Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Congenital talipes equinovarus (clubfoot): a disorder of the foot but not the hand

Idiopathic (non‐syndromic) congenital talipes equinovarus, or clubfoot, is a poorly understood but common developmental disorder of the lower limb, which affects at least 2 per 1000 Scottish births (ISD data). It is defined as a fixation of the foot in a hand‐like orientation – in adduction, supination and varus – with concomitant soft tissue abnormalities. Despite advances in treatment, disability often persists. The aetiology of the condition has been little studied and is poorly understood. Neurological, muscular, bony, connective tissue and vascular mechanisms have been proposed, but the only firm evidence is that the mildest cases appear to be associated with intra‐uterine posture. There is evidence for a genetic contribution to congenital talipes equinovarus aetiology. Its incidence varies with ethnic group, and we found that a family history is present in 24–50% of cases, depending on the population studied. Complex segregation analysis suggests that the most likely inheritance pattern is a single gene of major effect operating against a polygenic background. Possible mechanisms for congenital talipes equinovarus are discussed.
Synthesis and biological evaluation of acyl derivatives of hydroxyflavones as potent antiproliferative agents against drug resistance cell lines

Abstract The synthesis of hydroxyflavone derivatives is described. The acyl derivatives of 3-, 6-, 7-hydroxyflavones (compounds 2, 4, 6, respectively) and chrysin (5,7-dihydroxyflavone, 7) were obtained in high yields and evaluated in vitro for their cytotoxic activity against several cancer cell lines of different origin: MCF-7 (breast cancer), A549 (nonsmall cell lung cancer), MES-SA (uterine sarcoma), LoVo (colon cancer), drug-resistant human cancer cells (MES-SA/DX5, LoVo/DX) and also towards non-cancer cell line MCF-10A (normal breast epithelial cells). The flavones modified with acyl group showed higher antiproliferative activity than free hydroxyflavones. The highest activity was noted for 3-acetoxyflavone (2), which proved active against LoVo, LoVo/DX, and MES-SA cell lines (IC50 from 4.7 μM to 7.8 μM, respectively). The highest ability to overcome the barrier of resistance (resistance index=0.82) against the drug-resistant MES-SA/DX5 cells compared to the parental drug-sensitive MES-SA cell line was found for 7-acetoxyflavone (6).
Rough Approximation of Fuzzy Concepts in Weak Approximation Spaces

The purpose of this paper is to present a new approach determining the rough approximations of fuzzy concepts in fuzzy decision systems. Based on the hierarchical characteristic of fuzzy sets, a lambda- weak fuzzy approximation space and a CNlambda -fuzzy rough set, determined by an inclusion function and a near function, are introduced. Some properties of the near function and CNlambda-fuzzy rough sets are investigated. Therefore, the lower and upper approximations of a fuzzy decision concept can be derived from the description of inclusion nearness with respect to the fuzzy decision concept.
Differences in patterns of allelic loss between two common types of adult cancer, breast and colon carcinoma, and Wilms' tumor of childhood

Several chromosomal regions exhibit loss of heterozygosity (LOH) in different types of human tumor, and on this basis are presumed to carry‐suppressor genes. We studied 7 of such chromosome regions, including 3p, 5q, 11p, 13q, 17p, 18q and 22q, using a selected set of DNA markers in 44 Wilms' tumors, 64 breast and 83 colon carcinomas. In Wilms' tumor only the short arm of chromosome II was preferentially involved (38% of the informative cases), whereas in breast and colorectal carcinomas all investigated chromosome regions showed allelic loss at frequencies ranging from 19‐61% and 12‐55%, respectively. We tried to explain this difference in terms of developmental stages and tissue homeostasis of the organs involved. We postulate that more widespread occurrence of allele loss in colorectal and breast carcinomas compared to Wilms' tumor is associated with a difference in the differentiation status of the tissues at the time of tumor initiation.
Motor Cortex Excitability After Vagus Nerve Stimulation in Major Depression

Recent data suggest that inhibitory pathways may be involved in the pathophysiology of depression and in the mode of action of some antidepressant interventions. The aim of the present study was to test whether vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) can affect motor cortex excitability. Measures of motor cortical excitability were probed by using single-pulse and paired-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation at baseline, after 10 weeks of left VNS, and additionally, in an on-off paradigm in 10 patients with treatment-resistant unipolar depression. Ten weeks of VNS was associated with a selective and pronounced increase in intracortical inhibition, whereas no changes occurred in the on-off paradigm. These results suggest that VNS is capable of changing motor cortical excitability in patients with depression.
Tight junctions in the testis: new perspectives

