Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Trends in ovarian cancer incidence in Iran

Background: Cancer is amajorcause of morbidityandmortality,amongwhichovarian cancer has a high incidenceandcase fatality. Gaining insight into the epidemiology and trends of ovarian cancer can be very influential in cancer screening and treatments programming. This study aimed to investigate the trends in the incidence of ovarian cancer in Iran, because this issue has been neglected so far. Methods: This study is a re-analysis of existing data from the cancer data recording system in Iran during the years 2003 to 2009. The incidence rates reported were standardized according to the world health organization (WHO) and the trend in the incidence of this disease was determined by STATA software and the significance of the morbidity trend diagram was also derived via WINPEPI software. Results: The statistics of cancer registry center shows an increasing trend of ovarian cancer from 2003 to 2008, while it decreased from 2008 to 2009. During this period, 6078 cases of ovarian cancer were registered in Iran, increasing from 591 cases in 2003 to 1077 in 2009, which shows an approximately 2-fold increase in the incidence of registered cases. During these seven years, the highest incidence rate was seen in Markazi province with 6.33 per 100,000 persons and the least in Kohkiloye-va-Boyerahmad province with zero incidence. Almost all provinces, except a few, had increasing incidence of ovarian cancer. Conclusions: According to the results of the study, the incidence of ovarian cancer is increasing in Iran, especially in the central and northwestern regions of the country. This increase may be due to changing the patterns of risk factors for this disease, such as changes in lifestyle in the population, which will lead to changes in the incidence of the disease. Hence, due to the increase in incidence of this cancer, it is recommended to implement screening and early detection programs in high risk areas and populations. Â© 2016, Iranian Journal of Cancer Prevention.
Curative Surgery for Local Pelvic Recurrence of Rectal Cancer

Background/Aims: Local pelvic recurrence of rectal cancer after radical resection has been associated with morbidity and cancer-related death. This study retrospectively evaluated outcome following curative resection for rectal cancer recurring after surgery on the basis of prognosis, type of procedure and perioperative morbidity. Methods: A total of 85 consecutive patients with local pelvic recurrence of rectal cancer were evaluated. Of these, 43 underwent microscopic curative surgery for local recurrence. Among the 43 patients, 23 underwent surgery alone and 17 received preoperative radiotherapy (40 Gy) (XRT group) in addition to the surgery. Of the 43 patients, 26 were asymptomatic. Results: Curative resection was higher in the recurrences that were associated with implantation, incomplete surgical margin clearance, and intrapelvic lymph node metastasis than in other types of recurrence. With regard to surgical procedure, abdominoperineal resection (APR), with or without sacral resection, was standard following previous sphincter-preserving surgery, while total pelvic exenteration (TPE), with or without sacral resection, was common following previous APR. Local excision was not considered appropriate surgery. There was a high incidence of perioperative morbidity (64%) in patients receiving TPE. Re-recurrence was observed in 18 patients (50%) after curative surgery. After a follow-up of 2 years or more, the local re-recurrence rate was 28%. The overall 5-year survival rate for patients receiving curative resection was 39%, for patients in the XRT group, 51%, and for patients in the surgery-alone group, 24% (p = 0.07). The survival rate in 26 asymptomatic patients was higher than in 17 patients with symptoms, with 5-year survival rates of 62 and 23% (p < 0.05), respectively. The cumulative local control in the preoperative radiotherapy plus en bloc surgery group (XRT group) was significantly better than in the surgery-alone group (p < 0.01), and survival in the XRT group tended to be better than in surgery alone. Conclusions: These results suggest that careful patient selection according to the pattern of recurrence, area of invasion and presence of symptoms is important for successful curative surgery. Aggressive surgery with adjuvant therapy may lead to an improved salvage rate.
Algorithms, 4th Edition

ASCII encoding. When you HexDump a bitstream that contains ASCII-encoded characters, the table at right is useful for reference. Given a 2-digit hex number, use the first hex digit as a row index and the second hex digit as a column reference to find the character that it encodes. For example, 31 encodes the digit 1, 4A encodes the letter J, and so forth. This table is for 7-bit ASCII, so the first hex digit must be 7 or less. Hex numbers starting with 0 and 1 (and the numbers 20 and 7F) correspond to non-printing control characters. Many of the control characters are left over from the days when physical devices like typewriters were controlled by ASCII input; the table highlights a few that you might see in dumps. For example SP is the space character, NUL is the null character, LF is line-feed, and CR is carriage-return.
Vitamin-D synthesis and metabolism after ultraviolet irradiation of normal and vitamin-D-deficient subjects.

