Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Coronary CT angiography of patients with a normal body mass index using 80 kVp versus 100 kVp: a prospective, multicenter, multivendor randomized trial.

OBJECTIVE We determined the effect of reduced 80-kVp tube voltage on the radiation dose and image quality of coronary CT angiography (CTA) in patients with a normal body mass index (BMI). SUBJECTS AND METHODS A prospective, multicenter, multivendor trial was performed of 208 consecutive patients with a normal BMI (< 25 kg/m(2)) who had been referred for coronary CTA and did not have a history of coronary revascularization. Patients were randomized to 80-kVp imaging (n = 103) or 100-kVp imaging (n = 105). Three blinded readers graded interpretability and image quality. Study signal, noise, and contrast were also compared. RESULTS Imaging with 80 kVp instead of 100 kVp was associated with 47% lower median radiation dose (median dose-length product, 62.0 mGy · cm [interquartile range, 54.0-123.3 mGy · cm] vs 117.0 mGy · cm [110.0-225.9 mGy · cm], respectively; 0.9 mSv [0.8-1.7 mSv] vs 1.6 mSv [1.4-3.2 mSv]; p < 0.001 for each) with no significant difference in interpretability (99% vs 99%; p = 0.99) or image quality (median score, 4.0 [interquartile range, 3.6-4.0] vs 4.0 [interquartile range, 3.8-4.0]; p = 0.20). Studies obtained using 80 kVp were associated with 27% increased signal (mean ± SD, 756 ± 157 vs 594 ± 105 HU; p < 0.001), 25% higher contrast (890 ± 156 vs 709 ± 108 HU; p < 0.001), and 50% greater noise (55 ± 15 vs 37 ± 12 HU; p < 0.001) with resultant 15% and 16% decreases in signal-to-noise (mean ± SD, 15 ± 5 vs 17 ± 5; p < 0.001) and contrast-to-noise (mean ± SD, 17 ± 6 vs 21 ± 5; p < 0.001) ratios, respectively. CONCLUSION Coronary CTA using 80 kVp instead of 100 kVp was associated with a nearly 50% reduction in radiation dose with no significant difference in interpretability and noninferior image quality despite lower signal-to-noise and contrast-to-noise ratios. The use of 80-kVp tube voltage should be considered in dose-reduction strategies for coronary CTA of individuals with a normal BMI.
Re: Reversal of relation between body mass and endogenous estrogen concentrations with menopausal status.

For more than a decade, results frompublished studies have indicated that therisk of breast cancer may be loweramong heavy premenopausal womenthan among their less obese counterparts(1-8). In heavy postmenopausal women,however, this risk is either increased orunchanged in comparison with non-obese postmenopausal women (9,10). The mechanism explaining this reversalin risk is unknown, although theoreticalexplanations have been proposed. Obesepostmenopausal women may have ele-vated risk from higher levels of circulat-ing estrogens secondary to increasedconversion of androgen to estrogen inadipose tissue (11) and a higher propor-tion of bioavailable estrogen due to thelow levels of sex hormone-bindingglobulin (SHBG) (12,13). Obese pre-menopausal women may exhibit agreater degree of anovulation, resultingin lower levels of both progesterone andestradiol, lower breast cell divisionrates, and, consequently, a lower risk ofbreast cancer (13-15). We had the opportunity to evaluatethe relation of body mass and hormonalprofiles in a group of 195 communityand 103 hospital control subjects from astudy of endometrial cancer describedelsewhere (16,17). Results of both con-trol groups were similar; therefore, thetwo groups were combined. Body massindex (BMI) (kg/m
Does the Number of Auditors Matter? Evidence from Local Audit Markets

This study examines whether and how auditor turnover, audit fees, and audit quality are associated with the residual number of audit service providers (i.e., audit offices) located in the local city, i.e., the deviation from the normal level predicted by the characteristics of the local city. We first find that the frequency of auditor turnover increases with the residual number of auditors, suggesting that competition among auditors in the local audit market increases with the residual number of auditors. Second, both audit fees and quality decrease with the residual number of auditors. Third, the aforementioned effects are mainly driven by the residual number of non-Big 4 auditors rather than by that of Big 4 auditors. Fourth, such effects are evident only in the market segment comprising small and medium-sized clients, but not in the segment of large clients, who are likely to demand audits exclusively from Big 4 auditors. These findings provide valuable insights into the effect of local audit market structure on audit contracting and audit outcome.
The relationship between the chemical, mechanical and geometrical properties of basalt fibre

