Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Imaging After Shoulder Arthroplasty

Procedure Appropriateness Category Relative Radiation Level Radiography shoulder Usually Appropriate ☢ US shoulder Usually Not Appropriate O MRI shoulder without and with IV contrast Usually Not Appropriate O MRI shoulder without IV contrast Usually Not Appropriate O 3-phase bone scan with SPECT or SPECT/CT shoulder Usually Not Appropriate ☢☢☢ Bone scan shoulder Usually Not Appropriate ☢☢☢ CT shoulder with IV contrast Usually Not Appropriate ☢☢☢ CT shoulder without and with IV contrast Usually Not Appropriate ☢☢☢ CT shoulder without IV contrast Usually Not Appropriate ☢☢☢ Fluoride PET/CT skull base to mid-thigh Usually Not Appropriate ☢☢☢
Imaging after Mastectomy and Breast Reconstruction

Procedure Appropriateness Category Relative Radiation Level US breast Usually Not Appropriate O Digital breast tomosynthesis screening Usually Not Appropriate ☢☢ Mammography screening Usually Not Appropriate ☢☢ MRI breast without and with IV contrast Usually Not Appropriate O MRI breast without IV contrast Usually Not Appropriate O Sestamibi MBI Usually Not Appropriate ☢☢☢ FDG-PEM Usually Not Appropriate ☢☢☢☢
Surface alignment of nematic liquid crystals by direct laser writing of photopolymer alignment layers

ABSTRACT We demonstrate the fabrication of good quality surface alignment layers on glass by Direct Laser Writing method using a 2-photon polymerisation technique. We use commercially available photosensitive resins to print alignment layers by scanning the focal point of a femtosecond laser near the resin-glass interface. This results in down to ~ 100 nm thin alignment layers that provide good planar anchoring of 5CB and MLC13300, with the easy axis of alignment along the scanning direction. The azimuthal anchoring strength is ~ 5 × 10−6 J/m2 and is an order of magnitude weaker compared to commercial rubbed polyimide alignment layer. The threshold voltage for Fréedericksz transition in a 90° twisted nematic cell is slightly increased compared to conventional rubbed polyimide for printed alignment layers. The turn-on switching time is longer for printed layers compared to polyimide alignment layers, whereas the turn-off time is shorter for printed alignment layers. The advantage of this new method is in its flexibility, as we demonstrate printing of complex surface alignment patterns with alignment layer thickness below 100 nm.
The Cost of Operating: Analysis of Single-Use Instrument Costs for Craniotomies

Introduction All-cause craniotomies comprise a significant portion of neurosurgical practice as well as hospital costs. While some instruments are reusable with a fixed cost, price variability for similar single-use instruments exists. A better understanding of these cost variations within cranial procedures can better inform operating physicians to be cost-sensitive stewards. Objective In this study, we examine how single-use items contribute to the overall cost of cranial procedures. Methods A de-identified institutional database containing records of all single-use items from craniotomies between July 1, 2019, and June 30, 2020, was subject to a longitudinal analysis by three independent parties (one senior surgeon, one resident, and one medical student). Four hundred and sixty-nine unique single-use items were identified and classified by function. Similar items were combined, and a range of costs was provided. Three sample cases with sum costs were reviewed for cost division and primary contributors. Results The category with the highest median cost across all cases was non-specialty implants comprising dural onlays, mesh, aneurysm clips, and plates. The category with the lowest median cost was personal protective equipment. The items with the most cost variability were sterile surgical patties due to the variety of sizes and preset multipacks. The proportion of cost generators varies from craniotomy indication. Conclusion While institution dependent, awareness of cost generators in cranial cases is important for economic stewardship. For single-use items, costs are highly variable and not insignificant. Surgeons and neurosurgical departments are responsible for allocating single-use items in a responsible and efficient manner.
The Role of Accounting Quality During Mutual Fund Fire Sales

