Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia

Abstract Primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) is an autosomal recessive disorder of cilia structure, function, and biogenesis leading to chronic infections of the respiratory tract, fertility problems, and disorders of organ laterality. The diagnosis can be challenging, using traditional tools such as characteristic clinical features, ciliary function, and ultrastructural defects and newer screening tools such as nasal nitric oxide levels and genetic testing add to the diagnostic algorithm. There are 32 known PCD-causing genes, and in the future, comprehensive genetic testing may screen young infants before developing symptoms, thus improving survival. Therapies include surveillance of pulmonary function and microbiology, in addition to airway clearance, antibiotics, and early referral to bronchiectasis centers. As with cystic fibrosis (CF), standardized care at specialized centers using a multidisciplinary approach likely improves outcomes. In conjunction with the CF foundation, the PCD foundation, with experienced investigators and clinicians, is developing a network of PCD clinical centers to coordinate the effort in North America and Europe. As the network grows, clinical care and knowledge will improve.
4FISH-IF, a Four-Color Dual-Gene FISH Combined with p63 Immunofluorescence to Evaluate NKX3.1 and MYC Status in Prostate Cancer

NKX3.1 allelic loss and MYC amplification are common events during prostate cancer progression and have been recognized as potential prognostic factors in prostate cancer after radical prostatectomy or precision radiotherapy. We have developed a 4FISH-IF assay (a dual-gene fluorescence in situ hybridization combined with immunofluorescence) to measure both NKX3.1 and MYC status on the same slide. The 4FISH-IF assay contains four probes complementary to chromosome 8 centromere, 8p telomere, 8p21, and 8q24, as well as an antibody targeting the basal cell marker p63 visualized by immunofluorescence. The major advantages of the 4FISH-IF include the distinction between benign and malignant glands directly on the 4FISH-IF slide and the control of truncation artifact. Importantly, this specialized and innovative combined multiprobe and immunofluorescence technique can be performed on diagnostic biopsy specimens, increasing its clinical relevance. Moreover, the assay can be easily performed in a standard clinical molecular pathology laboratory. Globally, the use of 4FISH-IF decreases analytic time, increases confidence in obtained results, and maintains the tissue morphology of the diagnostic specimen.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Lung Tissue: Influence of Body Positioning, Breathing and Oxygen Inhalation on Signal Decay Using Multi-Echo Gradient-Echo Sequences

Purpose:To assess susceptibility related signal decay in lung tissue and to measure the influence of body positioning, together with inspiration and expiration, as well as oxygen inhalation. T2* maps and line shape maps of lung parenchyma were derived from datasets acquired at 0.2 T and compared with findings at 1.5 T. The line shape maps allow for a visualization of the intravoxel frequency distribution of lung parenchyma. Materials and Methods:A multiecho spoiled gradient-echo sequence with 16 echoes was implemented both on a 0.2 T [repetition time (TR) = 100 milliseconds, echo time (TE)1 = 2.15 milliseconds, &Dgr;TE = 2.94 milliseconds, flip angle 30 degrees] and on a 1.5 T magnetic resonance scanner (TR = 100 milliseconds, TE1 = 1.25 milliseconds, &Dgr;TE = 1.65 milliseconds, flip angle 30 degrees). Sagittal datasets were recorded in 8 healthy volunteers at 0.2 T in supine position under maximal expiration and inspiration and during oxygen breathing. Additional measurements were performed after 20 minutes inside the scanner in supine position and after prone repositioning. In 2 volunteers, further datasets were acquired at 1.5 T. Color-encoded T2* maps and full-width-at-half-maximum (FWHM) maps of the frequency distribution were computed on a pixel-by-pixel basis. T2* maps were generated by mono-exponential fitting and, additionally, with an extended nonexponential fitting approach. The FWHM maps were calculated with a model-free approach using a discrete Fast Fourier Transformation. Results:A notably slower T2* decay was found at 0.2 T (T2*: 5.9–11.8 milliseconds) when compared with 1.5 T (T2*: 1.0–1.4 milliseconds), allowing for the measurement of up to 6 to 8 gradient echoes above the noise level. The T2* maps and the FWHM maps computed from the datasets acquired at 0.2 T allowed regional comparison of the derived parameters. If volunteers were positioned in supine position, expiration resulted in a T2* of 10.9 ± 1.0 milliseconds and a FWHM of 47.1 ± 4.0 Hz in the dorsal lung. Significant changes (P < 0.05) were found, eg, in the ventral lung in expiration (T2*: 7.5 ± 0.8, FWHM: 76.7 ± 11.2) versus dorsal lung in expiration, in the dorsal lung in inspiration (T2*: 8.4 ± 1.0, FWHM: 67.8 ± 12.5) versus dorsal lung in expiration, in the dorsal lung during oxygen breathing (T2*: 8.7 ± 1.1, FWHM: 52.2 ± 5.2) versus dorsal lung while breathing room air, and in the dorsal lung in prone position (T2*: 8.5 ± 0.6, FWHM: 67.0 ± 9.2) versus dorsal lung in supine position. Conclusion:The proposed method allows for the computation of color-encoded T2* maps and FWHM maps of lung parenchyma in good image quality using datasets acquired at 0.2 T. The technique is robust and sensitive to physiological changes of lung magnetic resonance properties, eg, due to the type of body positioning or oxygen breathing.
Constructing bidding curves for a price-taking retailer in the norwegian electricity market

