Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The ABCs of Accurate Volumetric Measurement of Cerebral Hematoma

Background and Purpose— Both initial hematoma volume and hematoma growth are independent predictors of clinical outcomes and mortality among intracerebral hemorrhage patients. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of different computed tomography image acquisition protocols and hematoma volume measurement techniques. Methods— We used plastic and cadaveric phantoms to determine the accuracy of different volumetric measurement techniques. We performed both axial and spiral computed tomography scans with 0.75-, 1.5-, 3.0-, and 4.5-mm-thick transverse sections (with no gap). Different measurement techniques (planimetry, ABC/2, and 3D rendering) and different window width/level settings (I, 150/50 versus II, 587/−321) were used to assess generated errors in volumetric calculations. Results— Both axial and spiral computed tomography scans yielded similar percent errors for different slice thicknesses and different measurement techniques. Comparison of different measurement techniques revealed a significant difference in measurement error only from the ABC/2 method as compared with 3D-rendering measurements (P<0.0001). The overall measurement error according to the ABC/2 method was further increased by ≈8% for irregularly shaped hematomas (P=0.0004). A significant percent difference in measurement error was observed between window width/levels I and II for both planimetry (mean difference across all thicknesses, 1.91±3.78, P=0.004) and Analyze software (mean difference across all thicknesses, 6.92±7.29, P<0.0001) methods. Conclusions— A better understanding of the limitations that may affect measurement of hematoma volume is crucial in the assessment of hematoma volume, which is considered an independent marker of clinical outcome.
One-Sided Tolerance Limits for Balanced and Unbalanced Random Effects Models

A simple analytical approach for constructing one-sided β-content, γ-confidence tolerance limits is proposed for general random effects models with normal data in both balanced and unbalanced data scenarios. The approach is based on an approximation to the noncentral t distribution and modified large sample methods for constructing confidence bounds on functions of variance components. An alternative bootstrap-adjusted limit is also proposed. The performance of the analytical and bootstrap-adjusted limits is assessed via simulation techniques. The results indicate that the analytical limit is generally somewhat conservative, but is often less conservative than an existing analytical approach and may provide substantially shorter interval lengths, particularly for smaller sample sizes and larger values of γ. The bootstrap-adjusted limit generally maintains the nominal confidence level and yields shorter interval lengths, though it can be anticonservative for small sample sizes. This article has supplementary material online.
Schizencephaly

Schizencephaly is a rare malformation of cortical development characterized by congenital clefts extending from the pial surface to the lateral ventricle that are lined by heterotopic gray matter. The clinical presentation is variable and can include motor or cognitive impairment and epilepsy. The causes of schizencephaly are heterogeneous and can include teratogens, prenatal infection, or maternal trauma. Reported genetic causes include chromosomal aneuploidy, EMX2 mutations, and possible autosomal recessive familial cases based on recurrence in siblings. In an effort to identify risk factors for schizencephaly, we conducted a survey of 48 parents or primary caretakers of patients with schizencephaly born between 1983 and 2004. We discovered that young maternal age, lack of prenatal care, and alcohol use were all significantly associated with risk of schizencephaly. Our results suggest that there are important nongenetic, intrauterine events that predispose to schizencephaly.
Association of early HIV viremia with mortality after HIV-associated lymphoma

