Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Treatment of histologically mild hepatitis C virus infection with interferon and ribavirin: a multicentre randomized controlled trial

Summary. Current guidelines advocate no treatment for patients with histologically mild hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. This was a UK multicentre randomized controlled trial comparing α‐interferon (3 MU thrice weekly) + ribavirin (1000–1200 mg/day) for 48 weeks with no treatment in treatment naïve, adult patients with histologically mild chronic HCV infection. The aim was to compare benefits, safety and efficacy of combination therapy with α‐interferon 2b and ribavirin for 48 weeks with no treatment (current standard management) in this patient group. In the treatment group 32 of 98 (33%) patients achieved a sustained virological response (SVR). Patients infected with genotype 1 had a lower SVR than those infected with genotype non‐1 (18%vs 49%P = 0.02). No patients who failed to achieve a 2‐log drop in viral load at 12 weeks achieved SVR. Improvements in quality of life 24 weeks postcessation of therapy compared with baseline using the SF‐36 questionnaire measures were observed in the treated group. For patients with mild HCV infection with viral genotype non‐1, the results are sufficiently good to suggest that therapeutic decisions should no longer be biopsy‐driven. For patients infected with genotype 1, a liver biopsy is still indicated as the low chance of SVR is outweighed by an unacceptable burden of side‐effects. Patients who fail to respond by 12 weeks of therapy should have their treatment curtailed early.
A New Space Image Segmentation Method Based on the Non-Subsampled Contourlet Transform

Image segmentation is very essential and critical to image processing and pattern recognition. In order to extract the feature stars, a novel method for image segmentation by use of nonsubsampled contourlet transform (NSCT) is provided by this paper. The space images are transformed by the NSCT, and then the magnitude of the NSCT coefficients of all the directional subbands at a specific level are computed and the magnitude are compared with the adaptive multilevel threshold which is gained by the Lorentz information measure (LIM), so the edges of the stars are extracted. Using the measure of consistency (F) as the evaluation criterion and compared with the Otsu method, the preliminary experimental results demonstrate the robustness and efficiency of the proposed algorithm in the presence of noise in the space image and the high accurate segmentation of this algorithm.
Analysis of Relay Attacks on RFiD Systems

Today Radio Frequency identification RFiD systems are widely used in a variety of security sensitive applications such as access control, the payment industry and many others. An important class of attacks on these types of systems is that of relay attacks, due to the orthogonality of such attacks to the existing security and cryptographic solutions. In this paper we address the open question of the maximum distance between the rogue Reader and the victim TAG under which a relay attack can be successful. We determine that interference is the largest confounding factor, but that with proper interference cancelation, a distance of up to 10m is possible. This paper provides an analysis of the maximum distance for successful communication between the rogue Reader and the legitimate TAG,herein called the victim distance. We also propose several countermeasures to the relay attack.
Stochastic Logistics Network Design with Deadlines

In this chapter, we consider a capacitated supply and distribution network design and planning problem in which customers’ delivery deadlines and stochastic demand are to be satisfied in a make-to-order supply chain. In this supply chain, a set of contracted material suppliers ship semifinished products to a group of processing centers for their assembly and final configuration. The finished products are then transported to a number of different demand points, each of which has an order quantity and a receiving deadline. Any shipment arrival after the deadline is penalized, and partial delivery (i.e., partial fulfillment of any order) is considered unacceptable The problem is to locate a set of processing centers that need to be opened and to determine the subset of demand points to processing centers and the corresponding supplier selection, so as to optimally minimize the total shipping and penalty costs due to unfilled customer orders, subject to the network capacity and deadline constraints. In this paper, we formulate the network design problem as a stochastic mixed integer nonlinear program with probability constraints and then prove that this problem is NP-hard, in the strong sense. We present an efficient algorithm for solving the design problem and perform empirical experiment to test the performance of the proposed algorithm. BACKGROUND
Pilot Testing of a Model for Insurer-Driven, Large-Scale Multicenter Simulation Training for Operating Room Teams

