Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
"CORT-EX:" a program for quantitative analysis of brain SPECT data.

A program was developed to extract from brain SPECT data global as well as regional concentrations of a radiopharmaceutical while allowing for improved subjective evaluation of its distribution. This program was used to process the data obtained from 17 normal subjects, 20 min, 2 hr, and 4 hr after the injection of iodine-labeled iodoamphetamines. The mean absolute cortical uptake at these three time periods was 0.921 (+/- 0.185), 0.803 (+/- 0.107), and 0.748 (+/- 0.103) in arbitrary units (+/- s.d.), respectively. The regional distribution of the tracer became more uniform with time due to an uneven washout rate. The cerebellum was noted to have a very high variability in its uptake and a high washout rate, making it unsuitable as an internal standard for relative quantification. Finally, a repeat study was performed on 10 subjects. No significant difference could be demonstrated in the mean uptake of the group at 2 and 4 hr, however the difference observed in the 20 min uptake values was significant at the p = 0.05 level.
An ulnar boost splint for midcarpal instability.

Our understanding of the wrist, and its intricate network of ligaments, has improved significantly in the last decade. Any alteration in this network may alter one’s functional ability. Good proximal stability is necessary for distal mobility. These authors have designed a splint to help improve stability in one example of wrist dysfunction. —PEGGY L. FILLION, OTR, CHT, Practice Forum Editor PRACTICE FORUM
Evaluating the impact of firm tax credits. Results from the French natural experiment CICE

The most important economic policy measure of the François Hollande presidency in France is the Firm Tax Credit for Competitiveness and Employment (CICE). Representing an annual amount of more than 20 billion euros, i.e. almost two GDP percentage points, the tax credit rate amounts to 6% of the payroll of all companies in 2014, for all wages that are equal to or less than to 2.5 minimum wages. To identify the effects of this measure, we use a treatment intensity approach, by comparing firms that benefit most to those that benefit less from the CICE. We also control for a large set of predetermined variables, and instrument the apparent CICE rate by its simulated value before its implementation. Estimates are based on a balanced sample of more than 130,000 companies with five employees or more between 2009 and 2014. We found that the CICE has a positive but small effect on employment, payroll, and company margins, a negative effect on average salaries, but no effect on investment or productivity.
Temporal resolving power of spin echo and gradient echo fMRI at 3T with apparent diffusion coefficient compartmentalization

The temporal resolving power of blood oxygenation level‐dependent (BOLD) functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) at 3T was investigated in the visual and auditory cortices of the human brain. By using controlled temporal delays and selective visual hemifield stimulation, regions with similar (left vs. right occipital cortex) and different (occipital cortex vs. auditory cortex) vascular architectures were compared. Estimates of the time‐to‐peak (TTP) of the BOLD hemodynamic response function (hrf) were obtained using a spin echo (SE) sequence and compared to those acquired using a traditional gradient echo (GE) sequence. The hrf TTP in the visual cortex was found to be 4.73 s and 4.21 s for GE and SE, respectively. The auditory cortex response was significantly delayed, with TTPs of 4.95 s and 4.51 s for GE and SE, respectively. The GE response was able to resolve visual stimuli separated by 250 ms, whereas SE could resolve stimuli 500 ms apart. Apparent‐diffusion‐coefficient (ADC) compartmentalization of the BOLD signal was applied to restrict the vascular sensitivity of the SE and GE sequences. Limiting the response to voxels with ADCs < 0.8 × 10−3 mm2/s improved the temporal resolving power of GE and SE BOLD to 125 ms and 250 ms, respectively. Hum Brain Mapp 25:247–258, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The impact of implementing an enteral tube feeding protocol on caloric and protein delivery in intensive care unit patients.

