Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Torsion of a Giant Pedunculated Hemangioma of the Liver Presenting With Acute Abdomen: A Case Report

Introduction Hemangioma is the most common benign tumor of the liver. Most cases are asymptomatic and do not require treatment. A hemangioma can rarely be pedunculated; as a result, it may undergo torsion and infarction, which can make it symptomatic. Case Presentation We report the case of a 45-year-old woman with acute abdominal pain due to torsion of a giant pedunculated hepatic hemangioma around its vascular stalk. Conclusions Pedunculated hemangioma of the liver is an uncommon benign tumor, a rare differential diagnosis for a mass located in the upper abdomen. All incidentally detected pedunculated hemangiomas must be surgically managed, as these have a tendency to become torsioned, and there is also a risk of malignancy or rupture.
Machine Learning and Non-Negative Compressive Sampling

The new emerging theory of compressive sampling demonstrates that by exploiting the structure of a signal, it is possible to sample a signal below the Nyquist rate—using random projections—and achieve perfect reconstruction. In this paper, we consider a special case of compressive sampling where the uncompressed signal is non-negative, and propose a number of sparse recovery algorithms—which utilise Non-negative Matrix Factorisation (NMF), Iteratively Reweighted Least Squares (IRLS) & Nonnegative Quadratic Programming (NQP)—for the recovery of minimum `p-norm solutions, 0 ≤ p ≤ 1. We examine the performance of NMF when applied to compressed data and discuss consequences for machine learning algorithms applied to random projections of the data to be analysed. As a necessary first step, we investigate the signal recovery performance of the proposed algorithms, and demonstrate that— for sufficiently sparse non-negative signals—the signals recovered by the sparse recovery algorithms and their least squares versions are essentially the same, which suggests that a non-negativity constraint is enough to recover sufficiently sparse signals. We build on our results and extend Non-negative Matrix Factorisation to compressively sampled data, where a sparse non-negative basis and corresponding non-negative coefficients for the original uncompressed matrix are learned indirectly in the compressed domain. Thus, demonstrating that machine learning algorithms that employ non-negative constraints can successfully learn uncompressed features from compressed data—by way of a simple modification of the generative model.
Early Symptom Improvement as a Predictor of Response to Extended Release Quetiapine in Major Depressive Disorder

AbstractThe aim of this post-hoc analysis was to determine whether early symptom improvement with extended release quetiapine (quetiapine XR) may predict treatment outcome in patients with major depressive disorder. Data were from 6, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies of quetiapine XR (2 fixed-dose and 2 flexible-dose monotherapy and 2 adjunct studies) in adult patients with major depressive disorder. Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) and Clinical Global Impression-Severity Score (CGI-S) were assessed at baseline, weeks 2, 4, and 6. Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D) was assessed at baseline and week 6. The MADRS improvement at week 2 (15%, 20%, 25%, 30%) was used to predict response and remission, based on MADRS (50% improvement; total score ⩽ 12) or HAM-D (50% improvement; total score ⩽ 7). The CGI-S improvement (1 point) at week 2 was used to predict final outcome (CGI-S score ⩽ 2). The predictive value for early improvement with quetiapine XR was found to be “very strong” (Yule’s Q coefficient, a combined measure of sensitivity and specificity) using 30% MADRS improvement as the threshold. This was relatively comparable for response and remission and for fixed-dose, flexible-dose, and adjunct studies. This was also observed for placebo. Exceptions were: adjunct studies (where predictivity was lower for ongoing antidepressant/placebo), and for remission (predictivity for remission appeared lower than for response with placebo). In conclusion, outcome at week 6 with quetiapine XR for a major depressive episode could be predicted by 30% improvement after 2 weeks, a finding that could give doctors confidence to continue treatment and may facilitate adherence in patients.
An analysis of student' patterns of exploration with NetLogo models embedded in the Connected Chemistry environment