This paper aims to understand the relationship between the chemical, mechanical and geometrical properties by investigating basalt fibre from three commercial manufacturers and comparing to an industry standard glass fibre. The chemical compositi on of fibre was investigated through XRF, highlighting that basalt and glass fibres are comprised by a similar elemental composition with the main differences being variations in content of primary elements. A significant correlation between the ceramic content of basalt and its tensile properties is demonstrated, with a primary dependence on Al 2 0 3 content. Single fibre tensile tests at various lengths and two-way ANOVA revealed that the tensile strength and modulus were highly dependent on fibre length with a minor dependence on manufacturer. Results demonstrate that basalt has a higher tensile strength and a comparable modulus to E-glass. Considerable improvements in quality of basalt fibre manufacture are demonstrated over a three year period through geometrical analysis, showing reduction in standard deviation of fibre diameter from 1.33 to 0.61, comparable to tested glass fibre at 0.67. Testing of single basalt fibres with diameters of 13µm and 17µm indicates that tensile strength and modulus are independent of diameter, following an improvement in fibre diameter consistency in line with glass fibres.
HPTLC Finger Print Profile and Evaluation of in vitro Antimicrobial Activity of Mirabilis jalapa L. Flowers

Human beings have used plants for the treatment of diverse ailments for thousands of years (Sofowara, 1982; Hill, 1989). According to the World Health Organization, most populations still rely on traditional medicines for their psychological and physical health requirements (Rabe and Van Stoden, 2000), since they cannot afford the products of Western pharmaceutical industries together with their side effects and lack of healthcare facilities (Griggs et al., 2001). Rural areas of many developing countries still rely on traditional medicine for their primary health care needs and have found a place in day-to-day life. These medicines are relatively safer and cheaper than synthetic or modern medicine (Iwu et al., 1999; Idu et al., 2007; Mann et al., 2008; Ammara et al., 2009).
Leptospires detection in kidney, liver and uterus of cows slaughtered in Paraná State, Brazil

The objective of this trial was to detect leptospires in fragments of kidney, liver and uterus of 96 cows with unknown sanitary status, randomly chosen at slaughter in Parana, Brazil. All 96 urine samples were submitted to direct examination using dark field microscopy. Positive samples in the direct examination and all kidney, liver and uterus fragments were cultured in EMJH modified medium and Tween 80/40/LH. Sections cut of kidney, liver and uterus were stained by Hematoxylin-Eosin (HE) and indirect immunoperoxidase with hyperimmune serum against serovar Hardjo (Hardjoprajitno) and strain Londrina 14 (LO14), from serovar Canicola, which was isolated in the northern region of Parana state, Brazil, used as primary antibodies. Direct examination detected leptospires in the urine of four animals. All attempts to isolate leptospires from urine and kidney, liver and uterus fragments were negative after 16 weeks of incubation. In the HE stain, focal infiltrate of mononuclear inflammatory cells was observed in the renal interstitial area of most animals. In the indirect immunoperoxidase assay using hyperimmune serum against LO14 strain, the kidney of only one animal presented positive results. All fragments of kidney, liver and uterus tested with hyperimmune serum against serovar Hardjo were negative.
Measurement of retinal thickness in macular region of high myopic eyes using spectral domain OCT.

