Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Ten years of experience with third and fourth branchial remnants.

BACKGROUND Third and fourth branchial remnants may result in cysts and abscesses that are in close contact with the thyroid gland. These anomalies are rare and often present diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. METHODS The charts of patients diagnosed with a branchial anomaly between July 1991 and July 2001 at the Montreal Children's Hospital were reviewed. All cases of third and fourth branchial remnants or pyriform sinus fistulae were identified. Clinical presentation, imaging, treatment, and outcome were recorded. RESULTS Eight patients with a third or fourth branchial anomaly were identified and ranged in age from birth to 13 years. All anomalies were left sided. Presenting symptoms consisted of an asymptomatic cervical mass (n = 1), an infected mass (n = 5), neonatal respiratory distress (n = 1), and 1 incidental cyst found on magnetic resonance imaging. Ultrasonography was useful in suggesting the diagnosis in 7 cases. Barium swallow was performed in 3 patients with 2 positive results. Pharyngoscopy results showed the internal opening in 2 of 7 patients. A portion of the thyroid gland was resected in 6 patients. One patient has not yet undergone a definitive procedure. There was 1 recurrence in a patient whose pathology did not confirm a branchial remnant. CONCLUSIONS The diagnosis and management of pyriform sinus anomalies are challenging. Ultrasound scan, computed tomography scan, barium swallow, and pharyngoscopy are all useful. The portion of thyroid involved in the fistula must be excised en bloc with the inflammatory mass, and the tract should be ligated at the level of the pharynx to minimize recurrence.
Effect of Disruption of a Gene Encoding an Autolysin of Enterococcus faecalis OG1RF

ABSTRACT A mutant (TX5127) of Enterococcus faecalis OG1RF was generated by disruption mutagenesis of a previously described autolysin gene. TX5127 formed longer chains (2 to 10 cells per chain) than wild-type OG1RF (mainly single cells) during growth in broth even though it had a growth rate similar to that of the parental strain as measured by turbidity and cell count. Autolysin activity, as defined by the ability to lyse heat-killed Micrococcus lysodeikticuscells, was absent in TX5127, while this activity was easily detectable in OG1RF. However, disruption of this autolysin gene did not block the ability of TX5127 to hydrolyze E. faecalis cell walls compared to that of OG1RF. The autolysis rate of cells of TX5127 in 10 mM sodium phosphate buffer (pH 6.8) was slower than that of wild-type OG1RF. TX5127 also showed a decreased rate of lysis in the presence of penicillin, as measured by changes in the turbidity of the culture during 24 h of incubation at 37°C and a slightly decreased effect of penicillin as measured by time-kill curves. The virulence of TX5127 was similar to that of OG1RF in the mouse peritonitis model, indicating that the autolysin of E. faecalis is not important for infection in this model.
Re: Lanza et al.—endoscopic comparison of alendronate and risedronate

persistence of false positives in eradicated patients. It may be that antibodies utilized in the test had a cross-reaction with other antigens or that the test detected remains of dead bacteria, or because of geographical antigen differences. Another important issue is the need for a local test validation of the cutoff value, because values different from that recommended by the manufacturer have been reported (13). Finally, intertest variation and differences between batches cannot be excluded (14). Recently, a novel antigen enzyme immunoassay (FemtoLab H. pylori, Connex, Martinsried, Germany) using monoclonal antibodies directed against H. pylori has been developed. Preliminary studies demonstrate that discrimination between positive and negative results is enhanced by FemtoLab (15, 16).
Subcellular heterogeneity of voltage‐gated Ca2+ channels in cells of the oligodendrocyte lineage

We studied the distribution of voltage‐gated Ca2+ channels in cells of the oligodendrocyte lineage from retinal and cortical cultures. Influx Of ca2+ via voltagegated channels was activated by membrane depolarization with elevated extracellular K+ concentration ([K+]e) and local, subcellular increases in cytosolic free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]in) could be monitored with a fluometric system connected to a laser scanning confocal microscope. In glial precursor cells from both retina and cortex, small depolarizations (with 10 or 20 mM K+) activated Ca2+ transients in processes indicating the presence of low‐voltage‐activated Ca2+ channels. Larger depolarizations (with 50 mM K+) additionally activated high‐voltage‐activated Ca2+ channels in the soma. An uneven distribution of Ca2+ channels was also observed in the mature oligodendrocytes; Ca2+ trasients in processes were considerably larger. Recovery of Ca2+ levels after the voltage‐induced influx was achieved by the activity of the plasmalemmal Ca2+ pump, while mitochondria played a minor role to restore2+ levels after an influx through voltageoperated channels. During the development of white matter tracts, cells of the oligodendrocyte lineage contact axons to form myelin. Neuronal activity is accompanied by increases in [K+]e; this may lead to Ca2+ changes in the processes and the Ca2+ increase might be a signal for the glial precursor cell to start myelin formation. © 1995 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Portfolio Holdings in the Euro Area - Home Bias and the Role of International, Domestic and Sector-Specific Factors