In the testis, tight junctions (TJs) are found between adjacent Sertoli cells at the level of the blood–testis barrier (BTB) where they coexist with basal ectoplasmic specializations and desmosome-gap junctions. The BTB physically divides the seminiferous epithelium into two distinct compartments: a basal compartment where spermatogonia and early spermatocytes are found, and an adluminal compartment where more developed germ cells are sequestered from the systemic circulation. In order for germ cells (i.e. preleptotene spermatocytes) to enter the adluminal compartment, they must cross the BTB, a cellular event requiring the participation of several molecules and signalling pathways. Still, it is not completely understood how preleptotene spermatocytes traverse the BTB at stage VIII of the seminiferous epithelial cycle. In this review, we discuss largely how TJ proteins are exploited by viruses and cancer cells to cross endothelial and epithelial cells. We also discuss how this information may apply to future studies investigating the movement of preleptotene spermatocytes across the BTB.
The role of environmental organisations in supporting carbon reduction: comparing direct and indirect involvement

Environmental third-sector organisations (EOs) aim to bring about social change by influencing not only policy making but also citizens’ attitudes and behaviours directly. While there is some evidence that direct involvement in environmental initiatives can encourage carbon-reducing behaviours, it is often believed that less direct forms of engagement are less effective in supporting behaviour change. This article provides a first direct comparison of associations between direct and indirect involvement with EOs and carbon-reducing behaviours, based on a representative UK survey. Results show that while direct involvement is more strongly associated with carbon-reducing behaviours than indirect involvement, both associations remain significant in the combined model. However, this only applies to more affluent respondents and not to those who, due to social disadvantage, do not participate in high-carbon activities. This suggests that EOs may further behaviour change through broader outreach work, especially among better-situated groups.
Role of Coxiella burnetii in the development of fever of unknown origin: А mini review

Q fever is a widespread zoonosis throughout the world in the form of numerous natural and agricul-tural outbreaks. C. burnetii infects various hosts, including humans, ruminants and pets and in rare cases, reptiles, birds, and ticks. This bacterium is excreted in urine, milk, faeces, and birth products. In humans Q fever occurs as acute or chronic disease with diverse clinical presentation, as isolated cases and epidemics. It affects various organs and systems, and in pregnant women can cause miscar-riage or premature birth. Untreated Q fever can become chronic with adverse effects on patients. Diversity in the clinical picture in the absence of specific pathological syndrome often hinders accurate diagnosis and proper etiological significance. Therefore, improvement of diagnostic methods and in particular the development and introduction of new molecular diagnostic methods is the basis of effective therapeutic and prophylactic approach. Тhe purpose of the review is to renew the interest to Q fever – on one hand, because of its serious impact on human health and agricultural systems, and on the other, the ability for development and introduction of new molecular diagnostic methods.
Off‐Farm Work, Land Tenancy Contracts and Investment in Soil Conservation Measures in Rural Pakistan

type="main" xml:id="ajar12125-abs-0001"> This study examines the impacts of participation in off-farm work and land tenancy contracts on the intensity of investment in soil-improving measures and farm productivity. A multivariate Tobit model that accounts for potential endogeneity between the intensity of investment and the off-farm work and tenancy contract variables is estimated for 341 rural households in Punjab province of Pakistan. An instrumental variable approach is also used to analyse the impact of tenancy contract and off-farm work on farm productivity. The empirical results show that participation in off-farm work and tenure security tends to increase the intensity of investment in long-term soil-improving measures. We also find that increases in off-farm work and tenure security exert significant and positive effects on farm productivity.
Social Capital and Community Participation in Post-Soviet Armenia: Implications for Policy and Practice

Abstract This article argues that the social capital framework used by development agencies in community-driven development projects in post-Soviet countries may not be adequate for analysing conditions affecting community participation. Research in Armenia shows that the availability of social capital in a community may not necessarily translate into participation. The governance environment plays a key role in affecting the nature and forms of community participation and in shaping local institutions in Armenia. The research argues against the ‘cultural’ view of institutional change, which presumes that the main barriers to participation are posed by cultural factors, such as interpersonal trust and the ‘mentality’ of post-Soviet citizens. Development interventions that focus on building social capital as a means to promote community participation may not be effective without addressing broader structural factors affecting participation.
Demand and Supply of Induced Innovation: An Application to U.S. Agriculture:

The hypothesis of induced innovation (Hicks, 1932) is tested for U.S. agriculture using a high-quality state-level panel data set and three disparate testing techniques ¨C time series, econometric, and nonparametric. The conclusion of little support for the hypothesis is robust across testing techniques. However, each test maintains the hypothesis that the relative marginal cost of developing and implementing technologies that save one input is the same as for any other input. Lacking data on development and implementation costs of input-saving technologies, we use nonparametric procedures to estimate relative differences required for technological change to be consistent with the induced innovation hypothesis.
Is the TNM Staging System for Breast Cancer Still Relevant in the Era of Biomarkers and Emerging Personalized Medicine for Breast Cancer – An Institution's 10‐year Experience

