Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Tracking of cardiac output from arterial pulse wave.

In a previous issue of Clinical Science, Remmen et al. [1] addressed the question whether the Modelflow2 method can reliably assess cardiac output (CO) from an arterial pressure waveform without calibration. This question is not new, neither is the answer: it does not, as we have shown in a series of earlier studies [2–5]. If accurate absolute values are required, the methodology needs calibration against a ‘gold standard’, such as thermodilution [2] or Fick [6]. Otherwise, CO can be expressed as changes from control with the same precision in CO tracking [4]. Uncalibrated, the model cannot replace thermodilution, but after one calibration the Modelflow2 method can do without further thermodilutions for a long period of time [2]. Even under the adverse circumstances of low arterial pressure, e.g. in severe shock, calibrated Modelflow2 COs from radial or femoral arterial pressure track over a wide range of COs with a limited error (237%) for up to 2 days without recalibration [5]. The model equally accepts intra-arterial and non-invasively determined finger pressure as input, as we have shown during prolonged orthostatic stress [4]. Modelflow2 stroke volume estimates and those from thermodilution differed neither in direction nor in magnitude (338 ml for prolonged head-up tilt and 339 ml for standing). Rather than to take issue with the methodology of Remmen et al. [1] that may have inspired the overstated title of their paper, we want to stress the basic value of the Modelflow2 method for cardiovascular research and for clinical practice. We consider it highly important that changes in CO can be tracked from an arterial pressure waveform, which can be as peripheral as the radial artery [5,7] or finger [4]. We are aware that erroneously absolute values without calibration or comment have been reported in the literature [8,9]. Therefore we want to
Smartphone based public participant emergency rescue information platform for earthquake zone – “E-Explorer”

Devastating earthquake can often cause the disaster area communication interrupt, traffic paralysis, etc. It is difficult for the emergency rescue force to get the disaster area in time. Therefore, active local participation in the quake-hit areas to aid each other appeals extremely important. The paper is based on a self-developed smartphone software called “E-Explorer”, study its significance and its working methods to help the public participate in the earthquake rescue actively when external network are cut off. “E-Explorer” can help deliver important information for personal survival, let rescue workers locate the positions of survivors trapped, creating an efficient self-help and mutual rescue platform for the earthquake-stricken people.
Aromatase deficiency in male and female siblings caused by a novel mutation and the physiological role of estrogens.

The aromatase enzyme complex catalyzes the conversion of androgens to estrogens in a wide variety of tissues, including the ovary, testis, placenta, brain, and adipose tissue. Only a single human gene encoding aromatase P450 (CYP19) has been isolated; tissue-specific regulation is controlled in part by alternative promoters in a tissue-specific manner. We report a novel mutation in the CYP19 gene in a sister and brother. The 28-yr-old XX proband, followed since infancy, exhibited the cardinal features of the aromatase deficiency syndrome as recently defined. She had nonadrenal female pseudohermaphrodism at birth and underwent repair of the external genitalia, including a clitorectomy. At the age of puberty, she developed progressive signs of virilization, pubertal failure with no signs of estrogen action, hypergonadotropic hypogonadism, polycystic ovaries on pelvic sonography, and tall stature. The basal concentrations of plasma testosterone, androstenedione, and 17-hydroxyprogesterone were elevated, whereas plasma estradiol was low. Cyst fluid from the polycystic ovaries had a strikingly abnormal ratio of androstenedione and testosterone to estradiol and estrone. Hormone replacement therapy led to breast development, menses, resolution of ovarian cysts, and suppression of the elevated FSH and LH values. Her adult height is 177.6 cm (+2.5 SD). Her only sibling, an XY male, was studied at 24 yr of age. During both pregnancies, the mother exhibited signs of progressive virilization that regressed postpartum. The height of the brother was 204 cm (+3.7 SD) with eunuchoid skeletal proportions, and the weight was 135.1 kg (+2.1 SD). He was sexually fully mature and had macroorchidism. The plasma concentrations of testosterone (2015 ng/dL), 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone (125 ng/dL), and androstenedione (335 ng/dL) were elevated; estradiol and estrone levels were less than 7 pg/mL. Plasma FSH and LH concentrations were more than 3 times the mean value. Plasma PRL was low; serum insulin-like growth factor I and GH-binding protein were normal. The bone age was 14 yr at a chronological age of 24 3/12 yr. Striking osteopenia was noted at the wrist. Bone mineral densitometric indexes of the lumbar spine (cancellous bone) and distal radius (cortical bone) were consistent with osteoporosis; the distal radius was -4.7 SD below the mean value for age- and sex-matched normal men; indexes of bone turnover were increased. Hyperinsulinemia, increased serum total and low density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglycerides and decreased high density lipoprotein cholesterol were detected. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Biosynthesis of Surfactant Protein D

