Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of Quantitative Magnetic Resonance Imaging Contrasts in MRI‐Negative Refractory Focal Epilepsy

Summary: Purpose: Conventional optimal MRI is unremarkable in 20%–30% of patients with intractable focal epilepsy. These MRI‐negative patients are the most challenging in surgical programs. Our aim was to evaluate the yield and utility of quantitative MRI with novel contrasts in MRI‐negative patients with refractory focal epilepsy, who were potential surgical candidates.
Utran Long Term Evolution in 3GPP

The 3rd Generation Partner Ship Project (3GPP) produced the first version of WCDMA standard in the end of 1999, which is the basis of the Universal Mobile Telephone System (UMTS) deployed in the field today. This release, called release 99, contained all the basic elements to meet the requirements for IMT-2000 technologies. Release 5 introduced the high speed downlink packet access (HSDPA) in 2002, enabling now more realistic 2 Mbps and even beyond with data rates up to 14 Mbps. Further Release 6 followed with high speed uplink packet access (HSUPA) in end of 2004, with market introduction expected in 2007. Alongside with on-going further WCDMA development, work on evolved universal terrestrial radio access (UTRA) has been initiated in 3GPP. The objective of evolved UTRA is to develop a framework for the evolution of the 3GPP radio-access technology towards wider bandwidth, lower latency and packet-optimized radio-access technology with peak data rate capability up to 100 Mbps. This paper introduces the requirements, the current state of progress in 3GPP, findings on the performance, agreed architecture as well as expected schedule for actual specification availability
Trends of cutaneous melanoma in The Netherlands: increasing incidence rates among all Breslow thickness categories and rising mortality rates since 1989.

BACKGROUND It has been debated that the epidemic of melanoma is largely due to overdiagnosis, since increases in incidence were mainly among thin melanomas and mortality rates remained stable. Our objective was to examine this controversy in The Netherlands. PATIENTS AND METHODS Information on newly diagnosed melanoma patients was obtained from The Netherlands Cancer Registry. European Standardized Rates and estimated annual percentage change were calculated for the period 1989-2008. Cohort-based, period-based and multivariate survival analyses were carried out. RESULTS The incidence rate of melanoma increased with 4.1% (95% confidence interval 3.6-4.5) annually. Incidence rates of both thin melanomas (≤ 1 mm) and thick melanomas (> 4 mm) increased since 1989. Mortality rates increased mainly in older patients (> 65 years). Ten-year relative survival of males improved significantly from 70% in 1989-1993 to 77% in 2004-2008 (P < 0.001) and for females the 10-year relative survival increased from 85% to 88% (P < 0.01). Recently diagnosed patients had a better prognosis even after adjusting for all known prognostic factors. CONCLUSION Since incidence of melanomas among all Breslow thickness categories increased as well as the mortality rates, the melanoma epidemic in The Netherlands seems to be real and not only due to overdiagnosis.
Unilateral placement of metallic stents for malignant hilar obstruction: a prospective study.

BACKGROUND Palliation of patients with malignant hilar stenoses, especially advanced lesions, by stent insertion poses particular difficulties. This study assessed the efficacy of endoscopically inserted unilateral metallic stents for complex malignant hilar obstruction. METHODS A prospective, uncontrolled, single-center study was conducted by using a cohort of 61 patients with malignant hilar obstruction. A single, unilateral metallic stent was inserted across the stricture into the duct that technically was easiest to access. Patients were evaluated 1 month after stent placement and, thereafter, every 3 months. RESULTS Successful stent insertion was achieved in 59 of 61 (96.7%) patients. In 3 of 61 (4.9%) cases, stent malfunction occurred. Successful drainage was achieved in 59 of 61 (96.7%) patients and complete resolution of jaundice in 86% of cases. Early complications included cholangitis in 3 of 61 (4.9%) patients and stent occlusion in 2 of 61 (3.2%). Late stent occlusion occurred in 14 of 61 (22.9%) patients, including 10 (16.3%) cases of cholangitis and one of liver abscess. Median stent patency was 169 days. Median patient survival was 140 days. CONCLUSIONS Unilateral metallic stent insertion is safe, feasible, and achieves adequate drainage in the great majority of patients with nonresectable hilar cholangiocarcinoma.
The Homeostasis Model Assessment-insulin Resistance Index Is Inversely Associated with Serum Carotenoids in Non-diabetic Subjects

