Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Preoperative embolization of intracranial meningiomas with a fibrin glue preparation.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Preoperative embolization expands the spectrum of meningioma that can be operated on safely. Our goal was to achieve the distalmost loading of the vascular bed and confluent tumor necrosis with a fibrin glue preparation in the preoperative embolization of meningiomas. METHODS Between 1992 and 1997, 80 patients with a meningioma had diagnostic angiography with a standard transfemoral Seldinger technique, performed with a 6F guiding catheter and digital subtraction angiography. Preoperative embolization was carried out in the same session with an additional microcatheter system. Fibrin glue was the only component used. In all cases, CT was performed immediately after embolization; in nine patients, MR imaging was also performed. RESULTS Angiography verified the elimination of tumor blush in all patients. The high-density areas seen on postembolization CT scans, caused by the fibrin glue dispersed in the embolized supply area, were found to be necrotic at surgery and were easily removed by suction. Two (2.5%) of the 80 patients had complications associated with embolization that resulted in neurologic deficits. CONCLUSION The most effective preoperative embolization of tumors requires a distalmost loading of the vascular bed. Fibrin glue, which is easy to use and safe to handle, causes confluent tumor necrosis within the injected vascular territory.
Value of inter-organizational collaboration in digital government projects

ABSTRACT Collaborative approaches to public management are generally known to represent sources of public value. However, certain theoretical and empirical gaps in understanding this process of value creation persist. We adopt a resource-based view to analyse how public and private collaborations moderate relations among resources and processes and creation of public value. Our results show that collaboration with private organizations negatively moderates the effect of resources on public value creation and positively moderates the effect of processes on public value creation. Collaboration within the public sector positively moderates the effect of resources but not the effect of processes.
Direct versus indirect reciprocity : An experiment

In this paper we report experimental results that relate to the recprocity experiment of Berg, Dickhaut, and McCabe (1995). We consider direct reciprocity, which means to respond in kind to another person, and indirect reciprocity, understoode as rewarding someone else. Another variation conerns the information about the multiplier of donations where we compare the benchmark case with a commonly known multiplier to a condition where the multiplier is known with cerntainty only to donors. Questions which we try to answer are: Will indirect reciprocity induce higher or lower donations? , will donors with the high multiplier "hide behind the small one? ", how do receivers respond to different situations?
Biological and analytic components of variation in long-term studies of serum constituents in normal subjects. IV. Results of a study designed to eliminate long-term analytic deviations.

Biological components of variation for each of 15 serum constituents have been estimated in 68 normal subjects by weekly measurements over several months, and concurrent measurements on invariant human serum pools. Intra-individual coefficient of variation was smallest, less than 2%, for Na, Cl, Ca, Mg; 3 to 4% for CO 2 , albumin, and total protein; 5 to 7% for K, glucose, cholesterol, and phosphate; and largest, 9 to 12%, for uric acid, urea nitrogen, SGOT, and LDH. Inter-individual variation was larger than intra-individual variation for all 15 tests except Cl, CO 2 , and K. Analytic deviation was as large as or larger than biological (intra- or inter-individual) variability for constituents, such as calcium, which are under precise homeostatic control, thus producing artifactual widening in the observed normal range and obscuring the borderline between normal and abnormal results. Limits of tolerable variability in laboratory procedures are proposed, based on composite intra- and inter-individual variation, that would permit medically significant deviations in results to be detected. Such limits were exceeded by current methodology in at least half the 15 tests.
Selective cytotoxic activities of two novel synthetic drugs on human breast carcinoma MCF-7 cells.