This paper aims to identify the determinants of portfolio restructuring in EMU member states since the introduction of the euro and especially during the financial turbulence of the past years. We find that, besides exchange rate volatility and traditional indicators of information and transaction costs, the perception of sovereign risk has become more important as a determinant of portfolio allocation. The shares of financial corporations have been affected disproportionately by this development. At the same time, banks substantially reduced their international investment, possibly the result of a deleveraging process.
The Interstellar 4.62 Micron Band

We present new 4.5-5.1 μm (2210-1970 cm-1) spectra of embedded protostars, W33 A, AFGL 961 E, AFGL 2136, NGC 7538 IRS 9, and Mon R2 IRS 2, which contain a broad absorption feature located near 4.62 μm (2165 cm-1), commonly referred to in the literature as the "X-C≡N" band. The observed peak positions and widths of the interstellar band agree to within 2.5 cm-1 and 5 cm-1, respectively. The strengths of the interstellar 4.62 μm band and the ice absorption features in these spectra are not correlated, which suggests a diversity of environmental conditions for the ices we are observing. We explore several possible carriers of the interstellar band and review possible production pathways through far-ultraviolet photolysis (FUV), ion bombardment of interstellar ice analog mixtures, and acid-base reactions. Good fits to the interstellar spectra are obtained with an organic residue produced through ion bombardment of nitrogen-containing ices or with the OCN- ion produced either through acid-base reactions or FUV photolysis of NH3-containing ices.
How Do Institutional Investors Trade When Firms Buy Back Their Shares

We study how institutional investors trade when firms buy back shares. We find that institutions sell following share repurchase announcements. The institutional sell-off results in a more concentrated ownership by institutions, as the number of institutions in the investor base declines after accounting for the change in the universe of institutions. While some institutions sell shares passively to meet the firm demand for the market to clear, the overall institutional sell-off only accounts for 27% of shares bought back contemporaneously by firms. Many firms experience a net inflow of institutional investment. The institutional sell-off is greater in firms that experience weaker recent stock performance, display more information uncertainty, have higher institutional ownership, and conduct ill-timed/motivated repurchases that are not endorsed by institutions. And most of the sell-off comes from institutions active in trading. We decompose the future returns of institutional trading into liquidity provision and information components, and find that the returns are attributed solely to information. Institutional buying is more informative of the future returns than institutional sell-off, especially in firms with greater information asymmetry. But this return predictability decays over time. Our findings have important implications for firms’ cash payout policy and shed light on institutional trading behavior around voluntary corporate events.
Predicting Job-Satisfaction among the Academicians of Universities in Kpk, Pakistan

Measurement of job satisfaction or otherwise is a commonplace practice in all the organizations to periodically understand the attitudinal dimensions of the employees and plan the remedies in accordance with the findings of these studies. In analyzing the results, prediction of job satisfaction (involvement & commitment) as well as job dissatisfaction (absenteeism & turnover) is mostly founded on the Factors of job satisfaction attitude like pay, work, supervision, promotion, co-workers and environment. This study also uses the data on the factors for regression on the employee attitudes of both positive and negative consequences. A sample of 218 university teachers from the province of Khyber Pakhtun khwa has been used to record their satisfaction from different factors of satisfaction. Multiple regression procedure was then applied to compute how far positive and negative outcomes are explained or determined by the factors of job satisfaction. Key Words: Predictors of Job Satisfaction, Involvement and commitment, and Absenteeism and Turnover.
Hypnotizability and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A Prospective Study

Although there is converging evidence that posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is associated with higher levels of hypnotizability, there are no studies concerning the stability of hypnotizability levels following trauma. Acutely traumatized participants with acute stress disorder (N = 45) were administered the Stanford Hypnotic Clinical Scale (SHCS) within 4 weeks of their trauma. Participants were subsequently administered a brief cognitive-behavior therapy program. Six months after treatment, participants were re-assessed with the SHCS. Although SHCS scores were generally stable (r = .47), two thirds of participants responded differently across the 2 assessments. Increased SHCS scores at the second assessment were correlated with elevated PTSD avoidance scores. This finding suggests that elevated hypnotizability in PTSD populations may not be entirely stable and may be associated with specific PTSD responses.
Cut-Set Bounds for Generalized Networks

