Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Randomized trial to evaluate the clinical benefits of serum alpha-glutathione S-transferase concentration monitoring after liver transplantation.

BACKGROUND An increase in serum alpha-glutathione S-transferase concentration (GST) has been shown to be a more sensitive and specific marker of hepatocellular damage than equivalent increases in transaminase activities. A randomized clinical trial of 60 liver transplants in 49 patients was carried out to assess the clinical benefits of GST monitoring as a supplementary test to routine liver function tests during the first 3 postoperative months after liver transplantation. METHODS Mortality and morbidity were compared in graft recipients who had their GST reported daily to the ward (reporting group) and graft recipients who did not. RESULTS The 3-month survival rate was significantly greater in the reporting group (P=0.033) and the risk of graft loss was halved (relative hazard ratio=0.50; P=0.29). The reporting group also had significantly more patients who spent less than 3 weeks in the hospital throughout the follow-up period (P=0.036). In addition, the reporting group experienced a lower frequency of biopsies per graft (P=0.038), less severe rejection (P=0.015), and a lower incidence of infection episodes per graft (P=0.03). GST increased by >50% above the upper limit of the reference range at a median of 1 day before the equivalent change in alanine transaminase in association with allograft rejection in the combined groups (95% confidence interval=1 to 2 days) but was lower on the day of diagnosis of rejection in the reporting group (P=0.02). This is compatible with the earlier diagnosis of rejection in the reporting group. CONCLUSIONS We conclude that the monitoring of GST may improve patient care, reducing both mortality and morbidity.
Delay-dependent filtering of Markovian jumping neural networks with mode-dependent time delays

This paper is concerned with the problem of delay-dependent L<sub>2</sub> - L<sub>∞</sub> filter design of Markovian jumping neural networks with mode-dependent time delays. By constructing a suitable stochastic Lyapunov functional, a delay-dependent condition is established such that the filtering error system is stochastically stable and a prescribed L<sub>2</sub> - L<sub>∞</sub> performance is achieved. Furthermore, it is shown that the gain matrices and the optimal L<sub>2</sub> - L<sub>∞</sub> performance index are obtained by solving a convex optimization problem subject to some linear matrix inequalities. An example is finally provided to demonstrate the effectiveness of the developed result.
Second trimester maternal serum analytes in triploid pregnancies: correlation with phenotype and sex chromosome complement

Second trimester maternal serum alpha‐fetoprotein (MS‐AFP), human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG), unconjugated estiol (uE3), and inhibin‐A (INH‐A) levels were evaluated in pregnancies complicated by triploidy. In addition to seven new triploid pregnancies, the results for 67 published cases were reviewed. All cases appear to fall into two major groups. First, those identifiable as screen‐positive for both Down syndrome and an open neural tube defect (ONTD) with elevated MS‐AFP, grossly elevated hCG, low/normal uE3, and probably elevated INH‐A. Pregnancies in the second group are identifiable as screen‐positive for trisomy 18 with low/normal MS‐AFP, and very low hCG, uE3 and INH‐A. Triploid pregnancies with high maternal serum hCG nearly always show a placenta with partial mole (25/27 or 93%), a high frequency of ONTDs or ventral wall defects (VWDs) (8/28 or 29%) and have either an XXX or XXY karyotype (observed ratio 6:10, respectively). Low hCG is infrequently associated with a molar placenta (1/11 or 9%), does not appear to be associated with ONTDs or VWDs (0/29 or 0%), and shows an excess of XXX over XXY karyotypes (observed ratio 17:2). There were 16 cases with either a molar placenta, an ONTD or a VWD that received the MS‐AFP and hCG tests. All 16 were screen‐positive for an ONTD (MS‐AFP≥2 multiples of the median). In addition, all 31 cases that received MS‐AFP, hCG, uE3 (and where available INH‐A) were screen‐positive for either Down syndrome or trisomy 18. The findings are discussed in the context of expected differences between digynic and diandric triploidy. It is suggested that the sex chromosome complement in triploidy is an important factor in determining risk for partial mole development and in utero survival. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Thin film bulk acoustic wave resonator (TFBAR) gas sensor

A novel electro-acoustic chemical sensor, based on a TFBAR, is presented. The principle of operation is the same as the well known quartz crystal micro-balance, where the frequency of operation is extended from the limit of a few tens of MHz to several GHz. The larger sensor output signals, associated with higher frequency operation, is a condition used to develop devices with improved sensitivity. TFBARs have been implemented on [001] Si wafers, using Si/sub 3/N/sub 4//AlN membranes, obtained by anisotropic chemical etching from the back side of the Si substrate. The performance of the TFBAR sensor has been tested using a thin Pd chemical interactive membrane deposited on the etched side of the membrane and exposed to different concentrations of hydrogen in nitrogen. Time response upon different cycles of H/sub 2/ adsorption and desorption are reported together with the sensor calibration curve. The operation frequency of the device, in the GHz range, allows it to obtain large responses. The device is robust in construction and miniaturized in size. Time stability, repeatability and sensitivity have been tested and reported.
Developing career aspirations of information technology students at Deakin University

