Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Prospective Study of Surgery for Primary Hyperparathyroidism (HPT) in Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia-Type 1 and Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome: Long-Term Outcome of a More Virulent Form of HPT

Background:Primary hyperparathyroidism (HPT) in multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1) patients with Zollinger-Ellison syndrome (ZES) is caused by parathyroid hyperplasia. Surgery for parathyroid hyperplasia is tricky and difficult. Long-term outcome in ZES/MEN1/HPT is not well known. Methods:Eighty-four consecutive patients (49 F/35 M) with ZES/MEN1/HPT underwent initial parathyroidectomy (PTX) and were followed at 1- to 3-year intervals. Results:Age at PTX was 36 ± 2 years. Mean follow-up was 17 ± 1 years. Before PTX, mean Ca = 2.8 mmol/L (normal level (nl <2.5), PTH i = 243 pg/mL (nl <65), and gastrin = 6950 pg/mL (nl < 100). Sixty-one percent had nephrolithiasis. Each patient had parathyroid hyperplasia. Fifty-eight percent of patients had 4 parathyroid glands identified. Nine of 84 (11%) had 4 glands removed with immediate autograft, 40/84 (47%) 3 to 3.5 glands, whereas 35/84 (42%) <3 glands removed. Persistent/recurrent HPT occurred in 42%/48% of patients with <3 glands, 12%/44% with 3 to 3.5 glands, and 0%/55% with 4 glands removed. Hypoparathyroidism occurred in 3%, 10%, and 22%, respectively. The disease-free interval after surgery was significantly longer if >3 glands were removed. After surgery to correct the HPT, each biochemical parameter of ZES was improved and 20% of patients no longer had laboratory evidence of ZES. Conclusions:HPT/MEN1/ZES is a severe form of parathyroid hyperplasia with a high rate of nephrolithiasis, persistent and recurrent HPT. Surgery to correct the hypercalcemia significantly ameliorates the ZES. Removal of less than 3.5 glands has an unacceptably high incidence of persistent HPT (42%), whereas 4-gland resection and transplant has a high rate of permanent hypoparathyroidism (22%). More than 3-gland resection has a longer disease-free interval. The surgical procedure of choice for patients with HPT/MEN1/ZES is 3.5-gland parathyroidectomy. Careful long-term follow-up is necessary as a significant proportion will develop recurrent HPT.
The Smile in Stochastic Volatility Models

We consider general stochastic volatility models with no local volatility component and derive the general expression of the volatility smile at order two in volatility-of-volatility. We show how, at this order, the smile only depends on three dimensionless numbers whose precise expressions as functionals of the model's spot/variance and variance/variance covariance functions we provide.Finally we assess the accuracy of our order two expansion using realistic levels of volatility-of-volatility.
Modeling the relationship between GDP and unemployment for Okun's law specific to Pakistan during 1976-2010

Okun’s law postulates a negative relationship between movements of the unemployment rate and the real gross domestic product (GDP). This article investigates the link between the real GDP growth and unemployment, as described by Okun’s law. For this purpose we have used time series annual data during the period 1976 to 2010 and used unit root test, Hodrick–Prescott filter and least square method to find the relationship between GDP growth and unemployment in Pakistan. The empirical analysis shows that a rise of one percentage point of unemployment is associated with a decline of 0.36 percentage point of real GDP growth.
Redundantly actuated 3-RRR spherical parallel manipulator used as a haptic device: improving dexterity and eliminating singularity

SUMMARY This paper discusses the study of a spherical parallel manipulator (SPM) used as a haptic device for tele-operation applications. The SPM presents poor behavior in singular configurations. Redundancy is used to eliminate the parallel singularity without major changes in the mechanical structure. Comparisons in terms of kinematic and dynamic behavior between the non-redundant and redundant SPM are presented. The results prove the advantage of introducing redundancy in the actuator and sensor to improve the behavior of the SPM. A new control strategy for the redundant SPM is also proposed. The control strategy has been successfully tested and validated on a SimMechanics model.
Monetary Policy and the Balance of Payments in Mexico, 1955-75

