Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Resective epilepsy surgery for drug-resistant focal epilepsy: a review.

IMPORTANCE Epilepsy surgery is indicated for patients with focal seizures who do not respond to appropriate antiepileptic drug therapy consisting of 2 or more medications. OBJECTIVES To review resective surgery outcomes for focal epilepsy, to identify which patients benefit the most, and to discuss why epilepsy surgery may not be universally accepted. EVIDENCE REVIEW Medline and Cochrane databases were searched between January 1993 and June 2014 for randomized clinical trials, meta-analyses, systematic reviews, and large retrospective case series (>300 patients) using Medical Subject Headings and indexed text terms. Fifty-five articles were included. Subpopulations and prognostic factors were identified. Systematic reviews for cognitive, psychiatric, quality-of-life, and psychosocial outcomes were included. FINDINGS Two randomized clinical trials enrolling 118 patients with temporal lobe epilepsy found greater freedom from seizures with surgery when compared with continued medical treatment (58% vs 8% [n = 80] and 73% vs 0% [n = 38], P < .001). Nine systematic reviews and 2 large case series of medically refractory patients treated with surgery reported seizure-free outcomes in 34% to 74% of patients (median, 62.4%). The remainder of systematic reviews and meta-analyses examined subpopulations. Epilepsy surgery was less effective when there were extratemporal lesions, the epilepsy was not associated with a structural lesion, or both. Seizure-free outcomes were similar between children and adults. Hippocampal sclerosis and benign tumors were associated with better outcomes relative to other pathologies. Similar procedures such as selective amygdalohippocampectomy and temporal lobectomy for temporal lobe epilepsy were associated with subtle differences in seizure and neuropsychological outcome. There is low perioperative mortality (0.1%-0.5%) from epilepsy surgery. The most frequent neurologic complication is visual field defect occurring from temporal lobe resection. Quality of life improved after surgery but improved the most in patients who were seizure-free after surgery. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE Epilepsy surgery reduced seizure activity in randomized clinical trials when compared with continued medical therapy. Long-term cognitive, psychiatric, psychosocial, and quality-of-life outcomes were less well defined. Despite good outcomes from high-quality clinical trials, referrals of patients with seizures refractory to medical treatment remain infrequent.
Survival and recurrence after liver transplantation versus liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma: a retrospective analysis.

OBJECTIVE This study compares the results of liver transplantation (LTx) and liver resection (LR) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) to test the widespread hypothesis that LTx is the preferable approach for small HCCs. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA With respect to scarcity of donor organs and poor results, LTxs for large HCCs are obsolete. Small HCC transplantations have been reported to result in an excellent survival rate. However, the data of comparative studies are controversial. METHODS Patients who were treated curatively by LTx (n = 50) or LR (n = 52) for HCC were included in this retrospective study. Survival and freedom from recurrence were analyzed. Patients were stratified according to prognostic factors (pT classification, tumor size, number of tumor nodules, vascular infiltration, and cirrhosis). RESULTS Overall, after LTx and LR the 3-year survival rate and recurrence rate were not significantly different. In the Cox analysis, tumor size (p = 0.02) and vascular infiltration (p = 0.04) were independent variables after LTx, whereas after LR, none of the tested prognostic parameters was significant. With regards to recurrence, tumor size was the only independent factor, after both LTx and LR (p = 0.02, respectively). Directly comparing the two therapeutic approaches, a 3-year survival rate in pT 1/2, oligocentric (1-5 nodules), and oligocentric and small tumors proved to be superior after LTx. The recurrence rate after LTx was superior to LR in pT 1/2 and oligocentric tumors. Remarkably, for small (< or = 5 cm) tumors, LTx and LR resulted in a similar 3-year survival rate and freedom from recurrence. CONCLUSIONS According to our analysis, the oncological advantage of LTx compared with LR is questionable. This applies especially for small tumors. Superior results of LTx in early stage HCC and particularly in oligocentric tumors may be attributed to incorrect preoperative diagnosis. Nevertheless, LTx is a reasonable treatment for patients with early stage tumors if a LR is impossible because of tumor localization or poor functional hepatic capacity.
EVOLUTION IN A PUTATTVELY ANCIENT ASEXUAL APHID LINEAGE: RECOMBINATION AND RAPID KARYOTYPE CHANGE