Surfactant protein D (SP-D) is preferentially secreted as dodecamers consisting of four collagenous trimers cross-linked by disulfide bonds. In these studies, we examined the biosynthesis of wild-type rat SP-D (RrSP-D) and selected mutants by stably transfected CHO-K1 cells to determine the roles of a conserved N-linked oligosaccharide, the collagen helix, and interchain disulfide bonds in SP-D assembly and secretion. The major intracellular form of RrSP-D accumulated in the RER as complexes containing up to four trimeric subunits. Disulfide cross-link formation and RrSP-D secretion were selectively inhibited by 2,2′-dipyridyl, an inhibitor of prolyl and lysyl hydroxylase, and by 2 mM dithiothreitol, but unaffected by tunicamycin or elimination of the consensus sequence for glycosylation at Asn70. Although mutants with serine substituted for Cys15 and Cys20 (RrSP-Dser15/20) are secreted as trimeric subunits, proteins with single cysteine substitutions were retained in the cell. Surprisingly, the secretion of RrSP-Dser15/20 was unaffected by 2,2′-dipyridyl. These studies strongly suggest that the most important and rate-limiting step for the secretion of SP-D involves the association of cross-linked trimeric subunits to form dodecamers stabilized by specific inter-subunit disulfide cross-links. Interference with collagen helix formation prevents secretion by interfering with efficient disulfide cross-linking of the NH2-terminal domain.
COMBINING SERVQUAL AND IMPORTANCE-PERFORMANCE ANALYSIS TO MEASURE SERVICE QUALITY IN A HOTEL IN TOBRUK, LIBYA: A SUGGESTION FOR PRACTITIONERS

The aim of this study is to present the alternative method in measuring service quality. This study investigates the service quality literatures and introduces the practical method to measure the service quality. To measure service quality, a modified SERVQUAL instrument was distributed towards 100 guest of an international hotel located in Tobruk, Libya. The Importance-Performance Analysis was conducted based on the questionnaire results. Managerial implications and further research opportunities were also discussed.
Value Added Products for Beekeepers in Albania

i Acknowledgements . ii Executive Summary . iii Authorship . vii List of Figures . xii List of Tables . xiv 1. Introduction . 1 2. Background . 3 2.1 The Effect of Land-­‐Related and Historical Factors on Albania’s Economy . 3 2.1. 1 Geography of Albania . 3 2.1. 2 Ownership of land . 6 2.1. 3 Immigration and emigration . 7 2.1. 4 Expanding Albanian rural economics . 7 2.2 Developing Beekeeping to Improve Livelihoods in Rural Communities . 8 2.2.1 Utilizing associations effectively . 9 2.2.2 Improving marketing techniques . 9 2.2.3 Expanding services provided . 10 2.2.4 Creating products that are more valuable . 11 2.3 Propolis as a Value Added Product or Ingredient . 12 2.3.1 Propolis and how it is harvested . 12 2.3. 2 Propolis processing . 14 2.3. 3 The uses of propolis . 14 2.4 Wax as a Value Added Product Ingredient . 15 2.4. 1 Wax and how it is harvested . 15 2.4. 2 Wax processing . 16 2.4. 3 The uses of wax . 17 2.5 Albanian Beekeeping . 18 2.5. 1 History and growth . 18 2.5. 2 Current production of hive products and value added products . 19 2.6 Challenges Facing Albanian Beekeepers . 20 2.6. 1 Global honeybee issues relating to beekeeping Albania . 20 2.6. 2 Educational challenges . 22 2.6. 3 Propolis production challenges . 23 2.6. 4 Production challenges of wax products . 24 2.7 RASP . 25 3. Methodology . 27 3.1 Determining Common Albanian Beekeepers’ Practices . 28 Professor Petrit Dobi . 28 Lindita Çeçja . 28
Text-Based Semantic Annotation Service for Multimedia Content in the Esperonto Project

