Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Data envelopment analysis and data mining to efficiency estimation and evaluation

PurposeThis paper aims to assess the application of seven statistical and data mining techniques to second-stage data envelopment analysis (DEA) for bank performance.Design/methodology/approachDifferent statistical and data mining techniques are used to second-stage DEA for bank performance as a part of an attempt to produce a powerful model for bank performance with effective predictive ability. The projected data mining tools are classification and regression trees (CART), conditional inference trees (CIT), random forest based on CART and CIT, bagging, artificial neural networks and their statistical counterpart, logistic regression.FindingsThe results showed that random forests and bagging outperform other methods in terms of predictive power.Originality/valueThis is the first study to assess the impact of environmental factors on banking performance in Middle East and North Africa countries.
The Müller acetabular reinforcement ring--still an option in acetabular revision of Paprosky 2 defects? Longterm results after 10 years.

BACKGROUND Aim of this study was to measure the clinical and radiological longterm outcome after acetabular revision arthroplasty (RTHA) using the Müller acetabular reinforcement ring. MATERIAL AND METHODS 86 patients with 90 revision arthroplasties and a mean age of 68 years (41 to 84) were included. The mean follow-up was 10 years (range 7-12). The Harris Hip Score and the WOMAC Index were used to assess pain and functional outcome. Furthermore clinical examination of range of motion and radiologic examinations were performed in 34 patients. RESULTS The radiologic analysis reports no signs of loosening in 79%, 15% showed possibly loosening and 6% probable loosening. Definite radiologic loosening has not been detected. In the meantime 12 patients (13.3%) of 90 revision total hip arthroplasty underwent a revision of the acetabulum with change of the acetabular component which means a survival rate of 86.7% after 10 years follow-up. The mean center of rotation of the hip moved 0.15 cm (SD 0.74 cm) laterally and 0.1 cm (SD 0.97 cm) cranially based on the geometrically reconstructed center of rotation. A mean score of 58 points for the Harris Hip Score (range 14-93) indicated a poor functional outcome, while a mean value of 96 points (range 0-223) for the WOMAC Index indicated good results for functional outcome in daily living. CONCLUSIONS The revision arthroplasty in cases with acetabular defects using the Müller acetabular reinforcement ring shows acceptable longterm results. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Level IV.
Europe, Russia, or both? Popular perspectives on overlapping regionalism in the Southern Caucasus

ABSTRACT Political elites often construct dichotomous images of foreign policy choices. This paper is interested in how overlapping regional integration projects such as the European Union or the Russia-initiated Eurasian Economic Union are regarded by the larger public. Based on survey data, the paper analyses foreign policy orientations in Georgia, a country that has been considered as one of the most strongly pro-Western nations in the post-soviet world. The paper finds that despite having idealistic pro-European foreign policy elites, a substantial part of the Georgian population does in fact pragmatically supports closer ties with Russia and with the European Union at the same time. Several explanatory factors for the different foreign policy choices are proposed, of which identity- and interest-based ones prove to be most important.
Protein kinase C activity, translocation, and selective isoform subcellular redistribution in the rat cerebral cortex after in vitro ischemia

Protein kinase C (PKC) involvement in ischemia‐induced neuronal damage has been investigated in superfused rat cerebral cortex slices submitted to 15 min of oxygen‐glucose deprivation (OGD) and in primary cultures of rat cortical neurons exposed to 100 μM glutamate (GLU) for 10 min. OGD significantly increased the total PKC activity in the slices, mostly translocated in the particulate fraction. After 1 hr of reperfusion, the total PKC activity was reduced and the translocated fraction dropped by 84% with respect to the control. Western blot analysis of OGD samples showed an increase in total β2 and ϵ PKC isoform levels. After reperfusion, the total levels of α, β1, β2 and γ isoforms were significantly reduced, whereas the ϵ isoform remained at an increased level. Endogenous GLU release from OGD slices increased to about 15 times the basal values after 15 min of oxygen‐glucose deprivation, and to 25 and 35 times the basal level in the presence of the PKC inhibitors staurosporine (0.1 μM) and bisindolylmaleimide (1 μM), respectively. Western blot analysis of GLU‐treated cortical neurons showed a significant decrease only in the total level of β2 isoforms. Cell survival was reduced to 31% in GLU‐treated neuronal cultures; PKC inhibitors were not able to modify this effect. These findings demonstrate that the cell response to OGD and GLU involves PKC in a complex way. The net role played by PKC during OGD may be to reduce GLU release and, consequently, neurotoxicity. The isoforms β2 and ϵ are affected the most and may play a significant role in the mechanisms underlying neurotoxicity/neuroprotection. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Cortisol excretion in high and low cynically hostile men.

