Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test as a measure of intelligence in children with palatal problems.

The Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test and the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children were administered to 33 children with palate problems. The correlations between PPVT and Wechsler IQ's ranged from . 45 to . 50 indicating that the Peabody is only a moderately good predictor of WISC scores in this population and suggesting that its utility in cleft palate children is limited. Additional data on the PPVT-WISC relationships are also presented and discussed.
Somatic Mutations of ERBB2 Kinase Domain in Gastric, Colorectal, and Breast Carcinomas

Purpose: Recent reports revealed that the kinase domain of the ERBB2 gene is somatically mutated in lung adenocarcinoma, suggesting the mutated ERBB2 gene as an oncogene in human cancers. However, because previous reports focused the mutational search of ERBB2 primarily on lung cancers, the data on ERBB2 mutations in other types of human cancers have been largely unknown. Experimental Design: Here, we did a mutational analysis of the ERBB2 kinase domain by PCR single-strand conformational polymorphism assay in gastric, colorectal, and breast carcinoma tissues. Results: We detected the ERBB2 kinase domain mutations in 9 of 180 gastric carcinomas (5.0%), in 3 of 104 colorectal carcinomas (2.9%), and in 4 of 94 breast carcinomas (4.3%). All of the detected ERBB2 mutations except for one in-frame deletion mutation were missense mutations. Of the 16 ERBB2 mutations detected, 4 affected Val777 in the exon 20 site, and 3 affected Leu755 in the exon 19 site. We simultaneously analyzed the somatic mutations of EGFR, K-RAS, PIK3CA, and BRAF genes in the 16 samples with ERBB2 mutations, and found that all of the 3 colorectal carcinoma samples with ERBB2 mutations harbored K-RAS mutations. Conclusion: This study showed that in addition to lung adenocarcinomas, ERBB2 kinase domain mutation occurs in other common human cancers such as gastric, breast, and colorectal cancers, and suggested that alterations of ERBB2-mediated signaling pathway by ERBB2 mutations alone or together with K-RAS mutations may contribute to the development of human cancers.
L’analyse de la pratique en formation infirmière. Vers une « clinique du sens »

En formation infirmiere, l’analyse de la pratique accompagne le processus de professionnalisation de l’etudiant. En dessinant les contours d’un concept multifocal, cet article interroge la place de la pratique reflexive dans la construction du sens de l’activite et en particulier la maniere dont l’analyse de la pratique peut se penser comme une mediation du sens. Cette demarche questionne les espaces communicationnels qu’elle investit et la posture de l’acteur face aux situations complexes qu’il rencontre.
Twin-Load: Building a Scalable Memory System over the Non-Scalable Interface

Commodity memory interfaces have difficulty in scaling memory capacity to meet the needs of modern multicore and big data systems. DRAM device density and maximum device count are constrained by technology, package, and signal in- tegrity issues that limit total memory capacity. Synchronous DRAM protocols require data to be returned within a fixed latency, and thus memory extension methods over commodity DDRx interfaces fail to support scalable topologies. Current extension approaches either use slow PCIe interfaces, or require expensive changes to the memory interface, which limits commercial adoptability. Here we propose twin-load, a lightweight asynchronous memory access mechanism over the synchronous DDRx interface. Twin-load uses two special loads to accomplish one access request to extended memory, the first serves as a prefetch command to the DRAM system, and the second asynchronously gets the required data. Twin-load requires no hardware changes on the processor side and only slight soft- ware modifications. We emulate this system on a prototype to demonstrate the feasibility of our approach. Twin-load has comparable performance to NUMA extended memory and outperforms a page-swapping PCIe-based system by several orders of magnitude. Twin-load thus enables instant capacity increases on commodity platforms, but more importantly, our architecture opens opportunities for the design of novel, efficient, scalable, cost-effective memory subsystems.
Low-Mass X-Ray Binaries with Pre-Main-Sequence Companions

