Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Characterization of the count rate performance of modern gamma cameras.

PURPOSE Evaluation of count rate performance (CRP) is an integral component of gamma camera quality assurance and system deadtime (τ) may be utilized for image correction in quantitative studies. This work characterizes the CRP of three modern gamma cameras and estimates τ using two established methods (decay and dual source) under a variety of experimental conditions. METHODS For the decay method, uncollimated detectors were exposed to a Tc-99m source of relatively high activity and count rates were sampled regularly over 48 h. Input count rate at each time point was based on the lowest observed count rate data point. The input count rate was plotted against the observed count rate and fit via least-squares to the paralyzable detector model (PDM) to estimate τ (rates method). A novel expression for observed counts as a function of measurement time interval was derived, taking into account the PDM and the presence of background but making no assumption regarding input count rate. The observed counts were fit via least-squares to this novel expression to estimate τ (counts method). Correlation and Bland-Altman analyses were performed to assess agreement in estimates of τ between the rates and counts methods. The dependence of τ on energy window definition and incident energy spectrum were characterized. The dual source method was also used to estimate τ and its agreement with estimates from the decay method under identical conditions was also investigated. The dependences of τ on the total activity and the ratio of source activities were characterized. RESULTS The observed CRP curves for each gamma camera agreed with the PDM at low count rates but deviated substantially from it at high count rates. The estimates of τ determined from the paralyzable portion of the CPR curve using the rates method and the counts method were found to be highly correlated (r = 0.999) but with a small (~6%) difference. No statistically significant difference was observed between the estimates of τ using the decay or dual source methods under identical experimental conditions (p = 0.13). Estimates of τ increased as a power-law function with decreasing ratio of counts in the photopeak to the total counts. Also, estimates of τ increased linearly as spectral effective energy decreased. No significant difference was observed between the dependences of τ on energy window definition or incident spectrum between the decay and dual source methods. Estimates of τ using the dual source method varied as a quadratic on the ratio of the single source to combined source activities and linearly with total activity. CONCLUSIONS The CRP curves for three modern gamma camera models have been characterized, demonstrating unexpected behavior that necessitates the determination of both τ and maximum count rate to fully characterize the CRP curve. τ was estimated under a variety of experimental conditions, based on which guidelines for the performance of CRP testing in a clinical setting have been proposed.
The impact of the 2009 Red River Flood on interpersonal risk factors for suicide.

BACKGROUND Natural disasters are frequently associated with increases in risk factors for suicide, yet research indicates that suicide rates tend to stay the same or decrease in the wake of disasters (e.g., Krug et al., 1999). AIMS The present research sought to shed light on this counterintuitive phenomenon by testing hypotheses derived from Joiner's (2005) interpersonal-psychological theory of suicidal behavior, which proposes that the desire to die by suicide is the result of feeling like one does not belong and feeling like one is a burden on others. During natural disasters, community members often pull together in volunteering efforts, and it was predicted that such behaviors would boost feelings of belonging and reduce feelings that one is a burden. METHODS The present study tested these predictions in a sample of 210 undergraduate students in Fargo, North Dakota, following the 2009 Red River Flood. RESULTS Consistent with prediction, greater amounts of time spent volunteering in flood efforts were associated with increased feelings of belongingness and decreased feelings of burdensomeness. CONCLUSIONS The findings in the current study are consistent with the notion that communities pulling together during a natural disaster can reduce interpersonal risk factors associated with the desire for suicide.
Petroacoustics and composition of presalt rocks from Santos Basin

The deposition of the presalt section from Santos Basin began when Gondwana started to break up and South America and Africa were separating. Initial synrift carbonate deposits affected by relatively severe tectonic activity evolved to a lacustrine carbonate environment during the later stages of basin formation. Although the reservoirs are composed of carbonate rocks, the occurrence of faults and the intense colocation of igneous rocks served as a source of chemical elements uncommon in typical carbonate environments. Consequently, beyond the presence of different facies with complex textures and pore geometries, the presalt reservoir rocks present marked compositional and microstructural variability. Therefore, rock-physics modeling is used to understand and interpret the extensive laboratory measurements of P-wave velocities, S-wave velocities, and density that we have undertaken on the presalt carbonate cores from Santos Basin. We show that quartz and exotic clay minerals (such as stevensite and other magnesium-rich clay minerals), which have different values of elastic moduli and Poisson's ratio as compared to calcite and dolomite, may introduce noticeable “Poisson's reflectivity anomalies” on prestack seismic data. Moreover, although the authors concentrate their attention on composition, it will become clear that pore-space geometry also may influence seismic rock properties of presalt carbonate reservoirs.
The potential of circulating endothelial progenitor cells to form colonies is inversely proportional to total vascular risk score in patients with coronary artery disease.