BACKGROUND The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of an enteral tube feeding protocol on caloric and protein delivery to intensive care unit (ICU) patients. METHODS This prospective study consisted of 2 phases: before and after the implementation on an enteral-feeding protocol. The following data were collected: demographics, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score and Simplified Acute Physiology Score II, caloric and protein requirements, the location of the feeding tube tip, and prokinetic agents use. The primary endpoint was caloric and protein intake as a percentage of the requirement. Secondary endpoints were gastric residuals >150 mL, vomiting episodes, ICU and hospital lengths of stay, mechanical ventilation duration, and ICU and hospital mortality. RESULTS There were no significant differences between the control (n = 100) and protocol groups (n = 103) in baseline characteristics. The protocol was associated with significant improvement in the 7-day average of caloric intake/requirement (53.9 +/- 2.3% vs 64.5 +/- 2.2%, p = .001) and protein intake/requirement (56.7 +/- 2.6% vs 67.4% +/- 2.7%, p = .005). Caloric and protein intake improved whether the patient was receiving prokinetic agent or not. There was a trend toward lower gastric residual volumes and vomiting episodes in the protocol group. Patients receiving gastric feeding showed significant improvement in caloric intake to levels comparable to patients with postpyloric feeding. CONCLUSIONS Enteral tube feeding protocol is effective in improving feeding delivery in ICU patients independent of prokinetic agent use. Protocol for enteral tube feeding should be considered in the management of ICU patients, given the positive impact of this nonpharmacologic, non-interventional tool.
Clinical significance of Cloninger's classification in a sample of alcoholic Spanish men.

AIMS To evaluate Cloninger's classification in a sample of alcoholic Spanish men. DESIGN A cross-sectional study was carried out on subjects diagnosed as alcoholics. SETTING Out-patient units specializing in the treatment of alcoholics and the psychiatry unit of a general hospital. PARTICIPANTS One hundred and ninety-eight males diagnosed as alcoholics. The mean age was 44.4 +/- 11.6 years and 98% were from urban areas. MEASUREMENTS Participants were interviewed using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-III-R(SCID). They were classified using type 1 and type 2 criteria of Cloninger's classification. FINDINGS Only one-third of our sample could be classified by Cloninger's type 1 and type 2 criteria. Patients classified as belonging to type 2 had an earlier onset of regular drinking compared to type 1 patients. Type 2 subjects presented a higher percentage of alcohol-related problems as well as problems related to drugs other than alcohol and they also presented a higher percentage of antisocial personality disorder. No differences in alcoholism family history were found between the groups. Criteria showing the poorest discriminative ability between both groups were "failure to keep abstinent" and "benders lasting at least two days". CONCLUSIONS Our results do not support Cloninger's etiological hypotheses for alcoholism. Cultural differences may be responsible for the different drinking patterns observed.
Correlation between insulin resistance and intramyocellular lipid levels in rats

Increased intramyocellular lipid (IMCL) content has been proposed as biomarker for insulin resistance (IR). An inverse correlation between IMCL and insulin sensitivity (IS) was found in nonathletic humans, whereas in animal models only a few validation studies have been performed. The aim of this study was to investigate the interrelation between IS indices determined by the glucose clamp technique (glucose disposal (GD), exogenous glucose infusion rates (GIR)) and IMCL content in the tibialis (TIB) and the soleus (SOL) muscle obtained by magnetic resonance spectroscopy in different rat models of IR. Diet‐induced insulin‐resistant Wistar rats as well as genetic disease models (ZDF rats) were used. In both muscles, elevated IMCL correlated with an impaired IS in all models of IR. The correlation of IMCL with both parameters for IS was comparable in TIB and SOL. The best fit between IMCL and IS was obtained using TIB and GIR data (r = −0.69, P < 0.001). Diabetic male ZDF rats exhibited comparatively low IMCL levels due to their catabolic state: exclusion of this group improved r. In summary, IMCL, especially in TIB, is a valid biomarker for IS in various rat models of IR with the advantage of a fast repeatable noninvasive measurement in individual animals. Magn Reson Med 53:1275–1282, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Avoiding Fake Neighborhoods in e-Commerce Collaborative Recommender Systems: A Semantic Approach

