Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Distinct brain imaging characteristics of autoantibody-mediated CNS conditions and multiple sclerosis

Brain imaging characteristics of MOG antibody disease are largely unknown and it is unclear whether they differ from those of multiple sclerosis and AQP4 antibody disease. The aim of this study was to identify brain imaging discriminators between those three inflammatory central nervous system diseases in adults and children to support diagnostic decisions, drive antibody testing and generate disease mechanism hypotheses. Clinical brain scans of 83 patients with brain lesions (67 in the training and 16 in the validation cohort, 65 adults and 18 children) with MOG antibody (n = 26), AQP4 antibody disease (n = 26) and multiple sclerosis (n = 31) recruited from Oxford neuromyelitis optica and multiple sclerosis clinical services were retrospectively and anonymously scored on a set of 29 predefined magnetic resonance imaging features by two independent raters. Principal component analysis was used to perform an overview of patients without a priori knowledge of the diagnosis. Orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis was used to build models separating diagnostic groups and identify best classifiers, which were then tested on an independent cohort set. Adults and children with MOG antibody disease frequently had fluffy brainstem lesions, often located in pons and/or adjacent to fourth ventricle. Children across all conditions showed more frequent bilateral, large, brainstem and deep grey matter lesions. MOG antibody disease spontaneously separated from multiple sclerosis but overlapped with AQP4 antibody disease. Multiple sclerosis was discriminated from MOG antibody disease and from AQP4 antibody disease with high predictive values, while MOG antibody disease could not be accurately discriminated from AQP4 antibody disease. Best classifiers between MOG antibody disease and multiple sclerosis were similar in adults and children, and included ovoid lesions adjacent to the body of lateral ventricles, Dawson's fingers, T1 hypointense lesions (multiple sclerosis), fluffy lesions and three lesions or less (MOG antibody). In the validation cohort patients with antibody-mediated conditions were differentiated from multiple sclerosis with high accuracy. Both antibody-mediated conditions can be clearly separated from multiple sclerosis on conventional brain imaging, both in adults and children. The overlap between MOG antibody oligodendrocytopathy and AQP4 antibody astrocytopathy suggests that the primary immune target is not the main substrate for brain lesion characteristics. This is also supported by the clear distinction between multiple sclerosis and MOG antibody disease both considered primary demyelinating conditions. We identify discriminatory features, which may be useful in classifying atypical multiple sclerosis, seronegative neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders and relapsing acute disseminated encephalomyelitis, and characterizing cohorts for antibody discovery.
Cell-surface receptor shedding: a means of regulating function.

The majority of interactions between a cell and its microenvironment occur through specific cell-surface receptors. Therefore, regulation of receptor function is a critical event for cellular regulation. The most global way of regulating receptor function is by restricting the expression of individual receptors to specific cells of various lineages or to unique stages of differentiation. Expression of the ligand(s) for each receptor may also be limited, thus conferring additional specificity. A second way of regulating receptor function is by limiting the number of receptors expressed per cell. One mechanism for this is receptor internalization following interactions with ligand. The receptor can either be degraded in a specific endosome or, following ligand release, be recycled to the cell surface. A third method for controlling receptor function is by regulating the affinity of a receptor for its ligand, as is the case for some leukocyte adhesion receptors that increase their affinity for ligand following leukocyte activation (1). This affinity change is transient, allowing for adhesive-deadhesive interactions to occur. Thus, after the initial receptor-ligand interactions, the cells are released to interact again with other cells. Recently, a fourth mechanism of cell-surface receptor regulation has been identified. This involves shedding of the receptor from the cell surface following engagement of ligand or activation of the receptor-bearing cell. A number of surface molecules present on cells of various lineages are now known to be shed and thereby released into the extracellular milieu. These include many of the growth factor receptors, including receptors for interleukin (lL)-I, IL-2 (CD25), transferrin (CD72), insulin, growth hormone, tumor necrosis factor (2), colony-stimulating factor-l (3), and nerve growth factor (4). Also included in this growing list are several immunologically important molecules, including major histocompatibility complex class I and class II antigens, CD8, CDl4, and the adhesion receptor leukocyte adhesion molecule-l (LAM-I)/MEL-I4 (5, 6). Similarly, many of the Fc receptors found on leukocytes are shed, including Fc€receptor II (CD23), FC'Y receptor II (CD32), and
Information content versus word length in natural language: A reply to Ferrer-i-Cancho and Moscoso del Prado Martin [arXiv: 1209.1751]

