Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Lack of clinical significance of early ischemic changes on computed tomography in acute stroke.

CONTEXT The prevalence and clinical significance of early ischemic changes (EICs) on baseline computed tomography (CT) scan of the head obtained within 3 hours of ischemic stroke are not established. OBJECTIVE To determine the frequency and significance of EIC on baseline head CT scans in the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) rt-PA (recombinant tissue plasminogen activator) Stroke Trial. DESIGN AND SETTING The original study, a randomized controlled trial, took place from January 1991 through October 1994 at 43 sites, during which CT images were obtained within 3 hours of symptom onset and prior to the initiation of rt-PA or placebo. For the current analysis, detailed reevaluation was undertaken after October 1994 of all baseline head CT scans with clinical data available pretreatment (blinded to treatment arm). PATIENTS Of 624 patients enrolled in the trial, baseline CT scans were retrieved and reviewed for 616 (99%). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Frequency of EICs on baseline CT scans; association of EIC with other baseline variables; effect of EICs on deterioration at 24 hours (>/=4 points increase from the baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale [NIHSS] score); clinical outcome (measured by 4 clinical scales) at 3 months, CT lesion volume at 3 months, death at 90 days; and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) within 36 hours of treatment. RESULTS The prevalence of EIC on baseline CT in the combined rt-PA and placebo groups was 31% (n = 194). The EIC was significantly associated with baseline NIHSS score (rho = 0.23; P<.001) and time from stroke onset to baseline CT scan (rho = 0.11; P =.007). After adjusting for baseline variables, there was no EIC x treatment interaction detected for any clinical outcome, including deterioration at 24 hours, 4 clinical scales, lesion volume, and death at 90 days (P>/=.25), implying that EIC is unlikely to affect response to rt-PA treatment. After adjusting for NIHSS score (an independent predictor of ICH), no EIC association with symptomatic ICH at 36 hours was detected in the group treated with rt-PA (P>/=.22). CONCLUSIONS Our analysis suggests that EICs are prevalent within 3 hours of stroke onset and correlate with stroke severity. However, EICs are not independently associated with increased risk of adverse outcome after rt-PA treatment. Patients treated with rt-PA did better whether or not they had EICs, suggesting that EICs on CT scan are not critical to the decision to treat otherwise eligible patients with rt-PA within 3 hours of stroke onset.
Effect of Strategic Planning on Annual Income of National Sports Federations in Kenya

Strategic Planning has been linked to improved financial performance of International Sport Federations. The general low annual income of the National Sports Federations (NSFs) in Kenya which has frustrated development of sport industry raises a number of issues regarding integration of strategic planning in their management. This paper looks at the effect of strategic planning on annual income of NSFs in Kenya. The paper was guided by descriptive and correlation research design. A Population of 156 officials from 39 NSFs was targeted and 111 respondents randomly sampled using Fisher’s model. Primary data was collected using structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics involving mean, standard deviations and frequencies were run. Multiple regression analysis was employed to determine the effect of strategic planning on annual income. The study established that there was low integration of strategic planning practices among NSFs which could be responsible for their annual income deficits posted over the years. However, significant positive linear relationship was established between the different strategic planning components and annual income at (p
Clinical Expansion of Cord Blood-derived T Cells for Use as Donor Lymphocyte Infusion After Cord Blood Transplantation

