Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The difference between septated and nonseptated nuchal cystic hygroma in the early second trimester.

OBJECTIVE To compare nonseptated and septated cystic hygromas in terms of morphologic appearance and prognosis. METHODS During a 5-year period, 125 cases of nonseptated cystic hygroma were detected by transvaginal sonography among 7582 sonographic fetal scans (1.6%) in the first and early second trimesters. Twenty-five cases of septated cystic hygroma were detected in the same population. Fetal karyotype abnormalities; sonographic, morphologic, and histologic appearance; and pregnancy outcome were compared between the groups. RESULTS Whereas 98% of the nonseptated cystic hygromas were transient, only 44% of the 25 septated cystic hygromas were transient. Six of the 106 cases of nonseptated cystic hygroma that underwent karyotyping were dyskaryotic (5.7%), compared with a 72% (18 of 25) aneuploidy rate in the septated cystic hygromas. Only two cases of hydrops fetalis (1.7%) occurred among the nonseptated cystic hygromas, versus 40% (ten of 25) in the septated cystic hygromas. Fifteen percent of the nonseptated cystic hygromas had associated anomalies (17 of 115) versus 52% (13 of 25) in the septated counterpart. As compared with the septated group, the nonseptated cystic hygromas had a different sonographic, morphologic, and histologic appearance. The live-birth rate was 94% (108 of 115) in the nonseptated cystic hygromas, versus only 12% in the septated group. CONCLUSIONS This study confirms our previous suggestion that nonseptated cystic hygromas differ from septated lesions, not only in location and morphologic appearance, but also in prognosis.
Response of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) cultivars to integrated application of Zinc nutrient with water stress

To determine the effects of drought stress and Zinc fertilizer on yield, yield components and grain protein profiling pattern of chickpea a field experiment was conducted on a clay soil, in Bu-Ali Sina University of Hamedan, Iran. The experiment was a split- factorial design with three replications. The main treatment was drought stress (sever drought stress, moderate drought stress and no drought stress). The sub treatment was four cultivars of chickpea, Azad, Bivanij, Hashem and ILC482 and 2 Zn levels (using hand sprayer 1 L and control). The results showen that the effects of drought stress on yield and yield components, effect of cultivars on grain yield and protein yield were significant. With increasing level of drought stress yield, yield components and protein yield decreased. Therefore, Bivanij cultivar had highest production of chickpea (grain yield and grain protein yield) and Hashem cultivar had a lowest among of them. Application of Zinc fertilizer had better effect on grain yield, yield components and grain protein yield compared to the control and grain yield and biomass yield increased with application of it significantly. Therefore, we can increase yield and grain protein yield of chickpea by irrigation and application of Zinc fertilizer. Also the results revealed that drought stress and Zn fertilizer had not effects on grain protein banding patterns in chickpea cultivars.
Rethinking Atrous Convolution for Semantic Image Segmentation

In this work, we revisit atrous convolution, a powerful tool to explicitly adjust filter's field-of-view as well as control the resolution of feature responses computed by Deep Convolutional Neural Networks, in the application of semantic image segmentation. To handle the problem of segmenting objects at multiple scales, we design modules which employ atrous convolution in cascade or in parallel to capture multi-scale context by adopting multiple atrous rates. Furthermore, we propose to augment our previously proposed Atrous Spatial Pyramid Pooling module, which probes convolutional features at multiple scales, with image-level features encoding global context and further boost performance. We also elaborate on implementation details and share our experience on training our system. The proposed `DeepLabv3' system significantly improves over our previous DeepLab versions without DenseCRF post-processing and attains comparable performance with other state-of-art models on the PASCAL VOC 2012 semantic image segmentation benchmark.
Distribution of Amelotin in Mouse Tooth Development

