Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Incidence and distribution of lower extremity deep venous thrombosis at indirect computed tomography venography in patients suspected of pulmonary embolism

Summary Indirect computed tomography (CT) venography reportedly provides high accuracy for detection of venous thrombosis in patients suspected of pulmonary embolism (PE). Nevertheless, the extent of the scanning range for lower limb and abdominal veins remains to be determined. It was the objective of this study to investigate the distribution of venous thrombosis in order to identify the most appropriate extent of scanning range when using CT venography. We reviewed 1,408 combined CT pulmonary angiographies (CTPA) and indirect CT venographies of the lower limbs, performed in patients suspected of PE. Percentage of venous thromboembolism (VTE), which includes PE and/or venous thrombosis was calculated. Location and the upper end of clots were recorded in 37 venous segments per patient from calf to diaphragm. PE, venous thrombosis and VTE, were found respectively in 272 (19.3%), 259 (18.4%) and 329 (23.4%) patients. Addition of CT venography to CTPA increased depiction of VTE in 17.3%. The upper end of venous thrombosis was located below the knee in 48%, between knee and inguinal ligament in 36% of the patients, and above the inguinal ligament in 15%. Ninety-six patients had thrombosis in a single vein, of which none occured above the iliac crests in a patient without PE at CTPA. In conclusion, when added to CTPA, optimal scanning of CT venography should extent from calves to the iliac crests in patients suspected of VTE.
Cerebral sinovenous thrombosis in children.

BACKGROUND Cerebral sinovenous thrombosis in children is a serious disorder, and information is needed about its prevention and treatment. METHODS The Canadian Pediatric Ischemic Stroke Registry was initiated in 1992 at the 16 pediatric tertiary care centers in Canada. Children (newborn to 18 years of age) with symptoms and radiographic confirmation of sinovenous thrombosis were included. RESULTS During the first six years of the registry, 160 consecutive children with sinovenous thrombosis were enrolled, and the incidence of the disorder was 0.67 cases per 100,000 children per year. Neonates were most commonly affected. Fifty-eight percent of the children had seizures, 76 percent had diffuse neurologic signs, and 42 percent had focal neurologic signs. Risk factors included head and neck disorders (in 29 percent), acute systemic illnesses (in 54 percent), chronic systemic diseases (in 36 percent), and prothrombotic states (in 41 percent). Venous infarcts occurred in 41 percent of the children. Fifty-three percent of the children received antithrombotic agents. Neurologic deficits were present in 38 percent of the children, and 8 percent died; half the deaths were due to sinovenous thrombosis. Predictors of adverse neurologic outcomes were seizures at presentation and venous infarcts. CONCLUSIONS Sinovenous thrombosis in children affects primarily neonates and results in neurologic impairment or death in approximately half the cases. The occurrence of venous infarcts or seizures portends a poor outcome.
Enhancing food security in South Sudan: the role of markets and regional trade

South Sudan faces serious problems of food insecurity due to low levels of domestic food production, periodic droughts, widespread poverty, and since late 2013, renewed armed conflict. This article explores market price behavior using cointegration analysis and estimates the effects of production and trade shocks through multimarket model simulations. We show that market prices in the capital city, Juba, of both maize and sorghum are cointegrated with import parity prices of these cereals sourced from Uganda, consistent with observed trade flows. Model simulations, using econometrically estimated demand parameters, suggest that private sector imports of maize and wheat would greatly mitigate the potential fall in consumption in the case of a decline in domestic cereal production. Other simulations indicate that if total imports of cereals are reduced by one-third (still more than two times the levels of food aid in 2013) because of disruptions to private market flows, domestic prices of cereals could rise by 45% or more. The article concludes that whatever measures are taken involving national food security reserves, it is crucial that government policy serves to maintain incentives for private sector imports to avoid destabilizing market supplies, domestic prices, and ultimately, food consumption of the poor.
A prospective study of postpartum depression in 17 648 parturients

