Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
CBTRUS statistical report: primary brain and central nervous system tumors diagnosed in the United States in 2007-2011.

The Central Brain Tumor Registry of the United States (CBTRUS), in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and National Cancer Institute, is the largest population-based registry focused exclusively on primary brain and other central nervous system (CNS) tumors in the United States (US) and represents the entire US population. This report contains the most up-to-date population-based data on primary brain tumors available and supersedes all previous reports in terms of completeness and accuracy. All rates are age-adjusted using the 2000 US standard population and presented per 100,000 population. The average annual age-adjusted incidence rate (AAAIR) of all malignant and non-malignant brain and other CNS tumors was 23.41 (Malignant AAAIR = 7.08, non-Malignant AAAIR = 16.33). This rate was higher in females compared to males (25.84 versus 20.82), Whites compared to Blacks (23.50 versus 23.34), and non-Hispanics compared to Hispanics (23.84 versus 21.28). The most commonly occurring malignant brain and other CNS tumor was glioblastoma (14.6% of all tumors), and the most common non-malignant tumor was meningioma (37.6% of all tumors). Glioblastoma was more common in males, and meningioma was more common in females. In children and adolescents (age 0-19 years), the incidence rate of all primary brain and other CNS tumors was 6.06. An estimated 86,010 new cases of malignant and non-malignant brain and other CNS tumors are expected to be diagnosed in the US in 2019 (25,510 malignant and 60,490 non-malignant). There were 79,718 deaths attributed to malignant brain and other CNS tumors between 2012 and 2016. This represents an average annual mortality rate of 4.42. The five-year relative survival rate following diagnosis of a malignant brain and other CNS tumor was 35.8%, and the five-year relative survival rate following diagnosis of a non-malignant brain and other CNS tumors was 91.5%.
Degradation Behaviors of Metal-Induced Laterally Crystallized n-Type Polycrystalline Silicon Thin-Film Transistors Under DC Bias Stresses

Device degradation behaviors of typical-sized n-type metal-induced laterally crystallized polycrystalline silicon thin-film transistors were investigated in detail under two kinds of dc bias stresses: hot-carrier (HC) stress and self-heating (SH) stress. Under HC stress, device degradation is the consequence of HC induced defect generation locally at the drain side. Under a unified model that postulates, the establishment of a potential barrier at the drain side due to carrier transport near trap states, device degradation behavior such as asymmetric on current recovery and threshold voltage degradation can be understood. Under SH stress, a general degradation in subthreshold characteristic was observed. Device degradation is the consequence of deep state generation along the entire channel. Device degradation behaviors were compared in low Vd-stress and in high Vd-stress condition. Defect generation distribution along the channel appears to be different in two cases. In both cases of SH degradation, asymmetric on current recovery was observed. This observation, when in low Vd-stress condition, is tentatively explained by dehydrogenation (hydrogenation) effect at the drain (source) side during stress
Environmental accounting in developing countries: the Lebanese case

Lebanon has strong environmental laws with enforcement policies, but their implementation was rare due to the political instability and conflict in Lebanon that caused social and economical instability and reduced the law enforcement power of the government resulting in discretionary application of environmental management systems. The paper reports the extent of application of environmental management systems by Lebanese companies, the type of environmental costs reported, and the use of environmental accounting systems by the companies observed in this study. Suggestions and recommendations to improve the adoption of environmental accounting and reporting by companies are given by the researchers.
Imaging myocardial fiber architecture in vivo with magnetic resonance

Methods are presented to image the fiber architecture of the human myocardium in vitro and in vivo. NMR images are obtained of the diffusion anisotropy tensor, indicative of local myofiber orientation. Studies of cardiac necropsy specimens demonstrate classic features of ventricular myoarchitecture including the continuous endocardial to epicardial variation of fiber helix angles (angles to the ventricular circumferential direction) of approximatel ±1.3 to −1.3 radians. Cross‐fiber anisotropy is also observed. In the beating heart, NMR diffusion data must be corrected for the effects of myocardial deformation during the cardiac cycle. This correction can be performed using an independent MRI method to map the strain‐rate tensor field of the myocardium through time. Combining fiber orientation with local myocardial strain rate, local rates of myocardial fiber shortening may be computed.
The Enterprise Isolation Program in Romania