Allogeneic stem cell transplantation (SCT) from cord blood (CB) as a stem cell source is a promising alternative when no human leukocyte antigen-matched donor is found. Donor lymphocyte infusion (DLI) is a possible treatment modality for threatening graft failure or relapse of an underlying malignancy after transplantation. Ethical and logistical reasons limit the possibility of DLI in the setting of CB SCT. To remedy this restriction, we performed expansion of donor T cells in vitro from CB grafts in a clinical setting for use as future DLI and characterized the expanded cells in comparison to T cells from CB acquired ex vivo and adult peripheral blood. T cells were expanded from grafts used for transplantation, upon CD3/CD28 crosslinking and culture in interleukin-2. Phenotype and function of T cells were assessed by flow cytometry and mixed lymphocyte culture assays. T-cell receptor repertoire distribution was evaluated with polymerase chain reaction-based spectratyping. We were able to amplify T cells to sufficient amounts for DLI in 13 out of 13 initiated expansions. Expanded T cells presented with an activated phenotype and could be induced to produce cytokines by a nonspecific stimulus. When exposed to allogeneic targets, expanded CB T cells proliferated at comparable levels to their ex vivo and adult blood counterparts. In summary, clinical expansion of CB T cells for DLI is feasible and may be a future modality for treatment of graft failure or relapse after SCT.
Examining multi-functionality for crop yield and ecosystem services in five systems of agroecological intensification

ABSTRACT Agroecological intensification (AEI) integrates ecological principles and biodiversity management into farming systems with the aims of increasing farm productivity, reducing dependency on external inputs, and sustaining or enhancing ecosystem services. This review develops an analytic framework to characterize the fulfilment of these objectives by documenting the co-occurrence of positive, neutral, and negative outcomes for crop yield and nine regulating ecosystem services. We provide an illustrative examination of the framework, evaluating evidence for yield and ecosystem service outcomes across five AEI systems: conservation agriculture, holistic grazing management, organic agriculture, precision agriculture, and system of rice intensification (SRI). We reviewed 104 studies containing 245 individual comparisons between AEI and contrasting farming systems. In three of the five AEI systems, conservation agriculture, precision agriculture, and SRI, more than half of reviewed comparisons reported ‘win-win’ outcomes, enhancement of both yield and ecosystem services, or ‘win-neutral’ outcomes relative to contrasting farming systems. The review presents substantial evidence that the five AEI systems can contribute to multi-functional agriculture by increasing ecosystem service provision, or reducing negative externalities associated with agriculture, while maintaining or increasing yields. A framework such as the one presented here can help guide decision-makers considering how best to implement multi-functional agriculture so that both crop yield and ecosystem service delivery can be maintained or increased.
Activation of 5-hydroxytryptamine1B/1D/1F receptors as a mechanism of action of antimigraine drugs

Introduction: The introduction of the triptans (5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)1B/1D receptor agonists) was a great improvement in the acute treatment of migraine. However, shortcomings of the triptans have prompted research on novel serotonergic targets for the treatment of migraine. Areas covered: In this review the different types of antimigraine drugs acting at 5-HT receptors, their discovery and development are discussed. The first specific antimigraine drugs were the ergot alkaloids, consisting of ergotamine, dihydroergotamine and methysergide, which are agonists at 5-HT receptors, but can also bind α-adrenoceptors and dopamine receptors. In the 1990s, the triptans became available on the market. They are 5-HT1B/1D receptor agonists, showing fewer side effects due to their receptor specificity. In the last years, compounds that bind specifically to 5-HT1D, 5-HT1F and 5-HT7 receptors have been explored for their antimigraine potential. Furthermore, the serotonergic system seems to act in tight connection with the glutamatergic as well as the CGRP-ergic systems, which may open novel therapeutic avenues. Expert opinion: Although the triptans are very effective in treating migraine attacks, their shortcomings have stimulated the search for novel drugs. Currently, the focus is on 5-HT1F receptor agonists, which seem devoid of vascular side effects. Moreover, novel compounds that affect multiple transmitter and/or neuropeptide systems that are involved in migraine could be of therapeutic relevance.
Global Debt: Challenges and Opportunities