In this Letter we examine the idea that a subset of short-period black hole low-mass X-ray binaries could be powered by mass transfer from pre-main-sequence donors. As the star contracts toward the main sequence, the strong magnetic fields operate the magnetic braking, which dissipates the orbital angular momentum, driving the binary to contact. We show that the periods and apparent donor spectral classes of the X-ray binaries with a pre-main-sequence donor agree better with the available observations of black hole X-ray binaries than those of binaries with a main-sequence donor. This mechanism also explains, without the need for additional hypotheses, the roughly primordial abundance of Li detected in donor companions of black hole X-ray candidates in our Galaxy.
Problem-service 'matching' in addiction treatment. A prospective study in 4 programs.

BACKGROUND Our initial attempts to "match" substance-abuse patients from an employee assistance program to an optimal setting or program failed. Scientifically, we found no differential predictors of better outcomes by setting or program. From a practical perspective, it was impossible to place patients in the intended programs. This led to a second study, designed to identify specific patient problems and match professional services to those problems within each of the 4 programs. METHODS Ninety-four new patients admitted to 4 substance-abuse treatment programs were randomly assigned to standard treatment and treated in the usual manner or were assigned to "matched" services, in which patients received at least 3 professional sessions directed at their important employment, family, or psychiatric problems. RESULTS Matched patients stayed in treatment longer, were more likely to complete treatment, and had better posttreatment outcomes than did the standard patients treated in the same programs. CONCLUSIONS For logistical, financial, and clinical reasons, it is improbable that patients will be matched to specific types of programs. However, within any program, it is possible and practical to match appropriate services to patients' specific treatment problems. This strategy was clinically and administratively practical, attractive to patients, and responsible for a 20% to 30% increase in the effectiveness of this substance-abuse treatment system.
Toward optimal end-of-life care for patients with advanced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: insights from a multicentre study.

BACKGROUND Understanding patients' needs and perspectives is fundamental to improving end-of-life (EOL) care. However, little is known of what quality care means to patients who have advanced lung disease. OBJECTIVES To describe ratings of importance and satisfaction with elements of EOL care, informational needs, decision-making preferences, obstacles to a preferred location of death, clinical outcomes, and health care use before and during an index hospital admission for patients who have advanced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). METHODS A questionnaire with regard to quality EOL care was administered to patients older than 55 years of age who had advanced medical disease in five Canadian teaching hospitals. RESULTS For 118 hospitalized patients who had advanced COPD, the following items were rated as extremely important for EOL care: not being kept alive on life support when there is little hope for meaningful recovery (54.9% of respondents), symptom relief (46.6%), provision of care and health services after discharge (40.0%), trust and confidence in physicians (39.7%), and not being a burden on caregivers (39.6%). Compared with patients who had metastatic cancer, patients with COPD had lower (P<0.05) satisfaction with care, interest in information about prognosis, cardiopulmonary resuscitation or mechanical ventilation, and referral rates to palliative care, whereas use of acute care services was higher (P<0.05) for patients who had advanced COPD. CONCLUSION Canadian patients who have advanced COPD identify several priorities for improving care. Avoidance of prolonged or unwanted life support requires more effective communication, decision making and goal setting. Patients also deserve better symptom control and postdischarge strategies to minimize perceived burdens on caregivers, emergency room visits and hospital admissions.
Diagnosing Invasive Aspergillosis during Antifungal Therapy by PCR Analysis of Blood Samples

