Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Management of cervical cancer: summary of SIGN guidelines

Despite a well organised cervical screening programme for preinvasive disease in the United Kingdom, there are still about 2800 new cases of and 1000 deaths from cervical cancer each year.1 Many patients still present to their general practitioner with symptoms associated with cervical cancer. The Joint Committee for Vaccination and Immunisation has announced the introduction of human papillomavirus vaccination for 12-13 year old girls next year, but it is predicted that it may take 40 to 60 years for an effect on the rates of cervical cancer to be seen. This article summarises the most recent guidance from the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) on the management of cervical cancer.2 The guideline aims to ensure that equitable standards of care are available to all women who develop cervical cancer and that the social and economic burden it places on women and their carers is minimised. SIGN recommendations are based on systematic reviews of best available evidence, and the strength of the evidence is indicated as A, B, C, or D (fig 1⇓). Recommended best practice (“good practice points”) based on the clinical experience of the guideline development group is also indicated (as GPP). Fig 1 Explanation of SIGN grades of recommendations ### Presentation Intermenstrual bleeding, post-coital bleeding, and post-menopausal bleeding are common and non-specific symptoms and may be associated with cervical cancer or with other conditions such as genital Chlamydia trachomatis infection. The probability that a woman aged 45-54 developing post-coital bleeding in the community has cervical cancer is 1 in 2400 (which decreases with younger age to 1 in 44 000 for women aged 20-24).
The Performance of IPOs in Istanbul Stock Exchange in Year 2000

Firmalarin halka ilk arz yoluyla kucuk ve kurumsal yatirimcilardan fon toplamasi dusuk maliyetli finanslama yollarindan biri olabilir. Tahvil ihraci ve bankalardan kisa ve uzun vadeli kredi almanin maliyetleri, halka ilk arzin komisyon ve diger maliyetleriyle karsilastirildiginda oldukca yuksek olabilir. Bu ampirik calisma 2000 yilinda Istanbul Menkul Kiymetler Borsasinda halka ilk arzi yapilan hisse senetlerinin performanslarini incelemektedir. Bu analizde literaturde yaygin olarak kullanilan “event-study” yontemi uygulanarak halka ilk arzi yapilan 34 firmanin 30 gunluk arz sonrasi performansi olculmustur. Ampirik bulgular literaturde gecen diger calismalar sonuclariyla uyumludur. Elde edilen sonuclara gore, halka arzin ilk iki gununde yatirimcilarin normal ustu getiri elde etmeleri mumkundur.
The role of HLA-specific antibodies in kidney transplant rejection: published studies and local data.

The post-transplantation production of antibodies directed against donor HLA class I and class II mismatches has been shown to be associated with transplant rejection. Recipient sensitization against donor HLA plays a key role in transplant rejection; this risk is best minimized by efficient pre-transplant antibody detection and definition, effective pre-allocation cross-matching, and minimization of HLA mismatches between donor and recipient. The term "PRA" is of little value. Identification of the HLA specificity to which an antibody is directed is essential and now possible using contemporary methodology. It is now recognized that antibody-mediated rejection should be diagnosed on the basis of allograft dysfunction, characteristic features of histology, C4d immunohistology, and the presence of donor-specific antibodies. HLA-DP is becoming recognized as a "transplantation antigen. " For the future, the repertoire of a histocompatibility laboratory must expand to include typing organ transplant recipients and donors for HLA-DP and also the definition of antibodies to DP. Antibodies to non-HLA targets should be an important consideration when assessing factors that influence transplant outcome.
Growth of the Firm and Economic Backwardness: A Case Study and Analysis of China's Mobile Handset Industry

Economic backwardness often influences the growth of firms in developing countries. In this paper, we investigate the growth conditions and paths available for latecomers competing with first movers. Employing the concepts of boundaries of the firm and the disadvantage of backwardness, we present a case study of China's mobile handset industry and proceed to develop a simple model. We find that although significant disadvantage does not allow latecomers to grow, there are possibilities for changing the conditions of growth if latecomers can utilize outside resources and/or indigenous advantages.
Vascular endothelial growth factor‐targeted therapy for the treatment of adult metastatic Xp11.2 translocation renal cell carcinoma

