Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Lymphoedema: an underestimated health problem.

BACKGROUND Lymphoedema/chronic oedema is an important cause of morbidity in the population, but little is known of its epidemiology and impact on patients or health services. AIM To determine the magnitude of the problem of chronic oedema in the community, and the likely impact of oedema on use of health resources, employment and patient's quality of life. DESIGN Questionnaire-based survey. METHODS Health professionals from dedicated lymphoedema services, specific out-patient clinics, hospital wards and community services (GP clinics and district nurses) were contacted to provide information on patients from within South West London Community Trust. A subset of the identified patients was interviewed. RESULTS Within the catchment area, 823 patients had chronic oedema (crude prevalence 1.33/1000). Prevalence increased with age (5.4/1000 in those aged > 65 years), and was higher in women (2.15 vs. 0.47/1000). Only 529 (64%) were receiving treatment, despite two specialist lymphoedema clinics within the catchment area. Of 228 patients interviewed, 78% had oedema lasting > 1 year. Over the previous year, 64/218 (29%) had had an acute infection in the affected area, 17/64 (27%) being admitted for intravenous antibiotics. Mean length of stay for this condition was 12 days, estimated mean cost pound 2300. Oedema caused time off work in > 80%, and affected employment status in 9%. Quality of life was below normal, with 50% experiencing pain or discomfort from their oedema. DISCUSSION Chronic oedema is a common problem in the community with at least 100 000 patients suffering in the UK alone, a problem poorly recognized by health professionals. Lymphoedema arising for reasons other than cancer treatment is much more prevalent than generally perceived, yet resources for treatment are mainly cancer-based, leading to inequalities of care.
A new search for features in the primordial power spectrum

We develop a new approach towards a high-resolution non-parametric reconstruction of the primordial power spectrum using the Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe (WMAP) cosmic microwave background temperature anisotropies that we confront with Sloan Digital Sky Survey large-scale structure data in the range k ∼ 0.01-0.1 h Mpc -1 . We utilize the standard A cold dark matter cosmological model but we allow the baryon fraction to vary. In particular, for the concordance baryon fraction, we compare indications of a possible feature at k ∼ 0.05 h Mpc -1 in WMAP data with suggestions of similar features in large-scale structure surveys.
Religion, Economic Attitudes, and Household Finance

We investigate the differences in economic attitudes and financial decisions between religious and non-religious households. Using Dutch survey data, we find that religious households consider themselves more trusting, and have a stronger bequest motive and a longer planning horizon. Furthermore, Catholics attach more importance to thrift and are more risk averse, while Protestants combine a more external locus of control with a greater sense of financial responsibility. Religious households are more likely to save. Catholic households invest less frequently in the stock market. Economic attitudes are particularly helpful in explaining the financial decisions of Catholic households.
Phenolic Profiling of Duchesnea indica Combining Macroporous Resin Chromatography (MRC) with HPLC-ESI-MS/MS and ESI-IT-MS

Duchesnea indica (D. indica) is an important traditional Chinese medicine, and has long been clinically used to treat cancer in Asian countries. It has been described previously as a rich source of phenolic compounds with a broad array of diversified structures, which are the major active ingredients. However, an accurate and complete phenolic profiling has not been determined yet. In the present work, the total phenolic compounds in crude extracts from D. indica were enriched and fractionated over a macroporous resin column, then identified by HPLC-ESI-MS/MS and ESI-IT-MS (ion trap MS). A total of 27 phenolic compounds were identified in D. indica, of which 21 compounds were identified for the first time. These 27 phenolic compounds encompassing four phenolic groups, including ellagitannins, ellagic acid and ellagic acid glycosides, hydroxybenzoic acid and hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives, and flavonols, were then successfully quantified using peak areas against those of the corresponding standards with good linearity (R2 > 0.998) in the range of the tested concentrations. As a result, the contents of individual phenolic compounds varied from 6.69 mg per 100 g dry weight (DW) for ellagic acid to 71.36 mg per 100 g DW for brevifolin carboxylate. Not only did this study provide the first phenolic profiling of D. indica, but both the qualitative identification and the subsequent quantitative analysis of 27 phenolic compounds from D. indica should provide a good basis for future exploration of this valuable medicinal plant.
Reformulating Reid's MHT method with generalised Murty K-best ranked linear assignment algorithm

