Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of electromagnetic-navigated shunt placement on failure rates: a prospective multicenter study.

OBJECT As many as 40% of shunts fail in the first year, mainly due to proximal obstruction. The role of catheter position on failure rates has not been clearly demonstrated. The authors conducted a prospective cohort study of navigated shunt placement compared with standard blind shunt placement at 3 European centers to assess the effect on shunt failure rates. METHODS All adult and pediatric patients undergoing de novo ventriculoperitoneal shunt placement were included (patients with slit ventricles were excluded). The first cohort underwent standard shunt placement using anatomical landmarks. All centers subsequently adopted electromagnetic (EM) navigation for routine shunt placements, forming the second cohort. Catheter position was graded on postoperative CT in both groups using a 3-point scale developed for this study: (1) optimal position free-floating in CSF; (2) touching choroid or ventricular wall; or (3) intraparenchymal. Episodes and type of shunt revision were recorded. Early shunt failure was defined as that occurring within 30 days of surgery. Patients with shunts were followed-up for 12 months in the standard group, for a median of 6 months in the EM-navigated group, or until shunt failure. RESULTS A total of 75 patients were included in the study, 41 with standard shunts and 34 with EM-navigated shunts. Seventy-four percent of navigated shunts were Grade 1 compared with 37% of the standard shunts (p=0.001, chi-square test). There were no Grade 3 placements in the navigated group, but 8 in the standard group, and 75% of these failed. Early shunt failure occurred in 9 patients in the standard group and in 2 in the navigated group, reducing the early revision rate from 22 to 5.9% (p=0.048, Fisher exact test). Early shunt failures were due to proximal obstruction in 78% of standard shunts (7 of 9) and in 50% of EM-navigated shunts (1 of 2). CONCLUSIONS Noninvasive EM image guidance in shunt surgery reduces poor shunt placement, resulting in a significant decrease in the early shunt revision rate.
A novel handover scheme for seamless wireless connectivity in high-speed rail

It is a great challenge to design an efficient handover scheme of broadband wireless communication systems for high-speed rail to reduce the communication interruption time during handover. A seamless handover scheme based on the dual-layer and dual-link system architecture is proposed in this paper. In the scheme, two antennas are mounted at the front and rear of a train, and one of them executes handover while the other is still communicating with BS. Therefore, the communication will not be interrupted throughout the handover. Furthermore, bi-casting is adopted to eliminate the data forwarding delay between the serving BS and target BS. In order to reduce handover implementation overhead, a Train Relay Station is employed to represent all the users in a train to execute handover in the proposed scheme. The performance of the proposed scheme is analyzed in terms of handover probability, handover failure probability and communication interruption probability. Simulation and theoretical results show that the proposed scheme can efficiently support seamless handover for high-speed trains with low implementation overhead.
Transitions Toward Transformation:Exploring Continuing Professional Development for Teachers in Ireland (2 Vols.)

This thesis addresses the question of a national framework for continuing professional development (CPD) for teachers in Ireland. The framework aims to make provision for CPD that would be transformative in its impact on teachers, improving the quality of teaching for the benefit of the young people in the education system and enhancing the personal and professional well-being of teachers. In that context, the literature on adult education as transformative learning was examined in constructing the conceptual framework underpinning the research. Three methods are used to address the research question: a questionnaire survey to teachers, individual interviews with stakeholder representatives and focus group interviews with teachers. In building the foundation for meaningful CPD, the research takes an overview of the teacher’s career, looking at what motivates people to be teachers, how their programmes of initial teacher education prepare them and how they see themselves as professionals in their career. It then goes on to examine teachers’ experiences of CPD to date and the perceived benefits of those experiences. Finally, teachers’ and stakeholders’ thoughts on CPD in the future are examined. The research findings show that, while teachers are highly motivated to work with young people and to make a difference in their lives, a framework for CPD is urgently required if transformation of the profession is to happen. In particular, the research establishes that: a significant number of teachers do not have a strong sense of professional identity: the notion of being lifelong learners has not been internalised by all teachers, albeit that there is much engagement in professional learning; a culture of collaboration among teachers is not yet embedded in schools in Ireland. The areas identified are in need of attention in the context of a CPD framework for teacher transformation. A number of ideas, based on the principles of adult education, are put forward in this thesis to address these areas. Suggestions are also offered in relation to the practicalities of progressing a CPD framework for teachers.
Interpretation of Transformer FRA Responses— Part II: Influence of Transformer Structure