Adult “translocation” renal cell carcinoma (RCC), bearing transcription factor E3 (TFE3) gene fusions at Xp11.2, is a recently recognized, unique entity for which prognosis and therapy remain poorly understood. In the current study, the authors investigated the effect of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)‐targeted therapy in this distinct subtype of RCC.
Primary cutaneous melanoma. Optimized cutoff points of tumor thickness and importance of clark's level for prognostic classification

Background. Maximum tumor thickness and level of invasion are known to be the most important prognostic factors for patients with primary cutaneous melanoma. However, the classification of tumor thickness and the question of whether the combination of tumor thickness and level of invasion provides a better prognostic classification than tumor thickness alone are still matters of debate. The present study examined the relationship between tumor thickness and survival probability to define cutoff points of tumor thickness. Secondly, it investigated the prognostic value of the combination of tumor thickness and level of invasion as proposed in the current TNM classification system.
The Impacts of Firm Expansions on the CEO Wealth: A Look at CEO Incentives to Make Expansion Decisions

We investigate the impact of firm expansion decisions on CEO wealth and derive the ex ante wealth-driven incentives. We find that CEO incentives are determined by a combined influence of multiple factors, including board compensation policy, stock market mispricing, as well as CEO's own portfolio adjustment. We analyze these effects by decomposing CEO's new grants and existing portfolio, isolating CEO wealth gains and losses, and separating short-run and long-run effects. We further contribute to the literature by identifying the pay-for-size sensitivity as part of the board compensation policy, which is less recognized in the literature than the pay-for-performance sensitivity. We document CEO compensation in expansion firms is more sensitive to size increase than in non-expansion firms. This pay-for-size sensitivity provides an additional incentive for expansion. In addition to analyze the expansion firms on average, we compare the characteristics and CEO incentives in acquisition and internal growth firms.
Herding, Trade Reversals, and Cascading by Institutional Investors

We analyze the portfolio holdings of mutual funds over the 1975-84 period to detect whether the funds engaged in "herding" (simultaneous same-direction trading by a group of funds), "cascading" (sequential same-direction trading by two groups of funds---one following the other), or "trade reversals" (sequential opposite-direction trading by a single group of funds). Our results suggest the presence of herding behavior and short-term trade reversals, especially among the top performing funds; the funds especially exhibited herding behavior in stocks with high past returns. In addition, stocks that the funds bought as a herd had significantly higher abnormal returns, during the following quarters, than stocks that the funds sold as a herd. Finally, we find evidence of some groups of funds cascading their portfolio choices on the prior portfolio choices of other funds, in stocks with a large number of the 274 funds involved in trading.
Insights From the Baldrige Award Item-Level Blinded Applicant Scoring Data

This paper examines the item-level applicant scoring data of the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award from 1991 to 2006, which were released by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in 2011. Because the criteria have changed significantly over time, this study required a detailed analysis, definition, and reconciliation of concepts and terminology. This study offers several contributions to the quality management literature. First, the authors' study provides both a longitudinal and a cross-sectional view of the applicant data. They make observations on how award applicants' scores have evolved over time and investigate trends and interindustry differences. Through data visualization and ANOVA, they are able to gain insights on the progress in quality improvement and performance excellence made in these sectors. The authors found support for the declining performance of manufacturing industry and the steady improvement of nonprofit sectors in Baldrige evaluation scores. Moreover, using these national data, the authors provide further evidence for the validity of the theoretical Baldrige framework using confirmatory factor analysis.
Multiphase intrafibrillar mineralization of collagen.