Ancient asexual lineages are of great potential significance for understanding the evolutionary biology of sex, but their existence is controversial. In part, this is because claims of ancient asexuality have rested on negative evidence—a mere absence of evidence for sexuality in a taxon. M. Meselson has suggested a method, discussed by Judson and Normark (1996) and by Birky (1996), that has the potential to uncover positive evidence of ancient asexuality. Phylogenetic relationships between alleles and interallelic divergences are predicted to be very different in diploid lineages that lack recombination from those in diploid lineages that undergo recombination. I have applied Meselson's method to the putatively ancient asexual aphid tribe Tramini (Homoptera: Aphidoidea: Lachnidae), using the intron‐bearing nuclear protein‐coding gene elongation factor 1α (EF‐1α). I found heterozygosities much lower than intraspecific divergences, indicating that some recombination has occurred, but not discriminating between recombination within an asexual lineage (automixis or mitotic recombination) and outcrossing sex. Species of Tramini (especially in the genus Trama) typically have highly structurally heterozygous karyotypes that appear to be incompatible with regular successful meiosis, and have very high levels of karyotype variability within species. I found very high levels of karyotype variability within lineages with identical EF‐1α and mitochondrial (cytochrome oxidase 1 and 2) genotypes, indicating a high rate of karyotype evolution compared to the rate of nucleotide substitution.
The Effect of FOMC Votes on Financial Markets

Abstract This paper shows that since votes of members of the Federal Open Market Committee have been included in press statements, stock prices increase after the announcement when votes are unanimous but fall when dissent (which typically is due to preference for higher interest rates) occurs. This pattern started prior to the 2007–2008 financial crisis. The differences in stock market reaction between unanimity and dissent remain, even controlling for the stance of monetary policy and consecutive dissent. Statement semantics also do not seem to explain the documented effect. We find no differences between unanimity and dissent with respect to impact on market risk and Treasury securities.
Motivational Factors to be a Mentor in Formal Mentoring in Organisations. The Role of Intrinsic and Extrinsic Motivation in the Propensity to Mentor

Abstract Purpose: The purpose of the study was to examine the motivational factors of propensity to be a mentor by managers in a formal mentoring in organisations. The author addresses the importance of intrinsic and extrinsic motivations and examines their relation to the propensity to mentor. The second objective was to critically analyse whether managers deciding to mentor do so for egoistic or altruistic reasons - for self-benefits or others’ benefits. The third task concentrates on the role of extrinsic motivational factors, especially additional remuneration on the propensity to mentor. Methodology: For this study, the author applied quantitative research among Polish managers working in medium and large size organisations. The author examines the correlation between dependent and independent variables and addresses the impact of control variables as moderators. Findings: First, the results support managers’ high propensity to mentor in a formal mentoring programme. Second, the study finds that intrinsic motivation was the salient factor taken into consideration in the propensity to mentor, whereas extrinsic motivation exerted very little influence. Third, the study confirms a pattern of motivational pluralism based on the fact that both kinds of intrinsic motivators in the propensity to mentor - for the benefit of oneself or others - appear equally significant. Fourth, the research finds that additional remuneration does not motivate managers to mentor. No moderation effects of age, gender, kind of organisation and carrier level on the propensity to mentor were observed. Research implications: The confirmation of Polish managers’ high propensity to mentor contradicts conventional wisdom in some organisations that managers overloaded with work are unwilling to mentor. The finding that managers want to be mentors may encourage organisations to implement mentoring programmes without fear of a shortage of prospective mentors. Based on observed behaviour and the importance of motivational factors, this study delivers valuable guidelines on the recruitment and selection of mentors for HR departments. The results that managers exclusively follow intrinsic motivation in the propensity to mentor should be considered in designing the methodology of mentors’ selection.
The Abd-B-like Hox Homeodomain Proteins Can Be Subdivided by the Ability to Form Complexes with Pbx1a on a Novel DNA Target*