Objective:To examine the association between early HIV viremia and mortality after HIV-associated lymphoma. Design:Multicenter observational cohort study. Setting:Center for AIDS Research Network of Integrated Clinical Systems cohort. Participants:HIV-infected patients with lymphoma diagnosed between 1996 and 2011, who were alive 6 months after lymphoma diagnosis and with at least two HIV RNA values during the 6 months after lymphoma diagnosis. Exposure:Cumulative HIV viremia during the 6 months after lymphoma diagnosis, expressed as viremia copy-6-months. Main outcome measure:All-cause mortality between 6 months and 5 years after lymphoma diagnosis. Results:Of 224 included patients, 183 (82%) had non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) and 41 (18%) had Hodgkin lymphoma. At lymphoma diagnosis, 105 (47%) patients were on antiretroviral therapy (ART), median CD4+ cell count was 148 cells/&mgr;l (interquartile range 54–322), and 33% had suppressed HIV RNA (<400 copies/ml). In adjusted analyses, mortality was associated with older age [adjusted hazard ratio (AHR) 1.37 per decade increase, 95% CI 1.03–1.83], lymphoma occurrence on ART (AHR 1.63, 95% CI 1.02–2.63), lower CD4+ cell count (AHR 0.75 per 100 cells/&mgr;l increase, 95% CI 0.64–0.89), and higher early cumulative viremia (AHR 1.35 per log10copies × 6-months/ml, 95% CI 1.11–1.65). The detrimental effect of early cumulative viremia was consistent across patient groups defined by ART status, CD4+ cell count, and histology. Conclusion:Exposure to each additional 1-unit log10 in HIV RNA throughout the 6 months after lymphoma diagnosis was associated with a 35% increase in subsequent mortality. These results suggest that early and effective ART during chemotherapy may improve survival.
Normative Data for the MMPI-2 in Child Custody Litigation.

Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2) norms based on 508 child custody litigants are presented. Defensive underreporting and self-favorability were often exhibited along with an elevation on the Over-Controlled Hostility (O-H) scale. Highest mean clinical scale scores were Hysteria, Paranoia, and Psychopathic Deviate. Differences were not found among mothers, fathers, and stepparents, indicating that a single set of norms is suitable. Findings highlight the importance of context specificity in personality assessment. Proper interpretation of personality inventories in child custody disputes needs to consider both the norms of the standardization sample and the litigants' reference norms. It was not possible to determine from the MMPI-2 per se whether a defensive approach overestimates mental health in a psychologically healthy population or conceals symptomatology in psychologically disturbed persons.
Mitochondrial Oxidative Stress, Mitochondrial DNA Damage and Their Role in Age-Related Vascular Dysfunction

The prevalence of cardiovascular diseases is significantly increased in the older population. Risk factors and predictors of future cardiovascular events such as hypertension, atherosclerosis, or diabetes are observed with higher frequency in elderly individuals. A major determinant of vascular aging is endothelial dysfunction, characterized by impaired endothelium-dependent signaling processes. Increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) leads to oxidative stress, loss of nitric oxide (•NO) signaling, loss of endothelial barrier function and infiltration of leukocytes to the vascular wall, explaining the low-grade inflammation characteristic for the aged vasculature. We here discuss the importance of different sources of ROS for vascular aging and their contribution to the increased cardiovascular risk in the elderly population with special emphasis on mitochondrial ROS formation and oxidative damage of mitochondrial DNA. Also the interaction (crosstalk) of mitochondria with nicotinamide adenosine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidases is highlighted. Current concepts of vascular aging, consequences for the development of cardiovascular events and the particular role of ROS are evaluated on the basis of cell culture experiments, animal studies and clinical trials. Present data point to a more important role of oxidative stress for the maximal healthspan (healthy aging) than for the maximal lifespan.
Real-Time Ultrasonography-Computed Tomography Fusion Imaging for Staging of Hepatic Metastatic Involvement in Patients With Colorectal Cancer: Initial Results From Comparison to US Seeing Separate CT Images and to Multidetector-Row CT Alone