In general, a transformer winding end-to-end frequency response analysis (FRA) response, usually measured between 10 Hz and 2 MHz, can be divided into three frequency regions of which from low to high frequencies, are dominated by the core, the windings, and the measurement setup correspondingly. The coupling interaction between windings may be originated either from nontested windings of the same phase with the winding-under-test or from nontested windings in the other phases. The latter is coupled to the winding-under-test through the three-phase delta winding connection. This paper addresses the issue of coupling between windings and how it affects the features of FRA responses. Using a 1000-MVA 400/275-kV autotransformer as an example, a double-peak feature is distinctively observed in the frequency band between 2 and 20 kHz on the series and common windings' FRA responses. Through transformer modeling and simulation sensitivity studies, it is found that the coupling through the delta tertiary connection affects the first resonance of the double-peak feature while the coupling between windings of the same phase, especially between the series and the common winding, influences the anti-resonance and the second resonance of the double-peak feature.
PI3KCA plays a major role in multiple myeloma and its inhibition with BYL719 decreases proliferation, synergizes with other therapies and overcomes stroma‐induced resistance

The phosphatidylinositide 3‐kinase (PI3K) pathway is activated and correlated with drug resistance in multiple myeloma (MM). In the present study we investigated the role of PI3KCA (PI3K‐α) in the progression and drug resistance in MM. We showed that the gene expression of PI3KCA isoform was higher in MM compared to normal subjects. BYL719, a novel and specific PI3KCA inhibitor inhibited the survival of primary MM cells and cell lines but not normal peripheral blood mononuclear cells. BYL719 induced the apoptosis of MM cells and inhibited their cell cycle by causing G1 arrest. BYL719 inhibited PI3K signalling, decreased proliferation and cells cycle signalling, and induced apoptosis signalling in MM cells. Finally, BYL719 synergized with bortezomib and carfilzomib, and overcame drug resistance induced by bone marrow stroma. These results were confirmed using in silico simulation of MM cell lines, BYL719 and bortezomib, and showed similar trends in survival, proliferation, apoptosis, cell signalling and synergy with drugs. In conclusion, PI3KCA plays a major role in proliferation and drug resistance of MM cells, the effects of which were inhibited with BYL719. These results provide a preclinical basis for a future clinical trial of BYL719 in MM as a single agent or in combination with other drugs.
Assessment of the Placenta in Intrauterine Growth Restriction by Diffusion-Weighted Imaging and Proton Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy

Placental insufficiency is a major cause of intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) and seriously affects fetal development. When placental insufficiency happened, the diffusion of water molecule was restricted and the metabolic balance was destroyed in the placenta. In this prospective study, we aimed to evaluate the diagnostic value of diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) in combination with proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H MRS) for placental insufficiency in IUGR. The apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values were calculated using DWI, and the metabolism of N-acetylaspartate (NAA), choline, and lipid and their ratios in the placenta were calculated using 1H MRS. Data were statistically analyzed by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and logistic regression analysis. The NAA and choline peaks were decreased in IUGR placentas compared with normal placentas, while lipid peaks showed an opposite trend. The average ADC value and the NAA/lipid and choline/lipid ratios were lower in the IUGR group than in the normal group (P < .01). Logistic regression with multiple parameters showed that combination of the ADC value and choline/lipid ratio was more favorable than either parameter alone in analyzing placental insufficiency of IUGR (P < .05). The area under the ROC curve for the combination was 0.939, indicating reasonably good discrimination. We concluded that reduced ADC and NAA/lipid and choline/lipid ratios could serve as potential markers for placental insufficiency of IUGR. Furthermore, the combination of ADC value and choline/lipid ratio greatly improved the diagnostic value.
Dysregulation of apoptosis by c‐myc in transgenic hepatocytes and effects of growth factors and nongenotoxic carcinogens

