Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Article and Journal Impact Factor in Various Scientific Fields

Background:We tried to provide the scientific community with data to answer the following simple question: What proportion of publications in the various scientific fields is published in journals with impact factor above the median and mean values of the distribution of journal impact factor? Methods:We analyzed and compared the distribution of the impact factor data reduced to the unit of science publication, the article. We calculated the proportion of articles published in journals with impact factor above the journal mean impact factor, journal median impact factor, and article mean impact. Results:For all categories examined, at the article level, the mean impact factor was higher than the median (by 13.7% to 500% for the various scientific categories). The mean impact factor of journals was considerably lower than the mean impact factor of articles (by 0.3 to 6.4 units). The proportion of articles that were published in journals with impact factor above the journals’ median impact factor was well above 50% in 17 of 19 scientific fields examined (all except mathematics and computer science). Significance:Our analysis shows that in most scientific fields examined, it is quite easier to publish an article in the top 50% of journals (based on impact factor calculations) than it is for the article to be included in the top 50% of published articles (based on the assumption made regarding the article’ impact factor).
Charcot–Marie–Tooth Disease Variants—Classification, Clinical, and Genetic Features and Rational Diagnostic Evaluation

Abstract Inherited neuropathies are among the most prevalent inherited neurologic disorders, and with current advances in molecular biology and genetic testing, the clinical spectrum of phenotype/genotype has been expanding enormously. Genetic testing is nowadays commercially available to several subtypes although many remain because of unknown genetic defect. A stepwise rational approach, which is shown in Table 2, facilitates reaching a specific diagnosis and reduces the cost.
Emergency caesarean section in a Nigerian tertiary health centre.

BACKGROUND Caesarean delivery is an important aspect of emergency obstetric care and a major tool in the reduction of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality This study was done to determine the caesarean section rate, ascertain the trend of emergency caesarean section, indications for emergency caesarean section and emergency caesarean morbidity and mortality at the Federal Medical Centre Makurdi. METHOD A retrospective analysis of the clinical records of all patients delivered by caesarean section between January 2004 and December 2006 at the Federal Medical Centre Makurdi in north central Nigeria was conducted. RESULTS There were 4011 deliveries with 420 caesarean sections during the review period giving a caesarean section rate of 10.5%. Emergency caesarean sections accounted for 351 (83.6%) caesarean deliveries. The rate of emergency caesarean section decreased from 89.7% in 2004 to 77.2% in 2006. The leading indication for emergency caesarean section was cephalopelvic disproportion, accounting for 138 (39.3%) cases, while antepartum haemorrhage and foetal distress followed in that order. There were 9 maternal deaths associated with emergency caesarean section giving a caesarean mortality rate ofs 2.1% CONCLUSION Emergency caesarean sections account for 5 out of every 6 caesarean deliveries in our centre with a decreasing trend relative to elective caesarean sections. The emergency caesarean mortality is high.
Neurodevelopmental indices and the development of psychotic symptoms in subjects at high risk of schizophrenia

Background Neurological ‘soft signs’ and minor physical anomalies (MPAs) are reported to be more frequent in patients with schizophrenia than in controls. Aims To determine whether these disturbances are genetically mediated, and whether they are central to the genesis of symptoms or epiphenomena. Method We obtained ratings in 152 individuals who were antipsychotic drug-free and at high risk, some of whom had experienced psychotic symptoms, as well as 30 first-episode patients and 35 healthy subjects. Results MPAs and Neurological Evaluation Scale (NES) ‘sensory integration abnormalities’ were more frequent in high-risk subjects than in healthy controls, but there were no reliable differences between high-risk subjects with and without psychotic symptoms. MPAs were most frequent in high-risk subjects with least genetic liability and NES scores showed no genetic associations. Conclusions The lack of associations with psychotic symptoms and genetic liability to schizophrenia suggests that soft signs and physical anomalies are non-specific markers of developmental deviance that are not mediated by the gene(s) for schizophrenia.
Investigation of the effectiveness of nutrient release from sludge foam after hybrid pretreatment processes by IR analysis and EDX Quantification

