Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Multicentric occurrence of multiple papillary thyroid carcinomas –HUMARA and BRAF mutation analysis

Papillary thyroid carcinomas (PTCs) occasionally form multiple tumor foci in different sites of the same thyroid gland. However, it is controversial whether discrete nodules of PTC arise independently (multicentric occurrence) or are seeded from a single tumor via lymphatic channels (intraglandular metastasis). In order to determine the clonal origin of multiple PTCs, we examined X‐chromosome inactivation patterns using a human androgen receptor gene‐based assay (HUMARA) and the BRAF mutation using allele‐specific PCR (AS‐PCR) in 32 microdissected cancerous tissues from 14 Japanese women with multifocal PTC. All tumor foci were greater than 3 mm in size and met the criteria for microscopic classical PTC. Samples from 13 of the 14 patients were informative based on HUMARA. Tumor foci from two cases (15.4%) displayed a discordant X‐chromosome inactivation pattern. Foci from the other 11 cases (84.6%) showed a concordant inactivation pattern of the X‐chromosome. AS‐PCR indicated that BRAF mutational status between the tumor foci was discordant in three (25%) and concordant in nine (75%) of 12 available cases. When the results of these two molecular analyses were combined, 28.6% of the cases were discordant in X‐chromosome inactivation pattern and/or BRAF mutation, suggesting multicentric origin. Some of the remaining concordant cases also may be of multicentric origin. These results support a hypothesis that multicentric occurrence in multiple PTCs may be common, possibly greater than 30%. Although the exact mechanism of multicentric occurrence is still unclear, our findings contribute to the understanding the histogenesis of papillary thyroid carcinoma.
Innovative models of aging in place: Transforming our communities for an aging population

As the proportion of the global population over 60 continues to grow, the issue of where and how elders are going to live becomes increasingly pressing. The idea or “aging in place” – in which elders remain in their own homes and communities – is becoming an increasingly popular alternative to age-segregated retirement communities. This article documents three new models of aging in place – naturally occurring retirement communities (NORC-SSPs), villages and campus-affiliated communities – and explores how they seek to provide both services and meaningful connections among members. Data from interviews and site visits reveal both promising practices as well as challenges such as how to ensure access for low and moderate-income elders, integrating elders from diverse cultural and linguistic back grounds, and building the leadership and participation of elders. By looking critically at these models, the author argues that many previously held theories and assumptions about the aging process and social capital formation must be reexamined in light of the agency of elders and the new organizational models. Ultimately the design of our communities – both physically and socially – and our approach to retirement must be restructured to support the needs of an aging population.
Ethical perspectives on e-commerce: an empirical investigation

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the various factors that influence consumer trust and privacy on e-commerce system and identify different ethical factors that affect consumer perceptions toward e-commerce adoption. Design/methodology/approach – The theoretical background used in this study was critical theory on trust in e-commerce. Online survey from Second Life users was conducted to study ethical issues in e-commerce and their influencing factors. Findings – The results were focussed on significance of e-commerce ethics on consumer purchase and its influence on online marketing. The ethical performance of the e-commerce web site will facilitate an increase in trust, which in turn enhances customer commitment and loyalty. Research limitations/implications – The survey data in this study has some common method bias. The possibility of the existence of the common method bias cannot be completely eliminated. Security and privacy are the two major aspects that drive online businesses which lead online consumers to develop trust on the digital environment. Practical implications – The findings on e-commerce ethical research will be useful for current management practice such as making business policies and strategies and sharing information to managers and organization leaders. Originality/value – With the introduction of internet and e-commerce a large of companies has been performing their business transactions through electronic network. Increasing communication technologies has bought speedy changes in online business transactions. E-commerce networks are playing a pivotal role in online business and consumers are more concerned on ethical issues of e-commerce including security, privacy and trust.
Use of a Constrained Tripolar Acetabular Liner to Treat Intraoperative Instability and Postoperative Dislocation after Total Hip Arthroplasty: A Review of Our Experience