Within the Esperonto project, an integration of NLP, ontologies and other knowledge bases, is being performed with the goal to implement a semantic annotation service that upgrades the actual Web towards the emerging Semantic Web. Research is being currently conducted on how to apply the Esperonto semantic annotation service to text material associated with still images in web pages. In doing so, the project will allow for semantic querying of still images in the web, but also (automatically) create a large set of text-based semantic annotations of still images, which can be used by the Multimedia community in order to support the task of content indexing of image material, possibly combining the Esperonto type of annotations with the annotations resulting from image analysis.
Alzheimer Disease: Absolute Quantification of Cerebral Metabolites In Vivo Using Localized Proton Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy

In vivo magnetic resonance spectroscopy of brain metabolites such as N-acetylaspartate and myo-inositol has been proposed for the diagnosis of Alzheimer disease. Thirty patients with probable Alzheimer disease as well as 22 elderly controls underwent quantitative proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy of parietal gray and white matter with use of a short-echo time localization technique (echo time, 20 ms; repetition times, 6,000 and 3,000 ms, 2.0 Tesla) providing access to the regional concentrations of N-acetylaspartate, creatine, choline-containing compounds, myo-inositol, glutamate, glutamine, and lactate. No statistically significant alterations of the metabolites were found in patients relative to controls. There were also no differences between patients with early and late onset of the disease and with respect to the presence of APOE-ε4 phenotype. A general trend for slightly decreased levels of N-acetylaspartate and creatine was not observed for their respective concentration ratios. In summary, the spectroscopic findings were in accord with known Alzheimer disease neuropathology, i.e., mild gliosis in white matter as well as mildly enhanced cortical atrophy in comparison to elderly controls. However, cortical atrophy with little or no N-acetylaspartate changes provided no evidence for a major decrease of neuronal density or loss of viable neurons. The data do not support the utility of proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy as an early diagnostic tool for Alzheimer disease.
disease: meta-analysis and dose-response meta-regression

Dependence of heart rate variability on indicators of type 1 diabetes mellitus control. N.O. , The aim of our study was to evaluate the influence of the main indicators of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) control on heart rate variability (HRV). We examined 62 patients at the age of 18-45 years with an average T1DM duration of 11.0 (5.0; 18.0) years. HRV in the time and frequency range was evaluated by analyzing a 24-hour Holter electrocardiogram (ECG). The following laboratory parameters were used as markers of course and compensation of T1DM: C-peptide, HbA1c, blood creatinine, albuminuria (AU), estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) by CKD-EPI formula. In addition, the maximum and minimum blood glucose levels and the blood glucose range (maximum minus minimum blood glucose values) were conducted by continuous glucose monitoring system iPro2 (Medtronic MiniMed, USA). The daily monitoring of electrocardiogram (ECG) was made in parallel with long term monitoring of blood glucose. Echocardiography in all patients was performed to exclude organic heart disease and the possibility of its influence on HRV. Poor control of T1DM negatively influences HRV through decrease in both frequency and time characteristics. The blood glucose range can be an additional negative factor for cardiovascular system in T1DM patients, regardless of HbA1c, whereas it positively correlates with HRV- relative hypersympathicotonia markers: LF/HF 24-h, ρ =0.43 (p<0.05), LF/HF day ρ =0.37 (p<0.05), ρ =0.38 LF/HF night. Diabetic nephropathy is another factor of cardiovascular disease progression in T1DM, since its criteria have reliably negative (for eGFR) and positive (for AU) correlations of mean force with all HRV characteristics. Selected markers of T1DM control cause 45, 73% of variance in HRV, mainly affecting TP 24-h, TP daytime, VLF 24-h, VLF daytime. Reduction of these frequency HRV characteristics may indicate autonomic neuropathy in patients with poor control of T1DM.
Lifetime History of Suicidal Ideation and Attempts Among Incarcerated Women in Israel