The world is deep in a flood tide of debt. Do we care, and what can we do about it? Debt is inextricably linked to economic growth. Whether in the form of government, business or household credit, debt can fuel economic growth, and economic growth can increase the propensity to borrow. And when growth is too weak, credit can be used to stimulate it. The cumulative effect of credit use by the various sectors of an economy is a rise in its overall debt. While economic prosperity is often credit-financed, higher levels of debt appear connected to lower future economic growth. Almost all debt accumulations have been hard to reverse, most have involved tough policy choices, and some notable ones have ended badly. In this whitepaper, we discuss the state of global debt, how it came to be, where it may lead, and what we believe portfolio implications to be.
A Review of Reagents for Fluorescence Microscopy of Cellular Compartments and Structures, Part I: BacMam Labeling and Reagents for Vesicular Structures

Fluorescent labeling of vesicular structures in cultured cells, particularly for live cells, can be challenging for a number of reasons. The first challenge is to identify a reagent that will be specific enough where some structures have a number of potential reagents and others very few options. The emergence of BacMam constructs has allowed more easy‐to‐use choices. Presented here is a discussion of BacMam constructs as well as a review of commercially‐available reagents for labeling vesicular structures in cells, including endosomes, peroxisomes, lysosomes, and autophagosomes, complete with a featured reagent for each structure, recommended protocol, troubleshooting guide, and example image. Curr. Protoc. Cytom. 65:12.30. 1‐12.30. 27. © 2013 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
A controlled family study of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and Tourette's disorder.

OBJECTIVE Although attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is frequently comorbid with Tourette's disorder (TD), it is unclear whether they have a common genetic etiology. Familial relationships between DSM-IV ADHD and TD are studied in TD+ADHD, TD-only (TD-ADHD), ADHD-only (ADHD-TD), and control groups. METHOD Case-control, direct-interview family study of 692 relatives of 75 TD+ADHD, 74 TD-only, 41 ADHD-only, and 49 control probands collected between 1999 and 2004. Age-corrected prevalence rates, odds ratios, and predictors of TD, ADHD, and OCD among relatives are estimated from blinded best-estimate diagnoses using survival Kaplan-Meier and generalized estimating equation regression analyses. RESULTS In relatives of the TD-only group, although ADHD exceeded control rates (p=.03), ADHD-TD (p=.51) rates were not increased. In the ADHD-only group, TD was increased (p=.004) but TD-ADHD rates were not increased (p=.18). Comorbid ADHD+TD diagnoses in relatives were elevated in all case groups (p<or=.03). TD in relatives predicted comorbid ADHD (p<.001), and ADHD in relatives predicted comorbid TD (p<.001). OCD in relatives predicted both ADHD (p=.002) and TD (p<.001) in relatives. CONCLUSIONS TD and ADHD are not alternate phenotypes of a single underlying genetic cause. There is an increased risk of comorbid ADHD and TD in affected families, possibly reflecting some overlapping neurobiology or pathophysiology.
Special issue “Intuitionistic fuzzy theory and its application in economy, technology and management”

First of all, we would like to thank all the authors for their provided high quality papers to this special issue and help in showing the usefulness of “Intuitionistic fuzzy theory and its application in economy, technology and management”. Then, we would like to thank all the reviewers who provided the very helpful comments that improved these papers and guaranteed the quality of this special issue. Further, we would also like to thank the Professor Zaiwu Gong from Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology, who provided some helps for this introduction to the special issue. Finally, we would like to thank Professor Edmundas Kazimieras Zavadskas, Editor in Chief of Technological and Economic Development of Economy, for proposing to publish this special issue. In addition, thank the support from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Nos. 71471172 and 71271124) and the Special Funds of Taishan Scholars Project of Shandong Province.
Valuing and value in diversity: the policy‐implementation gap in an IT firm

The focus of UK-based research on diversity theory and diversity managers has led to a relative dearth of studies focusing on the critical issue of line managers' agency in policy implementation. This article provides a context-sensitive organisational case study of the policy-implementation gap in the UK base of one multinational IT company. The article explores male and female managers' perspectives on valuing diversity at a level of general abstraction, and the extent to which they see value in diversity for the effectiveness of their project teams. In the context of a White, male-dominated industry, the case study shows how the gap is sustained rather than bridged despite the implementation of numerous diversity initiatives.
A novel slot antenna for WLAN applications