Constrained acetabular components have been used to treat certain cases of intraoperative instability and postoperative dislocation after total hip arthroplasty. We report our experience with a tripolar constrained component used in these situations since 1988. The outcomes of the cases where this component was used were analyzed for component failure, component loosening, and osteolysis. At average 10-year followup, for cases treated for intraoperative instability (2 cases) or postoperative dislocation (4 cases), the component failure rate was 6% (6 of 101 hips in 5 patients). For cases where the constrained liner was cemented into a fixed cementless acetabular shell, the failure rate was 7% (2 of 31 hips in 2 patients) at 3.9-year average followup. Use of a constrained liner was not associated with an increased osteolysis or aseptic loosening rate. This tripolar constrained acetabular liner provided total hip arthroplasty construct stability in most cases in which it was used for intraoperative instability or postoperative dislocation.
Phylogenetic analysis and characterization of an alkane-degrading yeast strain isolated from oil-polluted soil

The isolation and phylogenetic analysis of new yeast strains represent an important basis for the development of practical applications in biotechnology, industry, and bioremediation. The yeast strain RG1 was isolated from oil-polluted soil and characterized using morphological observations and the API 20C AUX system. The amplified ITS1-5.8S rDNA-ITS2 region had 653 bp and the restriction profiles obtained with Cfo I, Dde I, Hae III, Hinf I, and Hpa II endonucleases showed high similarities with those from Rhodotorula glutinis reference strains. The phylogenetic tree based on the Cfo I patterns confirmed the classification of the strain RG1 as belonging to the R. glutinis species. The studies performed during the present work indicate the existence of different mechanisms of n-alkane assimilation and biodegradation in the RG1 cells and their correlation with the production of biosurfactants. An evaluation of the emulsifying activity revealed that biosurfactant-mediated assimilation of n-alkanes decreases in the order n-decane > n-tetradecane > n-hexadecane. Biodegradation and emulsification assays using culture media supplemented with 1% n-alkanes as the sole carbon source showed that n-tetradecane represented the optimal hydrocarbon substrate for the growth of the strain RG1 over 14 days and for obtaining biosurfactants at stable rates.
The Hague convention and the flight from domestic violence: how women and children are being returned by coach and four

This paper considers how violence against women and children influences and impacts upon child removals. The article then looks at how courts have interpreted the Hague Convention on Child Abduction in circumstances where there has been such violence. It is suggested that an overriding concern by courts and researchers not to undermine the Convention has led to a lack of recognition of the fact that the circumstances surrounding abductions are inevitably gendered. Certain themes run through the cases which are unrealistic given what we know about violence and its impact upon child removals. These are the depiction of the mother as hostile and manipulative; an unrealistic faith in the ability of the legal system to protect women and children from violence; an underestimation or dismissal of the harm caused to children by experiencing domestic violence; and the irony that now that the presence of violence in relationships is recognized as so common any 'special' consideration to the victims of violence would undermine the Convention. Through these themes the courts are in danger of colluding with the perpetrator of violence. Language: en
Nutritional assessment of pregnant adolescents: comparison of two popular classification systems.

The objective of this study was to assess the degree of concordance between two popular classification systems [the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)-2000 and the Institute of Medicine (IOM)-2009] used to categorise the nutritional status of pregnant adolescents. This cross-sectional study involved 327 pregnant adolescents (10-19 years) booking for antenatal care at a single public maternity in São Paulo, Brazil. Participants were classified into one of four categories, by both systems according to their pre-pregnancy body mass index and age. The CDC-2000 system classified significantly fewer pregnant adolescents as underweight (3.7% vs. 12.5%, P < 0.0001) and significantly more adolescents as normal-weight (86.8% vs. 75.6%, P = 0.0003) than the IOM-2009 system. The distribution of the adolescents in the two systems differed significantly. The global rate of discordance was 13.5%. The overall concordance between the two systems was marginally good (K = 0.63), being moderate for younger (<16 years) adolescents (K = 0.52). Approximately one in every seven pregnant adolescent would be classified in a non-corresponding category if the IOM-2009 classification was used instead of the CDC-2000 classification. The IOM-2009 nutritional classification, which does not take into account age and gender, tends to overestimate the proportion of underweight adolescents, especially in the younger-age group. The use of this classification system can lead to recommendations of higher gestational weight gain in a substantial proportion of pregnant adolescents, which could predispose to post-partum weight retention and future obesity.
Masculinities under Reconstruction: Classroom pedagogy and cultural change

