Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy for Detection of 2-Hydroxyglutarate as a Biomarker for IDH Mutation in Gliomas

Mutations in the isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH)1/2 genes are highly prevalent in gliomas and have been suggested to play an important role in the development and progression of the disease. Tumours harbouring these mutations exhibit a significant alteration in their metabolism resulting in the aberrant accumulation of the oncometabolite 2-hydroxygluarate (2-HG). As well as being suggested to play an important role in tumour progression, 2-HG may serve as a surrogate indicator of IDH status through non-invasive detection using magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS). In this review, we describe the recent efforts in developing MRS methods for detection and quantification of 2-HG in vivo and provide an assessment of the role of the 2-HG in gliomagenesis and patient prognosis.
Seasonal dynamics of tuberculosis epidemics and implications for multidrug-resistant infection risk assessment

SUMMARY Understanding how seasonality shapes the dynamics of tuberculosis (TB) is essential in determining risks of transmission and drug resistance in (sub)tropical regions. We developed a relative fitness-based multidrug-resistant (MDR) TB model incorporated with seasonality and a probabilistic assessment model to assess infection risk in Taiwan regions. The model accurately captures the seasonal transmission and population dynamics of TB incidence during 2006–2008 and MDR TB in high TB burden areas during 2006–2010 in Taiwan. There is ∼3% probability of having exceeded 50% of the population infected attributed to MDR TB. Our model not only provides insight into the understanding of the interactions between seasonal dynamics of TB and environmental factors but is also capable of predicting the seasonal patterns of TB incidence associated with MDR TB infection risk. A better understanding of the mechanisms of TB seasonality will be critical in predicting the impact of public control programmes.
Myocardial Protection after Systemic Application of L-Arginine during Reperfusion

The L-arginine-nitric oxide (NO) pathway plays an important role in ischemia-reperfusion injury. In the present study we investigated the role of NO-precursor L-arginine on cardiac and pulmonary function after reversible hypothermic ischemia. Twelve anesthetized dogs underwent cardiopulmonary bypass. After 60 minutes of hypothermic cardiac arrest, reperfusion was started with application of either saline vehicle (control, n = 6) or L-arginine (40 mg/kg i.v. bolus then 3 mg/kg i.v. infusion during the first 20 minutes of reperfusion, n = 6). The vasodilative response to acetylcholine was significantly higher in the L-arginine group (P < 0.05). The preload recruitable stroke work of the left ventricle decreased significantly after reperfusion, however remained unchanged in the L-arginine group. Arterial blood gas analysis did not show any difference between the two groups. Plasma L-arginine concentration reached peak level at 20 minutes of administration (675.0 ± 66.6 versus 207.7 ± 14.5 in the L-arginine group, P < 0.05) and returned to baseline at 40 minutes, while in the control group remained unchanged during ischemia and reperfusion (276.2 ± 71.6 versus 283.8 ± 38.5, P < 0.05). Plasma nitrite concentration followed L-arginine changes parallel, however nitrate levels increased slower. Supplementation with L-arginine during reperfusion prevents myocardial and endothelial dysfunction, however does not have any overriding effect on pulmonary function. Considerably rapid elimination of plasma L-arginine was demonstrated during early reperfusion.
Tension changes during and after stretch in frog muscle fibres

1. Small fibre bundles from the semitendinosus muscles of the frog were stretched during tetanic stimulation, and the resulting tension changes were studied over a wide range of stretch velocities from 0·1 to 150 cm/sec (0·1–100 length/sec). The experiments were performed within the range of fibre lengths where the resting tension was negligible.
Underpricing of Ipos and the Certification Role of Venture Capitalists: Evidence from Germany's Neuer Markt