We study the ex ante role of accounting quality in mitigating the undervaluation generated by mutual fund fire sales. Asymmetric information between distressed mutual funds and potential buyers of the securities being fire sold leads to an adverse selection problem resulting in an equilibrium in which buyers only trade at prices below intrinsic value. Sellers accept these lower prices only because they have severe liquidity needs. To the extent that accounting quality helps market participants better estimate the intrinsic value of securities being fire sold, we expect the adverse selection problem to be less severe for firms with better accounting quality. Consistently, we find that high accounting quality is associated with smaller fire sale discounts. This result is explained by two complementary mechanisms. Analysts are more likely to provide price-correcting recommendations and arbitrageurs trade more heavily on high accounting quality firms during mutual fund fire sales. Overall, our results show that accounting quality mitigate stock underpricing caused by non-fundamental reasons.
Exploring the awareness, knowledge and perceptions of palliative care at end-of-life in a Canadian population

Background The role of palliative care (PC) in chronic disease and end-of-life (EOL) management is rapidly evolving. However, studies globally have demonstrated limited public knowledge and awareness of PC with several misconceptions. Objective The purpose was to expand upon previous Canadian studies by providing more current and detailed information about the awareness, knowledge and perceptions of PC in EOL management. Additionally, the reliability of self-reported PC knowledge was explored. Methods A cross-sectional study using an 8-item questionnaire was conducted at an urban medical centre with 100 adults. Descriptive statistics and Chi-square tests were used for analyses. Results Ninety-one participants had heard of PC, while 58 reported being knowledgeable of PC services. Females were significantly more knowledgeable than males (p < 0.05). Most participants knew that PC improves a patient’s quality of life (n = 71), would not shorten life in a dying individual (n = 71) and can be provided in locations outside of the hospital (n = 72). Many indicated that involving PC services would not make them feel like they were giving up hope. There was less awareness around when to involve PC services, as there were mixed answers to whether PC is only needed if someone is dying from an illness. Two-thirds of participants who reported being knowledgeable of PC answered at least 75% of questions correctly. Conclusion Participants were quite aware and knowledgeable of PC but would benefit from education about the PC role in both chronic disease and EOL management. Self-reported knowledge was a fairly reliable indicator of true knowledge in this study.
Synthesis, Characterization, and Potential Application of Cyclodextrin-Based Polyrotaxanes for Reinforced Atelocollagen Threads

Preparing strong and flexible atelocollagen-based materials for biomedical applications is still a challenging task. To address this challenge, this study describes the synthesis and characterization of water-soluble polyrotaxanes (PRs) with different coverage ratios and molecular weights of axle polymers, and their potential applications for PR-reinforced atelocollagen threads (PRATs). A novel method was established for the syntheses of PRs with relatively low coverage ratio at the sub-gram scale, in which the aldehyde groups were employed as crosslinking sites for preparing the PRATs via reductive amination. The aldehyde groups were successfully quantified by 1H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy using 1,1-dimethylhydrazine as an aldehyde marker. Fourier-transform infrared and thermogravimetric analysis measurements supported the characterization of the PRs. Interestingly, tensile testing demonstrated that coverage ratio affected the mechanical properties of the PRATs more strongly than molecular weight. The insights obtained in this study would facilitate the development of soft materials based on atelocollagens and PRs.
Sparse Superimposed Vector Transmission for Short-Packet High-Mobility Communication

A sparse superimposed vector transmission (SSVT) scheme is proposed for short-packet ultra-reliable and low-latency communications (URLLC) in high-mobility scenarios. Unlike conventional pilot-less sparse vector coding (SVC) schemes, a small number of pilots are superimposed on top of data vector in SSVT to track time-varying channels, leading to high spectral efficiency. Two joint channel estimation and data decoding algorithms, called iterative interference cancellation (IIC) and iterative data-aided (IDA), are proposed to recover data from the received signal. The IIC algorithm accurately decodes data by iteratively canceling pilot and data interference, while the IDA algorithm further refines channel estimation by treating previously decoded data as pseudo-pilots. Simulation results show that the proposed SSVT scheme significantly outperforms conventional SVC schemes in terms of block error rate (BLER), and the proposed IIC and IDA algorithms show fast convergence speed.
Tree-Ring Evidence for Great Plains Drought

