Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Defining language networks from resting‐state fMRI for surgical planning—a feasibility study

Presurgical language mapping for patients with lesions close to language areas is critical to neurosurgical decision‐making for preservation of language function. As a clinical noninvasive imaging technique, functional MRI (fMRI) is used to identify language areas by measuring blood‐oxygen‐level dependent (BOLD) signal change while patients perform carefully timed language vs. control tasks. This task‐based fMRI critically depends on task performance, excluding many patients who have difficulty performing language tasks due to neurologic deficits. On the basis of recent discovery of resting‐state fMRI (rs‐fMRI), we propose a “task‐free” paradigm acquiring fMRI data when patients simply are at rest. This paradigm is less demanding for patients to perform and easier for technologists to administer. We investigated the feasibility of this approach in right‐handed healthy control subjects. First, group independent component analysis (ICA) was applied on the training group (14 subjects) to identify group level language components based on expert rating results. Then, four empirically and structurally defined language network templates were assessed for their ability to identify language components from individuals' ICA output of the testing group (18 subjects) based on spatial similarity analysis. Results suggest that it is feasible to extract language activations from rs‐fMRI at the individual subject level, and two empirically defined templates (that focuses on frontal language areas and that incorporates both frontal and temporal language areas) demonstrated the best performance. We propose a semi‐automated language component identification procedure and discuss the practical concerns and suggestions for this approach to be used in clinical fMRI language mapping. Hum Brain Mapp 35:1018–1030, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Analisis Pengaruh Inflasi, Suku Bunga BI, dan Produk Domestik Bruto terhadap Return on Asset (ROA) Bank Syariah di Indonesia

The purpose of the present study is to explain the influence analysis of inflation, BI rate, and Gross Domestic Product to the Return On Asset (ROA) of islamic banking in Indonesia period 2008-2010. Macroeconomic variables in this research are measured by inflation, Bank Indonesia rate, and gross domestic product (GDP). The most important indicator in evaluating the banking financial performance is ROA. Sampling technique used here is purposive sampling, it is gained sample amount of 13 islamic banks.The data used in this study were obtained from published financial statements of Bank Indonesia. Data analysis techniques used in this study is multiple linier regression analysis. F test results showed that simultaneous variable inflation, BI rate, and GDP have a significant effect on ROA. While the results of t test showed that partially, inflation and GDP has positive and significant influence on ROA, while BI rate has negative and significant influence on ROA.Keywords: inflation, BI rate, return on asset
Evaluation of Foramen Tympanicum Using Cone-Beam Computed Tomography in Orthodontic Malocclusions

AbstractThe foramen tympanicum is a persistent anatomic formation of the temporal bone due to a defect in ossification normal bone physiology in neonatal or postnatal period. This study determined the occurrence and location of the foramen tympanicum in a Turkish sample using cone-beam computed tomography. Scans of 370 sites in 185 patients were retrospectively analyzed to determine foramen tympanicum occurrence, sizes, and locations according to their orthodontic malocclusions. Measurements were done on axial and sagittal sections to identify the dimensions. Differences in foramen tympanicum incidence by measurements, sex, side, malocclusions, and location were statistically evaluated. Foramen tympanicum was determined in 42 (22.7%) of 185 patients. No statistical difference was found considering location and sex (P > 0.05), but it was found more bilaterally in female patients within significance level at P = 0.024. Mean sizes did not differ significantly by sex but were found to be greater in females. In axial diameter, the average measurement was found wider on the right side of all patients (P = 0.017). The findings showed a greater foramen tympanicum dimension among class II than among class I and III subjects (P < 0.05). Knowledge about these structures is helpful for the interpretation of imaging (especially cone-beam computed tomography) and provides valuable information especially before orthognathic surgery to avoid intraoperative reconstruction and complications.
A novel homozygous Arg222Trp missense mutation in WNT7A in two sisters with severe Al‐Awadi/Raas‐Rothschild/Schinzel phocomelia syndrome