AIM To investigate the changes of retinal thickness in macula of high myopic eyes using spectral domain optical coherence tomography (OCT). METHODS Middle-aged and young myopic patients were divided into three groups according to their refractive error/axial length: low and medium myopia group (LMMG), high myopia group (HMG) and super high myopia group (SHMG). Cirrus HD-OCT was used to evaluate total average macular thickness, central subfield thickness, inner/outer macular thickness and macular volume. The differences among experimental groups were analyzed by one-factor analysis of variance. Associations between macular thickness and refractive error/axial length were analyzed by Pearson correlation analysis. RESULTS There was no significant difference in age among the three groups (P=0.2789). The mean refraction error in the LMMG, HMG, and SHMG groups was -2.49±1.38D, -8.53±1.95D and -13.88±1.76D, respectively (P<0.001). The central subfield thickness of three groups was 244.56±12. 19µm, 254.33±11. 61µm and 261.75±11. 83µm, respectively, and there were statistically significance between random two groups. The total average macular thickness, inner/outer macular thickness, and macular volume decreased with increased myopia/axial length. Average foveal thickness had negative correlations with refractive error (P<0.001), and positive correlations with axial length. The inferior and temporal inner macular thickness, all the quadrants of outer ring, total average macular thickness and macular volume featured positive correlations with refractive error, and negative correlations with axial length. Average foveal thickness, superior and temporal inner macular thicknesses, and temporal outer macular thickness was lower in females compared to males. CONCLUSION With an increase in myopia degree/axial length, the average foveal thickness increased and the inner/outer macular thickness decreased. Females featured thicker average foveal thickness, and thinner macular thickness compared to males.
Application of Genetic Algorithms for Run-Time Reconfiguration Using Flexible Bus-Macros

This paper presents updated results for experiments published in a previous conference, namely RoEduNet 2006. The purpose is to present a method of performing the task of dynamic temporal placement for run-time reconfiguration (RTR), which requires that hardware resources be allocated for specific timeslots on an FPGA. The work presents the use of genetic algorithms as the method to place pre-wired logic circuits onto the FPGA, in order to produce a non-deterministic solution for an acceptable placement. In addition, this paper will discuss the elimination of unusable placements.
Is Anybody Out There? Antecedents of Trust in Global Virtual Teams

A global virtual team is an example of a boundaryless network organization form where a temporary team is assembled on an as-needed basis for the duration of a task and staffed by members from different countries. In such teams, coordination is accomplished via trust and shared communication systems. The focus of the reported study was to explore the antecedents of trust in a global virtual-team setting. Seventyfive teams, consisting of four to six members residing in different countries, interacted and worked together for eight weeks. The two-week trust-building exercises did have a significant effect on the team members' perceptions of the other members' ability, integrity, and benevolence. In the early phases of teamwork, team trust was predicted strongest by perceptions of other team members' integrity, and weakest by perceptions of their benevolence. The effect of other members' perceived ability on trust decreased over time. The members' own propensity to trust had a significant, though unchanging, effect on trust. A qualitative analysis of six teams' electronic mail messages explored strategies that were used by the three highest trust teams, but were used infrequently or not at all by the three lowest trust teams. The strategies suggest the presence of "swift" trust. The paper advances a research model for explaining trust in global virtual teams.
Social cognitive theory and physical activity: a systematic review and meta‐analysis

This review investigated three research questions (i) What is the utility of social cognitive theory (SCT) to explain physical activity (PA)? ; (ii) Is the effectiveness of SCT moderated by sample or methodological characteristics? and (iii) What is the frequency of significant associations between the core SCT constructs and PA? Ten electronic databases were searched with no date or sample restrictions. Forty‐four studies were retrieved containing 55 SCT models of PA. Methodological quality was assessed using a standardized tool. A random‐effects meta‐analysis revealed that SCT accounted for 31% of the variance in PA. However, methodological quality was mostly poor for these models. Methodological quality and sample age moderated the PA effect size, with increases in both associated with greater variance explained. Although self‐efficacy and goals were consistently associated with PA, outcome expectations and socio‐structural factors were not. This review determined that SCT is a useful framework to explain PA behaviour. Higher quality models explained more PA variance, but overall methodological quality was poor. As such, high‐quality studies examining the utility of SCT to explain PA are warranted.
Open Problems: Approximation Power of Invariant Graph Networks

Learning graph data is of huge interest to the machine learning community. Recently, graph neural network models motivated by algebraic invariance and equiv-ariance principles have been proposed (Ravanbakhsh et al., 2017; Kondor et al., 2018; Maron et al., 2019b). These models were shown to be universal (Maron et al., 2019c; Keriven and Peyré, 2019), in contrast to the popular message passing models Xu et al. (2019); Morris et al. (2018). In this note we formulate several open problems aiming at characterizing the trade-off between expressive power and complexity of these models. A basic requirement from a hypothesis class is approximation power. Classical results in neural network literature establish
IONIZED NITROGEN AT HIGH REDSHIFT

