Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Mild tricuspid regurgitation: a benign fetal finding at various stages of pregnancy

Tricuspid regurgitation (TR) may accompany various anatomical malformations and/or dysfunction of the fetal right heart. It may also appear in an anatomically healthy heart. With improved ultrasound modalities, more cases than the previously estimated prevalence of fetal TR in the low‐risk population are being diagnosed. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of mild fetal TR in a low‐risk obstetric population.
prdm1a functions upstream of itga5 in zebrafish craniofacial development

Cranial neural crest cells are specified and migrate into the pharyngeal arches where they subsequently interact with the surrounding environment. Signaling and transcription factors, such as prdm1a regulate this interaction, but it remains unclear which specific factors are required for posterior pharyngeal arch development. Previous analysis suggests that prdm1a is required for posterior ceratobranchial cartilages in zebrafish and microarray analysis between wildtype and prdm1a mutants at 25 h post fertilization demonstrated that integrin α5 (itga5) is differentially expressed in prdm1a mutants. Here, we further investigate the interaction between prdm1a and itga5 in zebrafish craniofacial development. In situ hybridization for itga5 demonstrates that expression of itga5 is decreased in prdm1a mutants between 18 and 31 h post fertilization and itga5 expression overlaps with prdm1a in the posterior arches, suggesting a temporal window for interaction. Double mutants for prdm1a;itga5 have an additive viscerocranium phenotype more similar to prdm1a mutants, suggesting that prdm1a acts upstream of itga5. Consistent with this, loss of posterior pharyngeal arch expression of dlx2a, ceratobranchial cartilages 2–5, and cell proliferation in prdm1a mutants can be rescued with itga5 mRNA injection. Taken together, these data suggest that prdm1a acts upstream of itga5 and are both necessary for posterior pharyngeal arch development in zebrafish. genesis 53:270–277, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Persistence of a Salmonella entericaSerovar Typhimurium DT12 Clone in a Piggery and in Agricultural Soil Amended with Salmonella-Contaminated Slurry

ABSTRACT Prevalence of Salmonella enterica on a Danish pig farm presenting recurrent infections was investigated. A comparison of the pulsed-field gel electrophoresis patterns of fecal isolates from piggeries, waste slurry, and agricultural soil amended withSalmonella-contaminated animal waste (slurry) and subclinical isolates from the same farm (collected in 1996 and later) showed identical patterns, indicating long-term persistence of theSalmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium DT12 clone in the herd environment. Furthermore, when Salmonella-contaminated slurry was disposed of on the agricultural soil (a common waste disposal practice), the pathogen was isolated up to 14 days after the spread, indicating potentially high risks of transmission of the pathogen in the environment, animals, and humans.
Mechanical principles of dynamic terrestrial self-righting using wings

Graphical Abstract Abstract Terrestrial animals and robots are susceptible to flipping-over during rapid locomotion in complex terrains. However, small robots are less capable of self-righting from an upside-down orientation compared to small animals like insects. Inspired by the winged discoid cockroach, we designed a new robot that opens its wings to self-right by pushing against the ground. We used this robot to systematically test how self-righting performance depends on wing opening magnitude, speed, and asymmetry, and modeled how kinematic and energetic requirements depend on wing shape and body/wing mass distribution. We discovered that the robot self-rights dynamically using kinetic energy to overcome potential energy barriers, that larger and faster symmetric wing opening increases self-righting performance, and that opening wings asymmetrically increases righting probability when wing opening is small. Our results suggested that the discoid cockroach’s winged self-righting is a dynamic maneuver. While the thin, lightweight wings of the discoid cockroach and our robot are energetically sub-optimal for self-righting compared to tall, heavy ones, their ability to open wings saves them substantial energy compared to if they had static shells. Analogous to biological exaptations, our study provided a proof-of-concept for terrestrial robots to use existing morphology in novel ways to overcome new locomotor challenges.
A device for the nondestructive decontamination of large volumes of infected egg waste

A device for the decontamination of large numbers of infected eggs which remain as by-products of vaccine production is described. Homogenates of infected eggs were heated to 60 degrees C and maintained at that temperature for 3 h in a specially constructed recirculation tank. The infectivity of all detectable influenza viruses and more than 99% of the bacteria associated with the homogenates was destroyed by this procedure. Eggshell material was separated from the proteins present in the homogenate at the end of the heating cycle by means of a cyclone separator. The proportions of all the amino acids, except cystine, in the proteins remaining in the suspension after the heating cycle were similar to that normally present in whole embryos.
Measuring the Information Content of Television Advertising

