Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Role of the Apparent Diffusion Coefficient as a Predictor of Tumor Progression in Patients with Chordoma

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Diffusion-weighted imaging may aid in distinguishing aggressive chordoma from nonaggressive chordoma. This study explores the prognostic role of the apparent diffusion coefficient in chordomas. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixteen patients with residual or recurrent chordoma were divided postoperatively into those with an aggressive tumor, defined as a growing tumor having a doubling time of <1 year, and those with a nonaggressive tumor on follow-up MR images. The ability of the ADC to predict an aggressive tumor phenotype was investigated by receiver operating characteristic analysis. The prognostic role of ADC was assessed using a Kaplan-Meier curve with a log-rank test. RESULTS: Seven patients died during a median follow-up of 48 months (range, 4–126 months). Five of these 7 patients were in the aggressive tumor group, and 2 were in the nonaggressive tumor group. The mean ADC was significantly lower in the aggressive tumor group than in the nonaggressive tumor group (P = .002). Receiver operating characteristic analysis showed that a cutoff ADC value of 1.494 × 10−3 × mm2/s could be used to diagnose aggressive tumors with an area under the curve of 0.983 (95% CI, 0.911–1.000), a sensitivity of 1.000 (95% CI, 0.541–1.000), and a specificity of 0.900 (95% CI, 0.555–0.998). Furthermore, a cutoff ADC of ≤1.494 × 10−3 × mm2/s was associated with a significantly worse prognosis (P = .006). CONCLUSIONS: Lower ADC values could predict tumor progression in postoperative chordomas.
Chinese Monetary Policy – From Theory to Practice

Chinese monetary policy constitutes a marked example of a clash between theory and practice. In theory, a fixed exchange rate regime with capital mobility turns the money supply into an endogenous variable while expansionary pressure can be alleviated by the central bank by foreign currency transactions. For China, this standard view is contended by the 'compensation thesis' as proposed by Lavoie and Wang (2012) according to which the central bank maintains discretion over money supply by using alternative balance sheet instruments. In this paper we show that the People's Bank of China's (PBoC) activities can be better characterized by the 'compensation thesis' view of alternative money supply operations. In addition, we can thus characterize the PBoC's policy stance as being directed at targeting inflation and exchange rate stability via a five-phase policy mix using sterilization bonds and reserve requirements according to macroeconomic conditions. After downgrading the loans-to-deposits ratio of 75% to the status of an indicator and given the rise in lending despite a high reserve ratio, the quantity-driven approach to monetary policy of the PBoC faces an uncertain future.
Stability of 21 Routine Chemistry Tests in the BD Barricor™ Tube and the Sarstedt S-Monovette ® LH Tube up to 7 Days After Blood Collection

Objectives: We compared the stability of 21 routine chemistry parameters (albumin, ALP, ALT, AST, bicarbonate, bilirubin, chloride, cholesterol, CK, GGT, glucose, HDL, LDH, creatinine, lipase, potassium, sodium, protein, transferrin, triglycerides, urea) in the BD Barricor™ lithium-heparin plasma tube, recently developed by Becton, Dickinson and Company, versus the S-Monovette® LH tube from Sarstedt, routinely used in the University Hospital Brussels of the Brussels Free University. Methods: Forty paired plasma samples from healthy volunteers were analyzed on the Ortho VITROS 4600 Chemistry System up to 7 days after collection. Differences between tubes and over time were compared respecting the Ricos criteria. Results: None of the parameters showed clinical significant differences between the tubes at baseline. For albumin, cholesterol and lipase, difference vs. baseline were within the predefined criteria up to 72 h in the BD Barricor™ tube (vs. 48 h in the S-Monovette® tube); for AST 7 days (vs. 48 h); for LDH 72 h (vs. 24 h); for potassium and transferrin 24 h (vs. 6 h). Measurement of GGT fulfills the criterion up to 72 h in the BD Barricor™ tube vs. 7 days in the S-Monovette® tube. Conclusions: 13 parameters (ALP, ALT, bicarbonate, total bilirubin, chloride, CK, creatinine, glucose, HDL, sodium, total protein, triglyceride, urea) showed equal stability in both blood collection tubes; 7 parameters (albumin, AST, total cholesterol, LDH, lipase, potassium, transferrin) showed better stability in the BD Barricor™ tube. Only GGT had a longer stability in the S-Monovette® tube. This observation creates some perspectives for use of this new Barricor™ tube in clinical laboratories.
Current Concepts Review - Rupture of the Achilles Tendon*

