Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cerebral state index versus Glasgow coma scale as a predictor for in-hospital mortality in brain-injured patients.

OBJECTIVE To compare the value of Glasgow coma scale (GCS) and cerebral state index (CSI) on predicting hospital discharge status of acute brain-injured patients. METHODS In 60 brain-injured patients who did not receive sedatives, GCS and CSI were measured daily during the first 10 days of hospitalization. The outcome of prognostic cut-off points was calculated by GCS and CSI using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve regarding the time of admission and third day of hospitalization. Sensitivity, specificity and other predictive values for both indices were calculated. RESULTS Of the 60 assessed patients, 14 patients had mild, 13 patients had moderate and 33 patients had severe injuries. During the course of the study, 17 patients (28.3%) deteriorated in their situation and died. The mean GCS and CSI in patients who deceased during hospitalization was significantly lower than those who were discharged from the hospital. GCS<4.5 and CSI<64.5 at the time of admission was associated with higher mortality risk in traumatic brain injury patients and GCS was more sensitive than CSI to predict in-hospital death in these patients. For the first day of hospitalization, the area under ROC curve was 0.947 for GCS and 0.732 for CSI. CONCLUSION GCS score at ICU admission is a good predictor of in-hospital mortality. GCS<4.5 and CSI<64.5 at the time of admission is associated with higher mortality risk in traumatic brain injury patients and GCS is more sensitive than CSI in predicting death in these patients.
A MULTI-SVM BASED DIABETIC RETINOPATHY SCREENING SYSTEM

Diabetic Retinopathy (DR) is an abnormality of the eye in which the human retina is affected due to an increasing amount of insulin in the blood. The early detection and diagnosis of DR is vital to save the vision of diabetic patients. The early signs of DR which appear on the surface of the retina are microaneurysms, haemorrhages, and exudates. This paper presents an automated screening system for Diabetic Retinopathy using Kirsch’s edge detection algorithm. Kirsch template technique is used for the extraction blood vessels from retinal images. The Kirsch edge detection algorithm uses a single mask of size 3x3 and rotates it in 45 degree increments. Since the retinal blood vessels can be considered as required foreground information from fundus images, Kirsch algorithm can be effectively applied. The proposed multi-Support Vector Machine (SVM) based system detects new vessel formations in retinal images following preprocessing, vessel extraction, feature extraction, and classification of retinal fundus images.
Advancing Engineering Education in P‐12 Classrooms

Engineering as a profession faces the challenge of making the use of technology ubiquitous and transparent in society while at the same time raising young learners' interest and understanding of how technology works. Educational efforts in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (i.e., STEM disciplines) continue to grow in pre‐kindergarten through 12th grade (P‐12) as part of addressing this challenge. This article explores how engineering education can support acquisition of a wide range of knowledge and skills associated with comprehending and using STEM knowledge to accomplish real world problem solving through design, troubleshooting, and analysis activities. We present several promising instructional models for teaching engineering in P‐12 classrooms as examples of how engineering can be integrated into the curriculum. While the introduction of engineering education into P‐12 classrooms presents a number of opportunities for STEM learning, it also raises issues regarding teacher knowledge and professional development, and institutional challenges such as curricular standards and high‐stakes assessments. These issues are considered briefly with respect to providing direction for future research and development on engineering in P‐12.
Behaviour of foster cows and calves in dairy production

By using foster cows to raise calves in dairy production the calves are given the possibility to perform more of their natural behaviours, such as suckling, playing and having social contact. In this thesis the acceptance of calves by foster cows of different breeds and stages of lactation, the development of an attachment between foster cows and calves and the possibility to reduce stress at weaning and separation was investigated. In paper I cows of the breeds Swedish Red (SR) and Swedish Holstein (SH) from early to late lactation were tested with regard to their ability to accept four alien calves. There were no differences between the breeds or the different stages of lactation. SR cows were more social towards their calves and SR calves suckled and tried to suckle more than the SH calves. In paper II foster cows having four foster calves each were observed for 24 hours at three different occasions. All social interactions between the foster cow and individual calves, along with sucklings were recorded. In all groups the foster cows directed more social behaviour to one or two calves, and those calves were interpreted to have the closest attachment to the cow, but the identity of the preferred calves was different during the different weeks. The attachment was not correlated with either the suckling duration or the weight gain of the calves. In the third study two different ways of weaning foster cows and calves after 9 weeks of free suckling was tested. Either the calves were prevented from suckling by separating them from the cow (control), or they were prevented from suckling by a nose-flap that was fitted in the nose of the calves and kept with the cow for another two weeks after which they were separated (two-step). Both cows and calves in the two-step treatment vocalised and walked less than the cows and calves in the control treatment both when comparing time of weaning and the time of separation. The heart rate was lower in the two-step calves and they had a decrease in the level of saliva cortisol compared to the control calves. In conclusion, cows of both SR and SH breed and from early to late lactation accept being foster cows, foster cows seems to attach to one or two of her foster calves, and the two-step weaning process reduce the stress for both foster cows and calves after a long period of suckling.
How Interdependent are Eastern European Economies and the Euro Area?

