Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparison of conventional, molecular, and immunohistochemical methods in diagnosis of typical and atypical cutaneous leishmaniasis.

CONTEXT Localized cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) typically presents as papules, crusted nodules, plaques, or noduloulcerative lesions. Atypical CL does not show these features or mimic malignant lesion. In atypical forms, CL may be overlooked because of its similarity to other dermal diseases. OBJECTIVE To compare conventional, molecular, and immunohistochemical methods in the diagnosis of typical and atypical CL. DESIGN The kinetoplast DNA, nested, polymerase chain reaction assay and immunohistochemical methods were compared and validated against conventional methods, including cytology and pathology, using 100 specimens of typical and atypical lesions of suspected CL. RESULTS Compared with other methods, polymerase chain reaction of the kinetoplast DNA showed the highest sensitivity (typical positive, 100%, 67 of 67; atypical positive, 94%, 31 of 33) and specificity (100%), followed by immunohistochemistry (typical positive, 97%, 65 of 67, with 100% specificity; atypical positives, 94%, 31 of 33, with 100% specificity), and cytology (typical positive, 79%, 53 of 67, with 100% specificity; atypical positive, 58%, 19 of 33, with 100% specificity), followed by pathology (typical positive, 70%, 47 of 67, with 100% specificity; atypical positive, 42%, 14 of 33, with 100% specificity). In addition, polymerase chain reaction enabled identification of 98% (98 of 100) of the positive samples that included strains of Leishmania major (99% [99 of 100] cases) and Leishmania tropica (1% [1 of 100] cases). CONCLUSIONS Because cytology is cheap and easy to perform with high sensitivity, it is the preferred, primary approach for typical CL, but cytology and pathology do not have sufficient sensitivity for diagnosis of atypical CL cases. Nested polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry are sensitive tests for diagnosis of both typical and atypical CL and are recommended as complementary tests in suspected CL with negative conventional microscopy results.
Benefit Increases in Workers Compensation

It is increasingly apparent that changing levels of benefits in social insurance and welfare programs have profound impacts on the behavior of not only potential recipients but also on those who pay for such programs. Benefit increases in Social Security, unemployment insurance, AFDC, rehabilitation programs, etc. change not only labor supply, but can also affect savings, the structure of wages and fringe benefits (indeed, nearly all aspects of labor contracts), and risk-taking behavior both with respect to unemployment and occupational injuries. Recent empirical research into the Workers Compensation system indicates patterns of recipient responses similar to those identified in the much larger literature on Social Security and unemployment insurance: claims frequency and duration varies directly with Workers Compensation benefits [2; 3; 4; 5; 6; 7; 8; 9; 17; 21; 22], and wages decrease to compensate for higher benefits [1; 2; 13; 14; 15]. Yet despite the pivotal role that benefits play in all of these programs, virtually nothing is known about the political economy of benefit changes. ' In this paper we analyze the empirical determinants of changes in benefit levels in Workers Compensation. The Workers Compensation program provides a nearly ideal setting for analyzing changes in benefits: in terms of its scope and structure the program shares much in common with the unemployment insurance program and disability insurance in the social security system yet each state establishes its own benefits without the restriction of any explicit Federal Guidelines. Hence we observe not only temporal variation in the benefit structure, but interstate variation as well.2 The Workers Compensation laws are state laws which require employers to provide cash benefits, medical care and rehabilitation services to their employees for injury or illness arising out of or in the course of employment. Provision of this coverage is mandatory in forty-seven
BRAIN CONNECTIONS ANALYSIS USING GRAPH THEORY MEASURES

Brain is a part of the organism’s complex structure that performs many functions, which are responsible for the main human abilities: to talk, to hear, to move, to see, etc. The brain consists of several areas that are not only directly connected with the different body systems, but also depend and may affect each other. Researchers and doctors are trying to summarize and visualize these relationships for an important purpose – to get the information about possible reactions of the body in case of various diseases, possibilities of recovery, risks, etc. important issues. Neurologists are looking for ways to "move" through the brain in virtual space for viewing the synapses between different areas. It might be useful to get a general idea of how brain regions are interrelated. The term "connectome", which is the complete structural description of the brain connections, or the map of connections, is used for the common perception of brain relationships. Connectome is a network of thousands of nerve fibres that transmits signals between the special regions responsible for functions such as vision, hearing, movement and memory, and combines these functions in a system that perceives, decides and acts as a whole. So, the relationships of brain neural regions can be represented as a graph with vertices corresponding to specific areas, but edges are links between these areas. This graph can be analysed using quantitative measures, like node degree, centrality, modularity etc. This article discusses the different network measures for the connections between brain's regions. The purpose is to determine the most important areas and the role of individual connections in the general functional brain model.
Aid Allocation: comparing donors' behaviours

