Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Clinical Study of the Efferent Auditory System in Patients With Normal Hearing Who Have Acute Tinnitus

Objective: Etiological diagnosis and treatment of tinnitus still remain challenging in clinical practice. The aim of this study was to determine the potential contribution of a defective cochlear efferent innervation to the onset of tinnitus in patients with normal hearing. Study Design: Prospective randomized controlled study. Setting: Otorhinolaryngology department of a general hospital. Patients: The patient group consisted of 18 normal-hearing adults (7 men, 11 women) with acute tinnitus (bilateral in 3 patients). Interventions: Tympanogram, stapedial muscle reflex, pure tone audiometry, tinnitus pitch matching, spontaneous otoacoustic emissions, and distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs) in the absence and presence of contralateral suppression by white noise. Main Outcome Measure: DPOAEs suppression amplitudes recorded from tinnitus and nontinnitus ears of the patients' group were compared with each other and with a control group. Results: The contralateral application of white noise induced the enhancement of DPOAE amplitudes in some patients. The suppression of DPOAE amplitudes by contralateral white noise did not reach statistically significant levels in either ear (with or without tinnitus). On the contrary, under the same conditions, our control group demonstrated statistically significant reduction of DPOAE amplitudes at all frequencies. Conclusion: Patients with normal hearing acuity who have acute tinnitus seem to have a less effective functioning of the cochlear efferent system because the application of contralateral noise enhanced the DPOAEs or suppressed them less intensely than it did in a control group. Further studies may establish the clinical applications for the diagnosis of changes in efferent function, in the subjective evaluation, patient etiological grouping, treatment, or prognosis of tinnitus.
Willing to give but not to forgive: borderline personality features and cooperative behavior.

Impaired cooperation has been proposed to contribute to social dysfunctioning in borderline personality disorder (BPD). However, prior research has not distinguished active from reactive cooperation (i.e., nonexploitation versus non-retaliation)--two aspects of cooperative behavior associated with different basic personality traits (viz. Honesty-Humility and Agreeableness). The authors hypothesized that, due to low levels of Agreeableness, but normal levels of Honesty-Humility, borderline personality (BP) features are related to impaired reactive cooperation, but unrelated to active cooperation. Participants (N = 559) hypothetically played both the allocator in the dictator game and the recipient in the ultimatum game. High levels of BP features predicted impaired reactive cooperation in the ultimatum game, which was mediated through low Agreeableness. In contrast, BP features did not predict active cooperation in the dictator game-mirroring the nonassociation between BP features and Honesty-Humility. The findings highlight the importance of focusing on aspects of forgiveness in interventions aiming to improve cooperativeness in BPD.
The bone mineral density in childhood study: bone mineral content and density according to age, sex, and race.

CONTEXT Low bone mass may increase risk of fracture. Several chronic medical conditions, medications, and lifestyle factors affect bone mineral accrual. Appropriate reference values are essential for identification of children with bone deficits. OBJECTIVE Our objective was to establish reference curves for bone mineral content (BMC) and density (BMD) in children. DESIGN AND SETTING The Bone Mineral Density in Childhood Study is an ongoing longitudinal study in which measurements are obtained annually at five clinical centers in the United States. PARTICIPANTS Participants included 1554 healthy children (761 male, 793 female), ages 6-16 yr, of all ethnicities. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Scans of the whole body, lumbar spine, hip, and forearm were obtained using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. Percentile curves based on three annual measurements were generated using the LMS statistical procedure. RESULTS BMC of the whole body and lumbar spine and BMD of the whole body, lumbar spine, total hip, femoral neck, and forearm are given for specific percentiles by sex, age, and race (Black vs. non-Black). BMC and BMD were higher for Blacks at all skeletal sites (P < 0.0001). BMC and BMD increased with age, and a plateau was not evident by age 16 (girls) or age 17 (boys). The variation in BMC and BMD also increased with age. CONCLUSIONS Age-, race-, and sex-specific reference curves can be used to help identify children with bone deficits and for monitoring changes in bone in response to chronic diseases or therapies.
Soluble vascular adhesion protein-1 accumulates in proliferative diabetic retinopathy.