Achilles, the warrior and hero of Homer's Iliad, lends his name to the Achilles tendon, the thickest and strongest tendon in the human body138. Thetis, Achilles's mother, made him invulnerable to physical harm by immersing him in the river Styx after learning of a prophecy that Achilles would die in battle. However, the heel by which he was held remained untouched by the water and thus Achilles had a vulnerable point. Achilles led the Greek military forces, which captured and destroyed Troy after killing the Trojan prince Hector. However, Hector's brother Paris killed Achilles by firing a poisoned arrow into his heel164. Hippocrates, in the first recorded description of an injury to the Achilles tendon, stated that “this tendon, if bruised or cut, causes the most acute fevers, induces choking, deranges the mind and at length brings death. ”26 Ambroise Pare, in 1575, recommended that a ruptured Achilles tendon be strapped with bandages dipped in wine and spices, but advised that the result was dubious27. Operative repair of a ruptured Achilles tendon was advocated in 1888 by another Frenchman, Gustave Polaillon27, although an Arabian physician performed such procedures as early as the tenth century A.D. In the twelfth century, an Italian surgeon, Guglielmo di Faliceto, believed that nature was unable to unite divided tendons and that operative treatment was necessary27. Much research has been performed to elucidate the etiology of a rupture of the Achilles tendon, but its true nature still remains unclear190. Also, the best method of treatment is still fiercely debated. Some physicians advocate operative repair, whereas others insist that an operation is unnecessary and poses an unacceptable risk. The tendinous portions of the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles merge to form the Achilles tendon. The plantaris …
SINR Balancing Combined with SDMA Grouping in CoMP Systems

SDMA grouping algorithms are usually employed in order to find a suitable set of User Equipments (UEs) for spatial multiplexing. The largest SDMA group is not always the best SDMA group in a given transmission such that higher gains might be achieved by dynamically adjusting the SDMA group size. Besides, algorithms that balance the SINR among different links might ensure a certain level of link quality and so provide a more reliable communication for the scheduled UEs. This paper provides system-level analyses for strategies of Radio Resource Allocation in CoMP systems, which consider dynamic SDMA grouping, joint precoding and power allocation for SINR balancing. Our results show that Sequential Removal Algorithms and SINR balancing provide gains of system spectral efficiency.
If Alonso Was Right: Modeling Accessibility and Explaining the Residential Land Gradient

This study provides an empirical evaluation of employment accessibility as a determinant of urban land price. We find that the monocentric model, despite recent criticism, can perform satisfyingly if the hedonic value of land is identified in an account of structural and neighborhood characteristics. Gravity employment accessibility measures, however, can explain the residential land gradient entirely and disentangle positive accessibility effects from negative congestion effects related to transport infrastructure. They can therefore be recommended as an appropriate mean to account for labor market accessibility in an environment of dispersed employment, at least if the transport geography is accounted for.
Relationship Between Patient‐Reported Swelling and Magnetic Resonance Imaging–Defined Effusion‐Synovitis in Patients With Meniscus Tears and Knee Osteoarthritis

Synovitis is a prevalent feature in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA) and meniscal tear and is associated with pain and cartilage damage. Patient‐reported swelling is also prevalent in this population. The aim of this study was to investigate the cross‐sectional association between patient‐reported swelling and effusion‐synovitis detected by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in patients with OA and meniscal tear.
Study of CORDIC based processing element for digital signal processing algorithms