This article describes an action research study, undertaken in an experientially-based educational psychology course, in which resistance to learning associated with a particular working-class masculinity appeared to be overcome. The project involved male tradespeople, employed as technology studies teachers in secondary colleges while undertaking a teacher education programme. In the past, such people had created learning group cultures that promoted anti-academic, sexist and excessively authoritarian attitudes. This had profound implications for the subsequent social environment created in their school classes and especially the educational aspirations of the girls within them. Yet, resistance appeared to develop because many of the activities and content of the teacher education programme were threatening to an occupationally constructed masculine identity. Ways in which such constructions were relinquished and more appropriate identities built form the substance of this article. Implications for femin.
The Effects of Inservice Training on Participating Teachers and Students in Their Economics Classes.

In a fairly elaborate study, the author found that inservice teacher training in economics improved the achievement scores of participating teachers and their students. In addition, as their achievement scores improved, both teachers and students developed more positive opinions about economics. At the time of the study, inservice training seemed to be more effective than preservice training.
Diagnosis of occult hepatitis C without the need for a liver biopsy

The diagnosis of occult hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is based on the presence of HCV‐RNA in the liver. This study aimed to evaluate the use of combining non‐invasive assays to diagnose occult HCV. A total of 122 patients with occult HCV (HCV‐RNA in the liver without detectable anti‐HCV and serum HCV‐RNA) and 45 patients with cryptogenic chronic hepatitis (without HCV‐RNA in the liver and negative for anti‐HCV and serum HCV‐RNA) were included. HCV‐RNA was tested in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and in 2 ml of ultracentrifuged serum. Anti‐core HCV was examined by a non‐commercial enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. All controls were negative for the three HCV markers studied. Among patients with occult HCV, 36% were anti‐core HCV positive, 57% had serum HCV‐RNA after ultracentrifugation, and 61% had HCV‐RNA in PBMCs. Combining the results of the assays, 91% of the patients were positive for at least one marker. Intrahepatic HCV‐RNA load was significantly higher in patients who were positive simultaneously for the three HCV markers than in patients who were negative for all markers (P = 0.006) and than in those with one or two HCV markers (P = 0.039). Replication of HCV in liver was detected more frequently in patients with three (93%, P = 0.002), two (82%, P = 0.001), and one HCV marker (73%, P = 0.011) than in those without markers (27%). In conclusion, testing for all these markers allows diagnosis of occult HCV without the need for a liver biopsy and these assays may help to elucidate the clinical significance of occult HCV infection. J. Med. Virol. 82:1554–1559, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Botulinum toxin assessment, intervention and aftercare for cervical dystonia and other causes of hypertonia of the neck: international consensus statement

Dystonia in the neck region can be safely and effectively reduced with injections of Botulinum neurotoxin‐A and B. People with idiopathic cervical dystonia have been studied the most. Benefits following injection include increased range of movement at the neck for head turning, decreased pain, and increased functional capacity (Class I evidence, level A recommendation). The evidence for efficacy and safety in patients with secondary dystonia in the neck is unclear based on the lack of rigorous research conducted in this heterogeneous population (level U recommendation). Psychometrically sound assessments and outcome measures exist to guide decision‐making (Class I evidence, level A recommendation). Much less is known about the effectiveness of therapy to augment the effects of the injection (Class IV, level U recommendation). More research is needed to answer questions about safety and efficacy in secondary spastic neck dystonia, effective adjunctive therapy, dosing and favourable injection techniques.
Monocytes in the rat: Phenotype and function during acute allograft rejection

