Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Chromosomal Aberrations in Canine Gliomas Define Candidate Genes and Common Pathways in Dogs and Humans

Spontaneous gliomas in dogs occur at a frequency similar to that in humans and may provide a translational model for therapeutic development and comparative biological investigations. Copy number alterations in 38 canine gliomas, including diffuse astrocytomas, glioblastomas, oligodendrogliomas, and mixed oligoastrocytomas, were defined using an Illumina 170K single nucleotide polymorphism array. Highly recurrent alterations were seen in up to 85% of some tumor types, most notably involving chromosomes 13, 22, and 38, and gliomas clustered into 2 major groups consisting of high-grade IV astrocytomas, or oligodendrogliomas and other tumors. Tumor types were characterized by specific broad and focal chromosomal events including focal loss of the INK4A/B locus in glioblastoma and loss of the RB1 gene and amplification of the PDGFRA gene in oligodendrogliomas. Genes associated with the 3 critical pathways in human high-grade gliomas (TP53, RB1, and RTK/RAS/PI3K) were frequently associated with canine aberrations. Analysis of oligodendrogliomas revealed regions of chromosomal losses syntenic to human 1p involving tumor suppressor genes, such as CDKN2C, as well as genes associated with apoptosis, autophagy, and response to chemotherapy and radiation. Analysis of high frequency chromosomal aberrations with respect to human orthologues may provide insight into both novel and common pathways in gliomagenesis and response to therapy.
Diagnostic accuracy of cone beam computed tomography scans compared with intraoral image modalities for detection of caries lesions.

OBJECTIVES The aim was to compare the caries diagnostic accuracy of two cone beam CT systems (CBCT) with two intraoral receptors, one digital and one film. METHODS 100 non-cavitated extracted human teeth were placed with approximal contacts: each row of teeth comprised 1 canine, 1 first and second premolar, and 1 first and second molar. Radiographs of each tooth were recorded using two intraoral modalities: Digora-fmx (Soredex) and film (Kodak Insight), and two CBCT systems: NewTom 3G (Quantitative Radiology) in three fields of view (FOVs): pixel size of 0.36 mm (FOV 12 inches), pixel size of 0.25 mm (FOV 9 inches), pixel size of 0.16 mm (FOV 6 inches); and 3DX Accuitomo (Morita), pixel size of 0.125 (FOV 4 cm). The volumetric data from the CBCT systems were reconstructed and sectioned (0.5 mm) in the mesiodistal tooth plane. Six observers scored approximal and occlusal surfaces for the detection of caries lesions. The teeth were clinically sectioned and microscopy served as the validation tool. Two-way ANOVA tested differences in sensitivity, specificity and overall true score (true positives plus true negatives) between the modalities. RESULTS Microscopy of approximal surfaces found 63% sound, 31% enamel and 6% dentin lesions; of occlusal surfaces, 6% sound, 59% enamel, 19% dentin lesions and 16% had fillings. For approximal surfaces, NewTom 12 inch and 9 inch images had significantly lower sensitivities than Accuitomo (P < 0.02); and NewTom 9 inch and 6 inch had significantly lower specificities than film and Digora-fmx (P < 0.04). Accuitomo images were not significantly different from film or Digora-fmx images for any of the tested variables (P > 0.2). For occlusal surfaces, the Accuitomo presented a higher sensitivity than the other systems. Specificity and overall true score did not differ (P > 0.06) among the modalities. CONCLUSIONS In conclusion, the NewTom 3G CBCT had a lower diagnostic accuracy for detection of caries lesions than intraoral modalities and the 3DX Accuitomo CBCT. The Accuitomo CBCT had a higher sensitivity than the intraoral systems for detection of lesions in dentin, but the overall true score was not higher.
Enrolling actors in regulatory systems: examples from UK financial services regulation

The fragmentation and hybridisation of governance has been a preoccupation of public lawyers and others for some time. Commentators have focused variously on the internal and organisational fragmentation of the executive (the development of next step agencies, for example, and the growth of new control relationships as a consequence of the implementation of strategies of new public management), on the fragmentation and hybridisation of service delivery (contracting-out, public-private partnerships, the private finance initiative), and on the fragmentation and hybridisation of regulation. Concerns have been both to map and analyse the changing nature of the exercise of governance functions and to address the issues of accountability to which such changes have given rise.5 This article focuses on regulation and suggests that we build on existing analyses of regulation as a decentred and fragmented activity by exploring the notions of regulatory capacity and regulatory enrolment, and provides illustrations using examples from the current system of UK financial services regulation. In focusing on regulatory capacity and regulatory enrolment, it is suggested, an analytical framework can be developed which has both prescriptive and descriptive dimensions, and which may facilitate thinking on how regulatory functions are and should be distributed between diverse actors in a regulatory system.
Arousal reactions in sleepwalking and night terrors in adults: the role of respiratory events.

