contralateral FRA to extensor motoneurones by volleys in the ipsilateral FRA. These inhibitory effects are neither produced postsynaptically in the motoneurones nor presynaptically by depolarization of primary afferents and are hence exerted at an interneuronal level. The organization of reciprocal innervation at an interneuronal level is discussed in relation to the primary afferent depolarization evoked in Ia afferent terminals after DOPA and to rhythmic alternating movements.
Na+/K+-ATPase Expression Changes in the Rabbit Lacrimal Glands During Pregnancy

Purpose: To investigate the expressional changes of Na+/K+-ATPase subunits in the lacrimal glands (LG) of term pregnant rabbits. Methods: LG were obtained from term pregnant rabbits and age-matched female control rabbits for laser capture microdissection (LCM), real time RT-PCR, western blot, and immunofluorescence. The mRNA and proteins of α1, α2, β1, β2, and β3 subunits of Na+/K+-ATPase were detected and quantified. Results: Although only the mRNA for β3 from whole LG of pregnant rabbits was significantly different from that of normal controls, many mRNA levels for α1, α2, β1, β2, and β3 from acini and epithelial cells from various duct segments that were collected by LCM were significantly different from those of normal control rabbits. Western blots demonstrated that the expressions of all three β subunits were significantly higher in pregnant rabbits, while both α subunits remained unchanged during pregnancy. Interestingly, immunofluorescence results showed that the distribution patterns of all Na+/K+-ATPase subunits during pregnancy were similar to those of the control rabbits. Conclusions: Changes were found in mRNA and protein expressions of Na+/K+-ATPase subunits in LG from term pregnant rabbits and these changes suggest a role in the pregnancy-related LG secretion changes and dry eye symptoms observed in these animals.
Neural Network-Based Model Design for Short-Term Load Forecast in Distribution Systems

Accurate forecasts of electrical substations are mandatory for the efficiency of the Advanced Distribution Automation functions in distribution systems. The paper describes the design of a class of machine-learning models, namely neural networks, for the load forecasts of medium-voltage/low-voltage substations. We focus on the methodology of neural network model design in order to obtain a model that has the best achievable predictive ability given the available data. Variable selection and model selection are applied to electrical load forecasts to ensure an optimal generalization capacity of the neural network model. Real measurements collected in French distribution systems are used to validate our study. The results show that the neural network-based models outperform the time series models and that the design methodology guarantees the best generalization ability of the neural network model for the load forecasting purpose based on the same data.
Credibilidade e política monetária: uma crítica baseada em Keynes

Este trabalho procura discutir a tematica da credibilidade na politica economica,particularmente no caso da politica monetaria. Partindo de uma critica ao tratamento que ateoria economica ortodoxa dispensa a este tema, propoe-se uma visao alternativa baseadanos trabalhos de Keynes e dos chamados pos-keynesianos. Destacam-se ainda algumas dasimplicacoes que essa visao traz para a operacao da politica monetaria, constituindo novosargumentos no debate de “regras versus arbitrio”.
Use of ultrasound to early identify, diagnose and localize metastases in melanoma patients

Specialized medical centers perform high-resolution ultrasound of lymph nodes in melanoma patients to detect metastases early. Ultrasound represents a highly effective method for the discrimination of lymph node and soft-tissue metastases from other space-occupying lesions. Frequent follow-up examinations with ultrasound provide early detection of tumor recurrences and seem to lead to a prolonged overall survival. The ultrasound findings are validated by fine-needle aspiration cytology. Depicted and verified metastases should be removed as soon as possible. The authors recommend the performance of ultrasound before every sentinel lymph node dissection to avoid unnecessary operations.
Contingency management treatments: controversies and challenges.

While ideology, politics, and economics will impact the eventual expansion or failure to implement contingency management in countries around the world, the scientific data clearly indicate that this is an intervention worthy of continued investment. refers to a behavioral therapy in which tangible positive reinforcers are provided to individuals who misuse substances contingent upon objective evidence of abstinence. Usually, reinforcers are chances to win prizes of varying magnitudes or vouchers, exchangeable for retail goods and services. CM interventions have substantial evidence of efficacy in reducing drug use across a range of populations and settings, and these treatments have been implemented throughout the United States and in countries around the world (1–3). In meta-analyses and reviews (4–6), CM treatments are associated with amongst the largest effect sizes, and they have consistently engendered positive outcomes in treating substance use disorders.
Infrared Imaging of Meibomian Gland Structure Using a Novel Keratograph

Purpose. To examine the ability of a novel non-contact device (Keratograph 4) to image the meibomian gland (MG) structures and their morphological changes in the upper and lower eyelids. Methods. Thirty-seven participants (mean age 57.8 ± 8.5 years; 3 males and 34 females) completed the Ocular Surface Disease Index questionnaire to assess dryness symptoms. Meibum secretion quality score, number of blocked gland orifices, and meibum expressibility scores were assessed. The lower lid (LL) and upper lid (UL) of all subjects were everted and images of the MGs were taken using the Keratograph 4 (OCULUS). A MG dropout score (MGDS) due to complete or partial gland loss of both lids was obtained using a subjective 4-grade scoring system, and digital analysis of the images using ImageJ was performed. Presence of tortuosity and visible acinar changes of the MGs were also noted. Results. MGDS for both lids was significantly positively correlated with the Ocular Surface Disease Index score (r = 0.51; p < 0.05). The MGDS determined using the digital grading was also significantly positively correlated (UL: r = 0.68, p < 0.05; LL: r = 0.42, p < 0.05). The sum of the MGDS for both lids using the subjective grading scale was significantly different between the non-MGD and MGD group (1.3 ± 1.0 vs. 3.1 ± 1.1; p = 0.0004). MGDS assessment using the digital grading was significantly different between non-MGD (UL = 6%, LL = 8%) and MGD group (UL = 32%, LL = 42%; p = 0.001). Tortuous MG was observed only on the UL in 6% of the participants. Visible acinar changes were noted in 40% of the study participants. Conclusions. Infrared meibography is now possible in a clinical setting using commercially available devices, and meibography can help determine differences in MG structure in subjects symptomatic of dry eye.
Multi-feature construction based on genetic algorithms and non-algebraic feature representation to facilitate learning concepts with complex interactions