This paper synthesises previous findings on bilateral aid allocation behaviours and compares them with multilateral agency behaviours. It shows that self-interest motives predominate developmental motives in bilateral aid allocation decisions, save for Switzerland and a few Nordic donors. The influence of commercial interests plays a major role in this respect and has a much higher quantitative influence on aid allocation than geopolitical motives. Among developmental motives, recipients' needs play a significant role, together with political governance. Bilateral aid allocation is also influenced by multilateral aid flows. Among multilateral donors, the European Commission (EC) has a quite specific behaviour, with a small role played by recipients' needs and merits, and a strong bias in favour of ACP countries. Conversely, multilateral aid, excluding EC's assistance, strongly responds to recipients' needs. Significant influences of US and Japanese commercial interests on multilateral aid decisions, and of British commercial interests on EC's aid, are also detected
On Stability Problems of Omega and 3-Disjoint Paths Omega Multi-stage Interconnection Networks

The research paper emphasizes that the Stable Matching problems are the same as the problems of stable configurations of Multi–stage Interconnection Networks (MIN). We have discusses the Stability Problems of Existing Regular Omega Multi-stage Interconnection Network (OMIN) and Proposed 3-Disjoint Paths Omega Multi-stage Interconnection Network (3DON) using the approaches and solutions provided by the Stable Matching Problem. Specifically, Stable Marriage Problem is used as an example of Stable Matching. On application of the concept of the Stable Marriage over the MINs states that OMIN is highly stable in comparison to 3DON.
Do findings on routine examination identify patients at risk for primary open-angle glaucoma? The rational clinical examination systematic review.

IMPORTANCE Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness worldwide, and its insidious onset is often associated with diagnostic delay. Since glaucoma progression can often be effectively diminished when treated, identifying individuals at risk for glaucoma could potentially lead to earlier detection and prevent associated vision loss. OBJECTIVE To quantify the diagnostic accuracy of examination findings and relevant risk factors in identifying individuals with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), the most common form of glaucoma in North America. DATA SOURCES Structured Medline (January 1950-January 2013) search and a hand search of references and citations of retrieved articles yielding 57 articles from 41 studies. STUDY SELECTION Population-based studies of high-level methods relating relevant examination findings of cup-to-disc ratio (CDR), CDR asymmetry, intraocular pressure (IOP), and demographic risk factors to the presence of POAG. RESULTS The summary prevalence of glaucoma in the highest-quality studies was 2.6% (95% CI, 2.1%-3.1%). Among risk factors evaluated, high myopia (≥6 diopters; odds ratio [OR], 5.7; 95% CI, 3.1-11) and family history (OR, 3.3; 95% CI, 2.0-5.6) had the strongest association with glaucoma. Black race (OR, 2.9; 95% CI, 1.4-5.9) and increasing age (especially age >80 years; OR, 2.9; 95% CI, 1.9-4.3) were also associated with an increased risk. As CDR increased, the likelihood for POAG increased with a likelihood ratio (LR) of 14 (95% CI, 5.3-39) for CDR of 0.7 or greater. Increasing CDR asymmetry was also associated with an increased likelihood for POAG (CDR asymmetry ≥0.3; LR, 7.3; 95% CI, 3.3-16). No single threshold for CDR or asymmetry ruled out glaucoma. The presence of a disc hemorrhage (LR, 12; 95% CI, 2.9-48) was highly suggestive of glaucoma, but the absence of a hemorrhage was nondiagnostic (LR, 0.94; 95% CI, 0.83-0.98). At the commonly used cutoff for high IOP (≥22), the LR was 13 (95% CI, 8.2-17), while lower IOP made glaucoma less likely (LR, 0.65; 95% CI, 0.55-0.76). We found no studies of screening examinations performed by generalist physicians in a routine setting. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE Individual findings of increased CDR, CDR asymmetry, disc hemorrhage, and elevated IOP, as well as demographic risk factors of family history, black race, and advanced age are associated with increased risk for POAG, but their absence does not effectively rule out POAG. The best available data support examination by an ophthalmologist as the most accurate way to detect glaucoma.
Molecular machinery governing GABAergic neuron specification in the cerebellum

Although the cerebellum contains a relatively small variety of neurons, the molecular machinery governing neuronal generation and/or subtype specification is still poorly understood. We identified a novel mutant mouse,cerebelless, which lacks the entire cerebellar cortex but survives up to the adult stages. Analyses of its phenotypes and identification of its responsible gene clarified thatPtf1a (pancreas transcription factor 1a), which encodes a bHLH transcription factor, is involved in cerebellar GABAergic neuron production. Together with recently published papers describing another bHLH gene,Math 1, our study proposes that two bHLH transcription factors, PTF1A and MATH1, may participate in regionalization of cerebellar neuroepithelium, defining two distinct areas, the ventricular zone and the rhombic lip, which generate GABAergic and glutamatergic neurons, respectively. Here I will describe a novel cerebellar mutant,cerebelless, review the role ofPtf1a in GABAergic neuron production, and discuss new insights into cerebellar development from the vantage point of regulation by bHLH transcription factors.
Original Contribution Association Between Heme Oxygenase-1 Gene Promoter Polymorphisms and Type 2 Diabetes in a Chinese Population