IN THIS PAPER we examine the balance of payments and monetary policies in Mexico during the fixed exchange rate period 1955-75. The hypothesis tested is that the balance of payments is determined by the incipient state of excess demand for money a variant of the so-called monetary approach to the balance of payments. We feel that this theory is well suited to Mexico during the Sxed rate period for two reasons. First, it is a relatively small economy that faces prices for goods and capital that are determined on world markets and over which it has little control. Second, though considered an underdeveloped country, Mexico has a relatively advanced financial structure headed by a central bank, which, over most of the period, was concerned with the external balance (the balance of payments) as well as internal economic development. Thus Mexico offers not only the conditions necessary for testing a monetary model of a small open economy, but it also adds interesting economic insights into the model's policy use, especially since Mexican economic development depended greatly upon an expanding and maturing financial structure. For both political and economic reasons, one of the most important goals for Mexican monetary policy was the maintenance of a fixed exchange rate. To maintain the stable exchange rate and to achieve the goals of stable prices and of
Language disorders in children with central nervous system injury

Children with injury to the central nervous system (CNS) exhibit a variety of language disorders that have been described by members of different disciplines, in different journals, using different descriptors and taxonomies. This paper is an overview of language deficits in children with CNS injury, whether congenital or acquired after a period of normal development. It first reviews the principal CNS conditions associated with language disorders in childhood. It then describes a functional taxonomy of language, with examples of the phenomenology and neurobiology of clinical deficits in children with CNS insults. Finally, it attempts to situate language in the broader realm of cognition and in current theoretical accounts of embodied cognition.
Small parathyroid adenoma associated with hyperactive bone demonstrated by Tc-99m MIBI scintiscan.

A 58-year-old man patient with a history of hyperparathyroidism with recurrent renal stones was evaluated by ultrasonography of the neck and Tc-99m methoxy isobutyl isonitrile (MIBI) scintigraphy. Both imaging modalities correctly visualized a parathyroid adenoma. Increased Tc-99m MIBI uptake was noted in the sternum, clavicle, and shoulders. These findings are the result of hyperactive bone turnover rate occurring secondary to the hyperparathyroidism
COMMON TRENDS AND COMMON CYCLES IN REGIONAL CRIME

This paper uses the Vahid and Engle (Journal of Applied Econometrics, 8, 341-360, 1993) common trend - common cycle approach to model the dynamics of regional crime rates in England over the period 1975-1996. The evidence indicates the existence of common trends and common cycles in regional crime rates. This result is exploited to examine the system-wide effects of shocks emanating in a particular region.
The Effect of Environmental Concerns and Governmental Incentives on Organized Action in Local Areas

In this article, the determinants of collective action on local issues are studied. A theoretical model is developed in which organized neighborhood action is a function of neighborhood environmental concerns, the social composition of residents, and political incentives available to the community. The model is tested using data collected from neighborhood associations. Concerns with potential neighborhood change increase the number of actions taken to influence decision makers. The more the political incentives allocated by the city government, the less likely is the association to engage in collective action. Political incentives are allocated to associations located in wealthy neighborhoods, and these associations are less active.
Policy Implementation in Israel: The Loss of Governmental Capacity

Abstract This article examines the governmental capacity and assesses the factors that prevent Israeli governments from achieving their specific goals. The case of the fuel and gas depot in Gelilot points to inherent structural difficulties in the implementation of policy in Israel. The theoretical framework makes use of three different conceptual approaches: policy networks, policy implementation, and a descriptive model that focus on intra-network dynamics. It was founded that different government agencies shaped policy that had been changed rapidly because lack of institutional stability and short ministerial term in office. These inherent changes turned the governmental capacity to a dead-end.
Negotiating about the Residential Environment: It is Not Only Money that Matters