Objective:To test the feasibility of implementing a standardized teamwork training program with full operating room teams in multiple institutions, driven by malpractice insurer support and incentives. Background:Failures in intraoperative teamwork are among the leading causes of preventable patient injury and death in surgical patients. Teamwork training, particularly using simulation, can be an effective intervention but is difficult to scale. Methods:A malpractice insurer convened a collaborative with 4 Harvard-affiliated simulation programs to develop a standardized operating room teamwork training curriculum, including principles of communication, assertiveness, and use of the World Health Organization Surgical Safety Checklist. Participant teams were compensated for lost operative time via malpractice premium discounts, continuing education credits, and compensation for lost wages. The course was delivered through a simulation program involving the management of intraoperative emergency scenarios. Participants were surveyed for their perceptions of the program and of its impact on clinical practice. Results:A total of 221 active operating room staff members participated in the program. Each team contained at least 1 attending surgeon, 1 attending anesthesiologist, and 1 operating room nurse (mean size per team: 7 ± 2 participants). No study dates were cancelled because of lack of attendance. The survey response rate was 99% (218/221). Overall, the vast majority of participants found the scenarios realistic [94% (95% confidence interval: 90.9%, 97.2%)], appropriately challenging [95.4% (92.6%, 98.2%)], relevant to their practice [96.3% (93.8%, 98.8%)], and found the training would help them provide safer patient care [92.6% (89.1%, 96.1%)]. Surgeons reported their greatest personal deficit as communication skills. Operating room nurses and anesthesiologists reported a greater need than surgeons to work on personal assertiveness. Conclusions:A standardized multicenter team training program involving full operative teams is feasible with high-fidelity simulation and modest compensation for lost time. The vast majority of the multidisciplinary participants believed the course to have had a meaningful impact on their approach to clinical practice.
Green Intellectual Capital and Financial Performance of Corporate Manufacture In Indonesia

This study aimed to influence of green intellectual capital to financial performance in Indonesian Stock Exchange. The independent variable is element of Green Intelectual Capital consisting intellectual capital and Corporate social responsibility (CSR). Intellectual Capital calculation using Pulic methods, that is consisting of VACA (Value Added Capital Assets), VAHU (Value Added Human Capital), STVA (Structural Value Added). Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) measured by action of corporate to public environment. Financial performance is measured by using the Return On Assets (ROA). The research is using secundery data from companies annual report. Data analysis is multiple regression and then measured by Guilford standar value (1956). Result of research found that green intellectual capital has positive effect to financial performance but the effect is not significant. It is caused by imbalance investment in intellectal capital elements. Invest in human capital and than invest in STVA enough to high but invest to VACA is very low. CSR action by corporate is not influence to financial performance. They are more interested to low price and high quality product. This study suggests, invest to intellectual capital must be balanced to achieve high financial performance in future and CSR action by corporate subject to increase people income. Keyword s : Value Added Capital Assets, Value Added Human Capital, Structural Value Added, Corporate Social responsibility, Financial performance .
The impact of advertising appeal and brand personality on customer’s willingness to share a viral advertisement of a controversial product on social media

Recently, a great number of studies have focused on researching the influence of branding strategies on viral advertising on social media platforms. However, to my knowledge, there are no studies on how viral marketing is affected, when using a controversial product that is advertised employing usergenerated content. The present research studies the effect of brand personality and advertising appeal, together with other independent variables, on attitude toward the ad and willingness to share a viral advertisement, using a controversial product like underwear. An online survey experiment is conducted to test the influence of two of the brand personality dimensions established by Aaker (1997), sophistication and ruggedness, for two different levels of advertising appeal, informational and emotional. Unexpectedly, results revealed that there is no significant influence of brand personality and advertising appeal on attitude toward the ad. However, the present study found moderating effect of brand equity on the effect of brand personality on attitude toward the ad. Another interesting finding is that customer’s levels of self-disclosure directly affects their willingness to share the ad, when it comes to sharing content with a controversial product. Finally, this replicated previous findings, confirming the influence of attitude toward the brand on attitude toward the ad, which affects consumers’ willingness to share an ad. The effect replicated the results found by Mitchell’s (2000) as well as many others in the past, but within a novel context, thus, expanding the scope of generalization for previous findings. Several managerial and scientific implications are discussed, as well as direction for future research.
Studies on Focal Adhesion Kinase in Human Breast Cancer Tissue