We provide comprehensive analysis of the isolation program for financially distressed firms in Romania. The results indicate that the isolation program did not deliver any tangible improvements in operational performance, nor did it enhance the process of privatization or liquidation of large loss-making enterprises. Firms included in the program faced softer budget constraints than their comparators outside the program, and few management changes in poorly performing firms took place. These findings question the feasibility of creating successful programs for enterprise restructuring under government auspices.
Investment Opportunity Set, Accounting Policy, and Discretionary Accruals

This study analyzes the effect of the investment opportunity set (IOS) on management's use of discretionary accruals to increase or decrease income. We argue that the relation between the IOS and the managerial decision to select accounting methods to maximize or minimize reported results is based upon the level of firm information asymmetry. First, given the information asymmetry, managers engage in income-increasing earnings management to signal firm performance or to achieve personal gains. Second, given their greater information asymmetry, firms with high investment opportunity set are more likely to select income-increasing accounting procedure. Third, we argue that discretionary accruals are a global measure of corporate accounting choices. The results of this paper show that firms with more investment opportunities are more likely to use discretionary accruals to maximize reported earnings. These results are robust to various discretionary accruals models and other sensitivity tests.
EFFECTS OF ORGANIZATIONAL LEARNING IN THIRD-PARTY LOGISTICS

Logistics service providers operate in an intense competitive environment that requires continuous improvement in logistics service quality and firm performance. Key organizational resources may contribute toward the improvement in performance of logistics service providers. This paper investigates the effect of organizational learning within logistics service providers on client relationship orientation, logistics service quality and firm performance. The study proposes and examines an original concept in logistics research that contributes to theory in the area, provides the opportunity for further research and addresses how organizational resources can contribute to performance in logistics.
Comparison of soft magnetic composites (SMCs) and electrical steel