PURPOSE Vascular adhesion protein (VAP)-1, a multifunctional molecule with adhesive and enzymatic properties, is expressed at the surface of vascular endothelial cells of mammals. It also exists as a soluble form (sVAP-1), which is implicated in oxidative stress via its enzymatic activity. This study explores a link between increased level of sVAP-1 and oxidative stress in proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) with a focus on mechanistic components to form sVAP-1 by shedding from retinal endothelial cells. METHODS Protein levels of sVAP-1 and N epsilon-(hexanoyl)lysine (HEL), an oxidative stress marker, in the vitreous samples from patients with PDR or non-PDR were measured by ELISA. The mechanism of VAP-1 shedding under diabetic condition, exposure to high glucose and/or inflammatory cytokines, was explored using cultured retinal capillary endothelial cells. RESULTS Protein level of sVAP-1 was increased and correlated with HEL in the vitreous fluid of patients with PDR. Retinal capillary endothelial cells released sVAP-1 when stimulated with high glucose or inflammatory cytokines, such as TNF-α and IL-1β in vitro. Furthermore, matrix metalloproteinase-2 and -9, type IV collagenases, were the key molecules to mediate the protein cleavage of VAP-1 from retinal capillary endothelial cells. CONCLUSIONS Our data for the first time provide evidence on the link between sVAP-1 and type IV collagenases in the pathogenesis of PDR.
Mobile Monitoring System to Take PQ Snapshots of Turkish Electricity Transmission System

This work is devoted to taking nationwide power quality (PQ) snapshots of the Turkish electricity transmission system, via field measurements carried out by application specific mobile monitoring equipment. This project is carried out as a subproject of the national power quality project of Turkey, and is aimed at investigating the general status of electric power quality and reactive power flows in the electricity transmission system all over the country. Critical points will then be selected to place permanent PQ monitors, and to carry out troubleshooting projects on the system. This paper describes the mobile monitoring system established, and the methodology used to obtain power quality snapshots of the Turkish electricity transmission system. Some sample outputs of the mobile monitoring system are also given in the paper.
AIDS and risk: The handling of uncertainty in northern Tanzania

Studies of sexual risk behaviour in the context of HIV/AIDS often utilize theories of risk which are predicated on the idea of the rational actor making choices, and thus operate with a strong notion of the autonomous individual. The underlying assumption is that a well‐informed individual would strive to reduce risk and therefore choose not to engage in risky behaviour in sexual encounters. Drawing on longitudinal fieldwork in Arusha town and the surrounding districts in northern Tanzania, this paper explores how people draw on a complexity of knowledge and experience when they try to reduce the likelihood of contracting HIV. It shows how the embeddedness of social relationships, and the constraints of culture restrict the possible range of options, particularly for women. The paper examines the paired concepts of risk and trust, arguing that trust in a sexual relationship is gendered in particular ways. Gender hierarchies often place women in a subordinate position to men as a result of which women have to make compromises which put their health at risk.
Versican expression in pharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma: an immunohistochemical study