Recently, Ferrer i Cancho and Moscoso del Prado Martin [arXiv:1209.1751] argued that an observed linear relationship between word length and average surprisal (Piantadosi, Tily, & Gibson, 2011) is not evidence for communicative efficiency in human language. We discuss several shortcomings of their approach and critique: their model critically rests on inaccurate assumptions, is incapable of explaining key surprisal patterns in language, and is incompatible with recent behavioral results. More generally, we argue that statistical models must not critically rely on assumptions that are incompatible with the real system under study.
Particle Swarm Optimization-Based Feedback Controller for Unified Power-Quality Conditioner

The unified power-quality conditioner (UPQC) is used to provide balanced and sinusoidal source currents and load voltages under unbalanced and distorted three-phase supply voltages and load currents in a power distribution network. In this paper, a particle swarm optimization-based feedback controller is designed for UPQC. This feedback controller has optimal performance in various operating conditions and is robust to parametric uncertainties when compared to the conventional feedback controllers, such as the linear quadratic regulator. The proposed method is implemented on a distribution system and detailed simulation and experimental results are presented.
What kind of trade integration would the SCO's further FTA be?

The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), whose the history dates back to “Shanghai five,” was founded in 1996 in order to deal with security and border issues. However, in the course of time, the organization has expanded the cooperation ground: the vision of the organisation has been recently enlarged so as to intensively emphasise economic issues such as forming a free trade area and initiating an economic integration. Since the potential economic effect is ambiguous and initially depends on the actual trade structure among the member countries, it is crucial for policymakers to have the right tools to evaluate the economic effect of such an initiative. The aim of this study is to provide practical guidance to policymakers for determining the potential economic effect of a further Free Trade Area (FTA) to be founded within the SCO. For this purpose, a set of indicators are used to determine the potential effect at regional and industrial levels that a possible regional trade arrangement may yield for the participating countries. It is concluded that there is a geographical bias towards trading among the members. To overcome this, there are two possible solutions for the SCO if it attempts a FTA: It should generate inter-industry and intra-industry trades and initiate new members.
Relationship between cervical cord 1H‐magnetic resonance spectroscopy and clinoco‐electromyographic profile in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Introduction: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease characterized by the loss of motor neurons, leading to limb paralysis and respiratory failure. Methods: C1–C3 cord 1H‐magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H‐MRS) was performed in 19 patients with ALS and 20 controls. N‐acetylaspartate (NAA), choline‐containing compounds, creatine plus phosphocreatine (Cr), and myo‐Inositol (m‐Ins) were measured. ALS Functional Rating Scale‐Revised (ALSFRS) and forced vital capacity (FVC) were assessed. The rates of decline were calculated at 6 months before and after 1H‐MRS. Results: NAA/Cr and NAA/m‐Ins were decreased significantly, and m‐Ins/Cr was increased significantly in ALS patients compared with controls. NAA/Cr and NAA/m‐Ins were correlated with ALSFRS and FVC and inversely linked to the decline rates. NAA/Cr, NAA/m‐Ins, and m‐Ins/Cr were altered markedly in 9 patients with denervation and neurogenic changes in both C2 paraspinal and upper limb muscles. Conclusions: These metabolite ratios were associated with disease progression and ongoing denervation in neck and hand muscles. C1–C3 cord 1H‐MRS might reflect anterior horn cell damage causing neck/arm weakness and respiratory dysfunction in ALS patients. Muscle Nerve, 2013
Immediate Effects of Bhramari Pranayama on Resting Cardiovascular Parameters in Healthy Adolescents.