ABSTRACT We evaluated the value of Aspergillus PCR as a tool for diagnosing invasive aspergillosis from whole-blood samples during antifungal therapy. In a 3-year study, 36 patients receiving antifungal therapy due to chest radiographic findings highly suggestive of fungal pneumonia were evaluated. The PCR results from whole-blood samples were compared to those obtained from bronchoalveolar lavage fluids and/or tissue specimens. A total of 205 whole-blood samples, 15 fine-needle aspirations or tissue biopsy specimens, and 21 bronchoalveolar lavage fluids and tracheal secretions were analyzed using PCR. Of the 36 patients, 15 had proven, 9 had probable, and 12 had possible invasive Aspergillus infection according to European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer/Mycosis Study Group definitions. For patients with proven infection the sensitivity values of PCR in lung and blood samples were 100 and 40%, respectively. The negative predictive value of blood monitoring under conditions of antifungal treatment was 44%. Clearance of fungal DNA from blood was associated with resolution of clinical symptoms in six of nine patients with proven infection. Repeated positive PCR results for Aspergillus were associated with fatal outcome, as three of six patients died. For patients with probable infection the sensitivity values of PCR in lung fluid and blood were 66 and 44%, respectively. The benefit of PCR diagnosis using whole-blood samples is limited when sampling takes place after treatment has been started. Performance of Aspergillus PCR using tissue samples is recommended in addition to microscopic examination and culture technique for sensitive detection of fungal infection.
A Many-Objective Evolutionary Algorithm With Enhanced Mating and Environmental Selections

Multiobjective evolutionary algorithms have become prevalent and efficient approaches for solving multiobjective optimization problems. However, their performances deteriorate severely when handling many-objective optimization problems (MaOPs) due to the loss of selection pressure to drive the search toward the Pareto front and the ineffective design in diversity maintenance mechanism. This paper proposes a many-objective evolutionary algorithm (MaOEA) based on directional diversity (DD) and favorable convergence (FC). The main features are the enhancement of two selection schemes to facilitate both convergence and diversity. In the algorithm, a mating selection based on FC is applied to strengthen selection pressure while an environmental selection based on DD and FC is designed to balance diversity and convergence. The proposed algorithm is tested on 64 instances of 16 MaOPs with diverse characteristics and compared with seven state-of-the-art algorithms. Experimental results show that the proposed MaOEA performs competitively with respect to chosen state-of-the-art designs.
Incorporation and the Farm Family.

The corporation business arrangement is a relatively new phenomenon in agriculture, and little evidence exists for or against its generating expected benefits. Reported is a study of 13 Illinois farm households that utilizes data from a community survey, interviews, participant observation, and genealogical and land histories. Families with varied enterprise types were incorporated or considering it-mainly for perceived tax benefits-though they were not necessarily characterized by the high income and aggressiveness thought most suited to incorporation. Because a long-term strategy was overwhelmingly adopted for short-term goals, intergenerational issues were determined as most problematic to incorporated families.
A COST OF RESTORATION OF MALE FERTILITY IN A GYNODIOECIOUS SPECIES, LOBELIA SIPHILITICA

Abstract Models allowing the coexistence of females and hermaphrodites in gynodioecious populations assume a simple genetic system of sex determination, a seed fitness advantage of females (compensation), and a negative pleiotropic effect of nuclear sex-determining genes on fitness (cost of restoration). In Lobelia siphilitica, sex is determined by both mitochondrial genes causing cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) and nuclear genes that restore fertility when present with specific CMS haplotypes (nuclear restorers). I tested for a cost of restoration in L. siphilitica by measuring restored hermaphrodites for five fitness components and estimating the number of nuclear restorers by crosses with females carrying CMS1 and CMS2. A cost of restoration appears as a significant negative coefficient (B) in the regression model explaining fitness. I found that hermaphrodites carrying more nuclear restorer genes for CMS2 (or restorer genes of greater effect) have lower pollen viability (B = −1.08, P = 0.001). This pollen viability cost of restoration in L. siphilitica supports the theoretical prediction that negative pleiotropic effects of restorers will exist in populations of gynodioecious species containing females. The existence of such a cost supports the view that gynodioecy can be a stable breeding system in nature.
Care at the Very End-of-Life: Dying Cancer Patients and Their Chosen Family’s Needs