Aims: To study the expression of versican, a large proteoglycan involved in repressing adhesion between cells and the extracellular matrix in pharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (PSCC), and its relation to the expression of p53 and catenins, histological differentiation, clinical data, and prognosis. Methods: For the retrospective survey, primary tumours for analyses were obtained from 118 patients diagnosed with PSCC of the oropharynx or hypopharynx. The immunohistochemical expression of versican was studied and was related to the expression pattern of p53 and catenins, in addition to clinical data and survival. Results: In the primary tumours, strong stromal versican expression was graded as low in 59 (50%) and high in 59 (50%) cases. In addition, intracellular versican staining was seen in nine (8%) tumours. In local lymph node metastases, strong stromal versican staining was significantly more frequent compared with the primary tumours (p = 0.018). Strong stromal versican staining was more frequently seen in less advanced tumours (p = 0.015). There was no association between versican expression and the other investigated variables (p53, catenins, TNM status, and histological grade). Neither stromal nor intracellular versican expression predicted overall survival in these patients. Conclusions: Versican was more strongly expressed in the stroma of local metastases and in the earlier stages of disease in PSCC. However, versican expression was not an independent prognostic factor in this entity.
Listening to Relaxing Music Improves Physiological Responses in Premature Infants: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: Premature infants are exposed to high levels of noise in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Purpose: This study evaluated the effect of a relaxing music therapy intervention composed by artificial intelligence on respiratory rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and heart rate. Methods: A double-blind, randomized, controlled trial was conducted in the NICUs of 2 general public hospitals in Andalusia, Spain. Participants were 17 healthy premature infants, randomly allocated to the intervention group or the control group (silence) at a 1:1 ratio. To be included in the study, the subjects were to be 32 to 36 weeks of gestation at birth (M= 32.33; SD = 1.79) and passed a hearing screening test satisfactorily. The intervention lasted 20 minutes, 3 times a day for 3 consecutive days, while infants were in the incubator. Infants' heart rate, respiratory rate, and blood pressure were assessed before and after each intervention session. Results: After each session, the respiratory rate decreased in the experimental group (main between-groups effect (F1,13 = 6.73, P = .022, &eegr;2partial = 0.34). Across the sessions, the heart rate increased in the control group (main between-groups effect, F1,11 = 5.09, P = .045, &eegr;2partial = 0.32). Implications for Research: Future studies can use this music intervention to assess its potential effects in premature infants. Implications for Practice: Nurses can apply the relaxing music intervention presented in this study to ameliorate the impact of the stressful environment on premature infants.
JUSTE VALEUR ET RISQUE DE MODELE :LE CAS DE LA VALORISATION DES STOCK-OPTIONS

Fair value is recommended by the international accounting standards for the valuation of several financial instruments including stock options (IFRS 2). Our contribution aims to outline the limits of the stock options standard valuation models related to their underlying behavioural assumptions. It suggests an alternative behavioural representation relying on the Prospect Theory (Kahneman et Tversky, 1979, 1992). This approach would lead to more relevant fair value assessment.
Does use of coils in addition to amplatzer vascular plugs prevent recanalization?

OBJECTIVE Recanalization has been reported with the use of a type 1 Amplatzer vascular plug as the sole device to manage a pulmonary arteriovenous malformation (PAVM). We evaluated our experience with the use of at least one coil in addition to the vascular plug whenever possible in the treatment of patients with a PAVM. MATERIALS AND METHODS Thirty patients had 39 feeder vessels in 37 PAVMs managed with 39 type 1 Amplatzer vascular plugs. Eleven PAVMs (30%) were complex, and 26 (70%) were simple; nine (24%) were solitary. CT examinations were scheduled for 6 months after treatment and every 3-5 years thereafter. Scans were evaluated for persistent sac perfusion, sac shrinkage, and/or complete resolution of the PAVM. RESULTS Complete occlusion of all PAVMs was achieved. The mean number of coils used in addition to a type 1 Amplatzer vascular plug was 1.5 (range, 0-5 coils). Six patients did not participate in follow-up; 24 patients with 28 PAVMs managed with type 1 Amplatzer vascular plugs underwent follow-up imaging (mean, 13 months after treatment; range, 6-40 months). No PAVM exhibited recanalization at follow-up CT. Sac shrinkage or disappearance was found in all cases, and the plug had a characteristic CT appearance. Longer-term surveillance imaging was scheduled for all patients. CONCLUSION Used in conjunction with coils, the type 1 Amplatzer vascular plug offers excellent occlusion of PAVMs. No recanalization was found in this study.
Intermittent spatial separation of diaphragm and lower esophageal sphincter favors acidic and weakly acidic reflux.

