Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Treatment strategy to optimize radiofrequency ablation for liver malignancies.

PURPOSE The purposes of this study were to investigate a treatment strategy to increase liver tumor necrosis and minimize complications with ultrasound-guided percutaneous radiofrequency (RF) ablation and to evaluate its therapeutic efficacy. MATERIALS AND METHODS A total of 332 patients with 503 liver malignancies underwent RF ablation according to a mathematical protocol with adjunctive measures. In the 332 patients, 205 had 308 hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) with a mean largest diameter of 4.1 cm and 127 had 195 metastatic liver carcinomas (MLCs) with a mean largest diameter of 3.9 cm. In patients with HCC, 60 (29.3%) had stage I/II disease and 145 (70.7%) had stage III/IV disease. Depending on tumor size, shape, and location, a defined treatment strategy was adopted that consisted of a mathematical protocol, an individualized protocol, and adjunctive measures. The mathematical protocol was followed for tumors larger than 3.5 cm. The individualized protocol was used for tumors located adjacent to the diaphragm, gastrointestinal tract, or gallbladder. Some adjunctive measures such as supplementary fine needle localization, local saline solution injection, and feeding vessel ablation were used to deal with different features of these liver tumors. Patients were followed regularly to assess treatment efficiency, and the tumor was considered to have early complete necrosis if no viability was found on enhanced computed tomography 1 month after RF ablation. RESULTS In this series, the early necrosis rates were 95.8% for HCC (295 of 308 tumors), 94.9% for MLC (185 of 195 tumors), 91.3% for tumors larger than 3.5 cm (189 of 207 tumors), 90.7% for tumors near the gastrointestinal tract (49 of 54 tumors), 91.5% for tumors near the diaphragm (86 of 94 tumors), and 90.6% for tumors near the gallbladder (48 of 53 tumors). The local recurrence rates were 10.7% for HCC (33 of 308 tumors) and 14.9% for MLC (29 of 195 tumors). The 1-, 2-, and 3-year overall survival rates were 89.6%, 69.4%, and 59.6%, respectively, for HCC and 80.3%, 52.8%, and 30.9%, respectively, for MLC. The 1-, 2-, and 3-year survival rates in 60 patients with stage I/II HCC were 93.7%, 87.1%, and 76.2%, respectively. The incidence of major complications was 1.4% (eight of 574 sessions), which included of three hemorrhages, four injuries to adjacent structures, and one case of needle tract seeding. CONCLUSION In RF ablation of hepatic tumors, application of a proper protocol and adjunctive measures play important roles in improving tumor necrosis rate and minimizing potential complications.
Dynamic Coalitions

We present a theory of dynamic coalitions for a legislative bargaining game in which policies can be changed in every period but continue in effect in the absence of new legislation. We characterize Markov perfect equilibria with dynamic coalitions, which are decisive sets of legislators whose members prefer to continue the current policy rather than change to another policy. The policies supported by dynamic coalitions satisfy necessary and sufficient existence conditions of internal stability and exclusion risk. Dynamic coalitions can be minimal winning or surplus and can award positive allocations to non-coalition members. The range of attainable dynamic payoffs is characterized, and the policies supported can be efficient or inefficient. Vested interests can support policies that no legislator would propose if forming a new coalition. If uncertainty is associated with policy implementation, a continuum of policies are supported. These equilibria have the same allocation in every period when the coalition persists. Dynamic coalitions also exist in which members tolerate a degree of implementation uncertainty, resulting in policies that can change without the coalition changing.
Is Racism a Fundamental Cause of Inequalities in Health

We previously proposed that socioeconomic status (SES) is a fundamental cause of health inequalities and, as such, that SES inequalities in health persist over time despite radical changes in the diseases, risks, and interventions that happen to produce them at any given time. Like SES, race in the United States has an enduring connection to health and mortality. Our goals here are to evaluate whether this connection endures because systemic racism is a fundamental cause of health inequalities and, in doing so, to review a wide range of empirical data regarding racial differences in health outcomes, health risks, and health-enhancing resources such as money, knowledge, power, prestige, freedom, and beneficial social connections. We conclude that racial inequalities in health endure primarily because racism is a fundamental cause of racial differences in SES and because SES is a fundamental cause of health inequalities. In addition to these powerful connections, however, there is evidence that racism, larg.
Towards TCTLhΔ model checking of time Petri nets