Based on the theory of slot antenna, a tri-band (2.4G/5.2G/5.8G) patch antenna with three slots has been designed, fabricated, and measured in this paper. To achieve separate three bands, the antenna consists of two semi-circular gaps, which have lead to multiple resonant modes, and a U-slot, which is located nearby the feed point to separate the mode. The key structure parameters are analyzed and optimized. The measurement results show good agreement with simulation. The antenna has the advantages of separate adjusting of bands, novel structure, lightweight, low cost and great compatibility. It is suitable for WLAN applications.
Research on the Fairness of Public Fiscal Expenditure Policy for Government Sports

This paper studies the sports public fiscal expenditure policy in China by using the method of literature review,comparative analysis and quantitative research.The rsult reveals that sports public fiscal expenduture policy in China favored the competitive sports.There are some unfair phenomena existing in the policy,such as regional unequal distribution,the disparity between urban and rural areas,and so on.The important reasons that caused these phenomena to exist are the government fiscal responsibility desalination,the neglect of financial fairness ideas,the irrationality of financial systems,and the great financial income differences between regions.This paper points out that in order to improve the sports public fiscal expenditure policy and fully guarantee sports fairness strategy,the government should do the following things:to make the ideas come first,to reconstruct the sports fiscal expenditure concept,to carry out the responsibility,and to make the central government finance take on the responsibility of guaranteeing the sports fairness.Meanwhile,this paper urged the government to raise the total amount so that they can reasonably increase the financial input in sports;to optimize the structure so that they can reasobably increase the financial input in sports;to optimize the structure so that they can reasonably increase the financial input in sports;to optimize the structure so that they can effectively use the fiscal transferring payment system;to encourage the tax so that they can actively cultivate sports organizations;to reconstruct the system so that they can ensure the fairness of the sports fiscal expenditure.
Predicting Music Success Based on Users' Comments on Online Social Networks

In this paper, we aim at determining whether or not we can predict the success of a music album, based on the comments posted on social networks during 30 days before the album release. For that matter, we focused on the Twitter network for gathering the user comments. As success measures, we considered the Spotify Popularity and the Billboard Units. The reason for those choices is that Spotify represents the most popular type of music consumption today (audio streaming), while Billboard ranking still favors the old school market (physical albums). As a result, we found out that the amount of Positive Tweets (30 days before the album release) can explain 95.5% of the variation in the Spotify Popularity with a simple linear model. On the other hand, we could not find statistical evidence that the volume of comments on Twitter correlates with the album success measured by the Billboard magazine.
Long-term remote monitoring of vital signs using a wireless patch sensor

Remote monitoring and wearable technologies could help to effectively manage health, monitor safety and reduce the staggering health care costs. The present study is designed to investigate the efficacy of disposable wireless HealthPatch™ sensors for continuous and long-term monitoring in senior subjects over consecutive 50-days in their home setting. Patch sensor is worn on the chest that allows remote and real-time monitoring of vital sign measurements and falls. Patch data and nightly questionnaire responses were obtained in 76 participants (age 59-85 years) over 3603 days using 1333 patches, collectively. The performance of heart rate, respiration rate and skin temperature was assessed on day-1 and day-4 that estimated the mean absolute errors to be <;3 beats/min, <;3 breaths/min and <;1.2 °C, respectively compared to their respective reference devices. The vital signs showed no significant differences between start and end of a 3-day wear cycle. False positive rate of fall detection was 0.0027 falls/day. The participants reported the patch wear very/fairly comfortable for 88.2% of days of wear. The wireless patch sensors have demonstrated high performance over its 3-day wear cycle, great compliance, and positive user feedback on wearability and usability. Thus, the patch sensors are very efficient and suitable for remote long-term monitoring at uncontrolled home setting.
Signaling and Transcriptional Changes Critical for Transformation of Human Cells by Simian Virus 40 Small Tumor Antigen or Protein Phosphatase 2A B56γ Knockdown