BACKGROUND & AIMS In small hiatal hernias, the size of the hernia is variable. Intermittent complete reduction can be observed with high-resolution manometry as a transition from a double-peak (hernia) to a single-peak (reduced) high-pressure zone. The aim of this study was to investigate whether intermittent separation of the diaphragm and lower esophageal sphincter (LES) favors the occurrence of gastroesophageal reflux. METHODS In 16 patients with a small hiatal hernia (3 cm), prolonged high-resolution manometry was performed. Acid and weakly acidic reflux episodes were detected with pH-impedance monitoring. RESULTS The single pressure peak profile (reduced hernia) was present for 814 minutes (56.5% of total time), and the double peak profile (unreduced hernia) was present for 626 minutes (43.5% of total time). In all patients, both pressure profiles were observed. The transition rate between the 2 profiles was 7.5 +/- 0.9 per hour. More reflux occurred when the LES and diaphragm were separated versus the reduced hernia state (23.1 +/- 5.1 vs 12.2 +/- 2.4 episodes per hour, respectively; P < .05). The proportions of acidic reflux episodes during the single and double pressure peaks were similar (70% and 67%, respectively). In the two-pressure-zone state, there was an increase in all reflux mechanisms except transient LES relaxation. CONCLUSIONS In patients with a small hiatal hernia, intermittent reduction of the hernia occurs frequently. Spatial separation of the diaphragm and LES in the nonreduced state results in a 2-fold increase in acidic and weakly acidic reflux due to mechanisms other than transient LES relaxation.
Causes of De-Internationalization

Until a few years ago, internationalization was seen as a self-feeding process, resulting from decisions based on accumulated knowledge. De-internationalization is not an option. However, the reality shows us that enterprises have done international divestment. To this date, the research on de-internationalization remains somehow scarce and needs additional research. The authors want to understand the causes of de-internationalization. They use the grounded theory methodology, studying six Portuguese cases that already have a process of de-internationalization. Five firms cooperate with, presenting six cases. The authors distinguish causes that occur before/after the internationalization process begin and causes related to firm or external to firm. One of the main causes of de-internationalization is the incorrect internationalization process. The Misfit Micro-Location (the wrong choice of place inside a determined country) is a very important cause, which means that, after choosing the country, it is necessary to choose the best place to be located.
Monitoring photodecomposition of dibenzyl ketone within NaY zeolite with a pre-fluorescent nitroxide compound

Benzyl radicals derived from photodecomposition of dibenzyl ketone have been monitored in NaY zeolite using the pre-fluorescent probe 4-(3-hydroxy-2-methyl-4-quinolinoyloxy)-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl free radical (QT). The steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence show a strong interaction of QT within the zeolite cavities. Furthermore, the increase in the fluorescence with the irradiation time reveals the efficient trapping of benzyl radicals by QT under vacuum. Dispersion of the zeolite composites in liquid polymers results in an improvement in the fluorescence measurement and faster kinetics in comparison with the solid samples. These results are interpreted in terms of partial refractive index matching as a consequence of polymer reptation into the zeolite cavities. Analysis of the fluorescence lifetime distribution shows the presence of different fluorescence ensembles with different fluorescence quantum yields, depending on the microenvironment within the zeolite particle. Pre-fluorescent probes offer a novel and useful methodology for studying radical processes in zeolites.
Islamic Corporate Governance: The Significance and Functioning of Shari’ah Supervisory Board in Islamic Banking

The stability and resilience that Islamic banking (IBs) industry has shown during the current global crisis is based on the principles of Islamic economic laws that rest on equity, participation, and business ethics. The literature on Islamic corporate governance (ICG) is growing quite rapidly and the industry has emerged as an alternative to its conventional counterpart. This paper critically reviews the existing literature on ICG with a particular focus on the significance and functions of Shari’ah supervisory board (SSB), which differentiate IBs from CBs. This review describes ICG framework, elaborates and summarizes SSB functions, compares IBs with CBs and assesses the impact of SSB on IB’s performance. The key findings show that majority of the literature on SSB describes advising and monitoring as the two main functions of a Shari’ah board and past literature supports positive association between Shari’ah governance and the performance of IBs. This work might be helpful for scholars and practitioners approaching this field to study the role and functioning of SSB.
Comparison of microbiologic assay methods for hemodialysis fluids