At present, the most common method for verifying that a system met its specifications or to detect unexpected behavior and issues is to perform simulations on the model. This approach is limited by the fact that it is of course impossible to be exhaustive and fully test the system. This is why the need to resort to formal methods, and more particularly to model-checking, was felt. In this paper, we are interested by modeling the behavior of real time systems using time Petri nets. Our main objective is to present new model checking algorithms for our new logic called TCTLhΔ which is the combination of the two extensions of the TCTL logic TCTLh and TCTLΔ. These algorithms are based on the concept of on the fly verification and are implemented into the model checker Romeo.
Sex, Sexuality and Sickness: Discourses of Gender and HIV/AIDS among Kwazulu-Natal Women

Current HIV-prevention work indicates that simply providing HIV-related information plays a limited role in changing sexual practices, and instead stresses the need to address the social and cultural forces shaping individual behaviour. The aim of this study was thus to explore the social influences that shape women's sexual behaviour with specific attention given to discourses of gender and HIV/AIDS. Material was generated through seven focus group discussions with black women living in a peri-urban area in Durban, and was interpreted using discourse analysis. The study clarified the ways in which women are not necessarily in a position to make purely rational, individual decisions about safe sex, since these decisions are intimately linked to social constructions of sexuality and the power relations that operate in cultures. It identified specific cultural practices linked to the organisation of gender roles and how these influence safe sex practices. The analysis then examined the implications of these findings for future HIV/AIDS education interventions.
Network-based Origin Confusion Attacks against HTTPS Virtual Hosting

We investigate current deployment practices for virtual hosting, a widely used method for serving multiple HTTP and HTTPS origins from the same server, in popular content delivery networks, cloud-hosting infrastructures, and web servers. Our study uncovers a new class of HTTPS origin confusion attacks: when two virtual hosts use the same TLS certificate, or share a TLS session cache or ticket encryption key, a network attacker may cause a page from one of them to be loaded under the other's origin in a client browser. These attacks appear when HTTPS servers are configured to allow virtual host fallback from a client-requested, secure origin to some other unexpected, less-secure origin. We present evidence that such vulnerable virtual host configurations are widespread, even on the most popular and security-scrutinized websites, thus allowing a network adversary to hijack pages, or steal secure cookies and single sign-on tokens. To prevent our virtual host confusion attacks and recover the isolation guarantees that are commonly assumed in shared hosting environments, we propose fixes to web server software and advocate conservative configuration guidelines for the composition of HTTP with TLS.
Where Have All the Primary Care Doctors Gone?

O ne of the most serious problems facing the health care professions and the public’s health in the United States is the shortage of primary care, or general care, doctors. Indeed, ignoring or failing to solve this issue has the potential to undermine the entire American health care system. Some argue that there is little need to worry about this issue given the rising numbers of nurse practitioners (NPs) and physician assistants (PAs). As a general pediatrician with more than 40 years’ experience and practice, having been involved in several early NP programs, and having written the first textbook for NPs,1 I respectfully disagree. In order to better understand how dire this situation is, one needs to understand the role primary care doctors play in our health care system every day of the week.
Energy Efficient Routing Protocol in Mobile-Sink Wireless Sensor Networks

Energy consumption phenomenon has always been noticed in sink-based wireless sensor networks. This paper explored an energy efficient routing protocol with a mobile sink based on the shortest path data transmission mode. According to the position of the sink node and the common nodes' ID in the network, we can calculate the coordinate value of each node in the wireless sensor network. By comparing the coordinate values to choose the shortest path to forward the data was our key method in this paper. Simulation results showed that this method can prolong the lifetime of the network, and improve the energy utilization ratio of the nodes.
Mutant Mouse Models of Autism Spectrum Disorders

Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are a heterogeneous group of neurodevelopmental diseases characterized by a triad of specific behavioral traits: abnormal social interactions, communication deficits and stereotyped or repetitive behaviors. Several recent studies showed that ASDs have a strong genetic basis, contributing to the discovery of a number of ASD-associated genes. Due to the genetic complexity of these disorders, mouse strains with targeted deletion of ASD genes have become an essential tool to investigate the molecular and neurodevelopmental mechanisms underlying ASD. Here we will review the most relevant genetic mouse models developed by targeted inactivation of ASD-associated genes, and discuss their importance for the development of novel pharmacological therapies of these disorders.
Mood disorders in epilepsy - diagnostic and methodological considerations.

BACKGROUND Mood disorders are common in people with epilepsy (PWE) with prevalence rates ranging from 11% to 62%. The variation in epidemiological data results probably from the diversity of methodologies employed and selection of the populations across the studies. Moreover, the symptomathology of mood disorders in epilepsy is often atypical, intermittent and pleomorphic and fails to meet DSM-IV-TR categories. Several studies suggested the existence of distinct interictal dysphoric disorder (IDD) in patients with epilepsy. The majority of research studies in mood disorders in epilepsy were based on screening instruments in the diagnosis of mood disorders in PWE. However, the results in validity and reliability in detecting major depression in epilepsy using self-report inventories of mood symptoms is vague. The aim of this study was to review studies on mood disorders in epilepsy with particular focus on diagnostic methods. SUBJECTS AND METHODS The focus of this Review was on patient studies on mood disorders in epilepsy (2000-2012). We searched PubMed using the following search terms (effective date: 20th May 2012): (epilepsy (Title/Abstract) OR seizure (Title/Abstract)) AND depression (Title/Abstract) OR Dysthymia OR mania OR bipolar disorder OR affective disorder OR Interictal Dysphoric Disorder OR AND (humans (MeSH Terms) AND English (lang) AND (2000/01/01(PDAT): 2012/04/31(PDAT)). RESULTS Depression is the most frequent comorbid psychiatric disorder in epilepsy. Recent studies pointed out that bipolar disorders are not rare in epilepsy. Most of the research in PWE did not rely on standardized psychiatric measures and only about 18% of studies were based on diagnostic psychiatric interviews (mainly MINI and SCID-I). Mood disorders in epilepsy excluding the ictal or periictal symptoms can be categorized using standardized measures. CONCLUSIONS Common self-report depression measures may be used to screen for depression in clinical settings. The use of screening instruments in epilepsy must be followed by structured psychiatric interviews designed to establish a DSM-IV-TR diagnoses. Standardized psychiatric interview procedures based on DSM criteria like SCID-I or MINI provide a comprehensive way to diagnose mood disorders in patients with epilepsy.
Quench propagation and protection analysis of the ATLAS Toroids

The ATLAS superconducting magnet system consists of the Barrel Toroid, two End Cap Toroids and the Central Solenoid. However, the Toroids of eight coils each are magnetically separate systems to the Central Solenoid. The Toroids are electrically connected in series and energized by a single power supply. The quench protection system is based on the use of relatively small external dump resistances in combination with quench-heaters activated after a quench event detection to initiate the internal dump of stored energy in all the coils. A rather strong quench-back effect due to eddy-currents in the coil casings at the transport current decay is beneficial for the quench protection efficiency in the event of heater failures. The quench behaviour of the ATLAS Toroids was computer simulated for normal operation of the quench protection system and its complete non-operation (failure) mode.
A Twelve-Year Longitudinal Study of Science Concept Learning

Audio-tutorial science lessons were provided to 191 first and second grade children (instructed), and interviews were conducted periodically to assess changes in science concept under standing from grades one through twelve. A similar sample (n = 48) not receiving audio-tutorial lessons in grades one and two (uninstructed) was also interviewed periodically from grades one through twelve. Instructed students showed substantially more valid concept understandings and fewer invalid concepts (misconceptions) than uninstructed students in grades two, seven, ten, and twelve. Concept maps prepared from interview transcripts showed wide variation in knowledge for both groups, and concept maps scored using a scoring algorithm also showed significant differences favoring instructed students. The data show the lasting impact of early instruction in science and the value of concept maps as a representational tool for cognitive developmental changes.
The Partisan Content of Candidate Messages in US Senate Elections‡