Abstract Objective: To assess perinatal antecedents to postpartum depression (PPD). Methods: This was a prospective population-based, observational study of women screened for symptoms of depression using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) with scores ≥13 referred for psychiatric evaluation. Obstetric and neonatal outcomes were analyzed using univariable and multivariable analysis for associations with postpartum depressive symptoms. Results: Of 25 050 women delivered, 17 648 (71%) completed EPDS questionnaires with 1106 (6.3%) scoring ≥13. Perinatal complications most associated with EPDS scores ≥13 included major malformation (adjusted OR 1.5; 95% CI, 1.1–2.3), neonatal death (adjusted OR 5.8; 95% CI, 2.9–11.4), stillbirth (adjusted OR 9.4; 95% CI, 6.0–14.8), and necrotizing enterocolitis (adjusted OR 21.7; 95% CI, 1.9–244.3). A total of 238 (22%) women kept their psychiatric referral appointment, and 111 (47%) were diagnosed with PPD. Perinatal factors were also found to be significantly associated with PPD. Conclusions: PPD is significantly increased in women with adverse pregnancy outcomes, especially involving the infant.
Epitopes Immediately below the Base of the V3 Loop of gp120 as Targets for the Initial Autologous Neutralizing Antibody Response in Two HIV-1 Subtype B-Infected Individuals

ABSTRACT Epitopes that drive the initial autologous neutralizing antibody response in HIV-1-infected individuals could provide insights for vaccine design. Although highly strain specific, these epitopes are immunogenic, vulnerable to antibody attack on infectious virus, and could be involved in the ontogeny of broadly neutralizing antibody responses. To delineate such epitopes, we used site-directed mutagenesis, autologous plasma samples, and autologous monoclonal antibodies to map the amino acid changes that led to escape from the initial autologous neutralizing antibody response in two HIV-1 subtype B-infected individuals. Additional mapping of the epitopes was accomplished by using alanine scanning mutagenesis. Escape in the two individuals occurred by different pathways, but the responses in both cases appeared to be directed against the same region of gp120. In total, three amino acid positions were identified that were independently associated with autologous neutralization. Positions 295 and 332 are located immediately before and after the N- and C-terminal cysteines of the V3 loop, respectively, the latter of which affected an N-linked glycan that was critical to the neutralization epitope. Position 415 affected an N-linked glycan at position 413 in the C terminus of V4 that might mask epitopes near the base of V3. All three sites lie in close proximity on a four-stranded antiparallel sheet on the outer domain of gp120. We conclude that a region just below the base of the V3 loop, near the coreceptor binding domain of gp120, can be a target for autologous neutralization.
Variations in spare electron transport chain capacity: The answer to an old riddle?

Several neurological diseases involve focal injury of specific brain structures. Poisons of the electron transport chain complexes (ETCC) can also produce selective injury of brain structures when given systemically and have been implicated in the development of neurological disease. Why ETCC poisons damage particular brain regions is unclear. Calculations of the relative ETCC expression level to glucose utilization rate (GUR) ratio from published observations here reveal that a low ETCC/GUR ratio predisposes a brain structure to injury by a poison of that complex. While GUR can rise with increased neuronal activity, ETCC expression is fixed in the short term. A high ETCC/GUR therefore represents surplus ETCC capacity, allowing for increased ATP generation with short‐term increases in demand. A low ETCC/GUR indicates the opposite and will lead to energy failure when the specific ETCC is poisoned. These observations may explain why cyanide, a specific ETCC (IV) inhibitor, can produce selective injury of white matter, which has the lowest ETCC (IV)/GUR found in the brain. They are also consistent with the selective damage of the striatum produced by poisons such as rotenone, a form of injury implicated in Parkinson's disease. The striatum has a low ETCC (I)/GUR ratio, whereas rotenone is a selective ETCC (I) inhibitor. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Permafrost carbon-climate feedbacks accelerate global warming