The authors reformulate Reid's multiple hypothesis tracking algorithm to exploit a K-best ranked linear assignment algorithm for data association. The reformulated algorithm is designed for real-time tracking of large numbers of closely spaced objects. A likelihood association matrix is constructed that, for each scan, for each cluster, for each cluster hypothesis, exactly and compactly encodes the complete set of Reid's data association hypotheses. The set of this matrix's feasible assignments with corresponding non-vanishing products is shown to map one-to-one respectively onto the set of Reid's data association hypotheses and their corresponding probabilities. The explicit structure of this matrix is a new result and leads to an explicit hypothesis counting formula. Replacement of the likelihood association matrix elements by their negative natural logs then transforms the data association matrix into a linear assignment problem matrix and recasts the problem of data association into efficiently finding sets of ranked assignments. Fast polynomial time Murty ranked assignment algorithms can thus replace Reid's original NP-hard exhaustive hypothesis identification, probability evaluation, and branch-and-prune methods and can rapidly determine the maximally likely data association hypothesis, the second most likely, etc. Results from two high fidelity surveillance sensor simulations show the validity of the proposed method.
Redesigning the CPS questionnaire.

The authors describe the history of and concepts underlying the U.S. Current Population Survey questionnaire. A redesigned version will be implemented in January 1994 and the focus of this article is on "the need for the redesign; methods used to test alternative versions; comparisons of the revised questionnaire with the current one; and the extent to which labor force misclassification appears to be reduced through the redesign. " (EXCERPT)
Deception and Cognitive Load: Expanding Our Horizon with a Working Memory Model

Recently, studies on deception and its detection have increased dramatically. Many of these studies rely on the “cognitive load approach” as the sole explanatory principle to understand deception. These studies have been exclusively on lies about negative actions (usually lies of suspects of [mock] crimes). Instead, we need to re-focus more generally on the cognitive processes involved in generating both lies and truths, not just on manipulations of cognitive load. Using Baddeley’s (2000, 2007, 2012) working memory model, which integrates verbal and visual processes in working memory with retrieval from long-term memory and control of action, not only verbal content cues but also nonverbal, paraverbal, and linguistic cues can be investigated within a single framework. The proposed model considers long-term semantic, episodic and autobiographical memory and their connections with working memory and action. It also incorporates ironic processes of mental control (Wegner, 1994, 2009), the role of scripts and schemata and retrieval cues and retrieval processes. Specific predictions of the model are outlined and support from selective studies is presented. The model is applicable to different types of reports, particularly about lies and truths about complex events, and to different modes of production (oral, hand-written, typed). Predictions regarding several moderator variables and methods to investigate them are proposed.
Towards long-term social child-robot interaction

Social robots have the potential to provide support in a number of practical domains, such as learning and behaviour change. This potential is particularly relevant for children, who have proven receptive to interactions with social robots. To reach learning and therapeutic goals, a number of issues need to be investigated, notably the design of an effective child-robot interaction (cHRI) to ensure the child remains engaged in the relationship and that educational goals are met. Typically, current cHRI research experiments focus on a single type of interaction activity (e.g. a game). However, these can suffer from a lack of adaptation to the child, or from an increasingly repetitive nature of the activity and interaction. In this paper, we motivate and propose a practicable solution to this issue: an adaptive robot able to switch between multiple activities within single interactions. We describe a system that embodies this idea, and present a case study in which diabetic children collaboratively learn with the robot about various aspects of managing their condition. We demonstrate the ability of our system to induce a varied interaction and show the potential of this approach both as an educational tool and as a research method for long-term cHRI.
Conservative approach to the treatment of mixed mitral valve disease