&NA; Cynical hostility as measured by the Cook and Medley Hostility (Ho) Scale has been found in some studies to be associated with increased risk of life‐threatening illness. Previous laboratory studies of cardiovascular reactivity have been consistent with the general hypothesis that increased physiological responsiveness is one possible mechanism underlying the association between hostility and health. The present study extended this previous research by evaluating urinary cortisol excretion during routine daily activities in a sample of high and low cynically hostile young men. Although high and low Ho groups did not differ in their cortisol excretion upon awakening, the high Ho group displayed more than twice the increase in cortisol excretion during daytime hours as that occurring among low hostile men. This difference dissipated during the evening hours. Results are discussed in terms of possible physiological mechanisms linking hostility and health.
Silicon on metal technology merged with cylindrical gate all around FET for enhanced performance

Buried oxide layer in SOI devices creates a few problems such as self-heating, which eventually flops the possibility of this device for future circuit analysis. A modification over a fully depleted SOI MOSFET merged with cylindrical gate all around (CGAA) structure is proposed in this work to incorporate improved performance along with a possibility to dissipate the heat generated in the device. The buried oxide layer is replaced with thin P+ region and the substrate layer is replaced by a metallic nanowire which is located at the center of the GAA core. The metallic nanowire is shorted with the gate metal to give in strong govern over the flow of the current and helps the device to release its heat easily. This modified structure is termed as silicon on metal (SOM) CGAA FET and was simulated using SILVACO TCAD ATLAS for short technology nodes. To exhibit the superiority of the device the simulation results were compared with CGAA FET. The device shows an improved electrical characteristics and scaling possibility below 10nm technology node over CGAA FET which makes this modified device potentially suitable for future CMOS technology.
Determining the optimal public debt threshold for Nigeria

This paper investigates the existence of threshold effects in the relationship between public debt and economic growth in Nigeria using quarterly data. Generally, we found empirical support for an inverted U-shape relationship between public debt types and economic growth. For total public debt as percentage of GDP, model results identified a threshold level of 73.70 per cent, while the estimated inflexion points for external and domestic debts were 49.4 and 30.9 per cent, respectively. The implication of this finding is that debt accumulation in excess of the estimated threshold levels could hurt economic growth. A retrospective examination of the country’s total and external debts profile indicated that the estimated threshold levels were exceeded prior to the debt forgiveness negotiated in 2005 and largely within limits afterwards. In addition, the study found empirical support for external debt accumulation opportunities, however, we caution that such additional debt incurrence be done in a manner that is consistent with the country’s growth objectives.
Clinical applications and availability of CD4+ T cell count testing in sub‐Saharan Africa

