Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Three dimensional CT angiography versus digital subtraction angiography in the detection of intracranial aneurysms in subarachnoid hemorrhage

Introduction Ruptured intracranial aneurysms are responsible for over 90% of cases of spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Conventional digital subtraction angiography (DSA) remains the gold standard for diagnosing the source of SAH. A prospective study is presented wherein SAH patients underwent three dimensional CT angiography (CTA) prior to DSA in order to assess the specificity and sensitivity of this non-invasive modality to detect aneurysms. Methods 179 consecutive patients with spontaneous SAH presented over 36 months, as identified by screening CT and CTA. Patients with negative CTA findings underwent DSA within 24 h of presentation. All patients who were determined to have angiographically negative SAH underwent follow-up DSA 2 weeks later. Results Of the 179 patients screened by CTA, 13 (7%) were negative for aneurysms or other vascular lesions (arteriovenous malformation or dural fistula) on CTA and underwent DSA. No new lesions were identified on six vessel angiography, resulting in a 0% false negative rate (sensitivity 100%, predictive value 100%). MRI to rule out thrombosed aneurysms and repeat angiography at the 2 week follow-up were negative. Conclusions Sensitivity and specificity were higher than previously reported, suggesting that CTA may be used as an initial screening tool in lieu of DSA. Further studies are necessary to determine if CTA can supplant DSA in ruling out all forms of vascular disease in idiopathic SAH.
Epidemiology and outcome of invasive fungal infection in adult hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients: analysis of Multicenter Prospective Antifungal Therapy (PATH) Alliance registry.

BACKGROUND With use of data from the Prospective Antifungal Therapy (PATH) Alliance registry, we performed this multicenter, prospective, observational study to assess the epidemiologic characters and outcomes of invasive fungal infection (IFI) in hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) recipients. METHODS Sixteen medical centers from North America reported data on adult HSCT recipients with proven or probable IFI during the period July 2004 through September 2007. The distribution of IFIs and rates of survival at 6 and 12 weeks after diagnosis were studied. We used logistic regression models to determine risk factors associated with 6-week mortality for allogeneic HSCT recipients with invasive aspergillosis (IA). RESULTS Two hundred thirty-four adult HSCT recipients with a total of 250 IFIs were included in this study. IA (59.2%) was the most frequent IFI, followed by invasive candidiasis (24.8%), zygomycosis (7.2%), and IFI due to other molds (6.8%). Voriconazole was the most frequently administered agent (68.4%); amphotericin B deoxycholate was administered to a few patients (2.1%). Ninety-three (46.7%) of 199 HSCT recipients with known outcome had died by week 12. The 6-week survival rate was significantly greater for patients with IA than for those with invasive candidiasis and for those with IFI due to the Zygomycetes or other molds (P < .07). The 6-week mortality rate for HSCT recipients with IA was 21.5%. At 6 weeks, there was a trend toward a worse outcome among allogeneic HSCT recipients with IA who received myeloablative conditioning (P = .07); absence of mechanical ventilation or/and hemodialysis (P = .01) were associated with improved survival. CONCLUSIONS IA remains the most commonly identified IFI among HSCT recipients, but rates of survival in persons with IA appear to have improved, compared with previously reported data. Invasive candidiasis and IFI due to molds other than Aspergillus species remain a significant problem in HSCT recipients.
Large Local Analysis of the Unaligned Genome and Its Application

We describe a novel method for the local analysis of complete genomes. A local distance measure called LODIST is proposed, which is based on the relationship between the longest common words and the shortest absent words of two genomes we compared. LODIST can perform better than local alignment when the local region is large enough to cover some recombination genes. A distance measure called SILD.k. t with resolution k and step t is derived by the integral LODISTs of whole genomes. It is shown that the algorithm for computing the LODISTs and SILD.k. t is linear, which is fast enough to consider the problem of the genome comparison. We verify this method by recognizing the subtypes of the HIV-1 complete genomes and genome segments.
[Animal bites and rabies].