Aim: To study Expression and Phosphorylation status of Focal Adhesion Kinase (FAK) in Human Breast Cancer tissue. To study the relation of FAK with standard clinicopathological parameters of Human Breast Cancer. Methods: Tissue collection, Protein extraction, RNA isolation, Western Blot, Immunohistochemistry, RT-PCR, ELISA, Statistical analysis. Results: All the four techniques showed upregulated expression, phosphorylation (Tyr-397) and processing of FAK in human breast cancer tissue compared to the adjacent non-tumor tissue of the same patient. Upregulation of FAK was found to be increased parallely with the advancement of cancer. Localisation of FAK was found to be membrano-cytoplasmic. FAK is upregulated both in protein and mRNA level. Expression and phosphorylation of FAK is increased specifically in the tumor regions compared to the surrounding non-tumor region. Upregulation of FAK was frequently found in ER-positive and PR-positive but Her2/neu-negative breast cancer cases. Conclusion: FAK has crucial role in development and progression of human breast cancer. FAK may be considered as an indicator of human breast cancer progression. FAK processing may be considered as an indicator of invasive potential of breast cancer. FAK may be considered as a clinical indicator of human breast cancer development and progression.
Association of chronic kidney disease with abnormal cardiac mechanics and adverse outcomes in patients with heart failure and preserved ejection fraction

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with worse outcomes in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). Whether this association is due the effect of CKD on intrinsic abnormalities in cardiac function is unknown. We hypothesized that CKD is independently associated with worse cardiac mechanics in HFpEF.
A Bayesian Network as a tool to measure Supply Chain Resilience

Resilience frameworks and tools are generally qualitative. The Diagnostic Tool presented in this paper provides a quantitative tool in the area of supply chain resilience. It is among the first tools to quantify the complex concept of resilience. We apply the tool to a sustainable pork chain in the Netherlands. We use a Bayesian Belief Networks (BNN) approach entailing among others the composition of multiple conditional probability tables. This proofed to provide necessary transparency and structure to the concept of resilience and resilience enhancing strategies in a business context.
Separated Antecedent and Consequent Learning for Takagi-Sugeno Fuzzy Systems

In this paper a new algorithm for the learning of Takagi-Sugeno fuzzy systems is introduced. In the algorithm different learning techniques are applied for the antecedent and the consequent parameters of the fuzzy system. We propose a hybrid method for the antecedent parameters learning based on the combination of the bacterial evolutionary algorithm (BEA) and the Levenberg-Marquardt (LM) method. For the linear parameters in fuzzy systems appearing in the rule consequents the least squares (LS) and the recursive least squares (RLS) techniques are applied, which will lead to a global optimal solution of linear parameter vectors in the least squares sense. Therefore a better performance can be guaranteed than with a complete learning by BEA and LM. The paper is concluded by evaluation results based on high-dimensional test data. These evaluation results compare the new method with some conventional fuzzy training methods with respect to approximation accuracy and model complexity.
Anorectal gastrointestinal stromal tumors: CT and MR imaging features with clinical and pathologic correlation.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to describe the imaging features of anorectal gastrointestinal stromal tumors with clinical and pathologic correlation. CONCLUSION Anorectal gastrointestinal stromal tumors are mesenchymal neoplasms that typically arise in the muscularis propria of the intestinal wall. The cross-sectional imaging appearance is that of a well-defined mural mass that may have an exophytic component and may invade adjacent structures. A prominent intraluminal component is a rare feature.
The diagnosis and treatment of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy: new findings for antenatal and inpatient care.