STUDY OBJECTIVES The aim of the study was to determine the role of respiratory events, assessed by means of esophageal pressure monitoring, during arousals from slow wave sleep in adult patients with parasomnias. DESIGN N/A. SETTING N/A. PATIENTS Ten patients with parasomnias (sleepwalking, night terrors, or both) and 10 control subjects matched for gender and age underwent 3 consecutive nights of polysomnography. INTERVENTIONS N/A. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS By increasing sleep fragmentation, esophageal pressure monitoring has a deleterious effect on sleep architecture in patients with parasomnias and in control subjects. Respiratory events occur more frequently in parasomniacs than in controls. Respiratory effort seems to be responsible for the occurrence of a great number of arousal reactions in parasomniacs and is involved in triggering the parasomnia episodes. CONCLUSION Sleep-disordered breathing seems to be frequently associated with parasomnias during slow wave sleep, emphasizing the utility of performing esophageal pressure monitoring in cases of sleep walking or night terrors.
Individual differences in motives, preferences, and pathology in video games: the gaming attitudes, motives, and experiences scales (GAMES)

A new measure of individual habits and preferences in video game use is developed in order to better study the risk factors of pathological game use (i.e., excessively frequent or prolonged use, sometimes called “game addiction”). This measure was distributed to internet message boards for game enthusiasts and to college undergraduates. An exploratory factor analysis identified 9 factors: Story, Violent Catharsis, Violent Reward, Social Interaction, Escapism, Loss-Sensitivity, Customization, Grinding, and Autonomy. These factors demonstrated excellent fit in a subsequent confirmatory factor analysis, and, importantly, were found to reliably discriminate between inter-individual game preferences (e.g., Super Mario Brothers as compared to Call of Duty). Moreover, three factors were significantly related to pathological game use: the use of games to escape daily life, the use of games as a social outlet, and positive attitudes toward the steady accumulation of in-game rewards. The current research identifies individual preferences and motives relevant to understanding video game players' evaluations of different games and risk factors for pathological video game use.
Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma: Relationship of Method of Diagnosis to Pathologic Staging

Medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) develops in virtually all patients affected with multiple endocrine neoplasia type II (MEN II), a disease inherited as an autosomal dominant trait. The thyroid tumor cells secrete calcitonin (CT) and the detection of elevated plasma levels (>300 pg/ml) of this hormone in MEN II kindred members strongly suggests the presence of MTC even though it may not be evident clinically. Intravenously administered calcium ion (Ca++) and pentagastrin (Pg) are potent CT secretagogues which are of particular value in establishing the early diagnosis of MTC. In evaluating seven kindreds with MEN II, we detected 90 patients with MTC. Depending on the method of diagnosis, they could be divided into three categories: Group 1; patients with no clinical evidence of MTC whose undetectable basal plasma calcitonin levels became elevated following intravenous Ca++ or Pg, Group II; patients with no clinical evidence of MTC who had elevated basal plasma CT levels, and Group III; patients with clinically evident MTC. At the time of diagnosis of MTC, the patients in Group I were younger (20.5 ± 1.9 years) than the patients in Group II (32.5 ± 4.7 years, p < 0.005) and Group III (34.3 ± 2.0, p < 0.00005). The incidence of residual MTC, as indicated by an elevated plasma CT level following provocative testing post operatively, was less frequent in patients diagnosed biochemically ([6/34]; Group I, 4/26 and Group II, 2/8) than in those diagnosed clinically (Group III, 15/26, p<0.002). Furthermore, regional nodes were involved less often in patients diagnosed biochemically ([5/28]; Group I, 2/22 and Group II, 3/6) than in those diagnosed clinically (Group III, 15/24, p < 0.02). Distant metastases were only evident in Group III patients. Patients with MEN II who had the diagnosis of MTC established biochemically rather than clinically, had a more favorable pathological stage of disease at the tune of thyroidectomy. This was especially true if the biochemical diagnosis had been by provocative testing.
‘Mental health day’ sickness absence amongst nurses and midwives: workplace, workforce, psychosocial and health characteristics