THE beneficial effects of sunlight in the treatment and prevention of rickets and osteomalacia have been recognized for over 60 years.1 However, little is known about the sequential changes in the serum concentrations of vitamin D and its metabolites after a single exposure to sunlight. In an attempt to understand these events, we monitored changes in serum concentrations of vitamin D and its metabolites, 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OH-D) and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25-(OH)2-D), over a three-week period in normal subjects and vitamin-D-deficient patients, before and after whole-body exposure to various doses of ultraviolet radiation (UVR). We found that exposure to .
Flow and power output of right ventricle facing load with variable input impedance.

The output from the right ventricle (RV) was studied at different load impedances. Isolated cat hearts were perfused with Tyrode solution with erythrocytes. Coronary perfusion pressure and RV end-diastolic pressure were kept constant. The RV pumped into an artificial hydraulic load with independently variable resistance (R) and compliance (C). Mean RV flow (RVO) decreased after R increase or C reduction. For each heart, RVO and mean RV pressure were linearly related. The slope of the regression line is interpreted as an "apparent source resistance" (Rs). Rs was on average 3.4 X 10(3) (dyn.s.cm-5). The static hydraulic power output was maximum at a certain load R (Rm). Rm was C dependent at an average high C of 5 X 10(-5) dyn-1.cm5, Rm was 9.4 X 10(3) dyn.s. cm-5 on average and shifted to 5.4 X 10(3) at low C (avg 0.8 X 10(-5). Theoretical considerations show that Rm/Rs will be equal to total heart period divided by ejection period in the extreme case C leads to infinity, and Rm/Rs leads to 1 when C leads to 0. Experimentally, Rm/Rs was 2.4 (avg) for high C, and approached 1 for low C, which fits the theoretical predictions. The results indicate that high C facilitates the matching between the right heart and the vascular resistance in the lung.
Continuous Biometric Verification for Non-Repudiation of Remote Services

As our society massively relies on ICT, security services are becoming essential to protect users and entities involved. Amongst such services, non-repudiation provides evidences of actions, protects against their denial, and helps solving disputes between parties. For example, it prevents denial of past behaviors as having sent or received messages. Noteworthy, if the information flow is continuous, evidences should be produced for the entirety of the flow and not only at specific points. Further, non-repudiation should be guaranteed by mechanisms that do not reduce the usability of the system or application. To meet these challenges, in this paper, we propose two solutions for non-repudiation of remote services based on multi-biometric continuous authentication. We present an application scenario that discusses how users and service providers are protected with such solutions. We also discuss the technological readiness of biometrics for non-repudiation services: the outcome is that, under specific assumptions, it is actually ready.
Coactivator Recruitment Is Essential for Liganded Thyroid Hormone Receptor To Initiate Amphibian Metamorphosis

ABSTRACT Thyroid hormone receptors (TRs) can repress or activate target genes depending on the absence or presence of thyroid hormone (T3), respectively. This hormone-dependent gene regulation is mediated by recruitment of corepressors in the absence of T3 and coactivators in its presence. Many TR-interacting coactivators have been characterized in vitro. In comparison, few studies have addressed the developmental roles of these cofactors in vivo. We have investigated the role of coactivators in transcriptional activation by TR during postembryonic tissue remodeling by using amphibian metamorphosis as a model system. We have previously shown that steroid receptor coactivator 3 (SRC3) is expressed and upregulated during metamorphosis, suggesting a role in gene regulation by liganded TR. Here, we have generated transgenic tadpoles expressing a dominant negative form of SRC3 (F-dnSRC3). The transgenic tadpoles exhibited normal growth and development throughout embryogenesis and premetamorphic stages. However, transgenic expression of F-dnSRC3 inhibits essentially all aspects of T3-induced metamorphosis, as well as natural metamorphosis, leading to delayed or arrested metamorphosis or the formation of tailed frogs. Molecular analysis revealed that F-dnSRC3 functioned by blocking the recruitment of endogenous coactivators to T3 target genes without affecting corepressor release, thereby preventing the T3-dependent gene regulation program responsible for tissue transformations during metamorphosis. Our studies thus demonstrate that coactivator recruitment, aside from corepressor release, is required for T3 function in development and further provide the first example where a specific coactivator-dependent gene regulation pathway by a nuclear receptor has been shown to underlie specific developmental events.
Using viseme based acoustic models for speech driven lip synthesis