ABSTRACT One of the problems in wastewater treatment technologies is the formation of foam/scum. It is thought that filamentous microorganisms are responsible for foam formation and foam elimination/destruction can be carried out by various methods, among which disintegration is included. Hybrid disintegration (chemical decomposition and hydrodynamic cavitation) of foam microorganisms results in the transfer of phosphates, ammonium nitrogen, magnesium and potassium from the foam solids into the liquid phase. Application of both methods as a hybrid pretreatment process caused an increase in the concentration of phosphates of about 650 mg L−1 and ammonium nitrogen of about 30 mg L−1. The concentration of Mg2+ and K+ in the solution increased from 6.8 and 26.1 mg Mg2+ L−1 to 32.2 and 82.2 mg K+ L−1, respectively. The presence of nutrients and metal cations in the solid phase of foam was acknowledged by EDX Quantification. The confirmation of physico-chemical changes and release of cellular matter as a result of cellular lysis (hybrid disintegration) was done by infrared analysis. It was demonstrated that the disintegration of foam permits the removal of a part of nutrients in the form of struvite.
Notes on the Deficiency One Theorem : single linkage class

The Deficiency One Theorem tells us about certain chemical reaction systems that they cannot admit multiple interior equilibria. The theorem was proven by Feinberg. In this paper we provide a relatively short proof of that theorem for the special case of one linkage class. We also extend that result by giving an equivalent condition to the fact that the set of interior equilibria is nonempty for a chemical reaction system with one linkage class considered in the Deficiency One Theorem.
Characterization of the AT4 receptor in a human neuroblastoma cell line (SK‐N‐MC)

Angiotensin IV (Ang IV), the 3–8 fragment of angiotensin II (Ang II), binds to a distinct receptor designated the AT4 receptor. The peptide elicits a range of vascular and central actions including facilitation of memory retention and retrieval in several learning paradigms. The aim of this study was to characterize the AT4 receptor in a human cell line of neural origin. Receptor binding studies indicate that the human neuroblastoma cell line SK‐N‐MC cells express a high‐affinity Ang IV binding site with a pharmacological profile similar to the AT4 receptor: 125I]‐Ang IV and 125I]‐Nle1‐Ang IV bind specifically to the SK‐N‐MC cell membranes (Kd = 0.6 and 0.1 nm) in a saturable manner (Bmax= 1.2 pmol/mg of protein). AT4 receptor ligands, Nle1‐Ang IV, Ang IV and LVV‐haemorphin 7 (LVV‐H7), compete for the binding of [125I]‐Ang IV or [125I]‐Nle1‐Ang IV to the SK‐N‐MC cell membranes with rank order potencies of Nle1‐Ang IV > Ang IV > LVV‐H7 with IC50 values of 1.4, 8.7 and 59 nm ([125I]‐Ang IV) and 1.8, 20 and 168 nm ([125I]‐Nle1‐Ang IV), respectively. The binding of [125I]‐Ang IV or [125I]‐Nle1‐Ang IV to SK‐N‐MC cell membranes was not affected by the presence of GTPγS. Both Ang IV and LVV‐H7 stimulated DNA synthesis in this cell line up to 72 and 81% above control levels, respectively. The AT4 receptor in the SK‐N‐MC cells is a 180‐kDa glycoprotein; under non‐reducing conditions a 250‐kDa band was also observed. In summary, the human neuroblastoma cell line, SK‐N‐MC, expresses functional AT4 receptors that are responsive to Ang IV and LVV‐H7, as indicated by an increase in DNA synthesis. This is the first human cell line of neural origin shown to express the AT4 receptor.
Blacks Have a Greater Sensitivity to &agr;1-Adrenoceptor–Mediated Venoconstriction Compared With Whites