BACKGROUND Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in US women. We evaluated two novel compounds, piperidinyl-diethylstilbestrol (DES) and pyrrolidinyl-diethylstilbestrol (DES) for cytotoxicity against brine shrimp larvae, MCF-7 and rat normal liver cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS In vivo cytotoxicity was evaluated against shrimp larvae for 24 h, while in vitro cell toxicity was evaluated by dye binding crystal-violet method after 48 h. The role of these compounds on different phases of the cell cycle was assessed by flow cytometry. RESULTS In shrimp assay, piperidinyl-DES and pyrrolidinyl-DES were potent with 50% effective dose (ED(50)) values of 7.9+/-0.38 and 15.6+/-1.3 microM, respectively. In MCF-7 and normal liver cells, the 50% lethal concentration (LC(50)) values were 19.7+/-0.95, 17.6+/-0.4 microM and 35.1 and >50 microM, respectively. Cell cycle analyses indicated that MCF-7 cells were arrested at the G(0)/G(1) stage with these compounds. CONCLUSION The results indicate that pyrrolidinyl-DES possesses highly selective, potent anticancer activity.
Adaptive Interface for Personalizing Information Seeking

An adaptive interface autonomously adjusts its display and available actions to current goals and abilities of the user by assessing user status, system task, and the context. Knowledge content adaptability is needed for knowledge acquisition and refinement tasks. In the case of knowledge content adaptability, the requirements of interface design focus on the elicitation of information from the user and the refinement of information based on patterns of interaction. In such cases, the emphasis on adaptability is on facilitating information search and knowledge discovery. In this article, we present research on adaptive interfaces that facilitates personalized information seeking from a large data warehouse. The resulting proof-of-concept system, called source recommendation system (SRS), assists users in locating and navigating data sources in the repository. Based on the initial user query and an analysis of the content of the search results, the SRS system generates a profile of the user tailored to the individual's context during information seeking. The user profiles are refined successively and are used in progressively guiding the user to the appropriate set of sources within the knowledge base. The SRS system is implemented as an Internet browser plug-in to provide a seamless and unobtrusive, personalized experience to the users during the information search process. The rationale behind our approach, system design, empirical evaluation, and implications for research on adaptive interfaces are described in this paper.
Standards for indoor Optical Wireless Communications

The application of Optical Wireless Communications (OWC) has grown in recent years that the whole industry would benefit from common standards to which competitive products comply. Standards are essential, particularly when the market expands into high-volume products like home appliances and other consumer goods. This article offers a timely review of standards-writing activity, as OWCs find their way into diverse products varying from TV remote controls to satellite links. This article discusses the most popular standards for optical wireless communications. We outline the IEEE 802.11 standard for optical wireless local area networks, and the ongoing standardization effort by IrDA on personal optical wireless systems. The article concludes with a discussion of the recently announced IEEE 802.15. 7 standard on visible light communications.
Isometric quadriceps strength determines sailing performance and neuromuscular fatigue during an upwind sailing emulation

Abstract This study investigates the physiological responses to upwind sailing on a laser emulation ergometer and analyses the components of the physical profile that determine the physiological responses related to sailing level. Ten male high-level laser sailors performed an upwind sailing test, incremental cycling test and quadriceps strength test. During the upwind sailing test, heart rate (HR), oxygen uptake, ventilation, respiratory exchange ratio, rating of perceived exertion (RPE) and lactate concentration were measured, combined with near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) and electromyography (EMG) registration of the M. Vastus lateralis. Repeated measures ANOVA showed for the cardio-respiratory, metabolic and muscles responses (mean power frequency [MPF], root mean square [RMS], deoxy[Hb+Mb]) during the upwind sailing test an initial significant increase followed by a stabilisation, despite a constant increase in RPE. Stepwise regression analysis showed that better sailing level was for 46.5% predicted by lower MPF decrease. Lower MPF decrease was for 57.8% predicted by a higher maximal isometric quadriceps strength. In conclusion, this study indicates that higher sailing level was mainly determined by a lower rate of neuromuscular fatigue during the upwind sailing test (as indicated by MPF decrease). Additionally, the level of neuromuscular fatigue was mainly determined by higher maximal isometric quadriceps strength stressing the importance of resistance training in the planning of training.
How Journalists Characterize Health Inequalities and Redefine Solutions for Native American Audiences

