Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An Intraoperative Beta Probe Dedicated to Glioma Surgery: Design and Feasibility Study

Surgery is considered as the primary therapeutic procedure for gliomas and several recent clinical studies have shown that total tumor resection is directly associated with longer survival when compared to subtotal resection. In order to refine the resection in the boundaries of gliomas, we are developing an intraoperative probe specifically dedicated to the localization of residual tumor labeled with positron emitters. The probe is designed to be compact and electrically safe in order to be directly coupled to the excision tool leading to simultaneous detection and removal of tumor tissues. It is built with clear and plastic scintillating fibers held in a closed packed annular arrangement ensheathing the excision tool. The annihilation gamma ray background is eliminated by a real-time subtraction method. Validation of the technical choice and optimization of the probe geometry were performed by preliminary measurements and Monte Carlo simulations based on the MCNP-4C code and an anthropomorphic brain phantom. The theoretical probe sensitivity was found to be 82 cps/muCi/ml with a gamma ray rejection efficiency of 99.6%. The expected minimum radiotracer detectable concentration for tumors labeled with 18 F-FET was 0.10 muCi/ml. When compared to the 0.29 muCi/ml average concentration in the bulk of the tumor, this result demonstrate the potential ability of the probe to define more accurately the extent of brain tumor resection
Follicular fluid administration delayed, but did not prevent, the hemicastration-induced increase in follicle-stimulating hormone secretion and compensatory testicular hypertrophy in ram lambs.

To determine whether the post-hemicastration rise in serum FSH is related to compensatory testicular hypertrophy, 4-mo-old ram lambs were hemicastrated and injected s.c. with 5 ml of saline (HC; n = 5) or steroid-free follicular fluid (HC + FF; n = 5) twice daily for 28 days. Sham-operated intact lambs, injected with saline, served as controls (INT; n = 5). Blood samples were collected frequently during the first 48 h, daily for the remainder of the first week, and then three times/wk for the next 11 wk. Serum FSH concentrations in HC lambs increased above presurgery levels by 9 h, peaked at 13 days, and returned to baseline as compared to INT controls by 5 wk. Follicular fluid administration delayed (p < 0.05) the hemicastration-induced rise in FSH, but only for 14 of the 28 days of treatment; after this time, concentrations increased to the levels observed in HC rams. Within 2 days after the last follicular fluid injection (Day 30), FSH concentrations increased again to levels greater (p < 0.05) than those observed in HC animals. FSH secretion in HC + FF rams then declined to basal values by 7 wk, 2 wk later than in HC rams. Although the time course differed, the duration of elevated FSH did not differ between HC and HC + FF rams (36.4 +/- 2.0 vs. 37.8 +/- 4.7 days, respectively; p > 0.05). Testicular volume, determined on the last day of treatment (Day 28), was 70% greater (p < 0.05) in HC than in INT or HC + FF lambs; volume did not differ (p > 0.05) between INT and HC + FF rams. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
The Effect of Bad News on SAB 74 Disclosure Compliance

SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 74 (SAB 74, U.S. SEC 1987) requires registrants to provide information about the predicted financial statement effect of an enacted but not yet adopted accounting standard. The objectives of SAB 74 disclosures are to inform users the registrant will be required to adopt a new standard, and to assist users in assessing the impact of adoption on the registrant’s financial statements upon adoption. Regulators and investors find SAB 74 disclosures useful for their decision-making (Davis-Friday et al. 1999, 2004; SEC 2005). However, little evidence exists concerning whether companies meet their SAB 74 disclosure responsibilities, and how useful SAB 74 disclosures are for predicting the financial statement impact of adopting new accounting standards. Our results indicate substantial variation in how companies complied with SAB 74 when adopting one recent accounting standard (FIN 48 in 2007), and raise questions about the quality of SAB 74 disclosures. For example, we find that less than 20% of companies provide dollar estimates of the standard’s adoption effect. Although a majority of companies disclose an immaterial adoption effect under SAB 74, many of these same companies disclose material effects upon adoption less than 60 days later. Controlling for other factors, firms with “bad news” arising from adoption of the new standard are less likely to provide SAB 74 estimates. We find that when provided, SAB 74 estimates are incrementally useful in predicting the financial statement effect of FIN 48 adoption. We develop a SAB 74 disclosure model that might be useful to regulators concerned with mandatory disclosure compliance (or lack thereof) and to investors relying upon SAB74 estimates.
Impact of fluconazole versus posaconazole prophylaxis on the incidence of fungal infections in patients receiving induction chemotherapy for acute myeloid leukemia

