Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The evolving use of serum free light chain assays in haematology

Over the last few years new immunoassays have emerged that allow the measurement of free immunoglobulin light chains (FLCs) in serum to a level of 2–4 mg/l and provide a much greater sensitivity than older methods, such as immunofixation, which is able to detect FLCs at a minimum concentration of 100–150 mg/l. The new FLC assay has enabled the detection of monoclonal protein in some patients with non‐secretory myeloma and amyloidosis that were previously undetectable. FLC measurements are quantitative, correlating with disease activity, and are an advance in monitoring light chain only multiple myeloma, AL amyloidosis, non‐secretory and oligo‐secretory multiple myeloma. Serum FLC concentrations also reflect the disease course in the majority of myeloma patients producing intact monoclonal immunoglobulin proteins and have been incorporated into the new response criteria. The rapid half life of λ and κ free light chains means that FLC assays may provide a more rapid indication of the response to treatment but their clinical utility in this setting needs further study. An abnormal FLC ratio has been shown to be a risk factor for progression of monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance, smouldering myeloma and solitary plasmacytoma of bone and is prognostic in multiple myeloma.
Prx1 and Prx2 in skeletogenesis: roles in the craniofacial region, inner ear and limbs.

Prx1 and Prx2 are closely related paired-class homeobox genes that are expressed in very similar patterns predominantly in mesenchyme. Prx1 loss-of-function mutants show skeletal defects in skull, limbs and vertebral column (Martin, J. F., Bradley, A. and Olson, E. N. (1995) Genes Dev. 9, 1237-1249). We report here that mice in which Prx2 is inactivated by a lacZ insertion had no skeletal defects, whereas Prx1/Prx2 double mutants showed many novel abnormalities in addition to an aggravation of the Prx1 single mutant phenotype. We found defects in external, middle and inner ear, reduction or loss of skull bones, a reduced and sometimes cleft mandible, and limb abnormalities including postaxial polydactyly and bent zeugopods. A single, or no incisor was present in the lower jaw, and ectopic expression of Fgf8 and Pax9 was found medially in the mandibular arch. A novel method to detect &bgr ;-galactosidase activity in hydroxyethylmethacrylate sections allowed detailed analysis of Prx2 expression in affected structures. Our results suggest a role for Prx genes in mediating epitheliomesenchymal interactions in inner ear and lower jaw. In addition, Prx1 and Prx2 are involved in interactions between perichondrium and chondrocytes that regulate their proliferation or differentiation in the bones of the zeugopods.
Cumulative code churn: Impact on maintainability

It is a well-known phenomena that the source code of software systems erodes during development, which results in higher maintenance costs in the long term. But can we somehow narrow down where exactly this erosion happens? Is it possible to infer the future erosion based on past code changes? Do modifications performed on frequently changing code have worse effect on software maintainability than those affecting less frequently modified code? In this study we investigated these questions and the results indicate that code churn indeed increases the pace of code erosion. We calculated cumulative code churn values and maintainability changes for every version control commit operation of three open-source and one proprietary software system. With the help of Wilcoxon rank test we compared the cumulative code churn values of the files in commits resulting maintainability increase with those of decreasing the maintainability. In the case of three systems the test showed very strong significance and in one case it resulted in strong significance (p-values 0.00235, 0.00436, 0.00018 and 0.03616). These results support our preliminary assumption that modifying high-churn code is more likely to decrease the overall maintainability of a software system, which can be thought of as the generalization of the already known phenomena that code churn results in higher number of defects.
THE CLUSTER LENS ACO 1703: REDSHIFT CONTRAST AND THE INNER PROFILE