This paper analyses the underpricing of IPOs and the role of venture capitalists in solving the underpricing problem for a data set of 124 venture capital backed and 184 non-venture capital backed companies that went public on Germany's Neuer Markt between March 1997 and May 2001. The slightly mitigated underpricing of venture capital backed IPOs becomes insignificant after controlling for ex-ante uncertainty and underwriter reputation with an interactive dummy variable approach. The two groups of companies do not differ either with respect to their risk characteristics or with respect to the reputation of the underwriter. However, venture capital backed companies that are underwritten by top banks seem to be underpriced more than their non-Venture Capital backed counterparts. Similarly, the impact of a similar level of ex-ante uncertainty on underpricing appears to be much weaker for venture capital backed IPOs. Therefore, this study provides evidence for different investor-perceptions of venture capital backed companies and supports a competitive rather than complementary interaction of venture capitalists and underwriters.
Effects of Hyperglycemia on Glucose Production and Utilization in Humans: Measurement With [23H]-, [33H]-, and [614C]Glucose

Studies with tritiated isotopes of glucose have demonstrated that hyperglycemia per se stimulates glucos utilization and suppresses glucose production in humans. These conclusions rely on the assumption that tritiated glucose provides an accurate measure of glucose turnover. However, if in the presence of hyperglycemia the isotope either loses its label during “futile” cycling or retains its label during cycling through glycogen, then this assumption is not valid. To examine this question, glucose utilization and glucose production rates were measuredin nine normal subjects with a simultaneous infusion of [23H]glucose, an isotope that may undergo futile cycling but does not cycle through glycogen; [614C]glucose, an isotope that may cycle through glycogen but does not futile cycle; and [33H]glucose, an isotope that can both undergo futile cycling and cycle through glycogen. In the postabsorptive state at plasma glucose concentration of 95 mg dl−1, glucose turnover determined with [614C]glucose (2.3 ±0.1 mg kg−1 min−1) was greater than that determined with [33H]glucose (2.1 ± 0.1 mg kg−1 min−1 P = 0.002) and slightly less than that determined with [23H]glucose (2.7 ± 0.2 mg kg−1 min−1 P = 0.08). Plasma glucose was then raised from 95 to 135 to 175 mg dl−1 while insulin secretion was inhibited, and circulating insulin, glucagon, and growth hormone concentrations were maintained constant by infusion of these hormones and somatostatin. Glucose production and utilization rates determined with [614C]-glucose continued to be less than those determined with [23H]glucose and greater than those seen with [33H]glucose. However, the decrements in glucose production and increments in glucose utilization were identical with all isotopes. Glucagon was then infused at a high rate to stimulate endogenous glucose release. This resulted in a significant (P < 0.05) increase in both [614C]- and [33H]- but not [23H]giucose, indicating release of the former two isotopes from glycogen. This resulted in a significantly lower (P < 0.04) estimate of glucose production and utilization during the glucagon infusion determined with [614C]- and [33H]glucose compared with that determined with [23H]glucose. Thus, whereas neither [23H]- nor [33H]glucose precisely reflect glucose turnover measured by [614C]glucose, all three isotopes provide an equivalent assessment of the effects of hyperglycemia on glucose production and utilization in humans. However, release of either [614C]- or [33H]glucose from glycogen may result in an underestimate Of glucose turnover.
Value Implications of Corporate Branding in Mergers

Mergers are central to corporate growth strategies but they are disruptive events that cause customers, employees, and investors to reassess their relationships with the new merged entity. The choice of corporate branding is an important strategic decision in mergers as it provides a means to communicate context-appropriate positioning and messaging for the merged entity and can assist in securing the ongoing loyalty of customers, employees, and investors. We investigate the value implications of corporate branding in mergers. Using a sample of 216 large mergers undertaken during 1997–2006, we classify merger transactions into three groupings according to the post-merger corporate branding: acquisition (the identity of one of the merging companies is discarded and it is rebranded with the other firm’s name and symbol), business-as-usual (both firms continue to operate under their own corporate names and symbols), and amalgamation (elements of both corporate brands are maintained in the new brand). We undertake event study and time-varying calendar-time portfolio analyses to assess potential differences in the value implications of corporate branding in mergers. We find significant differences in the immediate market reaction to the merger announcements and significant differences in the post-merger performance across the three corporate branding types. Firms using the more expedient acquisition and business-as-usual branding strategies underperform firms that choose the more sophisticated amalgamation branding. Our findings provide insight into a signaling versus a market-based asset management role of corporate brands in mergers.
Empirical comparison study of approximate methods for structure selection in binary graphical models