Summary: Cells of the monocyte/macrophage system originate from the bone marrow, reach the organs via the blood, immigrate through post‐capillary venules and further differentiate into organ‐specific tissue macrophages. In rats and other species, activated monocytes/macrophages aggravate autoimmune reactions, rejection of non‐vascularized allografts and chronic allograft rejection. It is very likely that they also contribute to acute allograft destruction. So far it has been impossible to distinguish the function of monocytes from that of macrophages, because cell phenotypes and their alterations upon activation are ill‐defined. We have thus begun to characterize the ex vivo phenotype and function of rat monocytes in the normal state and during renal allograft rejection. Monocytes are recovered from both the central and the marginal blood pool by perfusing either the recipient's circulation or the allograft vasculature. Rat monocytes have a unique surface phenotype. During allograft rejection or after infusion of interferon‐γ they up‐regulate class II MHC molecules, CD161 (NKR‐P1A), CD62L and CD8, while CD4 and CD43 are down‐modulated. Activated perfusate monocytes exert increased in vitro cytotoxicity against tumour targets, which differs from that of NK cells. We speculate that activated monocytes contribute to kidney allograft destruction by directly damaging endothelial cells or by promoting intravascular coagulation.
Cancer‐germline gene expression in pediatric solid tumors using quantitative real‐time PCR

Cancer‐germline genes (CGGs) code for immunogenic antigens that are present on various human tumors but not on normal tissues. The importance of CGGs in cancer immunotherapy has led to detailed studies of their expression in a range of human tumors. We measured the levels of expression of 12 CGGs in various pediatric solid tumors to identify targets for therapeutic cancer vaccines. Quantitative real‐time PCR (qPCR) was used to measure the expression of 8 MAGE genes and of genes LAGE‐2/NY‐ESO‐1 and GAGE‐1, 2, 8 in 9 osteosarcomas, 10 neuroblastomas, 12 rhabdomyosarcomas and 18 Ewing's sarcomas. Nine tumors were also examined by immunohistochemistry with monoclonal antibodies specific for the MAGE‐A1, MAGE‐A4 and NY‐ESO‐1 proteins. All osteosarcoma and 80% of neuroblastoma samples expressed several CGGs at high levels. Six of 12 rhabdomyosarcomas and 11 of 18 Ewing's sarcomas expressed at least one CGG. Immunohistochemistry data correlated well with qPCR results and showed a homogeneous protein distribution pattern in most positive tumors. No correlation was found between the levels of CGG expression in the tumors and clinicopathological parameters of the patients. Pediatric solid tumors express several CGGs, which encode antigens that could be targeted in therapeutic vaccination trials. Several CGGs of the MAGE, GAGE and LAGE families are coexpressed in a large proportion of osteosarcoma and neuroblastoma samples. Some rhabdomyosarcomas express several of these genes at high levels. Ewing's sarcomas have an overall low CGG expression. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Emotion recognition in speech signal: experimental study, development, and application

