Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Radiosurgery for arteriovenous malformations of the basal ganglia, thalamus, and brainstem.

OBJECT Although stereotactic radiosurgery is frequently performed for arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) in deep locations, outcomes after radiosurgery for these patients have not been well studied. The goal of this paper was to study these outcomes. METHODS Between 1990 and 2000, 56 patients underwent radiosurgery for AVMs located in the basal ganglia (10 patients), thalamus (30 patients), or brainstem (16 patients). The median age of these patients was 34.2 years. Thirty-five patients (62%) had experienced previous bleeding. The AVMs were classified Grade IIIB in 62% of patients and Grade IV in 38% according to the modified Spetzler-Martin Scale; the median radiosurgery-based AVM score was 1.83. The median volume of the lesion was 3.8 cm3 and the median radiation dose delivered to its margin was 18 Gy. The median duration of follow-up review after radiosurgery was 45 months (range 3-121 months). In seven patients (12%) hemorrhage occurred at a median of 12 months after radiosurgery; five patients (9%) died and two recovered without any deficit. Permanent radiation-related complications occurred in six (12%) of 51 patients (excluding the five patients who died of hemorrhage) after one procedure and in three (18%) of 17 patients after repeated radiosurgery. Obliteration of the AVM was noted in 24 patients (43%; obliteration was confirmed by angiography in 18 patients and by magnetic resonance [MR] imaging in six patients) after a single procedure and in 32 patients (57%; confirmed by angiography in 25 patients and by MR imaging in seven patients) after one or more procedures. Excellent outcomes (obliteration of the lesion without any new deficit) were obtained in 39% of patients after one radiosurgical procedure and in 48% after one or more procedures. Twelve (67%) of 18 patients with AVM scores lower than 1.5 had excellent outcomes compared with 15 (39%) of 38 patients with AVM scores greater than 1.5 (p = 0.053). CONCLUSIONS Less than half of the patients with deeply located AVMs were cured of the future risk of hemorrhage without new neurological deficits. This experience emphasizes the difficulty in treating patients with deeply located AVMs; the majority of whom are also poor candidates for resection or embolization.
Early Career Teaching: Learning to be a teacher and staying in the job

This article provides insights into the ways that teacher education programs might equip early career teachers beginning their professional identity. Situated in Melbourne (Australia), it discusses tertiary music education preparation for the profession and recognises the value and importance of having critical friends and mentors as a beginner teacher. By using narrative reflection both lecturer and graduate allow their voices to be heard as they make a contribution to understand the challenges new teachers face when building their professional identity and ‘staying in the job’. The discussion provided by the graduate, outlines her experience and engagement regarding the ‘positives’ and ‘negatives’ as she establishes her professional identity. Concerns and issues raised may be similar to those experienced by others. The lecturer contends that ongoing research with graduates is necessary when preparing pre-service students as they begin developing their teacher identity and remain within the profession after graduation.
School Cultures: Organizational Value Orientation and Commitment.

Abstract This study investigated elementary and high school teachers' organizational commitment and workplace value orientation. Shein's model of organizational culture was used to interpret the findings of the study. A cross-sectional design was used to carry out the study, and survey methods were used to collect the data. The results indicate that differences exist between elementary and high schools regarding how the workplace value orientation relates to teacher organizational commitment. We suggest possible application of the findings to administrative practice.
The state‐Moro armed conflict in the Philippines Unresolved national question or question of governance?

The continuing struggle of the Moro secessionist movement in the Philippines is one of Southeast Asia's longest armed conflicts. The tenacity of the conflict lies in two competing concerns: the assertion of self‐determination rights of the Moro separatist movement; and the affirmation of the Philippines’ sovereign right to territorial integrity. However, beneath these rights are crucial issues that remain unanswered both by the contending forces—problems where internecine violence and conflict emanate from. This article argues that self‐determination rights can be adequately exercised by people who have clearly defined their national identity and concept of a nation. Unfortunately, the Moro multi‐ethnic national identity has yet to be crystallised while the idea of a Bangsamoro (Bangsa Nation) remains weak. On the other hand, the state has yet to address the Moron’ legitimate demands of political autonomy, socio‐economic development, and social justice and discrimination. Without underestimating the ethnic component of secessionism, the article concludes that poor governance has prolonged, complicated, and further justified the Moros’ quest to secede from the Republic.
Endorsement of distributively fair and unfair leaders in interpersonal and intergroup situations.