There is a high demand for the efficient implementation of complex arithmetic operations in many Digital Signal Processing (DSP) algorithms. The COordinate Rotation DIgital Computer (CORDIC) algorithm is suitable to be implemented in DSP algorithms since its calculation for complex arithmetic is simple and elegant. Besides, since it avoids using multiplications, adopting the CORDIC algorithm can reduce the complexity. Here, in this project CORDIC based processing element for the construction of digital signal processing algorithms is implemented. This is a flexible device that can be used in the implementation of functions such as Singular Value Decomposition (SVD), Discrete Cosine Transform (DCT) as well as many other important functions. It uses a CORDIC module to perform arithmetic operations and the result is a flexible computational processing element (PE) for digital signal processing algorithms. To implement the CORDIC based architectures for functions like SVD and DCT, it is required to decompose their computations in terms of CORDIC operations. SVD is widely used in digital signal processing applications such as direction estimation, recursive least squares (RLS) filtering and system identification. Two different Jacobi-type methods for SVD parallel computation are usually considered, namely the Kogbetliantz (two-sided rotation) and the Hestenes (one- sided rotation) method. Kogbetliantz’s method has been considered, because it is suitable for mapping onto CORDIC array architecture and highly suitable for parallel computation. Here in its implementation, CORDIC algorithm provides the arithmetic units required in the processing elements as these enable the efficient implementation of plane rotation and phase computation. Many fundamental aspects of linear algebra rely on determining the rank of a matrix, making the SVD an important and widely used technique. DCT is one of the most widely used transform techniques in digital signal processing and it computation involves many multiplications and additions. The DCT based on CORDIC algorithm does not need multipliers. Moreover, it has regularity and simple architecture and it is used to compress a wide variety of images by transferring data into frequency domain. These digital signal-processing algorithms are used in many applications. The purpose of this thesis is to describe a solution in which a conventional CORDIC system is used to implement an SVD and DCT processing elements. The approach presented combines the low circuit complexity with high performance.
Interorganizational policy making : limits to coordination and central control

In this volume, experience in a number of Western nations and in a variety of policy areas is drawn upon to consider what structural features of the political-administrative system might account for the inability of governments to guide socio-economic processes and developments more effectively. The focus is on the interorganizational characteristics of government problem solving -- that both the formulation and implementation of public policy increasingly involve different governmental levels and agencies, as well as interactions between public authorities and private organizations.
Executive Functions May Predict Outcome in Deep Brain Stimulation of Anterior Nucleus of Thalamus for Treatment of Refractory Epilepsy

Background Deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the anterior nucleus of thalamus (ANT) is an emerging treatment option for patients suffering from refractory epilepsy. ANT has extensive connections with hippocampus and retrosplenial cingulum, areas associated mainly with spatial memory and with anterior cingulum which is important in executive functions. As refractory epilepsy is often associated with cognitive decline and neuronal damage, the decreased connectivity between ANT and remote structures might impact on the effects of DBS. Objective We hypothesized that the neuropsychological profile could reflect the connectivity of ANT and further predict the efficacy of ANT DBS. We evaluated the cognitive performance of patients with refractory epilepsy with DBS to evaluate whether neuropsychological profiles could reflect the connectivity of ANT and further predict the efficacy of ANT DBS. Method Sixteen patients with refractory epilepsy treated with ANT DBS with at least 2 years of follow-up were included in the study. Patients underwent a neuropsychological evaluation as a part of the protocol and their clinical outcome was determined by seizure frequency in the last 6 months compared to baseline. The patients were classified as responders if there was a ≥50% reduction in the frequency of the predominant seizure type, otherwise as nonresponders. Results There were 12 responders and 4 nonresponders for ANT DBS treatment in the study population. Nonresponders performed worse than responders in neuropsychological tasks measuring executive functions and attention, such as the Trail-Making Test. Conclusion Better executive functions and attention seemed to predict improved clinical outcome after the ANT DBS surgery. Based on our preliminary descriptive findings and the anatomical connectivity hypothesis, we suggest that deficits in executive functions may relate to an inferior outcome. This finding might offer new tools for refining the selection of patients with refractory epilepsy scheduled to undergo ANT DBS surgery. Moreover, it highlights the need for further investigations of neural connectivity in epilepsy.
Accounting “gets real” in dealing with virtual manufacturing