Looking for associations among multiple variables is a topical issue in statistics due to the increasing amount of data encountered in biology, medicine, and many other domains involving statistical applications. Graphical models have recently gained popularity for this purpose in the statistical literature. In the binary case, however, exact inference is generally very slow or even intractable because of the form of the so‐called log‐partition function. In this paper, we review various approximate methods for structure selection in binary graphical models that have recently been proposed in the literature and compare them through an extensive simulation study. We also propose a modification of one existing method, that is shown to achieve good performance and to be generally very fast. We conclude with an application in which we search for associations among causes of death recorded on French death certificates.
Effect of stepped vs. continuous light curing exposure on bond strengths to dentin.

PURPOSE To compare the 10-min and 24-hr shear bond strengths of three dentin bonding systems, polymerized with either a standard (Optilux 401) light for 60 s, or a stepped curing light (Elipar Highlight) that delivered a low light intensity for 10 s followed by high intensity for 50 s. MATERIALS AND METHODS Three bonding systems were used to bond two resin-based composites (RBC) to dentin at 34 degrees +/- 2C using the two curing lights. Single Bond (SB) and Prime & Bond 2.1 (P&B) were used with Z100 RBC, and EBS bonding system was used with Pertac II RBC. Ten specimens from each combination were debonded at 37 degrees +/- 1C 10 min after starting to light cure the bonding system. Ten other specimens were stored in water at 37 degrees +/- 1C for 24 hrs before debonding at 37 degrees +/- 1C (total 120 teeth). RESULTS The 10-min mean shear bond strengths were: Standard Cure; EBS 11.9 +/- 2.9 MPa, SB 14.6 +/- 2.2 MPa, P&B 14.7 +/- 4.2 MPa: Stepped Curing; EBS 7.4 +/- 2.1 MPa, SB 13.0 +/- 3.6 MPa, P&B 15.6 +/- 4.8 MPa. The 24-hr mean shear bond strengths were: Standard Cure; EBS 14.8 +/- 5.1 MPa, SB 25.1 +/- 3.3 MPa, P&B 25.2 +/- 8.8 MPa: Stepped Curing; EBS 15.1 +/- 4.6 MPa, SB 21.9 +/- 5.9 MPa, P&B 17.3 +/- 9.2 MPa. Three way ANOVA showed significant main effects for light, bonding system and time and no 2- or 3-way interaction effects at P = 0.01. The Least-Squares Means test with Sidak's adjustment for Multiple Comparisons showed that the bond strengths obtained using the standard light were significantly greater than the bond strengths obtained using the stepped curing light (P < 0.01). The 24-hr bond strengths were significantly greater (P < 0.01) than the 10-min bond strengths. The bond strengths obtained with EBS were significantly less than SB and P&B (P < 0.01), but there were no significant differences between SB and PB (P = 0.9752).
Treatment of Actinic Keratoses: A Randomized Split-Site Approach Comparison of Sequential 5-Fluorouracil and 5-Aminolevulinic Acid Photodynamic Therapy to 5-Aminolevulinic Acid Photodynamic Monotherapy

BACKGROUND Actinic keratoses (AKs) are skin lesions resulting from sun exposure and carry a risk of developing into squamous cell carcinoma. Current therapies for AK eradication include topical 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and photodynamic therapy (PDT) with topical 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA). However, sequential therapy with 5-FU-ALA-PDT may offer improved outcome compared to ALA-PDT alone. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study is to compare the long-term efficacy of AK clearance by sequential therapy with 5-FU-ALA-PDT versus ALA-PDT alone. MATERIALS AND METHODS This is a single center, randomized split-site approach study on equivalent anatomical and clinical sites. Seventeen patients were enrolled with one half of the site randomized to receive sequential 5-FU-ALA-PDT and the other side with ALA-PDT monotherapy. Total AKs were counted at baseline, 6 and 12 months. RESULTS Median percentage reduction in AK number at 6 months for 5-FU-ALA-PDT versus ALA-PDT was 100% for 5-FU-ALA-PDT (N = 21) and 66.7% for ALA-PDT (N = 21), p = . 001. Median percentage reduction in AK number at 12 months for 5-FU-ALA-PDT versus ALA-PDT was 100% for 5-FU-ALA-PDT (N = 22) and 82.6% for ALA-PDT (N = 22), p = . 0002. CONCLUSION Sequential therapy with 5-FU-ALA-PDT is more effective at AK clearance at 6 and 12 months compared to ALA-PDT monotherapy.
Velocity based controllers for dynamic character animation