BACKGROUND Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) are among the leading causes of maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. New guidelines and findings from clinical trials must be taken into account so that the diagnosis and treatment of HDP can be optimized. METHODS Current guidelines, Cochrane reviews, metaanalyses, and randomized, controlled trials were retrieved by a search in PubMed and the Cochrane Library for reports published from 2006 to March 2009. These publications were then analyzed and evaluated for their evidence levels (EL). RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS Aside from hypertension and proteinuria, the definition of preeclampsia (PE) should also take organ dysfunction into account. Important aspects of antenatal care include the following: the early recognition of risk factors, measurement of the uterine arteries in the 1st and 2nd trimesters with Doppler ultrasonography (A diagnostic tool which is now well established), prophylactic oral administration of 100 mg of acetylsalicylic acid daily from the beginning of pregnancy, particularly in high-risk patients (EL I++), and appropriate measurement of blood pressure and urinary protein. Patients should be hospitalized whenever indicated. Therapeutic goals are adequate treatment of hypertension, as well as seizure prophylaxis with magnesium sulphate in severe preeclampsia to prevent maternal cerebrovascular complications (EL I++). If delivery is indicated, it should be performed, regardless of the gestational age (EL IV). Careful monitoring during the puerperium and a general medical review six weeks after delivery are essential. Women with preeclampsia have a significantly elevated long-term risk of developing cardiovascular diseases in later life (EL I++).
Site-Directed Mutagenesis Reveals Amino Acid Residues in the Escherichia coli RND Efflux Pump AcrB That Confer Macrolide Resistance

The Escherichia coli AcrB efflux pump is a resistance-nodulation-division (RND) pump that recognizes many unrelated compounds ([9][1], [10][2]). AcrB forms a complex with AcrA and TolC and is the single most important contributor to multidrug resistance in E. coli . Crystallographic models suggest
NGO social interaction concept to deliver Kuala Lumpur homeless

The existence of the homeless is a phenomenon and often raises various perceptions in society. This situation seems to cause a gulf of interaction between civil society and those who are said to be very difficult to approach. Following the situation, NGOs that have been given authority by the government represent the community, especially trying to make some interaction approaches to this group. The move was seen to have received positive responses from homelessness in social interactions with the general public and NGOs in particular. This situation is said to have taken place in recent years. Thus, this study aims to examine the relationship between NGO social interaction concepts with the pattern of homelessness and the method of applying value to the homeless during the interaction process. The design of this study was qualitative using interview instruments and questionnaires to NGO volunteers. A semi-structured interview was conducted on five purposed respondents. While questionnaires were distributed to NGO volunteers who were periodically involved with the activities of the homeless by using simple sampling. The findings of the study found that the concept of social interaction used was significant with moral values and the relationship between NGOs with the homeless was at a good level. This study implies the local authorities and other NGO groups in carrying out their activities with homeless people. Social interaction is a very important thing to create a harmonious community of life whether it involves, race, race or race in society or with certain groups including homeless people.
Tissue-Speci fi c Apocarotenoid Glycosylation Contributes to Carotenoid Homeostasis in Arabidopsis Leaves 1