Belcher, J. R. (1973). Thorax, 28, 608-612. Conservative approach to the treatment of mixed mitral valve disease. One hundred patients with mixed mitral valve disease have been treated with the `stand-by' bypass principle. In 59 the valve was replaced; in 41 a closed transventricular valvotomy was done. The results in the two groups have been compared. The operative mortality for valvotomy was 7%; for valve replacement 20%. Late death occurred in 14% after valvotomy; in 25% after replacement. `Good' results were achieved in 49% after valvotomy; in 41% after replacement. Among the survivors 61% had `good' results after valvotomy as against 75% after replacement. Late emboli occurred in one patient after valvotomy; in 11 after replacement. Methods for improved selection of patients for simple valvotomy are discussed.
Expression of cell adhesion molecules on limbal and neovascular endothelium in corneal inflammatory neovascularization.

PURPOSE To investigate the expression of cell-adhesion molecules on corneolimbal and neovascular endothelium and the associated leukocyte infiltration in an experimental model of inflammatory corneal neovascularization (NV). METHODS Corneal NV was induced in BALB/c mice by placement of nylon sutures. Interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) was used topically to determine whether suppression of IL-1 could affect adhesion molecule expression and leukocytic infiltration. At set time points, corneal samples were analyzed immunohistochemically for expression of P-selectin, E-selectin, intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1, vascular adhesion molecule (VCAM)-1, and platelet- endothelial adhesion molecule (PECAM)-1. Leukocytic infiltration at different time points was quantified histologically. In companion experiments mice deficient in ICAM-1 were investigated to determine the functional relevance of this molecule in corneal leukocyte infiltration. RESULTS Significant enhanced expression of ICAM-1 was detected on the corneolimbal vascular endothelium as early as 8 hours and on the newly formed corneal NV by day 3, and treatment with IL-1ra led to significant suppression of this expression. IL-1ra-induced suppression of ICAM-1 expression was accompanied by a profound decrease in corneal leukocytic infiltration by 44.6% at day 1 (P < 0.003), 71.8% at day 3 (P < 0.001), 60.1% at day 7 (P < 0.001), and 63.8% at day 14 (P < 0.001), compared with control corneas. Similarly, in ICAM-1 knockout mice, the corneal leukocytic infiltration was 50.3%, 52.9%, and 36.4%, compared with wild-type control animals on day 1 (P < 0.001), day 7 (P < 0.005), and day 14 (P < 0.001), respectively. Expression of PECAM-1 was constitutively present on perilimbal vascular endothelium and had no response to IL-1ra treatment. No significant expression of P-selectin, E-selectin, or VCAM-1 was detected in this experimental model. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that leukocytic infiltration in this model of inflammatory corneal NV is closely associated with ICAM-1 expression, and that topical IL-1ra displays corneal anti-inflammatory effects, largely by suppressing ICAM-1 expression on vascular endothelial cells.
Desferrioxamine Attenuates Pancreatic Injury after Major Hepatectomy under Vascular Control of the Liver: Experimental Study in Pigs

Introduction. Pancreatic injury can manifest after major hepatectomy under vascular control. The main mechanism involved seems to be remote oxidative injury due to “spillage” of reactive oxygen species and cytokines from the liver. The aim of this study is to evaluate the role of desferrioxamine in the prevention of pancreatic injury following major hepatectomy. Methods. Twelve Landrace pigs were subjected to a combination of major hepatectomy (70–75%), using the Pringle maneuver for 150 minutes, after constructing a porta-caval side-to-side anastomosis. The duration of reperfusion was 24 hours. Animals were randomly divided into a control group (n = 6) and a desferrioxamine group (DFX, n = 6). DFX animals were treated with continuous IV infusion of desferrioxamine 100 mg/kg. Pancreatic tissue injury, c-peptide and amylase concentrations, and pancreatic tissue oxidative markers were evaluated. Results. Desferrioxamine-treated animals showed decreased c-peptide levels, decreased acinar cell necrosis, and decreased tissue malondialdehyde levels 24 hours after reperfusion compared with the control group. There was no difference in portal pressure or serum amylase levels between the groups. Conclusions. Desferrioxamine seems to attenuate pancreatic injury after major hepatectomy under vascular control possibly by preventing and reversing production and circulation of oxidative products.
Anatomical and neurochemical definition of the nucleus of the stria terminalis in japanese quail (Coturnix japonica)