This article investigates the interrelations between the Euro area and five Central and Eastern European economies. Using an open economy framework, we derive theoretical restrictions to be imposed on the cointegration space of a structural vector error correction model. We employ generalized impulse response analysis to assess the effects of shocks to output, interest rates, the exchange rate, and relative prices on both areas. The results show strong inter-regional spillovers of output shocks with the magnitude being similarly strong in both areas. Furthermore, we find multiplier effects in Central and Eastern Europe and some evidence for the European Central Bank's desire for price stability.
The Contribution of Non-Financial Performance Indicator Dimension in Assessing the Influence of Social Capital on Business Performance in Smes

This study aims to examine contribution of Non-Financial Performance Indicator (NFPI) to business performance and their effects on social capital of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in embroidery and weaving craftsmanship in West Sumatra, Indonesia. This research was conducted in eight regions in West Sumatera with a total sample of 235 SMEs. All SMEs owners served as the informants for this study and whose responses to a questionnaire were used the data further analysed using SEM (Structural Equation Modelling) by means of AMOS software. This study found out that NFPI has the greater contribution in building SMEs' business performance as compared to other dimensions. Social capital variables have played positive and significant roles upon the business performance. Nevertheless, this study was disadvantaged from the lack of samples and the use of only quantitative method of analysis. Further studies can expected to fill in the gap by applying qualitative method to a larger size of samples from a variety of respondents, not only from SME owners. Keyword: Business Performance, Social Capital, NFPI, SEM.
Mapping AFLP markers associated with subspecific differentiation of Oryza sativa (rice) and an investigation of segregation distortion

AFLP marker data were generated for a doubled haploid rice mapping population developed from a cross between IR64 (indica) and Azucena (japonica) varieties, as well as for a diverse set of rice germplasm. A total of 151 AFLP markers were incorporated into an existing restriction fragment length polymorphism framework map and compared with a published map. Markers associated with the indica–japonica subspecific differentiation in Asian rice were also mapped and were found to be distributed throughout the genome. Sources of mapping errors were examined and the possibility of such errors being caused by co-migration of bands and segregation distortion was explored. In the case of markers that show distorted segregation, it was concluded that one-third of these may be affected by gametophytic/sterility genes and a futher one-third may arise because of association with the indica–japonica differentiation.
Frequency-selective quantification of biomedical magnetic resonance spectroscopy data.

In this paper the possibility of obtaining accurate estimates of parameters of selected peaks in the presence of unknown or uninteresting spectral features in biomedical magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) signals is investigated. This problem is denoted by frequency-selective parameter estimation. A new time-domain technique based on maximum-phase finite impulse response (FIR) filters is presented. The proposed method is compared to a number of existing approaches: the application of a weighting function in the time domain, frequency domain fitting using a polynomial baseline, and the time-domain HSVD filter method. The ease of use and low computational complexity of the FIR filter method make it an attractive approach for frequency-selective parameter estimation. The methods are validated using simulations of relevant (13)C and (31)P MRS examples.
Intracellular trafficking of the β‐secretase and processing of amyloid precursor protein

The main component of the amyloid plaques found in the brains of those with Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a polymerized form of the β‐amyloid peptide (Aβ) and is considered to play a central role in the pathogenesis of this neurodegenerative disorder. Aβ is derived from the proteolytic processing of the amyloid precursor protein (APP). Beta site APP‐cleaving enzyme, BACE1 (also known as β‐secretase) is a membrane‐bound aspartyl protease responsible for the initial step in the generation of Aβ peptide and is thus a prime target for therapeutic intervention. Substantive evidence now indicates that the processing of APP by BACE1 is regulated by the intracellular sorting of the enzyme and, moreover, perturbations in these intracellular trafficking pathways have been linked to late‐onset AD. In this review, we highlight the recent advances in the understanding of the regulation of the intracellular sorting of BACE1 and APP and illustrate why the trafficking of these cargos represent a key issue for understanding the membrane‐mediated events associated with the generation of the neurotoxic Aβ products in AD. © 2011 IUBMB IUBMB Life, 63(9): 721–729, 2011
Adaptive response in hepatitis B virus infection