In the housing development process, negotiations take place between public and private parties about who is going to finance projects that should improve residential quality. In this paper, an analytical framework is developed for understanding these negotiations in different forms which the development process can take. Part of the expenditure on the residential environment is fixed by quality standards. Another part is directly related to the development: the developer pays for the 'on-site' services. Both forms of expenditure can be seen as costs. They influence the development gain remaining. Projects aimed at increasing the residential quality have to be paid out of this remaining gain (i.e. they do not raise the price of the housing). Therefore, the negotiations are about the use of the development gain. For the outcome of these negotiations, three things are of central importance: How much money is available? Who has the money? And who has power to influence the use to which the money is put? This is illustrated by a comparison of the development process in Great Britain and the Netherlands. The value of the framework is demonstrated by applying it to recent changes in the Netherlands.
Transforming Growth Factor- (cid:1) 1 Is Up-Regulated by Podocytes in Response to Excess Intraglomerular Passage of Proteins A Central Pathway in Progressive Glomerulosclerosis

Chronic diseases of the kidney have a progressive course toward organ failure. Common pathway mechanisms of progressive injury, irrespectively of the etiology of the underlying diseases, include glomerular capillary hypertension and enhanced passage of plasma proteins across the glomerular capillary barrier because of impaired permselective function. These changes are associated with podocyte injury and glomerular sclerosis. Direct evidence for causal roles is lacking, particularly for the link between intraglomerular protein deposition and sclerosing reaction. Because transforming growth factor- (cid:1) 1 (TGF- (cid:1) 1) is the putative central mediator of scarring, we hy-pothesized that TGF- (cid:1) 1 can be up-regulated by protein overload of podocytes thereby contributing to sclerosis. In rats with renal mass reduction, protein accumulation in podocytes as a consequence of enhanced transcapillary passage preceded podocyte dedifferentiation and injury, increase in TGF- (cid:1) 1 expression in podocytes, and TGF- (cid:1) 1-dependent activation of mesangial cells. Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor prevented both accumulation of plasma proteins and TGF- (cid:1) 1 overexpression in podocytes and sclerosis.
Estimating Individual Ambiguity Aversion: A Simple Approach

We introduce a simple, easy to implement instrument for jointly eliciting risk and ambiguity attitudes. Using this instrument, we structurally estimate a two-parameter model of preferences. Our findings indicate that ambiguity aversion is significantly overstated when risk neutrality is assumed. This highlights the interplay between risk and ambiguity attitudes as well as the importance of joint estimation. In addition, over our stakes levels we find no difference in the estimated parameters when incentives are real or hypothetical, raising the possibility that a simple hypothetical question can provide insights into an individuals preferences over ambiguity in such economic environments.
A new option for definitive burn wound closure – pair matching type of retrospective case–control study of hand burns in the hospitalised patients group in the Dr Stanislaw Sakiel Centre for Burn Treatment between 2009 and 2015

Nearly 80% of all burns include the hands of affected individuals. Skin grafting is the gold standard in burns treatment, but in the case of the burn wound bed, it may require the necessity of utilising skin substitutes to facilitate closure. The aim of this study is to assess the impact of a porcine‐derived wound dressing (Oasis™) for application to hand burns compared to a synthetic dressing (Suprathel™). Comparative assessments were made, including the time to heal, quality of healing and pain intensity. A retrospective, unblinded, matching pair case‐control of hand burns was performed. A control group of 24 patients was treated with Suprathel dressing, and a study group of six patients underwent application of the Oasis dressing. The wound healing process was evaluated by taking histopathological specimens and also utilising the Bates‐Jensen Wound Assessment Tool. A 10‐cm Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) was used for pain assessment. Other parameters measured included dressing loss because of infection and the need of rehabilitation. The progress of wound healing on the fourth day in the study group was 30%. A decrease in the level of pain was recorded on the fourth day after surgery. There was a decrease of 5% in the risk of rehabilitation in the treatment group.
Crossing the line: boundaries of workplace humour and fun