1.1 Purpose of Reporting and Surveillance 1. To assess the risk of rabies exposure in persons bitten or otherwise exposed to animal saliva, in order to recommend post-exposure rabies prophylaxis (PEP) to those who need it, and to provide counseling and reassurance to those who don’t. 2. As necessary, to arrange for the capture and either confinement (10-day observation) of a live dog cat or ferret, or the laboratory examination of an animal head. This may involve coordination with other agencies, e.g., the Humane Society, county sanitarians, animal control, and local law enforcement.
Scaffold-Based rhBMP-2 Therapy in a Rat Alveolar Defect Model: Implications forHuman Gingivoperiosteoplasty

Background: Primary alveolar cleft repair has a 41 to 73 percent success rate. Patients with persistent alveolar defects require secondary bone grafting. The authors investigated scaffold-based therapies designed to augment the success of alveolar repair. Methods: Critical-size, 7 × 4 × 3-mm alveolar defects were created surgically in 60 Sprague-Dawley rats. Four scaffold treatment arms were tested: absorbable collagen sponge, absorbable collagen sponge plus recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2), hydroxyapatite–tricalcium phosphate, hydroxyapatite–tricalcium phosphate plus rhBMP-2, and no scaffold. New bone formation was assessed radiomorphometrically and histomorphometrically at 4, 8, and 12 weeks. Results: Radiomorphometrically, untreated animals formed 43 ± 6 percent, 53 ± 8 percent, and 48 ± 3 percent new bone at 4, 8, and 12 weeks, respectively. Animals treated with absorbable collagen sponge formed 50 ± 6 percent, 79 ± 9 percent, and 69 ± 7 percent new bone, respectively. Absorbable collagen sponge plus rhBMP-2–treated animals formed 49 ± 2 percent, 71 ± 6 percent, and 66 ± 7 percent new bone, respectively. Hydroxyapatite–tricalcium phosphate treatment stimulated 69 ± 12 percent, 86 ± 3 percent (p < 0.05), and 87 ± 14 percent new bone, respectively. Histomorphometry demonstrated an increase in bone formation in animals treated with hydroxyapatite–tricalcium phosphate plus rhBMP-2 (p < 0.05; 4 weeks) compared with empty scaffold. Conclusions: Radiomorphometrically, absorbable collagen sponge and hydroxyapatite–tricalcium phosphate scaffolds induced more bone formation than untreated controls. The rhBMP-2 added a small but significant histomorphometric osteogenic advantage to the hydroxyapatite–tricalcium phosphate scaffold.
Pathologic and Oncologic Outcomes in Locally Advanced Gastric Cancer with Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy or Chemoradiotherapy

Purpose Although neoadjuvant therapy has been accepted as a treatment option in locally-advanced gastric cancer, its prognostic value has been difficult to evaluate. Materials and Methods Seventy-four gastric cancer patients who underwent gastrectomy after neoadjuvant treatment were divided into two groups according to the pathologic response: favorable (ypT0) and others (ypT1-4). The clinicopathologic characteristics, predictive factors for pathologic response, and oncologic outcome were evaluated. Results Eleven patients (14.8%) demonstrated ypT0 and the remaining 63 patients (85.2%) were ypT1-4. Chemoradiotherapy (CCRTx) rather than chemotherapy (CTx) was the only predictive factor for a favorable pathologic response. Chemotherapeutic factors and tumor marker levels did not predict pathologic response. The 1-, 2-, and 3-year disease-free survivals were 83.4%, 70%, and 52.2%. The 1-, 3-, 5-year overall survivals were 88.5%, 67.5%, and 51.2%, respectively. Although a complete pathologic response (ypT0N0M0) was achieved in 7 patients, 28.6% of them demonstrated recurrence of the tumor within 6 months after curative surgery. Conclusion CCRTx rather than CTx appears to be more effective for achieving good pathologic response. Although favorable pathologic response has been achieved after neoadjuvant treatment, the survival benefit remains controversial.
ICT-driven financial inclusion initiatives for urban poor in a developing economy: implications for public policy