Dynamic character animation is a technique used to create character movements based on physics laws. Proportional derivative (PD) controllers are one of the preferred techniques in real time character simulations for driving the state of the character from its current state to a new target-state. In this paper is presented an alternative approach named velocity based controllers that are able to introduce into the dynamical system desired limbs relative velocities as constraints. As a result, the presented technique takes into account all the dynamical system to calculate the forces that transform our character from its current state to the target-state. This technique allows realtime simulation, uses a straightforward parameterization for the character muscle force capabilities and it is robust to disturbances. The paper shows the controllers capabilities for the case of human gait animation.
Noradrenaline‐induced Vasoconstriction in the Uterine Vascular Bed of Pregnant Rats Chronically Treated with l‐NAME: Role of Prostanoids

&NA; Vascular reactivity to vasoconstrictors has been observed in preeclamptic vessels. In this investigation, the possible role of endothelin‐1 and endoperoxide/thromboxane receptor activation in the exaggerated response of the uterine vascular bed from rats with experimentally induced preeclampsia‐like syndrome to noradrenaline was studied.
Short latency inhibition of human hand motor cortex by somatosensory input from the hand

1 EMG responses evoked in hand muscles by transcranial stimulation over the motor cortex were conditioned by a single motor threshold electrical stimulus to the median nerve at the wrist in a total of ten healthy subjects and in five patients who had electrodes implanted chronically into the cervical epidural space. 2 The median nerve stimulus suppressed responses evoked by transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) in relaxed or active muscle. The minimum interval between the stimuli at which this occurred was 19 ms. A similar effect was seen if electrical stimulation was applied to the digital nerves of the first two fingers. 3 Median or digital nerve stimulation could suppress the responses evoked in active muscle by transcranial electrical stimulation over the motor cortex, but the effect was much less than with magnetic stimulation. 4 During contraction without TMS, both types of conditioning stimuli evoked a cutaneomuscular reflex that began with a short period of inhibition. This started about 5 ms after the inhibition of responses evoked by TMS. 5 Recordings in the patients showed that median nerve stimulation reduced the size and number of descending corticospinal volleys evoked by magnetic stimulation. 6 We conclude that mixed or cutaneous input from the hand can suppress the excitability of the motor cortex at short latency. This suppression may contribute to the initial inhibition of the cutaneomuscular reflex. Reduced spinal excitability in this period could account for the mild inhibition of responses to electrical brain stimulation.
Assessing the Impact of the Phasing-out of the Agreement on Textiles and Clothing on Apparel Exports on the Least Developed and Developing Countries

On January 1, 2005, the Multifiber Arrangement (MFA), which establishes quotas on different categories of apparel and textile imports to the US and the EU, will be fully phased out. The quota system, which has been in force for nearly thirty years, has resulted in the global dispersion of textile and apparel production, by restricting imports from countries that – based on market conditions – would have a larger volume of exports were they not constrained by their quota allocations. There is concern among many developing countries that the elimination of quotas will result in a loss of apparel and textile exports to a relative handful of countries that will have a competitive advantage. This research addresses these questions, in an effort to better understand the dynamics of global sourcing in the textile and apparel industries. It is based primarily on a review of existing research, both macro-level research that simulates world trade patterns, and case studies of individual countries. It also examines World Bank data on textile and apparel exports. The study shows that large retailers play an increasingly important role in determining the nature apparel production, including a preference for lean retailing that favors Hong Kong, Taiwanese, Korean, and Chinese suppliers. The changing nature of production is discussed, including the importance of well-established relationships between Asian suppliers and U.S. and EU buyers – relationships that enable the Asian suppliers to operate effectively across many different countries. The impact of MFA phase-out is discussed, with special emphasis on several sub-Sahara African countries, for which some information is available concerning the role of foreign suppliers. The paper concludes with a number of policies that might mitigate the anticipated effects of MFA phase-out.
An integrated framework for customer value and customer‐relationship‐management performance: a customer‐based perspective from China