The majority of cancer deaths in countries such as Australia are predictable and most likely to occur in hospital. Despite this, hospitals remain challenged by providing the best care for this fragile cohort, often believing that care with palliative intent at the very end-of-life is not the best approach to care. Given the importance that dying patients place on excellent symptom control, failing to provide good end-of-life care is likely to be contrary to the wishes of the imminently dying patient and their family. This becomes even more significant when the impact of care on the bereavement outcomes of families is considered. Given the rising numbers of predicable hospital deaths, an urgent need to address this exists, requiring health professionals to be cognisant of specific care domains already identified as significant for both patients and those closest to them in knowledge, care and affection. This non-systematic review’s aims are to summarise the symptoms most feared by people imminently facing death which is defined as the terminal phase of life, where death is imminent and likely to occur within hours to days, or very occasionally, weeks. Further, this paper will explore the incidence and management of problems that may affect the dying person which are most feared by their family. The final section of this work includes a brief discussion of the most significant issues that require attention.
The World Is So Full of a Number of Things: On Specification and Perceptual Learning

Two basic concepts of James Gibson's ecological theory of perception are information and affordance. Discovering the information that specifies an affordance is a task confronting all of us and is an essential process in development. Information in the world is manifold and must be narrowed down to perceive what specifies an affordance. Perceptual learning is the process that we study to understand how this comes about.
Comparison of the influence of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor lisinopril and angiotensin II receptor antagonist losartan in patients with idiopathic membranous nephropathy and nephrotic syndrome

Abstract Objective. In this prospective study, the effects of an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor [lisinopril (LIS)] and an angiotensin II receptor antagonist [losartan (LOS)] were compared in nephrotic patients with idiopathic membranous nephropathy. Material and methods. Twenty-seven patients (13 males, mean age ± SD 51.3 ± 15.4 years) were treated with LIS (13 patients, six males, mean age 52.1 ± 15.3 years) or LOS (14 patients, seven males, mean age 50.5 ± 15.5 years) for 12 months. At baseline and after the treatment period, serum albumin, total cholesterol, estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR), 24 h proteinuria and mean arterial pressure were determined. Results. Proteinuria (g/24 h) was significantly reduced in both groups (LIS from 4.82 ± 1.26 to 1.75 ± 0.64, p < 0.0001; LOS from 4.55 ± 1.09 to 2.54 ± 1.94, p = 0.002) (all results ± SD). Serum albumin levels (g/dl) increased significantly in both groups (LIS 2.27 ± 0.41 to 3.17 ± 0.63, p < 0.0001; LOS 2.93 ± 0.40 to 3.55 ± 0.44, p < 0.0001). GFR (ml/min × 1.73 m2) did not change significantly in either group (LIS 55 ± 17 to 56 ± 17, p = 0.65; LOS 64 ± 18 to 59 ± 16, p = 0.13). Total cholesterol (mg/dl) was significantly reduced only in the lisinopril group (LIS 347 ± 81 to 266 ± 64, p < 0.0001; LOS 306 ± 58 to 263 ± 77, p = 0.138). Mean arterial pressure (mmHg) was reduced in both groups (LIS 107 ± 12 to 95 ± 6, p < 0.0001; LOS 104 ± 10 to 96 ± 5, p = 0.003). In the comparison between the two groups, serum albumin levels were higher in the losartan group at baseline (p < 0.0001) and after 12 months (p = 0.029). There were no significant differences between the baseline and end-of-study values for the rest of the studied parameters. Conclusion. Treatment with lisinopril and losartan in nephrotic patients with idiopathic membranous nephropathy results in similar (and significant) effects on renal function, hypoalbuminaemia, proteinuria and blood pressure.
An Exploration on Security and Privacy Issues of Biometric Smart ID Cards

