Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor as a suicide factor in mental disorders

Objective Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) plays a critical role in brain plasticity processes and serum levels have been demonstrated to be altered in patients with different mental disorder including suicidal behaviour. The objective of this study was to examine the association between serum BDNF levels as a possible peripheral indicator of suicide behaviour in subjects suffering from depression, personality disorders (PDs) and adjustment disorders (ADs) with or without suicide attempt. Methods The research included 172 randomly selected individuals suffering from recurrent depressive disorder (RDD; F 33.2), emotionally unstable PD (F 60.3) and AD (F 43.2), with or without attempted suicide according to the criteria of the ICD-10 (International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems 10th Revision) and 60 phenotypically health control subjects. In the group of patients, 73% subjects took some form of psychopharmacotherapy. Serum BDNF levels were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. Results Subjects with PD and AD with suicide attempts had significantly lower serum BDNF levels than those without suicide attempts. In groups of subjects with PD and AD, those taking psychopharmacotherapy had higher serum BDNF levels. In the group of subjects with RDD, there were no differences with respect to suicide attempts or psychopharmacotherapy. Logistical regression analysis was indicated that psychopharmcotherapy and serum BDNF levels statistically correlated with suicide attempts. Conclusion The lower levels of BDNF in subjects suffering from PD and AD with suicide attempts, suggest that the serum BDNF level is a potential marker of suicidal behaviour, independent of mental disorders.
MRI Brain Image Segmentation by Edge Detection and Region Selection

— The boundaries of different tissues in MRI brain images are indistinct and the intensity change is very less. Therefore, accurate segmentation of brain images is very difficult task. To segment MRI brain image, here two methods are applied, Edge detection, Region selection. Method will separate out white matter, gray matter and CSF structure from brain image. The discontinuity present in brain tissues will be segmented by edge detection, special highly sensitive detector (canny detector) will be used to extract gray matter. The connected and homogenous part of brain tissues are segmented by region based segmentation method, such as region growing which will extract white matter as well as CSF matter. These method are widely applicable in medical field which helps in diagnosis of many brain diseases.
Measurement Error Affects Risk Estimates for Recruitment to the Hudson River Stock of Striped Bass

We examined the consequences of ignoring the distinction between measurement error and natural variability in an assessment of risk to the Hudson River stock of striped bass posed by entrainment at the Bowline Point, Indian Point, and Roseton power plants. Risk was defined as the probability that recruitment of age-1+ striped bass would decline by 80% or more, relative to the equilibrium value, at least once during the time periods examined (1, 5, 10, and 15 years). Measurement error, estimated using two abundance indices from independent beach seine surveys conducted on the Hudson River, accounted for 50% of the variability in one index and 56% of the variability in the other. If a measurement error of 50% was ignored and all of the variability in abundance was attributed to natural causes, the risk that recruitment of age-1+ striped bass would decline by 80% or more after 15 years was 0.308 at the current level of entrainment mortality (11%). However, the risk decreased almost tenfold (0.032) if a measurement error of 50% was considered. The change in risk attributable to decreasing the entrainment mortality rate from 11 to 0% was very small (0.009) and similar in magnitude to the change in risk associated with an action proposed in Amendment #5 to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Atlantic striped bass (0.006)— an increase in the instantaneous fishing mortality rate from 0.33 to 0.4. The proposed increase in fishing mortality was not considered an adverse environmental impact, which suggests that potentially costly efforts to reduce entrainment mortality on the Hudson River stock of striped bass are not warranted.
Science and Culture: The art of designing life

In “Rewilding with Synthetic Biology,” artist Alexandra Daisy Ginsberg imagines a forest landscape replete with manmade creations that help sustain and remediate the ecosystem. In a separate artwork called “Mobile Bioremediation Unit” (Inset), Ginsberg conjures up one such creation, a synthetic slug-like organism that would bioremediate the forest soil by changing the soil pH with an alkali hygroscopic fluid, until a genetic kill-switch ends its service at 28 days. Images courtesy of Alexandra Daisy Ginsberg.
Unexpected Return for Follow-up During the First Year of Multidisciplinary Care May Be Predictive of Rapid Deterioration of Renal Function

