Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cognitive deficits before treatment among patients with brain tumors.

OBJECTIVE There are few data available on the cognitive deficits of patients with primary or secondary intracranial mass lesions before treatment. The aim of the present study was to document the incidence of cognitive impairments among patients with brain tumors of the frontal or temporal lobes, immediately after diagnosis but before the commencement of treatment. METHODS One hundred thirty-nine patients were neuropsychologically examined using standardized psychometric testing procedures that measured various aspects of memory, attention, language, and executive functions. Furthermore, reports by the patients of their own cognitive functioning in the weeks before treatment were recorded. RESULTS With the classification of test performances below the 10th percentile as impaired, more than 90% of patients displayed impairments in at least one area of cognition. Impairments of executive functions were observed for 78% of patients, and impairments of memory and attention were observed for more than 60% of patients. Analysis of the correlation between the patients' own reports and the neuropsychological assessment results revealed only a weak relationship. No effects of anticonvulsant drugs on cognition were observed. CONCLUSION The present findings suggest that most patients with brain tumors of the frontal or temporal lobes demonstrate impairments of cognitive functioning at the time of diagnosis. Therefore, for quality assessments of neurosurgical procedures, baseline evaluations of cognitive measures should be performed.
The Cost of Living in China: Implications for Inequality and Poverty

China’s economic development in recent decades has been tremendous, but subject to debate. This paper calculates regional prices that make incomes comparable across both time and space using the Engel-curve approach. Incomes are adjusted using these price indices, providing new estimates of inequality and poverty development. Our findings contrast with measures based on the official consumer price indices (CPIs) – in a time characterized by high economic growth, we find a larger increase in inequality and a more moderate poverty reduction than what is indicated by the CPI-adjusted measures.
Retina The Intraocular Cytokine Profile and Therapeutic Response in Persistent Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Citation: Rezar-Dreindl S, Sacu S, Eibenberger K, et al. The intraocular cytokine profile and therapeutic response in persistent neovascular agerelated macular degeneration. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2016;57:4144– 4150. DOI:10.1167/iovs.16-19772 PURPOSE. To investigate the course of inflammatory and angiogenic cytokines in the aqueous humor of patients with persistent/recurrent neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) under ranibizumab monotherapy (IVM) or ranibizumab plus dexamethasone combination treatment.
Comparison of upper forearm polytetrafluoroethylene grafts in hemodialysis patients: Curved or loop?

Objectives: In this study, we aimed to evaluate arteriovenous (AV) grafts using polytetraf luoroethylene (PTFE) in hemodialysis patients. Patients and methods: A total of 64 patients (31 males, 33 females; mean age 53.4±18.0 years; range, 15 to 82 years) who underwent operation between May 2009 and May 2017 were retrospectively evaluated. The patients were divided into two groups: Group 1 (n=32) included forearm brachial artery ante-cubital basilic vein loop with a PTFE AV graft and Group 2 (n=32) included upper arm brachial artery axillary vein curved with a PTFE AV graft. The patency and complication rates were compared between the groups. Results: In Group 1, the primary patency rates at three, six, 12, 18, and 24 months were 78%, 68%, 25%, 9%, and 3%, respectively. In Group 2, the primary patency rates at three, six, 12, 18, and 24 months were 87%, 84%, 65%, 43%, and 31%, respectively. The patency rate was statistically significantly higher in the curved group (log rank: p=0.001). The rate of thrombosis in the postoperative period was 75% (n=24) and 40% (n=13) in Group 1 and Group 2, respectively, indicating a statistically significantly higher rate in Group 1 (p=0.011). Conclusion: The results of our study suggest that curved AV grafts are superior than loop AV grafts regarding the primary patency rates and postoperative thrombosis.
Forensics Analysis of Dcard Application on Android Smartphone

DOI: 10.21276/sjet.2017. 5.11. 7 Abstract: Nowadays, mobile devices are considered as an important necessity in our daily lives. Mobile devices can keep us connecting with family, friends, colleagues and so on. Moreover, combining with the sprung up social networking sites, lots of people have permanently altered their way of living habits. For example, more and more new mobile devices have successfully launched in the market, people in the world can easily contact with anyone everywhere at any time. However, there are some problems we should concern. Thanks to the new technology and cyber worlds are prosperous, the mobile phones and social networking sites have become a tool or medium for perpetrators to commit a crime in recent years. As a result, the investigators should collect important evidences from all the digital devices at the crime scene, such as computer, mobile phone, tablet and so forth. In this paper, we focus on the mobile forensics of Dcard application running on the mobile phone. In the experiment, we strive to search the digital evidence that user has been done on the mobile phone. We adopt “dd” instruction to create an image file for the physical memory. The physical memory is also called non-volatile memory. The data stored in the non-volatile memory would not be vanished when the power is cutting off. Thereafter, we make use of authoritative computer forensic tools which is called FTK Imager to analyze these significant evidences and the correlation between them in detail. In addition, we also adopt SQLite editor to examine and analyze the database on the mobile phone. The analysis of experiment was performed with the aim of determining what information can be found on the device. We find that which behavior of suspect will leave what kind of evidences in the mobile phone. These findings could be an important reference for law enforcement agency to investigate a cybercrime.
Effects of Iranian propolis on glycemic status, inflammatory factors, and liver enzyme levels in type 2 diabetic patients: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, clinical trial