Background: Evidence indicates that rates of death by suicide are higher among female inmates compared with male inmates and the general population. Despite the high rate of lifetime suicidality, little is known about the predictors of suicidality for these women. Objective: The purpose was to examine sociodemographic, criminological, and psychological variables associated with a history of suicidal ideation and suicide attempts among incarcerated women. Method: This cross-sectional study investigated a history of suicidal ideation and suicide attempts in a sample of 46 Israeli incarcerated women. Participants completed a confidential interview that included the Addiction Severity Index, the Renard Diagnostic Interview, self-report measures of the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire, and the presence of symptoms of depression. Results: More than half of the women reported a history of suicidal ideation or attempts. Those who reported such a history were characterized by a high prevalence of childhood victimization, early onset of substance abuse, high prevalence of mental health problems, and high prevalence of mental health problems in the family. Child abuse, depression, and family mental health problems are related to suicidal ideation and attempts in incarcerated women. Conclusions: As the number of women with mental health concerns entering prison grows, corrections staff are faced with increasing challenges to provide services that mitigate the risk of death by suicide. Inquiring about childhood abuse and symptoms of depression and mental health problems, as well as providing treatment for the emotional impact of trauma exposure, may reduce the risk of suicidality in this population.
Corporate social responsibility and small-medium sized enterprises: evidence from Greece

How to cite this paper: Pitoska, E. , Giannakis, K. , Sdraka, D. (2018). Corporate social responsibility and small-medium sized enterprises: evidence from Greece. Journal of Governance & Regulation, 7(1), 40-48. http://doi.org/10.22495/jgr_v7_i1_p3 Copyright © 2018 The Authors This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC 4.0) http://creativecommons.org/licenses/b
When in Rome, do as the Romans do: Dealing with Corruption after Entry

Research on corruption and FDI has extensively studied the influence of host country corruption, and the distance between home and host corruption (corruption distance) on entry decisions and entry modes, but overlooked how multinational enterprises organize after entry. To advance this research we investigate how corruption distance influences foreign subsidiary autonomy. Drawing on the institutional perspective, our theoretical framework proposes and our empirical analysis confirms that majority-owned foreign subsidiaries enjoy greater autonomy for high levels of corruption distance to gain local legitimacy and overcome the liability of foreignness. However, the ultimate influence of the external isomorphic pressure associated to corruption distance on subsidiary autonomy critically depends on the type of internal isomorphic pressure considered. The tension between internal and external isomorphism is stronger when the former relies on HQ-subsidiary socialization. Instead, the internal isomorphic pressure based on HQ-subsidiary dependence strengths the external isomorphic pressure associated to corruption distance.
Association Between Childhood Physical and Emotional Abuse and Disordered Eating Behaviors in Female Undergraduates: An Investigation of the Mediating Role of Alexithymia and Depression

Although disordered eating behaviors are relatively common among college women, many questions about their etiology remain. In the present study, structural equation modeling was used to investigate potential mediating associations among variables previously found to be associated with the continuum of disordered eating behaviors in a large sample of college women. Results indicated that family conflict, family cohesion, and childhood physical and emotional abuse and neglect were not directly associated with disordered eating. Rather, their association with disordered eating was mediated by alexithymia and depression. These results were cross-validated in a second sample of college women. These data highlight the complexity of disordered eating and provide future directions for the prevention and treatment of the continuum of disordered eating behaviors.
Oriented sulphides induced by electric current in medium carbon steel

Oriented sulphides parallel to the electric current direction have been experimentally observed when a pulsed electric current is passed through medium carbon steels with MnS inclusions. Two different configurations of sulphides occur after the application of the electric current: namely, oriented elongated ellipsoidal particles and oriented chain-like particles composed of two or three small spherical sulphides. Theoretical analysis indicates that this phenomenon is associated with minimization of the electrical resistance of the material.
Correlation between transmission and structure in avian ciliary ganglion synapses

1. Extracellular responses from post‐ganglionic axons of pigeon and chick isolated ciliary ganglia were elicited by stimulation of the presynaptic nerve. Intracellular recordings were also obtained from newly hatched pigeon and chick ganglion cells. The fine structure of ganglia from pigeons of various ages was examined with the electron microscope.
[Peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma coactivator-1 induces apoptosis in human epithelial ovarian cancer cells].