ACO 1703 is a cluster recently found to have a variety of strongly lensed objects: there is a quintuply imaged system at z = 0.888 and several other lensed objects from z = 2.2 to 3.0 (the cluster itself is at z = 0.28). It is not difficult to model the lens, as previous work has already done. However, lens models are generically nonunique. We generate ensembles of models to explore the nonuniqueness. When the full range of source redshifts is included, all models are close to ρ ∝ r−1 out to 200 kpc. But if the quint is omitted, both shallower and steeper models (e.g., ρ ∝ r−2) are possible. The reason is that the redshift contrast between the quint and the other sources gives a good measurement of the enclosed mass at two different radii, thus providing a good estimate of the mass profile in between. This result supports universal profiles and explains why single-model approaches can give conflicting results. The mass map itself is elongated in the northwest–southeast direction, like the galaxy distribution. An overdensity in both mass and light is also apparent to the southeast, which suggests mesostructure.
Credit Scoring Models for a Tunisian Microfinance Institution: Comparison between Artificial Neural Network and Logistic Regression

This paper compares, for a microfinance institution, the performance of two individual classification models: Logistic Regression (Logit) and Multi-Layer Perceptron Neural Network (MLP), to evaluate the credit risk problem and discriminate good creditors from bad ones. Credit scoring systems are currently in common use by numerous financial institutions worldwide. However, credit scoring using a non-parametric statistical technique with the microfinance industry, is a relatively recent application. In Tunisia, no model which employs a non-parametric statistical technique has yet, as far as we know, been published. This lack is surprising since the implementation of credit scoring should contribute towards the efficiency of microfinance institutions, thereby improving their competitiveness. This paper builds a non-parametric credit scoring model based on the Multi-Layer perceptron approach (MLP) and benchmarks its performance against Logistic Regression (LR) techniques. Based on a sample of 300 borrowers from a Tunisian microfinance institution, the results reveal that Logistic Regression outperforms neural network models.
AN IMPROVED FTA TEST FOR SYPHILIS, THE ABSORPTION PROCEDURE (FTA-ABS).

IN THE fluorescent treponemal antibody (FTA) procedure, as in other serologic tests for syphilis, difficulties have been encountered in increasing sensitivity without sacrificing specificity (1). Recent findings by immunofluorescent methods suggest that a major cause, of nionspecificity in the FTA test may be the occurrence of common or group antigens shared by bot,h pathogenic and saprophytic treponemes. Demonstrations that the corresponding nonspecific antibodies can be removed by appropriate absorption procedures suggested the application of principles that have resulted in an improved FTA test designated as the FTA absorption procedure (FTA-ABS). Its sensitivity and specificity were determined by testing critical categories of selected human serums, using severa.l PTA test procedures and the Treponerna pallidunim immobilization (TPI) test.
Cooperativity between MAPK and PI3K signaling activation is required for glioblastoma pathogenesis.

BACKGROUND Glioblastoma (GBM) genomes feature recurrent genetic alterations that dysregulate core intracellular signaling pathways, including the G1/S cell cycle checkpoint and the MAPK and PI3K effector arms of receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) signaling. Elucidation of the phenotypic consequences of activated RTK effectors is required for the design of effective therapeutic and diagnostic strategies. METHODS Genetically defined, G1/S checkpoint-defective cortical murine astrocytes with constitutively active Kras and/or Pten deletion mutations were used to systematically investigate the individual and combined roles of these 2 RTK signaling effectors in phenotypic hallmarks of glioblastoma pathogenesis, including growth, migration, and invasion in vitro. A novel syngeneic orthotopic allograft model system was used to examine in vivo tumorigenesis. RESULTS Constitutively active Kras and/or Pten deletion mutations activated both MAPK and PI3K signaling. Their combination led to maximal growth, migration, and invasion of G1/S-defective astrocytes in vitro and produced progenitor-like transcriptomal profiles that mimic human proneural GBM. Activation of both RTK effector arms was required for in vivo tumorigenesis and produced highly invasive, proneural-like GBM. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that cortical astrocytes can be transformed into GBM and that combined dysregulation of MAPK and PI3K signaling revert G1/S-defective astrocytes to a primitive gene expression state. This genetically-defined, immunocompetent model of proneural GBM will be useful for preclinical development of MAPK/PI3K-targeted, subtype-specific therapies.
Detection of adult Brugia malayi filariae by ultrasonography in humans in India and Indonesia