In the past, the two major biomineralization motifs, biosilicification and biocalcification, have been considered as two discrete processes. However, there is increasing evidece suggesting existence of an inextricable relationship between biosilica and calcium-based biominerals. [1] Recent discovery of a unique silica–chitin–aragonite biocomposite in one genus of Demosponges (Verongida) further introduces a novel mechanism of multiphase hierarchical biomineralization. [2] Considerable efforts have been devoted to the development of silica/calcium-based organic-inorganic hybrids;[3-5] however none of these techniques could demonstrate the composite nature of their natural counterparts. Here, we report a biomineralization scheme that results in intrafibrillar mineralization of collagen with hierarchically-arranged, silica-apatite multiphase minerals via a bottom-up, biomimetic strategy. The mineralization mechanism involves precipitation and crystal growth of polymer-induced amorphous calcium phosphate precursors within the intrafibrillar spaces of hierarchicallysilicified collagen. Silicified collagen-templated intrafibrillar apatite formation provides a model for the formation of multiphase-mineralized skeleton in invertebrates, and also results in a biocomposite with increased fatigue resistance and resilience, due to the interpenetrating arrangement of amorphous silica, collagen and crystalline apatite, as well as enhanced bioactivity, biocompatibility and bone defect restoring potential caused by the presence of those multiphase components. [1,6,7]
Changes and challenges of traditional travel agencies in transition to the e-tourism world, case of Malaysian travel agencies

Internet has profoundly transformed tourism industry and challenged the traditional value proposition of travel agencies. Traditional travel agencies are struggling to stay relevant through any possible way . They are also under the pressure by the travel providers who try to access the customers directly and bypass these traditional intermediaries (disintermediation theory) Therefore the traditional agencies need to re-intermediate themselves as soon as possible before getting disintermediated. This study investigates the impact of Information Communication Technology (ICT) and the internet in particular, to find the changes that have been affecting the traditional distribution channels and made the travel agencies vulnerable to the growth of internet . In Malaysia specially, the awareness of travel managers and the coping strategies taken by traditional travel agencies have not been studied vastly before. Thus this research has looked for the effects of internet on the conventional travel agencies by a qualitative method and has gathered information through interviews with the top travel managers involved in both the industry and the travel association . It has then analyzed the data by a thematic approach and has given some suggestions to minimize the risk of disintermediation and improve business performance through focusing on the niche market and specialization , trying a new distribution strategy, improving online marketing and implementing reputation management.
Marketing and Logistics Management as an Innovative Direction of Management in the SMEs Sector

Abstract Marketing and logistics management is now becoming an interesting concept for entrepreneurs, and thus perpetuates the belief that the skills of marketing and logistics of the company contributes to the improvement of the company’s competitive position in the market. The activity of businesses from the SME sector is based on a much more modest material resources than it is in large enterprises, thus building logistic and marketing advantages through innovation strategies is often the right direction of improving the competitiveness of the SME sector. The aim of the paper is to present the areas and potential use of new methods of management, with the application of integration of marketing management and logistics processes. Knowledge of the characteristics of both types of processes in the SME sector becomes necessary. Insufficient knowledge of marketing and logistics in SMEs, both in the field of logistics and marketing should be complemented by the development of educational offer by institutions of science.
Comparative analysis of LCL filter with active and passive damping methods for grid-interactive inverter system

This paper presents the control strategy for a three-phase LCL-filter type based grid connected inverter system for photovoltaic (PV) applications. The control strategy proposed in the paper involves the independent control of active and reactive power injected into the grid during steady state and transient conditions. In addition to that, a comparative study between active and passive damping configurations for LCL type filter resonance damping is also analyzed. The control strategy implemented on a three-phase grid connected PV-inverter is studied and verified by computer simulation based on MATLAB Simulink and the results are analyzed for effectiveness of the study.
CD4+ count-guided interruption of antiretroviral treatment.