Attaining defined steady-state carotenoid levels requires balancing of the rates governing their synthesis and metabolism. Phytoene formation mediated by phytoene synthase (PSY) is rate limiting in the biosynthesis of carotenoids, whereas carotenoid catabolism involves a multitude of nonenzymatic and enzymatic processes. We investigated carotenoid and apocarotenoid formation in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) in response to enhanced pathway flux upon PSY overexpression. This resulted in a dramatic accumulation of mainly b-carotene in roots and nongreen calli, whereas carotenoids remained unchanged in leaves. We show that, in chloroplasts, surplus PSY was partially soluble, localized in the stroma and, therefore, inactive, whereas the membrane-bound portion mediated a doubling of phytoene synthesis rates. Increased pathway flux was not compensated by enhanced generation of long-chain apocarotenals but resulted in higher levels of C13 apocarotenoid glycosides (AGs). Using mutant lines deficient in carotenoid cleavage dioxygenases (CCDs), we identified CCD4 as being mainly responsible for the majority of AGs formed. Moreover, changed AG patterns in the carotene hydroxylase mutants lutein deficient1 (lut1) and lut5 exhibiting altered leaf carotenoids allowed us to define specific xanthophyll species as precursors for the apocarotenoid aglycons detected. In contrast to leaves, carotenoid hyperaccumulating roots contained higher levels of b-carotene-derived apocarotenals, whereas AGs were absent. These contrasting responses are associated with tissue-specific capacities to synthesize xanthophylls, which thus determine the modes of carotenoid accumulation and apocarotenoid formation.
Bayesian techniques for known channel deconvolution

This paper introduces a new family of deconvolution filters for digital communications subject to severe intersymbol interference. These fixed lag smoothing filters for known channel demodulation are called Bayesian filters. Bayesian filters are derived using a new approach to suboptimal recursive minimum mean square error estimation for non-Gaussian processes. The family of Bayesian filters interpolates between the optimum fixed lag linear filter (i.e., the Kalman filter) and the optimum fixed lag symbol-by-symbol demodulator in both performance and complexity. The complexity of the Bayesian filter is exponential in a parameter, typically chosen smaller than the channel length and the filter lag. Hence, the Bayesian filter decouples the channel length and the filter lag from the exponential complexity in these parameters found in many other high performance demodulation algorithms. Simulations characterize the performance and compare the Bayesian filter to both optimal and reduced complexity demodulation algorithms.
Effect of breed on anatomy of portosystemic shunts resulting from congenital diseases in dogs and cats: a review of 242 cases.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effect of species and breed on the anatomy of portosystemic vascular anomalies in dogs and cats. DESIGN Retrospective study of 233 dogs and nine cats presenting to the University Veterinary Centre, Sydney. METHODS Case records were evaluated for breed, sex, age, anatomical and histological diagnosis. Cases were included when a portosystemic vascular anomaly resulted from a congenital or developmental abnormality of the liver or portal venous system. RESULTS Disease conditions included single congenital portosystemic shunt with patent portal vasculature (214 dogs, nine cats), portal vein aplasia (nine dogs), multiple acquired shunts resulting from portal vein hypoplasia (seven dogs), biliary atresia (one dog) and microvascular dysplasia (one dog). One Maltese had a single, congenital shunt and multiple acquired shunts resulting from hepatic cirrhosis. Breeds that were significantly over-represented included the Maltese, Silky Terrier, Australian Cattle Dog, Bichon Frise, Shih Tzu, Miniature Schnauzer, Border Collie, Jack Russell Terrier, Irish Wolfhound and Himalayan cat. Bichon Frise with shunts were significantly more likely to be female than male (12:2, P < 0.001). Two hundred and fourteen dogs (91.4%), and all cats, had shunts that were amenable to attenuation. Inoperable shunts occurred in 19 dogs (8.2%). Fifty six of 61 (92%) operable shunts in large breed dogs were intrahepatic, versus 10/153 (7%) in small breeds (P < 0.0001). Breeds that were not predisposed to portosystemic shunts were significantly more likely to have unusual or inoperable shunts than dogs from predisposed breeds (29% versus 7.6%, P < 0.0001). No significant relationship between breed and shunt type could be determined in cats. CONCLUSION Breed has a significant influence on shunt anatomy in dogs. Animals presenting with signs of portosystemic shunting may suffer from a wide range of operable or inoperable conditions. Veterinarians should be aware that unusual or inoperable shunts are much more likely to occur in breeds that are not predisposed to congenital portosystemic shunts.