Recommender systems are very useful tools inapplication domains that suffer from information overload,offering the users suggestions they may be interested in.Owing to its business interest, e-commerce has become amajor domain in this research field, since identifying thoseproducts that the users will appreciate could increase users’consumption. However, current e-commerce recommendersystems overlook some implications of the great diversity ofproducts and services available in the market, giving rise toform fake neighborhoods in collaborative filtering strategies.In this paper, we propose applying semantic reasoning techniquesto solve this problem, thus improving, qualitativelyand computationally, the recommendation process.
The Effect of Financial Development on Energy Intensity in China

In this study, we analyse the relationship between financial development and energy intensity in 28 Chinese provinces over the period 1999 to 2014. Using a wide variety of financial development measures, as well as specific indicators capturing the level of state intervention in the financial system and the degree of market-driven financing in the economy, we examine whether limited access to finance acts as a barrier to reducing energy intensity. Our estimations control for variables such as state investment, stock market capitalization and the composition effect. Further, a GMM estimator is used to control for endogeneity in our models. Our results provide evidence that a poorly functioning financial system constrains the reduction of energy intensity across regions. However, the strength of these effects has been gradually declining over time, especially following the implementation of the Green Credit Policy. Limitations in domestic access to finance as well as the misallocation of funds and the efficient use of capital have policy implications, as they can reduce the incentives for investment in the energy sector. These findings are a source of considerable interest in light of the new policy based on green credit, and they highlight new opportunities as well as challenges to sustainable economic growth.
GA2LEN/EAACI pocket guide for allergen‐specific immunotherapy for allergic rhinitis and asthma

To cite this article: Zuberbier T, Bachert C, Bousquet PJ, Passalacqua G, Walter Canonica G, Merk H, Worm M, Wahn U, Bousquet J. GA2LEN/EAACI pocket guide for allergen‐specific immunotherapy for allergic rhinitis and asthma. Allergy 2010; 65: 1525–1530.
Exploring NNESTs’ Beliefs and Identities: A Case Study of Japanese EFL High School Teachers

Studies have suggested that, to understand language teaching and learning, it is critical to examine teachers’ beliefs and identities, along with their impacts on actual teaching practices in the classroom. The purpose of this study was to explore teaching beliefs and teacher identities of eight non-native English speaking teachers (NNESTs) in Japanese public high schools. Three research questions were addressed to examine what teaching beliefs they have, what influences their belief formation and professional identity development, and what identities constitute their teacher identity. To do this, a qualitative case study was undertaken. An in-depth analysis of the interview transcripts revealed the participants’ beliefs toward communicative language teaching, student-centered instruction, and the medium of instruction in the classroom. It was also found that the following factors impacted their teaching beliefs and practices and their identity: personal experiences in childhood and adolescence, experiences as an in-service teacher, and English education policy in Japan. As for the question pertaining to their teacher identity, the data analysis found four salient identities that are closely connected to their identity as an English teacher, which include general teacher identity, context-related identity, language teacher identity, and non-native English speaking teacher identity. It is concluded that the teachers’ beliefs and identities are formed through continuous negotiations with external factors, such as past experiences, contextual factors surrounding their teaching sites, and students’ expectations of and the national policy on English education. Furthermore, it is concluded that how their identities are non-fixed and transformative, complex and multiple, and seemingly stable but susceptible, which reflect the complex nature of language teacher identity construction as noted in the literature.
Parotid Gland Metastasis of Breast Cancer: Case Report and Review of the Literature

Background: Parotid gland metastasis in breast cancer is extremely rare, and only 14 cases have been reported between 1982 and 2010. Case Report: A 67-year-old female patient was diagnosed with invasive lobular carcinoma of the left breast. Although clinical staging was T1N3M1 (stage IV), the tumor experienced a complete response to chemotherapy. We therefore performed a mastectomy followed by radiotherapy, and continued administration of trastuzumab. However, 11 months later, the patient complained of a swelling in the left parotid gland. Histology following a partial parotidectomy revealed a parotid gland metastasis from the breast. Conclusion: Treatment with capecitabine in addition to trastuzumab, which is one of the strategies applied in HER2-positive breast cancer, was effective in our patient. Analysis of the 14 cases of parotid gland metastasis from the breast reported between 1982 and 2010 revealed that the metastasis may occur not by direct lymphatic but by hematogenous spread.
GALS Design for Spectral Peak Attenuation of Switching Current