In bancroftian filariasis, ultrasonography (USG) is a suitable tool to monitor infection by the detection of adult filariae in addition to antigen detection tests (ICT, Og4C3). However, in brugian filariasis, ultrasound examinations in humans have so far failed to detect adult worms and no antigen test is available to verify infections in patients who are carriers of adult worms but amicrofilaraemic. In this study, we describe the feasibility of detection of adult Brugia malayi filariae by USG. Worm nests were detected in 4 of 32 patients in India and Indonesia, located in the breast, the thigh, the calf and an inguinal lymph node. The study shows that adult filariae of B. malayi in humans can be detected by USG, but the technique is limited by the fact that worm nests seem not to be stable over time in humans, as is the case in bancroftian filariasis.
Epidemiology and Control of Urinary Tract Infections in Intensive Care Patients

Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) are one of the most common complications in hospitalized patients, leading to increased hospitalization, morbidity and mortality and associated with additional costs (Geffers and Gastmeier, 2011). Urinary tract infection (UTI) is common in hospitalized patients. It has been reported that in U.S. hospitals, among adults and children outside of the intensive care units (ICUs), the urinary tract is the most common site of HAI, accounting for 36% of infections, followed by surgical site infections (20%), bloodstream infections and pneumonia (11%, each) and other infection types (all 22%) (Klevens et al., 2007). Almost all healthcare-associated UTIs are caused by instrumental urinary tract procedures. In fact, the presence of a foreign body in the urinary tract predisposes the patient to UTI and alters the body’s ability to eradicate bacteria (Gray et al., 2010). It has been estimated that more than 80% of UTIs are associated with an indwelling catheter (Anderson et al., 2007) and notably, catheter-associated UTI (CAUTI) has been related with such complications that prolonged hospital stay, and increased cost, morbidity and mortality (Gould et al., 2009). Urologic patients should be considered at high risk for a healthcare-associated UTI, because they are usually exposed both to urethral catheterization and instrumentation of the urinary tract. In a surveillance study conducted in an urologic clinic of an Italian university hospital the incidence of symptomatic UTIs was 1.4 per 1000 patient-days (Agodi et al., 2007).
Risk factors for the existence of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder symptoms in children with autism spectrum disorders

Over the years, several authors have reported symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in patients with autism spectrum disorders (ASD); however, studies on the risk factors of ADHD symptoms in children with ASD are lacking. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to identify the risk factors for the development of ADHD symptoms in children with ASD. The sample consisted of 67 children with ASD who were assessed with Conner’s Parent Rating Scale-Revised (CPRS-R), and with a semi-structured detailed interview administered to parents, to collect a series of clinical data such as coexisting somatic and neuropsychiatric problems and familial and pre/peri/postpartum risk factors. We found that 55% of ASD children exceeded the cut-off of CPRS-R Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV), total scale. The univariate analyses showed that children’s age (P=0.048), motor delay (P=0.039), enuresis (P=0.014), allergies (P<0.01), comorbid oppositional defiant disorder (P=0.026) and intellectual disabilities comorbidities (P=0.034) were associated to the CPRS-R DSM-IV total score. Some familial predictors such as neuropsychiatric family history of intellectual disabilities (P=0.003) and psychosis (P=0.039) were related to the CPRS-R DSM-IV total score. In particular, a model including allergies (P=0.000) and family history of psychosis (P=0.03) explained 25% (corrected R2=0.25) of the variance of the DSM-IV ADHD score. In conclusion, we identified some risk factors associated with the development of ADHD symptoms in ASD children that need to be studied further.
Compassion fatigue and resilience: A qualitative analysis of social work practice