Amelotin is expressed and secreted by ameloblasts in tooth development, but amelotin distribution during enamel development is not clear. In this report, we first investigated amelotin expression in developing teeth by immunohistochemistry. Amelotin was detected in the enamel matrix at the secretion and maturation stages of enamel development. Amelotin was also observed at Tomes' processes on the apical ends of secretory ameloblasts. We then compared amelotin gene expression with those of amelogenin, enamelin, and ameloblastin in the mandibles of postnatal mice by RT‐PCR. The expression of amelotin was detected as early as in postnatal day 0 mandibles and amelotin was coexpressed with amelogenin, ameloblastin, and enamelin during tooth development. These data strongly suggest that amelotin is an enamel matrix protein expressed at the secretion and maturation stages of enamel development. Anat Rec, 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Cutaneous Malignant Hemangioendothelioma: Clinical and Histopathological Observations of Nine Patients and a Review of the Literature

Nine patients with cutaneous malignant hemangioendothelioma (CMHE) were reported in Okinawa. All the patients were elderly, between 75 and 93 years of age. Four patients were males and five were female. The onset of the disease ranged from 1 to 9 months before the first visit. Eight patients had lesions on the scalp, and one, on the face and cheek. The lesions were in the form of exudative erythematous purpura, erythematous purpuric ulcers, and tumors. One patient developed a systematic metastasis involving the lungs, heart and intestine, and two patients had local metastasis to the cervical lymph nodes. Histopathologically, the tumor vessels were proliferated irregularly and showed anastomosis. The lumens were lined by large and atypical endothelial cells. Most of the specimens were infiltrated with large numbers of red blood cells. By electron microscope, Weibel‐palade bodies were found inside the tumor cells located at the peripheral part of the lesion. The patients were treated by irradiation, IL‐2 injection, and/or surgery. They were treated for 3 months to 2 years. Eight patients died between 4 to 24 months after the onset of disease and one has survived. The prognosis was poor.
Classifications of Atmospheric Circulation Patterns

We review recent advances in classifications of circulation patterns as a specific research area within synoptic climatology. The review starts with a general description of goals of classification and the historical development in the field. We put circulation classifications into a broader context within climatology and systematize the varied methodologies and approaches. We characterize three basic groups of classifications: subjective (also called manual), mixed (hybrid), and objective (computer‐assisted, automated). The roles of cluster analysis and principal component analysis in the classification process are clarified. Several recent methodological developments in circulation classifications are identified and briefly described: the introduction of nonlinear methods, objectivization of subjective catalogs, efforts to optimize classifications, the need for intercomparisons of classifications, and the progress toward an optimum, if possible unified, classification method. Among the recent tendencies in the applications of circulation classifications, we mention a more extensive use in climate studies, both of past, present, and future climates, innovative applications in the ensemble forecasting, increasing variety of synoptic–climatological investigations, and steps above from the troposphere. After introducing the international activity within the field of circulation classifications, the COST733 Action, we briefly describe outputs of the inventory of classifications in Europe, which was carried out within the Action. Approaches to the evaluation of classifications and their mutual comparisons are also reviewed. A considerable part of the review is devoted to three examples of applications of circulation classifications: in historical climatology, in analyses of recent climate variations, and in analyses of outputs from global climate models.
Determinants of Callbacks to Job Applications: An Audit Study

We summarize findings from an audit study investigating how unemployment duration, age, and holding a low-level "interim" job affect the likelihood that experienced college-educated females applying for administrative support jobs receive a callback from potential employers. The results show no relationship between callback rates and unemployment duration. In contrast, workers age 50 and older and workers with an "interim" job are significantly less likely to receive callbacks. We also summarize disparate findings in the growing literature of resume-based audit studies of career histories, and discuss avenues in which the literature could achieve results that are more comparable and externally valid.
Accuracy of transcranial color Doppler ultrasonography in the diagnosis of middle cerebral artery spasm determined by receiver operating characteristic analysis.