INTRODUCTION In yoga, Pranayama has a very important role in maintaining sound health. There is some strong scientific basis on constant physiological changes produced when pranayama is practiced for long duration. Still, there exists a dearth of literature on the effect of Bhramari pranayama (Bhr.p) on physiological systems. AIM To assess the immediate effect of Bhramari pranayama (Bhr.P) practice on the resting cardiovascular parameters in healthy adolescents. MATERIALS AND METHODS Sixty apparently healthy adolescents of both sex participated in the study. They were randomly divided into Bhr.P (n-30) and control (n-30) group. Informed consent was obtained after explaining the detailed procedure of the study. Bhr.P group practiced Bhramari pranayama for 45 min (5 cycles) and control group was allowed to do normal breathing (12-16 breath /min). Heart rate (HR) was assessed by radial artery palpation method and blood pressure was recorded in supine position after 5 minutes of rest by sphygmomanometer. RESULTS The HR reduced significantly (p-0.001) in Bhr.P group. BP indices, Pulse Pressure (PP), Mean Arterial Pressure (MAP), Rate Pressure Product (RPP) and Double Product (DoP) significantly decreased after Bhr.p practice compared with control. Pre and Post inter group analysis also showed that significant reduction in HR and BP indices in Bhr.P group. CONCLUSION Present study showed that Bhr.P practice produces relaxed state and in this state parasympathetic activity overrides the sympathetic activity. It suggests that Bhramari pranayama improves the resting cardiovascular parameters in healthy adolescents.
Neonatal cerebral infarction and neuromotor outcome at school age.

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to assess neuromotor function at school age in children who had cerebral infarction on neonatal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). DESIGN Twenty-two children with evidence of cerebral infarction on neonatal brain MRI (18 with arterial infarction and 4 with border-zone lesions) were assessed at school age with a structured neurologic examination and the Movement Assessment Battery for Children, a battery of tests designed to assess motor function. RESULTS Of the 22 children, 6 (30%) had hemiplegia and a further 7 (30%) showed some neuromotor abnormality such as asymmetry on the neurologic examination (n = 4) or poor scores on the neuromotor test without any sign of asymmetry (n = 3). The remaining 9 children had a normal motor outcome. Hemiplegia was found only in children who had concomitant involvement of hemisphere, internal capsule, and basal ganglia on brain MRI. Children with involvement of the internal capsule, associated either with basal ganglia or hemispheric lesions, did not show hemiplegia but still had motor difficulties. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that although hemiplegia occurs in a relatively small proportion of children with neonatal cerebral infarction, other signs of neuromotor impairment can be present, and these become more obvious at school age when a more specific assessment can be performed. These results also suggest that the involvement of the internal capsule on neonatal MRI can predict the presence of these abnormalities.
Audit committee and remuneration of external auditors in Morocco

The purpose of this paper is to try to explain in the Moroccan context the impact of the presence of audit committees on the remuneration of external auditors including the auditors. The sample includes 27 companies divided on four sectors of activity. This limited number of firms studied is due to the requirements of the Dechow, Sloan and Sweeny (1995) model of the earning management, which requires a minimum of six (6) companies by sector. The analysis of the proposed model via the stepwise method allows in highlighting an indirect relationship between the Audit Committee and the remuneration of the auditors. This relationship is explained by: (1) The size of the company, meaning, the bigger the size of the company, the larger the earnings management, which requires a high remuneration of the auditors. (2) The percentage held by the leaders influence the remuneration received by the auditors. The results obtained explained by the size of the company (1) and the percentage held by its leaders (2) allow in concluding that the latter foster the establishment of audit committees which in turn allows in increasing the remuneration of the auditors.
Operation of [Co/Pd] Nanowire Sequential Memory Utilizing Bit-Shift of Current-Driven Magnetic Domains Recorded and Reproduced by Magnetic Head