Background: Invasive fungal infections (IFIs) remain one of the worrying complications in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) due to their incidence and high level of attributable mortality. In light of these risks, antifungal prophylaxis has always been debated. We conducted a single-center retrospective study of two prophylactic antifungal agents (fluconazole/posaconazole) in 91 consecutive patients receiving induction chemotherapy for AML between 2005 and 2009, in order to evaluate the impact on the incidence of IFI and on the mycological flora of the patients. Methods: In total, 39 patients received prophylactic fluconazole versus 52 who received posaconazole. The baseline characteristics of the two groups were comparable. Results: Overall, 17 patients developed an IFI, with no difference in frequency between the two groups. Utilization of empirical or pre-emptive therapy was similar irrespective of the type of prophylaxis used. Mycological examination of stools revealed an increase in non-albicans Candida colonization in the fluconazole group during hospitalization and the appearance of Saccharomyces cerevisiae colonization in patients receiving posaconazole. Conclusion: The present study does not distinguish between fluconazole and posaconazole as a primary effective prevention against fungal infections. More prospective studies and meta-analyses are warranted.
HIFI-α activation underlies a functional switch in the paradoxical role of Ezh2/PRC2 in breast cancer

Significance The plasticity of Polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2) in the context of tumorigenesis has remained a subject of contention. Here we demonstrate that the equilibrium between the oncogenic and tumor-suppressive activity of PRC2 in promoting breast cancer invasion is tightly regulated by hypoxia-inducible factor 1-α. PRC2 acts as a tumor-suppressor barrier to the hypoxia-driven invasion pathway, and the impaired PRC2 activity upon hypoxia promotes a chromatin switch at proinvasion matrix metalloproteinase gene loci. The study fundamentally changed our understanding of the role of PRC2 in breast cancer and also identified a previously unidentified function of enhancer of zeste 2 to complex with Forkhead box M1 to promote cancer invasion. Despite the established oncogenic function of Polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2) in human cancers, its role as a tumor suppressor is also evident; however, the mechanism underlying the regulation of the paradoxical functions of PRC2 in tumorigenesis is poorly understood. Here we show that hypoxia-inducible factor 1, α-subunit (HIFI-α) is a crucial modulator of PRC2 and enhancer of zeste 2 (EZH2) function in breast cancer. Interrogating the genomic expression of breast cancer indicates high HIF1A activity correlated with high EZH2 expression but low PRC2 activity in triple-negative breast cancer compared with other cancer subtypes. In the absence of HIFIA activation, PRC2 represses the expression of matrix metalloproteinase genes (MMPs) and invasion, whereas a discrete Ezh2 complexed with Forkhead box M1 (FoxM1) acts to promote the expression of MMPs. HIF1-α induction upon hypoxia results in PRC2 inactivation by selective suppression of the expression of suppressor of zeste 12 protein homolog (SUZ12) and embryonic ectoderm development (EED), leading to a functional switch toward Ezh2/FoxM1-dependent induction of the expression of MMPs and invasion. Our study suggests a tumor-suppressive function of PRC2, which is restricted by HIF1-α, and an oncogenic function of Ezh2, which cooperates with FoxM1 to promote invasion in triple-negative breast cancer.
Deep venous thrombosis after orthopedic surgery in adult cancer patients

