Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Primary malignant melanoma of the oral cavity. A review of 177 cases

Malignant melanoma of the oral cavity is rare, accounting for about 1% to 8% of all melanomas. There have been no prospective studies of melanoma in this location, and all previous papers have reported small numbers of cases or have retrospectively reviewed case reports from the literature. The authors report six new cases and review 171 cases published since the last major review in 1975. The classification of oral melanomas with radial growth phases is discussed.
Classification of Grassland Types by MODIS Time-Series Images in Tibet, China

Tibet is one of the five largest pasturing regions of China. Grassland classification is significant for its utilization and protection, but few correlative studies have been done in Tibet due to its rugged natural conditions, which make it difficult and time-consuming to conduct extensive field measurements. The remote-sensing technique is helpful for grassland classification in such regions. In this study, high temporal resolution of a moderate resolution imaging spectroradiometer (MODIS) is used to construct temporal profiles of enhanced vegetation index (EVI) during the grass growth period in Tibet. By dividing the large study area into individual regions based on altitude and latitude, we classified the grasslands of Tibet into six types-meadow steppe, typical steppe, desert steppe, alpine meadow steppe, alpine typical steppe, and shrub herbosa. Based on the 1:500 000 scale maps of China's grassland resources, the validation process indicates an overall accuracy of 68.02 %, and a Kappa coefficient of 0.52. Land managers are provided with maps and area values of each grassland type in Tibet in 2005. In addition, regional average EVI reflect the relative biomass of each types of the grassland, which will provide evidences for coordinating plans for grassland developing. MODIS_EVI provides a simple and rapid method to classify the grassland in regions that are hard to reach, which offers an effective means of investigating biological resources on a large scale.
Structural and functional analysis of Tn4430: identification of an integrase‐like protein involved in the co‐integrate‐resolution process.

The 4149‐bp transposon Tn4430 from Bacillus thuringiensis is delineated by 38‐bp inverted repeats and codes for a 113‐kd protein that shares homology with the transposases (TnpA) of Tn3, Tn21 and Tn501. Through transpositional recombination, this protein generates the formation of co‐integrates between both donor and target replicons, with duplication of Tn4430 molecules. These features are characteristic of transposons of the Tn3 family (class II elements). The second step of the transposition process, the co‐integrate resolution, is mediated by a 32‐kd protein. This protein (TnpI) displays regional similarities with site‐specific recombinases of the integrase family, such as Int of bacteriophage lambda, Cre of bacteriophage P1 or TnpA and TnpB of the Tn554 transposon. Moreover, the 250‐bp sequence upstream to the tnpI gene contains several structural features that are reminiscent of the attP attachment site of phage lambda. This unique association between the integrase‐like TnpI recombinase and the TnpA transposase qualifies Tn4430 as a member of a new group within the class II mobile genetic elements.
Occultist Identity Formations Between Theosophy and Socialism in fin-de-siècle France

Fin-de-siecle occultism is usually regarded within the context of an “occult revival” that implies the modernization of an older esoteric tradition. However, this notion is rooted in esoteric identificatory discourses at the end of the nineteenth century. This article will discuss two major aspects of these discourses. First, French esotericists polemically distanced themselves from the “Eastern” esotericism of the Theosophical Society by constructing an esoterisme occidental . It will be shown that this separation of “East” and “West” occurred as a reaction to the T.S. , and should thus be seen as a “nationalist” response to a global phenomenon. Second, another major aspect of occultist identity formations will be highlighted: socialism. It will be shown that fin-de-siecle occultists were deeply involved with socialist theories in the July Monarchy vein but ambiguously distanced themselves from contemporary “materialist” socialisms. An analysis of this context will further help to understand the construction of an esoteric tradition.
External Debts, Institutions and Growth in SSA

ABSTRACT The study investigates the impact of institutional quality on the external debt–growth nexus in SSA. Data from 36 SSA economies over the 1996–2013 periods were used. The results from the IV-System GMM imply that institutional quality has robust effects on the external debt–growth nexus. Thus, the impact of external debt on growth is through host nation’s institutional quality. However, the mediating effect of institutional quality on this nexus is up to a point. When a country is on the wrong side of the debt-laffer curve, external debt becomes irrelevant; and institutional quality can no longer help.
Super‐resolution bright‐field optical microscopy based on nanometer topographic contrast

By using an expectation‐maximization maximum likelihood estimation algorithm to improve the lateral resolution of a recently developed non‐interferometric wide‐field optical profilometer, we obtain super‐resolution bright‐field optical images of nanometer features on a flat surface. The optical profilometer employs a 365‐nm light source and an ordinary objective lens of a 0.95 numerical aperture. For objects of 100 nm thickness, lateral features about λ/7 can be resolved in the restored images without fluorescence labeling. Current image acquisition rate is 0.1 frame/sec, which is limited by the brightness of the light source. With a brighter light source, the imaging speed can be fast enough for real‐time observation of dynamic activities in the nanometer scale. Microsc. Res. Tech. 65:180–185, 2004. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A synthesis scheme for simultaneous scheduling, binding, partitioning and placement with resources operating at multiple voltages

