Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Statistical errors and their effect on electrodiagnostic medicine

Failure to demonstrate abnormalities on diagnostic tests in patients felt certain to have a disease is all too common, especially when symptoms are mild to moderate. One strategy used in such cases is to perform multiple tests hoping that one will confirm the clinical suspicion. An example of this strategy is found in carpal tunnel syndrome where multiple tests are often used to confirm the diagnosis. Unfortunately, this approach is often erroneous. Since no diagnostic test can perfectly discriminate between normal and abnormal, critical values are set at levels where most subjects are correctly classified. Using this methodology, approximately 2.5% of patients who are normal will be mistakenly called abnormal. This type I error, is additive when additional independent tests are performed. Since no two tests for a single condition are completely independent, the total error is less than the sum of the individual errors for each test. Even after accounting for interdependency, the total error of combined tests may be unacceptably high. If a single, highly discriminating, test is not available and multiple tests are used, abnormalities in more than a single test are needed to distinguish between normals and abnormals. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Acute kidney injury is associated with increased in-hospital mortality in mechanically ventilated children with trauma

BACKGROUND Acute kidney injury (AKI) is associated with significant morbidity and mortality in patients with critical illness; however, its impact on children with trauma is not fully unexplored. We hypothesized that AKI is associated with increased in-hospital mortality. METHODS A retrospective review of consecutive mechanically ventilated patients aged 0 years to 20 years from 2004 to 2007 with trauma hospitalized at our institution was performed. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify whether AKI was a risk factor for hospital mortality. RESULTS Eighty-eight patients met inclusion/exclusion criteria. The study cohort included 58 (66%) males with mean (SD) age of 11.6 (5.5) years (median, 13.25; range, 0.083–19.42 years) and mean (SD) Pediatric Expanded Logical Organ Dysfunction score of 24 (11) (median, 22; range 2–51). Mean pediatric intensive care unit length of stay (median, 11; range, 4–43) and duration of mechanical ventilation (median, 9; range, 3–34), was 13.5 (8.2) days and 11.2 (7.2) days, respectively. The mean (SD) Injury Severity Score for the cohort was 28 (14). Pediatric RIFLE identified those at risk (R), those with injury (I), or those with failure (F) in 30 (51%), 10 (17%), and 12 (21%) patients, respectively. There was a 10% (3 of 30 patients) mortality rate in those at risk, 30% (3 of 10 patients) in those with injury, and 33% (4 of 12 patients) in those with failure. AKI (injury and failure groups) was significantly associated with increased in-hospital mortality. CONCLUSION Development of AKI (injury or failure) is a significant risk factor associated with in-hospital mortality. Our study highlights the need to consider both urine output as well as creatinine-based components of the pRIFLE criteria to define AKI. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Prognostic and epidemiological study, level II.
Image quality enhancement support system by gamma correction using interactive evolutionary computation

By noting gamma correction as one of the image quality adjustment parameters, the authors create an image quality enhancement support system capable of reflecting user subjectivity. In this study, the derivation of an optimum gamma value is formulated as an optimization problem. To reflect user subjectivity, an image quality enhancement support system is realized by interactive evolutionary computation. This technique is verified by comparing it with a manually derived gamma value, image quality, and derivation time.
Tobacco Intervention Practices of Primary Care Physicians Treating Lower Socioeconomic Status Patients

Abstract:Tobacco use greatly contributes to overall socioeconomic health disparities, and physicians are a major source of information about effective methods for tobacco cessation. This study examined the tobacco intervention practices of primary care physicians in Arkansas who treat a high proportion of lower socioeconomic status patients. More than 70% of respondents' patients were covered by Medicaid and/or Medicare or paid for primary care services without health insurance. Although physicians were highly motivated and considered cessation to be very important, 74% had no training of any kind in the treatment of tobacco dependence and familiarity with the free treatment services in Arkansas was low. Younger and nonwhite physicians and physicians with any type of training in treating tobacco dependence reported more positive attitudes, more frequent intervention behaviors and more familiarity with treatment services. More frequently seeing the effects of tobacco use on the health of patients as well as increased knowledge, preparedness, and perceived effectiveness of treatments were related to a higher frequency of providing cessation assistance. More frequently seeing the effects of tobacco use on patients, as well as increased familiarity with treatment services were related to a higher frequency of referring patients to treatment services. These findings suggest that training experiences that increase physician awareness of the multiplicity of consequences of tobacco use as well as increase knowledge, preparedness, perceived effectiveness of treatments and familiarity with treatment services will increase the frequency with which physicians assist and refer this important patient population.
Topographic Comparative Study of Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Electroencephalography in 34 Children with Tuberous Sclerosis