ABSTRACT A key agenda of policy-makers in both the developing and the developed worlds is to have an inclusive growth. Financial services have been recognised as one of the fundamental services that have the potential to achieve this objective and help move towards a more just and equitable society. This paper attempts to assess the impact of three information and communication technology-driven initiatives in the field of financial services by differentiating them on the basis of service design. This study goes beyond the stated objective of these services and uses Sen’s capability perspective to study their impact across three non-economic outcome variables viz. literacy, service-specific well-being and empowerment. The data for the study are collected from the urban poor across different locations in a large metropolitan city in South India where the three different services are being offered. The study follows a quasi-experimental design (field study) and ensures matching of the treatment and control groups through propensity score matching. The matched data are analysed using an independent sample t-test. The result of the analysis shows that service design plays a key role in increasing service literacy, improving service-specific well-being and empowering end users. The study suggests that the true challenge for providers (government and partner agencies) of these services is in designing a service that ensures a balance of structure and flexibility without constraining the choice of end users through innovative service blueprints.
Transport Cost Sharing 1 Sudipta Sarangi

We consider a linear city model where both Þrms and consumers have to incur transport costs. Following a standard Hotelling (1929) type framework we analyze a duopoly where Þrms choose locations and prices, with the transportation rate being linear in distance. We model these two different transport costs by assuming one transport cost which is then shared by the buyers and sellers according to an exogenously given rule. From a theoretical point of view such a model is interesting since mill pricing and uniform delivery pricing arise as special cases. We Þrst obtain the proÞt function for the two stage game. Given the complex nature of the proÞt function for the two-stage game, we invoke simplifying assumptions and solve for two different games. We provide a complete characterization for the equilibrium of a location game between the duopolists by removing the price choice from the strategy space through an exogenously given price. We also Þnd that when the two Þrms are constrained to locate at the same spot, the resulting price competition leads to a mixed strategy equilibrium which always yields positive expected proÞts. This allows us to obtain some insights into the two stage game.
Probabilistic Diffusion Tractography Reveals Improvement of Structural Network in Musicians

Purpose Musicians experience a large amount of information transfer and integration of complex sensory, motor, and auditory processes when training and playing musical instruments. Therefore, musicians are a useful model in which to investigate neural adaptations in the brain. Methods Here, based on diffusion-weighted imaging, probabilistic tractography was used to determine the architecture of white matter anatomical networks in musicians and non-musicians. Furthermore, the features of the white matter networks were analyzed using graph theory. Results Small-world properties of the white matter network were observed in both groups. Compared with non-musicians, the musicians exhibited significantly increased connectivity strength in the left and right supplementary motor areas, the left calcarine fissure and surrounding cortex and the right caudate nucleus, as well as a significantly larger weighted clustering coefficient in the right olfactory cortex, the left medial superior frontal gyrus, the right gyrus rectus, the left lingual gyrus, the left supramarginal gyrus, and the right pallidum. Furthermore, there were differences in the node betweenness centrality in several regions. However, no significant differences in topological properties were observed at a global level. Conclusions We illustrated preliminary findings to extend the network level understanding of white matter plasticity in musicians who have had long-term musical training. These structural, network-based findings may indicate that musicians have enhanced information transmission efficiencies in local white matter networks that are related to musical training.
All SNPs Are Not Created Equal: Genome-Wide Association Studies Reveal a Consistent Pattern of Enrichment among Functionally Annotated SNPs

