Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Thyroid follicular lesion of undetermined significance: Evaluation of the risk of malignancy using the two‐tier sub‐classification

The Bethesda 2007 Thyroid Cytology Classification defines follicular lesion of undetermined significance as a heterogeneous category of cases that are not convincingly benign nor sufficiently atypical for a diagnosis of follicular neoplasm or suspicious for malignancy. In our institution, we refer to these cases as indeterminate, and they are further sub‐classified into two: (1) low cellularity with predominant microfollicular architecture and absence of colloid (INa) and (2) nuclear features not characteristic of benign lesions (nuclear atypia) (INb). We reviewed these indeterminate cases to document the follow‐up trend using this two‐tier classification. A search of the cytology records was performed for the period between January 2008 and June 2009. All thyroid fine‐needle aspiration (FNA) cases were reviewed and the ones diagnosed as indeterminate were identified. Correlating follow‐up FNA and/or surgical pathology reports were reviewed. The percentage of cases showing a malignancy was calculated. One hundred and seventy‐one indeterminate cases were identified, representing 2.8% of the 6,205 thyroid FNA cases examined during the time under review (107 INa, 64 INb). Records of follow‐up procedures were available in 106 (61%) cases. Malignancy was identified in 27% of all indeterminate cases. This was disproportionately more in the INb (56%) compared to the INa (7%) cases. A diagnosis of “INa” does not carry the same implication as that of “INb”. The INb category needs a more aggressive follow‐up than the INa category and may justify an immediate referral for lobectomy. Despite the vague morphologic criteria for this diagnostic category, the indeterminate rate remains relatively low and falls within the NCI recommendation (<7%). Diagn. Cytopathol. 2011;. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Acute Phase Proteins – Regulation and Functions of Acute Phase Proteins 212 2 . Obesity in critical disease

Among the different conditions of critical illness leading to admission to an Intensive Care Unit (ICU), sepsis remains the leading cause of death at the non-coronary medical ICU [1]. Even with optimal therapy, mortality rates of severe sepsis and septic shock are about 40 to 50% [2, 3]. Although there are numerous studies with varying methods from different countries, the incidence of severe sepsis is constantly approximately one out of ten admissions to all ICUs worldwide [4]. With millions of individuals concerned every year, worldwide sepsis is one of the major healthcare problems today. The proportion of severe sepsis, and case fatal outcomes increased during the last years [2]. It is crucial to establish the diagnosis sepsis as early as possible and to identify its origin, in order to initiate an appropriate therapy permitting to achieve the best possible outcome [5]. Sepsis is defined as a systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) caused by an infection. The association with organ dysfunction or sepsis-induced hypotension is termed severe sepsis. Septic shock, as a subset of severe sepsis, is characterized by sepsis-induced hypotension, persisting despite adequate fluid resuscitation [6]. Early differentiation between sepsis and SIRS is a considerable problem in the treatment of patients on ICU. Due to the early systemic release of inflammatory cytokines as compared with synthesis of acutephase-proteins, cytokines have been widely investigated for their diagnostic potential in predicting sepsis [7]. Nevertheless, until now the perfect biomarker for differentiation of sepsis and SIRS has not been found yet and ongoing research focuses on identification of appropriate diagnostic biomarkers for sepsis [8]. Despite a growing number of studies, the physiopathology of sepsis is not satisfyingly understood. Data show that physiopathology is characterized by a large number of proand anti-inflammatory cytokines and mediators of inflammation with complex interactions [9]. For instance, the application of a single bolus i.v. infusion of endotoxin to a healthy individual leads to the expression of 3147 genes, (> 10% of the human genome) [10]. These mediators and cytokines lead to endothelial dysfunction and activation of inflammatory and coagulation pathways as reaction to the invasion of a pathogen [11]. In order to reduce the sepsis-related high mortality, a better understanding of common pathogenic mechanisms of sepsis and other critical diseases is needed, potentially resulting in more effective treatment options.
An Ecological Analysis of Batterer Intervention Program Standards

Summary Many states and local jurisdictions have drafted and implemented standards for batterer intervention programs. This article first presents a review of the arguments for and against the current standards. The author argues that the extant empirical research on batterer intervention is, at best, a limited source of knowledge for setting standards. The author then uses Bronfenbrenner's (1972, 1975) ecological framework to analyze existing standards, and to guide recommendations for future research on batterer intervention.
Chemically induced compaction bands: Triggering conditions and band thickness