Objectives:To prospectively evaluate the role of real-time ultrasonography (US)-computed tomography (CT) fusion imaging (US-CT) in comparison with US seeing separate CT images (US + CT) and multidetector-row CT (MDCT) for the correct staging of hepatic metastatic involvement in patients with colorectal cancer. Methods:Sixty-four patients with newly diagnosed colorectal cancer and who were referred for abdominopelvic staging before primary tumor resection underwent same-day MDCT, US + CT, and US-CT. Examinations were evaluated on-site by 2 investigators in consensus. Investigators recorded the size and location of detected lesions on segmental liver maps, classified them as being benign, malignant, or indeterminate, and finally assessed the M stage of the liver as being M0, M1, or Mx (indeterminate). All patients underwent surgical exploration including intraoperative US. Reference standard diagnosis was based on findings at surgery, intraoperative US, histopathology, and MDCT follow-up imaging. Differences among investigated modalities were analyzed using McNemar′s test. Results:The reference standard verified 109 (45 ≤ 1 cm) hepatic lesions in 25 patients, including 65 (25 ≤ 1 cm) metastases in 16 patients (M1). Regarding the 45 ≤ 1 cm liver lesions, rates for detection were significantly higher (P < 0.05) for MDCT (80%, 36/45) and US-CT (77.8%, 35/45) than for US + CT (64.4%, 29/45); the rate for correct classification by US-CT (71.1%, 32/45) was significantly higher than for US + CT (48.9%, 22/45) and MDCT (31.1%, 14/45) (all P < 0.05). On patient-based analysis, specificity of MDCT (85.4%, 41/48) was significantly lower (P < 0.05) than for US-CT (97.9%, 47/48) and US + CT (93.7%, 45/48); the positive predictive value of MDCT (63.1%, 12/19) was not significantly different (P = 0.27) compared with US + CT (82.3%, 14/17) but significantly lower (P < 0.05) than for US-CT (93.7%, 15/16). In 13 patients (59 lesions) with only benign (stage M0) or coexistent benign and malignant lesions (stage M1), indeterminate lesion ratings and indeterminate liver stagings (Mx) occurred both significantly lower (P < 0.05) with US-CT (3.4%, 2/59; and 0%, 0/13) than with US + CT (11.9%, 7/59; and 23.1%, 3/13) or with MDCT (30.5%, 18/59; and 53.8%, 7/13). Conclusions:Based on these initial diagnostic experiences, complementary US-CT fusion imaging of small CT-indeterminate liver lesions may have value in staging patients with colorectal cancer, focusing on patients who were likely to harbor only benign or coexisting benign and malignant liver lesions and in whom change of M staging would change the clinical management.
The Risk of Developing Lung Cancer Associated with Antioxidants in the

Lung cancer cases diagnosed during the period 1975 through 1993 and matched controls were identified in the rosters of Washington County, Maryland residents who had donated blood for a serum bank in 1974 or 1989. Plasma from participants in the 1989 project was assayed for ascorbic acid; serum or plasma was assayed for participants in either project for a- and fl-carotene, cryptoxanthin,
Exploiting organisational information for service coordination in multiagent systems

Service-Oriented Computing and Agent Technology are nowadays two of the most active research fields in distributed and open systems. However, when trying to bridge the two worlds, it becomes apparent that the interaction-centric approach of multiagent systems may affect the way services are modelled and enacted, and vice versa. We claim that organisational models that underlie multiagent interactions are crucial in order to take advantage of this interrelation. In this paper we present an approach for modelling organisational structures in service-oriented multiagent systems, and show how it affects semantic service descriptions. We also present approaches to service matchmaking as well as to service composition, capable of exploiting organisational information in service descriptions. In both cases, we prove experimentally the validity of our approach.
Women-Church: Feminist Concept, Religious Commitment, Women's Movement

Women-church is a movement of autonomous groups seeking to actualize “a discipleship of equals. ” It is an example of how a feminist concept, coupled with religious commitment, animates a women’s movement. Elisabeth Schüssler Fiorenza is an integral part of women-church, a theologian whose ideas and dedication have sparked, guided, and sustained the movement. This essay explores the roots of the women-church movement, its impact on the larger world of religion, and its contribution to the future of religious feminism. This critical analysis honors Elisabeth’s contribution and invites more feminist participation in shaping justice-seeking communities. Women-church is a living example of the fact that feminist studies in religion are dangerous to those who seek to preserve kyriarchy and liberating to those who envision change.
2 THE SPANISH SHARING RULE

In this paper we estimate the intrahousehold distribution of household’s private expenditures between men and women (the sharing rule) in two types of Spanish households: those in which the woman works and those in which the woman does not work. The results for working women are parallel to those obtained for other countries which indicate a proportionally higher transfer from the woman to the man than from the man to the woman, such that the proportion of the woman’s share decreases both with the woman’s wage and with the man’s wage. However, in households where the woman does not work, we observe a slight increase in the proportion of the woman’s share when the man’s wage increases.
Suppression of Platelet Aggregation byBordetella pertussis Adenylate Cyclase Toxin

