Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Magnetic resonance imaging of tumor necrosis

Abstract Background. The prognostic and predictive value of magnetic resonance (MR) investigations in clinical oncology may be improved by implementing strategies for discriminating between viable and necrotic tissue in tumors. The purpose of this preclinical study was to investigate whether the extent of necrosis in tumors can be assessed by dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) and/or T2-weighted MR imaging. Material and methods. Three amelanotic human melanoma xenograft lines differing substantially in tumor necrotic fraction, necrotic pattern, extracellular volume fraction, and blood perfusion were used as experimental models of human cancer. MRI was performed at 1.5 T and a spatial resolution of 0.23 × 0.47 × 2.0 mm3. Gadolinium diethylene-triamine penta-acetic acid (Gd-DTPA) was used as contrast agent. Plots of Gd-DTPA concentration versus time were generated for each voxel, and three parameters were calculated for each curve: the extracellular volume fraction (νe), the final slope (a), and the Gd-DTPA concentration at one minute after the contrast administration (C1min). Parametric images of νe, a, C1min, and the signal intensity in T2-weighted images (SIT2W) were compared with the histology of the imaged tissue. Results. The νe, a, and C1min frequency distributions were significantly different for necrotic and viable tissue in all three tumor lines. By using adequate values of νe, a, and C1min to discriminate between necrotic and viable tissue, significant correlations were found between the fraction of necrotic tissue assessed by MRI and the fraction of necrotic tissue assessed by image analysis of histological preparations. On the other hand, the SIT2W frequency distributions did not differ significantly between necrotic and viable tissue in two of the three tumor lines. Conclusion. Necrotic regions in tumor tissue can be identified in parametric images derived from DCE-MRI series, whereas T2-weighted images are unsuitable for detection of tumor necrosis.
Fabrication of a MEMS-Based Cobra Probe

This study presents a new type of cobra probe by using MEMS technology for IC testing. The fabrication includes photolithography, electroforming and polishing process. Mechanical properties of the cobra probe are measured and no fracture or deformation is found after applying a force of 3 g for as many as 20,000 times. Its contact resistance averages nearly 680 mOmega and overdrive is approximately up to 30 um.
A EFICIÊNCIA DO MERCADO DE CAPITAIS BRASILEIROS PELA ANÁLISE DO EFEITO MOMENTO THE EFFICENCY OF BRAZILIAN STOCK MARKET BY THE MOMENTUM EFFECT ANALYSIS

A Hipótese dos Mercados Eficientes (HME) concebida por Fama (1970) afirma que o investidor é racional, bem informado e maximizador da utilidade esperada. O aparecimento de fenômenos contrários a esse comportamento racional do mercado, dentre os quais se destaca o chamado Efeito Momento, fez com que os pressupostos da HME fossem colocados em xeque. O presente artigo avalia a eficiência do mercado de capitais brasileiro, pela identificação desta anomalia no período de janeiro de 1994 a setembro de 2009, de acordo com a metodologia empregada por Jegadeesh e Titman (1993). Com base nos retornos médios mensais das carteiras de ativos classificadas como vencedoras e perdedoras, foram identificados sete subperíodos nos quais o Efeito Momento fez-se presente, comprovando que o mercado de capitais brasileiro alterna períodos de baixa e alta eficiência.
Persistent pain after motor vehicle collision: comparative effectiveness of opioids vs nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs prescribed from the emergency department—a propensity matched analysis

Abstract Each year millions of Americans present to the emergency department (ED) for care after a motor vehicle collision (MVC); the majority (>90%) are discharged to home after evaluation. Acute musculoskeletal pain is the norm in this population, and such patients are typically discharged to home with prescriptions for oral opioid analgesics or nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). The influence of acute pain management on subsequent pain outcomes in this common ED population is unknown. We evaluated the effect of opioid analgesics vs NSAIDs initiated from the ED on the presence of moderate to severe musculoskeletal pain and ongoing opioid use at 6 weeks in a large cohort of adult ED patients presenting to the ED after MVC (n = 948). The effect of opioids vs NSAIDs was evaluated using an innovative quasi-experimental design method using propensity scores to account for covariate imbalances between the 2 treatment groups. No difference in risk for moderate to severe musculoskeletal pain at 6 weeks was observed between those discharged with opioid analgesics vs NSAIDs (risk difference = 7.2% [95% confidence interval: −5.2% to 19.5%]). However, at follow-up participants prescribed opioids were more likely than those prescribed NSAIDs to report use of prescription opioids medications at week 6 (risk difference = 17.5% [95% confidence interval: 5.8%-29.3%]). These results suggest that analgesic choice at ED discharge does not influence the development of persistent moderate to severe musculoskeletal pain 6 weeks after an MVC, but may result in continued use of prescription opioids. Supported by NIAMS R01AR056328 and AHRQ 5K12HS022998.
The Effects of Perinatal Oxycodone Exposure on Behavioral Outcome in a Rodent Model

