Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Fully automated structural MRI of the brain in clinical dementia workup

Background The dementia syndrome has been regarded a clinical diagnosis but the focus on supplemental biomarkers is increasing. An automatic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) volumetry method, NeuroQuant® (NQ), has been developed for use in clinical settings. Purpose To evaluate the clinical usefulness of NQ in distinguishing Alzheimer’s disease dementia (AD) from non-dementia and non-AD dementia. Material and Methods NQ was performed in 275 patients diagnosed according to the criteria of ICD-10 for AD, vascular dementia and Parkinson’s disease dementia (PDD); the Winblad criteria for mild cognitive impairment; the Lund-Manchester criteria for frontotemporal dementia; and the revised consensus criteria for Lewy body dementia (LBD). Receiver operating curve (ROC) analyses with calculation of area under the curve (AUC) and regression analyses were carried out. Results Forebrain parenchyma (AUC 0.82), hippocampus (AUC 0.80), and inferior lateral ventricles (AUC 0.78) yielded the highest AUCs for AD/non-dementia discrimination. Only hippocampus (AUC 0.62) and cerebellum (AUC 0.67) separated AD from non-AD dementia. Cerebellum separated AD from PDD-LBD (AUC 0.83). Separate multiple regression analyses adjusted for age and gender, showed that memory (CERAD 10-word delayed recall) (beta 0.502, P < 0.001) was more strongly associated to the hippocampus volume than the diagnostic distinction of AD versus non-dementia (beta −0.392, P < 0.001). Conclusion NQ measures could separate AD from non-dementia fairly well but generally poorer from non-AD dementia. Degree of memory impairment, age, and gender, but not diagnostic distinction, were associated to the hippocampus volume in adjusted analyses. Surprisingly, cerebellum was found relevant in separating AD from PDD-LBD.
Can Lean Six Sigma make UK public sector organisations more efficient and effective

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the widespread but fragmented application of Lean Six Sigma within the UK public sector, providing the context of some of the challenges faced within the sector as well as some of the successful applications of Lean Six Sigma. The paper fundamentally seeks to challenge the concept that Lean Six Sigma is not suitable for use in the public sector. Design/methodology/approach A summary of the challenges facing the public sector is shown from current literature and this is presented as drivers for change. A number of successful applications of Lean Six Sigma are then evidenced demonstrating examples across areas of the public sector. Findings This paper concludes that while Lean Six Sigma is applicable to the UK public sector additional work is required to better evidence the benefits and return on investment that can be delivered as well as considering more holistic approaches on an agency wide basis. Research limitations/implications This paper seeks to contribute to and broaden the limited body of evidence of the applicability of Lean Six Sigma to the UK public sector and identifies areas for further research and review. Practical implications Understanding the applicability of Lean Six Sigma affords opportunities to public sector agencies in the current budget climate but additionally affords ways in which quality of service can be enhanced. In some cases, it provides opportunities to meet new statutory requirements around community empowerment. Originality/value The paper contributes to the body of evidence that demonstrates the effectiveness of Lean Six Sigma within the public sector and suggests opportunity for those agencies to meet funding challenges faced across the UK.
A Prey‐Predator Model of Trade Union Density and Inequality in 12 Advanced Capitalisms Over Long Periods

Summary This article shows empirically how trade union membership and income inequality are mutually related in twelve countries over more than 100 years. While past research has shown that high income inequality occurs alongside low trade union membership, we show that past income inequality actually increases trade union membership with a time lag, as trade unions recruit more members after inequality has been high. But we also show that strengthened trade unions then fight inequality, thereby destroying what helped them to recruit new members in the past. As trade union density decreases, inequality increases and eventually re-incentivises workers to join unions again. By showing this empirically, we reconceptualise the relationship between inequality and union density as a prey and predator model, where predators eat prey – unions destroy inequality, but thereby also destroy their own basis for survival. By empirically showing that trade union density and social inequality influence each other in this way over long periods, this article contributes to a dynamic approach on how social problems and social movements interact.
Using Citations to Measure Influence on the Supreme Court