Summary: : A series of 34 children with confirmed tuberous sclerosis (TS) were studied prospectively by both EEG and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at ages ranging from 5 months to 18 years. Size and topography of the cortical tubers were analyzed on axial and coronal views, in T2 sequences, and the large tubers >10 mm were studied. In addition, EEG follow‐up data were reviewed retrospectively. Twenty‐six patients (76%) had both MRI large cortical tubers and EEG foci, 3 had normal EEG, 2 had normal MRI, and the remaining 3 had only small tubers. The number of large tubers was significantly related to EEG foci. A topographic MRI/EEG correspondence was observed for at least one tuber in 25 of the 26 patients, and correspondence was complete in 10 patients. Large cortical tubers without corresponding EEG foci were observed in 11 patients; these tubers mainly involved the frontal regions and were found before the patients were 2 years old. EEG foci without corresponding tubers were observed in 4 patients. In addition, secondary bilateral synchrony was preferentially observed in patients with frontal lesions and after the age of 2 years. These data confirm that the cortical tubers are epileptogenic and that their expression may be influenced by regional cortical maturation.
An adaptive resource reservation approach in packet-switched Wireless Mesh Networks

Wireless Mesh Network has been an important architecture for data transmission which is affected by various network parameters. For the Quality of Service (QoS) guaranteeing of real-time stream, resource reservation approaches have been well studied. This paper investigates the relation between environment parameters and transmission performance, based on which a quantized threshold is introduced to describe this performance via theory analysis and simulation work. QoS can be guaranteed if the sending rate of surrounding nodes is below the threshold. Otherwise, network performance will degrade with congestion happening, when the sending rate of surrounding nodes is higher than the threshold. An adaptive resource reservation algorithm is proposed in this paper. By measuring network congestion status online, adjusting function is given which can update the threshold adaptively and thus QoS can be ensured. The effectiveness of proposed approach is verified through simulation work.
Analysis of Endogenous LRP6 Function Reveals a Novel Feedback Mechanism by Which Wnt Negatively Regulates Its Receptor

ABSTRACT The canonical Wnt pathway plays a crucial role in embryonic development, and its deregulation is involved in human diseases. The LRP6 single-span transmembrane coreceptor is essential for transmission of canonical Wnt signaling. However, due to the lack of immunological reagents, our understanding of LRP6 structure and function has relied on studies involving its overexpression, and regulation of the endogenous receptor by the Wnt ligand has remained unexplored. Using a highly sensitive and specific antibody to LRP6, we demonstrate that the endogenous receptor is modified by N-glycosylation and is phosphorylated in response to Wnt stimulation in a sustained yet ligand-dependent manner. Moreover, following triggering by Wnt, endogenous LRP6 is internalized and recycled back to the cellular membrane within hours of the initial stimulus. Finally, we have identified a novel feedback mechanism by which Wnt, acting through β-catenin, negatively regulates LRP6 at the mRNA level. Together, these findings contribute significantly to our understanding of LRP6 function and uncover a new level of regulation of Wnt signaling. In light of the direct role that the Wnt pathway plays in human bone diseases and malignancies, our findings may support the development of novel therapeutic approaches that target Wnt signaling through LRP6.
Design of multichannel functional near-infrared spectroscopy system with application to propofol and sevoflurane anesthesia monitoring

Abstract. Monitoring the changes of cerebral hemodynamics and the state of consciousness during general anesthesia (GA) is clinically important. There is a great need for developing advanced detectors to investigate the physiological processes of the brain during GA. We developed a multichanneled, functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) system device and applied it to GA operation monitoring. The cerebral hemodynamic data from the forehead of 11 patients undergoing propofol and sevoflurane anesthesia were analyzed. The concentration changes of oxygenated hemoglobin, deoxygenated hemoglobin, total hemoglobin, and cerebral tissue heart rate were determined from the raw optical information based on the discrete stationary wavelet transform. This custom-made device provides an easy-to-build solution for continuous wave-fNIRS system, with customized specifications. The developed device has a potential value in cerebral monitoring in clinical settings.
Taxonomic review of Argentine mackerel Scomber japonicus (Houttuyn, 1782) by phylogenetic analysis