One promising technique to reduce power consumption is to power a chip with multiple supply voltages. However, as noticed by M.C. Johnson and K. Roy (see ACM Trans. Design Auto. Electronic Syst., vol.2, p.227-48, 1997), multiple voltage designs can cause a number of serious layout problems. We have shown that the layout problems can be partially solved by the addition of a partitioning step into the synthesis flow. A more subtle solution to solve the layout problems requires placement also to be included in the design flow. We present a synthesis scheme, following a simulated annealing engine, to minimize power consumption and area with resources operating at multiple voltages under timing constraints. The scheme simultaneously considers many correlated factors, such as scheduling, binding, partitioning and placement, to reduce power consumption due to both functional units and interconnections between and among them. Experiments with a number of DSP benchmarks show that the proposed algorithm can achieve significant reduction in power and area.
The Role of Parenting Practices in the Home Environment among Underserved Youth.

BACKGROUND The home environment, which includes parenting practices, is an important setting in which children develop their health behaviors. We examined the role of parenting practices in the home environment among underserved youth. METHODS We examined baseline data of a family-focused pediatric obesity intervention. Parenting practices (monitoring, discipline, limit setting of soda/snacks [SS] and screen media [SM], pressure to eat, and reinforcement) and availability of fruits/vegetables (FV) and sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs), family meals, television (TV) watching during meals, TVs in the home, owning active video games/sports equipment, and household food security were assessed in 301 parent/caregivers of overweight/obese children (ages 7-12 years; BMI≥85th percentile). Associations were evaluated using Spearman's rank correlation coefficients and logistic regression models adjusted for potential confounders. RESULTS Parents/caregivers (ages 22-67 years) were largely Hispanic/Latino (74.1%), female (92.4%), and reported high levels of limit setting SS and low levels of pressure to eat. Parent age, gender, country of birth, and years living in the United States accounted for differences among several parenting practices. Adjusted logistic regression models identified several statistically significant associations, including: Monitoring was positively associated with availability FV (odds ratio [OR]=2.19; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.25, 3.82); limit setting SS was inversely associated with availability of SSBs (OR=0.40; 95% CI, 0.21, 0.75); and limit setting SM was inversely associated with TV viewing during family meals (OR=0.51; 95% CI, 0.31, 0.85). Nearly 40% of our population was food insecure, and food insecurity was positively associated with pressure to eat (OR=1.77; 95% CI, 1.01, 3.15). CONCLUSIONS Parenting practices play an important role in the home environment, and longitudinal studies are needed to examine these associations in the context of family-focused pediatric obesity interventions.
Has the Crisis Affected Spanish Investment Strategy Abroad? A Spatial Panel Data Approach

This paper investigates whether the Spanish investment strategy abroad has been affected by the Great Recession. Applying a panel spatial Durbin model for two sample periods, pre‐crisis (1996–2007) and crisis (2008–14), our findings indicate that Spanish foreign direct investment (FDI) strategy has been indeed markedly altered by the global economic crisis. Complex‐vertical FDI motives prevailed over the pre‐crisis period, whereas horizontal FDI did so over the crisis. These results are robust to the use of sectoral FDI data and alternative specifications of the spatial weight matrix.
Modafinil Augmentation of SSRI Therapy in Patients with Major Depressive Disorder and Excessive Sleepiness and Fatigue: A 12-Week, Open-label, Extension Study

Abstract Introduction: Many patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) treated with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors have residual symptoms (eg, persistent fatigue, excessive sleepiness) despite an overall antidepressant response. Placebo-controlled studies indicate that modafinil, a wake-promoting agent, may relieve residual symptoms. Methods: This 12-week, open-label, dose titration, extension study followed an 8-week placebo-controlled study of modafinil augmentation in patients with MDD. The dose was 100–400 mg/day. The median stable dose was 300 mg/day. Assessments were the Epworth Sleepiness Scale, Brief Fatigue Inventory, Clinical Global Impression of Improvement scale, 17-item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression, and Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale. Results: Of the 245 patients treated, 194 completed the study; 70% reported Clinical Global Impression of Improvement scale responses of “much improved” or “very much improved” between open-label baseline and final visit (previous randomized modafinil group: 74%; placebo group: 66%). When data were analyzed for four subsets of patients (former modafinil responders, placebo responders, modafinil nonresponders, and placebo nonresponders), improvements in scores on all outcome measures were at least twice as great among former modafinil and placebo nonresponders compared with responders. Most common adverse events were headache (18%), nausea (9%), and dizziness (7%); all were generally mild to moderate in severity. Conclusion: Twelve weeks of modafinil augmentation relieved excessive sleepiness, reduced fatigue, and improved patients' overall clinical condition, including mood.
Exploring ways to enhance teens' participation in social media interventions: A formative research study