Permafrost soils contain enormous amounts of organic carbon, which could act as a positive feedback to global climate change due to enhanced respiration rates with warming. We have used a terrestrial ecosystem model that includes permafrost carbon dynamics, inhibition of respiration in frozen soil layers, vertical mixing of soil carbon from surface to permafrost layers, and CH4 emissions from flooded areas, and which better matches new circumpolar inventories of soil carbon stocks, to explore the potential for carbon-climate feedbacks at high latitudes. Contrary to model results for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Fourth Assessment Report (IPCC AR4), when permafrost processes are included, terrestrial ecosystems north of 60°N could shift from being a sink to a source of CO2 by the end of the 21st century when forced by a Special Report on Emissions Scenarios (SRES) A2 climate change scenario. Between 1860 and 2100, the model response to combined CO2 fertilization and climate change changes from a sink of 68 Pg to a 27 + -7 Pg sink to 4 + -18 Pg source, depending on the processes and parameter values used. The integrated change in carbon due to climate change shifts from near zero, which is within the range of previous model estimates, to a climate-induced loss of carbon by ecosystems in the range of 25 + -3 to 85 + -16 Pg C, depending on processes included in the model, with a best estimate of a 62 + -7 Pg C loss. Methane emissions from high-latitude regions are calculated to increase from 34 Tg CH4/y to 41–70 Tg CH4/y, with increases due to CO2 fertilization, permafrost thaw, and warming-induced increased CH4 flux densities partially offset by a reduction in wetland extent.
Development of three-dimensional brain arteriovenous malformation model for patient communication and young neurosurgeon education

Abstract Purpose: Rapid prototyping technology is used to fabricate three-dimensional (3D) brain arteriovenous malformation (AVM) models and facilitate presurgical patient communication and medical education for young surgeons. Methods: Two intracranial AVM cases were selected for this study. Using 3D CT angiography or 3D rotational angiography images, the brain AVM models were reconstructed on personal computer and the rapid prototyping process was completed using a 3D printer. The size and morphology of the models were compared to brain digital subtraction arteriography of the same patients. 3D brain AVM models were used for preoperative patient communication and young neurosurgeon education. Results: Two brain AVM models were successfully produced. By neurosurgeons’ evaluation, the printed models have high fidelity with the actual brain AVM structures of the patients. The patient responded positively toward the brain AVM model specific to himself. Twenty surgical residents from residency programs tested the brain AVM models and provided positive feedback on their usefulness as educational tool and resemblance to real brain AVM structures. Conclusions: Patient-specific 3D printed models of brain AVM can be constructed with high fidelity. 3D printed brain AVM models are proved to be helpful in preoperative patient consultation, surgical planning and resident training.
Dietary Magnesium Deficiency Induces Heart Rhythm Changes, Impairs Glucose Tolerance, and Decreases Serum Cholesterol in Post Menopausal Women

Objective: To determine whether or not dietary magnesium restriction to about 33% of the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) causes changes in glucose, cholesterol and electrolyte metabolism that could lead to pathologic consequences. Design: The length of the experiment was 136 days. Subjects were fed a basal Western-type diet that provided 4.16 mmol (101 mg) magnesium per 8.4 MJ (2000 kcal) for 78 days then replenished with magnesium by supplementing the diet with 200 mg magnesium as the gluconate per day for 58 days. If a subject exhibited adverse heart rhythm changes before 78 days of depletion were completed, she entered the repletion period early. Setting: The metabolic research unit of the Grand Forks Human Nutrition Research Center. Subjects: A total of 14 post menopausal women were recruited by advertisement throughout the United States. Thirteen women (ages 47 to 75 years) completed the study. Results: During magnesium depletion, heart rhythm changes appeared in 5 women and resulted in 4 prematurely entering the magnesium repletion period (42 to 64 days of depletion instead of 78). Three women exhibited atrial fibrillation and flutter that responded quickly to magnesium supplementation. Magnesium deprivation resulted in a non-positive magnesium balance that became highly positive with magnesium repletion. Magnesium deprivation decreased red blood cell membrane magnesium, serum total cholesterol and erythrocyte superoxide dismutase concentrations, increased the urinary excretion of sodium and potassium, and increased serum glucose concentration. Conclusions: Magnesium balance may be a suitable indicator of magnesium depletion under experimental conditions. Magnesium deficiency resulting from feeding a diet that would not be considered having an atypical menu induces heart arrhythmias, impairs glucose homeostasis, and alters cholesterol and oxidative metabolism in post menopausal women. A dietary intake of about 4.12 mmol (100 mg) Mg/8.4 MJ is inadequate for healthy adults and may result in compromised cardiovascular health and glycemic control in post menopausal women.
The development of the ovary of the sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus L.)