Differences in the strength of endorsement for distributively fair and unfair leaders in interpersonal and intergroup situations were measured. Fair leaders were expected to receive stronger endorsements than unfair leaders in interpersonal situations. This difference, however, was expected to attenuate, if not reverse in intergroup situations when the unfairness favoured the ingroup. An attenuation effect obtained in Experiment 1 (N=49) using ad hoc groups in a laboratory setting. Attenuation and reversal effects obtained, respectively, in Experiments 2 (N=314) and 3 (N=213) using preexisting groups (students and New Zealanders, respectively) in a scenario setting. Fairness ratings followed patterns similar to leadership endorsements in Experiments 2 and 3. Finally, Experiment 3 showed a reversal in participants' private attitudes toward an issue about which the leader expressed an opinion. These data extend previous research on leadership endorsement and are consistent with predictions derived from Social Identity Theory (Tajfel & Turner, 1986). © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Development of Ss-NIE-1 Recombinant Antigen Based Assays for Immunodiagnosis of Strongyloidiasis

Strongyloides stercoralis is a widely distributed parasite that infects 30 to 100 million people worldwide. In the United States strongyloidiasis is recognized as an important infection in immigrants and refugees. Public health and commercial reference laboratories need a simple and reliable method for diagnosis of strongyloidiasis to identify and treat cases and to prevent transmission. The recognized laboratory test of choice for diagnosis of strongyloidiasis is detection of disease specific antibodies, most commonly using a crude parasite extract for detection of IgG antibodies. Recently, a luciferase tagged recombinant protein of S. stercoralis, Ss-NIE-1, has been used in a luciferase immunoprecipitation system (LIPS) to detect IgG and IgG4 specific antibodies. To promote wider adoption of immunoassays for strongyloidiasis, we used the Ss-NIE-1 recombinant antigen without the luciferase tag and developed ELISA and fluorescent bead (Luminex) assays to detect S. stercoralis specific IgG4. We evaluated the assays using well-characterized sera from persons with or without presumed strongyloidiasis. The sensitivity and specificity of Ss-NIE-1 IgG4 ELISA were 95% and 93%, respectively. For the IgG4 Luminex assay, the sensitivity and specificity were 93% and 95%, respectively. Specific IgG4 antibody decreased after treatment in a manner that was similar to the decrease of specific IgG measured in the crude IgG ELISA. The sensitivities of the Ss-NIE-1 IgG4 ELISA and Luminex assays were comparable to the crude IgG ELISA but with improved specificities. However, the Ss-NIE-1 based assays are not dependent on native parasite materials and can be performed using widely available laboratory equipment. In conclusion, these newly developed Ss-NIE-1 based immunoassays can be readily adopted by public health and commercial reference laboratories for routine screening and clinical diagnosis of S. stercoralis infection in refugees and immigrants in the United States.
Doubly Accelerated Stochastic Variance Reduced Dual Averaging Method for Regularized Empirical Risk Minimization

We develop a new accelerated stochastic gradient method for efficiently solving the convex regularized empirical risk minimization problem in mini-batch settings. The use of mini-batches has become a golden standard in the machine learning community, because the mini-batch techniques stabilize the gradient estimate and can easily make good use of parallel computing. The core of our proposed method is the incorporation of our new ``double acceleration'' technique and variance reduction technique. We theoretically analyze our proposed method and show that our method much improves the mini-batch efficiencies of previous accelerated stochastic methods, and essentially only needs size $\sqrt{n}$ mini-batches for achieving the optimal iteration complexities for both non-strongly and strongly convex objectives, where $n$ is the training set size. Further, we show that even in non-mini-batch settings, our method achieves the best known convergence rate for non-strongly convex and strongly convex objectives.
Agreement Between Autorefraction and Subjective Refraction in Keraring-Implanted Keratoconic Eyes

Objectives: To assess the agreement between subjective refraction and autorefraction and to explore the relationship between the magnitude of higher order aberration, and visual acuity and refraction, before and after keraring implantation. Methods: This prospective, randomized, interventional study enrolled 27 subjects (mean age 28.1±6.5 years) with keratoconus. Noncycloplegic refraction was performed subjectively by one clinician and with an autorefractor by another clinician, before and 6 months after surgery. The limit of agreement (LoA) between methods was assessed, and the relationships between the corrected distance visual acuity, logMAR on the one hand and refraction measurements and higher-order aberrations on the other, were examined. Results: The agreement in mean spherical equivalent refraction (MSER) between methods was good postoperatively but poor preoperatively. The autorefractor gave a more myopic refraction than subjective refraction preoperatively (−3.28±3.06 D; LoA −9.27 to +2.71 D, P<0.0001) and postoperatively (−0.63±1.64 D; LoA −3.85 to +2.58 D, P=0.055), and returned higher negative cylinders preoperatively (−1.10±1.17 D; LoA −3.40 to +1.19 D, P<0.0001) and postoperatively (−1.08±1.27 D; LoA −3.60 to +1.41 D, P<0.0001) in keratoconic eyes. The difference in MSER between methods was significantly related to the refractive error at both visits (P<0.05) and to the magnitude of higher-order aberrations in keratoconic eyes preoperatively (P<0.05). The logMAR visual acuity achieved subjectively worsened as the magnitude of higher-order aberrations increased preoperatively (P<0.001). Conclusions: The autorefractor returns values that are significantly more myopic in MSER and higher negative cylinders than subjective refraction, preoperatively, but the MSER was similar between devices postoperatively. The autorefactor seems a valid starting point for subjective refraction in keratoconic eyes treated with keraring, but the cylinder should be corrected by about +1 D. The instruments agree more in less myopic than high myopic eyes.
Testing of a cognitive stimulation intervention for dementia caregiving dyads