This study in birds provides anatomical, immunohistochemical, and hodological data on a prosencephalic region in which the nomenclature is still a matter of discussion. In quail, this region is located just dorsal to the anterior commissure and extends from the level of the medial part of the preoptic area at its most rostral end to the caudal aspects of the nucleus preopticus medialis. At this caudal level, it reaches its maximal elongation and extends from the ventral tip of the lateral ventricles to the dorsolateral aspects of the paraventricular nucleus. This area contains aromatase‐immunoreactive cells and a sexually dimorphic population of small, vasotocinergic neurons. The Nissl staining of adjacent sections revealed the presence of a cluster of intensely stained cells outlining the same region delineated by the vasotocin‐immunoreactive structures. Cytoarchitectonic, immunohistochemical, and in situ hybridization data support the notion that this area is similar and is probably homologous to the medial part of the nucleus of the stria terminalis of the mammalian brain. The present data provide a clear definition of this nucleus in quail: They show for the first time the presence of sexually dimorphic vasotocinergic neurons in this region of the quail brain and provide the first detailed description of this region in an avian species. J. Comp. Neurol. 396:141–157, 1998. © 1998 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Toward a Systemic Understanding of Listeria monocytogenes Metabolism during Infection

Listeria monocytogenes is a foodborne human pathogen that can cause invasive infection in susceptible animals and humans. For proliferation within hosts, this facultative intracellular pathogen uses a reservoir of specific metabolic pathways, transporter, and enzymatic functions whose expression requires the coordinated activity of a complex regulatory network. The highly adapted metabolism of L. monocytogenes strongly depends on the nutrient composition of various milieus encountered during infection. Transcriptomic and proteomic studies revealed the spatial–temporal dynamic of gene expression of this pathogen during replication within cultured cells or in vivo. Metabolic clues are the utilization of unusual C2- and C3-bodies, the metabolism of pyruvate, thiamine availability, the uptake of peptides, the acquisition or biosynthesis of certain amino acids, and the degradation of glucose-phosphate via the pentose phosphate pathway. These examples illustrate the interference of in vivo conditions with energy, carbon, and nitrogen metabolism, thus affecting listerial growth. The exploitation, analysis, and modeling of the available data sets served as a first attempt to a systemic understanding of listerial metabolism during infection. L. monocytogenes might serve as a model organism for systems biology of a Gram-positive, facultative intracellular bacterium.
Conditioned emergence: a dissipative structures approach to transformation

This paper presents a novel framework for the management of organizational transformation, defined here as a relatively rapid transition from one archetype to another. The concept of dissipative structures, from the field of complexity theory, is used to develop and explain a specific sequence of activities which underpin effective transformation. This sequence integrates selected concepts from the literatures on strategic change, organizational learning, and business processes; in so doing, it introduces a degree of prescriptiveness which differentiates it from other managerial interpretations of complexity theory. Specifically, it proposes a three-stage process: first, the organization ‘conditions’ the outcome of the transformation process by articulating and reconfiguring the rules which underpin its deep structure; second, it takes steps to move from its current equilibrium; and, finally, it moves into a period where positive and negative feedback loops become the focus of managerial attention. The paper argues that by managing at the level of deep structure in social systems, organizations can gain some influence over self-organizing processes which are typically regarded as unpredictable in the natural sciences. However, the paper further argues that this influence is limited to archetypal features and that detailed forms and behaviors are emergent properties of the system. Two illustrative case vignettes are presented to give an insight into the practical application of the model before conclusions are reached which speculate on the implications of this approach for strategy research. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
High illumination levels potentiate the acoustic startle response in preweanling rats.