During compaction band formation, various mechanisms can be involved at different scales. Mechanical and chemical degradation of the solid skeleton and grain damage are important factors that may trigger instabilities in the form of compaction bands. Here we explore the conditions of compaction band formation in quartz‐ and carbonate‐based geomaterials by considering the effect of chemical dissolution and grain breakage. As the stresses/deformations evolve, the grains of the material break, leading to an increase of their specific surface. Consequently, their dissolution is accelerated and chemical softening is triggered. By accounting for (a) the mass diffusion of the system, (b) a macroscopic failure criterion with dissolution softening, and (c) the reaction kinetics at the microlevel, a model is proposed and the conditions for compaction instabilities are investigated. Distinguishing the microscale (grain level) from the macrolevel (representative elementary volume) and considering the heterogeneous microstructure of the representative elementary volume, it is possible to discuss the thickness and periodicity of compaction bands. Two case studies are investigated. The first one concerns a sandstone rock reservoir which is water flooded and the second one a carbonate rock in which CO2 is injected for storage. It is shown that compaction band instabilities are possible in both cases.
How is my child doing?: Preparing pre-service teachers to engage parents through assessment

The aim of this study was to help pre-service teachers develop basic knowledge and skill for partnering with families on assessment-related issues. An assessment class for teacher educators (experimental group) participated in role-playing activities designed to expand their understanding and skill in a way that would help them learn how to partner with parents. Role playing included situations related to student assessment. A pre-post measure design was used to test whether the experimental group improved relative to another section (control group) of the assessment class that did not participate in the role-playing activities. Results indicated that participants in the experimental group gained more knowledge about parental engagement and communicating with parents than the control group. Coding and analysis of the students’ role-playing assignments demonstrated that most students gained valuable skills in working with parents on assessment issues, and students in the experimental group endorsed the role-playing activities as valuable for their education as teachers. Results are discussed in terms of possible contributors to the change and of implications for teacher education.
Reconstructing leisure in adapting to chronic illness in later life: emotional and behavioral strategies

Abstract Although the idea of “constraint negotiation” is quite common in the leisure studies literature, relatively little of this work has focused on aging or the strategies used to overcome health-related constraints to leisure activity participation. This article explores how older people with chronic illnesses adapt to constraints to leisure. Semi-structured in-person interviews were conducted with 18 community-dwelling older adults with a variety of chronic conditions. Analysis of narrative data indicated a range of emotional and behavioral responses to constraints. Emotional responses grouped into: (a) allowing for mourning, (b) appreciating what one still has, (c) realizing that things can be worse, (d) welcoming the constraint, and (e) all or nothing. Behavioral reactions included: (a) substitution, (b) compensating to overcome constraints, and (c) seizing opportunities for self-validation in disability-relevant volunteer work and becoming someone “new”. Findings are discussed in terms of the models of constraint negotiation and selective optimization. Findings also indicate that health constraints require a process of ongoing negotiations, which often result in positive changes.
The Potentiality Principle from Aristotle to Abortion

Anthropological theorizing about “potentiality” should include an understanding of the contemporary legacy of Aristotle’s potentiality principle. This paper approaches potentiality as an object of anthropological scrutiny to show how it is evoked, presented, debated, and circulated among people interacting in a social realm. The potentiality principle, I argue, has been kept alive by Catholic moral philosophers who argue that embryos should not be killed because they possess the attributes that they will have later in life. Catholic moral philosophers and their feminist critics and interlocutors emerge in this paper as active agents who condition and shape the contemporary uses of the concept of potentiality. By looking at how potentiality debates are intellectually and historically situated, I argue for reflexive ethnographic attention to the politics of potentiality.
Cognitive Functioning in Patients with Bipolar Disorder: Association with Depressive Symptoms and Alcohol Use

