Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Split-Bolus Multidetector-Row Computed Tomography Technique for Characterization of Focal Liver Lesions in Oncologic Patients

Background In oncologic patients, the liver is the most common target for metastases. An accurate detection and characterization of focal liver lesions in patients with known primary extrahepatic malignancy are essential to define management and prognosis. Objectives To assess the diagnostic accuracy of the split-bolus multidetector-row computed tomography (MDCT) protocol in the characterization of focal liver lesions in oncologic patients. Patients and Methods We retrospectively analyzed the follow-up split-bolus 64-detector row CT protocol in 36 oncologic patients to characterize focal liver lesions. The split-bolus MDCT protocol by intravenous injection of two boluses of contrast medium combines the hepatic arterial phase (HAP) and hepatic enhancement during the portal venous phase (PVP) in a single-pass. Results The split-bolus MDCT protocol detected 208 lesions and characterized 186 (89.4%) of them: typical hemangiomas (n = 9), atypical hemangiomas (n = 3), cysts (n = 78), hypovascular (n = 93) and hypervascular (n = 3) metastases. Twenty two (10.6%) hypodense lesions were categorized as indeterminate (≤5 mm). The mean radiation dose was 24.5±6.5 millisieverts (mSv). Conclusion The designed split-bolus MDCT technique can be proposed alternatively to triphasic MDCT and in a single-pass to PVP in the initial staging and in the follow-up respectively in oncologic patients.
Gender and Personality Trait Measures Impact Degree of Affect Change in a Hedonic Computing Paradigm

To date, affective computing research has acknowledged individual differences with regard to detecting affect, yet little research has explored how these individual differences may determine the degree to which affective computing is successful in manipulating the affect of specific computer users. The current study used individual difference measures to predict how much an individual can be influenced by a hedonic computing paradigm: a simple trivia game. Female participants responded in a greater way to positive affective feedback about their performance than did men. Moreover, several personality traits, including neuroticism, narcissism, self-esteem, and extraversion, augmented the degree to which affect changed as a result of playing the game. The results are consistent with the gender differences hypothesis, and the authors conclude that individual differences, particularly gender and personality traits, play a large role in the potential impact of computing platforms and would be useful in personalizing the affective nature of the human–computer interaction.
The Iron Control Element, Acting in Positive and Negative Control of Iron-Regulated Bradyrhizobium japonicum Genes, Is a Target for the Irr Protein

Bradyrhizobium japonicum, the nitrogen-fixing soybean symbiont, possesses a heme uptake system encoded by the gene cluster hmuVUT-hmuR-exbBD-tonB. Transcription of the divergently oriented hmuT and hmuR genes was previously found to be induced by iron limitation and to depend on a 21-bp promoter-upstream iron control element (ICE). Here, we show by deletion analysis that the full-length ICE is needed for this type of positive control. Additional genes associated with ICE-like motifs were identified in the B. japonicum genome, of which bll6680 and blr7895 code for bacterioferritin and rubrerythrin homologs, respectively. Transcription start site mapping revealed that their ICEs directly overlap with either the -10 promoter region or the transcription initiation site, suggesting an involvement of the ICE in negative control of both genes. Consistent with this inference was the observed down-regulation of both genes under iron limitation, which in the case of bll6680 was shown to require an intact ICE motif. Using a yeast one-hybrid system, we demonstrated in vivo interaction of the iron response regulator (Irr) with all three ICEs. Moreover, specific in vitro binding of purified Irr protein to the ICE motifs of bll6680 and blr7895 was shown in electrophoretic mobility shift experiments. A genome-wide survey for iron-regulated genes with a custom-made Affymetrix gene chip revealed 17 genes to be induced and 68 to be repressed under iron-replete conditions. Remarkably, ICE-like motifs are associated with a large subset of those B. japonicum genes. We propose the ICE as an important cis-acting element in B. japonicum which represents the DNA-binding site for the Irr protein and, depending on its location within promoter regions, is involved in positive or negative control of the associated iron-regulated genes.
The sufficiency of arithmetic progressions for the 3x + 1 Conjecture