Compassion fatigue is a term used to describe behaviour and emotions experienced by those who help people who have experienced trauma. It is viewed as a potential consequence of stress related to such exposure and is understood to be influenced by the practitioner’s empathic response. The aims of this study were to obtain greater understanding of social workers experience of working with distressed clients; examine what develops personal, professional and organisational resilience; and explore ways in which workers can be better protected from compassion fatigue. The research design was qualitative using semi-structured interviews involving six social workers presently working with distressed clients or clients known to have experienced distress. Four major themes were identified using thematic analysis: (i) the complexities of social work, (ii) supportive and unsupportive contexts, (iii) promoting personal well-being/self-protection and (iv) resilience as a changing systemic and complex process. The findings provide important insights into the participants’ experiences of working with distressed clients and, more specifically, their experience of compassion fatigue and stories of resilience. The research provides clear direction for future research at organisational, educational and interpersonal levels.
Correlated responses to clonal selection in populations of Daphnia pulicaria: mechanisms of genetic correlation and the creative power of sex

Genetic correlations among traits alter evolutionary trajectories due to indirect selection. Pleiotropy, chance linkage, and selection can all lead to genetic correlations, but have different consequences for phenotypic evolution. We sought to assess the mechanisms contributing to correlations with size at maturity in the cyclic parthenogen Daphnia pulicaria. We selected on size in each of four populations that differ in the frequency of sex, and evaluated correlated responses in a life table. Size at advanced adulthood, reproductive output, and adult growth rate clearly showed greater responses in high-sex populations, with a similar pattern in neonate size and r. This pattern is expected only when trait correlations are favored by selection and the frequency of sex favors the creation and demographic expansion of highly fit clones. Juvenile growth and age at maturity did not diverge consistently. The inter-clutch interval appeared to respond more strongly in low-sex populations, but this was not statistically significant. Our data support the hypothesis that correlated selection is the strongest driver of genetic correlations, and suggest that in organisms with both sexual and asexual reproduction, adaptation can be enhanced by recombination.
5G multi-RAT multi-connectivity architecture

The 5th generation of mobile networks is envisioned to unify different access types under one system in order to enable efficient and performant operations. We propose a radio network architecture for tight integration of multiple radio access technologies supporting traffic steering, link selection, and aggregation of traffic flows from and to different sources. This enables the radio network architecture to support better throughput, and increased reliability with different levels of mobility. Specifically, we propose a common user plane and control plane across different radio technologies utilizing similar principles, such that the joint operation of radio technologies can be optimized.
The miscarriage clinic: an audit of the first year

Summary. We preview the results of the first year in a Miscarriage Clinic set up in 1989 in an effort to improve the support and counselling of women who have a miscarriage. Of 381 patients referred, 79% attended. The only statistically significant difference between the women who attended and those who did not attend was in the proportion of women who had planned their pregnancies (65% versus 33%, P<0.01). Of the 300 patients who attended, 4% reported no grief reaction; 75% experienced a reaction which had resolved within one month and 21% experienced a reaction which had not resolved. No factor was identified which could predict the duration of the grief reaction. This audit demonstrates that there is a strong demand and need for this service for couples who experience a miscarriage.
Psychosis and violence: the case for a content analysis of psychotic experience.

There has been a great deal of debate about the dangers psychiatric patients pose to the general population. Recent studies appear to confirm a moderate but reliable association between mental illness and violence. The nature of this association, however, is unresolved. Considerable evidence suggests that much of the violent behavior observed in the mentally ill is not random but is motivated and directed by psychotic symptoms. In many cases, the behavior appears to be a predictable and in some ways rational response to irrational beliefs (delusions) and perceptions (hallucinations). The content and themes of a psychotic patient's delusion or hallucination often imply a specific course of violent action. Unlike studies of associations between violence and broad categories of subject characteristics (e.g., mental illness), an analysis of the association between violence and the content and themes of psychotic symptoms could be much more informative. Conceivably, such an analysis could identify not only psychiatric patients at risk for committing violence but also those individuals who are at risk for becoming targets of their violence.
Nanoscale Roughness Effects at the Interface of Lithography and Plasma Etching: Modeling of Line-Edge-Roughness Transfer During Plasma Etching