I develop a new measure of interpersonal influence on the U.S. Supreme Court. Following Altfeld and Spaeth, I define influence as “the act of producing an effect on the behavior of another without the use of coercion, authority, or political control. ” I propose a measure of influence based on the number of times a justice cites her colleagues’ concurring and dissenting opinions. My analysis proceeds in two stages. First, I verify that this citation-based measure is a valid method of gauging influence. From there, I use this measure to help explain justice behavior in two pivotal stages of the Supreme Court’s decision-making process: oral arguments and opinion assignments. The results demonstrate that a citation-based measure of influence can help explain and predict behavior on the Supreme Court.
Fast DNA Serotyping of Escherichia coli by Use of an Oligonucleotide Microarray

ABSTRACT Classical antibody-based serotyping of Escherichia coli is an important method in diagnostic microbiology for epidemiological purposes, as well as for a rough virulence assessment. However, serotyping is so tedious that its use is restricted to a few reference laboratories. To improve this situation we developed and validated a genetic approach for serotyping based on the microarray technology. The genes encoding the O-antigen flippase (wzx) and the O-antigen polymerase (wzy) were selected as target sequences for the O antigen, whereas fliC and related genes, which code for the flagellar monomer, were chosen as representatives for the H phenotype. Starting with a detailed bioinformatic analysis and oligonucleotide design, an ArrayTube-based assay was established: a fast and robust DNA extraction method was coupled with a site-specific, linear multiplex labeling procedure and hybridization analysis of the biotinylated amplicons. The microarray contained oligonucleotide DNA probes, each in duplicate, representing 24 of the epidemiologically most relevant of the over 180 known O antigens (O antigens 4, 6 to 9, 15, 26, 52, 53, 55, 79, 86, 91, 101, 103, 104, 111, 113, 114, 121, 128, 145, 157, and 172) as well as 47 of the 53 different H antigens (H antigens 1 to 12, 14 to 16, 18 to 21, 23 to 34, 37 to 43, 45, 46, 48, 49, 51 to 54, and 56). Evaluation of the microarray with a set of defined strains representing all O and H serotypes covered revealed that it has a high sensitivity and a high specificity. All of the conventionally typed 24 O groups and all of the 47 H serotypes were correctly identified. Moreover, strains which were nonmotile or nontypeable by previous serotyping assays yielded unequivocal results with the novel ArrayTube assay, which proved to be a valuable alternative to classical serotyping, allowing processing of single colonies within a single working day.
Retrograde versus antegrade flush in canine left lung preservation for six hours.

BACKGROUND Retrograde flush through the left atrium is now used by some investigators in clinical lung preservation. However, to date there are no studies which compare its result with that of routine antegrade flush. METHODS Mongrel dogs were divided into two groups: antegrade group (n = 7) and retrograde group (n = 8). After flush and 6 hours of cold storage in Euro-Collins solution, the left lung was transplanted in weight matched recipients, and their right pulmonary artery was then clamped at 10-, 30-, 60-, and 120-minute intervals for 10 minutes to test the lung function. The ultrastructure of lungs in both groups were also studied. RESULTS Results showed the following (antegrade group versus retrograde group): the wet/dry ratio of the transplanted lung was 7.14 +/- 0.15 versus 6.33 +/- 0.20 (p < 0.01); the arterial oxygen tension (mm Hg) was 389 +/- 42 versus 534 +/- 23 (p < 0.05) and 370 +/- 51 versus 580 +/- 37 (p < 0.01) at 60 and 120 minutes, respectively. The peak airway pressure (cm H2O) was 23.4 +/- 0.8 versus 20.6 +/- 0.6 (p < 0.05) and 23.7 +/- 0.6 versus 21.3 +/- 0.8 (p < 0.05) at 10 and 60 minutes, respectively. Electron microscopic studies showed that at the end of preservation, type I and type II pneumocytes and capillaries were normal in both groups. Occluded capillaries with red blood cells were found in the antegrade group. After reperfusion, damaged epithelium and thicker air-blood barrier were found in the antegrade group. CONCLUSIONS Retrograde flush offers a better lung preservation with less edema, decreased airway resistance, and improved oxygenation as compared with the antegrade group in 6 hours lung preservation.
Directive 98/48/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council