Define T: Z + → Z + by T(x) = (3x+1)/2 if x is odd and T (x) = x/2 if x is even. The 3x +1 Conjecture states that the T-orbit of every positive integer contains 1. A set of positive integers is said to be sufficient if the T-orbit of every positive integer intersects the T-orbit of an element of that set. Thus to prove the 3x+1 Conjecture it suffices to prove it on some sufficient set. Andaloro proved that the sets 1 + 2 n N are sufficient for n < 4 and asked if 1 + 2 n N is also sufficient for larger values of n. We answer this question in the affirmative by proving the stronger result that A + BN is sufficient for any nonnegative integers A and B with B ≠ 0, i.e. every nonconstant arithmetic sequence forms a sufficient set. We then prove analagous results for the Divergent Orbits Conjecture and Nontrivial Cycles Conjecture.
Effect of contraction intensity on sympathetic nerve activity to active human skeletal muscle

The effect of contraction intensity on muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) to active human limbs has not been established. To address this, MSNA was recorded from the left peroneal nerve during and after dorsiflexion contractions sustained for 2 min by the left leg at ~10, 25, and 40% MVC. To explore the involvement of the muscle metaboreflex, limb ischemia was imposed midway during three additional contractions and maintained during recovery. Compared with total MSNA at rest (11.5 ± 4.1 mv.min−1), MSNA in the active leg increased significantly at the low (21.9 ± 13.6 mv.min−1), medium (30.5 ± 20.8 mv.min−1), and high (50.0 ± 24.5 mv.min−1) intensities. This intensity-dependent effect was more strongly associated with increases in MSNA burst amplitude than burst frequency. Total MSNA then returned to resting levels within the first minute of recovery. Limb ischemia had no significant influence on the intensity-dependent rise in MSNA or its decline during recovery in the active leg. These findings reveal intensity-dependent increases in total MSNA and burst amplitude to contracting human skeletal muscle that do not appear to involve the muscle metaboreflex.
Carious Exposure versus Mechanical Exposure for MTA Pulpotomy in Primary Teeth

Introduction. The etiology of exposure determines pulpal response, making it crucial to distinguish between mechanical and carious exposure. This study clinically and radiographically evaluated the success of MTA pulpotomies conducted to treat carious and mechanical pulp exposure. Materials and Methods. This study was conducted with 50 mandibular primary molar teeth. Teeth were divided into 2 groups according to status of the exposure site, with teeth surrounded by carious dentin placed in a carious exposure group and those surrounded by sound dentin in a mechanical exposure group. MTA pulpotomies were performed for both groups. Treatment was followed up clinically and radiographically for 18 months. Results. Clinical and radiographic success rates at 18 months were 100% for both groups. Success rates did not vary significantly between the groups (p = 1.000). Pulp canal obliteration was only seen in the carious exposure group, observed in 2 teeth (8.3%). Conclusion. The long term success rates achieved in this study indicate that MTA can be used as a vital pulpotomy material for the long term success in primary teeth with either mechanical or carious exposure. The findings of the present study highlight the fact that treatment prognosis is dependent upon diagnosis and selection of the appropriate materials for treatment.
SN 1988Z: spectro-photometric catalogue and energy estimates⋆

ABSTRA C T We present a spectro-photometric catalogue of the evolution of supernova 1988Z, which combines new and published observations in the radio, optical and X-ray bands, with the aim of offering a comprehensive view of the evolution of this object and deriving the total energy radiated since its discovery. The major contribution to the total radiated energy comes at optical to X-ray frequencies, with a total emission of at least 2 10 51 erg (for H0a 50 km s 21 Mpc 21 U in 8.5 yr. A model-dependent extrapolation of this value indicates that the total radiated energy may be as high as 10 52 erg. The high value of the radiated energy supports a scenario in which most of the kinetic energy of the ejecta is thermalized and radiated in a short interaction with a dense circumstellar medium of nearly constant density. In this sense, 1988Z is not a supernova but a young and compact supernova remnant.
Mediation Role of Dyadic Coping on Parenting Stress and Relational Resilience in Couples

