Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Toward tract‐specific fractional anisotropy (TSFA) at crossing‐fiber regions with clinical diffusion MRI

White matter fractional anisotropy (FA), a measure suggesting microstructure, is significantly underestimated with single diffusion tensor model at crossing‐fiber regions (CFR). We propose a tract‐specific FA (TSFA), corrected for the effects of crossing‐fiber geometry and free water at CFR, and adapted for tract analysis with diffusion MRI (dMRI) in clinical research.
The consequences of relocating in response to drought: human mobility and conflict in contemporary Kenya

As global temperatures rise, drought-induced human relocation is expected to increase. Using original national survey data from Kenya, we investigate whether people who report relocating due to drought are more likely to be victims of violence than people who do not move. We also examine whether this migrant sample supports the use of violence at higher levels than the general population, conditional on their experiences. We measure the duration of relocation (temporary versus permanent) as well as the characteristics of the arrival area, including co-ethnic demographics. Controlling for many individual-level and contextual variables, we find that those who have relocated are consistently more likely to be victims of violence than those who have not. We also find that those who relocated temporarily support the use of violence at higher levels than the general population if and only if they are themselves victims of violence. Vulnerable migrant populations may be subject to violence as observational aggregate studies suggest, but they are not likely to be the sources of violence unless victimized first.
Board compensation and disclosure quality: corporate governance interference

This paper investigates the impact of financial information disclosure quality on board compensation in various corporate governance mechanisms in Iran. A unique data set from a sample of 176 Iranian listed firms over the period 2010-2016 is used in order to address the following questions: as an incentive mechanism for managers, is there any relationship between compensation and disclosure quality of financial information while some corporate governance factors are interfered? duality on board, educated members, females, and independent members are the aspects that are considered as corporate governance interference. Along with these issues, we investigate whether firm complexity is likely to affect the mentioned relationship. We find that corporate governance mechanisms including educated board members, independent members, females, and duality board members are not some reward-enhancing methods. This lends support to the conjecture that directors neglect the quality of information they provide, and as a consequence, they adjust their bonuses via other methods. Our findings indicate that there is a significant and positive relationship between board compensation and disclosure quality in firms which have complexed activities and foreign sales. Finally, we indicate that disclosure quality has no significant impact on compensation in firms which have complexed activity of controlling some subsidiaries.
“… you don’t come to this school... to show off your hoodies”: Latinas, Community Cultural Wealth, and an Early College High School

Early College High Schools (ECHS), recent school reforms in the U.S., were designed as social justice, equityoriented interventions to increase educational opportunity for students from traditionally marginalized and underserved groups. The purpose of this qualitative inquiry was to understand and examine the perceptions and experiences of eight Latina students, regarding their motivation and persistence in an ECHS. Yosso’s Community Cultural Wealth (CCW) framed the analyses. Findings demonstrated the students relied on several forms of CCW to support their motivation and persistence. However, observations and prolonged engagement in the ECHS setting revealed deficit perspectives held by some teachers and incidents of racist mocking occurring between some teachers and students. Resultantly, the students’ CCW was undermined as well as the school’s social justice imperative. Recommendations relevant to the early college context are provided.
Structure and regulated expression of genes encoding fructose biphosphate aldolase in Trypanosoma brucei.

Low stringency hybridisation with a rabbit aldolase cDNA was used to select cDNA clones encoding fructose biphosphate aldolase in Trypanosoma brucei. A clone which is almost full length encodes a protein of 41 027 daltons which has 50% identity with rabbit aldolase A and slightly lower homology with B‐type aldolases. The homologous mRNA is at least 6‐fold more abundant in bloodstream trypomastigotes than in procyclic forms, as expected from measurements of enzyme activity. Genomic mapping results indicate that trypanosomes have four copies of the aldolase gene arranged as two copies of a tandem repeat. The protein has a short N‐terminal extension (relative to other known aldolases) which could be involved in the glycosomal localisation of the enzyme.
Investigation of a substrate integrated 3D-meandering probe for circularly-polarized patch antenna

