Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
How to Assess Spatial Neglect - Line Bisection or Cancellation Tasks?

Spatial neglect is usually assessed using cancellation tests or line bisection. A recent comparison of these tests has revealed a double dissociation, in which one neglect patient was impaired in line bisection but not in star cancellation whereas another showed the reverse deficit. This dissociation has prompted the question whether neglect is still a meaningful theoretical entity. We compared line bisection and cancellation tasks regarding their accuracy in detecting spatial neglect. We tested 35 patients with well-defined spatial neglect using a line bisection task and four different cancellation tasks. The line bisection test missed 40% of our neglect patients. Far superior were the letter cancellation and bells tests, each of which missed only 6% of the cases. A deviation in line bisection is not fundamentally related to spatial neglect, but may also arise from other causes (e.g., hemianopia, or which hand is used), and therefore, should be treated with caution in clinical diagnosis. Cancellation tests, such as the bells test and letter cancellation, are more helpful tools to detect spatial neglect.
A Risk-Neutral Approach for the Evaluation of NPLs

This paper describes a new methodology which allows banks to evaluate non-performing loans (NPL) using a risk-neutral approach. In more detail, it illustrates the methodological framework behind the definition of the risk-neutral expected loss used to estimate the loans fair value. The risk-neutral expected loss is calculated by extending the Merton framework for modeling corporate liabilities. The proposed risk-neutral approach is suitable at producing estimates, in a fair value computation context, that are as close as possible to the exit price as mandated by IFRS-13 and is not biased by the stressed market conditions often observed on defaulted debt. In this context the pricing model is able to provide good estimates especially when applied to large portfolios (where the diosyncratic risk is low) and is requiring few parameters to work: the expected recovery, the recovery time, the market risk-premium and the default vintage. A model that can help the banks to estimate a “fair” price for this kind of asset can help in reducing the difference between the asked price (for a bank often is the book value) and the offered market price, facilitating the development of a market for NPLs.
Treatment strategy to eradicate Helicobacter pylori infection: impact of pharmacogenomics-based acid inhibition regimen and alternative antibiotics

The eradication rates of Helicobacter pylori by the triple therapy consisting of a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) and two antimicrobial agents are mainly influenced by bacterial susceptibility to antimicrobial agents and magnitude of acid inhibition during the treatment with a PPI. Acid inhibition during the treatment is affected by the dosing schemes of acid inhibitory drugs (i.e., PPI), genotypes of drug-metabolizing enzymes (i.e., CYP450 2C19), drug transporters (i.e., multi-drug resistant transporter-1) and inflammatory cytokines (i.e., IL-1β). Modification of dosing schedules of a PPI, such as frequent PPI dosing and concomitant dosing with a histamine 2-receptor antagonist, could overcome these genetics-related differences in therapeutic effectiveness. For attaining higher eradication rates, the tailored regimen based on the relevant pharmacogenomics is preferable.
Examining the Satisfaction Level of Construction Workers Regarding Safety Management in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

The importance of the construction industry in Saudi Arabia cannot be overemphasised, as it provides the infrastructure required for other sectors of the economy to grow, thus reflecting the level of economic development in the country. However, in Saudi Arabia, the construction industry is among the most hazardous, with a high level of accidents and fatalities. This study examines health and safety practices in the construction industry of Saudi Arabia and identifies opportunities for improvement. It also discusses the safety climate. The study adopted a quantitative approach in which a survey questionnaire was distributed and returned at a 60% response rate. The survey data were analysed using descriptive statistics with SPSS statistical software. The findings show that the Saudi Arabia construction industry has made improvements in health and safety standards; however, there are opportunities for further improvement. There are on-going efforts to maintain reasonable health and safety standards for employees on-site, but conditions off-site, particularly those of migrant employees on fixed-term labour contracts, are difficult. Unpaid wages and lack of welfare facilities contribute to physical and psychological stresses that are linked to impaired on-site performance, lack of motivation, lack of productivity and a lack of interest in adhering to health and safety guidelines. The study concludes that it is possible to improve health and safety in the construction industry through the effective enforcement of existing health and safety laws, enacting legislation regarding off-site health and safety for migrant workers, maintaining a fund for social security, and improving the regulation of commercial and contractual transactions. This study contributes to the knowledge of government policy and decision making in implementing health and safety regulations in the construction industry.
Neural networks ensemble approach for detecting attacks in computer networks