How can we characterize the ways in which students explore computer models to find needed information? Do the types of goals that guide their exploration affect these characteristics? Is the path of exploration affected by the model’s interface tools? By the kinds of mathematical relationships governing the model’s target phenomenon? In the Modeling Across the Curriculum project, we enable students’ exploration of computer models that are embedded in a supporting script. The Connected Chemistry learning environment (Levy & Wilensky, 2004; Levy, Novak & Wilensky, 2005; Stieff & Wilensky, 2003) is one such model-based curricular unit. Connected Chemistry employs multi-agent NetLogo (Wilensky, 1999a) models to empower the students’ manipulation and observation of chemical “entities” at the molecular level as well as the resulting aggregate patterns. These models are embedded in Pedagogica (Horwitz, 2002) scripts that guide the model exploration as well as asking students questions about their exploration and findings. The first Connected Chemistry unit is on the topic of gases: Gas laws, and Kinetic Molecular Theory. In this paper, we provide an analysis of student’s explorations within computerized models, as derived from computer logs of their actions and the model’s changing properties. We have conducted four studies if of patterns of students’ model exploration. The studies differ in (a) We observe students employing four distinct patterns; (b) Students are consistent in their use of a specific pattern; (c) Some specific features of these patterns change when the goals change; (d) Half of the students’ took advantage of the affordances of more powerful exploration tools to
Searching for differential teacher and school effectiveness in terms of student socioeconomic status and gender: implications for promoting equity

ABSTRACT This paper argues that research on differential teacher and school effectiveness can be used to explore the relation between quality and equity in education. The results of secondary analyses of 2 studies concerned with effectiveness in different phases of schooling (pre-primary and primary education) are presented. These secondary analyses reveal that the socioeconomic gap in student achievement in each of the 2 core subjects (mathematics and language) tends to be smaller in classrooms and schools that are more effective than others in promoting student learning outcomes (after controlling for prior achievement, socioeconomic status, and gender). Such a relation was not identified when searching for differential teacher and school effectiveness in terms of gender. Implications for research on promoting quality and equity are drawn.
Occurrence of metal-free galaxies in the early Universe

The character of the first galaxies at redshifts z > 10 strongly depends on their level of pre-enrichment, which is in turn determined by the rate of primordial star formation prior to their assembly. In order for the first galaxies to remain metal-free, star formation in minihaloes must be highly suppressed, most likely by H2-dissociating LymanWerner (LW) radiation. We show that the build-up of such a strong LW background is hindered by two effects. Firstly, the level of the LW background is self-regulated, being produced by the Population III (Pop III) star formation which it, in turn, suppresses. Secondly, the high opacity to LW photons which is built up in the relic H II regions left by the first stars acts to diminish the global LW background. Accounting for a self-regulated LW background, we estimate a lower limit for the rate of Pop III star formation in minihaloes at z > 15. Further, we simulate the formation of a ’first galaxy’ with virial temperature Tvir > 10 4 K and total mass > 10 8 M⊙ at z > 10, and find that complete suppression of previous Pop III star formation is unlikely, with stars of > 100 M⊙ (Pop III.1) and > 10 M⊙ (Pop III.2) likely forming. Finally, we discuss the implications of these results for the nature of the first galaxies, which may be observed by future missions such as the James Webb Space Telescope.
Reducing adolescent girls' concerns about SteM stereotypes: When do female teachers matter? Réduire la crainte des adolescentes liée aux stéréotypes en sciences : quand le rôle des femmes enseignantes est-il déterminant ?