In a network, a node is said to incur a delay if its encoding of each transmitted symbol involves only its received symbols obtained before the time slot in which the transmitted symbol is sent (hence the transmitted symbol sent in a time slot cannot depend on the received symbol obtained in the same time slot). A node is said to incur no delay if its received symbol obtained in a time slot is available for encoding its transmitted symbol sent in the same time slot. In the classical discrete memoryless network (DMN), every node incurs a delay. A well-known result for the classical DMN is the cut-set outer bound. In this paper, we generalize the model of the DMN in such a way that some nodes may incur no delay, and we obtain the cut-set bound on the capacity region of the generalized DMN. In addition, we establish the cut-set outer bound on the positive-delay region - the capacity region of the generalized DMN under the constraint that every node incurs a delay. Then, we use the cut-set bound on the positive-delay region to show that in some two-node generalized DMN, the positive-delay region is strictly smaller than the capacity region. Finally, we demonstrate that our cut-set bound on the capacity region subsumes an existing cut-set bound for the causal relay network.
TREATMENT OE ACNE VULGARIS: COMBINATION OE 3% ERYTHROMYCIN AND 5% BENZOYL PEROXIDE IN A GEL COMPARED TO CLINDAMYCIN PHOSPHATE LOTION

Two hundred and five women between the ages of 23 and 50 years with Grade II or III acne vulgaris (Pillsbury classification^) and between 10 and 80 inflammatory lesions, were enrolled in the investigator-blinded, randomized, multicenter study. Two sites enrolled 72 patients each and one site enrolled 61. Patients who had previously demonstrated sensitivity to any of the ingredients of the study medications were not eligible for Inclusion in the study. Other exclusionary criteria included: use of a systemic antibiotic within 4 weeks; treatment with a topical antiacne medication within 2 weeks; and inability to understand the requirements of the study, abide by its restrictions, or return for the required examinations. Nursing mothers or pregnant women were also ineligible. Informed written consent was obtained from all patients. Patients were randomly assigned to one of two treatment groups: (1) combination therapy with 3% erythromycin and 5% benzoyi peroxide in a gel vehicle or (2) clindamycln phosphate lotion. Both treatments were applied twice daily for 10 weeks. The use of any concomitant acne medication or antibiotic was prohibited for the duration of the study. Information about each patient's medical history was obtained and recorded at the initial visit, and the grade of acne was determined. The evaluating physician, who was not aware of the assigned medication, counted all comedones, papules, and pustules on the patient's face. The physician also evaluated overall efficacy of the medication at each follow-up visit compared to the condition at baseline according to the following five-point scale: (1)0 = worse; (2) 1 = no change; (3) 2 = slight improvement; (4) 3 = moderate improvement; and (5) 4 = excellent improvement. These values were considered the "improvement scores. " At one site, the overall improvement score was obtained only at the final visit (week 10). In addition, patients were monitored throughout the study for any adverse experiences.
PROJECT PERFORMANCE BASED OPTIMAL CAPITAL STRUCTURE FOR PRIVATELY FINANCED INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS

Title of Dissertation: Project Performance-Based Optimal Capital Structure For Privately Financed Infrastructure Projects Satheesh K. Sundararajan, Doctor of Philosophy, 2004 Dissertation directed by: Assistant Professor Chung-Li Tseng Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering Privately Financed Infrastructure (PFI) projects are characterized by huge and irreversible investments and are faced with various risks. Project performance risks, such as project completion time and costs, affect the project value significantly, particularly in project development phase. This is because a major part of the project investments is made during this phase. Due to high uncertainties in managing the project performance risks, the selection of optimal financial structure is a challenge to Project Company sponsors and Lenders. Conventional project performance measurement and valuation methods cannot capture the dynamics of risk variables and their impact on the project value. Without such dynamic performance information, the decision of capital structure may not only be suboptimal, but lead to erroneous results. This research proposes an uncertainty evolution model, with which the dynamics of the project performance risk variables can be predicted at any desired time over the project development phase. A dynamic capital structure model is proposed that explicitly considers the performance risks and adjusts the capital structure dynamically to counter the impact of performance risks. Numerical results show that such a model can add a significant value to a PFI project. Two risk-sharing mechanisms are incorporated in the capital structure for a PFI project: active project management (self-support) and government support. An active project management method called dynamic crashing is proposed. By dynamically controlling the project performance through dynamic crashing, we show that the project value can be improved and the chances of potential bankruptcies can be reduced. In addition, the significance of government support as a risk-sharing mechanism is also modeled, which may be viewed as another means to protect the Project Company against the potential bankruptcies and improves the project value. Numerical results are implemented to validate the models. Overall, this research contributes an integrated framework to capital structure decisions for projects with performance uncertainties. Project Performance-Based Optimal Capital Structure For Privately Financed Infrastructure Projects by Satheesh K. Sundararajan Dissertation submitted to the Faculty of the Graduate School of the University of Maryland at College Park in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy 2004
A novel group I intron‐encoded endonuclease specific for the anticodon region of tRNAfMet genes