OBJECTIVE The present study correlated the functional ability of culture-enriched EPCs to form colonies (EPC-CFUs), with risk factors and severity of CAD. METHODS Blood mononuclear cells from healthy controls (n = 16) and patients with CAD (n =35) were cultured for seven days for the formation of EPC-CFUs. After the characterization of EPCs, the number of EPC-clusters were compared in the study groups and correlated with the presence or absence of individual CAD risk factors, total vascular risk score (TVRS) and the severity of CAD in patients with CAD by Student's 't' test and regression analysis. RESULTS As compared to the patients, the controls showed significantly greater formation of EPC-CFUs. Patients with hypertension and smoking had significant reduction in the number of EPC-CFUs as compared to patients without these risk factors (p < 0.05). A negative correlation between TVRS and number of EPC-CFUs (r = -0.74, p < 0.05) and also between number of stenosing coronary arteries and EPC-CFUs (r = -0.42, p = 0.05) were observed. On multivariate analysis, however, only TVRS appeared to be a significant predictor of reduced formation of EPC-CFUs. CONCLUSION The present study suggests that more is the number of CAD risk factors, lesser is the formation of EPC-clusters in culture.
Response to the letter regarding “Is it really safe to withhold folinic acid when less than 1000 mg/m2 methotrexate is ingested?”

Koppen et al. appear to agree that folinic acid therapy is not needed in acute methotrexate (MTX) ingestion in patients without renal impairment, but query whether our explanation is correct. The authors suggest that there is absorption via passive diffusion. The cited reference [1] examined membrane transport of MTX into human cancer cells. That study showed two distinct transport processes: one that is dominant at low concentrations (<20 lM) and mediated by a saturable active transport system inhibited by folic or folinic acid, and another that is only noted at high concentrations (>20 lM). They speculated but did not demonstrate the latter might be passive diffusion across cellular membrane, despite the fact that it also was saturable (unexpected for a passive physicochemical process). In any case transport in human cancer cells is barely relevant to gut absorption processes. Similarly, poor justification comes from the other reference that the absorbed dose should be a fixed fraction rather than a fixed amount. The quoted article presents a physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model of MTX. It is not derived from clinical data, and simply indicates the model of absorption they programmed [2]. In our paper, Figure 2 showed concentrations measured after single acute MTX ingestions. This clinical data is quite inconsistent with bioavailability being a fixed proportion. We estimated the average maximum bioavailable dose to be around 15mg/m and suggested based on multiple other studies that this was most likely due to saturable absorption. We then stated “in accidental or deliberate acute MTX ingestion, the bioavailable dose will be less than 50mg/m” (not 15 as stated in this letter) [3]. Absorption would be expected to be greater from staggered ingestion, for active transport systems that are saturable. That bioavailability for a staggered MTX ingestion of 200mg/m over 4 hours was found to be about 56mg/m and greater than any single ingestions thus favours a saturable over the passive process they hypothesise [4]. In our paper, we summarised data on 228 patients with acute MTX ingestion all having benign outcomes. Nineteen also demonstrated that concentrations were 10–100-fold lower than those that would be of concern. Treatment with folinic acid would not be postulated to have such a major effect on bioavailability. Our conclusion that no treatment is generally required in acute MTX ingestion unless the patient has renal failure or staggered ingestion does not appear to be under challenge. The key point about recognising MTX likely has saturable transporter mediated absorption is that this supports oral folinic acid is likely to further reduce bioavailability. Patients with renal impairment or very large or staggered ingestion are those most likely to benefit from this low-risk intervention.
Earnings quality and audit attributes in high concentrated ownership market

Purpose The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of the audit committee (AC) independence, financial expertise, internal audit function, audit quality and ownership concentration on earnings quality (EQ) and, consequently, ascertain whether the AC’s independence and financial expertise has a moderating effect on the relationship between internal audit function and EQ. Design/methodology/approach The study sample is 508 firms listed on the Main Market of Bursa Malaysia (formerly known as Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange) for the years 2009 to 2012. EQ was measured using two modified Jones models of discretionary accruals. Findings The findings reveal that the independence of AC and investment in internal audit function, as well as the Big4 audit firm, are related to greater EQ. Ownership concentration is found to be associated with lower EQ. The study provides evidence that AC’s independence moderates the relationship between internal audit function (investment in and sourcing arrangements of internal audit function) and EQ. It also shows that AC’s financial expertise moderates the relationship between sourcing arrangements of internal audit function and EQ. Practical implications This study extends the prior related literature by examining the AC’s independence and financial expertise as moderating variables on the relationship between internal audit function and EQ. Social implications Policymakers might use the findings regarding EQ in relation to governance practices, to recognize the important roles played by the AC’s independence and financial expertise on the effectiveness of internal audit function with EQ. Originality/value This study uses the agency theory and resource dependence theory to provide empirical evidence on the impact of internal audit function and AC on EQ in the ownership concentration environment.
Predictors of good outcome after intravenous tPA for acute ischemic stroke

