Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Surgical Proficiency Gain and Survival After Esophagectomy for Cancer.

PURPOSE We aimed to identify the presence and length of esophagectomy proficiency gain curves in terms of short- and long-term mortality for esophageal cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS Patients who underwent esophagectomy for esophageal cancer between 1987 and 2010 with follow-up until 2014 were identified from a well-established, population-based, nationwide Swedish cohort study. Proficiency gain curves were created by using risk-adjusted cumulative sum analysis for 30-day, 90-day, 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year all-cause and disease-specific mortality measures. Similarly, the proficiency gain curves for lymph node harvest, resection margin status, and reoperation incidence were assessed as performance-contributing factors to the observed changes in long-term survival. RESULTS Esophagectomies in 1,821 patients with esophageal cancer were conducted by 139 surgeons. The change-point in proficiency gain curve for all-cause 30-day mortality was early, at 15 cases, when mortality decreased from 7.9% to 3.1% (P < .001). Later change-points, which ranged from 35 to 59 cases, were observed for 1-, 3- and 5-year mortality rates, for which all-cause mortality decreased from 34.9% to 27.7% (P = .011), from 47.4% to 41.5% (P = .049), and from 31.4% to 19.1% (P = .009), respectively. Similar change-points were observed in disease-specific mortality at 1 and 3 years. There was a continuous increase in lymph node harvest, which did not plateau. Also, change-points were observed for resection margin with tumor involvement at 17 cases, with a reduction from 20.9% to 15.2% (P = .004), and for reoperation rate at 55 cases, with a reduction from 12.6% to 5.0% (P < .001). CONCLUSION The gain of proficiency in esophagectomy for cancer is associated with measurable changes in short- and long-term mortality results. These findings indicate a need for structured national training and mentorship programs for esophageal cancer surgery.
Game engine for web-based serious games

Diese Arbeit prasentiert eine Game Engine fur web-basierte Serious Games, welche als Grundlage fur die Implementierung eines Serious Games dient. In Kooperation mit dem Arbeitsbereich fur klinische Kinder- und Jugendpsychologie der Universitat Wien haben wir ein Spiel entwickelt, welches das Emotionsverstandnis von Kindern trainieren soll. Zur Entwicklung des Spieles in HTML5, JavaScript und CSS3 haben wir uns intensiv mit diesen Technologien beschaftigt und existierende Web Game Engines analysiert. Der Bereich der Game Engines umfasst ein groses Forschungsfeld, da der Begriff Game Engine selbst nicht eindeutig definiert ist. Im Verlauf unserer Recherchen und Implementierungen auf Basis vorhandener Engines hat sich herausgestellt, dass keine Engine explizit fur Serious Games entwickelt wurde. Gerade zu Therapiezwecken ware es wunschenswert, dass Informationen uber Spieler/innen, sei es direkt durch Benutzerabfragen oder indirekt durch Logging, gesammelt werden konnen. Keine Engine hat solch eine Funktionalitat bereitgestellt, weswegen wir zur Erstellung unseres Spieles eine eigene Web Game Engine, mit dem Fokus auf Serious Games, entwickelt haben. Unsere Engine Jumru 5s soll die Implementierung von Serious Games vereinfachen und wichtige Aspekte fur diesen Forschungsbereich, wie Datenerhebung, bereitstellen. Mithilfe der Engine haben wir ein Jump and Run-Spiel zum Training des Emotionsverstandnisses von Kindern entwickelt, welches als Fallstudie zur Evaluierung der Engine dient. Wir haben die Engine bezuglich Performanceaspekte auf verschiedenen Betriebssystemen und Browsern analysiert und Ergebnisse festgehalten.
Multidimensional scaling of spectators’ motivations to attend a film festival