We have previously demonstrated that TNM status and age were significant predictors of overall survival (OS) in our study population of Caucasian patients with invasive breast carcinoma (2000–2004 study period). However, estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), and epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) biomarker expression was not predictive of OS when using the five‐group ER/PR/HER2 subtype classification system recommended by St. Gallen International Consensus Panel in 2011. The current study reassessed the relevance of tumor biomarkers (ER/PR/HER2) in our study population using a recently proposed biologic TNM (bTNM) classification system in which the inclusion of triple negative ER/PR/HER2 phenotype (TNP) could improve the prognostic accuracy of TNM for staging, prognosis and treatment of breast cancer patients. Seven hundred eighty‐two Caucasian women diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma from 1998 to 2008 were grouped according to their TNM stage and TNP versus non‐TNP ER/PR/HER2 phenotype. OS was measured comparing these categories using Kaplan Meier curves and Cox regression analysis. TNM stage (Stage II = HR 1.41, 95% CI 1.01–1.97; Stage III = HR 3.96, 95% CI 2.68–5.88; Stage IV = HR 27.25, 95% CI 16.84–44.08), and age (HR 1.05, 95% CI 1.04–1.06) were significant predictors of OS. TNP significantly worsened prognosis/survival only in higher TNM stages (Stage III = HR 3.08, 95% CI 1.88–5.04, Stage IV = HR 24.36, 95% CI 13.81–42.99), but not in lower stages (I and II). Our data support the traditional TNM staging as a continued relevant predictive tool for breast cancer outcomes and show that biomarkers primarily improve the accuracy of TNM staging in advanced stages of breast cancer. We suspect that type of ER/PR/HER2 classification system(s) (St. Gallen, TNP, etc.), characteristics of populations studied (Caucasians, minorities, etc.), and the time period chosen for a study are major factors that determine impact of biomarkers on the prognostic accuracy of TNM. We propose systematic analyses of these factors before biomarkers are fully incorporated into the TNM staging system (bTNM).
Leveraging EHRs to improve hospital performance: the role of management.

OBJECTIVES Recent studies fail to find a consistent relationship between adoption of electronic health records (EHRs) and improved hospital performance. We sought to examine whether the quality of hospital management modifies the association between EHR adoption and outcomes related to cost and quality. STUDY DESIGN Retrospective study of a random sample of US acute care hospitals. METHODS Management quality was assessed via phone interviews with clinical managers predominantly from cardiac units in a random sample of 325 hospitals using a validated scale of management practices in 4 areas: operations, performance monitoring, target setting, and talent management. American Hospital Association InformationTechnology Supplement data captured whether or not these hospitals had at least a basic EHR. Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) outcomes included risk-adjusted 30-day mortality, average length-of-stay, and average payment per discharge measured using MedPAR data. Ordinary least squares regressions assessed whether management quality modifies the relationship between EHR adoption and AMI outcomes. RESULTS While we found no association between EHR adoption and our outcomes, management quality modified the relationship in the predicted direction. For length of stay, the coefficient on the interaction between EHR and management was -1.48 (P = .05) and for payment, it was -7786.74 (P = .014). We did not find strong evidence of effect modification for mortality (coefficient = -0.05; P = .37). CONCLUSIONS Coupled with ongoing policy efforts to achieve nationwide EHR adoption is a growing unease that our national investment may not result in better, more efficient care. Our study is among the first to offer empirical evidence that management quality may help explain why some hospitals see substantial gains from EHR adoption while others do not.
A stock-dependent inventory model in an imperfect production process

The paper deals with an economic manufacturing quantity model for stock-dependent demand in an imperfect production process. In long run of a manufacturing process, the system undergoes out-of-control state and the process begins to produce imperfect quality products. The production of imperfect quality items depends on time and reliability parameter. These imperfect items are reworked at a cost to restore to its original quality. Moreover, the development cost that varies with reliability parameter of the manufacturing system is introduced to reduce the percentage of imperfect quality items. In our model, the unit production cost is a function of reliability parameter and production rate. The profit function is maximised by Euler-Lagrange method by considering different type's costs. The unit production cost and development cost which are functions of reliability parameter vary with changes with technology and resources. Concavity of the profit function in the numerical example establishes the existence of the global maximum solution which is graphically illustrated. The inventory/production versus time and optimal development cost versus optimal reliability are also demonstrated graphically.
A influência da estrutura de controle nas decisões de estrutura de capital das companhias brasileiras

Financial theory and international research show us many reasons for different capital structure decisions. However, very little has been said so far about the relationship between companies' capital structure and their governance. Using a sample of BOVESPA trading companies between 1995 and 2000, this study reveals significant statistic influence of governance on capital structure decisions together with other variables like profitability, size, year and industry.
Familial Mediterranean fever and related periodic fever syndromes/autoinflammatory diseases