ABSTRACT This study aims to explore the mediating role of dyadic coping between relational resilience and parenting stress on married couples. The study participants comprised 229 married couples with at least one child and who have had a major life event. The relational resilience scale, parenting stress inventory, dyadic coping scale and personal information, and life events forms were used to collect data for this study. Data were analyzed with the actor–partner interdependence mediation model. The results revealed that dyadic coping actor–partner effects did not mediate between relational resilience and parenting stress. The results were discussed in relation to the social-ecological model and relevant literature. Based on the current findings, recommendations and implications for further research and practice were also proposed.
Relationship Between Blood Pressure Values, Depressive Symptoms, and Cardiovascular Outcomes in Patients With Cardiometabolic Disease

The authors studied the joint effect of blood pressure (BP) and depression on the risk of major adverse cardiovascular outcome in patients with existing cardiometabolic disease. A cohort of 35,537 patients with coronary heart disease, diabetes, or stroke underwent depression screening and BP measurement recorded concurrently. The authors used Cox's proportional hazards to calculate risk of major adverse cardiovascular event (MACE; myocardial infarction/heart failure/stroke or cardiovascular death) over 4 years associated with baseline BP and depression. A total of 11% (3939) had experienced a MACE within 4 years. Patients with very high systolic BP (160–240 mm Hg; hazard ratio, 1.28) and depression (hazard ratio, 1.22) at baseline had significantly higher adjusted risk. Depression had a significant interaction with systolic BP in risk prediction (P=.03). Patients with a combination of high systolic BP and depression at baseline had 83% higher adjusted risk of MACE, as compared with patients with reference systolic BP without depression. Patients with cardiometabolic disease and comorbid depression may benefit from closer monitoring of systolic BP.
In the Nick of Time: A Pan-Canadian Examination of Extended Testing Time Accommodation in Post-secondary Schools

Extended testing time accommodation (ETTA) is the most common accommodation assigned to post-secondary students with disabilities. We examined data on the processes of providing and monitoring the use of ETTA at 48 Canadian post-secondary institutions who provided accommodations to over 43,000 students with disabilities in every province in Canada. Findings indicated that students with learning disabilities were the most likely to be allocated ETTA. The most common duration of ETTA by far was 150% of the standard testing time provided to other students, and was typically assigned in over 70% of cases-- despite there being no valid empirical evidence to support this practice. In almost half of the institutions following this practice, this duration of ETTA was typically awarded upon intake based on guidelines, policies, or the belief that research exists to support this procedure, and in over 40% of these institutions there were no procedures in place for monitoring and modifying ETTA allowances once assigned. There was evidence of some exemplary practices in terms of the decision-making processes that went into determining and monitoring individual student’s ETTA durations. However, concerns were raised in some cases by the rationales for providing specific durations of ETTA, and by the lack of monitoring that together comprised ‘blanket’ accommodations.
D3.b: Challenging Analysis Scenarios and Language Primitives

Integrated Project funded by the European Community under the " Information Society Technologies " Programme (2002—2006) Executive Summary The goal of WP3 is to develop qualitative analyses for verifying properties of service implementations with respect to their formal specifications. This document selects a subset of the 34 original contributions described in detail in the companion Deliverable D3.a and carried out in months 13 to 24. Therefore, we leave out the section " Relevant Sensoria Publications ". With the help of the selected contributions, we identify analysis challenges that arise from the WP8 case studies and the WP2 core calculi. The selected contributions show how these challenges can be tackled and provide a foundation for future theme-oriented deliverables across WP2, WP3, and WP8.
The Cysteine-Rich Region of the Entamoeba histolytica Adherence Lectin (170-Kilodalton Subunit) Is Sufficient for High-Affinity Gal/GalNAc-Specific Binding In Vitro