AIM To examine the workforce, workplace, psychosocial and health characteristics of nurses and midwives in relation to their reported use of sickness absence described as 'mental health days'. BACKGROUND The occupational stress associated with the nursing profession is increasingly recognized and nurse/midwifery absenteeism is a significant global problem. Taking a 'mental health day' as sickness absence is a common phenomenon in Australian health care. No previous studies have empirically explored the characteristics of nurses and midwives using such sickness absence. DESIGN Online cross-sectional survey. METHODS Survey comprising validated tools and questions on workplace and health characteristics was distributed to nurses and midwives in New South Wales, Australia, between May 2014 - February 2015. Sample characteristics were reported using descriptive statistics. Factors independently predictive of 'mental health day' reportage were determined using logistic regression. RESULTS Fifty-four percentage of the n = 5041 nurse and midwife respondents took 'mental health days'. Those affected were significantly more likely to be at younger ages, working shifts with less time sitting at work; to report workplace abuse and plans to leave; having been admitted to hospital in previous 12 months; to be current smokers; to report mental health problems, accomplishing less due to emotional problems and current psychotropic medication use. CONCLUSION Specific characteristics of nurses and midwives who report taking 'mental health day' sickness absence offer healthcare administrators and managers opportunities for early identification and intervention with workplace measures and support frameworks to promote well-being, health promotion and safety.
Optical quality of emmetropic and myopic eyes in the periphery measured with high-angular resolution.

PURPOSE On average, myopic eyes present a relative hyperopia in the peripheral retina. This has been associated with the possibility that by modifying the peripheral refraction, the progression of central myopia could be controlled. The authors explored how refractive errors and optical aberrations interact in the formation of the retinal image in the periphery, in eyes with different central refractions. METHODS The authors used a fast and high-angular resolution scanning wavefront sensor to measure the optical image quality of the eye in the horizontal meridian (± 40°) in 202 eyes of 101 subjects, 54 males and 47 females with an average age (std) of 27.5 (± 7.2) years and an average foveal refraction (std) of -0.8 (± 1.3 D) of which 64 were non-myopes (refraction ± std: 0.01 ± 0.46 D) and 37 myopes (-2.12 ± 1.08 D). They evaluated the relationship between peripheral optical properties and central refraction using different metrics. RESULTS The authors observed a significant tendency to a relative hyperopia in the periphery of the myopic eyes. The relative peripheral refraction (RPR) was significantly different between the emmetropic and myopic eyes from 15°-40° temporal retina and from 20°-40° nasal retina. The mean RPR metric correlated with the central refraction of the subject (r = -0.552 / -0.560 [OD / OS]). The image quality presented only minor differences between the various refractive groups at angles of 30°-40° when the central refraction was corrected. CONCLUSIONS Peripheral overall blur is mostly influenced by the interaction of defocus and oblique astigmatism, and at larger eccentricities is similar for the different refractive groups. This could argue against the hypothesis that a relative peripheral hyperopia could drive eyes toward myopia.
An Evaluation of the Teacher Training Agency Headteacher Leadership and Management Programme (HEADLAMP)

The Headteacher Leadership and Management Programme (HEADLAMP) was introduced by the Teacher Training Agency (TTA) in 1995, providing access to an open market of induction and management development opportunities for newly appointed headteachers who would each have an entitlement of £2500 for the purchase of training within two years of their appointment. This paper reviews HEADLAMP provision from the headteachers’ perspective based on a cohort study that investigated attitudes towards issues such as management of the programme, sources of needs assessment, role of LEAs, funding and quality. There was a positive response to HEADLAMP, but questions were raised regarding management of the programme. Recommendations for the future development of HEADLAMP are offered.
Measuring Instructional Quality in Accountability Systems: Classroom Assignments and Student Achievement

This article reports the technical quality of a measure describing the quality of classroom assignments piloted in the Los Angeles Unified School District's proposed new accountability system. For this study, 181 teachers were sampled from 35 schools selected at random. Participating teachers submitted three language arts assignments with samples of student work (N = 50). Results indicated a fair level of agreement among the raters who scored the assignments and a high level of internal consistency within each dimension of assignment quality. Results presented a mixed picture with regard to the stability of the ratings at the different levels of schooling and the number of assignments needed to yield a consistent estimate of quality. However, secondary students who received higher quality assignments produced higher quality written work and scored higher as a group on the reading and language portions of the Stanford Achievement Test, 9th edition (Stanford 9) adjusted for student background and prior achievement.
Knowledge Codification and Technological Innovation Success: Empirical Evidence from Spanish Biotech Companies

This paper analyzes the influence of knowledge codification on technological innovation firm results. Based on a sample of biotechnological Spanish firms the effect of codification on incremental and radical technological innovations is tested, taking into account that in some cases codification practices may include legal protection mechanisms too. In addition, in this research we studied the effect of such knowledge management decision on barriers to imitation and substitution. Results show, on the one hand, that knowledge codification is of great interest in developing incremental innovation only. On the other hand, maintaining the exclusive character of innovations demands knowledge codification and its legal protection simultaneously.
Comparing Lesbians' and Heterosexual Women's Mental Health: A Multi-Site Survey

Abstract Despite increased awareness of, and interest in, the health status of lesbians over the past two decades, many gaps remain in our knowledge of lesbians' mental health. Much of the existing research on lesbian health has been conducted with small, homogenous samples and few studies have included comparison groups of heterosexual women. This paper presents descriptive data from a study of lesbian health conducted in Chicago, Minneapolis/St. Paul, and New York City between 1994-1996. The data presented here focus on several important indicators of mental health from 550 lesbians and a demographically matched comparison group of 279 heterosexual women. Similarities and differences based on sexual orientation are described and findings are discussed in relation to other relevant studies.
What do row and column marginals reveal about your dataset?