Opiate addiction is now a major public health problem. Perinatal insults and exposure to opiates such as morphine in utero are well known to affect development of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis of the offspring adversely and are associated with a higher risk of developing neurobehavioral problems. Oxycodone is now one of the most frequently abused pain killers during pregnancy; however, limited data are available regarding whether and how perinatal oxycodone exposure (POE) alters neurobehavioral outcomes of the offspring. We demonstrated that exposure to 0.5 mg/kg/day oxycodone in utero was associated with hyperactivity in adult rats in an open field. No significant effects of POE were detected on isolation-induced ultrasonic vocalizations in the early postnatal period or on learning and memory in the water maze in adult offspring. Our findings are consistent with hyperactivity problems identified in children exposed to opiates in utero.
CLINICAL, RADIOLOGICAL, AND PATHOLOGICAL FINDINGS IN FOUR CHILDREN WITH GASTROINTESTINAL STROMAL TUMORS OF THE STOMACH

The incidence of gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) in children is exceptionally low. However, during the last decade these tumors attracted increasing attention, because they were found to express the cell surface transmembrane receptor kit (CD117) that has tyrosine kinase activity. This tyrosine kinase can be semi-selectively inhibited by signal transduction inhibitors such as imatinib mesylate (Glivec), which is a competitive inhibitor of c-kit, c-abl, platelet-derived growth factor receptor-α (PDGFR-α) and PDGFR-β, and abl-related gene (arg). The authors present the clinical, radiographic, and pathological findings of 4 children who were diagnosed with gastric GIST. One of them had an incomplete Carney triad including GIST and mediastinal paraganglioma. All 4 patients presented with anemia and anemia-related symptoms and underwent total resection of the tumor. One patient received additional chemotherapy (in the pre-imatinib era) and 2 patients received a short course of imatinib mesylate. With a follow-up of 116, 55, 23, and 10 months all patients are alive in first complete continuous remission. In children and adolescents, particularly in female patients, GISTs should be included in the differential diagnosis of anemia secondary to gastrointestinal hemorrhage. Complete surgical resection is the mainstay of treatment for this tumor, with imatinib mesylate restricted to patients with advanced or metastatic tumors. Since late recurrences (up to 30 years following initial diagnosis) are reported, a life-long follow-up is mandatory in these patients.
Retrospective review of lung cancers diagnosed in annual rounds of CT screening.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to review the records of patients with diagnoses of lung cancer in annual repeat rounds of CT screening in the International Early Lung Cancer Action Program to determine whether the cancer could have been identified in the previous round of screening. MATERIALS AND METHODS Three radiologists reviewed the scans of 104 lung cancer patients and assigned the findings to one of three categories: 1, cancer was not visible at previous CT screening; 2, cancer was visible at previous CT screening but not identified; 3, abnormality was identified at previous CT screening but not classified as malignant. Nodule size, nodule consistency, cell type, and stage at the previous screening and when identified for further workup for each of the three categories were tabulated. RESULTS Twenty-four (23%) patients had category 1 findings; 56 (54%) category 2; and 24 (23%) category 3. When diagnosed, seven (29%) category 1, 10 (18%) category 2, and four (17%) category three cancers had progressed beyond stage I. All cancers seen in retrospect were in clinical stage I at the previous screening. Category 1 cancers, compared with categories 2 and 3, had faster growth rates, were less frequently adenocarcinomas (29% vs 54% and 67%, p = 0.01), and were more often small cell carcinomas (29% vs 14% and 12%, p = 0.12). CONCLUSION Lung cancers found on annual repeat screenings were frequently identified in the previous round of screening, suggesting that review of the varied appearance and incorporation of advanced image display may be useful for earlier detection.
In Vitro Anti-Malassezia Activity of Castanea crenata Shell and Oil-Soluble Glycyrrhiza Extracts