It is important for students to develop informed and realistic career aspirations to gain the most value from their university studies towards achieving their initial career goals. However developing students’ career aspirations, goals, and expectations is a complex and discipline-specific process. In Information Technology (IT) no clear career development framework is evident in the literature. Recent research in Australia argues that electronic portfolios are a useful way for students to develop, articulate and document career objectives to enhance their employability. IT students at Deakin engage in formal training and assessment with respect to developing their professional skills and career understandings. Currently electronic portfolios feature as a useful method for evidencing professional competencies for employability. Through a combined quantitative and qualitative analysis of 306 students’ articulated current career aspirations, qualitative analysis of 7 staff opinions of desired student career competencies, and a quantitative analysis of 28 students’ current work personality traits assessments (Work Personality Index), this work presents an analysis of the current state of IT students’ career development. The results indicate that while students reported short-term career aspirations, navigating to their long-term career goals is going to require addressing difficult barriers such as confidence (self-perception) and motivation. This research will influence a larger program-wide endeavour to build student career competencies for employability in IT at Deakin University.
Creating a better discharge summary: improvement in quality and timeliness using an electronic discharge summary.

BACKGROUND Deficits in information transfer between inpatient and outpatient physicians are common and potentially dangerous. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effect of a newly-created electronic discharge summary. DESIGN AND PARTICIPANTS Pre-post evaluation of discharge summaries using a survey of outpatient physicians and a medical records review. MEASUREMENTS Outpatient physicians' ratings of satisfaction with discharge summaries before and after implementation of an electronic discharge summary using a 5-point Likert scale (1 = very dissatisfied; 5 = very satisfied). Additionally, 196 randomly selected discharge summaries before and after implementation were rated for timeliness and presence of 16 key content areas by 3 internists. RESULTS Two hundred and twenty-six of 416 (54%) and 256 of 397 (64%) outpatient physicians completed the baseline and postimplementation surveys. Satisfaction with quality and timeliness of discharge summaries improved with the use of the electronic discharge summary (mean quality rating 3.04 versus 3.64; P < 0.001, mean timeliness rating 2.59 versus 3.34; P < 0.001). A higher percentage of electronic discharge summaries were completed within 3 days of discharge as compared with dictated discharge summaries (44.8% versus 74.1%; P < 0.001). Several elements of the discharge summary were present more often with the electronic discharge summary, including discussion of follow-up issues (52.0% versus 75.8%; P = 0.001), pending test results (13.9% versus 46.3%; P < 0.001), and information provided to the patient and/or family (85.1% versus 95.8%; P = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS The use of an electronic discharge summary significantly improved the quality and timeliness of discharge summaries.
Rationale and efficacy of medical therapy for gastroesophageal reflux disease

Gastro-oesophageal reflux (GOR) is a common clinical problem affecting an increasingly large population in the Western world. The disease is characterized by a broad spectrum of clinical symptoms and presentations [ l ] , from symptomatic reflux without macroscopic oesophagitis to the chronic complications of oesophageal mucosal damage, such as Barrett metaplasia or stricture. Although ‘figures on prevalence are more based on guesses than on facts’ [2], it is now acknowledged that reflux symptoms are extremely common in the general population : 2 5 % of an unselected patient sample have reported suffering from symptomatic GORD [ 3 ] : however, only a minority of these subjects will seek medical attention and of these only a small fraction present endoscopic oesophagitis, the severity of which is inversely correlated with its frequency. These concepts have been referred to as the popular ‘iceberg’ of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease. This representation of the disease is very useful, as it intuitively points out the need for a stepwise medical treatment, according to clinical stage: thus, we now accept that in mild s5mptomatic GORD, without endoscopic signs of oesophagitis, conservative therapy may be adopted, which requires certain lifestyle modifications an’d the use of antacids of antacid/alginate preparations (phase 1). In the second stage of disease, i.e. endoscopic uncomplicated oesophagitis, more potent drugs, from prokinetics to H2-antagonists, may be added to the previous therapy (phase 2), and in cases more severe or resistant to treatment, omeprazole or even surgery may be proposed (phase 3 ) (Table 1). The present review will examine in detail the rationale and the results of the various medical therapies available for the treatment of GORD, and provide some information concerning the long-term effects of such measures. Phase 1 therapy
Electricity Distribution Networks: Investment and Regulation, and Uncertain Demand