In this paper, a wideband compact circularly-polarized (CP) patch antenna for 5G WiFi applications is proposed. This patch antenna is excited by a 3D meandering probe (M-probe) which is integrated in multi-layered substrates. The proposed antenna is wide in both impedance and axial ratio (AR) bandwidths, which respectively are 31.93% (for reflection coefficient <; -10 dB) and 23.81% (for AR <; 3 dB). The average gain within the overlapped bandwidth is 4 dBic.
The pharmacokinetic evaluation of selegiline ODT for the treatment of Parkinson's disease

Introduction: Parkinson's disease affects a growing number of people. Its major treatment, levodopa therapy, however suffers from response fluctuations in the advanced phase of the disease. Adjunctive therapies have thus gained significant importance. The selective monoamine oxidase B inhibitor, selegiline, is widely used in the treatment of Parkinson's disease. However, selegiline's pharmacokinetics has so far been unfavorable due to its extensive first-pass metabolism to its amphetamine metabolites. A new formulation, an orally disintegrating tablet (ODT), has recently been introduced to overcome these pharmacokinetic problems by avoiding its presystemic metabolism. Areas covered: The authors summarize the pharmacokinetic and clinical efficacy data of selegiline ODT and compare them with the more conventional oral selegiline. This evaluation also presents and compares the drug's safety data. Expert opinion: Selegiline ODT shows a clear pharmacokinetic advantage over the conventional form. It is characterized by improved bioavailability allowing dose reduction and a lower exposure to amphetamine metabolites. This pharmacokinetic improvement, however, is not accompanied with significant clinical advantage, since its efficacy and safety profile are comparable to those of the conventional formulation. This suggests that the metabolites do not participate significantly in the therapeutic or toxic effects of selegiline. On the basis of the available data, the only well-justified advantage of the ODT formulation is its convenient use in parkinsonian patients who have difficulties in swallowing the regular formulation.
DSL and PLC Co-Existence: An Interference Cancellation Approach

It is often advocated that a solution to the problem of interference to digital subscriber line networks (DSL) from a power line communications (PLC) network is to prevent the PLC networks from utilizing the DSL spectrum. However, this solution will render PLC networks inoperable with the introduction of wide-band DSL technology like G.Fast. We propose utilizing an interference cancelling scheme to ensure the co-existence of DSL and PLC networks within the home environment. A measurement campaign is conducted where a set of 480 measurements are collected within a residential house to characterize the PLC-to-DSL interference environment for two DSL modem installation scenarios. The interference cancelling scheme is based on an adaptive frequency domain interference canceller (FDIC) that utilizes the common mode (CM) PLC interference to estimate the differential mode (DM) PLC interference. The effectiveness of the FDIC, which is insensitive to the non-stationarity of the PLC channel, is demonstrated using analysis that incorporates the measured PLC-to-DSL coupling channels.
Exploring the oversight of risk management in UK higher education institutions: the case of audit committees

ABSTRACT We explore how audit committees (ACs) oversee risk management in UK Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), using semi-structured interviews, attendance at AC meetings and documentary analysis. We find that the AC’s oversight seems constrained by a fixation on the process of risk management, an over-reliance on risk registers, and varying levels of emphasis on operational risks. Theoretically, the AC’s oversight reflects different shades of symbolic and substantive activities designed to maintain the HEI’s legitimacy and that of its governing board, hence providing a symbolic representation. We raise concerns as to the AC’s ability to monitor effectively the HEIs’ risk management practices.
Lactose esters: synthesis and biotechnological applications

Abstract Biodegradable nonionic sugar esters-based surfactants have been gaining more and more attention in recent years due to their chemical plasticity that enables the various applications of these molecules. In this review, various synthesis methods and biotechnological implications of lactose esters (LEs) uses are considered. Several chemical and enzymatic approaches are described for the synthesis of LEs, together with their applications, i.e. function in detergents formulation and as additives that not only stabilize food products but also protect food from undesired microbial contamination. Further, this article discusses medical applications of LEs in cancer treatment, especially their uses as biosensors, halogenated anticancer drugs, and photosensitizing agents for photodynamic therapy of cancer and photodynamic inactivation of microorganisms.
Inverse association between plasma homocysteine, sulphonylurea exposure and physical activity: a community‐based sample of type 2 diabetes patients in the Skaraborg hypertension and diabetes project