Blacks have increased hemodynamic responses to both physiological and pharmacological adrenergic stimulation compared with whites, and this may contribute to the greater prevalence of hypertension in this ethnic group. A small study suggested enhanced &agr;1-adrenoreceptor–mediated arterial vasoconstriction in the forearm vasculature of blacks compared with whites, but it is unknown whether this reflects a generalized vascular phenomenon. The objective of this study was to examine the hypothesis that there are ethnic differences in venous &agr;1-adrenoreceptor responsiveness. Using a linear variable differential transformer, we measured local dorsal hand vein responses to increasing doses of the selective &agr;1-adrenoreceptor agonist, phenylephrine, in 106 subjects (64 whites and 42 blacks). There was wide interindividual variability in responses to phenylephrine. The dose that produced 50% of maximal constriction (ED50) ranged from 11 to 5442 ng/min, and maximal venoconstriction (Emax) ranged from 13.5% to 100%. Blacks (geometric mean ED50 =172 ng/min; 95% confidence interval, 115–256 ng/min) were more sensitive to phenylephrine than whites (310 ng/min; 95% confidence interval, 222–434 ng/min; unadjusted P=0.026; adjusted P=0.003). Median Emax was slightly higher in blacks (89%; interquartile range, 82% to 98%) compared with whites (85%; interquartile range, 75% to 95%; P=0.07). Taken together with previous findings in arterial vessels, our results suggest a generalized increased sensitivity to &agr;1-adrenoreceptor–mediated vasoconstriction in blacks. Increased vascular &agr;-adrenoreceptor sensitivity could predispose to hypertension, and future studies addressing the contribution of this mechanism to ethnic differences in the prevalence of hypertension will be of interest.
Gradual sucrose gastric loading test: A method for the prediction of nonsuccess gastric enteral feeding in critically ill surgical patients

Background and Aims: Intolerance of gastric enteral feeding (GEN) commonly occurs in surgical Intensive Care Unit (SICU). A liquid containing sugar could prolong gastric emptying time. This study was to propose a method for prediction of nonsuccess GEN using gastric volume after loading (GVAL) following gradual sucrose gastric loading. Materials and Methods: Mechanical ventilator supported and hemodynamically stable patients in SICU were enrolled. About 180-240 min before the GEN starting, a sucrose solution (12.5%; 450 mosmole/kg, 800 mL) was administered via gastric feeding tube over 30 min with 45° head upright position. GVAL was measured at 30, 60, 90, and 120 min after loading. GEN success status using clinical criteria was assessed at 72 h after the starting GEN protocol. The receiving operating characteristic (ROC) and c statistic were used for discrimination at each time point of GVAL. Results: A total of 32 patients were enrolled and completed the protocol. 14 patients (43.7%) were nonsuccessful GEN. The nonsuccess group was found to have significantly more GVAL than the other group at all-time points during the test (P < 0.05). The most discriminating point of GVAL for the prediction of nonsuccess was 150 mL at 120 min after loading with a sensitivity of 92.3%, specificity of 88.9%, positive predictive value of 85.7%, negative predictive value of 94.1%, and ROC area 0.97 (95% confidence interval 0.91–1.00). Conclusion: A high GVAL following sucrose gastric loading test might be a method to predict nonsuccess GEN in critically ill surgical patients.
Semaphorin 3A elevates endothelial cell permeability through PP2A inactivation

Summary VE-cadherin-mediated cell–cell junction weakening increases paracellular permeability in response to both angiogenic and inflammatory stimuli. Although Semaphorin 3A has emerged as one of the few known anti-angiogenic factors to exhibit pro-permeability activity, little is known about how it triggers vascular leakage. Here we report that Semaphorin 3A induced VE-cadherin serine phosphorylation and internalisation, cell–cell junction destabilisation, and loss of barrier integrity in brain endothelial cells. In addition, high-grade glioma-isolated tumour-initiating cells were found to secrete Semaphorin 3A, which promoted brain endothelial monolayer permeability. From a mechanistic standpoint, Semaphorin 3A impinged upon the basal activity of the serine phosphatase PP2A and disrupted PP2A interaction with VE-cadherin, leading to cell–cell junction disorganization and increased permeability. Accordingly, both pharmacological inhibition and siRNA-based knockdown of PP2A mimicked Semaphorin 3A effects on VE-cadherin. Hence, local Semaphorin 3A production impacts on the PP2A/VE-cadherin equilibrium and contributes to elevated vascular permeability.
Channel characterization using jitter measurements