We propose a stochastic linear programming model for constructing piecewise-linear bidding curves to be submitted to Nord Pool, which is the Nordic power exchange. We consider the case of a price-taking power marketer who supplies electricity to price-sensitive end users. The objective is to minimize the expected cost of purchasing power from the day-ahead energy market and the short-term balancing market. The model is illustrated using a case study with data from Norway.
Post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis in the Indian subcontinent: A threat to the South-East Asia Region Kala-azar Elimination Programme.

Background The South-East Asia Region Kala-azar Elimination Programme (KAEP) is expected to enter the consolidation phase in 2017, which focuses on case detection, vector control, and identifying potential sources of infection. Post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL) is thought to play a role in the recurrence of visceral leishmaniasis (VL)/kala-azar outbreaks, and control of PKDL is among the priorities of the KAEP. Methodology and principal finding We reviewed the literature with regard to PKDL in Asia and interpreted the findings in relation to current intervention methods in the KAEP in order to make recommendations. There is a considerable knowledge gap regarding the pathophysiology of VL and PKDL, especially the underlying immune responses. Risk factors (of which previous VL treatments may be most important) are poorly understood and need to be better defined. The role of PKDL patients in transmission is largely unknown, and there is insufficient information about the importance of duration, distribution and severity of the rash, time of onset, and self-healing. Current intervention methods focus on active case detection and treatment of all PKDL cases with miltefosine while there is increasing drug resistance. The prevention of PKDL by improved VL treatment currently receives insufficient attention. Conclusion and significance PKDL is a heterogeneous and dynamic condition, and patients differ with regard to time of onset after VL, chronicity, and distribution and appearance of the rash, as well as immune responses (including tendency to self-heal), all of which may vary over time. It is essential to fully describe the pathophysiology in order to make informed decisions on the most cost-effective approach. Emphasis should be on early detection of those who contribute to transmission and those who are in need of treatment, for whom short-course, effective, and safe drug regimens should be available. The prevention of PKDL should be emphasised by innovative and improved treatment for VL, which may include immunomodulation.
China’s New Silk Road Diplomacy

The destinations of China’s new leaders’ foreign trips show that the PRC’s foreign policy domain remains its neighbourhood. China is trying in particular to enhance cooperation with its Central and Southeast Asia border states in what is called “new silk road” diplomacy. Behind this approach are mostly domestic rationales: a need to preserve stability on its borders and in the western part of China, secure export markets and energy supplies, develop inland transport routes as an alternative to unstable sea lines, and to narrow the development gap between the eastern and western parts of China. The PRC’s “opening to the West” and reinvigoration of its Western Development Policy is a window of opportunity for Poland. The establishment in Gansu province of the Lanzhou New Area— the first state-level development zone in northwest China—could become a bridgehead for a Polish economic presence in this part of China, or even a springboard for Poland’s “Go West China” strategy.
Multichannel Multi Market Media Service Business Model Evaluation and Benchmark