Purpose – Of relatively recent origin is the virtual organisation where companies are able to marshal the necessary competencies from a range of independent external agents through the strategic use of outsourcing mechanisms. The paper discusses the challenge of accounting for intellectual capital (IC) and intangible assets and presents a financial analysis and background of companies exhibiting different levels of virtuality, from traditional manufacturing to virtual manufacturing.Design/methodology/approach – This paper is based on the interaction of the researchers with three companies examining their positions on the continuum from traditional to virtual manufacturing. Case studies of the companies and some key financial results for a period of years are presented in order to explore implications and inform strategic decisions.Findings – It concludes that conventional financial reporting for IC and intangibles has limited scope. This is elaborated through contrasts in a number of conventional accounti.
Multiple-burst error-correcting cyclic product codes

Let C be the cyclic product code of p single parity check codes of relatively prime lengths n_{1}, n_{2},\cdots , n_{p} (n_{1} . It is proven that C can correct 2^{P-2}+2^{p-3}-1 bursts of length n_{1} , and lfloor(\max\{p+1, \min\{2^{p-s}+s-1,2^{p-s}+2^{p-s-1}\}\}-1)/2\rfloor bursts of length n_{1}n_{2} \cdots n_{s} (2\leq s \leq p-2) . For p=3 this means that C is double-burst- n_{1} -correcting. An efficient decoding algorithm is presented for this code.
The little data book on Africa 2010

The little data book on Africa 2010 is a pocket edition of Africa Development Indicators (ADI) 2010. It contains some 115 key indicators on economics, human development, governance, and partnership and is intended as a quick reference for users of the ADI 2010 book and ADI online. The country tables present the latest available data for World Bank member countries in Africa.
Referendum: The 2006 Midterm Congressional Elections

Collectively, the American electorate treated the 2006 midterm congressional elections as a classic referendum on the performance of the president and his party. Most voters held negative views of both George W. Bush and his Republican partisans in Congress, and as a consequence, Demo crats won majority control of both chambers for the first time in twelve years. Table 1 summarizes the results. Democrats picked up thirty seats in the House, fifteen more than necessary to take over, winning a majority one seat larger than that held by the Republicans in the previous Congress. They also gained six Sen ate seats, all taken from Republican incumbents, to win a one-seat majority in the upper house. Remarkably, Democrats lost not a single seat in either body, the first election in U.S. history in which a party retained all of its congressional seats. According to the political science literature, party fortunes in midterm elec tions are broadly shaped by three basic factors: the number of seats the presi dent's party already holds, how well the economy is performing, and how the public views the president's performance in office.1 Although there is no consen sus on the relative importance of each condition or the way they ultimately influence voters' decisions, in combination, they do predict midterm partisan seat swings with considerable accuracy. This was true in 2006 as well; for example, a simple model employing standard measures of these variables predicts a twenty six seat gain for Democrats in the House.2 Because the economy was doing quite well by customary measures, the model attributes the Republican losses to the President's extraordinarily low standing with the public. Bush's 38 per
Euler's Theorem and the Problem of Distribution

It is characteristic of the development of the economic theory that proposition which appears very simple when we have arrived at them should be first sighted through a haze of ambiguities and approached only by a labyrinth of devious controversy. On this curious process the history of the famous "adding-up problem" provides a strikimg examples. As soon as it began to be asserted that factors of production are paid in accordance with their marginal products, the problem was posed: How do we know that, if each factor is paid its marginal product, the total products is disposed of with out residue, positive or negative? Of course it is obvious that in any case the total products is distributed among the factors of production.
Organized Sport Trajectories from Childhood to Adolescence and Health Associations.