BACKGROUND Carotenoids may reduce the risk for diabetes mellitus, but little is known about the association of insulin resistance with serum carotenoids in non-diabetic subjects. This study aimed to investigate whether the homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) index would be lower in the presence of high serum carotenoid concentrations in non-diabetic subjects. METHODS A total of 812 subjects (256 males and 556 females) who had received health examinations in 2003 participated in the study. The associations of the serum-carotenoid concentrations and HOMA-IR were evaluated cross-sectionally. The multivariate-adjusted geometric means of HOMA-IR by the tertiles of the serum carotenoid concentration were calculated after adjusting for age, body mass index, systolic blood pressure, total cholesterol, triacylglycerols, current tobacco use, regular alcohol intake, exercise habits and total energy intake. Associations among high HOMA-IR (3.0+ mU×mmol/L2) across tertiles of serum carotenoid concentration were assessed by tests for logistic regression analysis. RESULTS In male subjects, the multivariate adjusted geometric mean of HOMA-IR was inversely associated with the serum β-cryptoxanthin concentrations. In female subjects, an inverse association of the serum carotenoid concentration and HOMA-IR was observed in lycopene, β-cryptoxanthin, and zeaxanthin. The confounding factor-adjusted odds ratios (OR) for high HOMA-IR on the highest tertiles of serum α-carotene, β-carotene, β-cryptoxanthin, and zeaxanthin were 0.18 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.06-0.52], 0.22 (95% CI: 0.07-0.67), 0.34 (95% CI: 0.12-0.96), and 0.30 (95% CI: 0.11-0.79), respectively, in male subjects. On the other hand, in female subjects, the adjusted OR for high HOMA-IR on the highest tertiles of serum lycopene and β-cryptoxanthin were 0.39 (95% CI: 0.21-0.73) and 0.51 (95% CI: 0.28-0.95), respectively. CONCLUSIONS The serum antioxidant carotenoids were inversely associated with HOMA-estimated insulin resistance in non-diabetic subjects.
CD39+Foxp3+ Regulatory T Cells Suppress Pathogenic Th17 Cells and Are Impaired in Multiple Sclerosis1

Despite the fact that CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ regulatory T cells (Treg cells) play a central role in maintaining self-tolerance and that IL-17-producing CD4+ T cells (Th17 cells) are pathogenic in many autoimmune diseases, evidence to date has indicated that Th17 cells are resistant to suppression by human Foxp3+ Treg cells. It was recently demonstrated that CD39, an ectonucleotidase which hydrolyzes ATP, is expressed on a subset of human natural Treg cells. We found that although both CD4+CD25highCD39+ and CD4+CD25highCD39− T cells suppressed proliferation and IFN-γ production by responder T cells, only the CD4+CD25highCD39+, which were predominantly FoxP3+, suppressed IL-17 production, whereas CD4+CD25highCD39− T cells produced IL-17. An examination of T cells from multiple sclerosis patients revealed a normal frequency of CD4+CD25+CD127lowFoxP3+, but interestingly a deficit in the relative frequency and the suppressive function of CD4+CD25+CD127lowFoxP3+CD39+ Treg cells. The mechanism of suppression by CD39+ Treg cells appears to require cell contact and can be duplicated by adenosine, which is produced from ATP by the ectonucleotidases CD39 and CD73. Our findings suggest that CD4+CD25+Foxp3+CD39+ Treg cells play an important role in constraining pathogenic Th17 cells and their reduction in multiple sclerosis patients might lead to an inability to control IL-17 mediated autoimmune inflammation.
Appositional enamel growth in molars of South African fossil hominids