• A study of different business model options available to international e-learning companies, or companies striving to become international This research was conducted as a part of Next Media’s Multichannel Multimarket Media Services research programme. The project’s members are publishing companies and research institutions in Finland, including AAC Global, SanomaPro, Aalto University, Laurea, and the VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland.
Is product with a special feature still rewarding? The case of the Japanese yogurt market

Manufacturers of packaged consumer goods strive to develop a new product with a special feature that could provide additional value to consumers. However, it is less clear whether such an effort is still rewarding in terms of margin if manufacturers are losing power to retailers as some have argued. To investigate this issue, we conduct an economic analysis in the Japanese yogurt market incorporating strategic interaction between manufacturers and a retailer as well as between manufacturers by extending the framework employed in the earlier literature to suit the retailer Stackelberg game which can reflect the possible power shift from manufacturers to retailers. We find (1) the manufacturers’ margins on special featured brands are larger than those on the others; (2) however, the manufacturer producing such brands is not able to leverage these brands to exert bargaining power over the retailer; and (3) the retailer obtains as large margins as the manufacturers on these brands. In the course of this research, we successfully portray the symmetrical relationship between manufacturer and retailer Stackelberg games, whereby the vertical Nash game is located in the midpoint of those two games.
Fingerprint ROI segmentation based on deep learning

This paper presents a novel method for fingerprint ROI (region of interest) segmentation using Deep learning technique — Convolutional Neural Networks. Experimental results, obtained using a publicly available test database of 200 fingerprint images in two variations — with and without Gaussian noise, demonstrate that this method is competitive with Fourier coefficients and NN based method for fingerprint images without noise, while it significantly outperforms it, in all three figures of merit, for fingerprint images with noise.
Disclosure of Non-Financial Information: Relevant to Financial Analysts?

Th e decline in the relevance of fi nancial statement information to value fi rms leads to calls from organizational stakeholders to convey non-fi nancial information in order to be able to judge fi rms’ fi nancial performance and value. Th is literature review aims to report extant literature fi ndings on the use of corporate non-fi nancial information by sell-side fi nancial analysts, the information intermediaries between corporate management and investors. Prior studies highlight that fi nancial analysts rely upon corporate non-fi nancial information in their fi rm assessments. When fi rms to a larger extent disseminate non-fi nancial information, fi nancial analysts are able to submit more accurate earnings forecasts and the consensus among fi nancial analysts’ earnings estimates is larger. However, the literature review also illustrates that fi nancial analysts ascribe more weight to particular types of nonfi nancial information. For instance, they consider forward-looking information or strategy and product-related information more relevant in fi rm valuation compared to intellectual capital information or social and environmental information.
Solving a Problem With or Without a Program

Abstract To solve a problem, an ordinary computer system executes an existing program. When no such program is available, an AGI system may still be able to solve a concrete problem instance. This paper introduces a new approach to do so in a reasoning system that adapts to its environment and works with insuffcient knowledge and resources. The related approaches are compared, and several conceptual issues are analyzed. It is concluded that an AGI system can solve a problem with or without a problem-specific program, and therefore can have human-like creativity and exibility.
Vinculin Regulates Assembly of Talin: β3 Integrin Complexes