Abstract A study of the judgments of consumers and experts of the informativeness of 28 drug and 28 automobile commercials reveals that (1) consumers felt such commercials were informative, (2) experts considered them to be less “complete” and “worthwhile” (and, for drug commercials, less “truthful”) than did consumers and thus less informative, and (3) consumers were much more competent to evaluate automobile commercials than they were drug commercials.
Motivations of market mavens for participating in online communities

Online communities provide a virtual space for consumers to communicate and interact with an unlimited number of people allowing for faster rates of information sharing in unprecedented ways. Market mavens are word-of-mouth agents who are influential in providing general shopping and marketplace information. This study examines how market mavenism may influence consumer motivations to participate in online communities. In addition, this study examines how market mavenism in conjunction with online participation motivations directly influences participation in consumer-based online communities. Data were collected from a convenience sample using an electronic survey in South Korea. Items measuring market mavenism, participation motivation, participation frequency, and participation quality were used. Confirmatory factor analysis, correlation analysis, and regression analysis were used to study the research questions. Results indicate a positive relationship between market mavenism and online participation motivations leading to the conclusion that consumers with market mavenism tendencies are also highly motivated to participate online. Results also confirm that market mavenism positively affects the frequency and quality of participation in consumer-based online communities. These results provide better understanding of why consumers with higher market mavenism tendencies may participate in online communities.
Postmenopausal osteoporosis treatment with antiresorptives: Effects of discontinuation or long‐term continuation on bone turnover and fracture risk—a perspective

Osteoporosis may be a lifelong condition. Robust data regarding the efficacy and safety of both long‐term osteoporosis therapy and therapy discontinuation are therefore important. A paucity of clinical trial data regarding the long‐term antifracture efficacy of osteoporosis therapies necessitates the use of surrogate endpoints in discussions surrounding long‐term use and/or discontinuation. Long‐term treatment (beyond 3–4 years) may produce further increases in bone mineral density (BMD) or BMD stability, depending on the specific treatment and the skeletal site. Bisphosphonates, when discontinued, are associated with a prolonged reduction in bone turnover markers (BTMs), with a very gradual increase to pretreatment levels within 3 to 60 months of treatment cessation, depending on the bisphosphonate used and the prior duration of therapy. In contrast, with nonbisphosphonate antiresorptive agents, such as estrogen and denosumab, BTMs rebound to above pretreatment values within months of discontinuation. The pattern of BTM change is generally mirrored by a more or less rapid decrease in BMD. Although the prolonged effect of some bisphosphonates on BTMs and BMD may contribute to residual benefit on bone strength, it may also raise safety concerns. Adequately powered postdiscontinuation fracture studies and conclusive evidence on maintenance or loss of fracture benefit is lacking for bisphosphonates. Similarly, the effects of rapid reversal of bone turnover upon discontinuation of denosumab on fracture risk remain unknown. Ideally, studies evaluating the effects of long‐term treatment and treatment discontinuation should be designed to provide head‐to‐head “offset” data between bisphosphonates and nonbisphosphonate antiresorptive agents. In the absence of this, a clinical recommendation for physicians may be to periodically assess the benefits/risks of continuation versus discontinuation versus alternative management strategies. © 2012 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Entrepreneurial marketing: a conceptualisation from qualitative research

Proposes a conceptualisation of “entrepreneurial marketing” based on the practices of successful entrepreneurs. The methodology took account of specific issues in researching entrepreneurs such as lack of common understanding of management terms, and the influence of ego on participants’ responses. Depth interviews used critical incident technique to elicit accounts from entrepreneurs of their marketing practices. Focus groups supplemented individual interviews to test the candour of responses. The results indicated that successful entrepreneurs undertake marketing in unconventional ways. They tend to focus first on innovations, and only second on customer needs. They target customers through a bottom‐up process of elimination, rather than deliberate segmentation, targeting and positioning strategies. They rely on interactive marketing methods communicated through word‐of‐mouth, rather than a more conventional marketing mix. They monitor the marketplace through informal networks, rather than formalised ma.
Non-typhi Salmonella empyema: Case report and review of the literature

A case of non-typhi Salmonella empyema is reported. A review of the literature over the past century found only 13 other empyemas due to Salmonella typhimurium and 25 cases of other non-typhi Salmonella. A review of pleuropulmonary disease due to non-typhi Salmonella is provided along with management recommendations.
Modeling and Simulation of All-Electric Ships With Low-Voltage DC Hybrid Power Systems