The authors aimed to determine whether 2 functional polymorphisms in the heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) gene promoter are associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). A Chinese case-control study involving 1,103 newly diagnosed T2DM patients, 371 patients with impaired glucose regulation (IGR), and 1,615 controls was performed (December 2004–December 2007). A (GT)n microsatellite polymorphism and a single nucleotide polymorphism, T(-413)A, were genotyped, and their functional relevance was evaluated by examining the level of HO-1 protein expression. For the (GT)n microsatellite polymorphism, genotypes with the L (GT)n allele ( 25 GT repeats) were associated with increased odds of IGR or T2DM compared with the S/S genotype (<25 GT repeats) (S/L genotype: odds ratio (OR) 1⁄4 1.35, P 1⁄4 0.048; L/L genotype: OR 1⁄4 1.65, P 1⁄4 0.006). Subsequent haplotype analysis showed that haplotype TL contributed to increased odds of IGR or T2DM compared with haplotype TS (OR 1⁄4 1.56, P 1⁄4 0.003). In functional analyses, HO-1 expression level was significantly reduced in persons with IGR and T2DM carrying the L/L (GT)n genotype compared with persons with the S/S genotype. Further haplotype combination assay confirmed the functional dominance of the (GT)n microsatellite polymorphism over the T(-413)A single nucleotide polymorphism. These results support an association between the HO-1 (GT)n microsatellite polymorphism, HO-1 expression levels, and the odds of T2DM.
Voluntary dehydration among elementary school children residing in a hot arid environment.

BACKGROUND Voluntary dehydration is a condition where humans do not drink appropriately in the presence of an adequate fluid supply. This may adversely affect their physical and intellectual performance. The present study aimed to describe the prevalence of voluntary dehydration among elementary school children of different ethnicities and countries of birth. METHODS Four hundred and twenty-nine elementary school children, aged 8-10 years, from four subpopulations (Israeli-born Jewish and Bedouin-Arab children, and immigrant children who recently arrived to Israel from Eastern Europe and from Ethiopia) were studied. The level of dehydration was determined by noontime urine osmolality, from samples taken over 1 week in mid-summer. Urine osmolality <500 mOsmol kg(-1) H(2)O was considered to be an appropriate level of hydration. RESULTS Mean urine osmolality was 862 +/- 211 mOsmol kg(-1) H(2)O. Osmolality above 800 mOsmol kg(-1) H(2)O was detected in 67.5% of the urine samples; among these, 25% were above 1000 mOsmol kg(-1) H(2)O. The most dehydrated group was that of Israeli-born Jewish children, whereas the Bedouin-Arab children were the least dehydrated. CONCLUSIONS A high proportion of children who reside in a hot and arid environment were found to be in a state of moderate to severe dehydration. Bedouin ethnicity was associated with better hydration, whereas Israeli-born Jews were most severely dehydrated. Educational intervention programmes promoting water intake should start in early childhood and continue throughout life.
An Efficient Sub-optimal Subcarrier Allocation Algorithm for Multiuser OFDM System

This paper investigates the allocation of subcarriers and power in the downlink channels of multiuser OFDM systems. The goal is to minimize the total transmit power under the constraints of user data rates and bit error rate (BER). We propose a sub-optimal algorithm to achieve the goal in this paper. We introduce a new factor which is the gain difference between the maximum and the next maximum users’ channel gains for each subcarrier. Then the subcarriers are allocated to different users according to this factor. The simulation results show this algorithm outperforms the multiuser OFDM systems with static Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA) technique, also it outperforms the sub-optimal method proposed by Wong. We quantify the improvement in terms of total required transmit power and BER.
Dynamics of Read/Write Head Positioning in Both Flying-Height and Off-Track Directions

This paper presents a simulation study on the coupling effects of air bearing dynamics and suspension vibrations due to slider-disk contact or disk waviness. A simulator is developed to include the interactions between the air bearing, the slider-suspension assembly and slider-disk contact by considering the suspension, slider and air bearing as a whole system. From the simulation, the dynamic motion of read/write head in both flying-height (FH) and off-track directions, even on-track direction, can be obtained. It is helpful to characterize dynamics of head positioning and understand the interactions between the head disk interface (HDI) components. In addition, the effects of contact intensity, surface roughness, skew, and disk waviness on the read/write head positioning in both FH and off-track directions are investigated. The mechanisms of these factors' effects on the dynamic stability of read/write head positioning in both FH and off-track directions are also discussed in the paper.
Cwc25 Is a Novel Splicing Factor Required after Prp2 and Yju2 To Facilitate the First Catalytic Reaction