Aim: This study aimed to investigate levels of Homocysteine (tHcy) and folate in a population‐based sample of patients with type 2 diabetes. In particular, the study explored modifiable determinants such as treatment for diabetes, life style, glucose control and kidney function.
A Unified Architecture for the Accurate and High-Throughput Implementation of Six Key Elementary Functions

This paper presents a unified architecture for the compact implementation of several key elementary functions, including reciprocal, square root, and logarithm, in single-precision floating-point arithmetic. The proposed high-throughput design is based on uniform domain segmentation and curve fitting techniques. Numerically accurate least-squares regression is utilized to calculate the polynomial coefficients. The architecture is optimized by analyzing the trade-off between the size of the required memory and the precision of intermediate variables to achieve the minimum 23-bit accuracy required for single-precision floating-point representation. The efficiency of the proposed unified data path is demonstrated on a common field-programmable gate array.
Fast Healing after Laser Skin Resurfacing: The Minimal Mechanical Trauma Technique

BACKGROUND Laser resurfacing is rapidly becoming a widely used method of skin ablation for cosmetic improvement. The technique with which the instrument is used can make the difference between obtaining the desired result with a benign postoperative period and one with unnecessary complications. OBJECTIVE This paper describes a technique that maximizes: the benefits while minimizes the risks in using this highly advanced instrument. METHODS We have limited the areas where multiple passes are done to areas that have rhytides; for the rest of the skin a single pass is done and the final carbonized eschar is not removed. RESULTS Faster healing and less complications. Shorter operative and anesthesia times. Greater patient acceptance and satisfactory cosmetic results. CONCLUSIONS This technique provides a safer, faster, and satisfactory cosmetic results with a much smaller possibility of the complications seen with conventional methods.
Clinical significance of intra-amniotic inflammation in patients with preterm labor and intact membranes.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to determine the frequency and clinical significance of intraamniotic inflammation in patients with preterm labor and intact membranes. STUDY DESIGN Amniocentesis was performed in 206 patients with preterm labor and intact membranes. Amniotic fluid was cultured for aerobic and anaerobic bacteria and mycoplasmas. The diagnosis of intraamniotic inflammation was made in patients with a negative amniotic fluid culture on the basis of amniotic fluid concentrations of interleukin-6 (>2.6 ng/mL, derived from receiver operating characteristic curve analysis). Statistical analysis was conducted with contingency tables and survival techniques. RESULTS Intra-amniotic inflammation (negative amniotic fluid culture but elevated amniotic fluid interleukin-6) was more common than intra-amniotic infection (positive amniotic fluid culture regardless of amniotic fluid interleukin-6 concentration; 21% [44/206 women] vs 10% [21/206 women]; P <.001). The amniocentesisto-delivery interval was significantly shorter in patients with intra-amniotic inflammation than in patients with a negative culture and without an inflammation (median, 20 hours [range, 0.1-2328 hours] vs median, 701 hours [range, 0.1-3252 hours], respectively; P <.0001). Spontaneous preterm delivery of <37 weeks was more frequent in patients with intra-amniotic inflammation than in those with a negative culture and without inflammation (98% vs 35%; P <.001). Patients with intra-amniotic inflammation had a significantly higher rate of adverse outcome than patients with a negative culture and without intra-amniotic inflammation. Adverse outcomes included clinical and histologic chorioamnionitis, funisitis, early preterm birth, and significant neonatal morbidity. There were no significant differences in the rate of adverse outcomes between patients with a negative culture but with intra-amniotic inflammation and patients with intra-amniotic infection (positive culture regardless of amniotic fluid interleukin-6 concentration). CONCLUSION Intra-amniotic inflammation/infection complicates one third of the patients with preterm labor (32%; 65/206 women), and its presence is a risk factor for adverse outcome. The outcome of patients with microbiologically proven intra-amniotic infection is similar to that of patients with intra-amniotic inflammation and a negative amniotic fluid culture. We propose that the treatment of patients in preterm labor be based on the operational diagnosis of intra-amniotic inflammation rather than the diagnosis of intra-amniotic infection because the latter diagnosis cannot be undertaken rapidly.
Efficacy of treatments for anxiety disorders: a meta-analysis