Abstract The purpose of the article is to examine spectators’ motivations to attend a film festival in the context of demographic characteristics. For this purpose, data were collected utilizing a self-administered questionnaire from the 742 audience members who attended the film screenings during the 18th International Eskisehir Film Festival. A structured survey instrument was used for the data collection utilizing multidimensional scaling and correspondence analysis to examine the differences and similarities of the demographic variables in terms of motivations. Findings suggested that International Eskisehir Film Festival participants were mostly young, single, high school graduates and visited the festival with their friends. Motivational factors were grouped under four dimensions, namely novelty, socialization, escape, and togetherness. While motivations of young female participants were found to be high, relatively older, and married people only showed a high motivation for togetherness. The results provide useful information to those responsible for cultural policies and the management of similar events.
Love and desire amongst middle-class Gujarati Indians in the UK and India

The paper describes findings from an ethnographic study exploring understandings of love and intimacy amongst young heterosexual middle-class Indians of Gujarati origin in the UK and India. A two-site comparative study was used to enable an understanding of how social and economic contexts shape cultural constructions of intimate relationships and sexuality. Focusing on attitudes to ‘love at first sight’, this paper shows that, for Indian participants, love based on physical attraction denotes a lesser kind of love. A relationship based on ‘physical love’ is not expected to last, since it has been formed without regard to family and status concerns. Even couples who meet outside of the arranged marriage system demonstrate the quality of their love by not having sex with one another before marriage. In the UK, however, participants view love as properly spontaneous. Love at first sight is considered desirable and demonstrates how the relationship must be based on love only, without any concern for (for example) material gain. This spontaneous love entails both physical attraction and emotional connection – an early transition to sex, usually before marriage, was seen as both desirable and inevitable.
Prediction of prostatic involvement by transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder using pathologic characteristics of the bladder tumor.

INTRODUCTION The aim of this prospective study is to determine the relationship between the pathologic characteristics of the transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the bladder and prostatic involvement. MATERIALS AND METHODS Sixty men with bladder TCC underwent standard radical cystoprostatectomy and were enrolled in this study. Vascular and perineural invasion, maximum diameter of the tumor, presence of carcinoma in situ, distance between the tumor and the bladder neck, and grade and local stage of the tumor were recorded and their relation with prostatic involvement was studied. In addition, hydronephrosis and age of the patients were included in the analysis. RESULTS The mean age of the patients was 63.9 +/- 11.1 years. Of 60 men included in this study, 15 patients were found to have prostatic involvement with TCC (25%). Univariate statistical analyses showed that vascular invasion and the distance between the tumor and the bladder neck were significantly related to the prostatic involvement (P = .007; P < .001). But, in the logistic regression, only the distance between the tumor and the bladder neck was significantly related to the prostatic involvement (P = .001). CONCLUSION This study suggests that the probability of prostatic involvement in patients with bladder TCC tumors near the bladder neck is high. Prostate-sparing or capsule-sparing cystectomy should be avoided in such patients.
Selective Silencing of Hippocampal Parvalbumin Interneurons Induces Development of Recurrent Spontaneous Limbic Seizures in Mice

Temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) is the most frequent form of focal epilepsies and is generally associated with malfunctioning of the hippocampal formation. Recently, a preferential loss of parvalbumin (PV) neurons has been observed in the subiculum of TLE patients and in animal models of TLE. To demonstrate a possible causative role of defunct PV neurons in the generation of TLE, we permanently inhibited GABA release selectively from PV neurons of the ventral subiculum by injecting a viral vector expressing tetanus toxin light chain in male mice. Subsequently, mice were subjected to telemetric EEG recording and video monitoring. Eighty-eight percent of the mice presented clusters of spike-wave discharges (C-SWDs; 40.0 ± 9.07/month), and 64% showed spontaneous recurrent seizures (SRSs; 5.3 ± 0.83/month). Mice injected with a control vector presented with neither C-SWDs nor SRSs. No neurodegeneration was observed due to vector injection or SRS. Interestingly, mice that presented with only C-SWDs but no SRSs, developed SRSs upon injection of a subconvulsive dose of pentylenetetrazole after 6 weeks. The initial frequency of SRSs declined by ∼30% after 5 weeks. In contrast to permanent silencing of PV neurons, transient inhibition of GABA release from PV neurons through the designer receptor hM4Di selectively expressed in PV-containing neurons transiently reduced the seizure threshold of the mice but induced neither acute nor recurrent seizures. Our data demonstrate a critical role for perisomatic inhibition mediated by PV-containing interneurons, suggesting that their sustained silencing could be causally involved in the development of TLE. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Development of temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) generally takes years after an initial insult during which maladaptation of hippocampal circuitries takes place. In human TLE and in animal models of TLE, parvalbumin neurons are selectively lost in the subiculum, the major output area of the hippocampus. The present experiments demonstrate that specific and sustained inhibition of GABA release from parvalbumin-expressing interneurons (mostly basket cells) in sector CA1/subiculum is sufficient to induce hyperexcitability and spontaneous recurrent seizures in mice. As in patients with nonlesional TLE, these mice developed epilepsy without signs of neurodegeneration. The experiments highlight the importance of the potent inhibitory action mediated by parvalbumin cells in the hippocampus and identify a potential mechanism in the development of TLE.
A survey of manifesting carriers of Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophy in Wales