This paper proposes a technique for characterization of the frequency-dependent losses in a wireline communications link. By using the measured jitter at the output of a receiver front-end as its only input, this method is able to estimate both the pulse response and frequency response of the link, including the effects of the transmitter output, the channel itself, and the receiver front-end. Simulated and measured results verify the accuracy of this technique, which can be used to efficiently adapt the settings of critical circuit blocks in the link, such as equalizer tap weights.
Synthetic Amphipathic Helical Peptides Targeting CD36 Attenuate Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Inflammation and Acute Lung Injury

Synthetic amphipathic helical peptides (SAHPs) designed as apolipoprotein A-I mimetics are known to bind to class B scavenger receptors (SR-Bs), SR-BI, SR-BII, and CD36, receptors that mediate lipid transport and facilitate pathogen recognition. In this study, we evaluated SAHPs, selected for targeting human CD36, by their ability to attenuate LPS-induced inflammation, endothelial barrier dysfunction, and acute lung injury (ALI). L37pA, which targets CD36 and SR-BI equally, inhibited LPS-induced IL-8 secretion and barrier dysfunction in cultured endothelial cells while reducing lung neutrophil infiltration by 40% in a mouse model of LPS-induced ALI. A panel of 20 SAHPs was tested in HEK293 cell lines stably transfected with various SR-Bs to identify SAHPs with preferential selectivity toward CD36. Among several SAHPs targeting both SR-BI/BII and CD36 receptors, ELK-B acted predominantly through CD36. Compared with L37pA, 5A, and ELK SAHPs, ELK-B was most effective in reducing the pulmonary barrier dysfunction, neutrophil migration into the lung, and lung inflammation induced by LPS. We conclude that SAHPs with relative selectivity toward CD36 are more potent at inhibiting acute pulmonary inflammation and dysfunction. These data indicate that therapeutic strategies using SAHPs targeting CD36, but not necessarily mimicking all apolipoprotein A-I functions, may be considered a possible new treatment approach for inflammation-induced ALI and pulmonary edema.
Simultaneous Liver Kidney Transplantation: A Medical Decision Analysis

Background. The use of simultaneous liver kidney transplantation has increased dramatically. When the liver and kidney are available from the same deceased donor, what is the best decision? There are two allocation options. In the combined allocation, both organs are allocated to a liver failure (end-stage liver disease [ESLD]) patient on dialysis leaving an end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patient on dialysis. In split allocation, the liver is allocated to the liver failure patient on dialysis and the kidney to the patient with ESRD. Methods. A computerized medical decision analysis was performed using published US survival data. The two options were compared by examining differences in projected quality-adjusted life years (QALYs). Results. Combined allocation was the best strategy (+0.806 QALYs) if liver transplant recipients on dialysis have proportionately worse survival compared with kidney failure alone patients on dialysis. However, because some patients with hepatorenal syndrome recover kidney function post-liver transplant alone (LTA), a second analysis incorporated the possibilities of being dialysis free. If the chance of recovery of renal function is 50% rather than 0%, the decision reversed. Here, the split allocation provided 1.02 more total QALYs than the combined allocation. Conclusions. This study demonstrates that simultaneous liver kidney transplantation is an excellent strategy in most patients with both ESLD and ESRD. However, allocating a kidney to a patient with ESLD, who has the potential to be dialysis free without a kidney transplant, does not maximize overall outcomes when all patients are considered.
An increase in serum lipids increases luteal lipid content and alters the disappearance rate of progesterone in cows.