In two experiments, we examined how teacher gender and stereotype threat cues affected adolescents’ self-reported concerns about being negatively stereotyped in computer science courses. High-school students (Experiment 1: N = 218; Experiment 2: N = 193) read about two computer science courses, one with a competent male teacher and one with a competent female teacher, and were randomly assigned to one of three experimental conditions. In the stereotype threat condition, they read a paragraph that introduced negative stereotypes about girls’ perfor
Time Preferences and Job Search: Evidence from France

Increasing impatience reduces search efforts of unemployed job seekers and therefore decreases the exit rate from unemployment. Also, impatience reduces reservation wage and increases the exit rate. To determine the overall effect of impatience on the exit rate from unemployment, we distinguish between exponential and hyperbolic time preferences. Search effort dominates the reservation wage and decreases the exit rate from unemployment if individuals have hyperbolic, rather than exponential, preferences. Using the French sample of the European Household Panel Survey, we found that search effort has a strong effect on the duration of unemployment, whereas the reservation wage is not significant. This result shows that the job seekers have hyperbolic preferences. Hyperbolic preferences affect problems associated with job search and policies aimed at reducing unemployment.
Lessons for Canadian Crime Prevention from Recent International Experience

This article identifies eight key aspects of contemporary crime prevention practice which appear to be associated with the continuing declines in crime in most of the Western developed world and examines their relevance to Canada. These characteristics include: collaborative multiagency partnerships using multiple linked interventions, problem focused analysis, evidence-based strategies with a strong outcome focus, and an emphasis on centrally driven initiatives that are delivered locally. Using examples from the UK, the USA, Australia and New Zealand, these features are examined for their relevance for Canada. It is concluded that the success of Canada’s current crime prevention initiatives will require a committed national leadership, a coherent and flexible policy framework based on evidence, and results-oriented practices that are efficiently monitored and openly reported on. In addition, there must be responsive partnership arrangements with governance mechanisms respectful of specific communities, priorities and experience. These must be supported by long term adequate resourcing informed by good data about problems and strategically appropriate responses. Workforce and organizational development, the active dissemination of good practice knowledge and a strategy for promoting an active and engaged community are
Image registration based on physical forces

In this paper, we proposed a new method for image registration which the registration parameters are translation and rotation. This method is based on physical forces. A unique feature of the proposed method is that it assumes images like charged materials that attract each other. We can also assume one of the images like a hole and another one like a material that fill the hole. In both cases one of the images moves in the same direction as the applied force and the other one is still. It moves consequently until the resultant force is equal to zero. This approach does not estimate these parameters separately. They are estimated simultaneously leading to a better optimized set of registration parameters. We compute the order of this algorithm on 2D and 3D Images. We show that the approach is successful and yields to better results than MI and correlation-like methods.
Time‐dependent postsynaptic AMPA GluR1 receptor recruitment in the cingulate synaptic potentiation

The anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) is critical for brain functions including learning, memory, fear and pain. Long‐term synaptic potentiation (LTP), a cellular model for learning and memory, has been reported in the ACC neurons. Unlike LTP in the hippocampus and amygdala, two key structures for memory and fear, little is known about the synaptic mechanism for the expression of LTP in the ACC. Here we use whole‐cell patch clamp recordings to demonstrate that cingulate LTP requires the functional recruitment of GluR1 AMPA receptors; and such events are rapid and completed within 5–10 min after LTP induction. Our results demonstrate that the GluR1 subunit is essential for synaptic plasticity in the ACC and may play critical roles under physiological and pathological conditions. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol, 2007
Hierarchical two-tier ensemble learning: a new paradigm for network intrusion detection

Intrusion detection is a mechanism of providing security to computer networks. Almost all of traditional intelligent intrusion detection systems (IDSs) use a single approach to distinguish normal behavior patterns from attack signatures. Moreover these systems have a high false alarm rate and high cost. The combination of multiple classifiers usually exhibits lower false alarm and overall error rate than individual decisions. On the other hand, the combination of classifiers trained on different feature sets could provide better performances than each single classifier. In this paper, a hierarchical two-level combiner is proposed to detect network intrusions using multiple well-known and efficient base classifiers. The proposed combiner exploits the different recognition capabilities provided by the independent feature representations in the first level as well as the agreement among the classifiers in the second level.
Age-related differences in the force generation capabilities and tendon extensibilities of knee extensors and plantar flexors in men.