AbstractMultidisciplinary predialysis education and team care (MDC) may slow the decline in renal function in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, associations between unexpected return during MDC and progression of renal dysfunction have not been characterized in patients with CKD. Our study aimed to determine the association between exacerbation of renal dysfunction and the frequency of unexpected return during follow-up.A total of 437 patients with CKD receiving multidisciplinary care between January 2009 and June 2013 at the Shin-Kong Wu Ho-Su Memorial Hospital were included in this retrospective observational cohort study, and multiple imputations were performed for missing data. The predictor was the frequency of unexpected return for follow-up during the first year after entering MDC. Main outcome was monthly declines in estimated glomerular filtration rates (eGFR). Moreover, the demographic data, comorbidities, history of medication, and routine laboratory data for patients with CKD were collected.Among all patients, 59.7% were male, the mean age at initiation of MDC was 69.4 ± 13.2 years, and the duration of follow-up was 21.4 ± 3.3 months. The subjects were divided into 2 groups according to frequencies of follow-up (⩽4 and > 4 visits) during the 1st year of MDC. The patients with CKD were regularly followed up every 3 months as a part of MDC in our hospital, and patients who returned for more than 4 follow-up visits were included in the unexpected return group. In crude regression analyses, unexpected return was significantly associated with higher monthly declines of eGFR (&bgr; = 0.092, 95% confidence interval, 0.014–0.170). This association remained after adjustments for multiple variables, and subgroup analyses of unexpected return showed that male gender, older age, CKD stage 1 to 3, hypertension, history of coronary artery disease, and use of renin–angiotensin system blockade were significantly associated with declines in renal function.In conclusion, unexpected return for follow-up during the 1st year of MDC was significantly associated with the deterioration of renal function.
Experiences with developing language processing tools and corpora for Amharic

A major bottleneck for promoting use of computers and the Internet is that many languages lack access to basic tools that would make it possible for people to access ICT in their own language. The paper describes the development a set of such resources for the processing of Amharic, the working language of the Ethiopian government. The primary goal was to investigate techniques and methods that can be used to efficiently create computational linguistic resources for new languages based on existing tools and resources. The resources created consist of linguistically annotated text collections and tools for word-level analysis of Amharic.
Clinical studies of induction agents. XXXVI: Ketamine.

SUMMARY The intravenous anaesthetic ketamine has been given to patients undergoing minor gynaecological surgery after atropine prcmedication in initial doses ranging from 1.0 to 3.0 mg/kg. The chief induction complications were hypertension and hypertonus, the incidence of which was only broadly related to dosage. Recovery of consciousness was rapid, though marred by a high incidence of delirium at all dose levels. This delirium was sometimes sufficiently severe and prolonged as to necessitate tranquillization with diazepam. Hallucinations at this stage were so unpleasant that patient acceptance was much lower than with the barbiturates.
One image segmentation method based on Otsu and fuzzy theory seeking image segment threshold

Based on the study of image segmentation algorithm, this paper presents one kind of improved image segmentation algorithm by comprehensive using the Otsu method and the method based on fuzzy theory seeking image segment threshold. The method uses Otsu method, obtained by pre-segmentation threshold value; then the image is divided into target and background. At last we use fuzzy partition method for final segmentation threshold. The experimental results show that the method can keep a greater degree of image detail. Especially for low SNR images and poor contrast image, there is a relatively good result.
Kegunaan Pelaporan Keuangan Untuk Pembuatan Keputusan Internal