antioxidant Methods: In an 8-week randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, clinical trial, patients with type 2 diabetes were randomly assigned to the propolis (n = 31) or control group (n = 31). The first group received propolis capsules (500 mg), 3 times a day. Fasting blood samples were obtained. The liver enzymes, inflammatory markers, and glucose-related indicators were measured at the beginning and the end of the study. Results: Compared with the control group, the propolis group showed significant changes in fasting plasma glucose (propolis, -19.8 ± 29.16; placebo, 0.7 ± 27.8; p = 0.01), two-hour postprandial glucose (propolis, -27.42 ± 44.5; placebo, -0.95 ± 42.7; p = 0.001), hemoglobin A1c (propolis, -1.07 ± 1.6; placebo, 0.03 ± 1.5; p = 0.041), insulin (propolis, -1.65 ± 4.3; placebo, 0.04 ± 4.02; p = 0.03), HOMA-IR (propolis, -1.08 ± 0.7; placebo, 0.03 ± 0.42; p = .044), TNF-α (propolis, 2.67 ± 4.1; placebo, 0.12 ± 4; p = 0.025), and C-reactive protein (propolis, 2.5 ± 3.01; placebo, -0.67 ± 2.84; p = 0.031). Furthermore, propolis reduced the mean aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (propolis, -1.62 ± 10.4; placebo, 0.13 ± 11.07; p = 0.12) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels (propolis, 0.61 ± 6.47; placebo, 0.12 ± 7.01; p = 0.54), but it was not significant. Conclusion: Propolis treatment in type 2 diabetic patients had a beneficial effect on the glycemic profile and inflammatory status. However, there was no significant change in the level of AST and ALT enzymes, warranting further research. Objective: Propolis is one of the hive products with a wide clinical usage due to the variety of bioactive components. This clinical trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of propolis supplementation on glycemic status and inflammation.
Cannabidiol in medicine: a review of its therapeutic potential in CNS disorders

Cannabidiol (CBD) is the main non‐psychotropic component of the glandular hairs of Cannabis sativa. It displays a plethora of actions including anticonvulsive, sedative, hypnotic, antipsychotic, antiinflammatory and neuroprotective properties. However, it is well established that CBD produces its biological effects without exerting significant intrinsic activity upon cannabinoid receptors. For this reason, CBD lacks the unwanted psychotropic effects characteristic of marijuana derivatives, so representing one of the bioactive constituents of Cannabis sativa with the highest potential for therapeutic use.
Selection of high‐avidity CD8 T cells correlates with control of hepatitis C virus infection

Both strong antigenic avidity and acquisition of proper effector functions contribute to the efficacy of antiviral T cell responses. To correlate these parameters with the outcome of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, we characterized HCV‐specific CD8 T cell lines isolated after immunomagnetic sorting of peripheral blood mononuclear cells from human leukocyte antigen A*02 (HLA‐A*02) individuals with various HCV serological statuses, using recombinant HLA‐A*0201 multimers loaded with three immunodominant HCV genotype 1‐derived epitopes. CD8 T cells specific for these three epitopes were derived from most HLA‐A*0201 individuals, regardless of their HCV serology or clinical outcome. Donors recovered from genotype 1 HCV infection were enriched for high‐avidity T cells with enhanced interferon gamma (IFN‐γ), tumor necrosis factor alpha, and cytotoxic T lymphocyte responses, when compared with seronegative donors and seropositive patients infected with irrelevant HCV genotypes. Patients chronically infected with genotype 1 strain yielded almost exclusively low‐avidity T cells, whose hyporesponsiveness was primarily attributable to low T cell receptor (TCR) avidity rather than intrinsic functional defects. Conclusion: This study suggests that strong IFN‐γ responses associated with efficient viral clearance primarily result from Ag‐driven selection/survival of HCV‐specific T cells expressing high‐avidity TCR. It also suggests a link between the quality of the initial HCV‐specific T cell repertoire and susceptibility to chronic infection. (HEPATOLOGY 2008.)
Wood decay under the microscope 5