This investigation is a histological study of the development of the ovary of the sea lamprey from south‐western Ontario, Canada. Development is described from the first appearance of primordial oögonia at the site of the ovary up to ovulation. After mitotic proliferation, oögonia enter meiotic prophase and become oöcytes which enlarge and acquire basophilic cytoplasm.
The effect of fatigue on trunk muscle activation patterns and spine postures during simulated firefighting tasks

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of a fatiguing task (3 min intense stair climbing) on the adopted spinal postures and trunk muscular activation patterns during three highly physically demanding simulated firefighting tasks. Following the fatigue protocol, it was observed that individuals adopted significantly greater spinal flexion (16.3° maximum prior to fatigue as compared to 20.1° post fatigue) and displayed reduced abdominal muscle activation as compared to before the fatigue protocol (mean ranging from 16.6% maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) to 30.6% MVC prior to fatigue as compared to ranging from 14.6% MVC to 25.2% MVC post fatigue). The reduced abdominal activation may be due to a reduction in co-contraction during these tasks, which may compromise spinal stability. Reduced co-contraction combined with the increased spinal flexion may increase the risk of sustaining an injury to the low back.
Pay Attention or Be Paid for Attention? Impact of Incentives on Allocation of Attention

We investigate the impact of monetary incentives on individual attention allocation. We propose a new experimental design where the participants invest costly attention to reduce uncertainty in a two alternatives forced choice task. We compare three different incentivized environments where subjects' decisions do not impact the payoff (T0), impact their own payoff (T1) and impact other subjects' payoff (T2). Our results show that both incentives (T1) and (T2) increase the amount of allocated attention (measured by Response Time), besides the efficiency of the allocation process (measured by Error Rate) and regardless of subjects’ intrinsic motivation. Finally, we find that standard measure of social preferences (Social Value Orientation) do not explain attentional contribution in our Public Good like environment (T2). This latter result contradicts standard ones, providing new insight about social preferences.
Intellectual capital in the age of Big Data: establishing a research agenda

The purpose of this paper is to contribute to the literature on intellectual capital (IC) in light of the emerging paradigm of Big Data. Through a literature review, this paper provides momentum for researchers and scholars to explore the emerging trends and implications of the Big Data movement in the field of IC. ,A literature review highlights novel and emerging issues in IC and Big Data research, focussing on: IC for organisational value, the staged evolution of IC research, and Big Data research from the technological to the managerial paradigm. It is expected that identifying these contributions will help establish future research directions. ,A conceptual multi-level framework demonstrates how Big Data validates the need to shift the focus of IC research from organisations to ecosystems. The framework is organised into four sections: “why” – the managerial reasons for incorporating Big Data into IC; “what” – the Big Data typologies that enhance IC practice; “who” – the stakeholders involved in and impacted by Big Data IC value creation; and “how” – the Big Data processes suitable for IC management. ,The paper provides many avenues for future research in this emerging area of investigation. The key research questions posed aim to advance the contribution of Big Data to research on IC approaches. ,The paper outlines the socio-economic value of Big Data generated by and about organisational ecosystems. It identifies opportunities for existing companies to renew their value propositions through Big Data, and discusses new tools for managing Big Data to support disclosing IC value drivers and creating new intangible assets. ,This paper investigates the effects and implications Big Data offers for IC management, in support of the fourth stage of IC research. Additionally, it provides an original interpretation of IC research through the lens of Big Data.
Development and evaluation of a one‐tube seminested PCR assay for the detection and identification of Penicillium marneffei