(4) Whereas the extension of the scope of Directive 98/34/EC should not prevent Member States from taking account of the different social, societal and cultural implications inherent in the advent of the Information Society; whereas, in particular, the use of the procedural rules laid down in that Directive for Information Society services should not affect cultural policy measures, particularly in the audiovisual field, which Member States might adopt in accordance with Community law, taking account of their linguistic diversity, their specific national and regional characteristics and their cultural heritage; whereas the development of the Information Society should ensure, in any event, proper access of European citizens to the European cultural heritage supplied in a digital environment;
The scan matchers research and comparison: Monte-Carlo, olson and hough

SLAM (simultaneous localization and mapping) problem appears in robot algorithms when it is necessary to orient in an unknown environment without GPS or some other world communication system. Data for considered SLAM method is received from laser rangefinders and odometry sensors. Scan matching is a localization step of the SLAM problem and the main idea is to find an offset between two laser scans — sets of points that presents a perception of environment from one observed point. Three different scan matchers based on various approaches are compared to determine the most accurate one.
HOW PROFESSIONAL PROVIDERS ADDRESS THE SELF-ESTEEM OF AFRICAN AMERICAN ADOLESCENT GIRLS LIVING IN LOW-INCOME COMMUNITIES

HOW PROFESSIONAL PROVIDERS ADDRESS THE SELF-ESTEEM OF AFRICAN AMERICAN ADOLESCENT GIRLS LIVING IN LOW-INCOME COMMUNITIES Khidhra Smith Poole MSW, LCSW Dr. Joretha Bourjolly MSW, PhD. , Dissertation Chair Objective: This study aimed to explore how professionals are addressing the self-esteem of African American girls living in low-income communities. Factors such as gender, race, and socioeconomic status play a significant role in the development of a healthy self-esteem. Given the disproportionately high representation of African American youth among individuals living in poverty, their increased exposure to stress in the context of poverty, and the association between stress and psychological symptoms for African American girls, the search for protective factors that foster resilience for low-income African American girls is particularly important. Methods: A modified grounded theory approach was used to analyze audiotaped transcribed focus group discussions, self-esteem written intervention materials, and direct observation notes from self-esteem interventions conducted by study participants. Fennell’s cognitive model of low self-esteem was used as a theoretical framework for this study to help understand which factors contribute to low self-esteem and as a result need to be considered when improving overall self-esteem among African American adolescent girls living in low-income communities. Results: Teaching skills and providing opportunities for girls to practice new skills, guided group discussions and talks, exposure to new experiences, addressing basic needs, healthy relationship building, the positive use of self, spiritual/cultural approaches and the lack of family involvement were all themes that emerged when professionals addressed the self-esteem of African American adolescent girls living in low-income communities. The study also discovered that professionals should find ways to include the primary caregiver when addressing self-esteem with this group. Conclusions: The findings suggest that addressing self-esteem with this group begins with understanding their culture, listening to what they need and observing obstacles faced by these girls to sustain a healthy selfesteem. Implications for social work practice are discussed.
NMR determination of the orientation of the magnetic susceptibility tensor in cyanometmyoglobin: a new probe of steric tilt of bound ligand.