Taxonomically, Argentine mackerels were first considered as Scomber japonicus marplatensis and later as Scomber japonicus Houttuyn 1782, although, in the last years, different studies have suggested that South Atlantic mackerel species belongs to Scomber colias Gmelin 1789. These latter results, incorporated in the main fish databases (FishBase and Catalog of Fishes), promoted a phylogenetic study using cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) gene sequences taken from the Barcode of Life (FISH-BOL) database. Thus, 76 sequences of S. japonicus, S. colias, S. australasicus and S. scombrus from different regions were used; including 3 from Sarda sarda as outgroup. Among S. japonicus selected sequences are those corresponding to the Argentine mackerels collected in 2007. Phylogenetic trees were obtained by neighbor joining and maximum likelihood methods and a network of haplotypes was reconstructed to analyze the relationship between species. The results showed the clear differentiation of S. australasicus, S. scombrus and S. japonicus from the Pacific while S. japonicus from Argentina was included in the S. colias group, with genetic differences corresponding to conspecific populations (0.1%). Four of the five Argentine specimens shared the same haplotype with S. colias, and none were shared with S. japonicus from the Pacific. These results suggest that the current specific name of Argentine mackerel S. japonicus should be changed to S. colias, in agreement with several genetic studies carried out with species of the genus Scomber.
Energy expenditure and physical activity in subjects consuming full- or reduced-fat products aspart of their normal diet

It has been suggested that energy expenditure is higher in subjects consuming reduced-fat, high-carbohydrate diets than in subjects consuming full-fat, low-carbohydrate diets. In a 6-month randomized, controlled trial, seventeen women and twenty men (age 20–35 years; BMI 22–28 kg/m2)had free access either to a range of about forty-five reduced-fat products or the full-fat equivalents. At the end of the 6 months, energy intake, sleeping metabolic rate (SMR), average daily metabolic rate (ADMR), and physical activity (AO) were measured. The intervention resulted in a mean difference of the change of the fat content of the diet of 6% of energy (P < 0·01) between the two groups. SMR, ADMR and AO were virtually the same in both groups. The results suggest that the change in fat content of the diet has no effect on physical activity and energy expenditure. However, subjects with a higher activity level consumed more carbohydrate (ADMR/SMR: r = 0·49, P < 0·01; AO: r = 0·57,p=0·001)
Activating Effects of Homotaurine and Taurine on Corticoreticular Epilepsy

Summary: Homotaurine and taurine are two powerful inhibitory aminoacids with anticonvulsant properties against various experimental models of focal epilepsy. This study reports on their effects in the feline model of corticoreticular epilepsy induced by parenteral administration of large amounts of penicillin. Both aminoacids, but particularly homotaurine, remarkably potentiate epileptiform discharges in cats. Brainstem transection at the precollicular level does not modify the activation, thus ruling out the intervention of mesoromboencephalic structures in the observed effect. The opposing action of these two amino acids on focal epilepsy as compared to corticoreticular epilepsy suggests that the two types of epileptiform activity stem from very different pathophysiological mechanisms. Homotaurine is a powerful GABA agonist that exerts a central action upon parenteral administration. Other GABA analogs such as muscimol, imidazole acetic acid, and γ‐hydroxy‐butyrate have been reported to potentiate experimental models of spike and wave epilepsy. Thus, the activating effects of homotaurine in this epilepsy model are in keeping with the demonstrated GABAmimetic properties of the compound.
Obstructive sleep apnea in the perioperative setting: complications and management strategies

Abstract Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is frequently encountered in an undiagnosed, untreated state in perioperative patients. It increases the risk of respiratory, cardiac, and infectious complications following surgical procedures. Patients with OSA may require additional monitoring, unplanned escalations in care, and prolonged hospitalization. It is important to identify patients at risk for OSA during the preoperative assessment so that appropriate anesthesia, postsurgical monitoring, and pain control can be planned. Herein, we discuss data regarding perioperative outcomes in patients with OSA, methods to quickly identify patients at high risk for OSA, and implementation of clinical safeguards to minimize OSA-associated complications. An algorithm is provided to guide the perioperative management of patients with OSA.
Matrix Vesicle Plasma Cell Membrane Glycoprotein‐1 Regulates Mineralization by Murine Osteoblastic MC3T3 Cells

A naturally occurring nonsense truncation mutation of the inorganic pyrophosphate (PPi)‐generating nucleoside triphosphate pyrophosphohydrolase (NTPPPH) PC‐1 is associated with spinal and periarticular ligament hyperostosis and cartilage calcification in “tiptoe walking” (ttw) mice. Thus, we tested the hypothesis that PC‐1 acts directly in the extracellular matrix to restrain mineralization. Cultured osteoblastic MC3T3 cells expressed PC‐1 mRNA and produced hydroxyapatite deposits at 12–14 days. NTPPPH activity increased steadily over 14 days. Transforming growth factor‐β and 1,25‐dihydroxyvitamin D3 increased PC‐1 and NTPPPH in matrix vesicles (MVs). Because PC‐1/NTPPPH was regulated in mineralizing MC3T3 cells, we stably transfected or infected cells with recombinant adenovirus, in order to express 2‐ to 6‐fold more PC‐1. PC‐1/NTPPPH and PPi content increased severalfold in MVs derived from cells transfected with PC‐1. Furthermore, MC3T3 cells transfected with PC‐1 deposited ∼80–90% less hydroxyapatite (by weight) than cells transfected with empty plasmid or enzymatically inactive PC‐1. ATP‐dependent45Ca precipitation by MVs from cells overexpressing active PC‐1 was comparably diminished. Thus, regulation of PC‐1 controls the PPi content and function of osteoblast‐derived MVs and matrix hydroxyapatite deposition. PC‐1 may provide a novel therapeutic target in certain disorders of bone mineralization.
Social Capital as a Conduit for Alliance Portfolio Diversity