Many aspects of the interactions between host wood structure and fungal activity can be revealed by high resolution light microscopy, and this technique has provided much of the information discussed here. A wide range of different types of decay can result from permutations of host species, fungal species and conditions within wood. Within this spectrum, three main types are commonly recognised: brown rot, white rot and soft rot. The present review explores parts of the range of variation that each of these encompasses and emphasizes that degradation modes appear to reflect a co-evolutionary adaptation of decay fungi to different wood species or the lignin composition within more primitive and advanced wood cell types. One objective of this review is to provide evidence that the terms brown rot, white rot and soft rot may not be obsolete, but rigid definitions for fungi that are placed into these categories may be less appropriate than thought previously. Detailed knowledge of decomposition processes does not only aid prognosis of decay development in living trees for hazard assessment but also allows the identification of wood decay fungi that can be used for biotechnology processes in the wood industry. In contrast to bacteria or commercial enzymes, hyphae can completely ramify through solid wood. In this review evidence is provided that wood decay fungi can effectively induce permeability changes in gymnospermous heartwood or can be applied to facilitate the identification of tree rings in diffuse porous wood of angiosperms. The specificity of their enzymes and the mild conditions under which degradation proceeds is partly detrimental for trees, but also make wood decay fungi potentially efficient biotechnological tools. a 2007 The British Mycological Society. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Job Satisfaction among Doctors at Jinnah Hospital , Lahore

Background: A doctor’s profession is mentally, physically and emotionally grueling. Job satisfaction is an important factor in a doctor's profession and it forms the basis of a doctor's dedication, his attitude towards his patients and his quality of work. Dissatisfaction with their jobs is more likely to result in patient negligence. The focus of this study is to access the satisfaction of the doctors and the factors which affect the satisfaction levels among the doctors working in different medical and surgical fields of Jinnah Hospital, Lahore. Aim: To investigate the job satisfaction level among doctors working in Jinnah Hospital, Lahore. Methods: A questionnaire was given to the doctors working at Jinnah Hospital, Lahore, willing to fill in the information in a cross-sectional (non-analytical) research study, carried out from October 2016 to November 2016.A total of 200 questionnaires were filled with in the due time. Questions included satisfaction with respect to working hours, income, designation, working environment and work load. Results: Out of 200 respondents majority were male i.e., 104(52%) and the remaining 96(48%) were females. Overall 34% doctors were dissatisfied with their jobs and 27.5% were satisfied. Both genders were almost equally dissatisfied with their working hours. Differences were seen in the job satisfaction levels of doctors working in different specialties. With respect to satisfaction with pay according to working hours, majority of the doctors were dissatisfied. Main factors contributing to dissatisfaction are frustration with current salary packages, resources provided and government’s promotion policies. Conclusion: Job satisfaction level was found to be lower than dissatisfaction level among the doctors working in Jinnah Hospital, Lahore, although the majority was neutral with respect to job satisfaction.
Design and Fabrication of Silencer Waste Heat Power Generation System Using ThermoElectric Generator

The current worldwide trend of increasing transportation is responsible for increasing the use of internal combustion engines. I.C engines, the devices with a high energy usage and low efficiency because roughly 75 % of the energy produced during combustion is lost in the exhaust and in the coolant of the engine in the form of heat. As a huge amount of energy is lost, there is urgent need to design a advice to trap this loss.This paper proposes and implements a waste heat recovery system using a thermoelectric generator (TEG) designed for four stroke I.C. engine. The system converts the waste heat from the exhaust manifold into electrical energy using a TEG. The output is then boosted by a Joule Thief converter to run the required load or to charge a battery. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed system recovers considerable amount of waste heat which can be used to power some auxiliary automobile devices.
Ametryn + Clomazone, Diuron + Hexazinone, and Isoxaflutole Leaching in Two Types of Soil

The objective of this work was to evaluate the leaching of pre-emerging herbicides recommended for sugarcane in clayey and medium soils. The experiments consisted in spraying ametryn + clomazone (1500 + 1000 g ha), isoxaflutol (187.5 g ha) and diuron + hexazinone (1170 + 330 g ha) on top of PVC columns filled with soil. After spraying, simulated rainfall of 10, 20, 40 and 80 mm was applied to the top of the columns. Three days later, Cucumis sativus and Sorghum bicolor were used in bioassays to detect herbicide leaching. The herbicide mixture ametryn + clomazone applied on clayey soil was detected at depths of 20 and 35 cm in applications of 10 and 80 mm of water, respectively. In soil with medium texture, a greater herbicide effect was observed in all the rainfall simulations. With application of 40 and 80 mm water, the herbicide was detected up to 35 cm depth in clayey soil. The herbicide isoxaflutole in clayey soil caused albinism in the aerial part of the plants up to 15 and 25 cm of depth with rainfall of 10 and 80 mm, respectively. In soil with medium texture, the highest rainfall simulations made possible to detect this herbicide up to 30 cm. With rainfall simulation of 80 mm, the herbicide mixture diuron + hexazinone was found at the depth of 30 cm in both soils, causing toxic effects of 25 and 60% on the bio-indicator plants in clayey and medium soil, respectively. It was concluded that all the herbicides assessed show a tendency to be leached under rainfall or artificial irrigation influence, with more pronounced effects in medium soils with lower organic matter content.
Prognostic Value of Tissue Doppler Echocardiographic Imaging in Elderly Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction

Background: The ratio of mitral end‐diastolic velocity and mitral annular early diastolic motion velocity (E/e’) has predictive value in patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS). Both E and e’ velocities change with age. The prognostic value of E/e’ in elderly patients with ACS has not been established yet. The aim of the study was to assess the prognostic significance of E/e’ in patients over 65 with ACS. Method: The study involved 168 patients, mean age 79 years. Echocardiography was performed within first 24 hours of ACS. Clinical evaluation, 6‐minute walk test, echocardiography and plasma level of NT pro‐BNP were performed 12 months later. Results: Patients, who were still alive after 1‐year follow‐up had significantly lower E/e’ during hospitalization: 11.1 ± 3 versus 15.1 ± 5 (P < 0.05). The optimal cutoff value of E/e’ differentiating survivors and nonsurvivors after 12 month follow‐up was 12. Initial E/e’ was an independent predictor of mortality during 1‐year follow‐up. E/e’ ratio during hospitalization significantly correlated with NT pro‐BNP concentration (r = 0.48, P < 0.001) and 6‐minute walking distance: (r =–0.32, P < 0.05) after 1‐year follow‐up. Conclusions: (1) In patients over 65 with myocardial infarction, E/e’ above 12 is an independent predictor of death during 1‐year follow‐up. (2) E/e’ ratio in acute phase of myocardial infarction correlated significantly with N pro‐BNP level and 6‐minute walking distance after 1‐year follow‐up. (Echocardiography 2011;28:298‐302)
Benefits of Corporate Social Responsibility Engagement in Companies: The Case of Poland

Abstract Purpose: This study investigates the benefits of being perceived as a socially responsible company. The main purpose of the research was to find out whether company managers consider that certain aspects of company activity may benefit from being perceived as socially responsible. Methodology: The research methods included a literature review and a survey conducted in several Polish companies regarded as socially responsible. The so-called RESPECT Index, including socially responsible companies listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange Main List, as well as annual rankings of responsible companies were used as a kind of reputation database for choosing survey respondents. Findings: The most important benefits indicated by the respondents included better firm image/reputation, improved relations with stakeholders, increased employee motivation, better communication inside the company, as well as more effective management and control over new aspects not considered before. Additionally, the identified benefits were analyzed using different criteria, such as the size of the company or its field of activity. Research limitations: The primary source of data used in this study was a survey of respondents’ views and opinions rather than an analysis of extensive numerical data. Originality: The problem analyzed in this study is important, yet it is still not a sufficiently examined issue in many emerging markets including Poland. As benefits taken into consideration in the survey are also valid for other financial markets, the results can be used for comparative studies of Poland and other countries.
Mergers and Diversification : Implications for Competition Policy

This paper analyses competition and mergers among risk averse banks. We show that the correlation between the shocks to the demand for loans and the shocks to the supply of deposits induces a strategic interdependence between the two sides of the market. We characterize the role of diversification as a motive for bank mergers and analyse the consequences of mergers on loan and deposit rates. When the value of diversification is sufficiently strong, bank mergers generate an increase in the welfare of borrowers and depositors. If depositors have more correlated shocks than borrowers, bank mergers are relatively worse for depositors than for borrowers.
Preprint ISSN 0946 – 8633 Multi-channel wavelength conversion using four-wave mixing in semiconductor ring lasers

We theoretically study all-optical simultaneous wavelength conversion of multiple channels by four-wave mixing in semiconductor ring lasers. Locking the semiconductor ring laser to a holding beam allows to achieve large conversion efficiencies with good signal-tonoise ratio in several channels at multi-Gb/s bit rates. Cross-talk between signals, arising from the peculiar four-wave mixing cascade of modes in semiconductor ring lasers and their cross-gain saturation, is studied in detail. We show that it can be controlled by adjusting the intensity of the holding beam, the bias current of the laser and the number, intensity and wavelength of signals that one wants to convert.