Background: Thrombolytic therapy for acute ischemic stroke with IV alteplase is increasingly well established in North America but not elsewhere. Baseline factors that altered the response to alteplase were not identified by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke tPA Stroke Study Group. Methods: The authors gathered information from centers in the United States, Canada, and Germany on 1,205 patients with acute ischemic stroke treated with IV alteplase. The purpose was to identify independent factors that were predictive of good outcome using multivariable logistic regression modelling. The modified Rankin Scale score was dichotomized into good outcome (mRS 0 to 1) and poor outcome (mRS >1) as the primary outcome measure. Results: In relative order of decreasing magnitude, milder baseline stroke severity, no history of diabetes mellitus, normal CT scan, normal pretreatment blood glucose level, and normal pretreatment blood pressure were independent predictors of good outcome among patients treated with IV alteplase for acute ischemic stroke. Confounding was observed among history of diabetes mellitus, CT scan appearance, baseline serum glucose level, and blood pressure, suggesting important relationships among these variables. Conclusions: Several factors were independently predictive of good outcome among patients with acute ischemic stroke treated with alteplase. These results require further confirmation before clinical implementation.
High Prevalence of Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 in Female Anogenital Herpes Simplex

Sir: The report of Tayal and Pattman (International Journal SrD & AIDS 1994;5:359-61) highlights a phenomenon that is probably occurring in GU clinics throughout the UK. They noted a very high level of HSV-1 infection (63-79%) in their female patients since 1986. Previous reports had indicated a much lower level than this. Reviewing our last 100 culture positive patients (back to January 1993) we also note a high prevalence of type I virus in females (Table 1). Herpes simplex type I was found
The Conflict of the Latin American Foreign Debt

The lines have been drawn since 1982. The conflict embodied in the relationship between debtors and creditors was evident when it became difficult to cover the payment obligations. The main aim of this paper is to treat foreign indebtedness as a form of conflict. Conceiving of the Latin American foreign debt in this way calls for a different analytical approach to the topic. The many diverse approaches that view the foreign debt as a problem, and that propose a series of possible solutions, take as their frame of reference the way in which the financial markets operate. They appeal to market mechanisms to establish a series of conditions needed to improve the economic performance of the debtor countries and to re-establish credit flows under the condi-
Plasma cell endometritis is associated with Chlamydia trachomatis infection.

The presence of plasma cells in endometrial tissue has been linked to Chlamydia trachomatis infection. The aim of our work was to determine the strength of the association between C trachomatis infection and plasma cell endometritis. C trachomatis infection was detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or immunohistochemistry in 5 (24%) of 21 endometrial tissue samples with plasma cell endometritis and in 1 (4%) of 28 tissue samples with no evidence of plasma cell endometritis (P < .02). Patients with plasma cell endometritis were also more likely to have symptoms and signs consistent with upper genital tract chlamydial infection; thus there is an association between endometrial C trachomatis infection and the presence of plasma cells in the endometrium. The histopathologic finding of plasma cell endometritis should encourage further examination of the tissue sample for simultaneous chlamydial infection. Plasmid-based polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemical staining of paraffin-embedded samples are useful methods for detecting C trachomatis in endometrial tissue.
Detection of Spatial and Temporal Variability of Wheat Cultivars by High-Resolution Vegetation Indices

An on-farm research study was carried out on two small-plots cultivated with two cultivars of durum wheat (Odisseo and Ariosto). The paper presents a theoretical approach for investigating frequency vegetation indices (VIs) in different areas of the experimental plot for early detection of agronomic spatial variability. Four flights were carried out with an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) to calculate high-resolution normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) and optimized soil-adjusted vegetation index (OSAVI) images. Ground agronomic data (biomass, leaf area index (LAI), spikes, plant height, and yield) have been linked to the vegetation indices (VIs) at different growth stages. Regression coefficients of all samplings data were highly significant for both the cultivars and VIs at anthesis and tillering stage. At harvest, the whole plot (W) data were analyzed and compared with two sub-areas characterized by high agronomic performance (H) yield 20% higher than the whole plot, and low performances (L), about 20% lower of yield related to the whole plot). The whole plot and two sub-areas were analyzed backward in time comparing the VIs frequency curves. At anthesis, more than 75% of the surface of H sub-areas showed a VIs value higher than the L sub-plot. The differences were evident also at the tillering and seedling stages, when the 75% (third percentile) of VIs H data was over the 50% (second percentile) of the W curve and over the 25% (first percentile) of L sub-plot. The use of high-resolution images for analyzing the frequency value of VIs in different areas can be a useful approach for the detection of agronomic constraints for precision agriculture purposes.
Free-range Poultry Production - A Review