To help prevent pyrogenic reactions and bacteremia in hemodialysis patients, the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation and the Centers for Disease Control recommend microbiologic assay of hemodialysis fluids at least monthly. Five commercially available assay systems were evaluated by using the membrane filtration technique with standard methods agar and trypticase soy agar as the standards for comparison. Each assay system was challenged with dialysate and reverse-osmosis water from local dialysis centers, aqueous suspensions of eight laboratory strains of gram-negative bacilli and nontuberculous mycobacteria, and a mixed microbial flora inoculated into reverse-osmosis water and laboratory-prepared dialysate. Mean viable counts from triplicate samples were obtained after incubation at 37 degrees C for up to 72 h. The efficiency of recovery varied with the specific type of microbial challenge. The SPC water sampler (Millipore Corp., Bedford, Mass.) was the most consistent in obtaining the highest viable counts. Other commercial systems were comparable to each other in overall performance. All assay systems tested provided an acceptable balance between microbial recovery and required sampling time, equipment, and expertise.
The Adult Life After Childhood Cancer in Scandinavia (ALiCCS) Study: Design and Characteristics

During the last five decades, survival of childhood cancer has increased from 25% to 80%. At the same time, however, it has become evident that survivors experience a broad range of therapy‐related late adverse health effects. The aim of the Adult Life after Childhood Cancer in Scandinavia (ALiCCS) study is to investigate long‐term health consequences of past and current therapies in order to improve follow‐up care of survivors and to reduce treatment‐related morbidity of future patients.
Proliferation of mature and immature subpopulations of bronchoalveolar monocytes/macrophages and peripheral blood monocytes

A continuous influx of peripheral blood monocytes (PBM) to the lung is thought to maintain the local population of alveolar macrophages (AM). However, local proliferation of a small subpopulation of AM has been demonstrated in animal studies and in humans. AM exhibit a great heterogeneity with regard to their morphology (cell size, shape of nucleus), immunophenotype (expression of CD14 and RFD9 antigen), and function. Part of this heterogeneity may be explained by the presence of different maturation stages of AM, ranging from small immature, CD14+ RFD9− PBM‐like cells to large, CD14− RFD9+ mature AM. These findings prompted us to study whether proliferation of PBM and AM is related to their stage of maturation.
Neuronal responses of the rat amygdala during extinction and reassociation learning in elementary and configural associative tasks

To investigate functional heterogeneity within the amygdala in appetitive conditioned instrumental behaviours, neuronal activity was recorded from the amygdala of behaving rats during learning and discrimination of conditioned sensory stimuli associated with or without reinforcement [sucrose solution, intracranial self‐stimulation (ICSS)]. Sensory stimuli included auditory (tone), visual (light) and configural (simultaneous presentation of tone and light) stimuli. The rat was trained to lick a spout protruded close to its mouth just after a conditioned sensory stimulus to obtain a reward. Of the 609 neurons recorded from the amygdala and amygdalostriatal transition area, 154 responded to one or more sensory stimuli. The 62 amygdalar neurons responded strongly to certain conditioned sensory stimuli associated with rewards. Of these 62 neurons, 45 were tested with the extinction trials. Responses of 31 neurons to conditioned stimuli were finally extinguished, and those of the remaining 14 were not extinguished. Furthermore, responses of 26 of these 31 neurons resumed in the relearning trials (plastic neurons), suggesting that these sensory responses were associative rather than just responses to physical properties of the stimuli. These plastic neurons were located mainly in the basolateral nucleus of the amygdala, and responses of the plastic neurons were correlated with behavioural responses. These results suggest that the basolateral nucleus is crucial in associative learning between sensory information and affective significance for behavioural outputs in appetitive conditioned instrumental behaviours.