Al‐Awadi/Raas‐Rothschild/Schinzel phocomelia (AARRS) syndrome, a rare autosomal recessive disorder, comprises malformations of upper and lower limbs with severely hypoplastic pelvis and abnormal genitalia. Mutations in WNT7A have been reported as cause of the syndrome. We report on two sisters in a Thai family with short and malformed long bones, absent fibulae, flexion contracture of digits, and a/hypoplastic nails. Fusion between severely malformed femora and slender tibiae has never been reported in patients with WNT7A mutations. Lower limbs were more severely malformed than the upper ones and the pelvis was also severely affected. Multiple fusions of long bones and of the femoral heads to the acetabula were evident. A novel homozygous missense mutation in coding exon 4 of the WNT7A was detected in both affected daughters (c.664C > T) leading to an amino acid exchange from arginine to tryptophan (p.Arg222Trp; R222W). The phenotype is likely to result from an abnormality of all three signaling centers in the developing limb resulting in ventralization with a loss of dorsal structures (aplasia/hypoplasia of nails) a loss of anterior–posterior identity (single distal bones in lower limb without polarity) and an outgrowth defect resulting in distal truncations. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Relation of coronary artery calcium to left ventricular mass and geometry in patients with essential hypertension

BackgroundThere is a close relationship between left ventricular hypertrophy and cardiovascular diseases that are observed in hypertension. In this study, the amount of coronary artery calcium, which is an indicator of atherosclerosis, has been measured and its relationship with left ventricular hypertrophy and geometry and other traditional risk factors has been investigated. DesignA total of 249 (104 females, 145 males) hypertensive asymptomatic patients, without diabetes with an average age of 55.09 ± 11.32 years were included in the study. Left ventricular mass of the patients was measured with M-mode echocardiography and coronary artery calcium with electron beam tomography. The average age of the patients who had calcium in their coronary arteries (CAC+) was 59.99 ± 9.85 years, and the average age of the ones without calcium (CAC−) was 49.29 ± 10.19 years. ResultsMean left ventricular mass index (LVMI) was measured as 130.18 ± 43.24 g/m2 in CAC+ patients and as 108.47 ± 29.09 g/m2 in CAC− patients. These two groups did not differ in terms of the parameters such as total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), triglyceride and uric acid levels, the presence of early coronary disease in the family and smoking. Patients who had calcium in their coronary arteries (CAC+) were more obese (P < 0.004). In the logistic regression analysis, we demonstrated that body mass index and age were the factors affecting the presence and amount of calcification seen in coronary arteries in left ventricular hypertrophy. In the analysis performed by taking left ventricular hypertrophy into consideration, mean calcium scores of the patients with normal remodeling, concentric remodeling, eccentric hypertrophy and concentric hypertrophy were 50.9 ± 187.4, 68.6 ± 159.3, 92.2 ± 160.2 and 315.4 ± 760.6, respectively. In the patients with concentric left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), the mean calcium scores of the coronary arteries and the rate of being CAC+ were significantly high, although these patients were also older. After linear regression, the relationship between concentric LVH and coronary artery calcium (CAC) was still significant. ConclusionIn conclusion, left ventricular hypertrophy that is observed in hypertension is an important risk factor for sub-clinical atherosclerosis. Concentric left ventricular hypertrophy is a more important risk factor than other geometric patterns.
Antihypertensive drug use during pregnancy: a population based study.