OBJECT The value of transcranial Doppler ultrasonography for the detection of middle cerebral artery (MCA) spasm has been asserted. None of the published studies, however, has adequately scrutinized the overall diagnostic accuracy of this procedure. There are only sporadic reports concerning the utility of transcranial color Doppler (TCCD) ultrasonography, although this method has been proved to be more precise. In this study the authors attempted to estimate the performance of TCCD ultrasonography in detecting MCA narrowing by using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, based on TCCD studies obtained in a relatively large, randomly selected population of patients. METHODS Transcranial color Doppler ultrasonography studies were obtained in 100 consecutive patients (54 men and 46 women ages 18-74 years, median age 50 years) routinely referred by neurosurgeons for intraarterial angiography. The M1 segment of the MCA was insonated using a 2.5-MHz probe via a temporal acoustic window, and angle-corrected flow velocities were obtained. Angiographically depicted vasospasm was graded as none, mild (< or = 25% vessel caliber reduction), and moderate to severe (> 25% vessel caliber reduction). The effectiveness of TCCD ultrasonography in diagnosing MCA spasm was evaluated by calculating the areas under the ROC curves (Az). Of the 200 MCAs examined, 173 were successfully visualized with the aid of TCCD ultrasonography. Mild vasospasm was angiographically diagnosed in 15 arteries and moderate-to-severe vasospasm in 28. The best-performing TCCD parameter for the detection of MCA narrowing was revealed to be peak systolic velocity. The Az value for moderate-to-severe vasospasm only was 0.93 and that for all vasospasms was 0.8. The best efficiency, that is, the optimal tradeoff between sensitivity and specificity in diagnosing vasospasms, was associated with a peak systolic velocity of 182 cm/second. CONCLUSIONS The performance of TCCD ultrasonography in the diagnosis of advanced MCA narrowing is very good, and is acceptable for all vasospasms. The best-performing parameter was peak systolic velocity.
Intrapartum Fever and Unexplained Seizures in Term Infants

Objective. Early-onset neonatal seizures are a strong predictor of later morbidity and mortality in term infants. Although an association of noninfectious intrapartum fever with neonatal seizures in term infants has been reported, it was based on only a small number of neonates with seizures. We therefore conducted a case control study to investigate this association further. Methods. All term infants with neonatal seizures born at Brigham and Women's Hospital between 1989 and 1996 were identified. For this study, cases consisted of all term neonates with a confirmed diagnosis of seizure born after a trial of labor for whom no proximal cause of seizure could be identified. Infants with sepsis or meningitis were excluded. Four controls matched by parity and date of birth were identified for each case. The rate of intrapartum maternal temperature >100.4°F was compared for case infants and controls. Potential confounding was controlled in logistic regression analysis. Results. Cases comprised 38 term infants with unexplained seizures after a trial of labor. We identified 152 controls. Infants with seizures were more likely to be born to mothers who were febrile during labor (31.6% vs 9.2%). In almost all cases, the fever developed during labor (94.7% cases, 97.4% controls). At admission, mothers of infants with seizures were not significantly more likely to have factors associated with concern about infection such as a white blood cell count >15 000/mm3 (28.9% vs 19.1%) and premature rupture of the membranes (15.8% vs 17.8%). In a logistic regression analysis controlling for confounding factors, intrapartum fever was associated with a 3.4-fold increase in the risk of unexplained neonatal seizures (odds ratio = 3.4, 95% confidence interval = 1.03–10.9). Conclusion. Our data indicate that intrapartum fever, even when unlikely to be caused by infection, is associated with a fourfold increase in the risk of unexplained, early-onset seizures in term infants.
Early aggressive care and delayed recovery from whiplash: isolated finding or reproducible result?