Background and Objectives: Patients with cancer and patients undergoing major orthopedic procedures are two groups at risk of deep venous thrombosis (DVT). The objective was to determine the rate of venous thromboembolic disease in patients with a malignant neoplasm and major orthopaedic surgery of the lower limb.
REFINEMENT OF THE HEMATITE STRUCTURE

Three-dimensional dilTraction intensities u.ere collected from a spherical single crystal of hematite, a FezOs, with a Buerger single-crystal diffractometer. The structure has been refined with a least-squares program, and the final structure gave an R-factor of 3.65 Per cent. The structure model of Pauling and Hendricks has been confirmed with essentially no change in the iron and approximately 5 per cent change in the oxygen coordinates. Selected interatomic clistances and angles were calculated as were anisotropic temperature factors.
Simulation of electro-thermal aging based on the generic life-expression

Simulations in polymeric aging models have been performed on the DMM life model in terms of generic aging features. These simulations were carried out on polyethylene-terephthalate (PET) samples with a thickness of 1mm, under DC fields of 40 and 20 MV/m and temperatures of 110 and 180 oC. Representation of the work was performed in 2-D to demonstrate the evolution of damage structures during aging process in insulating polymers. Susceptible sites in isolated regions will be produced during the aging process. Therefore, failure bonds will be initiated at a high energy concentration sites which leads to create a breakdown path between electrodes. Life-time was taken in the simulations by varying either the susceptibilities of the damage sites parameter or the concentration of the stored energies in the moieties parameter. This paper will provide the inverse relationship between the insulation life and the increasing of the thicknesses. The relation will be based on the Weibull statistical analysis. Simulations based on the generic life-expression are used to support this relation and investigate the validity of the model for various thicknesses.
What Explains Governance Structure in Non-Profit and For-Profit Microfinance Institutions?

This paper aims to explain the choice of board and CEO characteristics in microfinance institutions (MFI). Explanations are sought in substitution or complementarity between the characteristics, external governance variables, and financial performance and outreach performance to the poor. The data are from 290 MFIs in 61 countries, and the logit regressions methodology is employed. The board and CEO characteristics are board size, CEO-chairman duality, international directors, and female CEO. We find relationships among these variables, and also that the external governance variables ownership type (shareholder owned) and international initialization induce smaller board, less duality, more international directors, and fewer female CEOs. Except for the female CEO result we argue that these results are consistent. The consistency is repeated for outreach performance to poor individuals and small businesses. We believe the study may inform better performance studies in the future, and also to motivate better governance in MFIs.
Y chromosome diversity, human expansion, drift, and cultural evolution

The relative importance of the roles of adaptation and chance in determining genetic diversity and evolution has received attention in the last 50 years, but our understanding is still incomplete. All statements about the relative effects of evolutionary factors, especially drift, need confirmation by strong demographic observations, some of which are easier to obtain in a species like ours. Earlier quantitative studies on a variety of data have shown that the amount of genetic differentiation in living human populations indicates that the role of positive (or directional) selection is modest. We observe geographic peculiarities with some Y chromosome mutants, most probably due to a drift-related phenomenon called the surfing effect. We also compare the overall genetic diversity in Y chromosome DNA data with that of other chromosomes and their expectations under drift and natural selection, as well as the rate of fall of diversity within populations known as the serial founder effect during the recent “Out of Africa” expansion of modern humans to the whole world. All these observations are difficult to explain without accepting a major relative role for drift in the course of human expansions. The increasing role of human creativity and the fast diffusion of inventions seem to have favored cultural solutions for many of the problems encountered in the expansion. We suggest that cultural evolution has been subrogating biologic evolution in providing natural selection advantages and reducing our dependence on genetic mutations, especially in the last phase of transition from food collection to food production.
The importance of social networks for expatriate managers : A case study from Russia