ABSTRACT The effect of Bordetella pertussis adenylate cyclase toxin (ACT) on platelet aggregation was investigated. This cell-invasive adenylate cyclase completely suppressed ADP (10 μM)-induced aggregation of rabbit platelets at 3 μg/ml and strongly suppressed thrombin (0.2 U/ml)-induced aggregation at 10 μg/ml. The suppression was accompanied by marked increase in platelet intracellular cyclic AMP (cAMP) content and was diminished by the anti-ACT monoclonal antibody B7E11. A catalytically inactive point mutant of ACT did not show the suppressive effect. Since an increase of cAMP content is a known cause of platelet dysfunction, these results indicate that the observed platelet inactivation was due to the catalytic activity of ACT through increase of intracellular cAMP.
Analysis of T cell receptor V alpha polymorphisms in rheumatoid arthritis

OBJECTIVE To test for association of T cell receptor (TCR) V alpha polymorphisms and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in British and Swiss white populations. METHODS TCRAV polymorphisms were analysed in RA patients and controls by single strand conformational polymorphism (SSCP) analysis. Associations were sought between defined genotypes and RA, and the effect of HLA-DR4 status analysed. Putative associations were then retested further in new groups of patients and controls. Overall, 360 RA patients and 197 controls were studied. RESULTS No association between TCRAV5S1, V6S1, V8S1, V17S1 or V21S1 polymorphisms and RA were observed in the initial population screened. Stratification for DR4 status showed an increase of V5S1*01/*01 in DR4 positive versus DR4 negative patients (χ2 = 7.19, p=0.028 (2df), p=0.14 after correction for multiple comparisons). This putative association was tested in three further patient groups, none of which showed significant increase of V5S1*01/*01 in DR4 positive patients, although an overall trend towards an increase in V5S1*01/*01 was observed. CONCLUSION No evidence was found for a strong association of TCRAV genes and RA in a white population. However, these results suggest a weak association of V5S1*01/*01 with DR4 positive RA, although this requires confirmation using larger groups of patients and controls.
Approximation algorithms for grammar-based data compression

This thesis considers the smallest grammar problem: find the smallest context-free grammar that generates exactly one given string. We show that this problem is intractable, and so our objective is to find approximation algorithms. This simple question is connected to many areas of research. Most importantly, there is a link to data compression; instead of storing a long string, one can store a small grammar that generates it. A small grammar for a string also naturally brings out underlying patterns, a fact that is useful, for example, in DNA analysis. Moreover, the size of the smallest context-free grammar generating a string can be regarded as a computable relaxation of Kolmogorov complexity. Finally, work on the smallest grammar problem qualitatively extends the study of approximation algorithms to hierarchically-structured objects. In this thesis, we establish hardness results, evaluate several previously proposed algorithms, and then present new procedures with much stronger approximation guarantees. Thesis Supervisor: Madhu Sudan Title: Associate Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
Extending the Cross-Cultural Validity of the Theory of Basic Human Values with a Different Method of Measurement

Several studies demonstrate that Schwartz’s (1992) theory of human values is valid in cultures previously beyond its range. We measured the 10 value constructs in the theory with the Portrait Values Questionnaire (PVQ), a new and less abstract method. Analyses in representative samples in South Africa (n = 3,210) and Italy (n = 5,867) and in samples of 13- to 14-year-old Ugandan girls (n = 840) yielded structures of relations among values similar to the theoretical prototype. In an Israeli student sample (n = 200), the values exhibited convergent and discriminant validity when measured with the PVQ and with the standard value survey. Predicted relations of value priorities with a set of 10 background, personality, attitude, and behavioral variables in the four samples supported the construct validity of the values theory with an alternative method of measurement.
Identiﬁcation and characterization of an imprinted antisense RNA ( MESTIT1 ) in the human MEST locus on chromosome 7q32