Abstract This paper analyzes the partisan messages of US Senate campaign advertisements. Using data from 2000 to 2004, we measure the levels of partisan cues and “owned” issue mentions in US Senate campaigns. We hypothesize that campaigns are likely to use campaign communications involving partisan cues and owned issues when national and local conditions favor one of the parties. Our results recognize some variation in campaign strategies, providing strong evidence that candidates, political parties, and outside groups respond differently to local and national conditions when cueing party labels and party-owned issues.
Driver classification for intelligent transportation systems using fuzzy logic

Intelligent transportation systems are a set of technological solutions used to improve the performance and safety of road transportation. A crucial element that affects road safety is driver behavior, because driver errors are usually the principal cause of traffic accidents. Therefore, understanding and modeling human driver behavior is extremely important for the safety of the road transportation. In this paper, a Fuzzy rule-based system to classify the drivers in different profiles according to their behavior is proposed. The system will be integrated in intelligent transportation architecture, which can be used to predict and avoid traffic accidents and to optimize the routing management.
Agonists induce conformational changes in transmembrane domains III and VI of the β2 adrenoceptor

Agonist binding to G protein‐coupled receptors is believed to promote a conformational change that leads to the formation of the active receptor state. However, the character of this conformational change which provides the important link between agonist binding and G protein coupling is not known. Here we report evidence that agonist binding to the β2 adrenoceptor induces a conformational change around 125Cys in transmembrane domain (TM) III and around 285Cys in TM VI. A series of mutant β2 adrenoceptors with a limited number of cysteines available for chemical derivatization were purified, site‐selectively labeled with the conformationally sensitive, cysteine‐reactive fluorophore IANBD and analyzed by fluorescence spectroscopy. Like the wild‐type receptor, mutant receptors containing 125Cys and/or 285Cys showed an agonist‐induced decrease in fluorescence, while no agonist‐induced response was observed in a receptor where these two cysteines were mutated. These data suggest that IANBD bound to 125Cys and 285Cys are exposed to a more polar environment upon agonist binding, and indicate that movements of transmembrane segments III and VI are involved in activation of G protein‐coupled receptors.
Objective Evaluation of the Neutral Tone in Putonghua Proficiency Testing

Correct pronunciation of the neutral tone (TO) is an important factor in assessing Putonghua (PTH) proficiency levels. The T0 objective evaluation system is an important subsystem of the Putonghua proficiency test (PPT) objective evaluation system. After analyzing the T0 features, this paper presents a pitch normalizing algorithm which reflects auditory sensitivity. Seven features are selected as evaluation parameters. Using the Gaussian mixture models (GMM) or the multi layer perceptron (MLP) Models, data drawn from 43 individuals' utterances is tested. The accuracy of the objective evaluations described above is 89% identical to that usually achieved in subjective evaluation
The cell-basedmodel of coagulation

Objective – To review the current model describing coagulation processes, including the critical contributions of cells. Data Sources – Original research articles, scientific reviews, and textbooks. Data Synthesis – Normal hemostasis is vital for prevention of blood loss, but controls are necessary to limit coagulation to the site of injury. The previous cascade model of blood coagulation, although refined and updated over the last few decades, is flawed as a description of how hemostasis occurs in vivo. The recently proposed model incorporates the vital role of cells in coagulation processes, and corrects deficiencies of the older cascade models. Conclusions – The cell-based model of coagulation provides a description of coagulation that more likely reflects hemostatic processes as they occur in vivo. (J Vet Emerg Crit Care 2009; 19(1): 3–10) doi: 10.1111/j.1476-4431.2009. 00389.x
Retrospective study of canine cutaneous tumors in Korea