PURPOSE The study aimed at assessing if the European guideline on the use of antihypertensive drugs (AD) in pregnancy are followed in clinical practice. We also evaluated the association between the use of non-recommended drugs and individual characteristics. METHODS This study analyzed a cohort of 86 171 singleton deliveries occurring between 2009-2010 in the Lombardy region, Italy. Women with first prescription of AD during pregnancy were considered as incident users. Methyldopa, labetalol and nifedipine were considered as "recommended drugs"; all other AD were considered as "non-recommended". Odds Ratio and 95% confidence intervals were estimated. RESULTS Among the 1009 patients (1.2%) exposed to AD during pregnancy, 675 (66.9%) were incident users. Among the incident users, 31% received non-recommended drugs; this proportion decreased to 18% among women who started treatment in the third trimester. Women with at least four concomitant diseases had an elevated risk of receiving non-recommended drugs in pregnancy (OR 2.68; 95% CI 1.10-6.73). CONCLUSIONS Exposure to recommended antihypertensives increased during pregnancy. Nevertheless, a fraction of users that continued or began treatment with non-recommended medications was still present.
Alternative methods for CYP2D6 phenotyping: comparison of dextromethorphan metabolic ratios from AUC, single point plasma, and urine.

PURPOSE CYP2D6 is a high polymorphic enzyme. Determining its phenotype before CYP2D6 substrate treatment can avoid dose-dependent adverse events or therapeutic failures. Alternative phenotyping methods of CYP2D6 were compared to aluate the appropriate and precise time points for phenotyping after single-dose and ultiple-dose of 30-mg controlled-release (CR) dextromethorphan (DM) and to explore the antimodes for potential sampling methods. METHODS This was an open-label, single and multiple-dose study. 21 subjects were assigned to receive a single dose of CR DM 30 mg orally, followed by a 3-day washout period prior to oral administration of CR DM 30 mg every 12 hours for 6 days. Metabolic ratios (MRs) from AUC∞ after single dosing and from AUC0-12h at steady state were taken as the gold standard. The correlations of metabolic ratios of DM to dextrorphan (MRDM/DX) values based on different phenotyping methods were assessed. Linear regression formulas were derived to calculate the antimodes for potential sample methods. RESULTS In the single-dose part of the study statistically significant correlations were found between MRDM/DX from AUC∞ and from serial plasma points from 1 to 30 hours or from urine (all p-values < 0.001). In the multiple-dose part, statistically significant correlations were found between MRDM/DX from AUC0-12h on day 6 and MRDM/DX from serial plasma points from 0 to 36 hours after the last dosing (all p-values < 0.001). Based on reported urinary antimode and linear regression analysis, the antimodes of AUC and plasma points were derived to profile the trend of antimodes as the drug concentrations changed. CONCLUSION MRDM/DX from plasma points had good correlations with MRDM/DX from AUC. Plasma points from 1 to 30 hours after single dose of 30-mg CR DM and any plasma point at steady state after multiple doses of CR DM could potentially be used for phenotyping of CYP2D6.
Breaking Bad Behaviors: A New Tool for Learning Classroom Management Using Virtual Reality

This article presents an immersive Virtual Reality (VR) system for training classroom management skills, with a specific focus on learning to manage disruptive student behaviour in face-to-face, one-to-many teaching scenarios. The core of the system is a real-time 3D virtual simulation of a classroom, populated by twenty-four semi-autonomous virtual students. The system has been designed as a companion tool for classroom management seminars in a syllabus for primary and secondary school teachers. Whereby, it will allow lecturers to link theory with practice, using the medium of VR. The system is therefore designed for two users: a trainee teacher and an instructor supervising the training session. The teacher is immersed in a real-time 3D simulation of a classroom by means of a head-mounted display and headphone. The instructor operates a graphical desktop console which renders a view of the class and the teacher, whose avatar movements are captured by a marker-less tracking system. This console includes a 2D graphics menu with convenient behaviour and feedback control mechanisms to provide human-guided training sessions. The system is built using low-cost consumer hardware and software. Its architecture and technical design are described in detail. A first evaluation confirms its conformance to critical usability requirements (i.e., safety and comfort, believability, simplicity, acceptability, extensibility, affordability and mobility). Our initial results are promising, and constitute the necessary first step toward a possible investigation of the efficiency and effectiveness of such a system in terms of learning outcomes and experience.
Schizophrenia endophenotypes as treatment targets