Imprinted gene(s) on human chromosome 7 are thought to be involved in Russell–Silver syndrome (RSS), based on the fact that (cid:1) 10% of patients have maternal uniparental disomy of chromosome 7. However, involvement of the known imprinted genes ( GRB10 at 7p12, PEG10 at 7q21.3 and MEST at 7q32) in RSS has yet to be established. To screen for new imprinted genes, we are initially using somatic cell hybrids containing a paternal or maternal human chromosome 7. Transcripts located between D7S530 and D7S649 (a 1.5 Mb interval encompassing MEST ) were subjected to RT–PCR analysis using somatic cell hybrids. One transcript named MESTIT1 (for MEST intronic transcript 1) reproducibly showed paternal-speciﬁc expression. Upon further analysis, we found MESTIT1 to be (1) paternally (and not maternally) expressed in all fetal tissues and ﬁbroblasts examined, (2) to be located in an intron of one of the two isoforms of MEST but transcribed in the opposite direction, (3) to be composed of at least two exons without any signiﬁcant open reading frame, and (4) to exist as a 4.2 kb transcript in many fetal and adult tissues. We could also identify two isoforms of the mouse Mest gene as observed in humans, but it is still unknown if a murine ortholog of MESTIT1 exists. We also examined the imprinting status of MEST isoforms as a ﬁrst step in assessing whether MESTIT1 might inﬂuence the allelic expression pattern of the sense transcript. MEST isoform 1 was determined to be exclusively expressed from the paternal allele in all fetal tissues and cell lines examined, whereas MEST isoform 2 was only preferentially expressed from the paternal allele in a tissue/cell-type-speciﬁc manner. Our results suggest that MESTIT1 is a paternally expressed non-coding RNA that may be involved in the regulation of MEST expression during development. MESTIT1 (also known as PEG1-AS ) is now the third independent transcript (with MEST and COPG2IT1 ) identiﬁed at human chromosome 7q32 demonstrating paternal chromosome-speciﬁc expression.
Bmc Molecular Biology Differential Regulation of the Two Transcriptional Activation Domains of the Coiled-coil Coactivator Cocoa by Sumoylation

Background: The coiled-coil coactivator (CoCoA) enhances transcriptional activity of nuclear receptors, the xenobiotic aryl hydrocarbon receptor, and the lymphocyte enhancer factors (LEF) in the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. CoCoA is comprised of a large central coiled coil domain flanked by N-terminal and C-terminal activation domains (AD). The N-terminal AD of CoCoA is required for coactivator function with LEF and β-catenin, while the C-terminal AD of CoCoA is required for coactivator function with nuclear receptors. We explored the role of sumoylation in regulating the activities of the two ADs and the coactivator function of CoCoA.
Stable walking control of a 3D biped robot with foot rotation

SUMMARY In order to obtain a more human-like walking and less energy consumption, a it foot rotation phase is considered in the single support phase of a 3D biped robot, in which the stance heel lifts from the ground and the stance foot rotates about the toe. Since there is no actuation at the toe, a walking phase of the robot is composed of a fully actuated phase and an under-actuated phase. The objective of this paper is to present an asymptotically stable walking controller that integrates these two phases. To get around the under-actuation issue, a strict monotonic parameter of the robot is used to describe the reference trajectory instead of using the time parameter. The overall control law consists of a zero moment point (ZMP) controller, a swing ankle rotation controller and a partial joint angles controller. The ZMP controller guarantees that the ZMP follows the desired ZMP. The swing ankle rotation controller assures a flat-foot impact at the end of the swinging phase. Each of these controllers creates two constraints on joint accelerations. In order to determine all the desired joint accelerations from the control law, a partial joint angles controller is implemented. A word “partial” emphasizes the fact that not all the joint angles can be controlled. The outputs controlled by a partial joint angles controller are defined as a linear combination of all the joint angles. The most important question addressed in this paper is how this linear combination can be defined in order to ensure walking stability. The stability of the walking gait under closed-loop control is evaluated with the linearization of the restricted Poincaré map of the hybrid zero dynamics. Finally, simulation results validate the effectiveness of the control law even in presence of initial errors and modelling errors.