Network activity has become an essential part of daily life of almost any modern person or company. At the same time the number of network threats and attacks of various types in private and corporate networks is constantly increasing. Therefore, the development of effective methods of intrusion detection is an urgent problem at the present day. In this paper we propose a new approach to intrusion detection in computer networks based on the use of neural networks ensembles. This approach can be implemented in distributed intrusion detection systems (IDS) which better meets the challenges of the present time, in contrast to the traditional use of neural networks in host-based IDS. In the paper the basic steps of the neural networks ensembles designing are described and some of the methods to complete these steps are expounded. Peculiarities of using neural networks ensembles to solve classification problems are discussed. Then the basic scheme of neural networks ensemble approach to intrusion detection systems is proposed. Conditions and results of the experimental investigation of the proposed approach on a number of classification problems are presented, including the problem of classifying probe attacks. Possible development of the proposed approach and areas for future research are discussed in the end.
Pension Funds and the Impact of Switching Regulation on Long-Term Investment

This paper looks at the impact of members' ability to switch pension fund provider and /or portfolio on the allocation of pension funds to long-term investments. The level of annual turnover in pension fund portfolios was compared with the amount of short-term investments (using government treasury bills and bank deposits as proxy). The investment regulations around switching and other market conduct were then considered. The paper finds that greater movements between pension fund providers and between portfolios is linked to increased holdings of short-term and more liquid assets. Switching appears to be driven by competition, market structure, and investment advice, and, unfortunately, frequently results in poor investment returns for members. The paper makes six recommends for regulators. First, use administrative controls to prevent fraudulent switching between pension providers. Second, provide clear performance and cost comparisons to inform members' choice of provider/fund and encourage informed decision making, which is beneficial for members and the system. Third, supervise and control advertising and marketing (including reporting of performance periods) carefully, to avoid switches based on misleading advice. Fourth, control financial incentives for sales agents, so that switching advice is given in members' interest and not for commercial gain. Fifth, concentrate issuance in government securities, to create more liquid instruments. And sixth, conduct further research on the concept of a central liquidity pool to manage unexpected outflows.
Kabuki syndrome : a case report and summary of previous oral findings

A case of Kabuki syndrome in a ten-year old male is presented with a review of published literature. This rare autosomal dominant condition presents with a number of characteristic dermatoglyphic abnormalities and facial features and other associated developmental anomalies and oral findings. The presence of hypodontia and other dental morphological abnormalities, such as root and crown anomalies, appear not to be sporadic findings and may be important diagnostic clinical findings in Kabuki syndrome.
Commonsense Chemistry: A Model for Understanding Students' Alternative Conceptions

Students' alternative conceptions play a central role in how they learn science. However, the large number and diversity of these alternative conceptions makes it difficult for teachers to identify any patterns in their students' thinking. A thorough analysis of alternative conceptions in chemistry, as described in the research literature in science and chemistry education, has led to the development of an explanatory framework that encompasses many of the ideas held by chemistry students about chemical substances and phenomena. Research results provided here indicate that many students' conceptual difficulties result from commonsense reasoning. This commonsense approach is based upon a set of assumptions about the natural world and the application of reasoning heuristics that students instinctively follow and apply without hesitating or considering other alternatives. The identification of this explanatory framework may provide a useful model that teachers can use to better understand and even predict ma.
A two-level two-way partitioning algorithm

A two-way partitioning algorithm is presented which significantly improves on the highly unstable results from the traditional Kernighan-Lin based algorithms. The algorithm groups strongly connected components into clusters, and rearranges the clusters into two final subsets with specified sizes. It is known that the grouping operations reduce the complexity and thus improve the results of partitioning very large circuits. However, if the grouping is inappropriate, the partitioning results may degenerate. To prevent degeneration, the authors use a ratio cut approach to do the grouping. By a series of experiments based on the tradeoff between cut capacity and CPU time, the authors determine an optimal value to control the resultant number of groups. Good experimental results have been observed in terms of cut capacity and CPU time. <<ETX>>
Trustworthy Communications in Online Brand Communities: Don’t Lie about My Brands, or else!

This study measured the impact of consumer communication behaviors in a proposed online brand community for a college convenience store chain and found that deceptive communication practices by community members negatively influenced loyalty but not the perceived value of the brand. Trustworthy member communications in the brand community strongly influenced brand attachment and involvement. Loyalty moderated brand attachment and involvement. Perceived value moderated involvement, but not brand attachment. The study suggests that mechanisms to minimize deceptive communications in an online brand community are recommended.
The Spillover Effect of Fraudulent Financial Reporting on Peer Firms’ Investments

We investigate how high-profile accounting frauds affect peer firms' investment. We document that peers react to the fraudulent reports by increasing investment during fraud periods. We show that this finding is not driven by frauds that have a higher ex ante likelihood of detection or by an association between fraud and investment booms. In addition, we find that peers’ investments increase in fraudulent earnings overstatements, and in industries with higher investor sentiment, lower cost of capital and higher private benefits of control. We also find evidence consistent with equity analysts potentially facilitating the spillover effect.
Rax regulates hypothalamic tanycyte differentiation and barrier function in mice