Manifesting carriers of Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophy are uncommon but well described. Such patients are of particular importance with regard to the differential diagnosis from autosomal recessive limb‐girdle muscular dystrophy. All mothers of affected males known to the Genetic Register of Muscular Dystrophy Families in Wales were contacted, and 167 out of a possible 190 were examined. It was estimated from pedigree and creatine kinase analysis that 119 out of the 167 were carriers of the Duchenne/Becker gene. Three manifesting carriers were identified, giving the proportion affected as 3/119 = 2.5%. We estimate the prevalence of manifesting carriers to be 1 in 100 000 of the female population, a figure comparable to the prevalence of autosomal recessive limb‐girdle muscular dystrophy. During the period of the survey, several other women with similar clinical findings but without an appropriate family history were seen. We strongly suspect that some of these are also manifesting carriers of the Duchenne/Becker gene.
Shank1 mRNA: Dendritic Transport by Kinesin and Translational Control by the 5′Untranslated Region

Dendritic mRNA transport coupled with local regulation of translation enables neurons to selectively alter the protein composition of individual postsynaptic sites. We have analyzed dendritic localization of shank1 mRNAs; shank proteins (shank1–3) are scaffolding molecules of the postsynaptic density (PSD) of excitatory synapses, which are crucial for PSD assembly and the formation of dendritic spines. Live cell imaging demonstrates saltatory movements of shank1 mRNA containing granules along microtubules in both anterograde and retrograde directions. A population of brain messenger ribonucleoprotein particles (mRNPs) containing shank1 mRNAs associates with the cargo‐binding domain of the motor protein KIF5C. Through expression of dominant negative proteins, we show that dendritic targeting of shank1 mRNA granules involves KIF5C and the KIF5‐associated RNA‐binding protein staufen1. While transport of shank1 mRNAs follows principles previously outlined for other dendritic transcripts, shank1 mRNAs are distinguished by their translational regulation. Translation is strongly inhibited by a GC‐rich 5′untranslated region; in addition, internal ribosomal entry sites previously detected in other dendritic transcripts are absent in the shank1 mRNA. A concept emerges from our data in which dendritic transport of different mRNAs occurs collectively via a staufen1‐ and KIF5‐dependent pathway, whereas their local translation is controlled individually by unique cis‐acting elements.
The Economic Effects of the Tax Reform: Dynamic Input-output Model Approach

The financial crisis in 2008 severely damaged Taiwan’s economy, increased unemployment, and reduced the national income level, which has remained low ever since. These consequences have affected funding for various pension systems, particularly national pensions, and thus are of great concern to the government. The National Pension Act stipulated a 1% business tax increase to fund the national pension system. Hence, this study investigates the impact the act on economic growth and offers feasible suggestions for reform based on empirical evidence. Dynamic Input-Output models are designed to analyze the various positive and negative impacts on the economy. Empirical evidences suggests that Although raising business tax by 1% yields certain negative outcomes, proper use of transfer expenditure with financial flexibility yields more positive outcomes, manifested in the growth of NT$ 8.622 billion, 2.2 billion, and 2.256 billion in induced production, gross added value, and earned income, respectively, as well as the employment increase of 3,232 new workers. Finally, through the tax revenue model, transfer expenditure is estimated to yield an additional NT$ 5.4711 billion from business tax, personal income tax, and corporate income tax as a “fiscal dividend. ”
Beyond the Game: Dimensions of Esports Online Spectator Demand