Los datos de problemas reales normalmente se han preparado para fines distintos a la mineria de datos y el aprendizaje automatico, y por lo tanto, se han representado por atributos primitivos, La representacion primitiva de datos facilita la existencia de interaccion entre atributos cuya complejidad hace que la informacion relevante queda oculta para la mayoria de los sistemas de aprendizaje. La Induccion Constructiva (IC) se ha introducido para facilitar el aprendizaje mediante la reestructuracion de la representacion primitiva. Recientemente, se han obtenido muchos progresos en IC; sin embargo, los metodos de aprendizaje todavia se enfrentan a graves dificultades cuando se aplican a conceptos con interacciones complejas. %&/Esta investigacion tiene como objetivo facilitar el aprendizaje de conceptos con interacciones complejas cuando el unico conocimiento disponible sobre el concepto sea la representacion primitiva de datos de entrenamiento. La tesis describe los principales requisitos funcionales que un metodo de IC debera cumplir con el fin de afrontar este tipo de problemas y propone un nuevo marco de trabajo que descompone la tarea compleja de IC en tareas pequenas y mas faciles. A parte de este marco y los requisitos funcionales se ha disenado dos metodos, DCI y MFE3/GA. Las evaluaciones empiricas sobre problemas sinteticos y problemas reales muestran la eficacia de estos metodos para mejorar la precision del aprendizaje. El marco propuesto se puede usar como un modelo para disenar una herramienta para ser integrada en una caja de herramientas de aprendizaje automatico con el fin de facilitar el aprendizaje de conceptos dificiles con datos primitivos.
Regional anesthesia is a good alternative to general anesthesia in pediatric surgery: Experience in 1,554 children.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE Although caudal and spinal blocks are modern and safe techniques, in many centers children still are operated on under general anesthesia (GA), or the blocks are used for postoperative analgesia after GA in infraumbilical operations. The authors aimed to document the results and the complications of 1,554 regional anesthesia cases, thereby assessing their validity. METHODS The analysis of 1,459 caudal and 95 spinal blocks cases collected until January 2001 in children from newborn to 12 years of age are documented retrospectively. The types of anesthesia analyzed in the study were caudal block (CB) only, CB plus GA, GA plus CB, GA plus spinal block, and spinal block only. RESULTS There were 1,338 caudal and 95 spinal block cases that clinically were satisfactory. Because the duration of CB was not sufficient in 39 cases, GA was used. Failure to produce a CB occurred in 82 cases (5.57%). There were 257 of 1,338 patients operated on under GA and supported by caudal block for postoperative analgesia. CONCLUSIONS Caudal anesthesia seems to be an inexpensive, simple, and effective technique not only as a supplement for postoperative analgesia, but also as a single method of anesthesia. and the authors recommend its use in a wider setting of clinical entities in infraumbilical surgical procedures of children.
Imaging of head trauma.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a leading cause of mortality and morbidity in the world’s population, especially those under age 44. 1 In the United States alone, the cost of head trauma has been estimated to be over 40 billion dollars annually. 2 The National Center for Injury Prevention and Control has estimated that approximately 2% of the entire population of the USA currently lives with disabilities caused by TBI. 3 TBI accounts for more than 500,000 emergency department visits annually. 4 The etiologies of head trauma are usually associated with the patient age. In the elderly population, accidental falls are the most common causes. Motor vehicle crashes are common culprits in young patients. In children, abuse and neglect are common reasons. TBI can be classified into primary and secondary injuries. Primary lesions are the direct result of trauma to the head, and secondary lesions arise as complications of primary lesions. Clinically, this classification is important because secondary injuries can be preventable, whereas primary injuries, by definition, have already occurred by the time the patient first presents for medical attention. TBI can be further divided according to location (intra- or extra-axial), mechanism (penetrating/open or blunt/closed), and clinical severity (minor, mild, moderate, or severe). The severity of head injury is usually based on the Glasgow Coma Scale (minor: GCS 15; mild: GCS 13; moderate: 9 GCS 12; severe: 3 GCS 8). 5 Primary extra-axial lesions include epidural, subdural, subarachnoid, and intraventricular hemorrhage. Primary intra-axial lesions include cortical contusions, intracerebral hematomas, axonal shearing injuries, gray matter injury, and vascular injury. Acute and subacute secondary injuries include cerebral edema, ischemia, and brain herniation. Chronic secondary lesions include hydrocephalus, the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak, leptomeningeal cyst, and encephalomalacia. These lesions will be discussed in further detail following a discussion about different methods for imaging TBI.
UWB active aperture synthesis radar the operating principle and development of the radar block diagram

The new algorithm of signal processing for building of high spatial resolution radar images is developed. A distinctive feature of this algorithm is the ability to form images of the area that is traditionally not viewable from aircraft and aerospace objects. This area approximates usually ±(20°…25°) from the aircraft's normal axis. In this angle sector the horizontal range resolution of radar images is low. The block diagram of complex radio engineering system that combines advantages of active radar and passive aperture synthesis systems is developed for obtaining of images with the acceptable spatial coordinate resolution in the angle sectors of observation.