Digital circuits often suffer from the switching noise when synchronized by a global clock. This work investigates the spectral peak attenuation of the switching current by applying Globally Asynchronous Locally Synchronous (GALS) design. It is theoretically proven that, in particular for a plesiochronous design with M clock domains, an attenuation of up to 20logM dB can be achieved at lower order harmonics of the clock frequency. Power-consumption balanced GALS partitioning is found to be preferred for spectral noise attenuation, since it provides robustness against the current shape variations in individual blocks. Experiments on a 130-nm CMOS synchronous/GALS dual-core FMCW-RADAR chip, named Lighthouse, have been performed. Comparing with the synchronous design, on the on-chip power supply, a spectral peak attenuation of 12.29 dB at the fundamental clock frequency can be measured for the power balanced GALS design with five plesio-chronous clocks.
Exploring multi-local working: challenges and opportunities for contemporary cities

ABSTRACT An increasing phenomenon in contemporary cities is to work in multiple places, such as home, offices, and coffee shops, while simultaneously using ICT devices and networks. However, little attention has been paid to the new socio-spatial demands facing city services. This phenomenon has been empirically studied through a comparative case study in the city centre of Helsinki, Finland, by conducting observations of one public library (Library 10) and one coffee shop (Café Köket), as well as semi-structured interviews with the multi-local workers and managers of the two places. This comparative case study shows that multi-local workers with different profiles (age, level of education, contract of employment) and varied socio-spatial working practices use the library and coffee shop for several working purposes, such as individual or collective informal offices, or as temporary workplaces of a larger city network with urban ambiance. Thus, discussion of this phenomenon has shifted to a re-conceptualizing of the third place as well as future visioning of the business model of coffee shops and service concepts of libraries. The results might be useful to managers, architects, planners and policy makers when developing the network of facilities within the cities as well as the multi-functionality of urban spaces.
A G/sub m/-C low-pass filter for zero-IF mobile applications with a very wide tuning range

A third-order G/sub m/-C Butterworth low-pass filter implementing G/sub m/-tuning and G/sub m/-switching to maximize the tuning range is described. This filter is intended to be used as a channel-selection/anti-aliasing filter in the analog baseband part of a zero-IF radio receiver architecture for multimode mobile communications. Its G/sub m/-switching feature allows extending the tuning range and adapting the power consumption. The filter's cutoff frequency ranges from 50 kHz to 2.2 MHz. An Input IP3 of up to +18 dBV/sub p/ is achieved, for a total worst-case power consumption of 7.3 mW for both I and Q paths, and an effective area of less than 0.5 mm/sup 2/ in a 0.25-/spl mu/m SiGe BiCMOS process. A new figure of merit is introduced for comparison of published low-pass tunable filters including noise, linearity, and tuning range.
A Subgroup Analysis of Working Memory in Children with Reading Disabilities

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether changes in working memory (WM) of children with reading disabilities (RD) were related to a domain-specific or a domain-general system. Based on Daneman and Carpenter's (1980) Sentence Listening Span task, children were subgrouped into a group of high executive processing (high listening span) children without RD, a group of low executive processing (low listening span) children with RD, and a group of children with and without RD matched on executive processing (moderate listening span). Subgroups were compared on phonological, visual-spatial, and semantic WM tasks across initial (no probes or cues), gain (cues that bring performance to an asymptotic level), and maintenance conditions (asymptotic conditions without cues). The results showed that (a) children without RD high in executive processing ability outperformed all other subgroups, (b) the RD subgroup low in executive processing performed poorly relative to all other subgroups across task and memory conditions, (c) children with and without RD matched on executive processing were comparable in WM span and changes in WM for all tasks, and (d) WM performance of children with RD was a strong linear function of the high executive processing group, suggesting that the nature or the specific componential makeup of the tasks are not the main contributors to WM performance. Taken together, the results suggest that a domain-general system may partially contribute to poor WM in children with RD, and that this system may operate independently of their reading deficits.
Pharmacologic and cognitive-behavioral treatment for bulimia nervosa: a controlled comparison.