Background Cognitive dysfunction is clearly recognized in bipolar patients, but the degree of impairment varies due to methodological factors as well as heterogeneity in patient populations. The goal of this study was to evaluate cognitive functioning in bipolar patients and to assess its association with depressive symptoms. Post hoc the relationship with lifetime alcohol use disorder was explored. Methodology/Principal Findings The study included 110 bipolar patients and 75 healthy controls. Patients with severe depressive symptoms, (hypo)manic symptoms and current severe alcohol use disorder were excluded. Diagnoses were evaluated via the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview. Cognitive functioning was measured in domains of psychomotor speed, speed of information processing, attentional switching, verbal memory, visual memory, executive functioning and an overall mean score. Severity of depression was assessed by the Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology-self rating. Patients were euthymic (n = 46) or with current mild (n = 38) or moderate (n = 26) depressive symptoms. Cognitive impairment was found in 26% (z-score 2 or more above reference control group for at least one domain) of patients, most prominent in executive functioning (effect size; ES 0.49) and speed of information processing (ES 0.47). Depressive symptoms were associated with dysfunction in psychomotor speed (adjusted beta 0.43; R2 7%), speed of information processing (adjusted beta 0.36; R2 20%), attentional switching (adjusted beta 0.24; R2 16%) and the mean score (adjusted beta 0.23; R2 24%), but not with verbal and visual memory and executive functioning. Depressive symptoms explained 24% of the variance in the mean z-score of all 6 cognitive domains. Comorbid lifetime alcohol use (n = 21) was not associated with cognitive dysfunction. Conclusions/Significance Cognitive dysfunction in bipolar disorder is more severe in patients with depressive symptoms, especially regarding speed and attention. Therefore, interpretation of cognitive functioning in patients with depressive symptoms should be cautious. No association was found between cognitive functioning and lifetime comorbid alcohol use disorder.
Near-Capacity Wireless Transceivers and Cooperative Communications in the MIMO Era: Evolution of Standards, Waveform Design, and Future Perspectives

Classic Shannon theory suggests that the achievable channel capacity increases logarithmically with the transmit power. By contrast, the MIMO capacity increases linearly with the number of transmit antennas, provided that the number of receive antennas is equal to the number of transmit antennas. With the further proviso that the total transmit power is increased proportionately to the number of transmit antennas, a linear capacity increase is achieved upon increasing the transmit power, which justifies the spectacular success of MIMOs. Hence we may argue that MIMO-aided transceivers and their cooperation-assisted distributed or virtual MIMO counterparts constitute power-efficient solutions. In a nutshell, since the conception of GSM in excess of three orders of magnitude bit-rate improvements were achieved in three decades, which corresponds to about a factor ten for each decade, because GSM had a data rate of 9.6 Kb/s, while HSDPA is capable of communicating at 13.7 Mb/s. However, the possible transmit power reductions remained more limited, even when using the most advanced multistage iterative detectors, since the required received signal power has not been reduced by as much as 30 dB. This plausible observation motivates the further research of advanced cooperation-aided wireless MIMO transceivers, as detailed in this treatise.
Art and brain: insights from neuropsychology, biology and evolution

Art is a uniquely human activity associated fundamentally with symbolic and abstract cognition. Its practice in human societies throughout the world, coupled with seeming non‐functionality, has led to three major brain theories of art. (1) The localized brain regions and pathways theory links art to multiple neural regions. (2) The display of art and its aesthetics theory is tied to the biological motivation of courtship signals and mate selection strategies in animals. (3) The evolutionary theory links the symbolic nature of art to critical pivotal brain changes in Homo sapiens supporting increased development of language and hierarchical social grouping. Collectively, these theories point to art as a multi‐process cognition dependent on diverse brain regions and on redundancy in art‐related functional representation.
Bicarbonate Is Required for Migration of Sperm Epididymal Protein DE (CRISP-1) to the Equatorial Segment and Expression of Rat Sperm Fusion Ability1

Abstract Numerous studies have demonstrated that sperm capacitation is a bicarbonate-dependent process. In the rat, capacitation has not been studied as much as in other species, mainly because of the difficulties in carrying out functional assays with this animal model. In the present study, we have examined the influence of bicarbonate in the overall rat sperm capacitation process by analyzing involvement of the anion in 1) protein tyrosine phosphorylation, 2) migration of epididymal protein DE (also known as CRISP-1) from the dorsal region to the equatorial segment of the sperm head that occurs during capacitation, and 3) ability of sperm to fuse with the egg. Incubation of sperm under capacitating conditions produced a time-dependent increase in protein tyrosine phosphorylation. This phosphorylation did not occur in the absence of HCO−3 and rapidly increased by either exposure of sperm to HCO−3 or replacement of the anion by a cAMP analog (dibutyryl-cAMP) and a phosphodiesterase inhibitor (pentoxifylline). The absence of HCO−3 also produced a significant decrease in the percentage of cells showing migration of DE to the equatorial segment. This parameter was completely restored by addition of the anion, but dibutyryl-cAMP and pentoxifylline were not sufficient to overcome the decrease in DE migration. Sperm capacitated in the absence of HCO−3 were unable to penetrate zona-free eggs independent of the presence of the anion during gamete coincubation. Exposure of these sperm to bicarbonate, or replacement of the anion by dibutyryl-cAMP and pentoxifylline, only partially restored the sperm fusion ability. Altogether, these results indicate that, in addition to its influence on protein tyrosine phosphorylation, bicarbonate is required to support other rat sperm capacitation- associated events, such as migration of DE to the equatorial segment, and expression of the ability of sperm to fuse with the egg.
Parents' use of friendship facilitation strategies and the formation of friendships in early adolescence: a prospective study