Previous studies showed that the Hox homeodomain proteins from paralog groups 1–8 display cooperative DNA binding with the non-Hox homeodomain protein Pbx, mediated by a canonical YPWM. Although the Abd-B-like Hox proteins in paralogs 9–13 lack this sequence, Hoxb-9 and Hoxa-10 were reported to bind with Pbx1a to DNA. We show that these interactions require a tryptophan 6 amino acids N-terminal to the homeodomain. Binding site selection for Hoxb-9 with Pbx1a yielded ATGATGAC, containing a novel TTAC Hox-binding site adjacent to a Pbx site. In the presence of Pbx1a, Hoxb-9 and Hoxa-10 bound to targets containing either TTAC or TTAT. These data extend previous findings that interactions with Pbx define a Hox protein binding code for different DNA sequences across paralog groups 1 through 10. Members of the 11, 12, and 13 paralogs do not cooperatively bind DNA with Pbx1a, despite the presence of tryptophan residues N-terminal to the homeodomain in Hoxd-12 and Hoxd-13. Hoxa-11, Hoxd-12, or Hoxd-13, in the presence of Pbx1a, selected a TTAC Hox site but lacking a Pbx1a site. These data suggest that Abd-B-like Hox proteins bind to a novel TTAC site and can be divided by their cooperative binding to DNA with Pbx1a.
Relationship between white blood cell count at admission and short term outcome in patients with acute cerebral infarction.

PURPOSE We studied the association between admission white blood cell (WBC) count and short term outcome in patients with acute cerebral infarction. METHODS 2808 patients with acute cerebral infarction were included in the study. WBC count and other variables were collected within the first 24 hours of admission. Clinical outcomes (death or dependency) were evaluated by neurologists during hospitalization. The associations between WBC count and in-hospital death or dependency at discharge were analyzed using a multiple logistic model. RESULT Multivariate-adjusted odds ratio (95% confidence intervals) of dependency associated with patients with WBC of 10.0-10.9×109/L, 11.0-11.9×109/L, ≥12.0×109/L were 1.46(0. 87-2. 45), 6.21(3. 70-10. 42) and 7.01(4. 53-10. 87), respectively, when compared with patients with admission WBC counts < 10.0x109/L. Multivariate-adjusted odds ratio (95% confidence intervals) of death associated with WBC 10.0-10.9×109/L, 11.0-11.9×109/L and ≥12.0×109/L were 2.098(0. 96-4. 58), 4.79(2. 24-10. 22) and 5.59(3. 14-9. 98), respectively. CONCLUSION Increased WBC count at admission was significantly and positively associated with in-hospital death or dependency at discharge among patients with acute cerebral infarction.
Characterization of DGAT1 Allelic Effects in a Sample of North American Holstein Cattle

A putative causative mutation underlying a QTL was identified as a lysine to alanine non-conservative substitution at amino acid 232 of the gene encoding the acylCoA:diacylglycerol acyltransferase (DGAT1) protein. Our goal was to characterize the allelic substitution effects of this DGAT1 mutation in a large sample of Holstein bulls from North America. Statistically significant effects were identified for all of the milk production traits and somatic cell scores. Estimated average effects of substituting the lysine allele for the alanine variant on Holstein bull daughter yield deviations were −81 kg, 3.7 kg, −1.1 kg, 0.063%, 0.012%, and −0.023 units for milk yield, fat yield, protein yield, fat component, protein component, and SCS, respectively. These estimates were largely in agreement with previous studies; however, the magnitudes of the estimates were much smaller in this study. Impacts on economic indices for net merit, cheese merit, and fluid merit were modest. Because of the strong antagonism between fat and protein yield and how those traits influence economic indices, selection for DGAT1 genotypes will likely not find widespread application in the U.S.
Anatomical study of superficial fascia and localized fat deposits of abdomen