OBJECTIVE To study the apoptosis-inducing effects of peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma) coactivator-1 (PGC-1alpha) on the human epithelial ovarian cancer cell. METHODS Human epithelial ovarian cancer cell of the line HO8910 were cultured and divided into 3 groups Ad- PGC-1alpha group (infected with adenovirus. containing PGC-1alpha), Ad- GFP group (infected with adenovirus containing green fluorescent protein, and blank control group. Forty-eight hours later, light microscopy was used to observe the morphological changes of the cells, and apoptosis of the cells was observed by Hoechst staining assay. RT-PCR was used to measure the expression of intracellular Bax and Bcl-2 mRNA. Chinese hamster ovary cells of the line CHO were cultured, infected by adenovirus containing PGC-1alpha and GFP and negative adenovirus respectively, and then underwent Hoechst staining assay and flow cytometry. RESULTS Light microscopy and Hoechst staining assay showed that there were many morphological characteristics of apoptosis including compaction and margination of nuclear chromatin, nuclear fragments, and apoptotic bodies in the Ad- PGC-1alpha. RT-PCR showed the mRNA expression of intracellular Bax was up-regulated by 1.5 times and the mRNA expression of Bcl-2 was down-regulated by 69% in the Ad- PGC-1alpha group. However, PGC-1alpha treatment did not induce apoptosis in the CHO cells. CONCLUSION PGC-1alpha induces apoptosis in epithelial ovarian cancer cells in vitro, which may be a result of up-regulation of the pro-apoptotic gene Bax and down-regulation of the anti-apoptotic gene Bcl-2. And over-expression of PGC-1alpha results in no apoptosis in CHO.
Experimental study on the high-order mode oscillation in a four-cavity intense relativistic klystron amplifier

The high-order mode oscillation is studied in designing a four-cavity intense relativistic klystron amplifier(IRKA). The reason of the oscillation caused by high-order modes and a method to suppress this kind of spurious modes are found through theoretical analyses and the study on the influence of major parameters of a high frequency structure (such as, the oscillation frequency of cavities, the cavity Q value, the length of drift tube section and the characteristic impedance etc.). Based on much simulation, a four-cavity Intense Relativistic Klystron Amplifier with a superior performance has been designed, built and tested. An output power of 2.22 GW corresponding to 27.4% efficiency and 61 dB gain has been obtained. Moreover, the high-order mode oscillation is suppressed effectively, And an output power of 1.95 GW corresponding to 26% efficiency and 62 dB gain has been obtained in the laboratory.
Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP): Is there a genetic predisposition?

Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is a diagnosis of exclusion. It is unknown, whether familial ITP exists. Familial cases would make a genetic susceptibility for ITP possible. Data of the Pediatric and Adult Registry on Chronic ITP (PARC‐ITP) were reviewed and subsequently ITP patients from Basel investigated for cases with a positive family history. In 10 of 445 pediatric patients and in 2 of 21 patients from Basel the family history was positive. A surprisingly high number of ITP patients with a positive family history were identified, indicating the likely existence of a genetic susceptibility for ITP. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2006;47:678–680. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A 220-mV Power-on-Reset Based Self-Starter With 2-nW Quiescent Power for Thermoelectric Energy Harvesting Systems

Miniaturized thin-film thermoelectric generators (TEGs) are emerging energy harvesting sources suitable for wearable and implantable applications. However, these sources usually exhibit large internal equivalent series resistance (ESR) that leads to low energy conversion efficiency and self-startup failures at ultra-low voltages. This paper presents a highly efficient boost converter with a novel Power-on-Reset (PoR) based self-startup circuit for systems harvesting the micro-scale thermal energy. The proposed circuit generates a train of pulses to kick start the self-startup through an internal feedback loop formed by the ESR of TEG, an auxiliary boost converter and a PoR circuit. The self-startup circuit is automatically disabled after the startup operation with a quiescent power consumption of 2 nW. A boost converter test chip with the proposed self-starter was fabricated in 65-nm CMOS technology node. It achieved a self-startup TEG voltage of 220 mV and a peak conversion efficiency of 76%. The minimum input voltage to sustain the boost operation is as low as 85 mV after the startup.