OBJECTIVE To test the reproducibility of the finding that early intensive care for whiplash injuries is associated with delayed recovery. METHODS We analyzed data from a cohort study of 1,693 Saskatchewan adults who sustained whiplash injuries between July 1, 1994 and December 31, 1994. We investigated 8 initial patterns of care that integrated type of provider (general practitioners, chiropractors, and specialists) and number of visits (low versus high utilization). Cox models were used to estimate the association between patterns of care and time to recovery while controlling for injury severity and other confounders. RESULTS Patients in the low-utilization general practitioner group and those in the general medical group had the fastest recovery even after controlling for important prognostic factors. Compared with the low-utilization general practitioner group, the 1-year rate of recovery in the high-utilization chiropractic group was 25% slower (adjusted hazard rate ratio [HRR] 0.75, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 0.54-1.04), in the low-utilization general practitioner plus chiropractic group the rate was 26% slower (HRR 0.74, 95% CI 0.60-0.93), and in the high-utilization general practitioner plus chiropractic combined group the rate was 36% slower (HRR 0.64, 95% CI 0.50-0.83). CONCLUSION The observation that intensive health care utilization early after a whiplash injury is associated with slower recovery was reproduced in an independent cohort of patients. The results add to the body of evidence suggesting that early aggressive treatment of whiplash injuries does not promote faster recovery. In particular, the combination of chiropractic and general practitioner care significantly reduces the rate of recovery.
Testicular fine-needle aspiration versus testicular open biopsy: Comparable sperm retrieval rate in selected patients

Background: Sperm recovery by testicular fine-needle aspiration (TESA) has resulted in variable sperm retrieval rate (SRR) and is generally considered inferior to open biopsy (testicular sperm extraction [TESE]). Aims: To develop a predictive model for SRR by TESA and to identify factors associated with comparable SRR between TESA and TESE. Settings and Design: Single-center controlled cross-sectional study on 450 infertile men with nonobstructive azoospermia. Materials and Methods: Clinical, paraclinical, and histological information of patients were gathered. All patients underwent both TESA and TESE in a single operation. Predictors of SRR by TESA were identified, and the accuracy of TESA in predicting the outcome of TESE was determined. Statistical Analysis Used: Categorical and continuous variables were compared using independent t test and —chi-square test. Logistic regression model was applied to develop a predictive model for SRR by TESA. Receiver Operating Characteristics (ROC) curve analysis was used to determine the accuracy of TESA in predicting TESE outcome. Results: Sperm retrieval rate for TESA and TESE was 41.8 and 50.9%, respectively (P = 0.04). Age, duration of infertility, testis volume, luteinizing hormone, prolactin, and testosterone did not differ between patients with and without mature sperm in TESA samples. Serum follicular-stimulating hormone (FSH) < 15 IU/l (Exp (B) = 4.8, 95% CI: 1.4–18.5; P = 0.001) and histology of hypospermatogenesis (Exp (B) = 6.4, 95% CI: 2.1–27.4; P < 0.001) were predictors of SRR by TESA. In patients with FSH < 15 IU/l (57.4% versus 59.5%; Area under the curve (AUC) = 0.907) and testicular histology of hypospermatogenesis (68.0% versus 70.5%; AUC = 0.890), the SRR by TESA was predictive of SRR by TESE. Conclusions: Serum FSH and testicular pathology were predictors of SRR by TESA. Patients with FSH < 15 IU/l and/or testicular pathology of hypospermatogenesis had comparable SRR by TESA versus TESE.
Compressed-air energy storage power plant investments under uncertain electricity prices: an evaluation of compressed-air energy storage plants in liberalized energy markets