To our knowledge, no previous meta-analysis has attempted to compare the efficacy of pharmacological, psychological and combined treatments for the three main anxiety disorders (panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder and social phobia). Pre–post and treated versus control effect sizes (ES) were calculated for all evaluable randomized-controlled studies (n=234), involving 37 333 patients. Medications were associated with a significantly higher average pre–post ES [Cohen’s d=2.02 (1.90–2.15); 28 051 patients] than psychotherapies [1.22 (1.14–1.30); 6992 patients; P<0.0001]. ES were 2.25 for serotonin–noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors (n=23 study arms), 2.15 for benzodiazepines (n=42), 2.09 for selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (n=62) and 1.83 for tricyclic antidepressants (n=15). ES for psychotherapies were mindfulness therapies, 1.56 (n=4); relaxation, 1.36 (n=17); individual cognitive behavioural/exposure therapy (CBT), 1.30 (n=93); group CBT, 1.22 (n=18); psychodynamic therapy 1.17 (n=5); therapies without face-to-face contact (e.g. Internet therapies), 1.11 (n=34); eye movement desensitization reprocessing, 1.03 (n=3); and interpersonal therapy 0.78 (n=4). The ES was 2.12 (n=16) for CBT/drug combinations. Exercise had an ES of 1.23 (n=3). For control groups, ES were 1.29 for placebo pills (n=111), 0.83 for psychological placebos (n=16) and 0.20 for waitlists (n=50). In direct comparisons with control groups, all investigated drugs, except for citalopram, opipramol and moclobemide, were significantly more effective than placebo. Individual CBT was more effective than waiting list, psychological placebo and pill placebo. When looking at the average pre–post ES, medications were more effective than psychotherapies. Pre–post ES for psychotherapies did not differ from pill placebos; this finding cannot be explained by heterogeneity, publication bias or allegiance effects. However, the decision on whether to choose psychotherapy, medications or a combination of the two should be left to the patient as drugs may have side effects, interactions and contraindications.
Work-related skin symptoms and type I allergy among eastern-Polish farmers growing hops and other crops.

UNLABELLED 73 eastern-Polish farmers growing hops and other crops were examined. They were questioned by a dermatologist and subsequently skin prick-tested with allergens of hops, grain dust, straw dust, hay dust, storage mites, and antigens of microorganisms typical for farm environment. RESULTS 14 farmers (19.2%) complained of work-related skin symptoms, caused most often by hops (11%), followed by grain (5.6%), hay (5.5%) and straw (4.1%). Five farmers (6.8%) complained of hand dermatitis, four (5.5%) of airborne dermatitis, and eight (11.0%) of pruritus. In two farmers, two skin diseases co-existed. The skin symptoms were mostly mild, however, one case of severe invalidating airborne dermatitis to hops was found. On skin prick tests, 14 farmers (19.2%) showed positive skin reaction to at least one allergen; 5.5% of farmers reacted to grain dust, 5.5% to straw dust, 11% to hay dust, and 8.2% to hops. Tests with storage mites showed positive reactions to Acarus siro in 9.6%, Lepidoglyphus destructor in 17.8%, and to Tyrophagus putrescentiae in 13.7%. Tests with microbial allergens elicited positive reactions to Pantoea agglomerans in 4.1%, Saccharopolyspora rectivirgula in 4.1%, Aspergillus fumigatus in 4.1% and to Streptomyces albus in 1.4% of farmers. Although results of skin prick tests in general did not correlate well with the work- related skin symptoms, in three of 14 farmers with skin symptoms the tests results played a crucial role in identifying the cause of their work-related skin disease.
Identification of key residues in the formate channel FocA that control import and export of formate