The absolute CD4+ T cell count in adults and CD4+ T cell percentage of lymphocytes (CD4%) in pediatrics compliment clinical history and physical examination to inform decisions about initiating antiretroviral therapy (ART). In addition, these immunologic markers predict host susceptibility to specific opportunistic infections, selected drug toxicities, and mortality. These benefits argue strongly for the availability of CD4+ T cell testing capacity in all settings where HIV infection is treated. Several currently available flow cytometry‐based devices, and novel CD4+ T cell enumeration techniques such as the panleucogating CD4 are especially suitable for resource‐constrained settings.
Strength and Hypertrophy Adaptations Between Low- vs. High-Load Resistance Training: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Abstract Schoenfeld, BJ, Grgic, J, Ogborn, D, and Krieger, JW. Strength and hypertrophy adaptations between low- vs. high-load resistance training: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Strength Cond Res 31(12): 3508–3523, 2017—The purpose of this article was to conduct a systematic review of the current body of literature and a meta-analysis to compare changes in strength and hypertrophy between low- vs. high-load resistance training protocols. Searches of PubMed/MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, and Scopus were conducted for studies that met the following criteria: (a) an experimental trial involving both low-load training [⩽60% 1 repetition maximum (1RM)] and high-load training (>60% 1RM); (b) with all sets in the training protocols being performed to momentary muscular failure; (c) at least one method of estimating changes in muscle mass or dynamic, isometric, or isokinetic strength was used; (d) the training protocol lasted for a minimum of 6 weeks; (e) the study involved participants with no known medical conditions or injuries impairing training capacity. A total of 21 studies were ultimately included for analysis. Gains in 1RM strength were significantly greater in favor of high- vs. low-load training, whereas no significant differences were found for isometric strength between conditions. Changes in measures of muscle hypertrophy were similar between conditions. The findings indicate that maximal strength benefits are obtained from the use of heavy loads while muscle hypertrophy can be equally achieved across a spectrum of loading ranges.
Rheumatologic manifestations of infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

PURPOSE To review the various rheumatologic manifestations of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and to discuss their potential pathogenic mechanisms. DATA IDENTIFICATION A literature search using MEDLINE (1981 to 88) and Index Medicus (1981 to 88) and review of references from all identified articles. STUDY SELECTION All studies and case reports addressing arthritis, myopathies, vasculitis, the sicca syndrome, systemic lupus erythematosus, and autoimmune phenomena in HIV-infected patients are cited. RESULTS OF DATA SYNTHESIS The Reiter syndrome and other reactive arthritides are the commonest arthritides seen in HIV-infected patients. Psoriatic arthritis and septic arthritis with opportunistic agents, as well as an articular pain that is severe, acute, and intermittent, may also occur with HIV infection. An arthritis that may be specific for the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) has been described. Myopathies, especially of a polymyositic type, vasculitis, and the sicca syndrome are also part of the spectrum of rheumatologic presentation of HIV infection. Several autoimmune phenomena, such as antinuclear and anticardiolipin antibodies, as well as lupus anticoagulant, have been reported in HIV-infected patients. CONCLUSIONS The Reiter syndrome, reactive arthritis, polymyositis, and the sicca syndrome may herald the onset of clinically evident HIV infection. These diseases and others may also occur in patients with full-blown AIDS. Furthermore, HIV infection may mimic systemic lupus erythematosus.
Nanotransfersomes of carvedilol for intranasal delivery: formulation, characterization and in vivo evaluation

Abstract Context: Development of carvedilol-loaded transfersomes for intranasal administration to overcome poor nasal permeability and hepatic first pass effect so as to enhance its bioavailability. Objective: The purpose of this study was to develop carvedilol-loaded transfersomes containing different edge activators (EAs) then evaluating the in vivo behavior of the optimized formula in rabbits. Methods: The vesicles were prepared by incorporating different EAs including Span 20, Span 60, Tween 20, Tween 80, and sodium deoxycholate (SDC) in the lipid bilayer and each EA was used in three different ratios with respect to phosphatidylcholine (PC) including 95:5%, 85:15%, and 75:25% w/w (PC:EA). Evaluation of transfersomes was carried out in terms of shape, size, entrapment efficiency (EE), in vitro release, ex vivo permeation, confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM), and stability studies. The pharmacokinetic study of the optimized formula was conducted in rabbits. Results: The mean diameter of the vesicles was in the range of 295–443 nm. Transfersomes prepared with 95:5% (w/w) (PC:EA) ratio showed highest EE% where Span 60 gave the highest values. Whereas those prepared using 85:15% w/w ratio showed highest percentages of drug release where SDC was superior to other EAs. The developed transfersomes exhibited significantly higher amounts of carvedilol permeated through nasal mucosa. CLSM of formula T14 containing SDC with 85:15% (w/w) (PC:EA) ratio revealed high permeation across the nasal mucosa. Conclusion: The nanotransfersomal vesicles were significantly more efficient in nasal delivery of carvedilol with absolute bioavailability of 63.4%.
Exercise and Auricular Acupuncture for Chronic Low-back Pain: A Feasibility Randomized-controlled Trial