On the basis of semistructured discussions among 40 adolescents and their parents regarding family involvement in friendship formation, we identified 46 possible strategies parents could use to help adolescents establish new friendships after relocation to a new community. A total of 157 mother-adolescent pairs reported how often the parents used each strategy during the prior 3 months. Principal-components analysis identified 4 groups of strategies: met other parents, enabled proximity to peers, talked to adolescent, and encouraged activity. Prospective analyses using 138 mother-adolescent pairs who completed 3 home interviews over an 8-month period indicated that parents' more frequent use of strategies predicted adolescents' greater companionship and intimacy with new friends. Strategies that required active parental engagement in the adolescent's social world seemed particularly helpful.
Changing forms of transnationalism

Abstract This paper looks at second-generation immigrants and the effects of ‘inevitable’ assimilation on their transnational ties. The dominant concept of transnationalism is strongly influenced by the experience of transmigrants moving back and forth between the sending and receiving countries or by immigrants involved in transnational activities. Research on second-generation Hindustanis in the Netherlands shows that their transnational ties are strong due to the ethnification of their community. However, their transnational ties are changing. The second-generation Hindustanis have a source culture and are developing new ties, while loosening relations with their parents’ country. Thus, transnationalism is assuming new forms, calling for a typology of different forms of transnational relations.
Prevalence and risk factors associated with hypertension in the Chinese Qiang population

ABSTRACT Our aim is to investigate the prevalence and risk factors associated with hypertension among the Chinese Qiang population. From September 2012 to March 2013, a cross-sectional study was conducted in urban and rural communities of the Qiang population using multistage cluster sampling. A total of 2676 people aged above 20 years were enrolled in the analysis. Standardized mercury sphygmomanometer was used to measure the blood pressure twice after a 10-minute seated rest, and the average blood pressure was obtained. The hypertension prevalence among the population aged above 20 years was 13.9%, and age-standardized prevalence was 12.3%. Male and female prevalence of hypertension, as well as the prevalence in urban and rural areas, all increased with age. There were no significant differences between males and females and between urban and rural residents. Among hypertensive patients, 44.2% were aware of their hypertension, 38.0% were undergoing antihypertensive treatment, but only 10.5% achieved blood pressure control. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the risk factors of hypertension included age, low income, overweight and obesity, family history of hypertension. The prevalence of hypertension in Chinese Qiang adults is significantly lower than the national level. Awareness, treatment, and control rates of hypertension were low in the Qiang population. Thus, hypertension-related health knowledge should be more aggressively delivered to improve public awareness and the capacity of community health services should be strengthened.
Spatial Pattern Analysis of Functional Brain Images Using Partial Least Squares

This paper introduces a new tool for functional neuroimage analysis: partial least squares (PLS). It is unique as a multivariate method in its choice of emphasis for analysis, that being the covariance between brain images and exogenous blocks representing either the experiment design or some behavioral measure. What emerges are spatial patterns of brain activity that represent the optimal association between the images and either of the blocks. This process differs substantially from other multivariate methods in that rather than attempting to predict the individual values of the image pixels, PLS attempts to explain the relation between image pixels and task or behavior. Data from a face encoding and recognition PET rCBF study are used to illustrate two types of PLS analysis: an activation analysis of task with images and a brain-behavior analysis. The commonalities across the two analyses are suggestive of a general face memory network differentially engaged during encoding and recognition. PLS thus serves as an important extension by extracting new information from imaging data that is not accessible through other currently used univariate and multivariate image analysis tools.
OPTIMAL FRONTAL VEHICLE CRASH PULSES - A NUMERICAL METHOD FOR DESIGN

In a frontal vehicle crash, for a given crash velocity and given maximum vehicle crush, with a known restraint characteristic, what is the vehicle pulse, subject to lower and upper bound constraints, that produces the lowest peak occupant deceleration? A solution procedure using numerical optimization is proposed. The pulse is discretized in the vehicle crush domain. The optimization search is facilitated by a specially developed algorithm that is a hybrid of the sequential quadratic programming (SQP) algorithm for nonlinear constrained optimization and the genetic algorithm (GA). Optimization examples are shown with linear and nonlinear occupant restraints. Numerical results from the examples indicate that when the number of pulse discretization segments is less than five, the solution method is effective in providing pulse improvements for practical problems. A discussion on the theoretical and practical aspects of optimal pulses is also given. For the covering abstract see ITRD E825082.