Regulation of apoptosis is an important component of multistage hepatocarcinogenesis. The proto‐oncogene c‐myc has been shown to be important in apoptosis regulation and to be amplified and overexpressed in human and rodent liver neoplasia. The objectives of the study reported here were to determine whether apoptosis regulation is altered in transgenic hepatocytes that overexpress c‐myc and whether growth factors or nongenotoxic carcinogens alter apoptosis regulation in c‐myc versus wild‐type hepatocytes. Hepatocytes isolated from c‐myc transgenic mice had four fold more c‐myc RNA and protein (at 12–48 h) in addition to increased apoptosis levels compared with wild‐type hepatocytes. The increased apoptosis in c‐myc hepatocytes was accompanied by increased p53, bax, and bak and decreased bcl‐2 protein levels. Hepatocytes overexpressing c‐myc were more sensitive to apoptosis induced by bleomycin but less sensitive to apoptosis induced by transforming growth factor (TGF)–β. Phenobarbital, a potent liver tumor promoter, inhibited apoptosis in c‐myc hepatocytes but not in wild‐type hepatocytes, decreased p53 and bax, and increased bcl‐2 protein levels. Nafenopin inhibited apoptosis in both c‐myc and wild‐type hepatocytes, whereas 2,3,7,8‐tetrachlorodibenzo‐p‐dioxin did not inhibit apoptosis in either wild‐type or c‐myc hepatocytes. TGF‐α inhibited apoptosis and increased bcl‐XL and decreased bak protein levels in c‐myc hepatocytes but not in wild‐type hepatocytes. Insulin‐like growth factor‐II did not affect apoptosis in c‐myc or wild‐type hepatocytes. In this study, overexpression of c‐myc altered the response to apoptotic stimuli in transgenic hepatocytes. Furthermore, phenobarbital and TGF‐α inhibited c‐myc–induced apoptosis, which may have resulted in a selective growth advantage for an initiated cell population and which may be a mechanism for tumor promotion. Mol. Carcinog. 25:273–284, 1999. © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The effects of audit quality on the costs of capital of firms in Ghana

PurposeThis paper aims to investigate the effects of audit quality on the cost of capital in Ghana.Design/methodology/approachNon-financial firms listed on the Ghana Stock Exchange (GSE) as well as non-listed firms from the database of Ghana Club 100 were included in the sample. Series are yearly, covering a sample of 40 firms during the six-year period, 2008-2013. The study employed the positivist research paradigm to establish the relationship between audit quality and the cost of capital.FindingsThere is evidence to suggest that the cost of debt and the overall cost of capital of firms in Ghana can be explained by the quality of the external auditors. The results also show that the large size of the board is associated with low cost of debt.Research limitations/implicationsThe fact that the choice of quality measure is based on firm size only and other measurements of audit quality could not be measured. Future research may examine how other approaches to measuring audit quality affect cost of capital.Practical implicationsThe results significant for those charged with assurance and regulation, as well as lenders and managers of companies.Originality/valueThe authors investigate how external auditing quality affects the cost of capital of firms operating in Ghana.
Angiogenesis inhibitors in tackling recurrent glioblastoma

ABSTRACT Introduction: Despite aggressive multimodality treatment of glioblastoma, outcome remains poor and patients mostly die of local recurrences. Besides reoperation and occasionally reirradiation, systemic treatment of recurrent glioblastoma consists of alkylating chemotherapy (lomustine, temozolomide), bevacizumab and combinations thereof. Unfortunately, antiangiogenic agents failed to improve survival either as a monotherapy or in combination treatments. This review provides current insights into tumor-derived escape mechanisms and other areas of treatment failure of antiangiogenic agents in glioblastoma. Areas covered: We summarize the current literature on antiangiogenic agents in the treatment of glioblastoma, with a focus on recurrent disease. A literature search was performed using the terms ‘glioblastoma’, ‘bevacizumab’, ‘antiangiogenic’, ‘angiogenesis’, ‘resistance’, ‘radiotherapy’, ‘chemotherapy’ and derivations thereof. Expert commentary: New insights in glioma neoangiogenesis, increasing understanding of vascular pathway escape mechanisms, and upcoming immunotherapy approaches might revitalize the therapeutic potential of antiangiogenic agents against glioblastoma, although with a different treatment intention. The combination of antiangiogenic approaches with or without radiotherapy might still hold promise to complement the therapeutic armamentarium of fighting glioblastoma.
Multi-population parallel imperialist competitive algorithm for solving systems of nonlinear equations