Recent results indicate that genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have the potential to explain much of the heritability of common complex phenotypes, but methods are lacking to reliably identify the remaining associated single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). We applied stratified False Discovery Rate (sFDR) methods to leverage genic enrichment in GWAS summary statistics data to uncover new loci likely to replicate in independent samples. Specifically, we use linkage disequilibrium-weighted annotations for each SNP in combination with nominal p-values to estimate the True Discovery Rate (TDR = 1−FDR) for strata determined by different genic categories. We show a consistent pattern of enrichment of polygenic effects in specific annotation categories across diverse phenotypes, with the greatest enrichment for SNPs tagging regulatory and coding genic elements, little enrichment in introns, and negative enrichment for intergenic SNPs. Stratified enrichment directly leads to increased TDR for a given p-value, mirrored by increased replication rates in independent samples. We show this in independent Crohn's disease GWAS, where we find a hundredfold variation in replication rate across genic categories. Applying a well-established sFDR methodology we demonstrate the utility of stratification for improving power of GWAS in complex phenotypes, with increased rejection rates from 20% in height to 300% in schizophrenia with traditional FDR and sFDR both fixed at 0.05. Our analyses demonstrate an inherent stratification among GWAS SNPs with important conceptual implications that can be leveraged by statistical methods to improve the discovery of loci.
Why the short face? Developmental disintegration of the neurocranium drives convergent evolution in neotropical electric fishes

Abstract Convergent evolution is widely viewed as strong evidence for the influence of natural selection on the origin of phenotypic design. However, the emerging evo‐devo synthesis has highlighted other processes that may bias and direct phenotypic evolution in the presence of environmental and genetic variation. Developmental biases on the production of phenotypic variation may channel the evolution of convergent forms by limiting the range of phenotypes produced during ontogeny. Here, we study the evolution and convergence of brachycephalic and dolichocephalic skull shapes among 133 species of Neotropical electric fishes (Gymnotiformes: Teleostei) and identify potential developmental biases on phenotypic evolution. We plot the ontogenetic trajectories of neurocranial phenotypes in 17 species and document developmental modularity between the face and braincase regions of the skull. We recover a significant relationship between developmental covariation and relative skull length and a significant relationship between developmental covariation and ontogenetic disparity. We demonstrate that modularity and integration bias the production of phenotypes along the brachycephalic and dolichocephalic skull axis and contribute to multiple, independent evolutionary transformations to highly brachycephalic and dolichocephalic skull morphologies.
Gene profile analysis implicates Klotho as an important contributor to aging changes in brain white matter of the rhesus monkey

Conventional studies of brain changes in normal aging have concentrated on gray matter as the locus for cognitive dysfunction. However, there is accumulating evidence from studies of normal aging in the rhesus monkey that changes in white matter may be a more critical factor in cognitive decline. Such changes include ultrastructural and biochemical evidence of myelin breakdown with age, as well as more recent magnetic resonance imaging of global loss of forebrain white matter volume and magnetic resonance diffusion tension imaging evidence of increased diffusivity in white matter. Moreover, many of these white matter changes correlate with age‐related cognitive dysfunction. Based on these diverse white matter findings, the present work utilized high‐density oligonucleotide microarrays to assess gene profile changes associated with age in the white matter of the corpus callosum. This approach identified several classes of genes that were differentially expressed in aging. Broadly characterized, these genes were predominantly related to an increase in stress factors and a decrease in cell function. The cell function changes included increased cell cycle inhibition and proteolysis, as well as decreased mitochondrial function, signal transduction, and protein translation. While most of these categories have previously been reported in functional brain aging, this is the first time they have been associated directly with white matter. Microarray analysis has also enabled the identification of neuroprotective response pathways activated by age in white matter, as well as several genes implicated in lifespan. Of particular interest was the identification of Klotho, a multifunctional protein that regulates phosphate and calcium metabolism, as well as insulin resistance, and is known to defend against oxidative stress and apoptosis. Combining the findings from the microarray study enabled us to formulate a model of white matter aging where specific genes are suggested as primary factors in disrupting white matter function. In conclusion, the overall changes described in this study could provide an explanation for aging changes in white matter that might be initiated or enhanced by an altered expression of life span associated genes such as Klotho. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
THE ALMA SPECTROSCOPIC SURVEY IN THE HUBBLE ULTRA DEEP FIELD: SEARCH FOR [ ] LINE AND DUST EMISSION IN 6 < z < 8 GALAXIES