Enamel is formed incrementally by the secretory activity of ameloblast cells. Variable stages of secretion result in the formation of structures known as cross striations along enamel prisms, for which experimental data demonstrate a correspondence with daily periods of secretion. Patterns of variation in this daily growth are important to understanding mechanisms of tooth formation and the development of enamel thickness. Transmitted light microscopy (TLM) of histological ground sections and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of bulk specimens or their surface replicas are the usual methods for investigating cross striations. However, these methods pose some constraints on the study of these features in Plio‐Pleistocene hominid enamel, the specimens of which may only rarely be sectioned for TLM or examined on only their most superficial surfaces for SEM. The recent development of portable confocal scanning optical microscopy (PCSOM) resolves some of the restrictions on fractured enamel surfaces, allowing the visualization of cross striations by direct examination. This technology has been applied here to the study of Australopithecus africanus and Paranthropus robustus hominid molars from the Plio‐Pleistocene of South Africa. We hypothesize that these taxa have increased enamel appositional rates compared with modern humans, because despite having thicker enamelled molars (particularly P. robustus), the enamel crowns of these fossil taxa take an equivalent or reduced amount of time to form. Cross striations were measured in cuspal, lateral and cervical regions of the enamel crowns, and, within each region, the inner, middle and outer zones. Values obtained for A. africanus outer zones of the enamel crown are, in general, lower than those for P. robustus, indicating faster forming enamel in the latter, while both taxa show higher rates of enamel growth than modern humans and the African great apes. This demonstrates a relatively high degree of variability in the mechanisms underlying the development of enamel across taxa.
The importance of parenting in the development of disorganized attachment: evidence from a preventive intervention study in adoptive families.

BACKGROUND As infant disorganized attachment is a serious risk factor for later child psychopathology, it is important to examine whether attachment disorganization can be prevented or reduced. METHOD In a randomized intervention study involving 130 families with 6-month-old adopted infants, two attachment-based intervention programs were tested. In the first program, mothers were provided a personal book, and in the second program mothers received the same personal book and three home-based sessions of video feedback. The third group did not receive intervention (control group). RESULTS The intervention with video feedback and the personal book resulted in enhanced maternal sensitive responsiveness (d=.65). Children of mothers who received this intervention were less likely to be classified as disorganized attached at the age of 12 months (d=.46), and received lower scores on the rating scale for disorganization than children in the control group (d=.62). In the book-only intervention group children showed lower disorganization ratings compared to the control group, but no effect on the number of infants with disorganized attachment classifications was found. CONCLUSION Our short-term preventive intervention program with video feedback and a book lowered the rate of disorganized attachment. The effectiveness of our intervention documents the importance of parenting in the development of infant attachment disorganization.
Influence of price and brand image on restaurant customers’ restaurant selection attribute

ABSTRACT The study examines the influence of price and brand image on three major restaurant quality attributes (ambiance, food quality, and service quality). A total number of 363 cases from the survey were used to assess the proposed model for structural equation modeling. The results of this study indicated that brand image significantly affected customers’ restaurant attribute preference. Living status (residents vs. tourists) partially affected customers’ restaurant attribute preference. This study provides valuable information about restaurant customers’ preferences. The results also demonstrate how restaurant operators attract new customers and retain existing customers by improving their ambiance, food, and service quality.
The effects of seating position on the respiratory patterns of preschoolers with cerebral palsy

This study investigated the respiratory patterns in upright and semi-reclining seating positions in 10 preschoolers with cerebral palsy (CP) and 10 typical children. The duration of inhalation, exhalation, total cycle, subcycles and phase lags were calculated during rest and during imitation of 3-, 7-, and 10-syllable utterances on one breath. The Respitrace was used to gather respiratory data on duration and chest wall usage. Tidal breathing demonstrated a faster rate of breathing in reclining for both groups. A difference between the groups in the use of the regions of the chest wall was also evident with the CP group having longer abdominal cycles than the control group. During speech, the groups differed in duration of respiratory cycle and region initiating movement. The duration of the 3- and 7-syllable tasks were significantly longer for the group with cerebral palsy. Indications of strategies to control the recoil forces of the chest wall for speech are discussed.
Advantages and disadvantages of posterolateral approach for percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy.