With the demand for free-range products increasing and the pressure on the intensive poultry industry to improve poultry welfare especially in western countries, the number of free-range poultry farms has increased significantly. The USA, Australia and European countries have developed Codes of Practice for free-range poultry farming which detail the minimum standards of husbandry and welfare for birds. However, the performance and liveability of free-range birds needs to be improved and more knowledge is required on bird husbandry, feed supply, disease control and heat wave management. This review examines the husbandry, welfare, nutrition and disease issues associated with free-range poultry systems and discusses the potential of incorporating free-range poultry into a crop-pasture rotation system.
Correction of Cryptotia Using an External Stretching Device

An external stretching device was devised for the correction of cryptotia. A total of 27 cases of cryptotia received correction with this device. Patient age ranged from 10 to 40 years. During an earlier trial, patients were corrected with the external stretching device only. To make a definite and permanent projection of the upper ear, the external device had to be applied and maintained for more than 5 months. In some patients pin site infection developed during the treatment, which resulted in cessation of treatment. Recently, for cryptotia with marked cartilage adhesion, surgical release of the adhesion with a skin graft was supplemented with the application of the external stretching device. The device was maintained for 2 months and the long-term follow-up showed excellent outcome with well-maintained projection and a satisfactory auricular shape. The author suggests that the external stretching device is a useful alternative in the correction of cryptotia with severe cartilage adhesion in older children or adults.
Safety, Tolerability, and Immunogenicity of Repeated Doses of DermaVir, a Candidate Therapeutic HIV Vaccine, in HIV-Infected Patients Receiving Combination Antiretroviral Therapy: Results of the ACTG 5176 Trial

Background:HIV-specific cellular immune responses are associated with control of viremia and delayed disease progression. An effective therapeutic vaccine could mimic these effects and reduce the need for continued antiretroviral therapy. DermaVir, a topically administered plasmid DNA-nanomedicine expressing HIV (CladeB) virus-like particles consisting of 15 antigens, induces predominantly central memory T-cell responses. Methods:Treated HIV-infected adults (HIV RNA <50 and CD4 >350) were randomized to placebo or escalating DermaVir doses (0.1 or 0.4 mg of plasmid DNA at weeks 1, 7, and 13 in the low- and intermediate-dose groups and 0.8 mg at weeks 0, 1, 6, 7, 12, and 13 in the high-dose group), n = 5–6 evaluable subjects per group. Immunogenicity was assessed by a 12-day cultured interferon-&ggr; enzyme-linked immunosorbent spot assay at baseline and at weeks 9, 17, and 37 using 1 Tat/Rev and 3 overlapping Gag peptide pools (p17, p24, and p15). Results:Groups were comparable at baseline. The study intervention was well tolerated, without dose-limiting toxicities. Most responses were highest at week 17 (4 weeks after last vaccination) when Gag p24 responses were significantly greater among intermediate-dose group compared with control subjects [median (IQR): 67,600 (5633–74,368) versus 1194 (9–1667)] net spot-forming units per million cells, P = 0.032. In the intermediate-dose group, there was also a marginal Gag p15 response increase from baseline to week 17 [2859 (1867–56,933), P = 0.06], and this change was significantly greater than in the placebo group [0 (−713 to 297), P = 0.016]. Conclusions:DermaVir administration was associated with a trend toward greater HIV-specific, predominantly central memory T-cell responses. The intermediate DermaVir dose tended to show the greatest immunogenicity, consistent with previous studies in different HIV-infected patient populations.
What's New in Stroke? The Top 10 for 2004/05

During the past decade, stroke has emerged from the dark ages of therapeutic nihilism to the current dawn of treatment activism, fueled by an unprecedented amount of high‐quality clinical research. Here, the choices for the “Top 10” studies of 2004/05 influencing the management of patients with stroke and threatened stroke are reviewed. Nine are randomized, clinical trials involving a total of 61,810 participants. Three studies involved intracerebral hemorrhage, an important stroke subtype in which few trials have previously been carried out. Three studies involved acute treatment of stroke, and their results emphasize that “time is brain,” and minutes count, in management of acute ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke. The 10th study was a longitudinal cohort analysis of participants with atrial fibrillation pooled from six clinical trials that validated predictive schemes to identify those who benefit most from anticoagulation. The practical management implications of these studies refine and improve care of geriatric patients with cerebrovascular disease.