Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Yield of Neck CT and Barium Esophagram in Patients with Globus Sensation

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Globus sensation is common and difficult to treat. The purpose of our study was to compare the diagnostic and therapeutic efficacy of barium esophagram and neck CT in patients with isolated globus sensation, to determine which of these modalities should be preferred in the evaluation of this condition. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively identified patients presenting with isolated globus sensation from January 1, 2005, to December 31, 2012, who underwent neck CT or barium esophagram. We calculated the proportion of patients with abnormal findings, tabulated the nature of the abnormality, and reviewed the medical records to determine whether imaging changed management. RESULTS: One hundred forty-eight neck CTs and 104 barium esophagrams were included. Five (3.4%) patients with neck CTs and 4 (3.9%) with barium esophagrams demonstrated significant findings related to the history of globus sensation. Of these, 1 (0.7%) neck CT and 1 (1.0%) barium esophagram resulted in a change in clinical management. CONCLUSIONS: Imaging evaluation of the patient with uncomplicated globus sensation is unlikely to identify clinically significant imaging findings and is very unlikely to result in a change in clinical management, with a combined therapeutic efficacy of 0.8%. Thus, the routine use of imaging in the evaluation of patients with globus sensation cannot be recommended.
Validity of thoracic gas volume equations in children of varying body mass index classifications.

OBJECTIVE The aim of the study was to evaluate air-displacement plethysmography (ADP) thoracic gas volume (TGV) prediction equations in children representing a wide range of body mass index (BMI). METHODS 254 children (5 to 17 years) were recruited from two centres (England and the United States). Subjects were stratified into three BMI categories according to the International Obesity TaskForce (IOTF) criteria: lean (48 male, 42 female), overweight (15 male, 29 female), and obese (52 male, 68 female). As part of the normal ADP procedure, TGV was measured (TGV(Meas)), predicted using child specific equations developed by Fields (TGV(Fields)) and adult derived equations by Crapo (TGV(Crapo)) with percentage body fat (PF) estimates subsequently calculated (PF(Meas), PF(Fields), PF(Crapo)). RESULTS Compared with the mean TGV(Meas), the TGV(Fields) estimates were within+/-0.2 L in all groups, except obese males (+0.5 L), while the mean TGV(Crapo) estimates were greater than+/-0.3 L in all groups except lean males (+0.1 L). When converted to PF, the mean PF(Fields) estimates were within+/-1% of the measured value in all groups, except obese males (+1.1%), while the mean PF(Crapo) estimates were greater than+/-1% in all groups, except lean males (+0.5%). Using either prediction equation, Bland-Altman analysis revealed that the greatest PF+/-95% limits of agreement were in the lean and overweight groups and lowest in the obese groups. CONCLUSION The Fields child-specific TGV prediction equations provide accurate mean PF estimates and appear better than using the Crapo equations if a measured TGV cannot be achieved in children of a wide range of BMI. However, individual predictions may result in large PF errors especially in lean children.
Perinatal and familial risk factors for irritable bowel syndrome in a Swedish national cohort

Abstract Objective: Studies of the importance of perinatal factors for the development of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are sparse. We conducted a large national cohort study to examine perinatal and familial risk factors for IBS. Material and methods: A national cohort of 1,963,685 persons who were born in Sweden in 1973–1992 (identified from the Swedish Birth Registry) were followed up for adult (18 years and older) IBS incidence in the Swedish Patient Register through 2010 (maximum age 38 years). There were 24,633 IBS cases in 46,784,296 person-years of follow-up. Results: After adjusting for potential confounders, significant risk factors for IBS included caesarean (HR = 1.10, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.05–1.11, p < .001), low birth weight (<2500g) (HR = 1.11, 95%CI 1.01–1.22, p = .02), being second in birth order (HR = 1.04, 95%CI 1.01–1.08, p = .01), foetal growth ≥1 SD (HR = 1.06, 95%CI 1.00–1.11, p = .05), young maternal age (<20 years) (HR= 1.09, 95%CI 1.02–1.17, p = .02), maternal marital status (divorced/widowed) (HR = 1.12, 95%CI 1.08–1.17, p < .001), maternal education of 10–11 years (HR = 1.04, 95%CI 1.01–1.08, p = .01), maternal education of 12–14 years (HR = 1.06, 95%CI 1.01–1.11, p = .03), parental history of IBS (HR = 1.54, 95%CI 1.42–1.66, p < .001), parental history of anxiety (HR = 1.21, 95%CI 1.17–1.26, p < .001) and parental history of depression (HR = 1.09, 95%CI 1.02–1.17, p = .02). Protective factors were male sex (HR = 0.36, 95%CI 0.35–0.37, p < .001) and old maternal at delivery (≥35 years) (HR = 0.95, 95%CI 0.90–1.00, p = .03). Conclusions: In this large cohort study, several perinatal and familial factors were associated with an increased risk of IBS independently, suggesting that perinatal and familial factors may play an important long-term role in the aetiology of IBS.
Spatial-cue-based multi-band binaural noise reduction for hearing aids