We have focused on the magnetic memories using parallel aligned nanowires (NWs) without mechanical moving parts to achieve the ultra-high transfer rate of more than 144 Gb/s required for the future 8k ultra-high definition videos and 3-D videos. To demonstrate the operational principle of this NW sequential memory, a write/shift/read experimental system using the magnetic head with writer and reader for hard disk drive was constructed, and we succeeded in forming, driving, and detecting magnetic domains in a fabricated [Co/Pd] magnetic NW with a perpendicular magnetic anisotropy. For the writer to reliably record to the NW, we confirmed that attaching a soft magnetic underlayer (SUL) beneath the magnetic NW was effective, since a closed magnetic flux path was formed between the writer, NW, and the SUL.
Cervical Cancer Prevention in HIV-Infected Women Using the “See and Treat” Approach in Botswana

Background: Cervical cancer is a major public health problem in resource-limited settings, particularly among HIV-infected women. Given the challenges of cytology-based approaches, the efficiency of new screening programs need to be assessed. Setting Community and hospital–based clinics in Gaborone, Botswana. Objective: To determine the feasibility and efficiency of the “see and treat” approach using visual inspection acetic acid (VIA) and enhanced digital imaging (EDI) for cervical cancer prevention in HIV-infected women. Methods: A 2-tier community-based cervical cancer prevention program was implemented. HIV-infected women were screened by nurses at the community using the VIA/EDI approach. Low-grade lesions were treated with cryotherapy on the same visit. Women with complex lesions were referred to our second tier specialized clinic for evaluation. Weekly quality control assessments were performed by a specialist in collaboration with the nurses on all pictures taken. Results: From March 2009 through January 2011, 2175 patients were screened for cervical cancer at our community-based clinic. Two hundred fifty-three patients (11.6%) were found to have low-grade lesions and received same-day cryotherapy. One thousand three hundred forty-seven (61.9%) women were considered to have a normal examination, and 575 (27.3%) were referred for further evaluation and treatment. Of the 1347 women initially considered to have normal exams, 267 (19.8%) were recalled based on weekly quality control assessments. Two hundred ten (78.6%) of the 267 recalled women, and 499 (86.8%) of the 575 referred women were seen at the referral clinic. Of these 709 women, 506 (71.4%) required additional treatment. Overall, 264 cervical intraepithelial neoplasia stage 2 or 3 were identified and treated, and 6 microinvasive cancers identified were referred for further management. Conclusions: Our “see and treat” cervical cancer prevention program using the VIA/EDI approach is a feasible, high-output and high-efficiency program, worthy of considering as an additional cervical cancer screening method in Botswana, especially for women with limited access to the current cytology-based screening services.
Effects of propofol on isolated human pial arteries

Background: The intravenous anaesthetic propofol has been reported to increase cerebral vascular resistance in vivo. The underlying mechanisms are not fully understood, but may include effects on metabolism and direct effects on the vascular smooth muscle. The present study was designed to evaluate the direct effects of propofol on human pial arteries.
Calculation of non-linearity and algebraic degree of constructed boolean function

In cryptography systems, to resist algebraic and fast algebraic attack (FAA), Boolean function would have high value of nonlinearity, high value of algebraic degree and large algebraic immunity (AIm(f)). We have calculated the nonlinearity (nl(f)) of the constructed Boolean function and proved the lower bound on nonlinearity, which are identical to best lower bound of known Boolean function to resist linear, correlation and fast algebraic attacks. We have also calculated algebraic degree (Ad(f)) of constructed Boolean function and its value is equal to Ad(f) of well known Boolean function. In this paper, definition of balancedness, nl(f), Ad(f) and AIm(f) are also defined in preliminaries.
Building and breaking bridges between sister chromatids.