Background: The development of liposuction and abdominoplasty has renewed interest in the anatomy of the localized fat deposits (LFD) areas of the abdomen. This study aims at ascertaining the gross anatomy of superficial fascia and the localized fat deposits of abdomen. Materials and Methods: Eight adult cadavers (four males and four females) were dissected. Attachments, number of layers of fascia and colour, shape and maximum size of the fat lobules in loin, and upper and lower abdomen were noted. Thickness of deep membranous layer of superficial fascia of upper abdomen and lower abdomen were measured by metal casing electronic digital calipers, with resolution being 10 μm. The independent sample t-test, ANOVA for comparison and Pearson coefficient for correlation were used. Results: Superficial fascia of the abdomen was multilayered in the midline and number of layers reduced laterally. The shape, size, color, and arrangement of fat lobules were different in different locations. The thickness of the fascia of the lower abdomen in males (mean 528.336 ± SE38.48) was significantly (P < 0.041) more than that in females. (Mean 390.822 ± SE36.24). Pearson correlation between thickness of the membranous layer of the upper and lower abdomen revealed moderately positive correlation (r=0.718; P<0.045). Conclusions: The LFD in the central region of the abdomen corresponds to the area of multilayered fascia with smaller fat lobules. The relatively thinner supporting fascia of the lower abdomen in females may be responsible for excessive bulges of the lower abdomen. The fat lobule anatomy at different sites under study was different.
Strength and Function Before and After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

Rehabilitation of patients with anterior cruciate ligament injury is a topic of interest among clinicians. Although numerous studies report the deficits after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, there are no data available on the changes in strength and functional performance before and 6 months after reconstruction surgery. This is when most patients are returning to sports activities. In the current study 31 patients with complete unilateral anterior cruciate ligament ruptures followed a controlled rehabilitation program emphasizing early range of motion after surgery and quadriceps strengthening before and after undergoing bone-patellar tendon-bone reconstruction. Strength of the hamstrings and quadriceps and five functional activities were assessed at 1 week before and 6 months after surgery. Preoperative strength assessments using a Cybex II dynamometer showed a 12% quadriceps deficit at 60° per second and 9% deficit at 120° per second with no hamstring deficit in the injured leg compared with the uninjured leg. Despite intensive quadriceps training, the postoperative quadriceps deficit increased to 28% at 60° per second and 22% at 120° per second in comparison with the uninjured leg. There was no change in hamstring strength in the injured leg. Most functional measures improved after surgery. The shuttle run improved by 10%, the side step test results improved by 17%, and the carioca test results improved by 23%. No significant difference was found in the results of the hop test. This study highlights the extent of the quadriceps deficits despite functional improvement and the difficulty in restoring quadriceps strength after bone-patellar tendon-bone reconstruction. It also questions the relationship of current functional tests to quadriceps strength and the role of maximum strength testing as a predictor of function and of safe sporting performance.
Institutional analysis for new public governance scholars

ABSTRACT Over the past several decades, prominent public management and policy scholars have repeatedly identified institutional analysis as a promising tool for empirical research, particularly for the study of ‘new governance’ phenomena where policy is enacted and implemented by actors that span organizations, sectors, jurisdictions, and governance levels. Yet, relatively few empirical studies directly measure and model institutions in management and policy settings. In a systematic review of the literature, we identify challenges and barriers that may prevent management and policy scholars from engaging with institutional analysis, along with examples of studies that illustrate how to overcome these challenges in practice.
Using social exchange perspective to explain customer voluntary performance behavior

ABSTRACT This study examines the relationship between relationship quality (customer satisfaction, trust, and commitment) and customer voluntary performance behaviors (CVPB) (loyalty, cooperation, and participation) in the context of hotel service. A total of 1000 questionnaires were distributed to the lodging guests who stayed in hotels, yielding 508 valid responses. The study finds customer commitment is superordinate to satisfaction and trust for CVPB, thus providing insight into how hotel practitioners generate customer commitment and motivate lodging guests to display voluntary behaviors. The empirical findings both complement and extend previous research on hotel management. First, results of the study highlight the role of satisfaction on trust and commitment. Second, this study indicates that customer commitment plays a more important role than customer satisfaction and trust in predicting customers’ willingness for displaying overall CVPB (i.e. loyalty, cooperation, and participation).
Usefulness of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation to Assess Motor Function in Patients With Parkinsonism