To determine whether an increase in serum lipids alters the area occupied by lipid droplets in steroidogenic luteal cells and(or) clearance rates of progesterone from serum, pregnant beef heifers received control (n = 6) or treatment (n = 5) diets. To increase serum lipids, the treatment diet contained calcium soaps of fatty acids. Control and treatment diets were formulated to be isocaloric and isonitrogenous. Feeding of diets was initiated approximately 100 d before parturition and continued through the third postpartum estrous cycle. On d 12 or 13 of the third postpartum cycle, corpora lutea were collected by ovariectomy and a center slice was processed for electron microscopy. Eight samples from each slice were sectioned, stained, and examined at a magnification of 2,500x. Five micrographs per sample were analyzed for area occupied by small (SLC) and large (LLC) luteal cells, percentage of the area of each steroidogenic cell type occupied by lipid, and total steroidogenic area (SLC + LLC) occupied by lipid. Jugular blood was collected before and after ovariectomy, and progesterone, cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) were quantified. Cows consuming treatment diets had approximately twice (P < .05) the concentration of cholesterol, HDL, and progesterone in serum that controls had. The percentage of the area of SLC, LLC, and total area occupied by lipid was greater (P < .05) in treated than in control cows. The average time required for serum concentrations of progesterone to decrease by 50% after ovariectomy was greater (P < .05) in treated than in control cows (170 +/- 16 vs 113 +/- 15 min). (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
The Digital Origins of Dictatorship and Democracy: Information Technology and Political Islam

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS PROLOGUE: REVOLUTION IN THE MIDDLE EAST WILL BE DIGITIZED INTRODUCTION: POLITICAL COMMUNICATION AND CONTEMPORARY MUSLIM MEDIA SYSTEMS 1. Evolution and Revolution, Transition and Entrenchment 2. Lineages of the Digital State 3. Political Parties Online 4. New Media & Journalism Online 5. Civil Society and Systems of Political Communication 6. Censorship and the Politics of Cultural Production CONCLUSION: INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND DEMOCRATIC ISLAM REFERENCES INDEX
Power Efficiency Optimization of OFDM Systems in the Presence of Nonlinear Distortion

This paper investigates the tradeoff problem between power efficiency and nonlinear distortion of amplifiers in OFDM systems. One power efficiency figure-of-merit of the whole system is suggested and used as the objective function to find the optimum working point of the power amplifier. An accurate computation of the nonlinear distortion power is also derived. The simulation results showed that the operating point of PA that provides the optimal trade-off can be easily picked from the proposed method
The clinical utility of the Maslach Burnout Inventory in a clinical population.

This replication study examines the use of the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI-GS), a self-report questionnaire on burnout, as a clinical diagnostic instrument for measuring clinical burnout. The MBI and Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI), a semistructured interview based on classifications in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th ed.; DSM-IV; American Psychiatric Association, 1994), were administered to 419 outpatients at a Dutch multicenter institution specializing in the treatment of work-related psychological problems. MBI scores indicative of the presence of burnout were compared to the primary DSM-IV diagnosis as established by the MINI. The DSM-IV diagnosis "undifferentiated somatoform disorder" was used as a proxy measure for clinical burnout. The results showed that the psychometric properties of the MBI were good. The factorial validity of the MBI could be confirmed. Several decision rules or cutoff points were assessed to determine the discriminant validity of the MBI. None of these cutoff points proved to be sufficiently discriminable, however. Receiver operating characteristic analyses revealed that the MBI showed the highest sum of sensitivity (78%) and specificity (48%) with a cutoff point of 3.50 on the Exhaustion subscale, with a kappa agreement of . 25 with the structured diagnostic interview. The practical implication is that the MBI should not be used by itself as a diagnostic tool in a patient population, because of a resultant high probability of overdiagnosing burnout.