This paper deals with a comparison of soft magnetic composites (SMCs) and electrical steel. At first the theory and practice of measuring of the magnetic properties with the ring core method are described. Next a comparison between electrical steel and SMC regarding different frequencies, flux densities and magnetic field strengths is given. The measurements have shown that SMCs have less iron losses, i.e. mainly hysteresis and eddy current losses, for high frequencies due to their low electrical conductivity. However the magnetic permeance of SMCs is less than that of electrical steel and consequently a higher magnetic field strength and thus a higher current is needed to obtain the same magnetic flux density. Since higher current increases the ohmic losses, an estimation of the total losses, i.e. the sum of iron and ohmic losses is given at the end.
Treatment of medial and lateral epicondylitis--tennis and golfer's elbow--with low level laser therapy: a multicenter double blind, placebo-controlled clinical study on 324 patients.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Among the other treatment modalities of medial and lateral epicondylitis, low level laser therapy (LLLT) has been promoted as a highly successful method. The aim of this clinical study was to assess the efficacy of LLLT using trigger points (TPs) and scanner application techniques under placebo-controlled conditions. STUDY DESIGN/MATERIAL AND METHODS The current clinical study was completed at two Laser Centers (Locarno, Switzerland and Opatija, Croatia) as a double-blind, placebo controlled, crossover clinical study. The patient population (n = 324), with either medial epicondylitis (Golfer's elbow; n = 50) or lateral epicondylitis (Tennis elbow; n = 274), was recruited. Unilateral cases of either type of epicondylitis (n = 283) were randomly allocated to one of three treatment groups according to the LLLT technique applied: (1) Trigger points; (2) Scanner; (3) Combination Treatment (i.e., TPs and scanner technique). Bilateral cases of either type of epicondylitis (n = 41) were subject to crossover, placebo-controlled conditions. Laser devices used to perform these treatments were infrared (IR) diode laser (GaAlAs) 830 nm continuous wave for treatment of TPs and HeNe 632.8 nm combined with IR diode laser 904 nm, pulsed wave for scanner technique. Energy doses were equally controlled and measured in Joules/cm2 either during TPs or scanner technique sessions in all groups of patients. The treatment outcome (pain relief and functional ability) was observed and measured according to the following methods: (1) short form of McGill's Pain Questionnaire (SF-MPQ); (2) visual analogue scales (VAS); (3) verbal rating scales (VRS); (4) patient's pain diary; and (5) hand dynamometer. RESULTS Total relief of the pain with consequently improved functional ability was achieved in 82% of acute and 66% of chronic cases, all of which were treated by combination of TPs and scanner technique. CONCLUSIONS This clinical study has demonstrated that the best results are obtained using combination treatment (i.e., TPs and scanner technique). Good results are obtained from adequate treatment technique correctly applied, individual energy doses, adequate medical education, clinical experience, and correct approach of laser therapists. We observed that under- and overirradiation dosage can result in the absence of positive therapy effects or even opposite, negative (e.g., inhibitory) effects. The current clinical study provides further evidence of the efficacy of LLLT in the management of lateral and medial epicondylitis.
Involvement of the anterior lobe of the cerebellar vermis in perinatal profound hypoxia.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE We report abnormal high T2 signal intensity in the anterior lobe of the cerebellar vermis that we believe was the result of profound hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy in the perinatal period in term infants. We tested the hypothesis that this sign was associated with other signs of significant perinatal hypoxic damage. METHODS Thirty patients with clinically and radiologically confirmed perinatal profound hypoxia close to term were included in the study. The cranial MR images were reviewed by 2 pediatric neuroradiologists and were scored for the presence and severity of hypoxia/ischemia in the regions typically affected by profound hypoxia. The presence or absence of high T2 signal intensity in the vermis and other sites was correlated with the extent of damage in typically affected regions. RESULTS Eighteen of 30 patients had high T2 signal intensity in the vermis. The presence of vermian damage correlated positively with radiologic evidence of severe hypoxic damage and extremely poor (0 or 1) 1-minute Apgar scores. CONCLUSIONS High T2 signal intensity in the anterior lobe of the vermis probably represents gliosis secondary to hypoxia/ischemia and is related to the severity of damage in the term infant.
Predicting parents' decisions on MMR immunisation: a mixed method investigation.

BACKGROUND Increasing uptake rates for MMR vaccination requires an understanding of factors leading parents to decide for and against vaccination, particularly in the light of recent developments. OBJECTIVE We investigated factors relevant to immunising and non-immunising parents and the extent to which these factors predicted their decisions. METHODS The study was conducted in Edinburgh, UK. A two-stage mixed method design was used. Delphi technique elicited parents' views of factors relevant to MMR immunisation. Twenty-six factors identified as relevant were incorporated into a final questionnaire. Using cluster sampling, the final questionnaire was distributed to parents recruited through a group of local nurseries. 110 parents participated: eighty (72.7%) had had their child MMR vaccinated, thirty (27.3%) had refused the vaccine. The factors in the final questionnaire were analysed against vaccination status using a direct binary logistic regression model. RESULTS Four factors significantly predicted vaccination status, (prediction toward 'yes vaccination'). These were the influence of current research (OR=0.18, 95% CI=0.07-0.51), the helpfulness of leaflets and information packs (OR=3.27, 95% CI=1.38-7.75), the importance of eradication of rubella (OR=2.42, 95% CI=1.01-5.78), and the importance attached to the risk of adverse reactions (OR=0.65, 95% CI=0.48-0.87). CONCLUSIONS Differences between immunising and non-immunising parents lie in the importance attached to four relevant factors. Excluding risk of adverse reactions, these factors have not been previously identified as salient and require to be explored further. Health advice to parents should highlight the identified importance attached to eradicating rubella and explicitly reflect research findings.
Integrity of human YACs during propagation in recombination-deficient yeast strains.