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a major cause of acute and chronic liver inflammation worldwide. The immune response against the virus represents a key factor in determining infection outcome, in terms of both viral clearance and the perpetuation of liver damage. Significant advances have recently been achieved regarding the functions of antiviral CD8+ T cells, leading to a better understanding of their abnormalities during chronic infection as well as the pathways to be manipulated to reverse the immune impairment of chronic infection. In this review, we aimed to analyse the patterns of adaptive immunity that develop during acute infection and the profiles in chronic infection. In addition to CD8+ T cells, which are the best‐described subset to date, we reviewed and commented on the direct and indirect roles of CD4+ T cells and B cells.
nanoDSF Thermal Unfolding Analysis of a Membrane-bound Esterase in Various Detergents

nanoDSF, the miniaturized differential scanning fluorimetry technology, is a revolutionary method to determine the thermostability of proteins by following changes in their intrinsic fluorescence. In this comparative study, the Prometheus NT.48 was used to determine the thermal stability of the membrane esterase PA2949 from Pseudomonas aeruginosa in presence of various detergents. The detergent type strongly affected enzyme thermal stability, which moreover correlated with enzyme activity. Thus, the Prometheus NT.48 can be used not only to rapidly screen for optimal purification conditions for enzymes, but also to evaluate enzyme activities based on their conformational stability in presence of detergents.
Introducing geriatric health in medical training in Ajman, United Arab Emirates: A co-curricular approach.

BACKGROUND Medical students' knowledge and understanding of the elderly will affect the quality of care to the rising population of older adults which points to a need to identify geriatric health training methods appropriate for the region and curriculum. Therefore the study assessed the effect of a co- curricular introductory workshop on knowledge regarding geriatric health and attitude towards the elderly among fourth year medical students in a medical university METHOD A quasi-experimental before-after study, with control was conducted at Gulf Medical College among 60 medical students from discipline-based curriculum in year IV during May-June 2010 of whom 16 had opted (attendees) to undergo the introductory course, a five day workshop of 10 hours duration. Pre- and post-testing used self-administered questionnaires for demographic variables: age, gender, nationality, close contact with older people; a quiz on old people's health, and Kogan's Old People Scale (KOPS) for attitude. The difference in scores on quiz and KOPS were compared for the attendees and 26 non-attendees who participated in both pre and post testing. RESULTS The attendees group had 38% male and 62% female participants and the non-attendees group had 21% and 79% respectively. The groups were not significantly different in age, sex, nationality and close contact with the elderly. The scores on the quiz and KOPS showed no statistically significant difference between the two groups before or after the workshop. Almost all the participants evaluated the workshop very positively especially the interaction with healthy elderly and inmates of old people's home. CONCLUSION A 10-hour introductory co-curricular workshop made no significant change in the knowledge on geriatric health or attitude of fourth year medical students though they reported it as a very enriching experience. A reflective report may have been a better assessment tool and the impact on their clinical practice cannot be predicted.
A Study of CEO Management Philosophy and Corporate Governance - Variation of Executive Compensation

According to past empirical studies, the board of director has the function of increasing firm value. However, in Taiwan, where family control is the rule, the board does not play an effective monitoring role. We suggest that in this type of environment, CEO’s honesty is the foundation of effective corporate governance. In this study, we develop a proxy variable to represent the CEO’s Management Philosophy (MP) by calculating the ratio of executive compensation divided by the net income of the firm. Then, we use the variation in this ratio to evaluate the CEO’s MP. If the ratio is less than zero, it means that the CEO is not only benefiting the stakeholder, but also him/herself. In contrast, if the ratio is more than zero, it means that CEO is primarily benefiting him/herself from taking advantage of the stakeholder. The aim of this paper is to investigate the relationship between MP and firm performance. We find that a decrease in MP will increase firm value. In addition, to evaluate conflict of interest [1], we also measure the impact of having bankers on the board of directors on firm value. The results show that the presence of bankers on boards does not improve the board’s firm monitoring. Our results confirm that bankers on boards does however, offer protection to creditor faced with the dilemma of being both stockholder and creditor. Keywords-corporate governance, management philosophy, family shareholding, horizontal agency problem, bankers on boards
Spatially Resolved Impurity Identification via Temperature- and Injection-Dependent Photoluminescence Imaging