A new collection of tree -ring chronologies developed from trees and remnant material located in the western and central Great Plains makes an important contribution to the spatial coverage of the US tree ring chronology network. Samples from 24 sites were collected from the west -central Great Plains, and to date, ten chronologies have been produced. When correlated with a set of 47 single -station PDSI records, the chronologies display relationships with regional spring and summer drought. The reconstruction of spring PDSI for eastern Colorado generated in this study suggests that the inclusion of Great Plains trees can improve the quality of Great Plains drought reconstructions. The eastern Colorado drought reconstruction explains 62% of the variance in the instrumental record and extends to 1552. This reconstruction provides information about the regional character of major droughts over the past four and a half centuries. Major eastern Colorado droughts include events in the 1580s, 1630s, 1660s, 1730s, and the 1930s. The late 16th century drought, noted as an especially severe drought in the southwestern US, appears in this reconstruction as only slightly more severe than other major droughts in this region.
Fractional Flow Reserve-Guided Stent Optimisation in Focal and Diffuse Coronary Artery Disease

Assessing coronary physiology after stent implantation facilitates the optimisation of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Coronary artery disease (CAD) patterns can be characterised by the pullback pressure gradient (PPG) index. The impact of focal vs. diffuse disease on physiology-guided incremental optimisation strategy (PIOS) is unknown. This is a sub-study of the TARGET-FFR randomized clinical trial (NCT03259815). The study protocol directed that optimisation be attempted for patients in the PIOS arm when post-PCI FFR was <0.90. Overall, 114 patients (n = 61 PIOS and 53 controls) with both pre-PCI fractional flow reserve (FFR) pullbacks and post-PCI FFR were included. A PPG ≥ 0.74 defined focal CAD. The PPG correlated significantly with post-PCI FFR (r = 0.43; 95% CI 0.26 to 0.57; p-value < 0.001) and normalised delta FFR (r = 0.49; 95% CI 0.34 to 0.62; p-value < 0.001). PIOS was more frequently applied to vessels with diffuse CAD (6% focal vs. 42% diffuse; p-value = 0.006). In patients randomized to PIOS, those with focal disease achieved higher post-PCI FFR than patients with diffuse CAD (0.93 ± 0.05 vs. 0.83 ± 0.07, p < 0.001). There was a significant interaction between CAD patterns and the randomisation arm for post-PCI FFR (p-value for interaction = 0.004). Physiology-guided stent optimisation was applied more frequently to vessels with diffuse disease; however, patients with focal CAD at baseline achieved higher post-PCI FFR.
Reduced Prevalence of Dementia in Patients Prescribed Tacrolimus, Sirolimus, or Cyclosporine

Background: Evidence suggests patients prescribed calcineurin inhibitors (CNIs) have a reduced prevalence of dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease (AD); however, this result has never been replicated in a large cohort and the involved mechanism(s) and site of action (central versus periphery) remain unclear. Objective: We aim to determine if prescription of CNIs is associated with reduced prevalence of dementia, including AD, in a large, diverse patient population. Furthermore, we aim to gain insight into the mechanism(s) and site of action for CNIs to reduce dementia prevalence. Methods: Electronic health records (EHRs) from patients prescribed tacrolimus, cyclosporine, or sirolimus were analyzed to compare prevalence, odds, and hazard ratios related to dementia diagnoses among cohorts. EHRs from a random, heterogeneous population from the same network were obtained to generate a general population-like control. Results: All drugs examined reduced dementia prevalence compared to the general population-like control. There were no differences in dementia diagnoses upon comparing tacrolimus and sirolimus; however, patients prescribed tacrolimus had a reduced dementia prevalence relative to cyclosporine. Conclusion: Converging mechanisms of action between tacrolimus and sirolimus likely explain the similar dementia prevalence between the cohorts. Calcineurin inhibition within the brain has a greater probability of reducing dementia relative to peripherally-restricted calcineurin inhibition. Overall, immunosuppressants provide a promising therapeutic avenue for dementia, with emphasis on the brain-penetrant CNI tacrolimus.
A Systematic Review of the Clinical Diagnosis of Transient Hypogammaglobulinemia of Infancy