The wall of the ventral third ventricle is composed of two distinct cell populations: tanycytes and ependymal cells. Tanycytes regulate many aspects of hypothalamic physiology, but little is known about the transcriptional network that regulates their development and function. We observed that the retina and anterior neural fold homeobox transcription factor (Rax) is selectively expressed in hypothalamic tanycytes, and showed a complementary pattern of expression to markers of hypothalamic ependymal cells, such as Rarres2 (retinoic acid receptor responder [tazarotene induced] 2). To determine whether Rax controls tanycyte differentiation and function, we generated Rax haploinsufficient mice and examined their cellular and molecular phenotype in adulthood. These mice appeared grossly normal, but careful examination revealed a thinning of the third ventricular wall and reduction of both tanycyte and ependymal markers. These experiments show that Rax is required for hypothalamic tanycyte and ependymal cell differentiation. Rax haploinsufficiency also resulted in the ectopic presence of ependymal cells in the α2 tanycytic zone, where few ependymal cells are normally found, suggesting that Rax is selectively required for α2 tanycyte differentiation. These changes in the ventricular wall were associated with reduced diffusion of Evans Blue tracer from the ventricle to the hypothalamic parenchyma, with no apparent repercussion on the gross anatomical or behavioral phenotype of these mice. In conclusion, we have provided evidence that Rax is required for the normal differentiation and patterning of hypothalamic tanycytes and ependymal cells, as well as for maintenance of the cerebrospinal fluid–hypothalamus barrier. J. Comp. Neurol. 522:876–899, 2014. © 2013 The Authors. The Journal of Comparative Neurology Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Evidence for genetic factors in the development and progression of IgA nephropathy.

BACKGROUND IgA nephropathy (IgAN) is the most common glomerulonephritis in the world among patients undergoing renal biopsy. Once considered a relatively benign condition, longitudinal follow-up studies have revealed that in fact 9 to 50% of patients progress to end-stage renal disease within 20 years of disease onset. In the three decades since its first description by Jean Berger and Nicole Hinglais, clinical, epidemiologic, and immunologic studies of the pathogenesis of primary (idiopathic) mesangial glomerulonephritis with predominant IgA deposits have characterized the features of IgAN as a distinct glomerular disease entity. However, the basic molecular mechanism(s) underlying abnormal IgA deposition in the mesangium with ensuing extracellular matrix expansion and mesangial cell proliferation remains poorly understood. The task of elucidating the molecular basis of IgAN is made especially challenging by the fact that both environmental and genetic components likely contribute to the development and progression of IgAN. METHODS AND RESULTS We review here the evidence for genetic factors in the development and progression of IgAN, including a reappraisal of earlier conflicting results from small immunogenetic case-control studies, the evidence for racial differences in the prevalence of IgAN, a detailed summary of all reported occurrences of familial IgAN worldwide, and an exhaustive review of new insights gained through the study of two murine models of hereditary IgAN: the ddY and the uteroglobin-deficient mouse. CONCLUSIONS With the development of powerful molecular genetic approaches to the study of both Mendelian and complex human genetic diseases, and the successful efforts of investigators to identify and clinically characterize large IgAN multiplex families, we propose that genetic analysis of familial IgAN is the most promising approach to the identification of IgAN disease/susceptibility genes. Alternatively, if the case-control study design is employed to identify associations between particular candidate genes or markers and the development of IgAN, spurious associations caused by the effects of population stratification should be ruled out by confirming the findings using powerful and sensitive family-based methodologies such as the transmission/dysequilibrium test (TDT).
Systematic assessment with I-SCAN magnification endoscopy and acetic acid improves dysplasia detection in patients with Barrett’s esophagus

Abstract Background and study aims Enhanced endoscopic imaging with chromoendoscopy may improve dysplasia recognition in patients undergoing assessment of Barrett’s esophagus (BE). This may reduce the need for random biopsies to detect more dysplasia. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of magnification endoscopy with I-SCAN (Pentax, Tokyo, Japan) and acetic acid (ACA) on dysplasia detection in BE using a novel mucosal and vascular classification system. Methods BE segments and suspicious lesions were recorded with high definition white-light and magnification endoscopy enhanced using all I-SCAN modes in combination. We created a novel mucosal and vascular classification system based on similar previously validated classifications for narrow-band imaging (NBI). A total of 27 videos were rated before and after ACA application. Following validation, a further 20 patients had their full endoscopies recorded and analyzed to model use of the system to detect dysplasia in a routine clinical scenario. Results The accuracy of the I-SCAN classification system for BE dysplasia improved with I-SCAN magnification from 69 % to 79 % post-ACA (P = 0.01). In the routine clinical scenario model in 20 new patients, accuracy of dysplasia detection increased from 76 % using a “pull-through” alone to 83 % when ACA and magnification endoscopy were combined (P = 0.047). Overall interobserver agreement between experts for dysplasia detection was substantial (0.69). Conclusions A new I-SCAN classification system for BE was validated against similar systems for NBI with similar outcomes. When used in combination with magnification and ACA, the classification detected BE dysplasia in clinical practice with good accuracy. Trials registered at ISRCTN (58235785).
The leader polypeptide of Theiler's virus is essential for neurovirulence but not for virus growth in BHK cells