Over the 42 month period from January 2003 to June 2006, a total of 2,952 canine biopsy specimens were received from the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital of Seoul National University and from veterinary practitioners across the nation. Out of these, 748 (25.34%) cases were diagnosed as canine cutaneous tumors in the Department of Veterinary Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Korea. Thirty-eight different types of cutaneous tumors were identified and categorized into epithelial and melanocytic tumors (56.95%), mesenchymal tumors (38.90%), and hematopoietic tumors (4.14%) located in the skin. Among these, 69.25% were benign and 30.74% were malignant. The top ten most frequently diagnosed cutaneous tumors were epidermal and follicular cysts (12.70%), lipoma (11.36%), mast cell tumors (8.82%), cutaneous histiocytoma (7.49%), basal cell tumors (6.82%), sebaceous gland adenoma (6.68%), sebaceous gland hyperplasia (5.08%), hepatoid gland adenoma (3.61%), apocrine adenocarcinoma (3.07%), and fibroma (2.81%), in order of prevalence. They comprised 68.45% of all cutaneous tumors. These top ten cutaneous tumors were distributed on the trunk (30.08%), head and neck (20.9%), extremities (19.14%), anal and perianal area (8.59%), and tail (3.91%). The age of the dogs with the ten most frequent tumors had a mean age of 8.3 years, with a range of 2 months to 19 years. When all types of tumors were considered together in the entire population, there was no difference in incidence according to sex.
AUTOMATIC AND CONTROLLED PRECURSORS OF AGGRESSION

From a dual-systems perspective, it has been proposed that predictive validity of whether individuals act out or stifle their reactive aggression will be maximized if (a) automatic and (b) controlled precursors of aggression are assessed and (c) situational boundaries in favor of acting out or restraining oneself are specified. In the present research we experimentally manipulated participants’ self-regulatory resources in an ego depletion paradigm and subsequently measured reactive aggression in the Taylor Aggression Paradigm. Assessing automatic and controlled precursors of reactive aggression via an Implicit Association Test of Aggressiveness (Agg-IAT) and a selfreport reactive aggressiveness questionnaire, respectively, we demonstrated a theoretically expected double dissociation: Reactive aggression of ego depleted individuals was associated with the indirect measure (Agg-IAT) whereas non-depleted participants’ reactive aggression correlated with the direct measure (self-report). The results corroborate the usefulness of both direct and indirect measures of aggressiveness and point to boundary conditions of these measures’ criterion validity.
Choptuik scaling and the merger transition

The critical solution in Choptuik scaling is shown to be closely related to the critical solution in the black-string black-hole transition (the merger), through double analytic continuation, and a change of a boundary condition. The interest in studying various space-time dimensions D for both systems is stressed. Gundlach-Hod-Piran off-critical oscillations, familiar in the Choptuik set-up, are predicted for the merger system and are predicted to disappear above a critical dimension D* = 10. The scaling constants, Δ(D), γ(D), are shown to combine naturally to a single complex number.
‘There's only so much money hot dog sales can bring in’: The intersection of green school grounds and socio-economic status

Abstract In the interest of enhancing children's environments, many school grounds around the world are being ‘greened’ as asphalt and manicured grass are replaced with a diversity of elements and spaces, such as trees, shrubs, gardens, art, and gathering areas. Despite a growing body of research from a number of disciplines that is exploring the potential of these spaces, very little is known about how issues of socio-economic status (SES) influence school ground greening initiatives. In this paper, I explore what (if any) relationship exists between school ground greening and SES in a Canadian school board where approximately 20% of more than 500 schools have begun the greening process. A mixed methods approach was used: (1) 149 questionnaires were completed by administrators, teachers, and parents associated with 45 school ground greening initiatives; and (2) 21 follow-up interviews were conducted with administrators, teachers and parents at five greening projects across a range of SESs. Three significant, and arguably troubling, patterns emerged as a function of socio-economic status of the school community. Participants associated with schools across a range of SESs had different: (1) perceptions as to the importance/adequacy of green school grounds; (2) access to adult support; and (3) access to funding. The implications of these findings are discussed.