In this paper a combined approach is introduced, integrating electricity prices simulated with the help of a financial model into an optimization model that evaluates a compressed-air energy storage (CAES) plant investment. The financial model based on a regime-switching approach delivers suitable price paths. Based on these price paths, the optimization model maximizes the annual return of the CAES plant, taking bidding strategies on the spot and reserve power markets into account. A Monte Carlo simulation is carried out for the annual return, which, in turn, is used to determine the expected net present value (NPV). A negative NPV is obtained when applying an interest rate of 6%. Thus, the investment in current CAES plants is not attractive, as energy companies generally expect an annual yield over 8%.
Effect of pressure of helium, argon, krypton, and xenon on the porosity, microstructure, and mechanical properties of commercially pure titanium castings.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM Porosity is a frequently observed casting defect in dental titanium alloys. PURPOSE This study evaluated the effect of pressure of helium, argon, krypton, and xenon on the porosity, microstructure, and mechanical properties of commercially pure titanium (cp Ti) castings. MATERIAL AND METHODS Eight groups (A-H) of 16 rectangular wax patterns each (30 mm in length, 3 mm in width, and 1 mm in depth) were prepared. The wax patterns were invested with a magnesia-based material and cast with cp Ti (grade II). Groups A, C, E, and G were cast under a pressure of 1 atm, and groups B, D, F, and H were cast under a pressure of 0.5 atm of He, Ar, Kr, and Xe, respectively. The extent of the porosity of the cast specimens was determined radiographically and quantified by image analysis. Three specimens of each group and 3 cylinders of the as-received cp Ti used as a reference were embedded in resin and studied metallographically after grinding, polishing, and chemical etching. These surfaces were used for determination of the Vickers hardness (VHN) as well. Eight specimens from each group were fractured in the tensile mode, and the 0.2% yield strength, fracture stress, and percentage elongation were calculated. Porosity was analyzed with 2-way ANOVA and the Newman-Keuls multiple range test. VHN measurements and tensile properties for specimen groups were compared with 1-way ANOVA and the Newman-Keuls multiple range test (95% significance level). RESULTS The porosity levels per group were (%): A = 5.50 +/- 4.34, B = 0.77 +/- 1.27, C = 2.44 +/- 3.68, D = 0.06 +/- 0.12, E-H = 0. Two-way ANOVA showed that there was no detectable interaction (P<.05) between gas type and applied pressure. Metallographic examination revealed no differences in microstructure among the groups studied. A finer grain size was observed in all cast groups compared with the original cp Ti. The VHN of the as-received cp Ti was significantly greater than all the cast groups tested. Groups cast under He showed the highest VHN, yield strength, and fracture stress. No significant differences were found in percentage elongation values among the groups. CONCLUSION Porosity and mechanical properties of cp Ti castings are dependent on the gas type and pressure, whereas the microstructure remains unaffected.
How Chief Digital Officers Promote the Digital Transformation of their Companies

Chief Digital Officers (CDOs) are establishing themselves as new executives at the top management level of companies that go through a digital transformation. We present six case studies of CDOs and describe how they fulfill their positions. From these cases, we identify the main factors that drive the employment of CDOs, the three role types that CDOs primarily play and the skills and competencies they should have for each role type.
Dietary fats and membrane function: implications for metabolism and disease

Lipids play varied and critical roles in metabolism, with function dramatically modulated by the individual fatty acid moities in complex lipid entities. In particular, the fatty acid composition of membrane lipids greatly influences membrane function. Here we consider the role of dietary fatty acid profile on membrane composition and, in turn, its impact on prevalent disease clusters of the metabolic syndrome and mental illness. Applying the classical physiological conformer‐regulator paradigm to quantify the influence of dietary fats on membrane lipid composition (i.e. where the membrane variable is plotted against the same variable in the environment ‐ in this case dietary fats), membrane lipid composition appears as a predominantly regulated parameter. Membranes remain relatively constant in their saturated (SFA) and monounsaturated (MUFA) fatty acid levels over a wide range of dietary variation for these fatty acids. Membrane composition was found to be more responsive to n‐6 and n‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) levels in the diet and most sensitive to n‐3 PUFA and to the n‐3/n‐6 ratio. These differential responses are probably due to the fact that both n‐6 and n‐3 PUFA classes cannot be synthesised de novo by higher animals. Diet‐induced modifications in membrane lipid composition are associated with changes in the rates of membrane‐linked cellular processes that are major contributors to energy metabolism. For example, in the intrinsic activity of fundamental processes such as the Na+/K+ pump and proton pump‐leak cycle. Equally, dietary lipid profile impacts substantially on diseases of the metabolic syndrome with evidence accruing for changes in metabolic rate and neuropeptide regulation (thus influencing both sides of the energy balance equation), in second messenger generation and in gene expression influencing a range of glucose and lipid handling pathways. Finally, there is a growing literature relating changes in dietary fatty acid profile to many aspects of mental health. The understanding of dietary lipid profile and its influence on membrane function in relation to metabolic dysregulation has exciting potential for the prevention and treatment of a range of prevalent disease states.