This study explored and evaluated the dimensions and consequences of esports online spectator demand. In doing so, we identified preliminary dimensions of esports online spectator demand based on semistructured interviews and online open-ended surveys. Findings resulted from the qualitative study were adopted as the foundation to develop the Scale for Esports Spectator Demand (SESD). To validate the SESD and assess the impact of the SESD factors on consumers’ cognitive and behavioral outcomes, a sample of esports online spectators (N = 1,309) responded to a survey containing the SESD, which was randomly split into two halves, with one half for an exploratory factor analysis and the other half for a confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling analyses. A total of 32 items under eight SESD factors were confirmed. While demand factors including commentary features, player characteristics, event attractiveness, and schedule convenience have been found in traditional sport contexts, chat room, streamer traits, stream quality, and virtual rewards appeared to be unique in esports. All eight SESD factors, excluding schedule convenience, were significantly predictive of one or more of the outcomes associated with esports consumption.
In vivo analysis of dermal and systemic absorption of silver nanoparticles through healthy human skin

Research into nanoparticles has increased markedly during the last decade, especially in light of their potential diagnostic and therapeutic use. While silver has been used since ancient times, a detailed understanding of the kinetics of its dermal absorption requires further study. Thus far, only in vitro and animal models have been used to analyse the absorption characteristics of nanocrystalline silver particles and no in vivo study using intact human skin has demonstrated silver absorption.
Accumulating short bouts of running reduces resting blood pressure in young normotensive/pre-hypertensive men

Abstract In this study, we compared the effects of accumulated and continuous running on resting arterial blood pressure. Ten normotensive/pre-hypertensive men, aged 25.0 ± 4.2 years (mean ± s), participated in three 2-day trials at least one week apart in a randomized, repeated-measures design. On Day 1, participants rested (control) or ran at 70% of maximum oxygen uptake in either ten 3-min bouts (30 min rest between bouts) or one continuous 30-min bout. On Day 2, participants rested throughout the day. Blood pressure was measured at hourly intervals throughout Days 1 and 2. Mean resting systolic blood pressure on Day 2 was 6% lower during the accumulated and continuous running trials compared with the control trial (110 ± 6 vs. 110 ± 8 vs. 117 ± 6 mmHg respectively; P < 0.05), but there were no differences in resting diastolic blood pressure among the three trials (70 ± 7 vs. 69 ± 6 vs. 70 ± 5 mmHg respectively). These findings demonstrate that accumulating 30 min of running throughout the day in short bouts is as effective as 30 min of continuous running for reducing resting systolic blood pressure on the next day in young normotensive/pre-hyptertensive men.
Content-Based Diagnostic Hysteroscopy Summaries for Video Browsing

Wilson Gavi ao and Jacob Scharcanski Instituto de Informática Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul Avenida Bento Gonçalves, 9500. Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil 91501-970 fwgaviao,jacobsg@inf.ufrgs. br Abstract In hospital practice, several diagnostic hysteroscopy videos are produced daily. These videos are continuous (non-interrupted) video sequences, usually recorded in full. However, only a few segments of the recorded videos are relevant from the diagnosis/prognosis point of view, and need to be evaluated and referenced later. This paper proposes a new technique to identify clinically relevant segments in diagnostic hysteroscopy videos, producing a rich and compact video summary which supports fast video browsing. Also, our approach facilitates the selection of representative key-frames for reporting the video contents in the patient records. The proposed approach requires two stages. Initially, statistical techniques are used for selecting relevant video segments. Then, a post-processing stage merges adjacent video segments that are similar, reducing temporal video over-segmentation. Our preliminary experimental results indicate that our method produces compact video summaries containing a selection of clinically relevant video segments. These experimental results were validated by specialists.
Molecular subtyping of prevalent M serotypes of Streptococcus pyogenes causing invasive disease