One set of genes sufficient for transformation of primary human cells uses the combination of Ha-Ras-V12, the telomerase catalytic subunit hTERT, SV40 large tumor antigen (LT), and SV40 small tumor antigen (ST). Whereas SV40 LT inactivates the retinoblastoma protein and p53, the contribution of ST is poorly understood. The essential helper function of ST requires a functional interaction with protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A). Here we have identified changes in gene expression induced by ST and show that ST mediates these changes through both PP2A-dependent and PP2A-independent mechanisms. Knockdown of PP2A B56γ subunit can substitute for ST expression to fully transform cells expressing LT, hTERT, and Ras-V12. We also identify those genes affected similarly in two cell lines that have been fully transformed from a common parental line by two alternative mechanisms, namely ST expression or PP2A B56γ subunit knockdown. ST altered expression of genes involved in proliferation, apoptosis, integrin signaling, development, immune responses, and transcriptional regulation. ST reduced surface expression of MHC class I molecules, consistent with a need for SV40 to evade immune detection. ST expression enabled cell cycle progression in reduced serum and src phosphorylation in anchorage-independent media, whereas B56γ knockdown required normal serum levels for these phenotypes. Inhibitors of integrin and src signaling prevented anchorage-independent growth of transformed cells, suggesting that integrin and src activation are key ST-mediated events in transformation. Our data support a model in which ST promotes survival through constitutive integrin signaling, src phosphorylation, and nuclear factor κB activation, while inhibiting cell-cell adhesion pathways.
Growth, Development, and Gene Expression in a Persistent Streptococcus gordonii Biofilm

ABSTRACT A model for the protracted (30-day) colonization of smooth surfaces by Streptococcus gordonii that incorporates the nutrient flux that occurs in the oral cavity was developed. This model was used to characterize the biphasic expansion of the adherent bacterial population, which corresponded with the emergence of higher-order architectures characteristic of biofilms. Biofilm formation by S. gordonii was observed to be influenced by the presence of simple sugars including sucrose, glucose, and fructose. Real-time PCR was used to quantify changes in expression of S. gordonii genes known or thought to be involved in biofilm formation. Morphological changes were accompanied by a significant shift in gene expression patterns. The majority of S. gordonii genes examined were observed to be downregulated in the biofilm phase. Genes found to be upregulated in the biofilm state were observed to encode products related to environmental sensing and signaling.
Human Cord Blood-Derived Unrestricted Somatic Stem Cells Promote Wound Healing and have Therapeutic Potential for Patients with Recessive Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa

Human umbilical cord blood (CB)-derived unrestricted somatic stem cells (USSCs) have previously been demonstrated to have a broad differentiation potential and regenerative beneficial effects when administered in animal models of multiple degenerative diseases. Here we demonstrated that USSCs could be induced to express genes that hallmark keratinocyte differentiation. We also demonstrated that USSCs express type VII collagen (C7), a protein that is absent or defective in patients with an inherited skin disease, recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (RDEB). In mice with full-thickness excisional wounds, a single intradermal injection of USSCs at a 1-cm distance to the wound edge resulted in significantly accelerated wound healing. USSC-treated wounds displayed a higher density of CD31+ cells, and the wounds healed with a significant increase in skin appendages. These beneficial effects were demonstrated without apparent differentiation of the injected USSCs into keratinocytes or endothelial cells. In vivo bioluminescent imaging (BLI) revealed specific migration of USSCs modified with a luciferase reporter gene, from a distant intradermal injection site to the wound, as well as following systemic injection of USSCs. These data suggest that CB-derived USSCs could significantly contribute to wound repair and be potentially used in cell therapy for patients with RDEB.