OBJECTIVE This study examined the relative effectiveness of desipramine, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and their combination in the treatment of bulimia nervosa, together with the effects of withdrawing medication after two different lengths of treatment. METHOD Seventy-one patients meeting DSM-III-R criteria for bulimia nervosa, recruited from an eating disorders clinic or by advertisements, were assigned at random to one of five groups: desipramine (withdrawn at 16 or 24 weeks), combined treatment (medication withdrawn at 16 or 24 weeks), and cognitive-behavioral therapy (15 sessions). All treatments were conducted individually in an outpatient clinic. The primary outcome measures were binge eating and purging rates assessed at pretreatment, 16, 24, and 32 weeks. The results were analyzed as three groups (medication, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and combined treatment) at 16 weeks and as five groups at subsequent assessments. RESULTS At 16 weeks, both cognitive-behavioral therapy and the combined treatment were superior to medication given for 16 weeks in reducing binge eating and purging. At 32 weeks, however, only the combined 24-week treatment was superior to medication given for 16 weeks. The combined treatment was also more effective in reducing dietary preoccupation and hunger. Continuing cognitive-behavioral therapy appeared to prevent relapse in patients withdrawn from medication at 16 weeks. CONCLUSIONS Overall, the results favor the use of a combination of medication and cognitive-behavioral therapy in the treatment of bulimia nervosa, with medication continued for at least 24 weeks.
Focused intraoperative transthoracic echocardiography by anesthesiologists: a feasibility study.

BACKGROUND Focused transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) is frequently used perioperatively for hemodynamic monitoring and diagnosis of cardiovascular instability, but less commonly intraoperatively. METHODS To evaluate the feasibility of intraoperative TTE, we enrolled 222 anesthetised patients from August to November 2012 into a prospective observational study. 162 patients underwent TTE examination according to the Focused Assessed Transthoracic Echocardiography (FATE) protocol after positioning and draping for surgery. Sixty additional hemodynamically unstable subjects were examined during anesthesia and surgery. The imaging quality of four FATE views was rated on a scale from 1 (impossible) to 5 (perfect). TTE was assessed as applicable, if at least two of the four basic FATE views were graded 4 or 5, or three views were assessed as grade 3. RESULTS Imaging quality was unacceptable in 20 patients, resulting in a feasibility rate of 91% (97.5%-CI 0.86-1, P=0.01). TTE was feasible in hemodynamically unstable subjects (91.7%; 97.5%-CI 0.82-1.0), in orthopedic and trauma patients (>95% respectively, [97.5%-CI 0.83-1]) and in abdominal surgery (78%). CONCLUSION TTE can be applied in the operating theatre during surgery, although its use during abdominal surgery is somewhat limited.
Revisiting the Household for Housing Research

Abstract Households are routinely adopted as units of analysis in housing-related research. The convergence of intensifying housing commodification with revisions to the social contract in Anglophone liberal market-based economies presents a salient juncture to revisit and reconsider the household, especially given rising and unequivocal expectations that contemporary households will operate as private “shock absorbers”. This article reviews conceptualizations and theoretical perspectives on households and draws attention to several “black box” issues. It argues that a relational perspective offers under-exploited opportunities to unlock and refine accounts of the impacts of this current convergence of pressures on households by foregrounding empirically important (shifts in) connections and (social) processes occurring within and between households, as well as across and between the “household sector” and other institutions. It specifies several strands of housing-related research where expanding debates in this way may be particularly productive.