A noise reduction algorithm for binaural hearing aids is proposed in this paper. The proposed algorithm suppresses the directional interferences and diffuse noise using the interaural time difference (ITD), interaural level difference (ILD) and interaural coherence cues via the time-frequency (T-F) masking process. Furthermore, the proposed algorithm is evaluated under different specifications of ANSI-like filter banks for comprehending dominant factors in boosting the de-noise performance. Experimental results suggest that a higher resolution in low frequencies (approximately less than 1000 Hz) and a higher overlapping ratio of the filters are beneficial to de-noise performance in terms of sound quality.
Informed consent as a requirement for probation work with (in)voluntary clients: Probationers’ and probation officers’ perspectives

Offenders’ consent is incorporated in Croatian legislation as a necessary element for the execution of probation measures and sanctions. However, legal provisions, which are in accordance with contemporary European recommendations, provide only a basic framework for the implementation of such measures and sanctions. In this article, we argue that some elements of consent may be questionable and that changes to related practices are possible. After describing legal documents on this topic, we present the results of focus groups with probation officers and probationers with regard to the implementation of consent. Their perceptions and personal experiences provided us with valuable insights about and for practice and served as additional support for future recommendations.
Therapeutic effects of atorvastatin and ezetimibe compared with double-dose atorvastatin in very elderly patients with acute coronary syndrome

Objective Compared the effect of atorvastatin 10 mg combined ezetimibe 10 mg therapy with atorvastatin 20 mg on the long-term outcomes in very elderly patients with acute coronary syndrome. Methods A total of 230 octogenarian patients with acute coronary syndrome underwent coronary angiography were randomized to combined therapy group (atorvastatin 10 mg/d and ezetimibe 10 mg/d, n=114) or double-dose atorvastatin group (atorvastatin 20mg/d, n=116). The primary end point was one-year incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events (including cardiac death, spontaneous myocardial infarction, unplanned revascularization). Result At the end of one year, the percentage of patients with low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level decreased more than 30% or 50% were comparable between the two groups (93.5% vs. 90.1%, p= 0.36; 54.6% vs. 49.6%, p= 0.45). The rate of major adverse cardiovascular events in combined therapy group was similar with double-dose atorvastatin group (23.2% vs. 19.8%, p=0.55). In COX regression model, the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events in combined group isn’t significantly higher than double-dose atorvastatin group (HR [95% CI] 1.12 [0.51 to 2.55], p = 0.74). The patients whose alanine aminotransferase increasing more than upper normal limit in combined group was lower than double-dose atorvastatin group (2.8% vs. 9.0%, p = 0.05). Conclusions For very elderly patients with acute coronary syndrome, atorvastatin combining ezetimibe induced similar long-term outcomes compared with double-dose atorvastatin but with less liver dysfunction.
Practical application of pharmacotherapy with long-acting risperidone for patients with schizophrenia.

OBJECTIVE It is now generally accepted that the use of second-generation, or atypical, antipsychotics for schizophrenia represents an advance over conventional antipsychotic agents. However, adherence continues to be a problem, as with other medications for chronic disorders. Long-acting formulations of conventional antipsychotics partly address adherence problems, but their use is limited by tolerability issues. This article provides practical advice to physicians on the characteristics of patients who would benefit from treatment with long-acting atypical antipsychotic agents and offers suggestions on how to initiate treatment. METHODS A literature search for studies published between 1980 and 2003 that evaluated the treatment of patients with schizophrenia with long-acting atypical agents was conducted by using MEDLINE and EMBASE. The primary search parameters were "schizophrenia," "atypical," "antipsychotic," and "long-acting. " As expected, long-acting risperidone was the only long-acting atypical agent identified; thus this article focuses on practical advice and suggestions on how to initiate therapy with long-acting risperidone. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION From the results of the literature search and the discussion of a panel of experts at a meeting held in Dublin in 2003 and supported by Johnson & Johnson, it is possible to conclude that long-acting risperidone has demonstrated efficacy and tolerability, even among patients who are considered clinically stable on other antipsychotics. Most patients can switch safely and effectively to long-acting risperidone if appropriate strategies are applied. Long-acting risperidone provides a new and promising therapeutic option for the treatment of schizophrenia.
PromEC: An updated database of Escherichia coli mRNA promoters with experimentally identified transcriptional start sites

PromEC is an updated compilation of Escherichia coli mRNA promoter sequences. It includes documentation on the location of experimentally identified mRNA transcriptional start sites on the E. coli chromosome, as well as the actual sequences in the promoter region. The database was updated as of July 2000 and includes 472 entries. PromEC is accessible at http://bioinfo.md. huji.ac. il/marg/promec
Automatic discovery of the regression model by the means of grammatical and differential evolution