The widespread importance of optimization and solving NP-hard problems, like solving systems of nonlinear equations, is indisputable in a diverse range of sciences. Vast uses of non-linear equations are undeniable. Some of their applications are in economics, engineering, chemistry, mechanics, medicine, and robotics. There are different types of methods of solving the systems of nonlinear equations. One of the most popular of them is Evolutionary Computing (EC). This paper presents an evolutionary algorithm that is called Parallel Imperialist Competitive Algorithm (PICA) which is based on a multi-population technique for solving systems of nonlinear equations. In order to demonstrate the efficiency of the proposed approach, some well-known problems are utilized. The results indicate that the PICA has a high success and a quick convergence rate.
Expression of p53 and human herpesvirus‐8 (HHV‐8)–encoded latency‐associated nuclear antigen with inhibition of apoptosis in HHV‐8–associated malignancies

Kaposi sarcoma (KS) and primary effusion lymphoma (PEL) cells express human herpesvirus‐8 (HHV‐8)–encoded latency‐associated nuclear antigen (LANA) (open reading frame [ORF] 73 protein), suggesting that LANA plays an important role in the pathogenesis of HHV‐8–associated malignancies. Recently, the binding of LANA to p53 was demonstrated in vitro. In the current study, the authors investigated the association between p53 and LANA expression with apoptosis in HHV‐8–associated malignancies in vivo.
Racial-ethnic disparities in acute blood pressure after intracerebral hemorrhage

Objective: To assess race-ethnic differences in acute blood pressure (BP) following intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) and the contribution to disparities in ICH outcome. Methods: BPs in the field (emergency medical services [EMS]), emergency department (ED), and at 24 hours were compared and adjusted for group differences between non-Hispanic black (black), non-Hispanic white (white), and Hispanic participants in the Ethnic Racial Variations of Intracerebral Hemorrhage case-control study. Outcome was obtained by modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score at 3 months. We analyzed race-ethnic differences in good outcome (mRS ≤ 2) and mortality after adjusting for baseline differences and included BP recordings in this model. Results: Of 2,069 ICH cases enrolled, 30% were white, 37% black, and 33% Hispanic. Black and Hispanic patients had higher EMS and ED systolic and diastolic BPs compared with white patients (p = 0.0001). Although attenuated, at 24 hours after admission, black patients had higher systolic and diastolic BPs. After adjusting for baseline differences, significant race/ethnic differences persisted for EMS systolic, ED systolic and diastolic, and 24-hours diastolic BP. Only ED systolic and diastolic BP was associated with poor functional outcome, and no BP predicted mortality. We found no race-ethnic differences in 3-month functional outcome or mortality after adjusting for group differences, including acute BPs. Conclusions: Although black and Hispanic patients had higher BPs than white patients at presentation, we did not find race-ethnic disparities in 3-month functional outcome or mortality. ED systolic and diastolic BP was associated with poor functional outcome, but not mortality, in this race-ethnically diverse population.
Parents' discipline of young children: results from the National Survey of Early Childhood Health.