Study aims to determine the level of usefulness of financial reporting for internal decision - making based on the internal user's perception of government financial reporting. Research methods are using primary data sources through an online questionnaire to 93 employees in the Inspector General Ministry of Commerce. Research suggests there is a relationship between educational background with degree of usefulness of financial statements, but there is no statistical evidence that supports an association between the level of professional experience and level of usefulness of financial statements. In addition, it is known that the level of usefulness of accrual-based information is high in internal decision-making framework. However, it was also found that there was no difference in usefulness between accrual-based information and cash-based information for internal decision making.
Balancing Security and Usability in Encrypted Email

End-to-end encryption is the best way to protect digital messages. Historically, end-to-end encryption has been extremely difficult for people to use, but recent tools have made it more broadly accessible, largely by employing key-directory services. These services sacrifice some security properties for convenience. The authors wanted to understand how average users think about these tradeoffs. They conducted a 52-person user study and found that participants could learn to understand properties of different encryption models. Users also made coherent assessments about when different tradeoffs might be appropriate. Participants recognized that the less-convenient exchange model was more secure overall, but considered the registration model's security sufficient for most everyday purposes.
Collaborative performance measurement in supply chain

Purpose – The objective of this paper is to demonstrate the challenges when developing a common performance measurement system (PMS) in the context of a collaborative supply chain.Design/methodology/approach – The paper utilizes qualitative and quantitative data from a case study. The qualitative data refer to the assessment of collaborative performance measures based on interviews with experts, while the quantitative data demonstrate the use of two performance measures in a collaborative supply chain network.Findings – The development of a collaborative PMS is a challenging task. Through the systematic study of two significant performance measures for a supply chain, it was found that the one could not be supported due to reliability restrictions, while the other requires the development of a complex information system. Based on these, a discussion of specific challenges follows.Research limitations/implications – The paper has the general case study limitations.Practical implications – Companies operati.
How Will the New Lease Accounting Standard Affect the Relevance of Lease Asset Accounting?

Abstract We extend Williamson, 1973 , Williamson, 1987 transaction economics research to leased assets to help explain why some assets are acquired by capital lease and the use of other assets is acquired by operating lease. We look for evidence that capital leases are used for higher asset specificity assets and operating leases are used for lower asset specificity assets. Specifically, we find that returns on capital lease assets exceed the returns on operating lease assets. That the nature of capital lease assets differs from operating lease assets suggests that the lease standard SFAS 13 better categorizes assets under lease. The new lease standard ASU 2016-02 allows only one category for lease assets. From this we conclude that ASU 2016-02 will potentially have an adverse effect on the relevance of lease asset accounting.
Colestipol‐Induced Hepatotoxicity

A 65‐year‐old man with type IIa dyslipidemia who received flavored colestipol granules 2 scoops/day for 3 months developed asymptomatic hepatotoxicity. Several of his liver enzymes were elevated 10 times the upper limit of normal. One week after discontinuing colestipol, serum transaminases fell dramatically, with some returning to normal limits. Four weeks after colestipol was discontinued, all liver function tests were normal. Rechallenge was not attempted. Other potential causes of hepatocellular injury were evaluated. Bile acid‐binding resins commonly are administered to treat type IIa dyslipidemia. Despite extensive use of the resins, significant elevations of transaminase levels are rare. Because the exact mechanism of bile acid resin‐induced hepatotoxicity is unknown, high‐risk patients may require liver function test monitoring and education on hepatotoxic side effects.
Spin-transfer switching current distribution and reduction in magnetic tunneling junction-based structures