Several isogenic strains with defects in recombination/repair genes (RAD1, RAD50, RAD51, RAD52, RAD54, and RAD55) were examined for their ability to propagate accurately a variety of linear and circular yeast artificial chromosomes (YACs) containing human DNA inserts. To assess YAC stability, the human DNA inserts were internally marked by an ADE2-pBR-URA3 cassette. Following selection for Ura- clones on 5-fluoroorotic acid containing medium, the following types of YAC deletions were identified: (i) those caused by homologous recombination with a telomeric pBR sequence; (ii) internal deletions, presumed to occur by recombination between commonly occurring DNA repeats such as Alu and LINE sequences; and (iii) deletions leading to loss of part of a YAC arm. rad52 host strains, but not other recombination-deficient strains, decreased the rate of all types of YAC deletions 25- to 400-fold. We have also developed and tested kar1 strains with a conditional RAD52 gene that allow transfer of a YAC from any host into a recombination-deficient background. These strains provide an efficient tool for stabilization of YACs and are useful for allowing additional recombinational modification of YACs.
Fabrication of a new high-performance WPT system by electric energy confinement

A WPT system based on coupled resonators makes use of the electric and magnetic couplings. Considering one can control the ratio of those couplings, it should be useful to reduce the electric coupling, since it is affected by the dielectric material that intrudes between the two resonators, resulting in the shift of operating frequency, deterioration of matching and increase of transfer loss. The present paper studies two methods to avoid them, that is, electric energy confinement by external lumped capacitor and by double layered coils. Both try to confine the electric energy of the resonators into a limited space and remove from the coupling space. Carrying out a comparative study, it concludes the latter is more desirable by the overall rating.
High incidence of antibodies to HTLV-I tax in blood relatives of adult T cell leukemia patients.

Adult T cell leukemia (ATL) is caused by the human T cell leukemia virus type I (HTLV-I). Although the mechanisms of the leukemogenic process are unknown, the tax gene may have a role in this process. Because clustering occurs with HTLV-I and ATL, members of ATL families were examined for antibodies to the tax protein and compared with matched HTLV-I-positive blood donors. To investigate the antibody response to this protein, a plasmid, pBHX-4, was constructed to express a recombinant tax protein (r-tax). For ATL patients and their HTLV-I antibody-positive blood relatives, the rate of seroreactivity with the r-tax protein was 67.3% (35/52), compared with 51.6% (97/188) for HTLV-I antibody-positive control blood donors (P less than .05). The difference between direct offspring of ATL patients and matched HTLV-I blood donors was even greater (84.2% [16/91] vs. 44.2% [42/95]; P less than .005). Thus, tax antibody positivity in direct offspring of ATL patients may reflect differences in time or route of HTLV-I infection. Alternatively, it might reflect genetic differences in host susceptibility or virus strain.
Locality structure preserving based feature selection for prognostics

Feature selection in data-driven modelling is an important research topic for prognostics. The performance of predic- tion model may vary considerably under different feature subsets. Hence it is important to devise a systematic feature selection method, which offers the guidance for choosing the most representative features for prognostics. Nowadays, feature selection algorithms in the field of prognostics are largely studied to the type of learning: supervised or unsupervised, which leads to poor generalization between different prognostics applications. In this paper, a unified feature selection method, called locality structure preserving based feature selection (LSPFS),is developed to improve the robustness and accuracy of prognostics under both unsupervised and supervised learning conditions. In LSPFS, the local structure of original data is constructed according to the similarity between data points, and the representative features are selected based on their ability to preserve the local structure. Moreover, by designing different local structure via local information and actual degradation information of the data, the introduced method can unify supervised and unsupervised feature selection, and enable their joint study under a general framework. Experiments on NASA turbofan engine simulation dataset and lithium-ion battery dataset are conducted to test and evaluate the proposed algorithm.
Managing the Development of Multi-Titled Golf Complexes