Background A new shampoo with anti-Malassezia properties obtained from various plants is required to provide seborrheic dermatitis patients with a wider range of treatment options. Objective The aim of this study was to obtain in vitro susceptibility profiles of Malassezia restricta and M. globosa, the most important pathogenic organisms in the development of seborrheic dermatitis, to the plant extracts used in commercial anti-dandruff shampoos. Methods Minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were determined for eight candidate plant extracts and two plant-derived natural products diluted with Leeming and Notman medium to final concentrations of 0.016 to 1 mg/ml. Results Castanea crenata shell, Camellia sinensis leaf, and oil-soluble Glycyrrhiza extracts presented relatively low MIC values (≤0.5 mg/ml) against both strains. The C. crenata shell and oil-soluble Glycyrrhiza extracts demonstrated especially high anti-Malassezia activity, suggesting their potential use in the treatment of seborrheic dermatitis. The extracts also showed fungistatic activity against other common facultative pathogenic yeasts, Cryptococcus and Candida. Conclusion C. crenata shell and oil-soluble Glycyrrhiza extracts could potentially be used as active ingredients in anti-seborrheic and anti-dandruff shampoo formulations. They could be helpful for repeated treatments and regular prophylaxis of scalp seborrheic dermatitis.
Longitudinal neuropsychological follow-up study of patients with first-episode schizophrenia.

OBJECTIVE The primary purpose of this article was to determine if cognitive abilities decline, remain unchanged, or modestly improve throughout the course of schizophrenic illness. METHOD Forty-two patients with a first hospitalization for schizophrenia or schizophreniform disorder and 16 normal comparison subjects had a battery of neuropsychological tests and a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) brain scan at approximate yearly intervals for the first 2 to 5 years of illness. Summary rating scales for language, executive, memory, processing speed, and sensory-perceptual functions were constructed. RESULTS Patients with schizophrenia scored 1 to 2 standard deviations below normal comparison subjects on neuropsychological test measures during the course of the study. Patients exhibited less improvement than comparison subjects on measures of verbal memory. In general, improvement in positive symptoms over the time interval was associated with improvement in cognition. No changes in regional brain measurements were correlated with cognitive change in the patient group. CONCLUSIONS Patients with schizophrenia have considerable cognitive dysfunction in the first 4 to 5 years of illness, which is stable at a level of 1 to 2 standard deviations below that of comparison subjects. There is little evidence for deterioration of cognitive abilities over the first few years of illness, with the exception of verbal memory, which shows significantly less improvement in patients over time relative to that of comparison subjects.
Analytical Steady-State Solution for a Continuous Time Kalman Filter

Analytical expressions are given for the steady-state solution to a continuous time Kalman filter for a two-state model where both states are measured. The solution is obtained by a limiting operation on the known solution for the corresponding discrete time case. The solution is visualized in two graphs. The filter transfer function is also given.
Foot and ankle joint movements inside orthoses for children with spastic CP

We compared the ankle joint and foot segment kinematics of pediatric cerebral palsy (CP) participants walking with and without orthoses. A six segment foot model (6SF) was used to track foot motion. Holes were cut in the study orthoses so that electromagnetic markers could be directly placed on the skin. The Hinged Ankle Foot Orthoses (HAFO) allowed a significant increase in ankle dorsiflexion as compared to the barefoot condition during gait, but significantly constrained sagittal forefoot motion and forefoot sagittal range of motion (ROM) (p < 0.01), which may be detrimental. The Solid Ankle Foot Orthoses (SAFO) constrained forefoot ROM as compared to barefoot gait (p < 0.01). The 6SF model did not confirm that the SAFO can control excessive plantarflexion for those with severe plantarflexor spasticity. The supramalleolar orthosis (SMO) significantly (p < 0.01) constrained forefoot ROM as compared to barefoot gait at the beginning and end of the stance phase, which could be detrimental. The SMO had no effects observed in the coronal plane. © 2013 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 32:531–536, 2014.
GENETIC VARIANCE FOR DIAPAUSE EXPRESSION AND ASSOCIATED LIFE HISTORIES IN DROSOPHILA MELANOGASTER

Abstract The dipteran Drosophila melanogaster can express a form of reproductive quiescence or diapause when exposed to low temperature and shortened photoperiod. Among natural populations in the eastern United States, the frequency of lines that express reproductive diapause in the laboratory varies substantially and predictably with latitudinal origin. The goals of the present study were twofold: (1) to examine the impact of genetic variance for diapause expression on multiple traits associated with organismal fitness; and (2) to evaluate the potential for fitness trade-offs between diapause and nondiapause phenotypes that may result in the observed cline. Even prior to diapause entry or expression, inbred lines that express and do not express reproductive diapause in laboratory assays were constitutively distinct for life span, age-specific mortality rates, fecundity profiles, resistance to cold and starvation stress, lipid content, development time, and egg-to-adult viability. Furthermore, estimates of genetic correlations based on line means revealed significant differentiation for genetic variance/covariance matrices between diapause and nondiapause lines. The data indicate the potential for life-history trade-offs associated with variation for the diapause phenotype. The observed cline in diapause incidence in the eastern United States may be generated by these trade-offs and the associated spatial and/or temporal variation in relative fitness of these two phenotypes in natural populations.
Cost–effectiveness of psychotherapy for personality disorders: treatment recommendations and implementation