A one‐tube seminested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay was developed to detect and identify Penicillium marneffei DNA coding for 18S rRNA both from purified DNA and from clinical samples. DNA from 120 strains of organisms and 19 blood samples from AIDS patients was amplified with F3, CPL1 and PM primers. Under optimized conditions, these primers detected 100% specifically amplified products of 251 and 331 bp from all P. marneffei DNA preparations (47 strains) and from two blood samples of AIDS patients suspected to suffer from penicilliosis marneffei. The assay was sensitive to detect as little as 10 pg purified DNA, which is equivalent to 250 cells. This PCR assay might be useful as an alternative test, if a rapid diagnosis of penicilliosis marneffei is needed.
Broken bars and/or end rings detection in three-phase induction motors by the extended Park's vector approach

In this paper, we present a method dedicated to the detection of broken bars and end-rings defects in a three-phase induction motor. This method is based on the spectral analysis of the stator current Park's vector modulus. The theoretical principles of this method are described. Simulation and experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of this method for the detection of the squirrel cage faults.
Gender differences in pain perception: a signal detection theory approach.

BACKGROUND Overseas studies suggest women report more pain and are more vulnerable to chronic pain conditions compared with men, however, it is unclear whether this difference in pain perception is due to sensory or non-sensory factors such as anxiety. Since gender differences in pain perception may have important implications for pain management, it is crucial that the relationship between pain, gender and anxiety in this culture be clarified. METHODS The Signal Detection Theory Approach was used to determine gender differences in sensory discrimination [P(A)] and response bias (B). One hundred and twenty six Hong Kong Chinese adults responded to thirty pairs of thermal stimuli (36 degrees C-48 degrees C) and their responses to these stimuli were analyzed by computer software. The adapted Chinese version of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-Y) was used to assess state and trait anxiety of participants. RESULTS Compared with men, women showed enhanced sensory discriminability (P = 0.004) and were less stoical in their response to pain (P = 0.03). Although there was no significant gender difference in state and trait anxiety, sensory discrimination was positively correlated with state anxiety (r = 0.19) and response bias was negatively correlated with trait anxiety (r = -0.18). The content validity index for the STAI-Y was 0.9 and the co-efficient alpha for reliability for state and trait anxiety was 0.88 and 0.92, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Enhanced sensory discriminability in women may explain why women report more pain and seek healthcare more frequently compared with men. Men showed more stoical response to pain possibly because of gender-role expectations. The Signal Detection Theory approach was instrumental in assessing the sensory and non-sensory dimensions of pain perception. Awareness of the effects of gender and anxiety in pain perception will enable clinicians to be more efficient pain managers.
Institutional Autonomy of Universities in Theory and Practice : A qualitative Research on decentralized Financial and Human Resource Competences

The research aims to contribute to the understanding of institutional autonomy in higher education systems. Recent years demonstrated a growing emphasis on New Public Management oriented policies as a response to the increasing demands for autonomy, accountability and legitimacy as well as to the lack of trust in decentralized units. The research focuses on faculty competences of the traditionally centrally regulated areas of finance and human resource management and utilizes the principal-agent theory as a normative approach on policy reform. On the basis of the theoretical background, it is hypothesized that the actual level of autonomy does not necessarily resemble the same level of autonomy formally granted. Therefore, exemplified by the case of North Rhine-Westphalia, the formal and real autonomy is assessed by analyzing laws and policy documents at the federal and institutional level and by conducting semi-open expert interviews with university personnel in leading positions, respectively. In order to test the hypothesis, the findings of formal and real institutional autonomy were compared. The research found evidence that indicate a divergence between formal and real autonomy in the areas of financial and human resource management at the decentralized level.