Objectives:To evaluate the feasibility of a randomized-controlled trial (RCT) investigating the effects of adding auricular acupuncture (AA) to exercise for participants with chronic low-back pain (CLBP). Methods:Participants with CLBP were recruited from primary care and a university population and were randomly allocated (n=51) to 1 of 2 groups: (1) “Exercise Alone (E)”—12-week program consisting of 6 weeks of supervised exercise followed by 6 weeks unsupervised exercise (n=27); or (2) “Exercise and AA (EAA)”—12-week exercise program and AA (n=24). Outcome measures were recorded at baseline, week 8, week 13, and 6 months. The primary outcome measure was the Oswestry Disability Questionnaire. Results:Participants in the EAA group demonstrated a greater mean improvement of 10.7% points (95% confidence interval, –15.3,−5.7) (effect size=1.20) in the Oswestry Disability Questionnaire at 6 months compared with 6.7% points (95% confidence interval, −11.4,−1.9) in the E group (effect size=0.58). There was also a trend towards a greater mean improvement in quality of life, LBP intensity and bothersomeness, and fear-avoidance beliefs in the EAA group. The dropout rate for this trial was lower than anticipated (15% at 6 mo), adherence with exercise was similar (72% E; 65% EAA). Adverse effects for AA ranged from 1% to 14% of participants. Discussion:Findings of this study showed that a main RCT is feasible and that 56 participants per group would need to be recruited, using multiple recruitment approaches. AA was safe and demonstrated additional benefits when combined with exercise for people with CLBP, which requires confirmation in a fully powered RCT.
Human RNase H1 Discriminates between Subtle Variations in the Structure of the Heteroduplex Substrate

In a previous study, we demonstrated that the sugar conformation and helical geometry of the heteroduplex substrate at the catalytic site of human RNase H1 directs the selective recognition of the substrate by the enzyme (J Biol Chem 279: 36317-36326, 2004). In this study, we systematically introduced 2′-methoxyethoxy (MOE) nucleotides into the antisense oligodeoxyribonucleotide (ASO) of the heteroduplex to alter the helical geometry of the substrate. The MOE substitutions at the 3′ and 5′ poles of the ASO resulted in fewer cleavage sites and slower cleavage rates compared with the unmodified substrates. Furthermore, a greater reduction in cleavage activity was observed for MOE substitutions at the 5′ pole of the ASO. The 3′- and 5′-most cleavage sites were positioned two and four to five base pairs, respectively, from the nearest MOE residues, suggesting a conformational transmission of the MOE/RNA helical geometry into the DNA/RNA portion of the heteroduplex. Similar conformational transmission was observed for Okazaki-like substrates containing deoxyribonucleotide substitutions at the 3′ pole of the oligoribonucleotide. Finally, the heteroduplex substrates exhibited preferred cleavage sites that were cleaved 2- to 3-fold faster than other sites in the substrate, and these sites exhibited the greatest influence on the initial cleavage rates. The data presented here offer further insights into the role substrate structure plays in directing human RNase H1 activity as well as the design of effective ASOs.
Feeling the Beat: Movement Influences Infant Rhythm Perception

We hear the melody in music, but we feel the beat. We demonstrate that the perception of musical rhythm is a multisensory experience in infancy. In particular, movement of the body, by bouncing on every second versus every third beat of an ambiguous auditory rhythm pattern, influences whether that auditory rhythm pattern is encoded in duple form (a march) or in triple form (a waltz). Visual information is not necessary for the effect, indicating that it likely reflects a strong, early-developing interaction between auditory and vestibular information in the human nervous system.
Comparison of short-term treatment regimen of ciprofloxacin versus long-term treatment regimens of trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole or norfloxacin for uncomplicated lower urinary tract infections: a randomized, multicentre, open-label, prospective study.