We present secure [N ii]205 μm detections in two millimeter-bright, strongly lensed objects at high redshift, APM 08279+5255 (z = 3.911) and MM 18423+5938 (z = 3.930), using the IRAM Plateau de Bure Interferometer. Due to its ionization energy [N ii]205 μm is a good tracer of the ionized gas phase in the interstellar medium. The measured fluxes are S([N ii]205 μm) = (4.8 ± 0.8) Jy km s−1 and (7.4 ± 0.5) Jy km s−1, respectively, yielding line luminosities of L([N ii]205 μm) = (1.8 ± 0.3) × 109 μ−1 L☉ for APM 08279+5255 and L([N ii]205 μm) = (2.8 ± 0.2) × 109 μ−1 L☉ for MM 18423+5938. Our high-resolution map of the [N ii]205 μm and 1 mm continuum emission in MM 18423+5938 clearly resolves an Einstein ring in this source and reveals a velocity gradient in the dynamics of the ionized gas. A comparison of these maps with high-resolution EVLA CO observations enables us to perform the first spatially resolved study of the dust continuum-to-molecular gas surface brightness (ΣFIR∝ΣNCO, which can be interpreted as the star formation law) in a high-redshift object. We find a steep relation (N = 1.4 ± 0.2), consistent with a starbursting environment. We measure a [N ii]205 μm/FIR luminosity ratio in APM 08279+5255 and MM 18423+5938 of 9.0 × 10−6 and 5.8 × 10−6, respectively. This is in agreement with the decrease of the [N ii]205 μm/FIR ratio at high FIR luminosities observed in local galaxies.
Healthcare professionals' views on discussing fertility preservation with young cancer patients: a mixed method systematic review of the literature

In spite of efforts to guarantee patients are adequately informed about their risk of fertility loss and offered treatment for fertility preservation (FP), previous studies have reported that this topic is not routinely discussed with patients, especially with younger patient populations. A mixed method systematic review was undertaken to explore the factors shaping the discussion of FP with children (0–15 years) and adolescents/young adults (16–24 years) with cancer.
Friendly or Controlling Boards

Evidence concerning the impact of boards on firms’ governance and performance remains controversial. We explore the issue of board effectiveness by examining the supervisory role boards play and their advisory function. We examine the importance of these two roles in various contexts and control for the endogenous nature of the representative variables in boards. Our paper uses a sample of European firms to highlight that in certain settings, the advisory function of boards provides higher explanatory power for performance than does the monitoring function, and that larger and less independent boards may improve governance and consequently enhance performance.
Colon cancer cell adhesion in response to Src kinase activation and actin‐cytoskeleton by non‐laminar shear stress

Malignant cells shed from tumors during surgical resection or spontaneous metastasis experience physical forces such as shear stress and turbulence within the peritoneal cavity during irrigation, laparoscopic air insufflation, or surgical manipulation, and within the venous or lymphatic system. Since physical forces can activate intracellular signals that modulate the biology of various cell types in vitro, we hypothesized that shear stress and turbulence might increase colon cancer cell adhesion to extracellular matrix, potentiating metastatic implantation. Primary human malignant colon cancer cells isolated from resected tumors and SW620 were subjected to shear stress and turbulence by stirring cells in suspension at 600 rpm for 10 min. Shear stress for 10 min increased subsequent SW620 colon cancer cell adhesion by 40.0 ± 3.0% (n = 3; P < 0.001) and primary cancer cells by 41.0 ± 3.0% to collagen I when compared to control cells. In vitro kinase assay (1.5 ± 0.13 fold) and Western analysis (1.34 ± 0.04 fold) demonstrated a significant increase in Src kinase activity in cells exposed shear stress. Src kinase inhibitors PP1 (0.1 µM), PP2 (20 µM), and actin‐cytoskeleton stabilizer phalloidin (10 µM) prevented the shear stress stimulated cell adhesion to collagen I. Furthermore, PP2 inhibited basal (50.0 ± 2.8%) and prevented shear stress induced src activation but phalloidin pretreatment did not. These results raise the possibility that shear stress and turbulence may stimulate the adhesion of malignant cells shed from colon cancers by a mechanism that requires both actin‐cytoskeletal reorganization an independent physical force activation of Src kinase. Blocking this pathway might reduce tumor metastasis during surgical resection. Published 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Sulfated hyaluronan attenuates inflammatory signaling pathways in macrophages involving induction of antioxidants