In the contribution, there is discussed the usage of the method based on the grammatical and differential evolution for the automatic discovery of regression models for discrete datasets. The combination of these two methods enables the process to find the precise structure of the mathematical model and values for the model constants separately. The used method is described and tested on the selected regression examples. The results are reported and the obtained mathematical models are presented. The advantages of the selected approach are described and compared to the classical methods.
Evolutionary Feedback Mediated through Population Density, Illustrated with Viruses in Chemostats

A cornerstone of evolutionary ecology is that population density affects adaptation: r and K selection is the obvious example. The reverse is also appreciated: adaptation impacts population density. Yet, empirically demonstrating a direct connection between population density and adaptation is challenging. Here, we address both evolution and ecology of population density in models of viral (bacteriophage) chemostats. Chemostats supply nutrients for host cell growth, and the hosts are prey for viral reproduction. Two different chemostat designs have profoundly different consequences for viral evolution. If host and virus are confined to the same chamber, as in a predator‐prey system, viral regulation of hosts feeds back to maintain low viral density (measured as infections per cell). Viral adaptation impacts host density but has a small effect on equilibrium viral density. More interesting are chemostats that supply the viral population with hosts from a virus‐free refuge. Here, a type of evolutionary succession operates: adaptation at low viral density leads to higher density, but high density then favors competitive ability. Experiments support these models with both phenotypic and molecular data. Parallels to these designs exist in many natural systems, so these experimental systems may yield insights to the evolution and regulation of natural populations.
Signal transduction: G proteins and second messengers.

The mechanisms underlying receptor-effector coupling are fundamental to our understanding of cellular function. A central issue in this area is how cell surface receptors transduce and amplify incoming signals. Other articles in this issue of the Journal cover the details of Ca channel structure and their interactions with anaesthetic agents. This review concentrates on two of the most well characterized second messenger systems, adenylyl cyclase-cAMP and inositol polyphosphate-[Ca][.
Vertical Specialization, Global Value Chains and the changing Geography of Trade: the Portuguese Rubber and Plastics Industry Case

The growing fragmentation of production in the last decades has changed the geography, and dynamics, of trade. It is very important, especially for small and open economies, a good position in regional and global value chains (GVC). The necessary increase in imports, namely of intermediate inputs, that this positioning implies must be accompanied by an adequate increase of exports, generating a substantial amount of domestic value added. In this paper, an empirical analysis is made of the changes in the geography of imports and exports of Portuguese rubber and plastics industry, as well as the growing vertical specialization of this sector, both with direct and total measures, in the period 1995-2011. To put the main trends in perspective, a comparison will be made with some northern and southern EU countries, the main trade partners of Portugal in this industry, and in fact in all the others. The rubber and plastics industry is a good case study in the context of GVC analysis, given the strong proportion of intermediate inputs in its output and trade.
International social work best practices curriculum for schools of social work.

INTERNATIONAL SOCIAL WORK BEST PRACTICES CURRICULUM FOR SCHOOLS OF SOCIAL WORK Stephen Wayne Ulrich November 22, 2006 In 1979, the U.S. President's Commission on Foreign Language and International Studies stated that to function successfully in the next century, all adults would need more knowledge about our interdependent world, awareness of other peoples, and greater sensitivity to global attitudes and customs. Social work is deeply rooted in the tradition of promoting social justice and in the profession's commitment to concern for culturally diverse groups. It is increasingly felt that social workers must acquire skills and attitudes that will enable them to effectively intervene with clients from diverse cultures and ethnic backgrounds. The inclusion of international content into social work curriculum varies widely in United States social work programs and curriculum approaches used. In order to assess the current status quo of International Social Work teaching practices curriculum in the United States and Puerto Rico, a survey was designed using Dillman's (2000) Tailored Design Theory and placed on the Internet utilizing PHP Surveyor. The format of the survey included three distinct sections: demographic information, format of international social work curriculum, and infusion of
The performance of higher education students’ loan sheme in Tanzania : the stakeholders’ views