Schizophrenia is a complex disorder that encompasses several clinical symptom domains and functional impairments. Existing treatments are meager, effective only against positive symptoms without benefiting negative symptoms and functional impairments. The drug discovery process has focused mostly on targeting D2 dopamine receptors. This followed the serendipitous discovery of the antipsychotic effects of chlorpromazine in the 1950s and, more recently, clozapine. There is a need to identify novel mechanisms in order to discover novel drugs that are effective against each of the symptom clusters and functional impairments associated with the illness. Neurophysiological studies in schizophrenia over the past 3 decades have identified several brain deficits that are stable, using valid animal models that are related to the etiology of the disorder. Many of these deficits are distinct and heritable; these are called endophenotypes. Many have well-characterized neurobiology and may therefore provide molecular targets for drug development. In addition, these endophenotypes help reduce the heterogeneity by identifying homogeneous subgroups of patients with similar pathophysiology, symptoms and functional deficits. Clinical trials of drugs, whose development is based on an endophenotype, will have enhanced statistical power when the trial is carried out in an appropriate cohort of subjects using outcome measures related to the corresponding endophenotype. Furthermore, genes that are associated with these endophenotypes are beginning to be identified. These findings will identify novel molecular targets for drug development with treatment implications for clinical symptom complex and functional deficits marked by the endophenotype. As endophenotypes are present during childhood and adolescence, novel drugs that are developed on the basis of this subgroup could have implications for preventive strategies in schizophrenia.
Reasons for wanting to quit: ethnic differences among cessation-seeking adolescent smokers.

OBJECTIVE Enhancing adolescent cessation requires an understanding of approaches that will motivate youths to quit smoking. METHODS We compared reasons for wanting to quit expressed by European Americans to those of African American youths. Adolescent cessation-seeking smokers completed telephone interviews regarding their smoking behavior and reasons for wanting to quit in an open-ended format. Responses were then classified into nine categories. RESULTS Participants included 1,268 Baltimore-area adolescents (mean age 15.6 +/-1.7 years, 60% female, 58% European American, mean Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence 5.8 +/- 2.2). While both groups broadly cited health as the predominant reason for wanting to quit, chi-square analyses of further stratification of health into general, future, and current health concerns showed that European Americans were more likely to endorse current health reasons (P<.001), while African Americans were more likely to state general health reasons (P=.004). European Americans were more likely to state cost (P=.002) or to not give a reason for wanting to quit (P=.008), while African Americans more frequently reported a lack of positive (pharmacologic or social) reinforcement (P<.001). CONCLUSIONS The development of culturally tailored messages may help enhance smoking cessation efforts among adolescents.
Bicrystalline Grain Boundary and Hybrid SNS Junctions Based on Ba-122 Thin Films

To investigate the properties of iron-based superconductors, we examined different kinds of Josephson junctions using Co-doped Ba-122 thin films. Based on bicrystalline SrTiO3 substrates, we prepared grain boundary (GB) junctions, which showed clear Josephson effects. We present electrical measurements at varying temperatures and magnetic fields. Furthermore, we prepared hybrid junctions using a thin-film technique. Confined by a Ba-122 base electrode (S) and a PbIn counter electrode (S'), two different geometries of hybrid junctions are formed, i.e., a planar SNS' junction with a gold barrier (N) in between and an edge-type junction with an interface-engineered barrier. All three kinds of junctions showed asymmetric resistively shunted junction-like behavior with ICRN products of 20.2 μV (GB junctions), 18.4 μV (planar SNS' junctions), and 12.3 μV (edge-type junctions), respectively. An excess current could be observed at all junctions.
Do Gasoline Mergers Affect Consumer Prices? The Marathon Ashland Petroleum and Ultramar Diamond Shamrock Transaction