Electricity distribution networks are capital intensive systems and timely investments are crucial for long-term reliability of their service. In coming years, in the UK, and elsewhere in Europe, many networks are in need of extensive investments in their aging assets. Also, aspects of energy policy concerning climate change, renewable energy, energy efficiency, demand side management (DSM), network energy loss reduction, quality of service standards, and security of supply require active, flexible, and smart networks that can be achieved through investments. This paper is a chapter in the forthcoming book "Jamasb T. and Pollitt, M. G. (2011) Eds., The Future of Electricity Demand: Customers, Citizens and Loads, Cambridge University Press: Cambridge" and describes a network investment assessment model developed as a tool to identify and assess the investment requirements of distribution networks. A broadening of the scope of network investments to include demand-related measures that can reduce the need for investments.
Germline mosaicism in Cornelia de Lange syndrome

Cornelia de Lange syndrome (CdLS) is a genetic disorder associated with delayed growth, intellectual disability, limb reduction defects, and characteristic facial features. Germline mosaicism has been a described mechanism for CdLS when there are several affected offspring of apparently unaffected parents. Presently, the recurrence risk for CdLS has been estimated to be as high as 1.5%; however, this figure may be an underrepresentation. We report on the molecularly defined germline mosaicism cases from a large CdLS database, representing the first large case series on germline mosaicism in CdLS. Of the 12 families, eight have been previously described; however, four have not. No one specific gene mutation, either in the NIPBL or the SMC1A gene, was associated with an increased risk for germline mosaicism. Suspected or confirmed cases of germline mosaicism in our database range from a conservative 3.4% up to 5.4% of our total cohort. In conclusion, the potential reproductive recurrence risk due to germline mosiacism should be addressed in prenatal counseling for all families who have had a previously affected pregnancy or child with CdLS. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Determinations of MTTF from the Transition Probability Matrix & Diagram

In designing complex repairable systems it is often important to assess system MTTF for a variety of component reliability characteristics and repair capabilities. Two procedures are given for systems for which a state transition diagram is possible. The first allows such calculation to be perforned iteratively without solving each time the system of state equations from the beginning. The approach involves matrix manipulations which split the matrix formulation into two parts; one contains the solution from the previous iteration (at the beginning, the MTTF is calculated in the usual manner) and the other incorporates the changes in the transition probabilities. The second procedure allows the determination of MTTF by decomposing the transition probability diagram into a number of smaller diagrams. For systems with a large number of states and suitably decomposable diagrams the approach reduces considerably the computation time. Simple examples demonstrate the procedures.
Temporomandibular Disorders Are Differentially Associated With Headache Diagnoses: A Controlled Study

ObjectivesTemporomandibular disorders (TMDs) are considered to be comorbid with headaches. Earlier population studies have suggested that TMD may also be a risk factor for migraine progression. If that is true, TMD should be associated with specific headache syndromes (eg, migraine and chronic migraine), but not with headaches overall. Accordingly, our aim was to explore the relationship between TMD subtypes and severity with primary headaches in a controlled clinical study. MethodsThe sample consisted of 300 individuals. TMDs were assessed using the Research Diagnostic Criteria for TMD, and primary headache was classified according to International Classification for Headache Disorders-2. Univariate and multivariate models assessed headache diagnoses and frequency as a function of the parameters of TMD. ResultsRelative to those without TMD, individuals with myofascial TMD were significantly more likely to have chronic daily headaches (CDHs) [relative risk (RR)=7.8; 95% confidence interval (CI), 3.1-19.6], migraine (RR=4.4; 95% CI, 1.7-11.7), and episodic tension-type headache (RR=4.4; 95% CI, 1.5-12.6). Grade of TMD pain was associated with increased odds of CDH (P<0.0001), migraine (P<0.0001), and episodic tension-type headache (P<0.05). TMD severity was also associated with headache frequency. In multivariate analyses, TMD was associated with migraine and CDH (P=0.001). Painful TMD (P=0.0034) and grade of TMD pain (P<0.001) were associated with headache frequency. DiscussionTMD, TMD subtypes, and TMD severity are independently associated with specific headache syndromes and with headache frequency. This differential association suggests that the presence of central facilitation of nociceptive inputs may be of importance, as positive association was observed only when muscular TMD pain was involved.
Expression of joint moment in the joint coordinate system.