ABSTRACT Many Native American communities experience severe health inequalities, including shorter average lifespan and higher rates of chronic illnesses. Journalism that serves Native Americans is a promising channel for heath communication, but only if scholars first understand the particular cultural contexts of indigenous communities. This research contributes to that goal by investigating how journalists serving Native American communities characterize health and the issues they identify with covering determinants of health. In in-depth interviews (N = 24), journalists contrasted how they cover health issues as embedded in cultural context with shallow, more negative coverage by non-Native media organizations. Interviews also revealed a tension between “medical” and “cultural” models of health, contributing to the oversaturation of certain issues, like diabetes, while other health topics are underrepresented. The journalists also expressed how social determinants and histories of oppression shape health inequalities, illuminating the roles of historical trauma and the destruction of indigenous health beliefs and behaviors. Failure to recognize these issues could stymie efforts to communicate about health issues facing Native American audiences.
Refractive Index Sensing Characteristics of Single-Mode Fiber-Based Modal Interferometers

We present a theoretical and experimental investigation on refractive index (RI) sensing characteristics of single mode fiber (SMF) based modal interferometers. Theoretical analysis reveals that interference between different modes in an SMF has a quite different response to the RI variation of the external medium. The interference between the core and lower order cladding modes has negative RI sensitivity whereas that between the core and higher order modes, or between two different order cladding modes have positive sensitivity. A single-mode-multimode-single-mode (SMS) fiber Michelson interferometer with a large-core step-index multimode fiber (MMF) is employed for experimental verification. In the SMS-based Michelson interferometer, the MMF acts as a mode coupler to excite cladding modes in the SMF. The RI response of the SMS-based structures with two different lengths of MMF are respectively tested in sodium-chloride water solutions. Experimental results show excellent agreements with the theoretical analysis.
Acute spermatogenic effects of bromoacetic acids.

Chlorine and bromine can react with natural organic substances in source waters to form haloacetic acids, major disinfection by-products of water chlorination. Several toxic effects including testicular damage have been attributed to the chloroacetic acids but little information is available on the bromine analogues. In this report we present the results of acute toxicity and acute spermatotoxicity studies of monobromoacetic acid (MBAA) and dibromoacetic acid (DBAA). In adult male rats the acute oral toxicity of MBAA was 10-fold that of DBAA (LD50 177 vs 1737 mg/kg). No reproductive-related endpoints were affected in rats given a single dose of 100 mg MBAA/kg or 14 daily doses of 25 mg MBAA/kg/day. In rats dosed with DBAA, serum testosterone fell to 17% of control 2 days after a single dose of 1250 mg/kg but returned to control levels by Day 14. Marked effects on sperm motion were seen on post-treatment Days 14 and 28. Degenerative flagellar changes in cauda sperm were present on Day 14 while abnormal sperm head shapes and flagellar degeneration were observed in both caput and cauda sperm on Day 28. Histopathology indicated altered spermiation at all time-points as evidenced by retention of Step 19 spermatids beyond Stage VIII of the cycle of the seminiferous epithelium. Disorganization, distortion, and degeneration of late spermatids were also observed. On Day 14 structures resembling residual bodies were rarely seen in the testis but were numerous in the epididymis. Caput sperm counts were decreased on Day 2 and cauda sperm counts were decreased on Days 14 and 28. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Labour market outcomes of Australian university graduates from equity groups