This article reviews the current evidence on the cost–effectiveness of psychotherapy for personality disorders (PDs). Although the evidence is still scarce, several well-designed cost–effectiveness studies provide insight into the question – how cost effective is it to reimburse therapies for PDs? This article further argues that the implementation costs and effects should be an integral part of cost–effectiveness analyses to enhance the dissemination of treatment recommendations. Moreover, cost–effectiveness analyses are important in working towards a more patient-centered approach in psychotherapy research that could potentially help accelerate the implementation and adoption of cost-effective care for PDs.
THE MONETARY APPROACH TO EXCHANGE RATE DETERMINATION: EVIDENCE FROM NIGERIA

Floating exchange rate regime and the repercussions of this choice on the whole economy constitute an important issue for the Niger ian economy, just as it is for other economies. In this respect, this study attemp ts to assess the relevance of the monetary approach to the floating exchange rate reg ime operable in Nigeria since 1987. To this end, it applies the necessary frame o f analysis over the Nigerian data through 1987-2001. It concludes that the monetary a pproach to exchange rate analysis fits in the Nigerian case over the period of analysis.
Design of 64point Fast Fourier Transform by Using Radix-4 Implementation

The Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) is very significant algorithm in signal processing, to obtain environmental status and wireless communication. This paper explains the high performance 64 point FFT by using Radix-4 algorithm. Radix-4 has the advantage of parallel computations. This is simulated using VHDL, using Xilinx ISE 10.1 and simulated using ModelSIM6.5e. Here we shown the architectures of 32 point FFT withradix-2 and 64-point FFT with radix-4. Finally, the high performance 64-point FFT processor their architecture and simulation graphs are shown.
Opening Minds: The Mental Health Commission of Canada’s Anti-Stigma Initiative: When Could a Stigma Program to Address Mental Illness in the Workplace Break Even?

Canadian employers increasingly have become aware of the economic costs of mental disorders. Between oneto two-thirds of the economic burden has been attributed to work productivity losses.1–3 These losses have been measured as work absences or unproductive work days.4,5 From an employer’s perspective, there are at least 3 forms of work absences: sick days, SDIS claims, and long-term disability claims.6 They are differentiated by days covered and medical certification requirements. Over the past decade, SDIS claims related to mental disorders have garnered the most attention among employers because of their steady growth.7 In addition, the length of an SDIS claim for a mental disorder can be double that for a physical disorder, resulting in twice the cost.8 As organizations seek solutions to stem the rise in SDIS claims related to mental disorders, they have also been confronted with the fact that treatment alone is not the answer. The most difficult aspects of addressing mental disorders in the workplace are the negative attitudes and discrimination associated with mental disorders.9 This stigma can result in discouraging workers from seeking help and treatment.10 Nevertheless, evidence suggests that early treatment helps to decrease the burden of SDIS and that treatment may be able to increase work productivity.11,12 Thus addressing the stigma of mental disorders is one way employers may decrease the burden of mental disorders in the workplace. However, on identifying a potential solution, an employer must decide whether it is worth the investment. How much should an employer pay for a stigma intervention? Using an economic model, our paper explores basic requirements for a stigma program to produce sufficient savings to pay for itself. That is, when would an organization break even? Our analysis uses a simple model designed to highlight overall themes regarding costs. Future work could produce models more specific to particular organizational circumstances and intervention design. Clinical Implications An organization faced with a choice of programs in which to invest should examine whether it is getting value from its investment. Identifying the break-even point where the costs of implementing a stigma program are equivalent to the reductions in costs resulting from its implementation is a helpful way to understand whether there is value from an investment. Limitations A simple model was used for this analysis. Future work could produce models more specific to particular organizational circumstances and intervention design. Once a stigma program is piloted and evaluated in a real-world setting, the data emerging from the evaluation could be used to populate the model.
Oxidative challenge in Alzheimer's disease: state of knowledge and future needs

A large body of experimental and postmortem findings indicate that Alzheimer's disease (AD) is associated with increased oxidative stress (OxS) levels in the brain. Despite the current limitations of OxS assessment in living subjects, recent data suggest that oxidative challenge might increase early both in the central nervous system and peripheral fluids. The aim of this review was to provide an overview of the existing literature linking systemic OxS to brain OxS in AD. We firmly believe that continued research aimed at overcoming the methodological and design issues affecting the body of studies in this field is mandatory for successful development of an effective antioxidant-based treatment of AD.