Abstract The formate-nitrite transporter (FNT) family comprises pentameric channels that transport monovalent anions. The prototype of this family is the formate channel (FocA), which was originally identified as a formate channel in Escherichia coli. Each protomer in the channel has a pore with structural features that include periplasmic and cytoplasmic constriction sites, which are likely important for bi-directional gating of substrate passage. Highly conserved amino acid residues within FocA previously identified in structural studies are predicted to be important in the control of formate translocation. Here we present a first detailed in vivo analysis of these residues using a combined targeted amino acid exchange and formate-responsive lacZ fusion-based reporter approach. Sixteen exchanges were made and each variant was shown to be largely unaffected in its secondary and quaternary structure. The invariant H209 and T91 residues, which form part of the lower constriction site linking the Ω-loop with the pore cavity, proved to be important in governing the directionality of formate passage through the pore. A predicted salt-bridge triad of E208-K156-N213 along with the cytoplasmically-oriented N-terminal helix are also involved in pH-dependent gating of the channel. Together, our data are consistent with passive export and import of formate or formic acid through the channel.
Sodium current in isolated human ventricular myocytes.

Although fast sodium current (INa) plays a major role in the generation and conduction of the cardiac impulse, the electrophysiological characteristics of INa in isolated human ventricular myocytes have not yet been fully described. We characterized the human ventricular INa of enzymatically isolated myocytes using whole cell voltage-clamp techniques. Sixty myocytes were isolated from ventricular specimens obtained from 22 patients undergoing open-heart surgery. A low temperature (17 degrees C) and Na+ concentration in the external solution (5 or 10 mM) allowed good voltage control and facilitated the measurement of INa. Cs+ was substituted for K+ in both internal and external solutions to block K+ currents, and F- was added to the internal solution to block Ca2+ current. INa was activated at a voltage threshold of approximately -70 mV, and maximal inward current was obtained at approximately -30 mV (holding potential = -140 mV). The voltage dependence of steady-state INa availability (h infinity) was sigmoidal with half inactivation occurring at -97.3 +/- 1.1 mV and a slope factor of 5.77 +/- 0.10 mV (n = 60). We did not detect any significant differences in these parameters in cells from patients with a variety of disease states, with or without congestive heart failure. The overlap in voltage dependence of h infinity and Na+ conductance suggested the presence of a Na+ "window" current. An inactivation time course was voltage dependent and was fitted best by the sum of two exponentials. The rate of recovery from inactivation also was voltage dependent and fitted by the sum of two exponentials. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Self-Reported Condom Use Is Associated With Reduced Risk of Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, and Trichomoniasis

Objectives: To evaluate the association between self-reported condom use and prevalent and incident chlamydia, gonorrhea, and trichomoniasis. Study Design: Prospective study of 414 males attending a sexually transmitted infection (STI) clinic in Jamaica. Condom use and STI status were assessed at enrollment and at 4 follow-up visits. Results: The analyses on condom use and prevalent STI included data from 414 men, while those on incident STI were based on 1111 intervals from 355 men. We diagnosed prevalent STI (chlamydia, gonorrhea, and/or trichomoniasis) in 54.6% (n = 226) of the participants at enrollment. About 14% (n = 51) of participants had at least 1 of the study STIs during follow-up. Follow-up visits in which participants reported consistent condom use (100% of acts) for the past 7 days had less incident STI (adjusted OR, 0.4; 95% CI, 0.2–0.9) compared with visits where no condom use was reported. Self-reported condom use was more closely correlated with incident than prevalent STI. For example, the adjusted OR for prevalent infection for participants reporting consistent versus no condom use in past 7 days was 0.7 (95% CI, 0.4–1.2). Classifications based on the number of unprotected acts yielded findings similar to those based on the proportion of acts protected. Conclusions: Consistent condom use was associated with reduced risk of incident urethral STI. Research on condom effectiveness should focus on incident STI outcomes, where the temporal relationship between condom use and infection is clearer.