The experimentally determined paramagnetic dipolar shifts for noncoordinated amino acid side-chain protons in the heme pocket of sperm whale cyanometmyoglobin [Emerson, S. d. , & La Mar, G. N. (1990) Biochemistry (preceding paper in this issue]) were used to determine in solution the orientation of the principal axes for the paramagnetic susceptibility tensor relative to the heme iron molecular coordinates. The determination was made by a least-squares search for the unique Euler rotation angles which convert the geometric factors in the molecular (crystal) coordinates to ones that correctly predict each of 41 known dipolar shifts by using the magnetic anisotropies computed previously [Horrocks, W. D. , Jr., & Greenberg, E. S. (973) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 322, 38-44]. An excellent fit to experimental shifts was obtained, which also provided predictions that allowed subsequent new assignments to be made. The magnetic axes are oriented so that the z axis is tipped approximately 15 degrees from the heme normal toward the hem delta-meso-H and coincides approximately with the characterized FeCO tilt axis in the isostructural MbCO complex [Kuriyan, J., Wilz, S. , Karplus, M. , & Petsko, G. A. (1986) J. Mol. Biol. 192, 133-154]. Since the FeCO and FeCN units are isostructural, we propose that the dominant protein constraints that tips the magnetic z axis from the heme normal is the tilt of the FeCN by steric interactions with the distal residues. The rhombic magnetic axes were found to align closely with the projection of the proximal His imidazole plane on the heme, confirming that the His-Fe bonding provides the protein constraints that orients the in-plane anisotrophy. The tipped magnetic z axis is shown to account quantitatively for the previously noted major discrepancy between the hyperfine shift patterns for the bound imidazole side chain in models and protein. Moreover, it is shown that the proximal His ring nolabile proton hyperfine shifts provide direct and exquisitely sensitive indicators of the degree of the z axis tilt that may serve as a valuable probe for characterizing variable steric interactions in the distal pocket of both point mutants and natural genetic variants of myoglobin.
Evolutional imprints on the sequences of BMP2/4/DPP type proteins

Decapentaplegic (DPP) and bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) -2 and -4 type ligands form a branch of the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) superfamily. They play prominent roles in metazoan developmental processes as diverse as cell proliferation, apoptosis, differentiation and cell-fate determination. Maturation of the BMP2/4/DPP type proteins requires proteolytic cleavage of their proproteins by furin-type proprotein convertases (PCs). Even though cleavage of the prodomain is critical for signaling, much less attention has been paid to the role of proteolytic processing. Our studies suggest that the cleavage sites of BMP2/4/DPP type proteins have been diversified and can be categorized into at least four different types. These findings indicate that the cleavage sites in BMP2/4/DPP prodomains are tolerant to mutations acquired through evolution and have adapted to diversified environments among species. These results provide insights for further studies of evolution and molecular diversity. In this Extra View we discuss the evolutional variation seen in the sequences of BMP2/4/DPP type proteins.
Rethinking Spatial Inequality in Development: The Primacy of Power Relations

Why do spatial inequalities emerge and persist? After showing that existing explanations of spatial inequality are at best partial, this article argues that persistent spatial development disparities are the product of the terms on which underdeveloped regions are incorporated into ruling coalitions. In most cases, political elites from lagging regions are incorporated on marginal terms, undermining their capacity to direct public resources to their constituents. Consequently, governments direct more resources to relatively better‐off and politically dominant regions, reinforcing spatial inequalities. Our analyses highlight the importance of going beyond a dichotomous assessment of whether disadvantaged regions are included or excluded from ruling coalitions to an examination of the terms of their inclusion. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Feature Selection from Brain Stroke CT Images based on Binary Ant Colony

This paper proposes an automatic method to detect stroke region using Computed Tomography (CT) images. selecting a subset of features from a huge set for segmenting ischemic brain stroke in CT images , is a challenging problem . The proposed method consists of extracting 182 features and using heuristic algorithms to cope with complexity of feature selection . Ant colony optimization as one of the recent heuristic approaches is applied to the 98 brain CT scans from stroke subjects and tested by Support vector machines (SVM ) classification . The results show a good improvement in accuracy of stroke diagnosis.
Anaesthetic strategies towards developments in day care surgery

Summary Ambulatory surgery is growing worldwide. The challenge of providing anaesthesia for longer and more complex surgery in sicker and elderly patients is a reality. To maintain the safety and good outcomes of ambulatory anaesthesia, high-risk patients will need to be evaluated carefully. Anaesthetic techniques that use short-acting drugs and minimize postoperative morbidity and mortality should become the focus. Policies on management of postoperative pain, nausea, vomiting, voiding and discharge from hospital will maintain good outcome measures.
Insulin resistance and overweight-obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome

Aim. To estimate (1) the prevalence of insulin resistance (IR) by fasting glucose: insulin ratio (G:I) (G:I ≤ 4.5) in overweight-obese polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) women, (2) to compare the clinical and biochemical parameters between insulin-resistant and insulin-sensitive groups. Materials and Methods. Eighty-one overweight-obese PCOS women (body mass index (BMI) ≥ 23 kg/m2) were studied. PCOS was diagnosed as per the Rotterdam 2003 criteria. BMI, abdominal circumference (AC), hirsutism (Ferriman Gallway score ≥6), presence of acne and acanthosis nigricans (AN) were noted in each case. Serum testosterone, sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), fasting plasma glucose and insulin levels were measured. Results. 23.5% women were found to have IR. There were no differences in age, frequency of hirsutism, acne, serum testosterone and fasting glucose levels between insulin-resistant and insulin-sensitive women. However, there were significant differences in BMI, AC, frequency of AN, SHBG levels, fasting insulin levels and FAI between the two groups. Conclusion. PCOS women with IR are more obese; they have more upper body adiposity and AN. They are more hyperandrogenic. Simple clinical parameters will help to suspect IR in PCOS women.
In vivo cartilage repair using adipose‐derived stem cell‐loaded decellularized cartilage ECM scaffolds

We have previously reported a natural, human cartilage ECM (extracellular matrix)‐derived three‐dimensional (3D) porous acellular scaffold for in vivo cartilage tissue engineering in nude mice. However, the in vivo repair effects of this scaffold are still unknown. The aim of this study was to further explore the feasibility of application of cell‐loaded scaffolds, using autologous adipose‐derived stem cells (ADSCs), for cartilage defect repair in rabbits. A defect 4 mm in diameter was created on the patellar groove of the femur in both knees, and was repaired with the chondrogenically induced ADSC–scaffold constructs (group A) or the scaffold alone (group B); defects without treatment were used as controls (group C). The results showed that in group A all defects were fully filled with repair tissue and at 6 months post‐surgery most of the repair site was filled with hyaline cartilage. In contrast, in group B all defects were partially filled with repair tissue, but only half of the repair tissue was hyaline cartilage. Defects were only filled with fibrotic tissue in group C. Indeed, histological grading score analysis revealed that an average score in group A was higher than in groups B and C. GAG and type II collagen content and biomechanical property detection showed that the group A levels approached those of normal cartilage. In conclusion, ADSC‐loaded cartilage ECM scaffolds induced cartilage repair tissue comparable to native cartilage in terms of mechanical properties and biochemical components. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
How uncertain is the future of electric vehicle market: Results from Monte Carlo simulations using a nested logit model

ABSTRACT Plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs) are widely regarded as an important component of the technology portfolio designed to accomplish policy goals in sustainability and energy security. However, the market acceptance of PEVs in the future remains largely uncertain from today's perspective. By integrating a consumer choice model based on nested multinomial logit and Monte Carlo simulation, this study analyzes the uncertainty of PEV market penetration using Monte Carlo simulation. Results suggest that the future market for PEVs is highly uncertain and there is a substantial risk of low penetration in the early and midterm market. Top factors contributing to market share variability are price sensitivities, energy cost, range limitation, and charging availability. The results also illustrate the potential effect of public policies in promoting PEVs through investment in battery technology and infrastructure deployment. Continued improvement of battery technologies and deployment of charging infrastructure alone do not necessarily reduce the spread of market share distributions, but may shift distributions toward right, i.e., increase the probability of having great market success.
Cyp 2 c 44 gene disruption is associated with increased hematopoietic stem cells : implication in chronic hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension

Ryota Hashimoto, Sachindra Raj Joshi, Houli Jiang, Jorge H. Capdevila, Ivan F. McMurtry, Michal Laniado Schwartzman, and Sachin A. Gupte Department of Pharmacology, and Translation Cardiovascular Institute, School of Medicine, New York Medical College, Valhalla, New York; Department of Physiology, Juntendo University Faculty of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan; Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee; and Department of Pharmacology, University of South Alabama, Mobile, Alabama