Social networking sites (SNSs) now serve as a primary form of socialization for adolescents. A growing body of research indicates that permissive drinking norms exist on online just as they do offline increasing teens’ risk for underage drinking and other risk behaviors. However, limited research exists on how to address this growing public health problem. The purpose of the present study was to conduct a formative investigation on how to create substance prevention interventions that address adolescents’ exposure to normative displays of substance use on SNSs. Thirty-three adolescents in grades nine through twelve were recruited from various schooland community-based youth groups involved in the Rhode Island Strategic Prevention Framework Partnerships for Success Project (SPF-PFS) which is a five-year federally funded grant aimed at reducing underage drinking and marijuana use. Four semistructured focus groups were conducted on how to create substance prevention campaigns delivered through SNSs that successfully reach and engage adolescents in the message diffusion process. Focus groups were immediately followed by a brief self-administered questionnaire that collected information on adolescents’ social media use. Two manuscripts are presented within. The first manuscript explores how psychosocial determinants influence teens’ decisions to participate in substance prevention campaigns delivered through SNSs while the second manuscript investigates the extent to which adolescents acquired social media literacy skills as a result of participating in the focus groups. Results indicate that while substance prevention social media campaigns have the potential to reach a vast audience of young people, they are difficult to implement because the social costs of online engagement outweigh the benefits for many teens. In contrast, study findings suggest that focus groups are a viable method for delivering social media literacy interventions and may serve as a promising alternative for addressing adolescents’ exposure to online drinking norms and other risk behaviors.
Multinomial logistic regression in workers' health

In European countries, namely in Portugal, it is common to hear some people mentioning that they are exposed to excessive and continuous psychosocial stressors at work. This is increasing in diverse activity sectors, such as, the Services sector. A representative sample was collected from a Portuguese Services’ organization, by applying a survey (internationally validated), which variables were measured in five ordered categories in Likert-type scale. A multinomial logistic regression model is used to estimate the probability of each category of the dependent variable general health perception where, among other independent variables, burnout appear as statistically significant.
Effects of hydrogen rich water on prolonged intermittent exercise.

BACKGROUND Recent studies showed a positive effect of hydrogen rich water (HRW) intake on acid-base homeostasis at rest. We investigated 2-weeks of HRW intake on repeated sprint performance and acid-base status during prolonged intermittent cycling exercise. METHODS In a cross over single-blind protocol, 8 trained male cyclists (age [mean±SD] 41±7 years, body mass 72.3±4.4 kg, height 1.77±0.04 m, maximal oxygen uptake [V̇O2max] 52.6±4.4 mL·kg-1·min-1) were provided daily with 2 liters of placebo normal water (PLA, pH 7.6, oxidation/reduction potential [ORP] +230 mV, free hydrogen content 0 ppb) or HRW (pH 9.8, ORP -180 mV, free Hydrogen 450 ppb). Tests were performed at baseline and after each period of 2 weeks of treatment. The treatments were counter-balanced and the sequence randomized. The 30-minute intermittent cycling trial consisted in 10 3-minute blocks, each one composed by 90 seconds at 40% V̇O2max, 60 seconds at 60% V̇O2max, 16 seconds all out sprint, and 14 seconds active recovery. Oxygen uptake (V̇O2), heart rate and power output were measured during the whole test, while mean and peak power output (PPO), time to peak power and Fatigue Index (FI) were determined during all the 16 seconds sprints. Lactate, pH and bicarbonate (HCO3-) concentrations were determined at rest and after each sprint on blood obtained by an antecubital vein indwelling catheter. RESULTS In the PLA group, PPO in absolute values decreased significantly at the 8th and 9th of 10 sprints and in relative values, ΔPPO, decreased significantly at 6th, 8th and 9th of 10 sprints (by mean: -12±5%, P<0.006), while it remained unchanged in HRW group. Mean power, FI, time to peak power and total work showed no differences between groups. In both conditions lactate levels increased while pH and HCO3- decreased progressively as a function of the number of sprints. CONCLUSIONS Two weeks of HRW intake may help to maintain PPO in repetitive sprints to exhaustion over 30 minutes.
Dual Control of Streptokinase and Streptolysin S Production by the covRS and fasCAX Two-Component Regulators in Streptococcus dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis

ABSTRACT Synthesis of the plasminogen activator streptokinase (SK) by group A streptococci (GAS) has recently been shown to be subject to control by two two-component regulators, covRS (or csrRS) and fasBCA. In independent studies, response regulator CovR proved to act as the repressor, whereas FasA was found to act indirectly as the activator by controlling the expression of a stimulatory RNA, fasX. In an attempt at understanding the regulation of SK production in the human group C streptococcal (GCS) strain H46A, the strongest SK producer known yet, we provide here physical and functional evidence for the presence of the cov and fas systems in GCS as well and, using a mutational approach, compare the balance between their opposing actions in H46A and GAS strain NZ131. Sequence analysis combined with Southern hybridization revealed that the covRS and fasCAX operons are preserved at high levels of primary structure identity between the corresponding GAS and GCS genes, with the exception of fasB, encoding a second sensor kinase that is not a member of the GCS fas operon. This analysis also showed that wild-type H46A is actually a derepressed mutant for SK and streptolysin S (SLS) synthesis, carrying a K102 amber mutation in covR. Using cov and fas mutations in various combinations together with strain constructs allowing complementation in trans, we found that, in H46A, cov and fas contribute to approximately equal negative and positive extents, respectively, to constitutive SK and SLS activity. The amounts of SK paralleled the level of skcH46A transcription. The most profound difference between H46A and NZ131 regarding the relative activities of the cov and fas systems consisted in significantly higher activity of a functional CovR repressor in NZ131 than in H46A. In NZ131, CovR decreased SK activity in a Fas+ background about sevenfold, compared to a 1.9-fold reduction of SK activity in H46A. Combined with the very short-lived nature of covR mRNA (decay rate, 1.39/min), such differences may contribute to strain-specific peculiarities of the expression of two prominent streptococcal virulence factors in response to environmental changes.
Voltage stability analysis using conventional methods

Power systems all over the world have to operate very close to their stability limits owing to the ever increasing power demands. Voltage collapses usually occur on power systems which are heavily loaded or faulted or have shortage of reactive power. This paper analyses the voltage stability of the power system under increasing load conditions. Modal analysis technique and Continuation Power flow methods have been used to identify the weakest buses prone to voltage collapse. Eigen values are used to determine the system voltage stability and participation factors are used to determine the weakest bus which has the maximum contribution to voltage collapse of the system. FACTS controllers (SVC and STATCOM) are then applied to the weakest buses for voltage improvement. Comparison is made between the performances of the power system with and without FACTS compensation. The tests have been carried out on IEEE 30 and 57 bus systems. Further, this analysis has been extended to the North-Eastern Grid of India. This paper aims to study the improvement of voltage profile of power systems using FACTS devices.
School management and educational quality in the context of centralized educational governance in Egypt: Examining stakeholder perceptions in private language schools

The decline in educational quality is a worldwide phenomenon that has caused stakeholders to challenge the structure of current systems of centralized governance. It is argued that decentralization of educational governance that would allow more autonomy and increased decision-making authority at the school level, which would ultimately result in improved educational quality. Private language schools in Egypt should have a degree of autonomy to make decisions that would enable them to provide a higher quality education, within a regulatory framework that supports rather than hinders their progress. In reality, these schools are constrained by the central control of curricula, assessment, teachers, budgets, and decision-making, which are ultimately all the influential aspects that define the status of educational quality. The potential that private national schools have in terms of providing quality education, along with the prevalence of decentralization initiatives and the limited research done on private language schools in Egypt has sparked questions about how these schools operate under such a centralized context and how this context affects the quality of education provided there. Other questions were also raised to explore how much autonomy do stakeholders truly have, and whether or not there is a discrepancy between the policy discourse and the implementation of decentralization initiatives. The perceptions of 38 stakeholders from school principals, teachers, parents and officials from the Ministry of Education are demonstrated in this paper in an attempt to address the above questions. Qualitative data from semi-structured interviews was collected from four private language schools in Egypt. Results show that stakeholders appear frustrated with the lack of autonomy granted to them and view this matter as a hindrance to educational quality. Drawbacks associated with centralization such as bureaucracy, ineffective decision-making, and lack of accountability on teachers continue to manifest in private language schools, Stakeholders have indicated that the schools have the potential to assume further responsibility, autonomy and accountability, yet most influential decision-making still takes place at the highest central levels at the MOE. Further along, data analysis shows that there may be multiple impediments to the true implementation of decentralization. The fact remains that educational decentralization continues to be a debatable subject that SCHOOL MANAGEMENT, EDUCATIONAL QUALITY & CENTRALIZED GOVERNANCE IN EGYPT 4 is challenging to conceptualize, and further research is required to establish its effects, or lack thereof, on educational quality. SCHOOL MANAGEMENT, EDUCATIONAL QUALITY & CENTRALIZED GOVERNANCE IN EGYPT 5