OBJECTIVE To examine the use and predictors of different discipline practices by parents of very young children using data from the 2000 National Survey of Early Childhood Health (NSECH). METHODS NSECH is a nationally representative telephone survey of 2068 parents of young children between the ages of 4 and 35 months conducted by the National Center for Health Statistics. The survey includes questions about parents' use of 5 discipline practices: yelling, spanking, time out, toy removal, and explanations. chi2 analyses and logistic multivariate regression were used to examine associations between discipline practices and child, parent, and demographic factors. RESULTS Among young children aged 19 to 35 months, frequent parental use of discipline strategies ranged from 26% (spanking) to 65% (taking away toy or treat), 67% (yelling), 70% (using time out), and 90% (providing explanations). In multivariate analyses, child age predicts reports of more frequent spanking and yelling, and child developmental risk is associated with increased reports of yelling. Parent frustration predicts frequent use of every discipline practice, including a greater inclination to use aversive practices. Lower parental emotional well-being is associated with reports of frequent yelling and spanking. Black ethnicity and maternal age predict more frequent spanking, and Spanish-speaking parents reported less frequent use of time out and taking away a toy. CONCLUSION Child age and developmental risk and parents' ethnicity, emotions, and mental health are closely associated with discipline practices in the first 3 years of life. These factors are important for pediatricians to recognize in providing anticipatory guidance about discipline.
Anatomic Basis for Brachial Plexus Block at the Costoclavicular Space: A Cadaver Anatomic Study

Background and Objectives The costoclavicular space (CCS), which is located deep and posterior to the midpoint of the clavicle, may be a better site for infraclavicular brachial plexus block than the traditional lateral paracoracoid site. However, currently, there is paucity of data on the anatomy of the brachial plexus at the CCS. We undertook this cadaver anatomic study to define the anatomy of the cords of the brachial plexus at the CCS and thereby establish the anatomic basis for ultrasound-guided infraclavicular brachial plexus block at this proximal site. Methods The anatomy and topography of the cords of the brachial plexus at the CCS was evaluated in 8 unembalmed (cryopreserved), thawed, fresh adult human cadavers using anatomic dissection, and transverse anatomic and histological sections, of the CCS. Results The cords of the brachial plexus were located lateral and parallel to the axillary artery at the CCS. The topography of the cords, relative to the axillary artery and to one another, in the transverse (axial) plane was also consistent at the CCS. The lateral cord was the most superficial of the 3 cords and it was always anterior to both the medial and posterior cords. The medial cord was directly posterior to the lateral cord but medial to the posterior cord. The posterior cord was the lateral most of the 3 cords at the CCS and it was immediately lateral to the medial cord but posterolateral to the lateral cord. Conclusions The cords of the brachial plexus are clustered together lateral to the axillary artery, and share a consistent relation relative to one another and to the axillary artery, at the CCS.
Fkbp1a controls ventricular myocardium trabeculation and compaction by regulating endocardial Notch1 activity

Trabeculation and compaction of the embryonic myocardium are morphogenetic events crucial for the formation and function of the ventricular walls. Fkbp1a (FKBP12) is a ubiquitously expressed cis-trans peptidyl-prolyl isomerase. Fkbp1a-deficient mice develop ventricular hypertrabeculation and noncompaction. To determine the physiological function of Fkbp1a in regulating the intercellular and intracellular signaling pathways involved in ventricular trabeculation and compaction, we generated a series of Fkbp1a conditional knockouts. Surprisingly, cardiomyocyte-restricted ablation of Fkbp1a did not give rise to the ventricular developmental defect, whereas endothelial cell-restricted ablation of Fkbp1a recapitulated the ventricular hypertrabeculation and noncompaction observed in Fkbp1a systemically deficient mice, suggesting an important contribution of Fkbp1a within the developing endocardia in regulating the morphogenesis of ventricular trabeculation and compaction. Further analysis demonstrated that Fkbp1a is a novel negative modulator of activated Notch1. Activated Notch1 (N1ICD) was significantly upregulated in Fkbp1a-ablated endothelial cells in vivo and in vitro. Overexpression of Fkbp1a significantly reduced the stability of N1ICD and direct inhibition of Notch signaling significantly reduced hypertrabeculation in Fkbp1a-deficient mice. Our findings suggest that Fkbp1a-mediated regulation of Notch1 plays an important role in intercellular communication between endocardium and myocardium, which is crucial in controlling the formation of the ventricular walls.