BACKGROUND Recently, the number of elderly individuals who participate in sports has increased, thus injuries from overuse are now becoming recognized in the elderly population. Therefore, it is important to determine which muscle groups and tendons are most affected with aging to plan appropriate exercise interventions for elderly individuals. In particular, muscles and tendons in knee extensors and plantar flexors play an important role during locomotion. The purpose of this study was to compare the knee extensor and plantar flexor muscles and tendons. METHODS Young (n = 19) and elderly (n = 17) men performed isometric voluntary knee extension and plantar flexion contractions. Muscle thickness and elongation of tendon structures in knee extensors and plantar flexors were measured by ultrasonography. RESULTS Relative muscle thickness (to limb length) in the elderly group was significantly lower than that in the young group in knee extensors (p <.001), although no significant difference was found between the two groups in plantar flexors (p =.063). Relative muscle strength (to body mass) in the elderly group was significantly lower than that in the young group in both sites (all p <.001). Ratio of muscle strength to muscle thickness in the elderly group was significantly lower than that in the young group in plantar flexors, but not in knee extensors. The elderly group had significantly lower maximal elongation and strain of tendon structures in both sites than the young group had. CONCLUSION These results suggest that the age-related weakness in knee extensors may be attributed to muscle atrophy, whereas that in plantar flexors is not, and that elderly persons have less extensible tendon structures in both sites.
Circulating CD34+, CD133+, and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2-positive endothelial progenitor cells in myelofibrosis with myeloid metaplasia.

PURPOSE Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) are present in circulation and contribute to vasculogenesis in adults. We measured the number of circulating EPCs in patients with myelofibrosis with myeloid metaplasia (MMM), and we examined the relationship between the number of EPCs and severity of the MMM disease process. PATIENTS AND METHODS The number of EPCs was measured by assaying the CD34+CD133+ vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2) -positive cell phenotype in 110 MMM patients, 16 patients with other Philadelphia-negative chronic myeloproliferative disorders (Ph-negative CMPDs), and 14 healthy participants. In four MMM patients, the capacity of selected CD34+ cells to form endothelial colonies (CFU-End) in vitro was tested. RESULTS CD34+, CD133+, and VEGFR2-positive EPCs were detectable in unselected peripheral-blood cells of 50.9% MMM patients, 37.5% control patients, and 21% healthy participants. Patients with MMM had a median of 0.26% EPCs, significantly higher than that in healthy controls (median, 0%) and in patients with other Ph-negative CMPDs (median, 0.1%). In 14.5% of MMM patients, the numbers of EPCs were greater than the highest value found in patients with other Ph-negative CMPDs. CD34+ selected cells produced colony-forming unit-endothelial (CFU-End), which were vascular endothelial (VE) -cadherin positive, CD31+, von Willebrand factor positive, and CD45-. In MMM patients, the larger the number of EPCs, the smaller the number of circulating immature myeloid cells and circulating CD45+CD34+ hematopoietic progenitor cells. Increased numbers of EPCs were associated with younger age and a diagnosis of prefibrotic MMM. CONCLUSION Circulating EPCs are elevated in MMM patients in the early stage of the disease. Heightened mobilization of EPCs may represent an important mechanism for development of neoangiogenesis in MMM.
Present limits to cosmic bubbles from the COBE-DMR three-point correlation function

The existence of large-scale voids in several galaxy surveys suggests the occurrence of an inflationary first-order phase transition. This process generates primordial bubbles that, before evolving into the present voids, leave at decoupling a non-Gaussian imprint on the cosmic microwave background. In this paper we evaluate an analytical expression of the collapsed three-point correlation function from the bubble temperature fluctuations. Comparing the results with COBE-DMR measures, we obtain upper limits on the allowed non-Gaussianity and hence on the bubble parameters.
From policing to 'social fencing': shifting moral economies of biodiversity conservation in a South Indian Tiger Reserve