ABSTRACT Adherence of Entamoeba histolytica trophozoites to colonic mucin, epithelium, and other target cells is mediated by the amebic Gal/GalNAc lectin. We constructed in vitro expression vectors containing full-length (residues 1 to 1280), cysteine-poor (1 to 353 and 1 to 480), and cysteine-rich (356 to 1143 and 480 to 900) fragments of the gene encoding the heavy subunit of the adherence lectin,hgl2. In vitro transcription followed by translation using a nuclease-treated rabbit reticulocyte lysate system was carried out. Immunoreactivity of in vitro-translated Hgl2 was confirmed by immunoprecipitation with lectin-specific monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) 1G7 and 8A3, which recognize linear epitopes. Protein disulfide isomerase (PDI) refolding of Hgl2 enhanced immunoreactivity (P < 0.05) with the conformationally dependent MAb 3F4. Binding of PDI-refolded full-length (P < 0.001) and cysteine-rich (P = 0.005) Hgl2 to CHO cells was galactose dependent and competitively inhibited by native hololectin (50% inhibitory concentration of 39.6 ng/ml). The cysteine-poor region (1 to 353) did not bind CHO cells. Both full-length (1 to 1280) and cysteine-rich (356 to 1143) Hgl2 bound the glyconeoconjugate GalNAc19BSA in a GalNAc-specific manner. The smaller cysteine-rich fragment (480 to 900) also exhibited GalNAc-specific binding but to a lesser extent (P < 0.05) than residues 1 to 1280 and 356 to 1143. Neither the cysteine-poor fragment (1 to 480), luciferase (protein control), nor control translation reactions (without hgl2 lectin mRNA) bound GalNAc19BSA. Binding to GalNAc19BSA was shown to be dependent on the concentration of GalNAc19BSA coated in each well or 35S-lectin added (KD = 0.85 ± 0.37 pM). Binding was competitively inhibited by the terminal GalNAc-containing glycoprotein asialofetuin (P < 0.005). Taken together, these data provide direct evidence that the cysteine-rich region of the Gal/GalNAc lectin heavy subunit contains one or more carbohydrate-binding domains.
Determinants of Support Exchange Between Grandparents and Grandchildren in Rural China: The Roles of Grandparent Caregiving, Patrilineal Heritage, and Emotional Bonds

Mutuality of support provision is a necessary precondition of family solidarity. However, the exchange of care between grandparents and grandchildren has largely been neglected. Using data from the fourth wave of the Anhui Study in China, this study investigated determinants of support exchange between grandparents and grandchildren. Results showed that more grandparents received support from than provided support to their grandchildren. A higher percentage of older adults exchanged support with the grandchildren of their eldest child if that child was male rather than female. Older adults who had strong emotional bonds with the middle generation, especially with sons, or had experience caring for grandchildren were much more likely to receive support from and provide support to their grandchildren. This study confirms the intergenerational solidarity theory and norms of kinship obligation in rural China, where social services are limited.
Locating more corruptions in a replicated file

When a data file is replicated at more than one site, we are interested in detecting corruption by comparing the multiple copies. In order to reduce the amount of messaging for large files, techniques based on page signatures and combined signatures have been explored. However, for 3 or more sites, the known methods assume that the number of corrupted page copies to be at most [M/2]-1, where M is the number of sites. We point out that this assumption is unrealistic and the corresponding methods are unnecessarily pessimistic. In this paper, we replace this assumption by another assumption which we show to be reasonable. Based on this assumption, we derived a distributed algorithm which in general achieves better performance than previously known results. Our system model is also more refined than previous work.
Morphological Disparity of Ammonoids and the Mark of Permian Mass Extinctions

The taxonomic diversity of ammonoids, in terms of the number of taxa preserved, provides an incomplete picture of the extinction pattern during the Permian because of a strongly biased fossil record. The analysis of morphological disparity (the variety of shell shapes) is a powerful complementary tool for testing hypotheses about the selectivity of extinction and permits the recognition of three distinct patterns. First, a trend of decreasing disparity, ranging for about 30 million years, led to a minimum disparity immediately before the Permian-Triassic boundary. Second, the strongly selective Capitanian crisis fits a model of background extinction driven by standard environmental changes. Third, the end-Permian mass extinction operated as a random, nonselective sorting of morphologies, which is consistent with a catastrophic cause.
PET Imaging of Extracellular pH in Tumors with 64Cu- and 18F-Labeled pHLIP Peptides: A Structure–Activity Optimization Study