Transient hypogammaglobulinemia of infancy (THI) is a primary immunodeficiency caused by a temporary decline in serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) levels greater than two standard deviations below the mean age-specific reference values in infants between 5 and 24 months of age. Preterm infants are particularly susceptible to THI, as IgG is only transferred across the placenta from mother to infant during the third trimester of pregnancy. This study aimed to conduct a systematic review of the diagnostic criteria for transient hypogammaglobulinemia of infancy. Systematic review: Three electronic databases (PubMed, MEDLINE, and Google Scholar) were manually searched from September 2021 to April 2022. Abstracts were screened to assess their fit to the inclusion criteria. Data were extracted from the selected studies using an adapted extraction tool (Cochrane). The studies were then assessed for bias using an assessment tool adapted from Cochrane. Of the 215 identified articles, 16 were eligible for examining the diagnostic criteria of THI. These studies were also assessed for bias in the six domains. A total of five studies (31%) had a low risk of bias, while four studies (25%) had a high risk of bias, and bias in the case of seven studies (44%) was unclear. We conclude that THI is only definitively diagnosed after abnormal IgG levels normalise. Hence, THI is not a benign condition, and monitoring for subsequent recurrent infections must be conducted. The diagnostic criteria should also include vaccine and isohaemagglutinin responses to differentiate THI from other immunological disorders in infants.
Label-Free DNA Biosensor Based on Reduced Graphene Oxide and Gold Nanoparticles

Currently available DNA detection techniques frequently require compromises between simplicity, speed, accuracy, and cost. Here, we propose a simple, label-free, and cost-effective DNA detection platform developed at screen-printed carbon electrodes (SPCEs) modified with reduced graphene oxide (RGO) and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). The preparation of the detection platform involved a two-step electrochemical procedure based on GO reduction onto SPCEs followed by the electrochemical reduction of HAuCl4 to facilitate the post-grafting reaction with AuNPs. The final sensor was fabricated by the simple physical adsorption of a single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) probe onto a AuNPs–RGO/SPCE electrode. Each preparation step was confirmed by morphological and structural characterization using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, respectively. Furthermore, the electrochemical properties of the modified electrodes have been investigated by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The results demonstrated that the introduction of AuNPs onto RGO/SPCEs led to an enhancement in surface conductivity, a characteristic that favored an increased sensitivity in detection. The detection process relied on the change in the electrochemical signal induced by the binding of target DNA to the bioreceptor and was particularly monitored by the change in the charge transfer resistance of a [Fe(CN)6]4–/3– redox couple added in the test solution.
An Intraoperative Sub-Anesthetic Dose of Esketamine on Postoperative Depressive Symptoms in Perimenopausal Women with Breast Cancer Undergoing Modified Radical Mastectomy: Protocol for a Randomized, Triple-Blinded, Controlled Trial

Background Depressive symptoms are common among perimenopausal women with breast cancer having modified radical mastectomy. Esketamine exerts antidepressant effects. This study aims to assess whether an intraoperative sub-anesthetic dose of esketamine prevents postoperative depressive symptoms in these patients. Methods In this randomized, triple-blinded, placebo-controlled trial, we will enroll 130 perimenopausal women (aged 45−60 years) with breast cancer undergoing unilateral modified radical mastectomy. Patients will be randomly assigned with a 1:1 ratio to receive either esketamine (0.25 mg/kg i.v.) or normal saline after anesthesia induction and before skin incision. The primary outcome is the incidence of depressive symptoms at day 30 postoperatively, assessed using the Beck’s Depression Inventory (BDI). Secondary outcomes include incidence of depressive symptoms and BDI scores at day 1, 3, and 180 postoperatively, anxiety symptoms and scores at day 1, 3, 30, and 180 postoperatively, pain intensity and quality of recovery at day 1 and 2 postoperatively, nausea and vomiting within 48 hours postoperatively, length of postoperative hospital stay, and cancer-specific outcomes. Data will be analyzed in the modified intention-to-treat population. Discussion This is the first trial to evaluate the effects of a sub-anesthetic dose of esketamine on depressive symptoms in perimenopausal women after modified radical mastectomy. The results of this study will help to improve their mental health and recovery after breast cancer surgery. Trial Registration Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR2200064348).
Mild matters: trial learnings and importance of community engagement in research for early identified bilateral mild hearing loss