The Australian higher education sector has had a number of changes in the recent past. Notably, the Bradley (2008) Review of Australian Higher Education had recommended an increase in higher education access and completion by individuals from equity groups or backgrounds. Since the Bradley Review, there have been increases in the higher education participation of individuals from equity groups. This study widens the evidence base in that it assesses a range of employment outcomes of disadvantaged students, and further, utilises data from multiple universities from one Australian state. Outcomes assessed include the probability of employment, qualification-job match, job quality, and earnings. Hence, the assessment of the graduates’ labour market performance contributes by examining key outcomes which are primary motivating factors behind higher education access and equity policies. In addition, individuals in the key equity groups tend to belong to groups who face labour market disadvantage. While graduates from low SES and regional/remote backgrounds fared favourably, graduates from non-English speaking backgrounds lagged behind other graduates in finding a job and job earnings (particularly for female graduates from non-English speaking backgrounds compared to other female graduates), although there was no difference in terms of job match or job quality. Female graduates were found to be under-represented in STEM fields of study. While female STEM graduates were as likely as their male counterparts to get a job, they were much less likely to have good jobs and earned substantially less.
Ka-Band Low-Sidelobe-Level Slot Array Leaky-Wave Antenna Based on Substrate Integrated Nonradiative Dielectric Waveguide

This letter presents a leaky-wave antenna array in the substrate integrated nonradiative dielectric (SINRD) waveguide technology. Several radiating slots are etched on the copper foil of the SINRD guide and placed with opposing tilt angles to achieve a compact configuration. After investigating the characteristic of the complex propagation constant of an SINRD guide with slots, the low sidelobe level (SLL) of a leaky-wave antenna can be synthesized. Besides, this kind of antenna can be fabricated directly on the printed circuit board substrate, which means that it can be easily integrated with other kinds of planar circuits in the millimeter-wave band. As an example, a Ka-band prototype is designed and experimented, which has –18.1 dB SLL and 12.7 dBi gain at 29.4 GHz.
Low-power all-digital manchester-encoding-based high-speed serdes transceiver for on-chip networks

This paper proposes a new architecture that multiplexes both data and clock on serial links, reduces Inter symbol interference (ISI) by using a resistive termination technique, and uses two-level Manchester encoding to solve the reduced swing problem and enable the use of power efficient circuitry. Using this signaling scheme makes the system insensitive to jitter accumulation along the transmission line, and avoids the need for a power hungry clock and data recovery (CDR) circuit. A self-calibrating digital-delay line is also implemented inside the decoder to enable the system to operate efficiently across process, voltage and temperature variations. The proposed scheme is implemented for a 3mm long on-chip transmission line in TSMC 65nm technology and simulation results are presented.
Autologous Co-culture of Primary Human Alveolar Macrophages and Epithelial Cells for Investigating Aerosol Medicines. Part I: Model Characterisation

The development of new formulations for pulmonary drug delivery is a challenge on its own. New in vitro models which address the lung are aimed at predicting and optimising the quality, efficacy and safety of inhaled drugs, to facilitate the more rapid translation of such products into the clinic. Reducing the complexity of the in vivo situation requires that such models reproducibly reflect essential physiological factors in vitro. The choice of cell types, culture conditions and the experimental set-up, can affect the outcome and the relevance of a study. In the alveolar space of the lung, epithelial cells and alveolar macrophages are the most important cell types, forming an efficient cellular barrier to aerosols. Our aim was to mimic this barrier with primary human alveolar cells. Cell densities of alveolar macrophages and epithelial cells, isolated from the same human donor, were optimised, with a focus on barrier properties. The combination of 300,000 epithelial cells/cm2 together with 100,000 macrophages/cm2 showed a functional barrier (transepithelial electrical resistance > 500ω.cm2). This cell model was combined with the Pharmaceutical Aerosol Deposition Device on Cell Cultures. The functionality of the in vitro system was investigated with spray-dried fluorescently labelled poly(lactic-co-glycolic) acid particles loaded with ovalbumin as a model drug.
Vertical agarose gel electrophoresis and electroblotting of high‐molecular‐weight proteins