It is well recognized that high molecular weight hyaluronan (H‐HA) exerts potent anti‐inflammatory effects while its fragmentation into low molecular weight HA (L‐HA) is discussed to promote inflammation. Chemical modification of HA with sulfate groups has been shown to foster its anti‐inflammatory activity which seems to be maintained in sulfated low molecular weight HA derivatives (sL‐HA). However, the molecular mechanisms by which sL‐HA produces its anti‐inflammatory activity are not understood. In this study, we used global quantitative proteomics combined with targeted analysis of key proteins to characterize the effect of sL‐HA on fully differentiated human inflammatory macrophages (iMФ). Culture of iMФ with sL‐HA did not affect cell viability but resulted in a reduced pro‐inflammatory cytokine response of iMФ after activation indicating a profound counter‐regulation of their initial inflammatory phenotype. Rapid internalization of sL‐HA involving CD44 and scavenger receptors was observed. Furthermore, an upregulation of the antioxidants SOD2 and SOD3 was found while no oxidative stress was induced. Consequently, activity of transcription factors for inflammatory gene expression was downregulated in iMФ with sL‐HA after activation whereas anti‐inflammatory proteins were induced.
Reduction in the risk of clinical fractures after a single dose of zoledronic Acid 5 milligrams.

CONTEXT Annual infusions of zoledronic acid 5 mg over 3 years have been shown to reduce fracture incidence. There is now evidence that the effects of a single dose of zoledronic acid on bone mineral density and bone turnover last for much more than a year. Whether this is associated with sustained fracture prevention is not known. OBJECTIVE The objective of the study was to assess fracture incidence after only 1 infusion of zoledronic acid. DESIGN The design of the study included post hoc analysis of subgroups of subjects from 2 trials, who received only 1 study infusion. SETTING The study included multicenter, randomized controlled trials. PARTICIPANTS A total of 1367 subjects from HORIZON-PFT and HORIZON-RFT studies who received only 1 of the planned annual infusions participated in the study. INTERVENTION The intervention of the study consisted of 1 infusion of zoledronic acid or placebo. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE Clinical fracture was the main outcome measure of the study. RESULTS Mean follow-up period was 1.5 years. In patients who received only a single infusion, there was a 32% reduction in clinical fracture comparing zoledronic acid with placebo over 3 years of follow-up (95% confidence interval 2-53%, P = .04), comparable with the fracture reduction seen in those who had 3 or more annual infusions (34%; 95% confidence interval, 23-43%, P < .0001). New morphometric vertebral fractures were reduced by 68% in the single-infusion group (P = .004). The between-group differences in total hip bone mineral density at 3 years were 3.8% in those receiving 1 infusion and 6.2% in those receiving 3 infusions. CONCLUSIONS In this post hoc analysis based on postrandomization subgroups, fracture risk appears to be reduced for more than 1 year after a single infusion of zoledronic acid. Prospective studies designed to assess this possibility are now warranted.
How Rapidly Can Maternal Behavior Affecting Primary Sex Ratio Evolve in a Reptile with Environmental Sex Determination?

Theoretical models identify maternal behavior as critical for the maintenance and evolution of sex ratios in organisms with environmental sex determination (ESD). Maternal choice of nest site is generally thought to respond more rapidly to sex ratio selection than environmental sensitivity of offspring sex (threshold temperatures) in reptiles with temperature‐dependent sex determination (TSD, a form of ESD). However, knowledge of the evolutionary potential for either of these traits in a field setting is limited. I developed a simulation model using local climate data and observed levels of phenotypic variation for nest‐site choice and threshold temperatures in painted turtles (Chrysemys picta) with TSD. Both nest‐site choice and threshold temperatures, and hence sex ratios, evolved slowly to simulated climate change scenarios. In contrast to expectations from previous models, nest‐site choice evolved more slowly than threshold temperatures because of large climatic effects on nest temperatures and indirect selection on maternally expressed traits. A variant of the model, assuming inheritance of nest‐site choice through natal imprinting, demonstrated that natal imprinting inhibited adaptive responses in female nest‐site choice to climate change. These results predict that females have relatively low potential to adaptively adjust sex ratios through nest‐site choice.