Purpose – This paper aims to present exploratory, empirical data from an ethnographic study into workplace humour and fun. It explores the notion that workplace humour and fun are influenced by the creation of boundaries that either enable or constrain activities.Design/methodology/approach – Qualitative data were gathered from four New Zealand companies within different industries. Mixed methods were used and included semi‐structured interviews, participant observation and document collection.Findings – The findings suggest that organisational culture is influential in boundary creation. In three formal companies, boundaries for humour and fun activities were narrower, and this constrained humour activities. In an informal company, wider boundaries resulted in humour activities that were unrestrained which created an unusual and idiosyncratic company identity.Research limitations/implications – It would be useful to replicate this exploratory research in different workplace sectors and environments.Origi.
The role of the mesolimbic dopamine system in the formation of blood-oxygen-level dependent responses in the medial prefrontal/anterior cingulate cortex during high-frequency stimulation of the rat perforant pathway

Several human functional magnetic resonance imaging studies point to an activation of the mesolimbic dopamine system during reward, addiction and learning. We previously found activation of the mesolimbic system in response to continuous but not to discontinuous perforant pathway stimulation in an experimental model that we now used to investigate the role of dopamine release for the formation of functional magnetic resonance imaging responses. The two stimulation protocols elicited blood-oxygen-level dependent responses in the medial prefrontal/anterior cingulate cortex and nucleus accumbens. Inhibition of dopamine D1/5 receptors abolished the formation of functional magnetic resonance imaging responses in the medial prefrontal/anterior cingulate cortex during continuous but not during discontinuous pulse stimulations, i.e. only when the mesolimbic system was activated. Direct electrical or optogenetic stimulation of the ventral tegmental area caused strong dopamine release but only electrical stimulation triggered significant blood-oxygen level-dependent responses in the medial prefrontal/anterior cingulate cortex and nucleus accumbens. These functional magnetic resonance imaging responses were not affected by the D1/5 receptor antagonist SCH23390 but reduced by the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonist MK801. Therefore, glutamatergic ventral tegmental area neurons are already sufficient to trigger blood-oxygen-level dependent responses in the medial prefrontal/anterior cingulate cortex and nucleus accumbens. Although dopamine release alone does not affect blood-oxygen-level dependent responses it can act as a switch, permitting the formation of blood-oxygen-level dependent responses.
Visitors’ acceptance of negative ecological impacts in national parks: comparing the explanatory power of psychographic scales in a Norwegian mountain setting

Even in protected areas, it is inevitable that any human use will produce some impact on natural resources. This study identifies visitors’ tolerance of potential negative ecological impacts from tourism activities and facilities in a Norwegian national park context, based on park visitors’ expressed degree of acceptance of negative effects on particular species of wildlife (wild reindeer and raptors) and on vegetation. Attitudes were analysed using psychographic scales, reflecting respondents’ nature orientations, their specific facility desires, their preferences in a wilderness setting and their concerns about human interaction with the natural environment. Fourteen research hypotheses were tested. Findings demonstrated that the psychographic scales explained more variation in attitudes than most social background and trip characteristics. Higher levels of education among visitors were strongly associated with increased ecological concern; age and gender were not. There was generally strong ecological awareness and eco-centrism among park visitors in general, with a small proportion of wilderness purists. Better trail conditions, signposting and interpretation were sought. But park visitors were also found to possess a complex mixture of needs and drivers. The study found significant potential for strategic alliances between tourism and conservation interests, and key value issues for park governance systems.
The Pricing of Initial Public Offerings: A Dynamic Model with Information Production

This paper presents an information-theoretic model of initial public offering pricing in which insiders sell stock in both the initial public offering and the secondary market, have private information about their firm's prospects, and outsiders may engage in costly information production about the firm. High-value firms, knowing they are going to pool wit h low-value firms, induce outsiders to engage in information productio n by underpricing, which compensates outsiders for the cost of produci ng information. The information is reflected in the secondary market pr ice of equity, giving a higher expected stock price for high-value firms. Copyright 1993 by American Finance Association.
Bacteria associated with pyothorax of dogs and cats: 98 cases (1989-1998).