Two experimental studies are presented which compare the effect of one home-based cognitive stimulation intervention for the caregiving dyad with a subsequent modification of that intervention on outcomes for spouses coping with dementia of the Alzheimer's type. In each experiment, samples were drawn from a larger study and were selected on common criteria relative to initial level of cognitive functioning and if they were spousal units. The 56 couples in the first study and the 30 couples in the subsequent study had all been randomised to either experimental, control, or placebo groups. Data had been collected initially and post-intervention (3 months) on measures of immediate and delayed memory, verbal fluency, and problem solving, along with marital interaction. The interventions varied in length of time (12 vs. 8 weeks) and direction of weekly focus (single vs. integrated). Results showed improvement in immediate memory for patients in the first study, in problem solving in the second study, and in verbal fluency for patients in both studies, with decline in the respective control groups. These findings support the inclusion of spousal caregivers as active participants in cognitive remediation for dementia.
Degrading Epilepsy: The Role of Extracellular Proteases and the Extracellular Matrix

Commentary The extracellular matrix (ECM) consists of a complex, mesh-like network of acellular structures and molecules that surround and envelop neurons, glia, and synapses in the brain. Although the cellular elements of the brain are obviously critical for epileptogenesis and seizure generation, the ECM is increasingly recognized as also playing an important role in the pathophysiology of neurologic diseases, including epilepsy (1). The ECM may potentially influence epileptogenesis in a number of ways, mostly related to structural plasticity within the brain. Extracellular structural networks may normally stabilize cellular and synaptic elements and prevent anatomic plasticity under physiologic conditions. In pathologic states, however, these extracellular components may break down and allow abnormal structural reorganization, such as axonal sprouting or dendritic spine loss, which may promote epileptogenesis and other neurologic complications of epilepsy. The specific mechanisms by which changes in the ECM trigger epileptogenic processes in the brain are poorly understood. Recently, a number of extracellular proteases have been identified that may mediate both physiologic and pathologic effects of the ECM via degradation of extracellular structural elements and signaling molecules (2). For example, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) represent a family of zinc-dependent secreted or cell membrane–bound enzymes involved in remodeling of the ECM (3, 4). Some MMPs are activated intracellularly before being transported to the membrane or secreted, whereas other MMPs are first secreted as an inactive proenzyme into the extracellular space and then converted into an activated form. MMPs can cleave structural proteins and signaling molecules in the ECM to regulate both physiologic and pathologic processes. One type of MMP, MMP-9, regulates dendritic spine morphology and synaptic plasticity related to learning mechanisms, such as long-term potentiation (5). MMP-9 also has been implicated in the pathophysiology of a number of neurologic disorders (3, 4). The potential role of MMP-9 in epileptogenesis is supported by several lines of evidence. MMP-9 levels are elevated in the serum of children with prolonged febrile seizures and status epilepticus (6) as well as in the brains of several animal Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 Contributes to Kindled Seizure Development in Pentylenetetrazole-Treated Mice by Converting Pro-BDNF to Mature BDNF in the Hippocampus.
Neural Correlates Involved in Processing Happy Affect on Same Race Faces

Neuroimaging studies have shown that the face-related regions of the brain, including the amygdala and the fusiform gyrus, are activated when subjects viewed the faces of their own race as compared to those of other races. These regions have been regarded as the neural correlates of “in-group advantage,” a phenomenon showing superior performance for the same-race face than for other-race faces in behavioral experiments. However, in these neuroimaging studies, faces of notably different races have been used for comparisons, and thus far, no study has investigated brain activity associated with positive expression. In the present functional magnetic resonance imaging study involving the Japanese participants, we investigated brain activation in response to viewing happy and neutral faces of Japanese, non-Japanese Asian, and Caucasian races. Analysis of covariance using the mean happiness rating as a covariate revealed that as compared to viewing of neutral faces, viewing of happy faces by the Japanese subje.
The structure of work values: A cross cultural comparison