Biometric and smart card technologies, which can be combined to create a digital identity for an individual, have recently received a great deal of attention. The biometric smart ID concept has been used by governments, financial institutions, and private companies worldwide to counter identity fraud in such applications as multi-purpose access cards, ATM cards, e-passports, and national ID cards. However, there are increasing concerns about both the technology's potential vulnerabilities and its relation to privacy issues (such as excessive profiling of users). In this paper, we analyze biometric smart card technology as it relates to security and privacy threats and investigate different biometric ID system configurations.
The clinical success of different root canal treatments in primary molars

Objectives: To examine the success rate of root canal treatment in primary molars with the use two different root canal instrumentation ways, irrigation solutions and root canal sealers. Materials and Methods: Root canal treatment was applied to 120 second primary molars of 69 children between 5-8 years old. The teeth were divided in 8 groups randomly according to instrumentation ways [conventional stainless-steel hand files / Nickel-titanium (Ni-Ti) rotary files], irrigation solutions [0.5% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) and 0.9% saline solution combination / 0.4% chlorhehexidine (CHX)] and root canal sealers [Zinc oxide eugenol cement (ZOE) and Apexit Plus (AP)]. All teeth were restored with stainless steel crowns. The teeth were followed 12 months both clinically and radiographically. All data was analyzed statistically by χ 2 and Wilcoxon test. Results: Statistical significance were found according to “age” and “root canal sealers” factors on success rate of root canal treatment (p 0.05). The clinically and radiographically success rate of ZOE and AP were 98.3% and 68.3%, respectively. Conclusions: Root canal treatment is a successful treatment in primary molars. Ni-Ti rotary files and CHX can be a good alternative for root canal treatment in primary molars. The most effective factor to obtain clinical success of root canal treatment is properties of using root canal sealer.
PAR reduction in OFDM via active constellation extension

The high peak-to-average power ratio (PAR) in orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) modulation systems can significantly limit performance. Methods exist which alter or introduce new signal constellations to combat large signal peaks. We present an improved PAR-reduction method that dynamically extends outer constellation points in active (data-carrying) channels, within margin-preserving constraints, in order to minimize the peak magnitude. This scheme simultaneously decreases the bit error rate slightly while substantially reducing the peak magnitude of an OFDM transmit block and requiring no side information. PAR reduction for an approximated analog signal is considered, and a 4.5 dB reduction is obtained for 256-channel QPSK OFDM. The results show great promise for use in commercial systems.
Illusionary Finance and Trading Behavior

One important aspect of financial markets is that there might be some traders that intentionally mislead other market participants by creating illusions in order to obtain a profit. We call this new concept illusionary finance. We present an analysis of how illusions can be created and disseminated in financial markets based on certain psychological principles that explain agents' decisions under time pressure and polysemous signals. We develop a simple model that incorporates the illusions in the price formation process. Furthermore, using powerful simulations, we show how illusions can be incorporated, directly or indirectly, in the expected prices of the traders.
Exogenous glutamine: The clinical evidence

We know that critically ill patients suffering from undernutrition with a limited nutritional reserve have a poorer outcome. Furthermore, having a low body mass index has been shown to be an independent predictor of excess mortality in multiple organ failure. Therefore, nutritional support has gained increasing interest in critical illness with the hope of preventing or attenuating the effects of malnutrition. A negative nitrogen balance is the characteristic metabolic feature in critical illness, with the major protein loss derived from skeletal muscle. In particular, glutamine concentrations are rapidly reduced in plasma and muscle. Over the last 20 yrs or so, increasing evidence is emerging to support the use of glutamine supplementation in critical illness. Clinical trials have found a mortality and morbidity advantage with glutamine supplementation. The advantage appears to be greater the more glutamine is given and greater again when given parenterally. Various modes of action have been postulated. Glutamine seems to have an effect on the immune system, antioxidant status, glucose metabolism, and heat shock protein response. However, the benefit of exogenous glutamine on morbidity and mortality is not universally accepted. This review critically appraises the current clinical evidence regarding glutamine supplementation in critical illness.