Eukaryotic chromosomes undergo dramatic changes and movements during mitosis. These include the individualization and compaction of the two copies of replicated chromosomes (the sister chromatids) and their subsequent segregation to the daughter cells. Two multisubunit protein complexes termed 'cohesin' and 'condensin', both composed of SMC (Structural Maintenance of Chromosomes) and kleisin subunits, have emerged as crucial players in these processes. Cohesin is required for holding sister chromatids together whereas condensin, together with topoisomerase II, has an important role in organizing individual axes of sister chromatids prior to their segregation during anaphase. SMC and kleisin complexes also regulate the compaction and segregation of bacterial nucleoids. New research suggests that these ancient regulators of chromosome structure might function as topological devices that trap chromosomal DNA between 50 nm long coiled coils.
DO BANKS USE DERIVATIVES TO OFF SET ECONOMIC CONSEQUENCES OF WRONG STRATEGIES: EXTERNALLY GROWTH THROUGH ACQUISITIONS TOO MUCH EXPENSIVE (HOSTILE TAKEOVERS)?

One of the unresolved questions in the matter of financial decision is why firms hedge with derivatives. Prior researches hypotize different reasons for derivatives use and empirical results are contradictory. When Managers and Owners are different an agency problem could arise in the hedging decisions. For instance, the Managers may hedge in a manner that does not maxime the value of the firm. On one side derivatives allow shifting and hedging risks but on the other side reduce the cost of enganging in speculative transactions. The paper is motivated mainly by the ongoing debate on derivatives use and seeks at answer following questions : how do corporate strategies use derivatives? What is the really goal of using derivatives: hedging or taking risks? How CEOs use derivatives to hide or delay losses or their imbalanced corporate strategies (e.g. hostile takeovers)?
Multipolar SPM machines for direct drive application: A comprehensive design approach

A closed-form, per-unit formulation is proposed, for the design of surface mounted permanent magnet motors with high number of poles. The model evaluates the shear stress, the power factor and the specific Joule loss as the indicators of the machine performance, and demonstrates that this is determined by the correct choice of a very limited set of key-geometrical parameters. The design criteria are described analytically and then applied to example designs, FEA validated. Distributed- and concentrated-winding configurations are considered. The conclusions of the paper are consistent with the literature and aim to give a roadmap for designers of PM machines in modern applications, such as wind power synchronous generators.
Metabolism of natural retinoids in psoriatic epidermis.

Synthetic retinoids that have distinct therapeutic activity on psoriatic plaques act at least in part through the metabolic pathways of natural retinoids. The metabolism of retinol, retinal, and retinoic acid in human epidermis in general and psoriatic plaques in particular has not been previously analyzed. This appears to be an important issue, because enzymatic formation of retinoic acid from retinol within target cells is thought to be the source of biologically active retinoic acid therein and might be subjected to regulation. We found chat the enzymatic system that transforms ( 3 H)retinol into ( 3 H)retinoic acid is detectable in psoriatic plaques (0.33 ± 0.07 pmol/h/mg protein) but only in trace amounts in normal epidermis. The activity due to alcohol deshydrogenase seems not to be involved in this process. ( 3 H)retinal was found to be either reduced into retinol or oxidized into retinoic acid, depending on the ratio of NAD to NADH (the oxidized arid reduced nicotinamide-adenine dinucleotide, respectively); the former reaction was higher in psoriatic plaques than in normal epidermis.
Staging of Alzheimer-related cortical destruction.

Currently used criteria for neuropathological diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease (AD) allow only the distinction of fully developed AD or ill-defined cases with less severe pathologic alterations. There is a need for a staging procedure that is able to supplement the currently used criteria, to allow for sufficient differentiation between the initial and intermediate stages of the illness, and to provide a characterization of the degree of involvement in the brain tissue of "nondemented, age-related controls. " The destructive process underlying AD is characterized by a typical distribution pattern of brain changes that is specific with respect to area, lamina, and even cell type. The most conspicuous change is the progressive deposition of abnormal proteins, both between and within the nerve cells. Conventional staining methods to identify these deposits lack sensitivity and specificity. Silver methods (specifically the Gallyas silver-iodide technique for neurofibrillary changes and the Campbell-Switzer silver-pyridin technique for brain amyloid) are by far the best suited to diagnostic work. They are inexpensive, simple to use, and far more reliable. This article describes the patterns of staining typically found with each of these techniques in the brains of patients with progressively severe AD and describes how the specific changes observed can be used as a staging system for diagnostic purposes.