DC hybrid power systems are of interest for future low emission, fuel-efficient vessels. In spite of the advantages they offer onboard a ship, they result in a complex, interconnected system, which requires effective analysis tools to enable a full realization of the advantages. Modeling and simulation are essential tools to facilitate design, analysis, and optimization of the system. This paper reviews modeling of hybrid electric ship components including mechanical and electrical elements. Power electronic converters are modeled by nonlinear averaging methods to suit system-level studies. A unified model for bidirectional converters is proposed to avoid transitions between two separate models. A simulation platform using the derived models is developed for the system-level analysis of hybrid electric ships. Simulation results of power sharing among two diesel generators, a fuel cell module, and an energy storage system are presented for three modes of operation.
Adaptive Fuzzy Inference System Using the Sense Wear Armband for Analysis of Patient's Activities

This paper presents a clinical information system for detecting of patient's emergency using a adaptive fuzzy inference system. The information on patient's current state is monitored by the SenseWearTM armband. The physiological property like movement transition and activity level is estimated by the adaptive fuzzy inference using the monitored data. These estimated results are used to detect the emergency of the patient.
Localization and circumnavigation of a group of targets by a single agent using bearing measurements

This paper considers the problem of localization and circumnavigation by a single agent of a group of targets which are either stationary or moving slowly with unknown speed. The system inputs include the agent's position and the bearing angles of the targets. There are two modes of signal reception for the agent: continuous and segmented. With continuous signal reception, the agent is able to receive bearing information from all targets at the same time. With segmented reception, bearing information is only received from one target at a time. The concept of a virtual center or target for the agent to circle around is introduced as well as a method of calculating it. An estimator is proposed, initially for the continuous reception case with stationary targets, to localize the virtual center as well as a control law that forces the agent to move on a circular trajectory around the virtual center such that both the estimator and the control system convergence to the correct trajectory are exponentially stable. Then the case where signal is received by the agent in a segmented manner is studied in the same way. The algorithms can be used when the targets are not stationary, and simulations show that the algorithms remain useful when the targets do not move very fast.
The effect of intradermal administration of corynebacterium parvum on the immune response to hepatitis Bs antigen

The immunopotentiating effect of the intradermal administration of a course of four doses (0.25 ml) of a standard suspension of killed C. parvum (2 mg/ml) was studied in a group of 10 asymptomatic chronic hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) carriers, as well as in 11 persons with antibodies to HBsAg (anti‐HBs) and six without HBsAg or anti‐HBs. HBsAg, anti‐HBs, and leukocyte migration inhibition (LMI) studies were performed in pre‐ and post‐inoculation blood samples. C. parvum produced a substantial increase of anti‐HBs titre in persons with preexisting anti‐HBs. However, anti‐HBs responses were not induced in carriers. HBsAg was not eliminated and its titre remained practically unchanged in carriers. These results support the hypothesis that in carriers the specific defect in the immune response to HBsAg possibly exists at the B cell level.
Effects of Total Quality Management on Perceptual Human Resource Management Outcomes in Software Industry in India

This paper seeks to examine the effects of Total Quality Management (TQM) practices practiced by software organizations on employees’ perceptions or perceptual Human Resource Management (HRM) outcomes within India. Despite extensive research on TQM practices and employees perceptions, no such study has been identified. Therefore, the proposed model was developed with the intention of examining this relationship. Original research using self-completed questionnaires, distributed to employees of software industry, is thoroughly reported. The study sample consisted of 324 employees, resulting in a response rate of 81 percent. A questionnaire was developed and administered to ascertain the level of influence by TQM practices on perceptual HRM outcomes. Data were analyzed by employing multiple regressions. The results revealed that HRM, organization culture, employee empowerment are high involvement TQM practices and have strongest impact on employees perceptual outcomes, Communications is moderate involvement practice and has moderate impact while other practices are low involvement practices and have low impact on employees’ perceptual HRM outcomes. The findings make a significant contribution to software industry that can be used to track the extent of TQM effects on employees’ perceptual HRM outcomes. An organization could use this instrument to do a pre-test baseline measurement, and then periodically re-administer it to identify changes associated with TQM efforts.
Relationship between Aortic Valve Sclerosis and the Extent of Coronary Artery Disease in Patients Undergoing Diagnostic Coronary Angiography