Objective To investigate the clinical significance of upper and lower extremity transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)-induced motor evoked potentials (MEPs) in patients with parkinsonism. Methods Twenty patients (14 men, 6 women; mean age 70.5±9.1 years) suffering from parkinsonism were included in this study. All participants underwent single-pulse TMS session to assess the corticospinal excitability of the upper and lower extremity motor cortex. The resting motor threshold (RMT) was defined as the lowest stimulus intensity able to evoke MEPs of an at least 50 µV peak-to-peak amplitude in 5 of 10 consecutive trials. Five sweeps of MEPs at 120% of the RMT were performed, and the mean amplitude and latency of the MEPs were calculated. Patients were also assessed using the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale part III (UPDRS-III) and the 5-meter Timed Up and Go (5m-TUG) test. Results There was a significant positive correlation between the RMTs of MEPs in the upper and lower extremities (r=0.612, p=0.004) and between the amplitude of MEPs in the upper and lower extremities (r=0.579, p=0.007). The RMT of upper extremity MEPs showed a significant negative relationship with the UPDRS-III score (r=–0.516, p=0.020). In addition, RMTs of lower extremity MEPs exhibited a negative relationship with the UPDRS-III score, but the association was not statistically significant (r=–406, p=0.075). Conclusion These results indicated that the RMT of MEPs reflect the severity of motor dysfunction in patients with parkinsonism. MEP is a potential quantitative, electrodiagnostic method to assess motor function in patients with parkinsonism.
Optimal semi-active energy harvesting from a mechanical oscillator with variable electromechanical damping coefficient: Some preliminary properties and numerical results

The problem of energy harvesting from a single degree of freedom oscillator is considered. The oscillator comprises a magnetic transducer, providing a damping force which can be modulated in real time. The goal of the control law is to choose such a modulation with the constraint to achieve a periodic evolution (with the same period as the exciting signal) and the objective to maximize the amount of energy extracted during each period. The application of the Pontryagin Maximum Principle shows that the optimal strategy can contain both regular phases (during which the modulated damping is either at its maximum or its minimum value) and singular phases (during which the optimal choice of damping has smooth variations). Such a phenomenon is markedly different in optimal energy harvesting with respect to optimal energy dissipation and time optimal vibration damping, where the optimal strategy is a bang-bang feedback (that is, operating at either minimum or maximum damping).
Effects of isometric exercise on subfoveal choroidal blood flow in smokers and nonsmokers.

PURPOSE Little is known about potential effects of smoking on ocular blood flow regulation. In the present study, the hypothesis was that choroidal blood flow (CBF) changes during an increase in ocular perfusion pressure induced by isometric exercise are altered in chronic smokers. METHODS The study was performed in 24 (12 smokers and 12 nonsmokers) healthy male volunteers in an observer-masked, two-cohort study design. The difference in CBF regulation between smokers and nonsmokers was tested during isometric exercise over a period of 6 minutes. CBF was assessed with laser Doppler flowery (LDF), and ocular perfusion pressure (OPP) was calculated from mean arterial pressure (MAP) and intraocular pressure (IOP). RESULTS Six minutes of isometric exercise induced a significant increase in MAP, pulse rate (PR), OPP, and CBF in smokers and nonsmokers (each P<0.001). The increase in CBF was significantly higher in the smoking group (P<0.001) than in the healthy control group, whereas a comparable increase in MAP (P=0.18), PR (P=0.18), and OPP (P=0.43) occurred in smokers and nonsmokers. IOP remained unchanged during isometric exercise in both groups. Moreover, in smokers, CBF started to increase at OPPs more than 49% above baseline, whereas CBF in nonsmokers remained stable until an increase in OPP of 74% over baseline. This difference between the two groups was significant (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS These data indicate abnormal CBF regulation in chronic smokers compared with age-matched nonsmoking subjects during isometric exercise. The pathways responsible for this abnormal blood flow response remain to be elucidated.