In the modern customer‐centred era, customer value is a strategic weapon in attracting and retaining customers. Delivering superior customer value has become a matter of ongoing concern in building and sustaining competitive advantage by driving customer‐relationship‐management (CRM) performance. However, related studies are rather divergent, the key dimensions of customer value remain unclear, and there is no agreement on the evaluation of CRM performance. This paper develops an integrative framework for customer value and CRM performance based on the identification of the key dimensions of customer value. Emphasising the customer equity‐based view, the paper explores the decomposed effects of customer value on CRM performance in terms of relationship quality and customer behaviours. In doing so, a structural equation model is developed using the partial least square method supported by an empirical investigation of customers in China.
Structural Change in the Economy of Nigeria

We document that structural change accounts for approximately one-fifth of the total change in labor productivity in Nigeria between 1996 and 2009. Labor moved out of the agricultural and wholesale and retail trade sectors into manufacturing, transportation and communications, business services, and general services. While structural change did occur in this period, significant gains to aggregate labor productivity are still available from further shifts of labor to higher-productivity sectors. We discuss the factors limiting structural change, which include poor agricultural productivity, insufficient infrastruc-ture to support high productivity sectors, and a lack of appropriate skills in the labor force. We calculate that the gains still available to Nigeria from structural change are equivalent to an increase in value-added of 25 percent, given the existing productivity levels of sectors in 2009.
Exploring the relationship between the severity of oligozoospermia and the frequencies of sperm chromosome aneuploidies

The study was aimed to investigate the association between the degree of oligozoospermia and sperm chromosome aneuploidy frequencies in male infertility and to determine whether chromosomal profiles of sperm nuclei would be used for a supportive test before additive reproduction technics. The meiotic segregation profiles of chromosomes X, Y, 13, 18 and 21 were compared by fluorescent in‐situ hybridisation (FISH) on the spermatozoa of 30 normally karyotyped oligozoospermic (10 mild, 11 moderate, nine severe) cases without Y‐microdeletions, and 10 normozoospermic cases. The results showed significantly higher frequencies of chromosomes 13, 18, 21 disomies (P < 0.001) in the group of patients with moderate and severe oligozoospermia compared with the disomy frequencies of normozoospermic group. The statistically significant differences were also determined in disomy frequencies of sex chromosomes (XY, XX and YY) in between oligozoospermic and normozoospermic groups (P < 0.001, P < 0.001, P < 0.040, respectively). Because oligozoospermic patients are the ones consulted the most for assisted reproductive techniques, identification of sperm aneuploidy rates in men could be considered as an appropriate supportive test before the reproductive implementations. Furthermore, the patients should be counselled with respect to genetic screening results for the potential risk of aneuploid embryo and pre‐implantation genetic diagnosis or prenatal diagnosis.
UK Myeloma Forum (UKMF) and Nordic Myeloma Study Group (NMSG): guidelines for the investigation of newly detected M‐proteins and the management of monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS)

Avon Haematology Unit, Bristol Haematology and Oncology Centre, Bristol, Department of Haematology, St Helier Hospital, Carshalton, Surrey, UK, Department of Haematology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden, Department of Medicine, Malmo University Hospital, Malmo, Sweden, Division of Immunity and Infection, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Frenchay Hospital, Bristol, Department Haematology, University College, London, Glasgow Western Infirmary, Glasgow, UK, Department of Haematology, NTNU/St Olavs Hospital, Trondheim, Department of Haematology, Ulleval University Hospital, Oslo, Norway, Department of Haematology Aalborg Hospital, Aarhus University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark, and Myeloma UK.