A leader polypeptide of unknown function is encoded by cardioviruses, such as Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus. Although the deletion of this polypeptide has little effect on the growth of parental GDVII virus in baby hamster kidney (BHK) cells, the mutant virus is completely attenuated and fails to kill mice receiving intracerebral inoculations of high doses of the virus.
The myoepithelium in human breast fibroadenoma

Thirteen fibroadenomas were studied. The methods have been described previously (Ahmed, 1974~). Paraffin blocks were stained with phosphotungstic acid-haematoxylin (PTAH) and iron haematoxylin (IH). Frozen sections of fresh tissue were employed in the demonstration of alkaline phosphatase and adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase).
Healthy Eating Habits of School-Aged Children in Rural Areas

This study provides further understanding of interventions to impact healthy eating habits in children. Children received a short lesson on healthy eating habits, and took a pre and post test to see how much their knowledge improved. Test means increased from pre-test to post-test (51.76 to 60.48). A paired samples t-test showed the results to be statistically significant (p<0.002). The findings of this study supports providing elementary school aged children with nutritional education may impact their ability to make wiser, and healthier choices regarding food intake. Introduction Childhood obesity is a growing epidemic in the United States. Despite the programs that have been implemented and the information that has been disseminated to prevent and stop this epidemic, childhood obesity is still very prevalent among society. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, obesity now affects seventeen percent of all children and adolescents (Ogden & Carroll, 2010). As has been demonstrated, most obesity results from unhealthy eating habits, inactivity, and poor lifestyle choices (Ogden & Carroll, 2010). The impact of childhood obesity affects the current state of a child’s health but it also has major implications on their future adult health. Children who are obese are more likely to have increased blood pressure and cholesterol that put them at risk for cardiovascular disease (Mooney, 2012). Children who are obese also have an increased risk of developing type II diabetes, hypertension, musculoskeletal problems, stroke, and a multitude of other comorbidities (Mooney, 2012). School-aged children who are obese have a fifty percent chance of becoming obese adults (Mooney, 2012). In addition to
Gene expression and 18FDG uptake in atherosclerotic carotid plaques

PurposeMetabolic assessment of vascular inflammation by 2-[18F]fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose positron emission tomography (FDG)-PET is a promising new approach for the evaluation of the vulnerability of atherosclerotic plaques. Quantitative real-time PCR allows measurement of gene expression of markers of atherosclerotic plaque vulnerability. These techniques were applied in advanced atherosclerotic disease to relate metabolism and inflammatory activity to the gene expression profile of the vulnerable atherosclerotic plaque. MethodsSeventeen patients with clinical symptoms of cerebral vascular events (<3 months) and an additional ipsilateral internal carotid artery stenosis of greater than 60% were recruited. FDG uptake in the carotids was determined by PET/computed tomography and expressed as mean and maximal standardized uptake values (SUVmean and SUVmax). The atherosclerotic plaques were subsequently recovered by carotid endarterectomy. The gene expression of markers of vulnerability – CD68, IL-18, matrix metalloproteinase 9, cathepsin K, GLUT-1, and hexokinase type II (HK2) – were measured in plaques by quantitative PCR. ResultsIn a multivariate linear regression model, GLUT-1, CD68, cathepsin K, and HK2 gene expression remained in the final model as predictive variables of FDG accumulation calculated as SUVmean (R2=0.26, P<0.0001). In addition, a multivariate linear regression model found GLUT-1, CD68, cathepsin K, and HK2 gene expression as independent predictive variables of FDG accumulation calculated as SUVmax (R2=0.30, P<0.0001). ConclusionGLUT-1, HK2, CD68, and cathepsin K remained in both multivariate models and thus provided independent information regarding FDG uptake. We suggest that FDG uptake is a composite indicator of macrophage load, overall inflammatory activity and collagenolytic plaque destabilization. Accordingly, FDG-PET could prove to be an important predictor of cerebrovascular events in patients with carotid plaques.