In 1999, Marathon Ashland Petroleum (MAP) acquired the Michigan assets of Ultramar Diamond Shamrock (UDS), which increased MAP’s share of terminal storage in Michigan from about 16 percent to about 25 percent and increased the share of gasoline stations bearing a MAP brand from about 16 percent to about 24 percent. In this paper, we examine whether this acquisition affected the retail price of gasoline. We use a difference‐in‐differences model to compare price movements in six Michigan cities affected by the acquisition with price movements in two nearby cities unaffected by the acquisition. Using this model, we find no evidence that this acquisition led to higher prices for consumers.
Strategies to teach oral English in seminars on current American issues for undergraduates in China

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to focus on details of strategies in classroom to inspire Chinese undergraduates to feel free in speaking English fluently and accurately without reliance on Chinese. Design/methodology/approach – The paper is based on the practice of oral English in immersed-English class of seminars on current American issues for undergraduates in China Findings – Strategies to teach class in English to Chinese undergraduates in immersed way: complete involvement motivate fully fair and transparent evaluation Originality/value – It is hands-on experience of the author. It focusses on the real practice of the class.
The Role of Endogeneity in the Relationship Between Education and Earnings: A Semiparametric Approach

Heckman et al. (1996) challenge the claim of Card and Krueger (1992) that returns to education for different states in US are approximately log-linear above the state-specific threshold level of schooling. Heckman et al. (2008) formally reject the hypothesis of linearity in returns to education in the Mincer regression under exogenous schooling and earnings. I test and reject the linearity assumption under endogeneity of schooling and earnings. I estimate the marginal rate of return to education using both a polynomial model and a semiparametric partial linear model based on the standard Mincer regression. To analyze the linearity assumption under endogeneity of schooling and earnings, I use a control function approach for IV estimation with spouse’s and parents’ education as instruments. Results suggest that estimates that do not account for endogeneity are biased downwards at the tails of the education spectrum and biased upwards for returns between middle-school and college education.
Establishment of Reference Ranges for Follitropin and Lutropin in Neonates, Infants, Children and Adolescents

Follitropin was determined in the sera of 645 probands, and lutropin in the sera of 649 probands between the ages of 5 days and 18 years (neonates, infants, children and adolescents), using microparticle-enzyme-immunoassays (MEIA) on the IMx from Abbott Laboratories. The proband collective was divided into 9 age groups and each group into males and females. In accordance with the recommendations of the International Federation of Clinical Chemistry, the 95% scatter range was taken as the reference range. In some age groups, the ranges for individual hormones showed a significant sex difference. Age groups without significant sex differences were combined and evaluated statistically as a single group. Only a few reference groups showed a normal Gaussian distribution. In addition to the 50th percentile, the 2.5th and 97.5th, or the zero and 95th percentiles were determined for all reference groups. Minimal and maximal values were also determined. The U-test of Mann & Whitney was used to test for significant differences between the individual reference groups. Groups showing no significant differences were combined, and reference ranges were finally calculated for follitropin and lutropin in the serum of healthy neonates, infants, children and adolescents.
Application of hybrid delta modulation for control of single-phase voltage source active rectifier

This contribution deals with a competitive control of the single-phase voltage source active rectifier based on a hybrid delta modulation. Main advantages of the presented control are a constant switching frequency of the converter, a direct control of the grid ac current and a harmonic grid current independent from waveform of the grid voltage. Proposed control is verified by simulations as well as by experiments made on designed laboratory prototype of active rectifier of rated power of 1.75kVA.
The Effects of Improshare on Productivity

Analyzing 112 responses to a 1988 questionnaire sent to all known users of IMPROSHARE, the author estimates the effects on productivity of this gain-sharing plan, which is being used by a growing number of companies. The data indicate that IMPROSHARE has led to significant increases in productivity. The median productivity increase was about 8% in the first year, and the cumulative productivity gains had risen to 17.5% by the third year, after which they began to level off. The mean productivity increases were even greater than the median increases and followed a similar pattern. The author finds that a sizable portion of the gains reflects reductions in defect and downtime rates, and that firm size was inversely related to productivity gains.