Fear potentiation of the acoustic startle response (FPS) by aversive conditioned stimuli does not emerge in rats until Postnatal Day (P)23 (see P. S. Hunt & B. A. Campbell, 1997). However, the present study found that when presented with an unconditioned fear-eliciting stimulus, rats younger than P23 display FPS. Specifically, high illumination levels were found to enhance startle amplitudes in rats aged 18 and 25 days, but not 14 days. Furthermore, the light-enhanced startle observed in P18 rats was prevented by a systemic injection of the noradrenergic beta-receptor antagonist propranolol. These data suggest that conditioned and unconditioned FPS have different ontogenetic trajectories, and thereby provide support for the idea that learned and unlearned fear are subserved by dissociable neural systems.
Americas Conference on Information Systems ( AMCIS ) 1231-2007 Consumer Adoption of Broadband in Pakistan

The aim of this study is to provide an understanding of the factors affecting the adoption of broadband Internet in a developing country context in this instance Pakistan. In order to achieve the stated aim this study, identified and examined various attitudinal, normative and control factors to provide insights of broadband adoption. The data on these variables was collected using a survey approach. A self-administered questionnaire was sent between October and December 2006 to 275 consumers with a total of 237 responses obtained from the respondents. The findings of this paper suggest that primary influence, facilitating conditions resources, cost and perceived ease of use are significant factors for explaining behavioral intentions to adopt broadband in Pakistan. The paper also outlines the theoretical contributions, implications for practice and limitations of this research.
Environmental Regulation and Revealed Comparative Advantages in Europe: Is China a Pollution Haven?

The relocation of more polluting industries in poorer countries due to gaps in environmental standards is known as the pollution haven effect, whereby the scale and the composition of output change across countries. Changes in the composition of the output mix might translate into changes of comparative advantages across countries, as revealed by trade flows. This paper focus on this issue and looks at the changes of bilateral revealed comparative advantages (RCAs) in the last decade between China and the major fourteen EU countries (EU14). Using industry level data on bilateral trade, air pollution, water pollution and several measures of environmental stringency, we find that, controlling for other factors that may have affected RCAs, such as labor costs, on average our EU14 countries have kept or improved their advantages with respect to China in both water polluting industries (such as paper and agro-based industries) and air polluting industries (such as basic metals and chemicals), while they have lost competitiveness in the more clean industries (such as machinery and fabricated metals).
Spectral functions of isoscalar scalar and isovector electromagnetic form-factors of the nucleon at two loop order

We calculate the imaginary parts of the isoscalar scalar and isovector electromagnetic form factors of the nucleon up to two-loop order in chiral perturbation theory. Particular attention is paid on the correct behavior of Im $\sigma_N(t)$ and Im $G_{E,M}^V(t)$ at the two-pion threshold $t_0=4 m_\pi^2$ in connection with the non-relativistic 1/M-expansion. We recover the well-known strong enhancement near threshold originating from the nearby anomalous singularity at $t_c = 4m_\pi^2-m_\pi^4/M^2 = 3.98 m_\pi^2$. In the case of the scalar spectral function Im $\sigma_N(t)$ one finds a significant improvement in comparison to the lowest order one-loop result. Higher order $\pi\pi$-rescattering effects are however still necessary to close a remaining 20%-gap to the empirical scalar spectral function. The isovector electric and magnetic spectral functions Im $G_{E,M}^V(t)$ get additionally enhanced near threshold by the two-pion-loop contributions. After supplementing their two-loop results by a phenomenological $\rho$-meson exchange term one can reproduce the empirical isovector electric and magnetic spectral functions fairly well.