Numerous datasets ranging from group memberships within social networks to purchase histories on e-commerce sites are represented by binary matrices. While this data is often either proprietary or sensitive, aggregated data, notably row and column marginals, is often viewed as much less sensitive, and may be furnished for analysis. Here, we investigate how these data can be exploited to make inferences about the underlying matrix H. Instead of assuming a generative model for H, we view the input marginals as constraints on the dataspace of possible realizations of H and compute the probability density function of particular entries H(i, j) of interest. We do this for all the cells of H simultaneously, without generating realizations, but rather via implicitly sampling the datasets that satisfy the input marginals. The end result is an efficient algorithm with asymptotic running time the same as that required by standard sampling techniques to generate a single dataset from the same dataspace. Our experimental evaluation demonstrates the efficiency and the efficacy of our framework in multiple settings.
Comparative Analysis of MicroRNA Expression among Benign and Malignant Tongue Tissue and Plasma of Patients with Tongue Cancer

Background Identification of a microRNA (miRNA) pattern to be used as a biomarker for HNSCC is challenging given the heterogeneity of the disease and different methodologies used. To better define the field, we performed a prospective analysis of blood, tumor, and paired benign tissues in tongue squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) patients. Methods Plasma samples were collected prior to surgery, and paired tumor and benign tissue blocks were collected from tongue cancer resections. Circulating free and exosomal miRNA, and paired tumor and benign tissues miRNA were analyzed. TaqMan-based miRNA arrays were used to quantitate the expression of 747 human miRNAs. The comparative Ct method assessed the miRNA profile results, and Student’s t-test determined statistical significance between tumor and benign samples. Results Sixteen of 359 miRNAs detected were differentially expressed between paired tumor and benign tissue. Nine were upregulated, and seven downregulated in tumor tissue. All nine upregulated and six of seven downregulated tumor miRNAs were expressed in circulating exosomes. In contrast, eight of nine upregulated and four of seven downregulated tumor miRNAs were circulating free in the plasma. Conclusion An aberrantly expressed pattern of miRNA was identified in both tumor and plasma of patients with tongue SCC, suggesting this may be a biomarker for SCC of the oral tongue. Circulating exosomes appear to be a more reliable method for evaluation of circulating tumor-miRNA expression. Further studies with a larger cohort of patients and serial blood samples are needed to validate our findings.
A Method for the Identification of Noisy Regions in Normalized Iris Images

In this paper we propose a new method for the identification of noisy regions in normalized iris images. Starting from a normalized and dimensionless iris image in the polar coordinate system, our goal consists in the classification of every pixel as "noise" or "not noise". This classification could be helpful in the posterior feature extraction or feature comparison stages regarding the construction of biometric iris signatures more robust to noise. We propose the extraction of 8 well known features for each pixel of the images followed by the classification through a neural network
Symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA) as endogenous marker of renal function--a meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND Dosing of most drugs must be adapted in renal insufficiency, making accurate assessment of renal function essential in clinical medicine. Furthermore, even modest impairment of renal function has been recognized as a cardiovascular risk factor. The purpose of this analysis was to identify the role of symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA), the structural isomer of the cardiovascular risk marker asymmetric dimethylarginine, as an endogenous marker of renal function. METHODS Comprehensive searches of Medline and the Cochrane Library from 1970 to February 2006 were performed to identify studies that evaluated the correlation between SDMA and renal function. The search was augmented by scanning references of identified articles and reviews. The correlation coefficients (R) were recorded from each study for the values of 1/SDMA and clearance estimates and for SDMA and creatinine levels. The summary correlation coefficients with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were pooled using the random-effects method. RESULTS In 18 studies involving 2136 patients systemic SDMA concentrations correlated highly with inulin clearance [R = 0.85 (CI 0.76-0.91, P < 0.0001)], as well as with various clearance estimates combined [R = 0.77 (CI 0.65-0.85, P < 0.0001)] and serum creatinine [R = 0.75 (CI 0.46-089, P < 0.0001)]. CONCLUSIONS SDMA exhibits some properties of a reliable marker of renal function. Future studies have to clarify whether SDMA is indeed suited to improve diagnosis and eventually optimize care of patients.