pH (low) insertion peptides (pHLIP peptides) target acidic extracellular environments in vivo due to pH-dependent cellular membrane insertion. Two variants (Var3 and Var7) and wild-type (WT) pHLIP peptides have shown promise for in vivo imaging of breast cancer. Two positron emitting radionuclides (64Cu and 18F) were used to label the NOTA- and NO2A-derivatized Var3, Var7, and WT peptides for in vivo biodistribution studies in 4T1 orthotopic tumor-bearing BALB/c mice. All of the constructs were radiolabeled with 64Cu or [18F]-AlF in good yield. The in vivo biodistribution of the 12 constructs in 4T1 orthotopic allografted female BALB/c mice indicated that NO2A-cysVar3, radiolabeled with either 18F (4T1 uptake; 8.9 ± 1.7%ID/g at 4 h p.i.) or 64Cu (4T1 uptake; 8.2 ± 0.9%ID/g at 4 h p.i. and 19.2 ± 1.8% ID/g at 24 h p.i.), shows the most promise for clinical translation. Additional studies to investigate other tumor models (melanoma, prostate, and brain tumor models) indicated the universality of tumor targeting of these tracers. From this study, future clinical translation will focus on 18F- or 64Cu-labeled NO2A-cysVar3.
Skill in Field Hockey: The Nature of the Cognitive Advantage

The present study assessed the relative importance of attributes determined largely by the efficiency of the central nervous system versus cognitive attributes in the determination of expertise in field hockey. Three groups were assessed on a battery of field hockey related perceptual and cognitive tasks: the Canadian Women's Field Hockey team, a university team, and a novice group. The attributes assessed were simple reaction time, dynamic visual acuity, coincident anticipation, ball detection speed and accuracy, complex decision speed and accuracy, shot prediction accuracy both when ball impact was viewed and when it was occluded, and recall accuracy of game-structured and nonstructured information. The multitask approach revealed the importance of cognitive abilities in the determination of skill in field hockey.
The Role of Structural Characteristics in Problem Video Game Playing: A Review

The structural characteristics of video games may play an important role in explaining why some people play video games to excess. This paper provides a review of the literature on structural features of video games and the psychological experience of playing video games. The dominant view of the appeal of video games is based on operant conditioning theory and the notion that video games satisfy various needs for social interaction and belonging. However, there is a lack of experimental and longitudinal data that assesses the importance of specific features in video games in excessive video game playing. Various challenges in studying the structural features of video games are discussed. Potential directions for future research are outlined, notably the need to identify what problem (as opposed to casual) players seek from the video games they play.
‘It’s never turned me back’: female mountain guides’ constraint negotiation

ABSTRACT Females participate in outdoor adventure recreation at lower rates than males for a variety of reasons including societal gender expectations, a lack of exposure, and fear. Research indicates that females who participate in outdoor recreation are more empowered and have higher levels of self-esteem, self-worth, confidence, and body image. Thus, it is important to encourage and empower females to take part in outdoor recreation. Framed by poststructural feminism, this study seeks to move beyond a constraints perspective and towards an understanding of how gendered norms may be broken down. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to understand the lifetime experiences of professional mountain guides including the constraints faced, negotiation strategies utilized, and specific contexts within which they reached their professional level of participation.
Preschool Children's School Readiness.

The purpose of this study is to examine preschool teachers’ perspectives about children’s school readiness. Qualitative and quantitative research methods were used in the study as a mixed method research. Data, in the quantitative aspects of the research, were collected through the use of “School Readiness Form” developed by Boz (2004) and “School Readiness Checklist for 5-6 Age Children” developed by the researchers; from 204 preschool teachers. In the qualitative part of the research, open-ended questions were asked for preschool teacher to determine their opinions about children’s school readiness. While findings obtained from quantitative aspect revealed that there is a relationship between the skills that children must have and their school readiness; in the qualitative part of the research participants presented an opinion that academic, social communication skills, maturity, communication with parents and the developmental areas have an effect on children’s school readiness. In the study, qualitative and quantitative findings were coincided. Some recommendations are made in terms of findings.