BACKGROUND Percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy (PELD) is one of the less invasive treatments for lumbar disc herniation (LDH), and has 3 different operative approaches. This study focused on the posterolateral approach (PLA) and investigated the appropriate operative indication. METHODS PLA was performed in 29 patients with foraminal and extraforaminal LDH. The height and width of the foramen, LDH type, and positional relationship between LDH and the foramen were radiologically evaluated. Foraminoplasty was also performed in 12 cases including those combined with intra-canal LDH or osseous foraminal stenosis. Pre- and postoperative status was evaluated using Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) scores. RESULTS Patient mean age was 56.8 years; there was single-level involvement at L3/4 (13 cases) and at L4/5 (13 cases). The mean pre- and postoperative NRS scores were 6.1 and 1.8, respectively. Early recurrence developed in a patient who was found to have local scoliosis at the corresponding vertebral level. CONCLUSIONS PLA can be safely used to treat foraminal and extraforaminal LDH with foraminal height ≥13 mm and foraminal width ≥7 mm. The procedure is effective for preserving the facet joint; however, we should carefully consider the indications when local scoliosis and/or instability are present.
Postpartum screening after gestational diabetes mellitus: Aiming for universal coverage

These rates stand in stark contrast to the success achieved by our colleagues in paediatrics and community health, who target the same population (mothers) to ensure universal immunization coverage of their infants. This editorial focuses on the opportunity provided by postpartum screening, discusses how to achieve universal screening in women with a history of GDM, and the optimize use of this window to help change the natural history of diabetes.
Use of forensic accounting techniques in the detection of fraud in tertiary institutions in Anambra State, Nigeria

This study investigated the extent of use of forensic accounting techniques in the detection of fraud in tertiary institutions in Anambra State, Nigeria. One research question guided the study and one null hypothesis was tested. Related literature pertinent to the study was reviewed which exposed the need for the study. Descriptive survey research design was adopted and a population of 280 accounting officers in universities, polytechnics and colleges of education in Anambra State were studied without sampling. Questionnaire developed by the researcher was used for data collection. Data were analyzed using mean, standard deviation and one way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). Mean was used to answer the research question and standard deviation was used to explain how the responses of the accounting officers varied. ANOVA was used to test the hypothesis at 0.05 level of significance. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) was used to analyze data collected. The results showed that accounting officers in tertiary institutions in Anambra State use forensic accounting techniques to a high extent in the detection of fraud. The results also showed that the accounting officers in universities, polytechnics and colleges of education differed significantly in their mean ratings on the use of forensic accounting techniques in the detection of management fraud in tertiary institutions in Anambra State. Scheffe post hoc test of multiple comparisons was conducted to determine the direction of the difference. Based on the findings, the researcher recommended, among others, that accounting officers should be aware of the benefits of forensic accounting techniques in detecting fraud in their establishments and the severity of financial fraud as well as susceptibility of their organizations to fraud. Keywords: Forensic accounting, techniques, fraud detection and management fraud
Characterization of the hcnABC Gene Cluster Encoding Hydrogen Cyanide Synthase and Anaerobic Regulation by ANR in the Strictly Aerobic Biocontrol Agent Pseudomonas fluorescens CHA0

ABSTRACT The secondary metabolite hydrogen cyanide (HCN) is produced byPseudomonas fluorescens from glycine, essentially under microaerophilic conditions. The genetic basis of HCN synthesis inP. fluorescens CHA0 was investigated. The contiguous structural genes hcnABC encoding HCN synthase were expressed from the T7 promoter in Escherichia coli, resulting in HCN production in this bacterium. Analysis of the nucleotide sequence of the hcnABC genes showed that each HCN synthase subunit was similar to known enzymes involved in hydrogen transfer, i.e., to formate dehydrogenase (for HcnA) or amino acid oxidases (for HcnB and HcnC). These similarities and the presence of flavin adenine dinucleotide- or NAD(P)-binding motifs in HcnB and HcnC suggest that HCN synthase may act as a dehydrogenase in the reaction leading from glycine to HCN and CO2. The hcnApromoter was mapped by primer extension; the −40 sequence (TTGGC … .ATCAA) resembled the consensus FNR (fumarate and nitrate reductase regulator) binding sequence (TTGAT … .ATCAA). The gene encoding the FNR-like protein ANR (anaerobic regulator) was cloned from P. fluorescens CHA0 and sequenced. ANR of strain CHA0 was most similar to ANR of P. aeruginosa and CydR of Azotobacter vinelandii. An anr mutant of P. fluorescens (CHA21) produced little HCN and was unable to express an hcnA-lacZ translational fusion, whereas in wild-type strain CHA0, microaerophilic conditions strongly favored the expression of the hcnA-lacZ fusion. Mutant CHA21 as well as an hcn deletion mutant were impaired in their capacity to suppress black root rot of tobacco, a disease caused by Thielaviopsis basicola, under gnotobiotic conditions. This effect was most pronounced in water-saturated artificial soil, where the anr mutant had lost about 30% of disease suppression ability, compared with wild-type strain CHA0. These results show that the anaerobic regulator ANR is required for cyanide synthesis in the strictly aerobic strain CHA0 and suggest that ANR-mediated cyanogenesis contributes to the suppression of black root rot.
External Stress Early Warning Indicators