Photoluminescence-based impurity imaging methods have been shown to be able to quantify impurities with excellent detection limits of approximately 1010 cm-3. They are, however, limited to metastable defects in p-type silicon only. In this paper, we present an approach that overcomes this limitation by evaluating temperature- and injection-dependent photoluminescence imaging. In contrast with temperature- and injection-dependent lifetime spectroscopy, we are not aiming for determining precise impurity parameters of known contaminants, but rather for identifying lifetime-limiting metal impurities using established impurity parameters from the literature. Our approach is to measure spatially resolved injection-dependent lifetimes by photoluminescence imaging and fit them with respect to established defect parameters. Additional measurements at higher temperature enhance the information content of the analysis. The two-defect approach first identifies the two lifetime-limiting defects and derives a candidate for a third defect. Subsequently, we can determine their concentrations. The presented method is not limited to doping type nor metastable defects and is, therefore, a promising method to characterize the spatially resolved distribution of a large variety of impurities.
Complete Genome Sequence of Aurantimicrobium minutum Type Strain KNCT, a Planktonic Ultramicrobacterium Isolated from River Water

ABSTRACT Aurantimicrobium minutum type strain KNCT is a planktonic ultramicrobacterium isolated from river water in western Japan. Strain KNCT has an extremely small, streamlined genome of 1,622,386 bp comprising 1,575 protein-coding sequences. The genome annotation suggests that strain KNCT has an actinorhodopsin-based photometabolism.
Short Run and Long Run Ricardian Equivalence: An Evidence from Malaysia

This paper aims to test the validity of Ricardian equivalence in Malaysian economy with respect to the behavior of government debt and government spending on private consumption. To conduct the test, we choose Giorgioni and Holden (2003) model based on Bernheim (1987) model modifications. Auto-Regressive Distributed Lags (ARDL) Bounds test approach is employed to estimate the model in order to capture the hypothesis existence both in short run and long run. Consequently, the results show that the existence of Ricardian equivalence hypothesis is statistically rejected both cases. It also shows that Malaysians perceive government debt as net wealth and the government spending itself gives complementarity effect on private consumption. Therefore, Malaysian fiscal policy is a good macroeconomic stabilization tool to foster incessant economic growth.
Computer Science Principles Curricula: On-the-ground; adoptable; adaptable; approaches to teaching

1. Summary Previous sessions and presentations at SIGCSE have explained to the community many details about the development, piloting, and exam format of the NSF/College Board Computer Science Principles (CSP) [1-3] project --a project that is intended and designed to be a rigorous, engaging, and broadly appealing Advanced Placement (AP) course taught in high schools, for which students can earn placement and/or credit for a college course. We are now less than two years from the launch of the course as an official Advanced Placement course in 2016-2017. Hundreds of high schools have offered courses designed around the CSP Framework, but these courses differ in many respects – from choice of programming language, to the degree of emphasis on the Internet, to varying focuses on modeling/simulation, and more.
Mental health screening and early intervention: Clinical research study for under 5-year-old Children in Care in an inner London borough

Typically the social-emotional development or mental health of under 5-year-old Children in Care (CiC) is not routinely assessed and there are few published data in the UK on the prevalence of difficulties for these children. Our hypothesis was that there could be a significant level of unidentified and unmet need within this group. A screening procedure was developed and piloted in a 12-month study assessing both child factors and the developing relationships between children and their caregivers. Previous screening studies have shown that recommendations for interventions are not reliably expedited. An intervention component was incorporated to address this and minimise delay in the children and their carers receiving support. Close inter-agency collaboration was integral to the establishment, implementation and high level of participation in the study. The screening proved acceptable to the majority of birth parents and caregivers, with 94% uptake of participants. In the year prior to screening only 10% of under-fives coming into care were identified as having difficulties in contrast to 67% of children in the screening cohort. The brief interventions offered were taken up in three-quarters of cases, leading to increased referrals on and access to mental health services for these children.
Epigenetic Regulation of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Self-Renewal by Polycomb Group Genes

Polycomb group (PcG) genes are involved in the maintenance of cellular memory through epigenetic chromatin modifications. Recent studies have implicated a role for PcG genes in the self-renewal of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), a process in which cellular memory is maintained through cell division. Among the PcG genes, Bmi-1 plays a central role in the inheritance of stemness, and its forced expression promotes HSC self-renewal. These findings highlight the importance of epigenetic regulation in HSC self-renewal and identify PcG genes as potential targets for therapeutic HSC manipulation.