Alliance portfolio diversity is a construct that is increasingly receiving attention in the literature as it has been linked to a firm's performance and innovation. Although recent studies have focused on analyzing how portfolio diversity affects performance, there is a need to address the factors that influence portfolio diversity as well. The purpose of this study was to test whether the number and strength of social capital connections play a role into the alliance portfolio diversity of a firm. To do so, two different levels of antecedents, top management team level and firm level, were examined. A sample of 300 randomly selected Standard & Poor's firms were analyzed by time-series regression. The results suggest that at both the firm- and top management team level, the number and strength of social capital connections held is positively related to the firm's alliance portfolio diversity. Implications for managers and researchers are discussed.
Sensitivity and reliability evaluation for mixed-signal ICs under electromigration and hot-carrier effects

With the use of aggressive technologies, the reliability of analog microelectronics is attracting greater attention. In this paper, a hierarchical reliability analysis approach for analog circuits is proposed. Through the use of behavioral models, electrical stress factors at the circuit inputs are propagated top-down to sub-modules and lower-level building-block components. These stress factors are then combined with physics-of-failure models to compute the performance degradation of the circuit building-block components due to electromigration and hot-carrier effects. The degradation effects are then propagated bottom-up through the design hierarchy to compute the changes in high-level circuit specification values due to electrical stress and the expected time-to-failure. A method for "hot-spot" analysis is proposed, where a "hot-spot" is defined to be a circuit component that can most likely cause circuit reliability problems. A reliability analysis tool has been developed and preliminary results are presented.
Strategic Positioning and Performance in the Tourism Sector: Evidence from Nigeria

This research work examined the relationship between the different strategic positioning typologies and tourism performance. The population consists of one hundred and seventy (170) staffs of tourism industry in Nigeria, while the sample size comprises of one hundred and fourteen (114) staffs. The study utilized a descriptive research design. However, the study adopted questionnaire as a reliable source of data collection, whereby primary data was used to elicit respondents’ opinions on the research topic. The findings revealed that analyzer and reactor typologies strategy positioning have a statistical significant relationship with both monetary and non-monetary performance in the tourism industry. Keywords: Strategic positioning, tourism performance, analyzers, reactors.
The Challenge of Corporate Law Enforcement: Corporate Law Reform in Australia and Beyond

Efforts devoted to modernizing Australian corporations law statutes over the last two decades have seen the development of a comprehensive and elegant Corporations Act; but this has not always meant that corporate misconduct has been dealt with more effectively. Despite a considerable body of new learning on regulatory theory, such as the literature on strategic regulation and corporate risk management, the record of enforcement of Australian corporate law has been patchy and often merely reactive. This article reviews some research and scholarly legal debates about responses to corporate law enforcement and argues that it is necessary for regulators and corporations themselves to focus upon improving internal corporate culture and internal regulatory control procedures within companies. With the declining use of the courts in key corporate law fields, and the overall decline in government resources available to deal with all but high profile corporate failures, it is essential that the increasing regulatory and enforcement burdens be shared between government regulators and corporations. This is necessary so that the enforcement of Corporations legislation is also seen as an organisational responsibility of the corporation itself, so that an organic approach to enforcement and risk management emerges within companies.
Signaling from Ras to Rac and beyond: not just a matter of GEFs

Members of a family of intracellular molecular switches, the small GTPases, sense modifications of the extracellular environment and transduce them into a variety of homeostatic signals. Among small GTPases, Ras and the Rho family of proteins hierarchically and/or coordinately regulate signaling pathways leading to phenotypes as important as proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis. Ras and Rho‐GTPases are organized in a complex network of functional interactions, whose molecular mechanisms are being elucidated. Starting from the simple concept of linear cascades of events (GTPase→activator→ GTPase), the work of several laboratories is uncovering an increasingly complex scenario in which upstream regulators of GTPases also function as downstream effectors and influence the precise biological outcome. Furthermore, small GTPases assemble into macromolecular machineries that include upstream activators, downstream effectors, regulators and perhaps even final biochemical targets. We are starting to understand how these macromolecular complexes work and how they are regulated and targeted to their proper subcellular localization. Ultimately, the acquisition of a cogent picture of the various levels of integration and regulation in small GTPase‐mediated signaling should define the physiology of early signal transduction events and the pathological implication of its subversion.