A students’ Loan scheme is one among many alternatives for financing higher education in various countries around the world. Tanzania is one of the countries that have been practicing loan scheme system for financing higher education sub-sector. The purpose of this study is to examine the performance of the students’ loan scheme in Tanzania basing on the views of the stakeholders, mostly higher education students who are the main beneficiaries of the scheme. Some university students at the University of Dar es Salaam, the policy makers and policy implementers in the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology and the Higher Education Student Loan Board respectively, were identified for the study. The study was guided by two research questions. These are: what is the performance of higher education student loan scheme in terms of the procedures for loan application and money disbursement; and does the student loan scheme contain the structures for loan recovery to the extent of being able to recover the loan? A qualitative strategy has been used in this study. Multiple methods were used for data collection, namely semi-structured interview, group discussion and documentary analysis. Twelve students of different academic years of study and student leaders at the student organization level, two policy makers and two policy implementers were interviewed. Twenty students were involved in a focused group discussion. And various documents including policy documents, guidelines and website documents were analyzed. Data collected was analyzed by induction process. The findings show that the loan scheme in Tanzania is partly not performing well in terms of application procedures, disbursement of funds to students and loan recovery. Therefore to make the loan scheme perform at the convenience of the stakeholders, it is recommended that the government should decentralize the HESLB to district level (establish the district offices). By doing so some services such as distribution and collection of loan application forms and means-testing can be done at the district offices. In addition, it is recommended that the loan application forms can also be stationed at
Parents’ experience of having a child with autism and learning disabilities living in a group home

Some children with autism and learning disabilities also have aberrant behaviours that are difficult to regulate and stressful for both the child and family members. This case study concerns experiences of 10 parents from five families before and 2 years after entrusting their 10- to 11-year-old child with autism to a group home. Hermeneutic phenomenological analysis of narrative interviews with the parents before the child’s moving showed them experiencing grief and sorrow, total exhaustion because of inability to regulate their child’s behaviours, social isolation, and negative effects on the child’s siblings, but experiencing themselves as more sympathetic than previously towards other people with problems. Two years later they experienced relief for the family due to the group home arrangement and the child’s improvement, but with an ethical dilemma which made them feel guilty, despite increased hope for the future. Some also felt unhappy with the staff situation at the group home.
Performance evaluation of an RDB and an ORDB: A comparative study using the BUCKY benchmark

This paper highlights the functionality of object-based database systems by comparing the performance of relational database (RDB) and object-relational database (ORDB) systems. The study focuses on assessing the efficiency of database systems based on query processing and object complexity. We conducted an experiment that includes running the queries on the RDB and ORDB that were used in the BUCKY benchmark and implemented on Oracle 11g. The findings of this research show that the performance of both database systems depends on various factors, such as the size and type of databases, the schema and query structures, the number of tuples scanned in tables, indexes as well as the environment, in which the experiment was carried out.
4-bit SFQ Multiplier Based on Booth Encoder

We have designed a 2-bit Booth encoder with Josephson Transmission Lines (JTLs) and Passive Transmission Lines (PTLs) by using cell-based techniques and tools. The Booth encoding method is one of the algorithms to obtain partial products. With this method, the number of partial products decreases down to the half compared to the AND array method. We have fabricated a test chip for a multiplier with a 2-bit Booth encoder with JTLs and PTLs. It has a processing frequency of 20 GHz with the bias margin ±25%. The frequency of this circuit increases up to 45 GHz with the bias voltage by 25% increased from the design voltage. The circuit area of the multiplier designed with the Booth encoder method is compared to that designed with the AND array method.
Controlling seepage in discrete particle simulations of biological systems

Abstract It is now commonplace to represent materials in a simulation using assemblies of discrete particles. Sometimes, one wishes to maintain the integrity of boundaries between particle types, for example, when modelling multiple tissue layers. However, as the particle assembly evolves during a simulation, particles may pass across interfaces. This behaviour is referred to as ‘seepage’. The aims of this study were (i) to examine the conditions for seepage through a confining particle membrane and (ii) to define some simple rules that can be employed to control seepage. Based on the force-deformation response of spheres with various sizes and stiffness, we develop analytic expressions for the force required to move a ‘probe particle’ between confining ‘membrane particles’. We analyse the influence that particle’s size and stiffness have on the maximum force that can act on the probe particle before the onset of seepage. The theoretical results are applied in the simulation of a biological cell under unconfined compression.
Expression of Epithelial Cancer-Related Antigens in Hematologic Malignancies Applicable for Peptide-Based Immunotherapy

Recent advances in tumor immunology have resulted in identification of many epithelial cancer-related antigens and peptides applicable to specific immunotherapy. The authors investigated whether these peptides, which are being studied clinically, could be appropriate target molecules for treatment of patients with hematologic malignancies. The majority of hematologic malignant cells studied expressed five different epithelial cancer-related antigens. Cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) precursors reactive to these antigen-derived peptides were detected in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of the majority of HLA-A24+ patients, and the mean number of peptides recognized by CTL precursors was 2.4 per patient, ranging from 0 to 8 among the 10 peptides tested. These peptide-stimulated PBMCs exhibited HLA-A24-restricted cytotoxic activity against hematologic malignant cells but not against blastoid T cells. More importantly, these peptide-stimulated PBMCs exhibited cytotoxicity against freshly prepared autologous malignant cells in an HLA-A24-restricted manner. These results may provide a scientific basis for the use of these peptides from epithelial cancer-related antigens in specific immunotherapy for patients with hematologic malignancies.