BACKGROUND Despite declines in morbidity and mortality with the use of combination antiretroviral therapy, its effectiveness is limited by adverse events, problems with adherence, and resistance of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). METHODS We randomly assigned persons infected with HIV who had a CD4+ cell count of more than 350 per cubic millimeter to the continuous use of antiretroviral therapy (the viral suppression group) or the episodic use of antiretroviral therapy (the drug conservation group). Episodic use involved the deferral of therapy until the CD4+ count decreased to less than 250 per cubic millimeter and then the use of therapy until the CD4+ count increased to more than 350 per cubic millimeter. The primary end point was the development of an opportunistic disease or death from any cause. An important secondary end point was major cardiovascular, renal, or hepatic disease. RESULTS A total of 5472 participants (2720 assigned to drug conservation and 2752 to viral suppression) were followed for an average of 16 months before the protocol was modified for the drug conservation group. At baseline, the median and nadir CD4+ counts were 597 per cubic millimeter and 250 per cubic millimeter, respectively, and 71.7% of participants had plasma HIV RNA levels of 400 copies or less per milliliter. Opportunistic disease or death from any cause occurred in 120 participants (3.3 events per 100 person-years) in the drug conservation group and 47 participants (1.3 per 100 person-years) in the viral suppression group (hazard ratio for the drug conservation group vs. the viral suppression group, 2.6; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.9 to 3.7; P<0.001). Hazard ratios for death from any cause and for major cardiovascular, renal, and hepatic disease were 1.8 (95% CI, 1.2 to 2.9; P=0.007) and 1.7 (95% CI, 1.1 to 2.5; P=0.009), respectively. Adjustment for the latest CD4+ count and HIV RNA level (as time-updated covariates) reduced the hazard ratio for the primary end point from 2.6 to 1.5 (95% CI, 1.0 to 2.1). CONCLUSIONS Episodic antiretroviral therapy guided by the CD4+ count, as used in our study, significantly increased the risk of opportunistic disease or death from any cause, as compared with continuous antiretroviral therapy, largely as a consequence of lowering the CD4+ cell count and increasing the viral load. Episodic antiretroviral therapy does not reduce the risk of adverse events that have been associated with antiretroviral therapy. (ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00027352 [ClinicalTrials.gov].).
Headhunters : matchmaking in the labor market : with a new afterword

Finlay and Coverdill provide an engaging and intriguing glimpse into the relationships among headhunting firms, their client firms, and prospective job candidates. Their study focuses on contingency headhunters-those who receive a fee that is contingent on successfully locating a candidate who is hired-and their client firms within a major metropolitan area in the southeastern United States. The authors make
Policy analysis for improving performance of PPP projects in Vietnam: A Case Study from BOT Phu My Bridge Project

The important of PPP model to the development of infrastructure as well as the Vietnamese economy, and exiting obstacles in BOT practices in Vietnam inspire me to do this thesis. Among many critical success factors influencing to performance of BOT practice in Vietnam, the author recognizes that Vietnamese government should try all its efforts to improve the financial market, ability to mange risks, legislation and regulation to leverage private involvement in BOT scheme. The other factors can be achieved by the learning curve process on the course of local and international PPP practice. Thus, the thesis focuses on PPP model specializing in the following main aspects: (1) financing of PPP projects, (2) management of risks in PPP projects, (3) the institutional and legal framework of PPP projects.
The effects of unethical conduct of pharmaceutical companies on consumer behavior

Purpose – This study aims to investigate how unethical corporate behavior of pharmaceutical companies affects consumer behavior of German consumers, especially boycotts of over‐the‐counter drugs.Design/methodology/approach – Borrowing from psychological theory as well as consumer behavior theory, the study develops a conceptual model that considers affective and cognitive determinants of boycotting behavior. Within the scope of the German pharmaceutical sector, the researchers conducted a survey to validate the research hypotheses using moderated regression analysis.Findings – Individuals' inclination to join boycotts and engage in boycott communication results from anger about animal testing, perceived immorality of pharmaceutical companies' corporate behavior and negative corporate image of pharmaceutical companies. An empirical analysis reveals significant moderation effects.Research limitations/implications – This research focuses on the pharmaceutical sector and the boycott of over‐the‐counter drugs.
INDICES OF VASCULAR STIFFNESS AND WAVE REFLECTION IN RELATION TO BODY MASS INDEX OR BODY FAT IN HEALTHY SUBJECTS