Background: Aortic valve sclerosis (AVS) is considered to be a manifestation of coronary atherosclerosis. Recent studies demonstrated an association between AVS and significant coronary artery disease (CAD). Aim: We sought to determine the association between AVS and the extent of coronary atherosclerosis by means of the Gensini score system, which was calculated to yield a measure of the extent and severity of coronary atherosclerosis in patients referred for coronary angiography. Methods: A total of 160 consecutive patients referred for coronary angiography were subjected to echocardiography for screening of AVS and coronary risk assessment. Absence (group 1, n = 110) and presence of AVS (Group 2, n = 50) was established. The cardiac risk factors considered in this study were age, gender, family history of CAD, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia and history of smoking. The body mass index was also measured. Atherosclerotic plaque burden was determined using the Gensini score. Significant CAD was defined as >50% reduction in the internal diameter of at least one coronary artery. Multivessel coronary disease was based on the presence of 2- or 3-vessel disease. Results: The AVS patients had a higher rate of 3-vessel disease (AVS group vs. non AVS: 40 vs. 13.6%; p < 0.001). No significant correlations were found between AVS and 1- and 2-vessel disease. Individuals with AVS were found to have a higher Gensini score (40.7 ± 38.05 vs. 18 ± 16.4; p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis identified age (p < 0.001), male sex (p = 0.01), triglycerides (p = 0.02), LDL cholesterol (p = 0.001) and Gensini score (p = 0.003) as independent predictors of AVS. Conclusion: AVS is strongly interrelated with the coronary angiographic Gensini score. Echocardiographic detection of AVS in patients undergoing coronary angiography can provide a new surrogate marker of the extent of coronary atherosclerosis.
Relational Reinforcement Rule Induction and the Effect of Pruning

Covering Algorithm (CA) is a Machine Learning field that produces a powerful repository represented as simple if-then rules. Although this field is well established with discrete data but it has its deficiency when dealing with numeric data. This paper introduces a new algorithm called RULES-CONT, which deal with continuous attributes using Relational Reinforcement Learning (RRL). This algorithm is a non-discretization algorithm that directly deal with all kind of data and transfer past experience to improve and generalize its learning. Different pruning levels will also be tested with RULES-CONT, in order to study the possibility of using pruning with RRL to reduce the time and solve the speed problem. The main contribution is to propose a novel solution for rule induction and analyse the most effective pruning level that should be integrated with RRL. Several experiments will be presented to compare RULES-CONT with other algorithms. These experiments are validated using 10-cross-fold validation and Friedman test to measure the significance between the algorithms and decide on the most suitable pruning level with RRL.
Should a company have message boards on its Web sites?

This study examined the impact of messages on a discussion forum regarding a consumer's brand evaluation and attitude toward the Web owner. Four hypotheses were developed based on consumer behavior theories. An experiment using a 2×3×2 between participants factorial design was conducted to test the hypotheses. The results showed that message favorableness and message number on an Internet discussion forum can influence a consumer's brand evaluation and attitude toward the Web owner. However, the effects are different under different levels of preexisting brand image. Negative messages hurt mainly low-image brands, whereas message repetition helps only high-image brands.
Complex Agricultural Risk Management System: a new information system supporting the claim adjustment process in the Hungarian agriculture

A B S T R A C T On annual basis the magnitude of weather-related risks of the Hungarian farmers approaches the 100 billion HUF. It is about 5 percent of the 2200 billion HUF annual gross output value of the Hungarian agriculture. It is a continuous tendency that climate factors are more and more significantly influencing the agricultural crop production. Therefore, reducing the weather risks is an important objective of the Hungarian agricultural administration. For this the agricultural administration is forming riskmanagement groups for producers by strengthening the liability for their decisions, and providing more significant support by the agricultural administration. This new system is based on two pillars: the first pillar is an extended mitigation system, and the second one is a business-based state-sponsored insurance system. First we describe the agricultural risk management in general, then the "paper-based" coordinated mitigation system launched in 2012, finally the integrated mitigation system being under development. Our study reveals in recent year agricultural risk management which is going through important changes, in particular a significant reduction in its administrative burden for farmers and public administration. The other improvement is the accuracy of agricultural meteorological risk evaluation based on agricultural risk database for public decisionmaking.
Male reproductive hormone profile in Rwandan students

To illustrate the male reproductive hormone profile, a study was conducted among healthy male university students living at Butare, Rwanda (altitude: 1 768 m, barometric pressure: 629 mm Hg). Venous blood was collected in the morning, after overnight fasting. Hormonal assays were performed by classical sandwich ELISA technique. Mean values (±standard deviation SD) were follicle‐stimulating hormone FSH: 3.7 ± 1.6 IU l−1; luteinising hormone LH: 3.6 ± 2.2 IU l−1; and total testosterone: 21.0 ± 7.5 nm. The results compare well with findings of other studies.