Spin transfer switching current distribution within a cell and switching current reduction were studied at room temperature for magnetic tunnel junction-based structures with resistance area product (RA) ranged from 10 to 30 /spl Omega/-/spl mu/m/sup 2/ and TMR of 15%-30%. These were patterned into current perpendicular to plane configured nanopillars having elliptical cross sections of area /spl sim/0.02 /spl mu/m/sup 2/. The width of the critical current distribution (sigma/average of distribution), measured using 30 ms current pulse, was found to be 3% for cells with thermal factor (KuV/k/sub B/T) of 65. An analytical expression for probability density function p(I/I/sub c0/) was derived considering a thermally activated spin transfer model, which supports the experimental observation that the thermal factor is the most significant parameter in determining the within-cell critical current distribution. Spin-transfer switching current reduction was investigated through enhancing effective spin polarization factor /spl eta//sub eff/ in magnetic tunnel junction-based dual spin filter (DSF) structures. The intrinsic switching current density (J/sub c0/) was estimated by extrapolating experimental data of critical current density (J/sub c/) versus pulse width (/spl tau/), to a pulse width of 1 ns. A reduction in intrinsic switching current density for a dual spin filter (DSF: Ta/PtMn/CoFe/Ru/CoFeB/Al2O3/CoFeB/spacer/CoFe/PtMn/Ta) was observed compared to single magnetic tunnel junctions (MTJ: Ta/PtMn/CoFe/Ru/CoFeB/Al2O3/CoFeB/Ta). J/sub c/ at /spl tau/ of 1 ns (/spl sim/J/sub c0/) for the MTJ and DSF samples were 7/spl times/10/sup 6/ and 2.2/spl times/10/sup 6/ A/cm/sup 2/, respectively, for identical free layers. Thus, a significant enhancement of the spin transfer switching efficiency is seen for DSF structure compared to the single MTJ case.
Preservation of Fertility and of Reproduction Ability in Lymphoma Patients

Abstract Aim: The aim of this article is to provide the health professionals with clear, novel and practical guidelines regarding management of fertility in patients with malignant hematological disorders, with special accent on lymphoma. Also, it aims at raising consciousness of all physicians administering chemotherapy, about the undesired effects of many chemotherapy regimens, on the reproductive ability, about available methods for preserving fertility and regarding many other issues in connection with fertility in patients treated for lymphoma. Materials and methods: Online internet databases and publications have been searched, and a systematic literature review has been performed, using the following keywords: fertility, chemotherapy as well as relevant keywords in connection to the subject. Results: Within the search, reports regarding smaller-sized groups, as well as in series of patients and case reports have been found, but relatively few large randomized studies or actual reports regarding the success rate and the influence of methods for fertility preservation in patients treated for Hodgkin's and Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. We have managed in summarizing a large proportion of the research studies and transferring it into an integral multidisciplinary text, offering valid and applicable options for fertility preservation in patients treated for lymphoma. We use the term lymphoma in general, since the chemotherapy and radiotherapy approaches for Hodgkin's and for Non-Hodgkin's lymphomas are similar, rendering a major part of the fertility preservation guidelines appropriate for both entities. Recommendations: Hematologists should possess fundamental knowledge regarding the late complications of lymphoma treatment. Besides acknowledging the risk of secondary cancer development as well as of non-neoplastic cardiac and pulmonary complications, they should be prepared to raise the issue of infertility as an integral part of the treatment plan, since that is a complication of significant importance for patients treated with chemotherapy within their reproductive life period. Possible methods for preserving fertility should be presented and discussed, and patients should be referred promptly to a reproductive medicine specialist. Cryopreservation of both sperm and embryos are considered standard practice and are generally available, while other methods are still in investigational phase and performed in specialized centers under mandatory professional surveillance and expertise. Conclusion: It is recommended to utilize treatments that are with as little as possible gonadal toxicity, to consider a wide array of options for fertility preservation as soon as possible, and to practice a decision-making process most beneficial for the patient, based on the latest medical accomplishments and most novel prospects.
A low molecular weight binding protein for organic anions (Z protein) from human hepatic cytosol: Purification and quantitation