OBJECTIVE To compare the bacteriological and clinical efficacy of three treatments for uncomplicated cystitis in ambulatory pre-menopausal women: ciprofloxacin 250 mg orally twice daily for 3 days, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole 160/800 mg orally twice daily for 7 days, and norfloxacin 400 mg orally twice daily for 7 days. MATERIALS AND METHODS A total of 455 women were randomly assigned to three treatment groups: 151 received ciprofloxacin, 150 received trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, and 154 received norfloxacin. Bacteriological cure and clinical resolution were evaluated 5-9 days and 4-6 weeks after completion of treatment. RESULTS There was no significant difference among the three treatment groups: overall efficacy ranged from 78.5% for the trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole group, to 84.5% for the ciprofloxacin group. The highest overall incidence of drug-related adverse effects occurred in the trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole patients. CONCLUSIONS These data indicate that a 3 day treatment with ciprofloxacin is at least as clinically and bacteriologically effective as 7 day treatments with trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole and norfloxacin for uncomplicated lower urinary tract infections.
Protein Kinase C Isoforms Distinctly Regulate Propofol-induced Endothelium-dependent and Endothelium-independent Vasodilation

Abstract: Protein kinase C (PKC) isoforms improve endothelial nitric oxide synthase activity and contractile Ca2+ sensitivity in blood vessels. These actions may have opposite effects on propofol-induced vasodilation. This study examines the hypothesis that propofol induces relaxation by enhancing the PKC-mediated nitric oxide synthesis in endothelium and/or inhibiting the PKC-regulated Ca2+ sensitivity in vascular smooth muscle (VSM). Propofol (1–100 &mgr;M) induced greater relaxation in endothelium-intact rings compared with denuded rings, and this effect was antagonized by the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME). In contrast, treatment with the general PKC inhibitor GF-109203X augmented both the endothelium-dependent and endothelium-independent relaxation induced by propofol, and this enhancement was more profound in the intact rings at lower propofol concentrations. The enhancement was unaffected by L-NAME. Interestingly, calphostin C (an inhibitor of conventional and novel PKCs) and Gö-6976 (an inhibitor of conventional PKCs) had similar effects in augmenting propofol-induced relaxation in endothelium-denuded rings. Downregulation of novel isoforms not only reduced the norepinephrine-elicited contraction but also decreased the magnitude of propofol-induced relaxation. In vascular smooth muscle cells, propofol prevented norepinephrine-elicited phosphorylation of myosin light chain. Propofol can increase the PKC-mediated availability of nitric oxide but inhibit the novel PKC-regulated Ca2+-sensitization, which provides a novel explanation for the mechanism of propofol-induced vasodilation.
Long-term results of a prospective randomized trial of adjuvant brachytherapy in soft tissue sarcoma.

PURPOSE This trial was performed to evaluate the impact of adjuvant brachytherapy on local and systemic recurrence rates in patients with soft tissue sarcoma. PATIENTS AND METHODS In a single-institution prospective randomized trial, 164 patients were randomized intraoperatively to receive either adjuvant brachytherapy (BRT) or no further therapy (no BRT) after complete resection of soft tissue sarcomas of the extremity or superficial trunk. The adjuvant radiation was administered by iridium-192 implant, which delivered 42 to 45 Gy over 4 to 6 days. The two study groups had comparable distributions of patient and tumor factors, including age, sex, tumor site, tumor size, and histologic type and grade. RESULTS With a median follow-up time of 76 months, the 5-year actuarial local control rates were 82% and 69% in the BRT and no BRT groups (P = .04), respectively. Patients with high-grade lesions had local control rates of 89% (BRT) and 66% (no BRT) (P = .0025). BRT had no impact on local control in patients with low-grade lesions (P = .49). The 5-year freedom-from-distant-recurrence rates were 83% and 76% in the BRT and no BRT groups (P = .60), respectively. Analysis by histologic grade did not demonstrate an impact of BRT on the development of distant metastasis, despite the improvement in local control noted in patients with high-grade lesions. The 5-year disease-specific survival rates for the BRT and no BRT groups were 84% and 81% (P = .65), respectively, with no impact of BRT regardless of tumor grade. CONCLUSION Adjuvant brachytherapy improves local control after complete resection of soft tissue sarcomas. This improvement in local control is limited to patients with high-grade histopathology. The reduction in local recurrence in patients with high-grade lesions is not associated with a significant reduction in distant metastasis or improvement in disease-specific survival.