Several years ago a research project on work values was originated. The study strived to examine the relative importance of work value items and to analyze the structure of the domain for samples from various cultural environments. A facet definition of work values was suggested that provided guidelines for constructing the Work Values Questionnaire and the formulation of hypotheses regarding the structure of relationships among components of work values. Based on data collected from 2280 respondents in eight countries the hypotheses were tested by means of Guttman's Smallest Space Analysis. The results support the hypotheses. An empirical double-ordered conceptual system, a radex structure, was obtained in each of the samples reflecting the facets of the definition: modality of outcome — cognitive, affective and instrumental, and system - performance contingency — reward, resource. In terms of the issue of cultural differences the results indicate the presence of cultural differences in the rating of a limited number of specific values. These differences are only minor variations within a much broader pattern of structural similarity. The fact that essentially the same structure was obtained in eight independent samples lends substantial support to the definitional framework of work values suggested.
Effects of periodontitis on the development of asthma: The role of photodynamic therapy

To evaluate whether periodontitis modulates lung inflammation in an experimental model of asthma as well as the photodynamic therapy (PDT) is associated with a reduction of lung inflammation. Seventy-two BALB/c male mice (~2 months) were randomly divided into 8 groups (n = 9): Basal, Periodontitis (P), P+PT, P+PT+PDT, Asthma (A), A+P, A+P+PT, and A+P+PT+PDT. Periodontitis was induced by using the ligature technique and asthma was induced by ovalbumin (OVA). PT was performed with curettes and PDT with methylene blue (0.005%), λ = 660nm, with a radiant exposure of 318J/cm2. After 43 days, euthanasia was carried out prior to lung and mandible morphological analyzes. All of the manipulations of the animals were performed by only one operator. The total and differential cell counts and cytokines IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 were evaluated in the bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and in the serum. Mucus and alkaline phosphatase were also quantified. Statistical analyzes were performed by a blinded statistician. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was employed, followed by the Student-Newman-Keuls test. Periodontitis group (P) increased alkaline phosphatase and bone resorption (p<0.05), validating the experimental model of periodontitis. The A group and the P group increased the total amount of cells (p <0.05) in the BAL. However, in the A+P group, there was a decrease in these cells, except for in the A+P+PT+PDT group (p<0.05). The asthma group increased the Th2 cytokines and P group increased the Th1 cytokine profile, and A+P+PT+PDT group increased IL-10 cytokine. Mucus was increased for the A and P groups. In conclusion, periodontitis in the asthmatic mice reduced the inflammatory migrated cells in the BAL (eosinophils, lymphocytes, macrophages). In addition, it reduced the levels of the IL-4 and TNF-α cytokines, which was also accompanied by a decreased mucus production. After PDT treatment the total cell count increased however, this increase was not accompanied by a pro-inflammatory cytokines release. Only in PDT group the anti-inflammatory IL-10 was increased. Further studies are needed to understand this mechanism of action.
CLIL research in Europe: past, present, and future

Abstract This article provides a comprehensive, updated, and critical approximation to the sizeable literature which has been produced on the increasingly acknowledged European approach to bilingual education: content and language integrated learning (CLIL). It begins by tracing the origins of CLIL, framing it against the backdrop of its predecessors: North American immersion and bilingual education programs, and European international schools. It then provides a synthesis of the research which has been conducted on our continent into the effects of CLIL programs. It transpires from this review that, while at first blush it might seem that outcome-oriented investigations into CLIL effects abound throughout our continent, there is still a well-documented paucity of research in this area. The article concludes by identifying future research agendas to continue mapping the CLIL terrain. The ultimate aim of this three-pronged examination of the past, present, and future of CLIL is to depart from the lessons learned from recent research and to signpost ways forward in order to guarantee a success-prone implementation of this timely solution to European plurilingual education.
On the Psychology of Scarcity: When Reminders of Resource Scarcity Promote Selfish (and Generous) Behavior

Consumers often encounter reminders of resource scarcity. However, relatively little is known about the psychological processes that such reminders instantiate. In this article, we posit that reminders of resource scarcity activate a competitive orientation, which guides consumers’ decision making towards advancing their own welfare. Further, we reveal that this tendency can manifest in behaviors that appear selfish, but also in behaviors that appear generous, in conditions where generosity allows for personal gains. The current research thus offers a more nuanced understanding of why resource scarcity may promote behaviors that appear either selfish or generous in different contexts, and provides one way to reconcile seemingly conflicting prior findings.
Mean voter representation and partisan constituency representation: Do parties respond to the mean voter position or to their supporters?

Do political parties respond to shifts in the preferences of their supporters, which we label the partisan constituency model, or to shifts in the mean voter position (the general electorate model)? Cross-national analyses — based on observations from Eurobarometer surveys and parties’ policy programmes in 15 countries from 1973 to 2002 — suggest that the general electorate model characterizes the policy shifts of mainstream parties. Alternatively, when we analyse the policy shifts of Communist, Green and extreme Nationalist parties (i.e. ‘niche’ parties), we find that these parties respond to shifts in the mean position of their supporters. The findings have implications for spatial theories and political representation.