We present a search for [C ii] line and dust continuum emission from optical dropout galaxies at z > 6 using ASPECS, our Atacama Large Millimeter submillimeter Array Spectroscopic Survey in the Hubble Ultra-deep Field (UDF). Our observations, which cover the frequency range of 212–272 GHz, encompass approximately the range of 6 < z < 8 for [C ii] line emission and reach a limiting luminosity of L[C ii] ∼ (1.6–2.5) × 108 L⊙. We identify 14 [C ii] line emitting candidates in this redshift range with significances >4. 5σ, two of which correspond to blind detections with no optical counterparts. At this significance level, our statistical analysis shows that about 60% of our candidates are expected to be spurious. For one of our blindly selected [C ii] line candidates, we tentatively detect the CO(6-5) line in our parallel 3 mm line scan. None of the line candidates are individually detected in the 1.2 mm continuum. A stack of all [C ii] candidates results in a tentative detection with S1.2 mm = 14 ± 5 μJy. This implies a dust-obscured star-formation rate (SFR) of (3 ± 1) M⊙ yr−1. We find that the two highest-SFR objects have candidate [C ii] lines with luminosities that are consistent with the low-redshift L[C ii] versus SFR relation. The other candidates have significantly higher [C ii] luminosities than expected from their UV-based SFR. At the current sensitivity, it is unclear whether the majority of these sources are intrinsically bright [C ii] emitters, or spurious sources. If only one of our line candidates was real (a scenario greatly favored by our statistical analysis), we find a source density for [C ii] emitters at 6 < z < 8 that is significantly higher than predicted by current models and some extrapolations from galaxies in the local universe.
GETTING CLOSER?

Drawing on the idea that citizen images of crisis events can function as “ruptures” within mainstream journalistic narratives—instances in which distant others can speak and be heard—this article examines from a dual perspective how the global citizen images (photographs and videos) embedded in Finnish print and broadcast coverage of the Arab uprisings and the Japan tsunami disaster facilitate the construction of cosmopolitan imagination. Specifically it explores, first, how emotional proximity is constructed through the conventions of citizen images that break with the aesthetics of professional photojournalism, and, second, how professional journalists see the role of amateur images in their work of reporting distant crises. The analysis identifies four defining characteristics of the aesthetics of citizen images—unconstructedness, unconventional framing, mobility and embodied collectivity—which may invite enhanced affective engagement and reflection. Moreover, it reveals that the increasing significance of global citizen imagery prompts renewed internal reflection on established journalistic practices and norms, but this is not accompanied by a new consideration on the relationship between journalists and their audiences, on journalism as a resource for cosmopolitan attitudes.
Loneliness after divorce: A cohort comparison among Dutch older adults

Divorce increases the risk of loneliness. With divorce increasingly becoming a normal life event, societal changes are now challenging this idea as regards to current cohorts. We hypothesize that the relative strong feelings of loneliness among divorcees, compared with married people, has diminished over time. Using 1992, 2002, and 2012 data sets of 54–65-year-old people, we examine the impact of divorce on loneliness over 20 years. We compare those who are divorced or remarried to people married for the first time, and differentiate the supportiveness of the partnership. The results show that for both emotional and social loneliness, divorcees were lonelier than respondents in their first marriage; remarried divorces were socially lonelier than respondents in their first marriage. Respondents with a supportive partnership were less emotionally and socially lonely than respondents without a partnership or with a less supportive partnership. The main finding is that, compared with 1992, the divorcees are less socially lonely in 2002, with a smaller and non-significant further decrease in loneliness in 2012. This suggests that the social position of divorcees has been improved over the past two decades.