Vinculin is a talin‐binding protein that promotes integrin‐mediated cell adhesion, but the mechanisms are not understood. Because talin is a direct activator of integrins, we asked whether and how vinculin regulates the formation of integrin: talin complexes. We report that VD1 (aa 1‐258) and its talin‐binding mutant, VD1A50I, bind directly and equally to several β integrin cytoplasmic tails (βCT). Results from competition assays show that VD1, but not VD1A50I, inhibits the interaction of talin (Tn) and talin rod (TnR), but not talin head (TnH) with β3CT. The inhibition observed could be the result of VD1 binding to one or more of the 11 vinculin binding sites (VBSs) in the TnR domain. Our studies demonstrate that VD1 binding to amino acids 482‐911, a VBS rich region, in TnR perturbs the interaction of rod with β3CT. The integrin activation assays done using CHOA5 cells show that activated vinculin enhances αIIbβ3 integrin activation and that the effect is dependent on talin. The TnR domain however shows no integrin activation unlike TnH that shows enhanced integrin activation. The overall results indicate that activated vinculin promotes talin‐mediated integrin activation by binding to accessible VBSs in TnR and thus displacing the TnR from the β3 subunit. The study presented, defines a novel direct interaction of VD1 with β3CT and provides an attractive explanation for vinculin's ability to potentiate integrin‐mediated cell adhesion through directly binding to both TnR and the integrin cytoplasmic tail. J. Cell. Biochem. 115: 1206–1216, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Development and Evaluation of In-Situ Gel Containing Ornidazole Loaded Microspheres for Treatment of Periodontitis -

The present investigation aims at developing novel injectable in-situ gel containing ornidazole (ORDZ) loaded chitosan microspheres for treatment of periodontal disease. Microspheres were prepared by emulsification-ionotropic gelation method. Prepared microspheres were evaluated extensively for particle size, equilibrium swelling studies, bioadhesion, percentage drug release and antimicrobial activity. The mean diameter of the microspheres was found in the range of 29.1-52.65 µm. The microspheres showed good swelling properties. Percentage equilibrium swelling was dependent upon the amount of chitosan. The in vitro drug release and bioadhesion studies were dependent on the extent of crosslinking and chitosan concentration. The ORDZ–loaded microspheres showed drug encapsulation in the range of 11.02±0.98 - 32.45±0.62 % and sustained the release up to 5 days. The drug release from microspheres was diffusion controlled. The antimicrobial study indicated inhibition of growth of Staphylococcus aureus at all drug concentrations of in vitro release samples. In situ gel containing optimized microspheres extended the drug release upto 7 days. Results of the study demonstrated good bioadhesion of the in-situ gel containing microspheres as well as exhibited sustained release of drug. The in-situ gel containing ORDZ- loaded chitosan microspheres may be an efficient alternative to the other known delivery systems for treatment of Periodontitis.
Slip phase isolating: impulsive signal generating vibrotactile sensor and its application to real-time object regrip control

This paper mainly concerns a vibrotactile sensor capable of generating impulsive high-frequency signals for exclusively distinguishing a slip phase from various other contact phases. We describe the structure of the vibrotactile sensor with surface ridges and, after analyzing the slip signals, conclude that the output signal originates in the free vibration of the ridge. By using a two-fingered robot hand with the sensor attached to its compliant endtips, we verify that the vibrotactile sensor has a slip phase isolating function and demonstrate object regrip control in real time.
Prospective comparison between magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography in colorectal cancer staging

Diffusion‐weighted (DW) imaging is a functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technique that detects lesions with high cellularity, such as malignant tumours. This prospective study was performed to compare the accuracy of DW‐MRI with multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) in staging of colorectal cancer.
Customer Segmentation and Optimal Insurance Compensation Ratio: Decision-making Analysis in Financial Institutions

Wit the rapidly development of internet and electronic commerce, all kinds of enterprises are experiencing profound changes. In this paper, we make empirical analysis about insurance decision-making in financial institutions, and analyze influential factors based on customer experience . The result shows that speed and quality is the most important factor that will affect consumption decision-making, the coefficient is 0.152 and 0.144; at the same time, consultation and complaint handling speed is also the significant variable, the coefficient is 0.156 and 0.197, however, these factors are often been ignored. So that, the insurance company should enhance customer service consciousness, optimize customer claims experience and provide convenient, fast claims service.
Burst events detection on micro-blogging

This paper presents a system to detect burst news on micro-blogging through mining burst words by incorporating features from micro-blog text, propagation periods and other characteristics. To avoid the event mixing problem, this system adopts originality estimation and event demising control to improve the burst news detection based on window-based incremental clustering. The experiments on Sina micro-blogging dataset achieve encouraging performance.
Aspects of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of sufentanil in pediatric practice