Human Z protein from liver was purified to homogeneity. The protein has a molecular weight of 11,000 and an isoelectric point of pH 5.8. Circular dichroism spectra of Z protein‐bilirubin (uncon‐jugated and diglucuronide) complexes revealed two ellipticity extrema, a negative peak at 460 nm, and a positive peak at 410 nm. Human serum albumin had a higher affinity for bilirubin than did Z protein. Fluorescence studies showed the approximate association constants of this protein and bilirubin, bromosulfophthalein, and indocyanine green were 106 M−1, 105 M−1, and 106 M−1, respectively. Immunofluorescence studies revealed that Z protein was localized in the cytoplasm of hepatocytes, proximal tubular epithelium, and epithelial cells of the small intestine. Radioimmunoassay studies were done to assess the amount of Z protein in controls and in various liver diseases. The highest concentrations of Z protein were found in the liver, kidney, heart muscle, and small intestine, in that order. In cases of acute and chronic hepatitis, hepatic Z protein concentrations were generally decreased, whereas serum Z protein concentrations were increased. In contrast, both serum and hepatic Z protein concentrations were decreased in cases of constitutional hyperbilirubinemia.
Use of Egg Yolk Antibodies to Predict Optimal Age of Vaccination Against Infectious Bursal Disease (IBD) in Broilers

Collecting sera from new-born chicks requires their sacrifice, which is an invasive and little economic method of sampling. We studied the possibility of replacing the antibody titres in serum of chicks by those in pre-incubated egg yolk for determining the optimal Age of Vaccination (OAV) against Infectious Bursal Disease (IBD) by the Deventer formula. The study focused on 10 hyper-immunized broiler-breeder flocks. Yolk of pre-incubated eggs and sera of newborn chicks, originated from the same parent flock, were essayed by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) to detect IBDV specific Maternally Derived Antibodies (MDA). ELISA titres in both types of samples were similar (p 0.05 NS). These results encourage the use of egg yolk in predicting the OAV against IBD instead of sera from sacrificed chicks.
Estimating and Addressing America's Food Losses

T he U.S. food supply is the most varied and abundant in the world. Americans spend a smaller share of their disposable income on food than citizens of any other country and choose from an average of 50,000 different food products on a typical outing to the supermarket. In 1994, the food supply provided an estimated 3,800 calories per person per day, enough to supply every American with more than one and a half times their average daily energy needs. Given this abundance, few of the Nation’s resources have traditionally been devoted to measuring or reducing food waste. In recent years, growing concern about hunger, resource conservation, and the environmental and economic costs associated with food waste have raised public awareness of food loss. This in turn has accelerated public and private efforts to make better use of available food supplies by recovering safe and nutritious food that would otherwise be wasted. Of course, not all food that is lost is suitable for consumption (fig. 1). Some losses—like the condemnation
Design of a Prospective, Randomized Evaluation of an Integrated Nutrition Program in Rural Viet Nam

Few prospective studies of child growth and its determinants take place in programmatic contexts. We evaluated the effect of Save the Children's (SC) community empowerment and nutrition program (CENP) on child growth, care, morbidity, empowerment, and behavioral determinants. This paper describes the research methods of this community-based study. We used a longitudinal, prospective, randomized design. We selected 12 impoverished communes with documented child malnutrition, three comparison, and three intervention communes in each of two districts in Phu Tho Province, west of Hanoi. SC taught district trainers in November 1999 to train local health volunteers to implement the 10-month CENP, including situation analysis, positive deviance (PD) inquiry, growth monitoring and promotion, nutrition education and rehabilitation program (NERP), deworming, and monitoring. PD inquiries aim to discover successful care practices in poor households that likely promote well-nourished children. NERPs are neighborhood-based, facilitated group learning sessions where caregivers of malnourished children learn and practice PD and other healthy behaviors. We dewormed all intervention and comparison children. We weighed all children less than 24 months of age living in the intervention and comparison communes and randomly selected 240 children (120 intervention and 120 comparison). We gathered information on nutritional status, diet, illness, care, behavioral determinants, empowerment, and program quality, monthly for six months with a re-survey at 12 months. We collected most information through maternal interview but also observed hygiene and program quality, and videotaped feedings at home. Some implementation and research limitations will attenuate CENP impact and measurement of its effectiveness.