Reproducible methodologies and a scheme for high-resolution genotyping of Streptococcus pyogenes were defined with respect to a study of six predominant M serotypes causing invasive group A streptococcal disease in the United Kingdom. Serotype reference strains were compared with nine clinical isolates of each serotype from patients with diseases such as pneumonia, puerperal sepsis, toxic shock-like-syndrome, cellulitis, or necrotizing fasciitis. Four enzymes were evaluated for their discriminatory power in 16S rRNA gene-specific ribotyping. Discriminatory power was greatest with EcoRI, which generated serotype-specific ribotypes, and with SacI, which could subdivide strains of the same M serotype. Twenty-five combined ribotypes were found among the 60 strains, and the indices of discriminatory power (D values) of this method varied from 0.51 within serotype M1 to 0.98 within strains of serotype M5. Macrorestriction with the rarely cutting endonuclease SmaI and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis gave D values varying from 0.37 within serotype M1 to the maximal 1.0 within serotype M5. Comparison of macrorestriction profiles revealed various degrees of genetic heterogeneity within M serotypes. Strains of M1, M3, M6, and M11 exhibited clonally related macrorestriction profiles, while those of R28 and M5 strains were consistent with polyphyletic origin.
Increased alveolar nitric oxide in early systemic sclerosis.

OBJECTIVES Assessment of inflammatory activity in interstitial lung disease of systemic sclerosis (SSc) is difficult. Nitric oxide (NO) has gained attention in the pathogenesis of SSc. The aim of the study was to investigate alveolar NO concentration (CA(NO)) in SSc patients with short disease duration and to relate CA(NO) to radiologic findings. METHODS In a prospective study, 34 consecutive patients with disease duration of less than 2 years from onset of first non-Raynaud symptom and 26 healthy controls were enrolled. Exhaled NO was measured and CA(NO) was calculated. CA(NO) levels were related to the radiologic extent of pulmonary fibrosis measured as the extent of traction bronchiectasis within areas of ground glass opacities and reticulations. RESULTS CA(NO) levels were increased in patients with early SSc compared to healthy controls (3.52 (2.94-4.09) versus 2.08 (1.6-2.6); p<0.001). Both SSc patients with SSc-ILD (3.56 (3.04-4.73), p<0.001) and SSc patients without SSc-ILD (2.98 (2.68-3.98), p<0.01) had higher CA(NO) levels compared with healthy controls (2.08 (1.6-2.6)). CA(NO) levels did not differ between SSc patients without SSc-ILD and SSc patients with SSC-ILD. CA(NO) levels did not correlate to the extent of pulmonary fibrosis but were associated with the extent of ground glass opacities (rs=0.37, p<0.05) and reticulations (rs=0.37, p<0.05) on HRCT. CA(NO) levels were not correlated to lung function tests. CONCLUSIONS In patients with early SSc, alveolar NO is increased and may precede radiological changes of SSc-ILD. CA(NO) may therefore be a marker of early lung involvement.
Improved survival for BRCA2‐associated serous ovarian cancer compared with both BRCA‐negative and BRCA1‐associated serous ovarian cancer

Multiple observational studies have suggested that breast cancer gene (BRCA)‐associated ovarian cancers have improved survival compared with BRCA‐negative ovarian cancers. However, most of those studies combined BRCA1 and BRCA2 patients or evaluated only BRCA1 patients. The objective of the current study was to examine whether BRCA1‐associated and BRCA2‐associated ovarian cancers were associated with different outcomes.
Highly linear G/sub m/ element for high-frequency applications

A constant-Gm highly linear transconductance (Gm ) cell based on the use of a linear passive resistor and feedback technique is presented. The high-frequency linearity properties of the circuit are investigated using the Volterra analysis method. Simulation results of a linearity-optimized Gm element in 0.35 mum CMOS are presented showing a THD of -75.7 dB at 50 MHz for a 1.8 Vp-p input signal