Abstract Multi-titled golf development (MTGD) complexes represent an increasingly popular form of living in Australia. This form of living presents some particular challenges due to the number of stakeholders involved (eg, complex developer, body corporate service provider, accommodation owners, golf-course owner and other potential commercial operators). In this study, qualitative data collected from thirteen interviews with Queensland-based developer representatives and body corporate managers experienced in MTGDs is examined to explore issues arising from the protracted involvement of developers in the life of an MTGD complex. The role of the body corporate management function is also examined and a potential for a conflict of interest arising noted. The importance of developing a sense of community in a MTGD is also observed and commented on. Academic and practical implications as well as future research opportunities are outlined.
Exploiting Optimal Threshold for Decision Fusion in Wireless Sensor Networks

Decision fusion has been adopted in a number of sensor systems to deal with sensing uncertainty and enable the sensors to collaborate with each other. It can distribute computation workload and significantly reduces the communication overhead. However, some variants of decision rules such as Voting, Bayes Criterion, and Neyman-Pearson require a priori knowledge on the probability of targets presence which is still an open issue in detection theory. In this paper, we propose a binary decision fusion scheme that reaches a global decision by integrating local decisions made by fusion members. The optimal local thresholds and global threshold are derived by using the Minimax criterion based analysis while they are ensuring false alarm rate constraint, without a preestimated target appearance probability. Simulation results show that our scheme can improve the system performance under certain constraints, which can guide the threshold selection for implementing WSN systems in mission-critical applications.
Neurofibromatosis type 1: diagnosis and recent advances.

IMPORTANCE OF THE FIELD Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is a familial tumour predisposition syndrome with no current treatment regime. Neurofibromin, the NF1 gene product, is a Ras-GAP protein that downregulates Ras and when inactivated leads to increased cell growth, proliferation and eventually tumorigenesis. The Ras family proteins have a central role in cell biology and are of prime importance in cancer development. AREAS COVERED IN THIS REVIEW This article reviews recent advances from the past 5 years, covering aspects of molecular and clinical diagnosis of NF1, genotype/phenotype studies, the RASopathies, NF1 tumorigenesis, mouse NF1 models and potential therapies. What reader will gain: The reader is introduced to recent advances in NF1 that focus on clinical and molecular diagnosis. The reader should gain a better understanding of the molecular basis of NF1 and of other NF1-like syndromes, and the challenges presented for clinical management. TAKE HOME MESSAGE A molecular diagnosis can usually be made in most NF1 patients using a battery of gene screening techniques. The sensitivity and specificity of mutation detection will increase with the introduction of new technologies and new bioinformatic tools. Pathogenic somatic mutations of the NF1 gene are increasingly being identified in tumours not usually associated with NF1, a clear indication that neurofibromin has a much wider biological role and has an importance far beyond NF1.
Knowledge relatedness and the performance of multibusiness firms

This study examines the relationship between "knowledge relatedness" and performance of multibusiness firms. It defines knowledge relatedness as the extent to which a multibusiness firm uses common knowledge resources across its business units. It argues that cross-business knowledge synergies arising from knowledge relatedness are likely to improve firm performance. The study construes knowledge relatedness in terms of three complementary dimensions: (1) product knowledge relatedness, (2) customer knowledge relatedness, and (3) managerial knowledge relatedness. In a sample of 303 Fortune1000 firms, the study finds that the individual dimensions of knowledge relatedness do not have significant effects on firm performance on their own. The joint effect of the three types of knowledge relatedness on firm performance is positive and significant. Implications for research and practice are discussed.