Purpose of reviewThe spectrum of periodic fever syndromes (PFS)/autoinflammation diseases is continuously expanding. This review provides an overview of the primary research and an update on the main clinical developments in these disorders published in the past 12–18 months. Recent findingsIL-1&bgr; is pivotal to the pathogenesis of most of the PFS. In familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) MEFV mutations lead to gain of pyrin function, resulting in inappropriate IL-1&bgr; release that is dependent on ASC but not the NLRP3 inflammasome. Anti-IL-1 therapy is effective in tumour necrosis factor receptor-associated periodic syndrome (TRAPS), whilst both spontaneous and pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) induced IL-1&bgr; release have been demonstrated in NLRP12-associated periodic syndrome (NAPS12). Somatic NLRP3/CIAS1 mosaicism is a significant cause of cryopyrin-associated periodic syndromes (CAPS). Close connections have also been established between metabolic and inflammatory pathways. In TRAPS increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) of mitochondrial origin leads to production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, whilst NLRP3 inflammasome activation in type 2 diabetes (T2D) is induced by oligomers of islet amyloid polypeptides (IAPP). SummaryCaspase 1 activation and IL-1&bgr; release is central to the pathogenesis of many autoinflammatory syndromes. This is supported by the effectiveness of anti-IL-1 biologics in treatment of these disorders.
Capital Maintenance in the EU: Is the Second Company Law Directive Really That Restrictive?

This contribution sets out to establish whether, and if so to what extent, the Second Company Law Directive allows the EU Member States to introduce different means of creditor protection, as suggested by recent academic studies on the function of legal capital and by various existing proposals for alternative regimes. The conclusion is that the Second Company Law Directive is a flexible instrument in so far as it allows Member States to impose capital requirements that are as severe as they want and it allows Member States to adopt solvency-based systems similar to those existing outside the EU. The recent amendments introduced by Directive 2006/68/EC have already simplified the requirement of an expert evaluation of contributions in kind, relaxed the share buy-back provisions and eliminated the ban on financial assistance. Moreover, Member States are not obliged to require companies to prepare individual IAS/IFRS-based accounts for dividend distribution purposes, and Member States that decide to do so may (but are not obliged to) introduce various mechanisms that limit the possibility of distributing unrealised profits according to the realisation principle entrenched in the Fourth Company Law Directive. As far as no par value shares are concerned, the Second Company Law Directive already allows the introduction of de facto no par value shares in the form of accountable par shares.
On Routh-Pade model reduction of interval systems

This paper discusses another generalization of the direct Routh table truncation method for interval systems. It is shown that the existing generalization of the direct Routh table truncation fails to produce a stable system, in contradiction to the equivalent result for fixed-coefficients systems. The present method guarantees a stable reduced order model for interval systems as well.
Using Chinese Travel Blogs to Examine Perceived Destination Image

This study uses content analysis to identify the perceived destination image held by Chinese tourists to New Zealand. In this study, qualitative content analysis is the primary mode of analysis, but quantitative methods are used as a support. The findings reveal the main components of New Zealand, as perceived by Chinese tourists, as being the possession of a protected ecological environment, a variety of activities, and a highly developed society with a “Pakeha” culture. The study also indicates that Chinese cultural norms play an important role in the process of perception formation and interpretation. These norms include the desire for harmony, Li, and a respect of authorities. It is suggested that blogs are an important resource by which destination marketing organizations can seek to influence potential tourists and by which tourist perceptions of place can be assessed.
Dynamic analysis between the US stock returns and the macroeconomic variables

This study investigates the long-term and short-term relationships between the US stock price index (S&P 500) and six macroeconomic variables over the period 1975:1–1999:4. We observe that the stock prices negatively relate to the long-term interest rate, but positively relate to the money supply, industrial production, inflation, the exchange rate and the short-term interest rate. In the Granger causality sense, every macroeconomic variable causes the stock prices in the long-run but not in the short-run. Moreover, these results are also supported by the VDC, i.e. the stock prices are relatively exogenous in relation to other variables because almost 87% of its own variance is explained by its own stock even after 24 months.
Linear Receding Horizon Control with Probabilistic System Parameters

Abstract In this paper we address the problem of designing receding horizon control algorithms for linear discrete-time systems with parametric uncertainty. We do not consider presence of stochastic forcing or process noise in the system. It is assumed that the parametric uncertainty is probabilistic in nature with known probability density functions. We use generalized polynomial chaos theory to design the proposed stochastic receding horizon control algorithms. In this framework, the stochastic problem is converted to a deterministic problem in higher dimensional space. The performance of the proposed receding horizon control algorithms is assessed using a linear model with two states.