1 Obesity appears to influence vascular stiffness, an important cardiovascular risk factor. An accurate picture of arterial stiffness may be obtained when a combination of various techniques is used. 2 The purpose of the present study was to assess whether the body mass index (BMI) and body fat content obtained by bioimpedance were of equal value in estimating the influence of body fatness on various indices of vascular stiffness and wave reflection. 3 A total of 175 healthy subjects was studied. Anthropometric measurements and total body bio‐impedance analysis were performed to assess fat mass as a proportion of total body composition. Arterial stiffness and wave reflection were assessed using digital volume pulse analysis and tonometric measurement of the wave reflection indices and central haemodynamics. 4 Significant differences in the stiffness index (SIDVP; P < 0.0001), peripheral augmentation index (pAIx; P < 0.0001), central augmentation index (cAIx; P < 0.0001), peripheral pulse pressure (pPP; P = 0.026) and central pulse pressure (cPP; P < 0.0001) were found when the population examined was divided accordingly to tertile of body fat content. However, subdividing various indices of arterial stiffness according to the tertile of BMI did not reveal any significant differences between groups, except for pPP and cPP. 5 Body fat content was significantly correlated with SIDVP, pAIx, cAIx, pPP and cPP. The BMI correlated weakly with SIDVP, pPP and cPP. 6 In conclusion, the BMI is not very useful in predicting changes in arterial stiffness and wave reflection due to obesity. However, stiffness and wave reflection indices derived from digital volume pulse analysis, the characteristics of radial and aortic pressure waveforms and peripheral and aortic pulse pressure are all related to body fat content, as estimated by bioimpedance.
Variable Effects of Explosive or Gradual Increase of Intracranial Pressure on Myocardial Structure and Function

BackgroundStudies done in potential donors for heart transplantation and in experimental animals have suggested that brain death can have major histopathological and functional effects on the myocardium. Methods and ResultsWe developed experimental models of brain death using dogs to study the hemodynamic and catecholamine changes, the extent of myocardial structural damage, and the recovery potential of donor hearts obtained from brain-dead donors. Brain death was caused by increasing the intracranial pressure (ICP) suddenly or gradually by injecting saline in an epidural Foley catheter. In a first series of experiments, dogs given a sudden rise in ICP (n=5) showed a hyperdynamic response and a 1,000-fold increase in the level of epinephrine after brain death. Histology revealed 93±2% of the myocardium to be severely ischemic. Dogs given a gradual rise in ICP (n=6) showed a lesser hyperdynamic response, almost 200-fold increase in the level of epinephrine after brain death, and mild ischemic damage to the myocardium (23±1%). In a second series, hearts obtained from brain-dead and non-brain-dead donors were transplanted in recipients, and the weaning and recovery potential were studied. All four recipients with hearts from non-brain-dead donors were weaned with good functional recovery. Also, all four recipients with hearts from brain-dead dogs given a gradual rise in ICP were weaned with only moderate functional recovery. However, only two of four recipients with hearts from donors given a sudden rise in ICP were weaned and showed poor functional recovery. ConclusionsOur results indicate that a sudden rise in ICP can cause irreversible myocardial damage.
A Support Vector Machine-Based Gender Identification Using Speech Signal

We propose an effective voice-based gender identification method using a support vector machine (SVM). The SVM is a binary classification algorithm that classifies two groups by finding the voluntary nonlinear boundary in a feature space and is known to yield high classification performance. In the present work, we compare the identification performance of the SVM with that of a Gaussian mixture model (GMM)-based method using the mel frequency cepstral coefficients (MFCC). A novel approach of incorporating a features fusion scheme based on a combination of the MFCC and the fundamental frequency is proposed with the aim of improving the performance of gender identification. Experimental results demonstrate that the gender identification performance using the SVM is significantly better than that of the GMM-based scheme. Moreover, the performance is substantially improved when the proposed features fusion technique is applied.