INTRODUCTION The purpose of this study was to identify unique organized sport trajectories from early childhood to late adolescence in an Australian pregnancy cohort, the Raine Study. METHODS Participation in organized sport was assessed at ages 5, 8, 10, 14, and 17 yr. Physical activity, body composition, and self-rated physical and mental health were assessed at the age of 20 yr. Latent class analysis was used to identify patterns of sport participation. To assess the internal validity of the trajectory classes, differences in health characteristics between trajectories were analyzed using generalized linear models. RESULTS For girls, three trajectory classes were identified: consistent sport participators (47.5%), sport dropouts (34.3%), and sport nonparticipators (18.1%). For boys, three trajectory classes were identified: consistent sport participators (55.2%), sport dropouts (36.9%), and sport joiners (8.1%). For girls, there were overall differences across trajectory classes in lean body mass (P = 0.003), lean mass index (P = 0.06), and physical health (P = 0.004). For boys, there were differences across classes in physical activity (P = 0.018), percent body fat (P = 0.002), lean body mass (P < 0.001), lean mass index (P < 0.001), physical health (P = 0.06), and depression scores (P = 0.27). CONCLUSION This study identified unique, sex-specific trajectories of organized sport participation. The differences in health outcomes between trajectory classes, such as participants with consistent sport participation having more preferable health outcomes at the age of 20 yr, support the internal validity of the trajectories. Strategies are needed to identify and encourage those in the dropout trajectory to maintain their participation and those in the nonparticipator or joiner trajectories to join sport earlier. Specifically, interventions to encourage early sport participation in girls and help nonparticipating boys to join sport during adolescence may help more children receive the benefits of sport participation.
Regional specialization in human nuclei: visualization of discrete sites of transcription by RNA polymerase III

Mammalian nuclei contain three different RNA polymerases defined by their characteristic locations and drug sensitivities; polymerase I is found in nucleoli, and polymerases II and III in the nucleoplasm. As nascent transcripts made by polymerases I and II are concentrated in discrete sites, the locations of those made by polymerase III were investigated. HeLa cells were lysed with saponin in an improved ‘physiological’ buffer that preserves transcriptional activity and nuclear ultrastructure; then, engaged polymerases were allowed to extend nascent transcripts in Br‐UTP, before the resulting Br‐RNA was immunolabelled indirectly with fluorochromes or gold particles. Biochemical analysis showed that ∼10 000 transcripts were being made by polymerase III at the moment of lysis, while confocal and electron microscopy showed that these transcripts were concentrated in only ∼2000 sites (diameter ∼40 nm). Therefore, each site contains approximately five active polymerases. These sites contain specific subunits of polymerase III, but not the hyperphosphorylated form of the largest subunit of polymerase II. The results indicate that the active forms of all three nuclear polymerases are concentrated in their own dedicated transcription sites or ‘factories’, suggesting that different regions of the nucleus specialize in the transcription of different types of gene.
Emission versus Input Taxes for Diffuse Nitrate Pollution Control in the Presence of Transaction Costs

The most important obstacle to solving diffuse pollution problems is that emissions are either unobservable or cannot be observed at a reasonable cost. Biophysical models may provide sufficient information to set a cost-effective emission tax. However, evidence from recent studies has shown that transaction costs for emission-based policies are higher per hectare than for input-based policies. An economic model of agriculture for the Kennet catchment in south-east England shows that, when transaction costs are accounted for, an input tax is more efficient than an emission tax over a range of emission standards. This result has policy implications in that it indicates, first, that economists' policy recommendations should account for transaction costs, and, secondly, that the standard advice that emission-based policies are superior may be wrong where transaction costs differ substantially between emission- and input-based policies.