This thesis has examined how expatriate managers in Russia create and use social networks with other individuals, in order to be successful in their assignment on an international unit. The study has also focused on how corporations can benefit from these networking activities conducted by the expatriates. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with expatriate managers on location in Russia in order to answer the research question. The interviews have later been analyzed by using a theoretical framework mainly based on the social capital theory and the main findings are as follows. Expatriate managers in Russia create networks with other individuals in order to both receive new business opportunities but also for adjusting to life in Russia. Corporations themselves do also benefit from these social networks, since they can create foundations for new business opportunities and increase corporations general image. The limitations of this study are that only Swedish expatriates have been included in the presented empirical material.
A Numerical Modeling Study of the Propagation of Idealized Sea-Breeze Density Currents*

AbstractSea breezes are often modeled as a wave response to transient heating in a stratified environment. They occur, however, as density currents with well-defined fronts, the understanding of which rests primarily on experiments and theory that do not include the stratification within and above the current and the steady heat input at the land surface. These gaps are investigated here via a sequence of idealized 2D density current simulations, progressing from the simplest classical case to more realistic surface heating and stratification.In the classical situation where the entire horizontal density contrast is imposed initially, the front quickly attains a constant speed determined by traditional formulas based on the density contrast across the front and the current depth, or by the amount of heat needed to produce it from an initially barotropic fluid. However, these diagnostic and prognostic tools fail completely if the current is driven by a gradual input of heat, analogous to a real sea-breeze .
Outcomes following liver transplantation in intensive care unit patients.

AIM To determine feasibility of liver transplantation in patients from the intensive care unit (ICU) by estimating graft and patient survival. METHODS This single center retrospective study included 39 patients who had their first liver transplant directly from the intensive care unit and 927 non-ICU patients who were transplanted from hospital ward or home between January 2005 and December 2010. RESULTS In comparison to non-ICU patients, ICU patients had a higher model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) at transplant (median: 37 vs 20, P < 0.001). Fourteen out of 39 patients (36%) required vasopressor support immediately prior to liver transplantation (LT) with 6 patients (15%) requiring both vasopressin and norepinephrine. Sixteen ICU patients (41%) were ventilator dependent immediately prior to LT with 9 patients undergoing percutaneous tracheostomy prior to transplantation. Twenty-five ICU patients (64%) required dialysis preoperatively. At 1, 3 and 5 years after LT, graft survival was 76%, 68% and 62% in ICU patients vs 90%, 81% and 75% in non-ICU patients. Patient survival at 1, 3 and 5 years after LT was 78%, 70% and 65% in ICU patients vs 94%, 85% and 79% in non-ICU patients. When formally comparing graft survival and patient survival between ICU and non-ICU patients using Cox proportional hazards regression models, both graft survival [relative risk (RR): 1.94, 95%CI: 1.09-3.48, P = 0.026] and patient survival (RR: 2.32, 95%CI: 1.26-4.27, P = 0.007) were lower in ICU patients vs non-ICU patients in single variable analysis. These findings were consistent in multivariable analysis. Although not statistically significant, graft survival was worse in both patients with cryptogenic cirrhosis (RR: 3.29, P = 0.056) and patients who received donor after cardiac death (DCD) grafts (RR: 3.38, P = 0.060). These findings reached statistical significance when considering patient survival, which was worse for patients with cryptogenic cirrhosis (RR: 3.97, P = 0.031) and patients who were transplanted with DCD livers (RR: 4.19, P = 0.033). Graft survival and patient survival were not significantly worse for patients on mechanical ventilation (RR: 0.91, P = 0.88 in graft loss; RR: 0.69, P = 0.56 in death) or patients on vasopressors (RR: 1.06, P = 0.93 in graft loss; RR: 1.24, P = 0.74 in death) immediately prior to LT. Trends toward lower graft survival and patient survival were observed for patients on dialysis immediately before LT, however these findings did not approach statistical significance (RR: 1.70, P = 0.43 in graft loss; RR: 1.46, P = 0.58 in death). CONCLUSION Although ICU patients when compared to non-ICU patients have lower survivals, outcomes are still acceptable. Pre-transplant ventilation, hemodialysis, and vasopressors were not associated with adverse outcomes.
Understanding the power of hope and empathy in healthcare marketing