In recent years, scholarly and civil society debates regarding tiger conservation in India have been sharply divided both in favor and against the efficacy of 'fortress' models of conservation that discourage subsistence-level access to resources by the local poor. Such debates have been further intensified since 2005 due to a drastic drop in the wild tiger population – presumably due to illegal poaching – and the passing of a Forest Rights Act that grants forest lands ownership rights to traditional forest-dependent communities. This article analyzes local community-forest collaboration in the Periyar Tiger Reserve in Kerala in Southern India. Periyar Tiger Reserve has been the only 'success story' out of the seven national parks where the India Eco-Development Project was implemented in 1997. The IEDP was funded by the World Bank, the Global Environmental Facility, and the Government of India to solicit the support of forest-adjacent communities in protecting wildlife habitats by offering them market-based livelihood opportunities. Information comes from ethnographic research conducted ten years after the Eco-Development Project was first implemented, and studies of the evolving nature of state-community relationships under the umbrella of a newly formed 'Government Organized Non-Governmental Organization' or GONGO. Theoretically, the article focuses the role of emotions and identity politics in shaping the worldviews of the participating community members, and not on the economic incentives of stakeholders. In doing so, I propose a more nuanced analysis of community-state relationships than is offered by polarized debates amongst conservationists and people's rights advocates in India and elsewhere. I illustrate the sense of ownership and regional pride shared by different social actors, in the context of the continuation of the fortress model of conservation. Keywords: Biodiversity conservation, fortress conservation, eco-development, social fencing, identity politics, indigenous communities, tiger reserve, Kerala, India.
Receptive Fields for Vision: from Hyperacuity to Object Recognition

Many of the lower-level areas in the mammalian visual system are organized retinotopically, that is, as maps which preserve to a certain degree the topography of the retina. A unit that is a part of such a retinotopic map normally responds selectively to stimulation in a well-delimited part of the visual field, referred to as its receptive field (RF). Receptive fields are probably the most prominent and ubiquitous computational mechanism employed by biological information processing systems. This paper surveys some of the possible computational reasons behind the ubiquity of RFs, by discussing examples of RF-based solutions to problems in vision, from spatial acuity, through sensory coding, to object recognition.
Thalamic GABA Predicts Fine Motor Performance in Manganese-Exposed Smelter Workers

Overexposure to manganese (Mn) may lead to parkinsonian symptoms including motor deficits. The main inhibitory neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is known to play a pivotal role in the regulation and performance of movement. Therefore this study was aimed at testing the hypothesis that an alteration of GABA following Mn exposure may be associated with fine motor performance in occupationally exposed workers and may underlie the mechanism of Mn-induced motor deficits. A cohort of nine Mn-exposed male smelter workers from an Mn-iron alloy factory and 23 gender- and age-matched controls were recruited and underwent neurological exams, magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) measurements, and Purdue pegboard motor testing. Short-echo-time MRS was used to measure N-Acetyl-aspartate (NAA) and myo-inositol (mI). GABA was detected with a MEGA-PRESS J-editing MRS sequence. The mean thalamic GABA level was significantly increased in smelter workers compared to controls (p = 0.009). Multiple linear regression analysis reveals (1) a significant association between the increase in GABA level and the duration of exposure (R2 = 0.660, p = 0.039), and (2) significant inverse associations between GABA levels and all Purdue pegboard test scores (for summation of all scores R2 = 0.902, p = 0.001) in the smelter workers. In addition, levels of mI were reduced significantly in the thalamus and PCC of smelter workers compared to controls (p = 0.030 and p = 0.009, respectively). In conclusion, our results show clear associations between thalamic GABA levels and fine motor performance. Thus in Mn-exposed subjects, increased thalamic GABA levels may serve as a biomarker for subtle deficits in motor control and may become valuable for early diagnosis of Mn poisoning.