Sufentanil is a potent synthetic opioid. Like other opioids, sufentanil creates a stable hemodynamic environment in cardiovascularly compromised pediatric patients. Clearance, expressed as per kilogram, is increased in children compared to adults. The P450 CYP3A4 enzyme is responsible for the major metabolic N‐dealkylation pathway. Enzyme activity is reduced in neonates but the maturation of sufentanil clearance is not described. The free active fraction is affected by age because of the reduced α1‐acid glycoprotein plasma concentrations in neonates. Intranasal administration of sufentanil is a possible option for premedication, procedural sedation and analgesia in children, as this option has been found to be safe and effective. Studies concerning the pharmacokinetics and dynamics of sufentanil administered as a bolus or continuous infusion in children are few.
Daily Breastmilk Volume in Mothers of Very Low Birth Weight Neonates: A Repeated-Measures Randomized Trial of Hand Expression Versus Electric Breast Pump Expression.

BACKGROUND There are no randomized trials comparing early exclusive hand expression (HE) with early exclusive electric pump expression (electric expression [EE]) for milk removal in mothers of very low birth weight (VLBW) infants. SUBJECTS AND METHODS Mothers of VLBW infants were randomized to exclusively HE or EE for the first 7 days postpartum. Daily volumes of milk were compared between groups for the first 28 days, adjusting for repeated measures. RESULTS The HE (n=12) and the EE (n=14) groups did not differ with respect to age, parity, single versus multiple gestation, or number of expression sessions per day. There were 728 values for daily milk volumes in the first 28 days, including 105 HE and 623 EE. Mothers using exclusive HE had significantly (p<0.05) less cumulative daily milk production throughout the first 7 days postpartum compared with exclusive EE. Mean cumulative milk production among mothers using HE in the first postpartum week remained approximately half that of those using the electric pump throughout the first 28 days, without evident catch up. In multivariable analysis, each postpartum day was associated with an adjusted increase of 50 mL of human milk/day during the first 7 days postpartum and an increase of 13 mL/day between postpartum Days 8 and 28. After adjusting for repeated measures, number of expression sessions per day, and postpartum day, EE was associated with an advantage in milk production of 119 mL/day during the first 28 postpartum days compared with HE. CONCLUSIONS Compared with mothers using EE, mothers using HE had significantly less cumulative daily milk production during the first 7 days postpartum. This trend continued after the intervention had been discontinued, and the great majority of expressions in both groups were with EE. Further research to confirm and expand these findings is warranted.
Hot and cold cognition in depression

We discuss the importance of cognitive abnormalities in unipolar depression, drawing the distinction between “hot” (emotion-laden) and “cold” (emotion-independent) cognition. “Cold” cognitive impairments are present reliably in unipolar depression, underscored by their presence in the diagnostic criteria for major depressive episodes. There is good evidence that some “cold” cognitive abnormalities do not disappear completely upon remission, and that they predict poor response to antidepressant drug treatment. However, in many studies the degree of impairment is moderately related to symptoms. We suggest that “cold” cognitive deficits in unipolar depression may in part be explicable in terms of alterations in “hot” processing, particularly on tasks that utilize feedback, on which depressed patients have been reported to exhibit a “catastrophic response to perceived failure. ” Other abnormalities in “hot” cognition are commonly observed on tasks utilizing emotionally valenced stimuli, with numerous studies reporting mood-congruent processing biases in depression across a range of cognitive domains. Additionally, an emerging literature indicates reliable reward and punishment processing abnormalities in depression, which are especially relevant for hard-to-treat symptoms such as anhedonia. Both emotional and reward biases are strongly influenced by manipulations of the neurochemical systems targeted by antidepressant drugs. Such a pattern of “hot” and “cold” cognitive abnormalities is consistent with our cognitive neuropsychological model of depression, which proposes central roles for cognitive abnormalities in the generation, maintenance, and treatment of depressive symptoms. Future work should examine in greater detail the role that “hot” and “cold” cognitive processes play in mediating symptomatic improvement following pharmacological, psychological, and novel brain circuit-level interventions.