The paper describes an experimental study on vocal emotion expression and recognition and the development of a computer agent for emotion recognition. The study deals with a corpus of 700 short utterances expressing five emotions: happiness, anger, sadness, fear, and normal (unemotional) state, which were portrayed by thirty subjects. The utterances were evaluated by twenty three subjects, twenty of whom participated in recording. The accuracy of recognition emotions in speech is the following: happiness - 61.4%, anger - 72.2%, sadness - 68.3%, fear - 49.5%, and normal - 66.3%. The human ability to portray emotions is approximately at the same level (happiness - 59.8%, anger - 71.7%, sadness - 68.1%, fear - 49.7%, and normal -65.1%), but the standard deviation is much larger. The human ability to recognize their own emotions has been also evaluated. It turned out that people are good in recognition anger (98.1%), sadness (80%) and fear (78.8%), but are less confident for normal state (71.9%) and happiness (71.2%). A part of the corpus was used for extracting features and training computer based recognizers. Some statistics of the pitch, the first and second formants, energy and the speaking rate were selected and several types of recognizers were created and compared. The best results were obtained using the ensembles of neural network recognizers, which demonstrated the following accuracy: normal state - 55-75%, happiness - 60-70%, anger -70-80%, sadness - 75-85%, and fear - 35-55%. The total average accuracy is about 70%. An emotion recognition agent was created that is able to analyze telephone quality speech signal and distinguish between two emotional states --"agitation" and "calm" -- with the accuracy of 77%. The agent was used as a part of a decision support system for prioritizing voice messages and assigning a proper human agent to response the message at call center environment. The architecture of the system is presented and discussed.
Growing food in the city: design ideations for urban residential gardeners

Urban agriculture refers to the production of food in urban and peri-urban spaces. It can contribute positively to health and food security of a city, while also reducing 'food miles. ' It takes on many forms, from the large and organised community garden, to the small and discrete backyard or balcony. This study focuses on small-scale food production in the form of residential gardening for home or personal use. We explore opportunities to support people's engagement in urban agriculture via human-computer interaction design. This research presents the findings and HCI design insights from our study of residential gardeners in Brisbane, Australia. By exploring their understanding of gardening practice with a human-centred design approach, we present six key themes, highlighting opportunities and challenges relating to available time and space; the process of learning and experimentation; and the role of existing online platforms to support gardening practice. Finally we discuss the overarching theme of shared knowledge, and how HCI could improve community engagement and gardening practice.
Medical social work in Malaysia

Hospital social work in Malaysia holds an important position compared with other areas of social work. Alliances with medicine are pro.table in raising the pro.le of the profession. But the lack of community services, medical hierarchy and staff shortages militate against further regional development of the social work role. French En malaisie, le travail social hospitalier occupe une place importante comparativement à d'autres domaines du travail social. Les alliances qui s'é tablissent avec le secteur mé dical permettent de rehausser le profil de la profession, toutefois le manque de services communautaires, la hié rarchie au sein du systè me mé dical et le manque de personnel sont autant de facteurs qui restreignent le dé veloppement du rô le du travail social en ré gion. Spanish El trabajo social hospitalario en Malasia tiene una posición importante, comparado con otras á reas de trabajo social. Las alianzas con la medicina resultan provechosas para aumentar la notoriedad de la profesión, sin embargo la falta de servicios comunitarios, la jerarquí a mé dica, y la escasez de personal militan en contra de un mayor desarrollo regional del papel del trabajo social.
Age of acquisition and lexical processing

Following a brief history of age of acquisition (AoA) research and consideration of measures of AoA, this review examines AoA effects in lexical processing tasks (such as object naming, word reading, and word recognition in the lexical decision task), and in object recognition and semantic processing tasks. It also considers AoA effects in: Memory tasks; face processing tasks; multiple-task studies; and different groups of participants (including bilinguals, aphasics, and deep dyslexics). The review then discusses theoretical accounts of AoA effects, especially within connectionist models, and outlines a number of new and outstanding empirical and theoretical issues in AoA research that are addressed by the papers in this Special Issue.
Polyvinyl Alcohol—Gelatin Patches of Salicylic Acid: Preparation, Characterization and Drug Release Studies

Polyvinyl alcohol—gelatin patches were developed and salicylic acid was incorporated at different stages of preparation of the patches. The patches were characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry, tensile strength test, and scanning electron microscopy. The release patterns of the drug from the patches were also studied. The FTIR spectra of the blank patch indicated complete esterification of the free carboxylic groups of gelatin. The XRD studies indicated a crystalline form of the drug entrapped in the patches. Release of the drug from the patches followed Higuchian/Fickian kinetics indicating a diffusion-controlled release process.