ABSTRACT Cwc25 has previously been identified to associate with pre-mRNA splicing factor Cef1/Ntc85, a component of the Prp19-associated complex (nineteen complex, or NTC) involved in spliceosome activation. We show here that Cwc25 is neither tightly associated with NTC nor required for spliceosome activation but is required for the first catalytic reaction. The affinity-purified spliceosome formed in Cwc25-depleted extracts contained only pre-mRNA and could be chased into splicing intermediates upon the addition of recombinant Cwc25 in an ATP-independent manner, suggesting that Cwc25 functions in the final step of the first catalytic reaction after the action of Prp2. Yju2 and a heat-resistant factor of unknown identity, HP, have previously been shown to be required for the same step of the splicing pathway. Cwc25, although resistant to heat treatment, is not sufficient to replace the function of HP, indicating that another heat-resistant factor, which we named HP-X, is involved. The requirement of Cwc25 and HP-X for the first catalytic reaction could be partially compensated for when the affinity-purified spliceosome was incubated in the presence of low concentrations of Mn2+. These results have implications for the possible roles of Cwc25 and HP-X in facilitating juxtaposition of the 5′ splice site and the branch point during the first catalytic reaction.
An Organization Behavior Approach To Risk Management

This research seeks to discover further theoretical base for the area of Risk Management by incorporating aspects of Organization Behavior Theory into the processes of risk identification and risk measurement. This is done not only to help the individual risk manager, but to a larger degree to provide a base for the teaching of Risk Management in the college classroom. A systems model by William G. Scott of a complex organization is adapted to the study of risk. The basic system and its subparts are described and the goals of the system are related to the general goals of the Risk Manager. Each subpart is then examined for its contribution to the processes of risk identification and measurement. The interrelations between the subparts and the dynamic nature of these interrelations are noted. Historically, the subject of risk management has been viewed as a threestep process consisting of recognition of risk, measurement of risk and handling of risk. One description of the current process of risk management is illustrated on the next page. ' Once these three steps of risk management were stated, the majority of articles and texts on the subject then set about the task of finding the best methods of carrying them out. In many works in the area of risk management, the first two steps are given only brief, cursory treatment.2 Risks
Tunisian - European Integration Factors Evaluation

In this paper I propose an evaluation of the Tunisian-European integration process through the study of the Tunisian economic returns convergence with those of its European economic and financial partners. This work is founded on the influence of three fundamental variables on this convergence. I begin with a descriptive study of these variables, and then try to formulate an empirical measurement to evaluate Tunisian-European integration aspects. Results shows that the Tunisian integration fluctuation through the period is mainly due to the country governance problems and not to the economic or financial spheres. Keywords: Tunisian-European Integration, Convergence, Growth, Returns, Governance, Saving, Investment.
Sentinel lymphadenectomy in breast cancer.

PURPOSE We previously demonstrated increased detection of axillary metastases using sentinel lymphadenectomy (SLND) and immunohistochemistry. These methods have evolved and we now report our current use of these techniques and our most recent results of axillary staging with SLND. PATIENTS AND METHODS One hundred seven consecutive women (previously unreported) with breast cancer underwent SLND followed by completion axillary lymphadenectomy (ALND). All sentinel nodes were examined intraoperatively with frozen section and postoperatively with hematoxylin and eosin staining (H&E) plus immunohistochemical staining (IHC) using antibody to cytokeratin. The nonsentinel axillary nodes were examined with H&E, but not IHC. RESULTS The median age was 56.6 years (range, 28 to 90). Most patients (58.9%) were postmenopausal, most primary tumors (62.6%) were palpable, and most operations (86.9%) were breast-conserving. The mean tumor size was 2.11 +/- 1.38 cm. Sentinel nodes were identified in 100 patients: 42 patients had metastases in sentinel nodes; of these, 28 (66.7%) had no other involved axillary nodes. On average, 1.8 +/- 1.1 sentinel nodes were examined and 20.3 +/- 7.8 nonsentinel nodes were removed. Of seven patients with no identified sentinel nodes, six had a tumor-negative axilla. SLND was 100% predictive of axillary status in these 100 women. CONCLUSION In this population of breast cancer patients, SLND with frozen section and IHC was a minimally invasive, highly accurate intraoperative method of axillary staging. We are evaluating the elimination of routine ALND for sentinel-node negative women to minimize the morbidity associated with standard dissections. The ability to identify node-negative patients without ALND would be a welcome addition to the management of women with breast cancer.