Open reading frames (ORFs) are frequently inserted into group I self‐splicing introns. These ORFs encode either maturases that are required for splicing of the intron or DNA endonucleases that promote intron mobility. A self‐splicing intron in the tRNAfMet gene of Synechocystis PCC 6803, which has been proposed to have moved laterally within the cyanobacteria, contains an ORF that is unrelated to known intron‐encoded endonucleases or maturases. Here, using an in vitro transcription–translation system, we show that this intronic ORF encodes a double‐strand DNA endonuclease, I‐Ssp6803I. I‐Ssp6803I cleaves each strand of the intronless tRNAfMet gene adjacent to the anticodon triplet leaving 3 bp 3′ extensions and has no activity at intron–exon boundaries. Using an in vitro cleavage assay and scanning deletion mutants of the intronless target site, the minimal recognition site was determined to be a partially palindromic 20 bp region encompassing the entire anticodon stem and loop of the tRNAfMet gene. I‐Ssp6803I represents a novel intron‐encoded DNA endonuclease and is the first example of a chromosomally encoded group I intron endonuclease in bacteria.
RFID Technology Adoption in New Zealand's Supply Chains: A Case Study Approach

The reasons for reluctance or hesitation in deploying radio frequency identification for supply chain management (RFID/SC) may rely upon firms’ ability to innovate. This paper presents the findings of a study of adoption of RFID in New Zealand’s supply chains. Three ability factors were found to be important in the adoption of the technology: Compatibility, Facilitating Condition, and Readiness. This study argues that applying these factors to the firm and its environment helps to evaluate the issues surrounding the firm’s ability to innovate. For example, it was found that RFID was simply not suitable in some business scenarios; RFID technology was not compatible with some existing supply chain applications; it was perceived there was little support for the deployment of RFID at various points in a supply chain; and supply chain partners were waiting for each other to deploy or initiate RFID. This paper follows on a previous survey on the uptake of RFID in New Zealand’s supply chains and discusses some of the challenges that firms face when evaluating the use of RFID/SC. We found some relationships between adoption factors that are worth pursuing. For example, it was found that Compatibility, Facilitating Condition, and Readiness are key “ability” factors affecting RFID adoption.
The Color of Money in Greater Boston: Patterns of Mortgage Lending and Residential Segregation at the Beginning of the New Century

Author(s): Campen, Jim | Abstract: The findings of this paper underline the need for “modernization” of Community Reinvestment Act (CRA), which now applies only to banks and covers only lending in areas where the banks have branches. In the Boston NECTA during the 2000-2002 period, 70% of home-purchase lending was done by out-of-state banks or by mortgage companies not affiliated with Massachusetts banks. These lenders, not covered by CRA, perform significantly worse than covered lenders in lending to borrowers and neighborhoods of color. Pending Massachusetts legislation would bring the state’s CRA into line with the transformed nature of the mortgage lending industry by imposing CRA-type obligations and evaluations on all types of mortgage lenders. This could make a significant contribution to reducing the current racial/ethnic disparities in mortgage lending that are documented in this paper.Also available at http://civilrightsproject.ucla. edu
Momentum and Illiquidity Premium in Indian Stock Market

This study links the role of momentum and illiquidity (as proxied by Amihud’s Illiq) in the cross section of stock returns in India for the period 2000-2012. Illiquidity premium is more pronounced among winners. Illiquid winners outperform liquid winners by an average 2.7% per month. We report that the performance of momentum strategy could be enhanced by conditioning on past illiquidity. This remains robust after adjusting for size and value effect.