The question of using the nonorthogonal joint coordinate system (JCS) to report joint moments has risen in the literature. However, the expression of joint moments in a nonorthogonal system is still confusing. The purpose of this paper is to present a method to express any 3D vector in a nonorthogonal coordinate system. The interpretation of these expressions in the JCS is clarified and an example for the 3D joint moment vector at the shoulder and the knee is given. A nonorthogonal projection method is proposed based on the mixed product. These nonorthogonal projections represent, for a 3D joint moment vector, the net mechanical action on the JCS axes. Considering the net mechanical action on each axis seems important in order to assess joint resistance in the JCS. The orthogonal projections of the same 3D joint moment vector on the JCS axes can be characterized as "motor torque. " However, this interpretation is dependent on the chosen kinematic model. The nonorthogonal and orthogonal projections of shoulder joint moment during wheelchair propulsion and knee joint moment during walking were compared using root mean squares (rmss). rmss showed differences ranging from 6 N m to 22.3 N m between both projections at the shoulder, while differences ranged from 0.8 N m to 3.0 N m at the knee. Generally, orthogonal projections were of lower amplitudes than nonorthogonal projections at both joints. The orthogonal projection on the proximal or distal coordinates systems represents the net mechanical actions on each axis, which is not the case for the orthogonal projection (i.e., motor torque) on JCS axes. In order to represent the net action at the joint in a JCS, the nonorthogonal projection should be used.
Emotional and neurobehavioural status in chronic pain patients.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the emotional and neurobehavioural status of patients suffering from chronic pain. METHODS Fifteen male patients with chronic lower back pain and 15 healthy control subjects were studied for approximately six months. Pain was measured using a visual analogue scale. The WHO Neurobehavioral Core Test Battery (NCTB) was used to assess neurobehavioural effects of environmental and occupational exposures. RESULTS Visual analogue scale results demonstrated a modest range of reported pain (mean [± SD] 62.0 ± 10.8) in chronic pain patients, whereas control subjects reported no measurable pain. With the NCTB, it was found that scores of negative mood state, including anger-hostility, depression-dejection, fatigue-inertia and tension-anxiety in pain patients were significantly higher than scores in the control subjects. By contrast, scores of positive mood state (vigour-activity) in chronic pain patients were lower than those in the control group. The NCTB scores of the Santa Ana Dexterity and Pursuit Aiming II tests in chronic lower back pain patients were lower than those of the control group. Scores for other NCTB subtests, including the Digit Span, Benton Visual Retention and Digit Symbol tests, were not significantly different compared with controls. <span style="font-weight: CONCLUSIONS Chronic lower back pain patients had more negative mood and less positive mood than controls. These patients also demonstrated neuromotor deficits in coordination and reaction time. Further studies are required to examine possible neurological mechanisms and research potential intervention strategies for patients suffering from chronic pain.
Distributed velocity-matched 1.55 /spl mu/m InP travelling-wave photodetector for generation of high millimeterwave signal power

A novel travelling-wave (TW) photo-detector for operation at 1.3/1.55 /spl mu/m is fabricated using InP MMIC technology. The results of an optoelectronic simulation are discussed, where photoconductivity effects and phase-matching due to slow-wave effects are included. Theoretical and experimental results of power conversion efficiencies are finally presented.
INHIBITOR XANTHINE OXIDASE OF EXTRACT BLUMEA BALSAMIFERA L . ( DC ) LEAVES ( ASTERACEAE )

Xanthine oxidase is an enzyme responsible for catalyzing the oxidation of hypoxanthine to xanthine and of xanthine to formation of uric acid. This study aimed to identify the xanthine oxidase inhibitors and decrease of serum uric acid levels from extract methanol Blumea balsamifera L. (DC) leaves in hyperuricaemic. Results were showed methanol extract of B. balsamifera leaves have shown total flavonoid contents was 72.2 mg/g dw, promising inhibited xanthine oxidase activity with IC50 = 27.6 μg/ml, significant decreased in the serum urate level (3.9 and 3.56 mg/dL), and reduced of xanthine oxidase activities in the mouse liver (1.22 and 1.01 nmol acid uric/min. mg protein) at dosage 1.25 and 2.5/kg wb, respectively. These results may explain and support the dietary use of the methanol extracts from B. balsamifera leaves for the prevention and treatment of Gout.
Miniaturized broadband printed unidirectional antenna with parasitic slots for indoor wireless applications

In nowadays communication systems, the size and performance of antennas are simultaneously required, since there is a tremendous demand for an ultra-wideband, compact and efficient antenna structures that may perform at all desired sub-bands starting from LTE (780MHz) up to WiMAX applications (5.5 GHz) with a good level of radiation efficiency and dimensions not exceeding 130mm∗100mm∗10mm. All these features are hard to achieve simultaneously. Therefore, for the sake of satisfying these demands, it has been suggested in this study to add parasitic slots to the printed Quasi-Yagi antenna, where by modifying their shapes, sizes and positions within the antenna, a significant performance is obviously detected. Simulation results using CST software suite have shown a clear enhancement in the bandwidth (6:1), and radiation efficiency (Gain = 5dB on average) with a very compact antenna structure allowing it to compete with the well-known antenna systems provided by international antenna companies like KATHREIN and TAOGLASS etc. Results are based on CST simulations and practical measurements.