Purpose The dynamic landscape of healthcare has seen significant changes in marketing by the various types of healthcare providers. This research aims to explore the impact of emotions in healthcare advertising. Design/methodology/approach Two consumer panel experiments investigate the role of hope and empathy appeals in fostering positive evaluations toward healthcare providers (medical centers for serious illnesses). Findings Study 1 shows that two types of emotion-based healthcare appeals are more effective than non-emotional appeals. Study 2 compares the relative effectiveness of hope versus empathy appeals with medical expert or typical person (patient) testimonials. Research limitations/implications Findings demonstrate that in a healthcare context, an expert testimonial enhanced the persuasiveness of a hope-based appeal, whereas testimonials from unknown patients were not effective. Originality/value Understanding the role of emotions in healthcare advertising is increasingly important as healthcare providers compete on care and quality outcomes and advertising agencies vie for the attention of consumers.
Provider and Patient Perceptions of an External Medication History Function

Objectives To determine the awareness and use of an external medication history (EMH) function within an electronic health record and its impact on patient perception of medication adherence. Methods Two self-administered surveys were given: one to providers and one to patients. Participants included providers from an academic medical center and patients from 2 general internal medicine clinics. Results Of 154 completed provider surveys, 61% were aware the EMH existed. More of the respondents aware of the EMH were primary care and medicine subspecialty providers (79.1%) when compared with surgical providers (20.9%, P < 0.0001). The most common reasons chosen for looking at the EMH included checking for medication adherence (44%), questions about a specific medication (40%), and checking controlled substance prescription history (37%). Of those aware of the EMH, 65% found medications on the EMH that they were not aware their patient was getting filled. Of the 94 patient surveys, 34% felt the EMH feature might change their medication taking behavior, and 48% responded that it already had. Patients with a history of depression and/or anxiety were less likely to report the intent to change their medication taking behavior, OR, 0.34 [95% CI, 0.13-0.87]. Conclusion An external medication history function can provide further insight about a patient’s medication profile and prescription filling. Knowledge attained from the EMH may improve patient safety by helping to uncover nonadherence, dosing discrepancies, and medications prescribed by other providers. Additionally, patient knowledge of this feature might improve medication adherence. Although further studies are needed to obtain objective data, the external medication history function may have significant impact on both providers and patients, and its benefit should be widely publicized.
Variations In The Age Of Fusion Of Ischial Tuberosity; A Radiological Study.

BACKGROUND Human skeleton develops from separate ossification centres which continue to ossify till the bone is completely formed. Radiological techniques are very reliable and useful method for estimating the age of individual for forensic and criminal reasons by observing these ossification centres. External inspection for age determination is liable to error. This study is thus aimed to assess the variation in age of fusion of ischial tuberosity in Pakistani population. METHODS It was a cross sectional study, wherein data was retrospectively collected at Bahawalpur Victoria Hospital, a tertiary referral centre in which consecutively selected 47 females and 121 males between 10-24 years of age, attending the outpatient, referred from National Database and Registration Authority for the confirmation of age were selected. RESULTS There were a total of 13 cases in stage I, 98 in stage II, 23 in stage III and 34 in stage IV. In stage II maximum numbers of cases were between the ages of 19-22 years whereas in stage IV the maximum numbers of cases were between 21-24 years of age. CONCLUSIONS It is concluded that the earliest appearance of epiphyseal centre in males occurred at 12-13 years and in females at 10-11 years. While earliest complete union was seen at the age of 19-20 years in females and 16-17 years in males. All cases in age group of 23-24 years showed complete union.