We present 3-D modeling results on resist line-edge-roughness (LER) transfer to underlying films during plasma etching. After generating random fractal resist sidewalls with controlled roughness parameters, we model and contrast the nanoscale roughness phenomena for both resist and underlayer sidewalls in a two-layer stack using two different plasma processes in three scenarios: (1) pattern transfer; (2) resist trimming; and (3) resist trimming followed by pattern transfer. In the pattern transfer process, etching is considered ion driven and anisotropic. The protrusions of the rough, trimmed or nontrimmed, resist sidewall act as a shadowing mask for the incident ions. It is found that shadowing of ions is enough to induce the, well known by experiments, striations at the sidewalls of both the underlayer and the resist. Pattern transfer induces a decrease of rms roughness but has no important effects on the correlation length. In the trimming process, the evolution of the resist sidewall is modeled with an isotropic etching process not affecting the underlayer. The trimming process causes a decrease of the rms value of the resist sidewall and an increase of its correlation length and roughness exponent. For sufficiently long trimming times, the change of LER parameters becomes less intense. In the case of trimming followed by pattern transfer, the striations of the underlayer widen with trimming time, and pattern transfer further reduces all LER parameters. The effect of trimming on the rms roughness of the underlayer is important in the case of initially anisotropic resist sidewall. For both trimming and pattern transfer, a stronger relative reduction on rms roughness of both the resist and the underlayer sidewalls is obtained for smaller correlation length and larger rms roughness of the initial resist.
Effects of Adding Intrathecal Magnesium Sulphate To Bupivacaine And Fentanyl in Lower Abdominal And Lower Limb Surgeries

Background & Aim: Addition of opiates with nonopioid adjuvants to local anaesthetics is becoming popular in perioperative pain management, as no single agent has yet been identified to specifically inhibit nociception without the usual side effects. Research continues concerning different techniques and drugs that could provide optimal operative conditions and postoperative pain relief. The present study is designed to assess the effectiveness of adding magnesium to a combination of intrathecal bupivacaine and fentanyl. Methods: After obtaining informed consent, sixty patients randomized into two groups, thirty each. Study group received 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine 2.5ml+ 25mcg (0.5ml) fentanyl + 50mg (1ml) magnesium sulphate. Control group received 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine 2.5ml+ 25mcg (0.5ml) fentanyl + 1ml of preservative free 0.9% sodium chloride. Time of onset of sensory, motor block, maximum level of sensory block, time to attain the same, duration of analgesia, two segment regression time, time for complete motor recovery, haemodynamic parameters and perioperative complications studied. All the statistical methods were carried out through the SPSS for Windows (version 16.0). Descriptive statistics, frequencies, crosstabs, independent sample t- test and repeated measures ANOVA were the statistical methods used for this study. Results: Duration of analgesia, time for two segment regression & time for complete motor recovery is significantly longer in MgSO4 group than in control group. Onset time for sensory and motor blockade is delayed in MgSO4 group but is statistically non-significant. Conclusion: Addition of intrathecal magnesium provides longer duration of analgesia, longer time for two segment regression & delays time for complete motor recovery with no significant haemodynamic variations/side effects.
Exposure to cocaine regulates inhibitory synaptic transmission from the ventral tegmental area to the nucleus accumbens

• Synaptic projections from the ventral tegmental area (VTA) to the nucleus accumbens (NAc) make up the backbone of the brain reward pathway; in addition to the well‐known modulatory dopaminergic projection, the VTA also provides fast excitatory and inhibitory synaptic input to the NAc, but the cellular nature of VTA‐to‐NAc fast synaptic transmission and its roles in drug‐induced adaptations are not well understood. • Using optogenetic approaches, the present study profiled fast excitatory synaptic projection from dopaminergic neurons and inhibitory synaptic projection from GABAergic neurons in the VTA to NAc core (NAcCo) medium spiny neurons. • We further identified that, following repeated non‐contingent exposure to cocaine, VTA‐to‐NAcCo inhibitory synaptic transmission appears to be enhanced by an increase in the presynaptic release probability. • No postsynaptic alterations were detected at either excitatory or inhibitory synapses within the VTA‐to‐NAcCo projection.