Introduction Early identification of mild hearing loss has resulted in early hearing amplification without adequate evidence of effectiveness. This paper describes learnings from a pilot trial, combined with a qualitative study, to highlight the importance of community engagement in designing research studies to determine whether early amplification benefits young children with bilateral mild hearing loss. Methods PART 1 of the study is a proof-of-concept non-blinded multi-centre randomised controlled trial (RCT) of hearing device fitting vs. no fitting aimed to gather preliminary data and determine its acceptability/feasibility in children <2 years old with bilateral mild hearing loss. Results PART 2 is a qualitative study to understand the barriers/enablers to RCT participation. Of 40 potentially eligible families, nine (23%) declined, three were uncontactable (7%), 26 (65%) ineligible: of these, nine (35%) did not meet hearing threshold inclusion criteria, 11 (42%) were already fitted or had made decisions on fitting hearing device, two (7%) had conductive loss and four (16%) were ineligible for other reasons. Two of 11 (18%) eligible families were randomised. With the limited sample size, outcome measures were not compared between groups. Both participants completed the trial, reported the RCT to be acceptable, and neither changed group post-enrolment. Discussion Whilst recruitment uptake could potentially be increased by altering the eligibility criteria, better communication with and reimbursement of clinicians as recruiters, and improving awareness of the study amongst external stakeholders, the RCT methodology does not conform to family-centred practice, and potentially raises ethical concerns regarding potential adverse consequences of not offering early amplification. Parental perception of losing control over choice of management due to randomisation is not an easily modifiable factor. Alternative methodological approaches without randomisation are required to determine whether hearing amplification benefits infants with mild hearing loss. Clinical Trial Registration: identifier [ACTRN12618001608257].
Developing a common metric using current scales for assessing functioning in patients with knee osteoarthritis

Objectives Various scales exist to assess different domains of functioning in knee osteoarthritis (OA). This study aimed to explore whether it is possible to develop a common metric (CM) from the frequently used scales to assess functioning in knee OA. Patients and methods The methodological study evaluated 411 patients (81 males, 330 females; mean age: 61.8±10.5 years; range, 41 to 88 years) with knee OA. Data from the Health Assessment Questionnaire, Oxford Knee Score, Medical Outcomes Study Short Form 36, Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score, Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index, and the Nottingham Health Profile were used, and the items focusing on self-care, mobility, and domestic activity domains based on the activities and participation component of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health were included. Concurrent calibration was performed to combine the items of the scales. The CM parameters were estimated using the Rasch measurement model. Reliability was assessed using the person separation index. The CM was utilized to generate a transformation table to convert the scale scores to each other based on the reference metric score. Results Each scale fitted the Rasch model. Item invariance was achieved for the CM (p=0.775). The CM had a person separation index of 0.827. Age, sex, and disease duration did not cause difference in item functions. The CM satisfied the assumptions of unidimensionality and local independence. Conclusion A reliable CM was created from the commonly used scales to measure functioning in individuals with knee OA. Thus, clinicians and researchers can refer to the transformation table to directly compare scores of those scales and use them interchangeably.
Biderivations and linear commuting maps on the restricted Cartan-type Lie algebras H(n; 1)

Abstract Let be a field of characteristic p > 3 and be the restricted Cartan-type Lie algebras . We prove that each skew-symmetric biderivation of is inner. As applications of the skew-symmetric biderivations, it is shown that commuting mappings on are scalar multiplication mappings. Moreover, we prove that the commuting automorphisms and dertivations of are the identity mappings and zero mappings, respectively.