We examine the determinants of external stress episodes through probit analysis, focusing on the role of foreign liabilities in order to build an external crisis early warning indicator for a set of selected EMU countries. We use a panel country data spanning 1970-2011 from External Wealth Dataset (Phillip Lane). Our results show that the ratio of net and gross foreign liabilities to GDP and current account balances — which measure external debt accumulation speed — are significant stress predictors, although (net) FDI liabilities seem an offset factor. Early warning indicators are based on a signalling approach and exploit panel dimension of the data to develop a country specific indicator. We find that EMU peripheral countries’ external indebtedness remains higher than risk threshold, in spite of the external adjustment accumulated in the last years in some countries. This result highlights the necessity of going on structural reforms that reinforce competitiveness of these economies.
The material point method for simulating continuum materials

Simulating the physical behaviors of deformable objects and fluids has been an important topic in computer graphics. While the Lagrangian Finite Element Method (FEM) is widely used for elasto-plastic solids, it usually requires additional computational components in the case of large deformation, mesh distortion, fracture, self-collision and coupling between materials. Often, special solvers and strategies need to be developed for a particular problem. Recently, the hybrid Eulerian/Lagrangian Material Point Method (MPM) was introduced to the graphics community. It uses a continuum description of the governing equations and utilizes user-controllable elasto-plastic constitutive models. The hybrid nature of MPM allows using a regular Cartesian grid to automate treatment of self-collision and fracture. Like other particle methods such as Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics (SPH), topology change is easy due to the lack of explicit connectivity between Lagrangian particles. Furthermore, MPM allows a grid-based implicit integration scheme that has conditioning independent of the number of Lagrangian particles. MPM also provides a unified particle simulation framework similar to Position Based Dynamics (PBD) for easy coupling of different materials. The power of MPM has been demonstrated in a number of recent papers for simulating various materials including elastic objects, snow, lava, sand and viscoelastic fluids. It is also highly integrated into the production framework of Walt Disney Animation Studios and has been used in featured animations including Frozen, Big Hero 6 and Zootopia.
Chemoresistance of CD133+ cancer stem cells in laryngeal carcinoma.

BACKGROUND Mounting evidence suggests that tumors are histologically heterogeneous and are maintained by a small population of tumor cells termed cancer stem cells. CD133 has been identified as a candidate marker of cancer stem cells in laryngeal carcinoma. This study aimed to analyze the chemoresistance of CD133(+) cancer stem cells. METHODS The response of Hep-2 cells to different chemotherapeutic agents was investigated and the expression of CD133 was studied. Fluorescence-activated cell sorting analysis was used to identify CD133, and the CD133(+) subset of cells was separated and analyzed in colony formation assays, cell invasion assays, chemotherapy resistance studies, and analyzed for the expression of the drug resistance gene ABCG2. RESULTS About 1% - 2% of Hep-2 cells were CD133(+) cells, and the CD133(+) proportion was enriched by chemotherapy. CD133(+) cancer stem cells exhibited higher potential for clonogenicity and invasion, and were more resistant to chemotherapy. This resistance was correlated with higher expression of ABCG2. CONCLUSIONS This study suggested that CD133(+) cancer stem cells are more resistant to chemotherapy. The expression of ABCG2 could be partially responsible for this. Targeting this small population of CD133(+) cancer stem cells could be a strategy to develop more effective treatments for laryngeal carcinoma.