OBJECTIVE To determine the organisms most commonly isolated from pleural fluid from dogs and cats with pyothorax. DESIGN Retrospective study. ANIMALS 51 dogs and 47 cats. PROCEDURE Results of bacteriologic culture of pleural fluid samples obtained by means of thoracentesis were obtained from medical records. To obtain information on in vitro antimicrobial susceptibility of organisms commonly isolated from dogs and cats, records of all dogs and cats examined during 1998 were reviewed, and information was obtained on identity and in vitro antimicrobial susceptibility of aerobic organisms isolated from samples other than urine or urinary tract samples. RESULTS Median ages of dogs and cats were 4 years. Bacteria were isolated from pleural fluid samples from 47 of 51 (92%) dogs and 45 of 47 (96%) cats. Obligate anaerobic bacteria were isolated from 28 dogs and 40 cats. A mixture of obligate anaerobic and facultative bacteria was isolated from 17 dogs and 20 cats. Samples from cats most often yielded a member of the nonenteric group (most commonly members of the genus Pasteurella), whereas those from dogs more often yielded a member of the family Enterobacteriaceae (most commonly E coli). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results suggest that antimicrobial agents chosen for the initial treatment of dogs and cats with pyothorax should be active against a mixture of obligate anaerobic and facultative bacteria.
Aging in Healthy Communities and Neighborhoods: Organizational Coalitions and Participatory Research

This article is an evaluation of community projects that apply participatory research and/or interdisciplinary practice to the planning of health and social programs for the aging. Methods of group participant observation and interviewing are used to compare two projects in the same city: 1) “Healthy Communities” organizational and professional coalition; and 2) “Healthy Neighborhoods” interviews and mobilization of residents, extended to citywide community health assessment and outreach. 2 Both projects apply state, national, and international models to develop local responsibility for health and social planning, using contrasting perspectives, with different outcomes and implications for policy and research.
Recent advances in antiretroviral drugs

Importance of the field: Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Although the combination therapies of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) have significantly contributed to virological suppression, improved immune function and quality of life, issues such as tolerability, drug–drug interactions and cross-resistance amongst members of a particular drug class still pose a significant barrier to long-term successful treatment. There is a constant need for newer anti HIV drugs with increased potency and improved pharmacokinetic properties either in the existing classes or drugs from new classes that target several new steps in HIV replication cycle. Areas covered in this review: The authors have discussed newer antiretroviral drugs belonging to second-generation nucleoside analog reverse transcriptase inhibitors (amdoxovir, elvucitabine, apricitabine, racivir), non-nucleoside analog reverse transcriptase inhibitors (etravirine, rilpivirine), protease inhibitors (darunavir, tipranavir) as well as emerging new classes, i.e., fusion inhibitors (enfuvirtide, sifuvirtide), CCR5 inhibitors (maraviroc, vicriviroc, PRO 140, PRO 542), CD4-receptor inhibitors (ibalizumab), integrase inhibitors (raltegravir, elvitegravir, GSK-1349572), maturation inhibitors (bevirimat), cobicistat (pharmacoenhancer), lens epithelium-derived growth factor inhibitors and capsid assembly inhibitors. What the reader will gain: The reader will gain an understanding of the mechanism of action, mechanism of resistance, stages of development and important clinical trials related to the newer antiretroviral drugs and future potential of these drugs. Take home message: The initial clinical trial data of these newer drugs are very encouraging for the long-term successful control of HIV in both treatment-naïve and treatment-experienced patients.