The electrophoretic separation of high‐molecular‐weight proteins (> 500 kDa) using polyacrylamide is difficult because gels with a large enough pore size for adequate protein mobility are mechanically unstable. A 1% vertical sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)‐agarose gel electrophoresis (VAGE) system has been developed that allows titin (a protein with the largest known SDS subunit size of 3000–4000 kDa) to migrate over 10 cm in a ∼13 cm resolving gel. Such migration gives clear and reproducible separation of titin isoforms. Proteins ranging in size from myosin heavy chain (∼ 220 kDa) up to titin can be resolved on this gel system. Electroblotting of these very large proteins was nearly 100% efficient. This VAGE system has revealed two titin size variants in rabbit psoas muscle, two N2BA bands in rabbit cardiac muscle, and species differences between titins from rat and rabbit muscle. Agarose electrophoresis should be the method of choice for separation and blotting of proteins with very large subunit sizes.
The Minimum Wage and the Great Recession: A Response to Zipperer and Recapitulation of the Evidence

Clemens and Wither (2014) find that minimum wage increases contributed to employment declines among low-skilled individuals during the Great Recession. Zipperer (2016) argues that Clemens and Wither's estimates are biased. This paper assesses what underlies the difference between Zipperer's estimates and Clemens and Wither's estimates. I first show that Zipperer's control sets significantly attenuate the relationship between Clemens and Wither's ``treatment indicator'' variables and states' minimum wage rates. Scaling for this dilution of the underlying treatment accounts for nearly half of the difference between Zipperer's estimates and Clemens and Wither's estimates. Second, I show that the within-region variation on which Zipperer focuses attention biases his estimates towards positive values. Employment and income aggregates, as well as housing and construction indicators, reveal that within-region comparisons are prone to considerable upward bias. Florida, for example, experienced a far more severe housing decline than the regional neighbors for which several of Zipperer's specifications use it as the primary control. I show that Zipperer's estimates are quite sensitive to removing states with extreme housing crises from the sample, while the original Clemens and Wither estimates are not. I further show that Zipperer's specifications have implausible implications for the minimum wage's ``effects'' on employment within high skilled population groups. I conclude by recapitulating the basic facts underlying Clemens and Wither's assessment of the evidence.
Exploratory innovation, exploitative innovation and firm performance: Moderating effect of organizational structure and slack resources

As suggested by prior research, there are two types of innovation: Exploratory innovation and exploitative innovation. What is the relationship between the two approaches of innovation and firm performance? We argue that the effect of each approach of innovation on firm performance is contingent upon organizational structure, measured by centralization and formalization, and slack resources, consisted of absorbed slack resources and unabsorbed slack resources. Using data from 155 Chinese manufacturing firms, we show that centralization has a positive moderating effect on the relationship between exploitative innovation and firm performance; Formalization has a negative moderating effect on the relationship between exploratory innovation and firm performance; Unabsorbed slack resources have a negative moderating effect on the relationship between exploitative innovation and firm performance.
The Personal Wealth Interests of Politicians and the Stabilization of Financial Markets

We examine whether personal wealth interests affect politicians’ decisions about stabilizing financial markets. We use the setting of the government’s support of financial institutions under the 2008 Emergency Economic Stabilization Act. We find that the personal wealth interests of politicians are positively associated with voting in favor of the EESA. We implement several analyses to show that personal wealth interests rather than unobservable beliefs in the financial sector explain our result.
First as tragedy, then as teleology: the politics/people dichotomy in the ethnography of Post-Yugoslav nationalisation

: Ethnographers working in Bosnia and Herzegovina have been at the forefront of the struggle against the identitarianism that dominates scholarship and policymaking regarding the country. Tirelessly foregrounding patterns of life that exceed, contradict, complicate or are oblivious to questions thus framed, we have—unsurprisingly—paid a price for this contribution: explorations of the appeal of nationalism are left mostly to others. This article identifies an emic and etic politics/people paradigm that facilitates our timidity to register the ways in which “ordinary people” may enact nationalist subjectivity. Seeking to retain the paradigm’s strengths, I call for a recalibration of how we understand it to function and explore conceptual tools to make this work. Starting from two cases of “foot soldier narratives,” I suggest that hegemony theory can help us trace not only how people are subjected to nationalization but also how they may seek subjectification through it.