Speech drive lip synthesis is an interesting and important step toward human-computer interaction. An incoming speech signal is time aligned using a speech recognizer to generate phonetic sequence, which is then converted to corresponding viseme sequence to be animated. In this paper, we present a novel method for generation of the viseme sequence, which uses viseme based acoustic models, instead of usual phone based acoustic models, to align the input speech signal. This results in higher accuracy and speed of the alignment procedure and allows a much simpler implementation of the speech driven lip synthesis system as it completely obviates the requirement of acoustic unit to visual unit conversion. We show through various experiments that the proposed method results in about 53% relative improvement in classification accuracy and about 52% reduction in time, required to compute alignments.
Quality and safety of hospital discharge: a study on experiences and perceptions of patients, relatives and care providers.

OBJECTIVE To identify barriers experienced and perceived at discharge by physicians, nurses, patients and relatives. DESIGN We developed questionnaires based on focus group interviews with hospital and community care providers, and individual interviews with patients and relatives. A survey was conducted among patients, relatives and related nurses and physicians from hospital and community care. SETTING One university hospital and the related community care area in the Netherlands. PARTICIPANTS Thirty health-care providers and eight patients and/or relatives participated in focus group and individual interviews. Questionnaires were returned by 344 health-care providers and 206 patients and relatives. RESULTS Information from the hospital to community care is often incomplete, unclear and delayed. Especially hospital physicians (52%) and general practitioners (GPs; 63%) experience the quality of information exchanged from the hospital to the GP as poor. Coordination of care is often frustrated by a lack of care provider knowledge and collaboration. Hospital physicians (47%) and GPs (71%) feel that hospital physicians are often not sufficiently aware of the patient's home situation. Respectively, 59 and 81% experience that the GP is often not clearly informed about expected tasks and responsibilities at discharge. CONCLUSIONS This is the first study that provides a clear picture of the experiences and perceptions of stakeholders regarding handovers at hospital discharge. Lack of knowledge, understanding and interest between hospital and community care providers are important causes for ineffective and unsafe discharge. The study suggests that improvement efforts should be focused more on these aspects, as primary conditions for improving hospital discharge.
Determination of Antioxidant Activity and Toxicity of Sambucus nigra Fruit Extract Using Alternative Methods

Summary The aim of the study is to measure the in vitro antioxidant activity of elderberry (Sambucus nigra) fruit extract and to study its toxicity in a plant model system with regard to its possible application in food and agricultural industry. The antioxidant capacity of Sambucus nigra fruit powder was quantified by a photochemiluminescence method. The study of phytotoxicity of aqueous solutions of powder extract was performed using Allium cepa as a test organism. Photochemiluminescence determinations showed a very high antioxidant capacity of the product but also revealed its cytotoxic effect, along with mitodepressive activity and even inhibiton of mitosis at the preprophase stage when the fruit extract was used at higher concentrations. Aqueous solutions of the fruit powder have a reasonably expressed mutagenic activity in vivo on the radicles of Allium cepa, especially when they are used at a concentration of 1 g/dL for a prolonged time (48 h). At lower concentrations (0.1 g/dL), however, the mutagenic effect was not observed any more. The conclusion of our study is that Sambucus nigra fruit extract powder has a very high in vitro antioxidant activity and no mutagenic effects at low concentrations, which makes it recommendable for applications in the food industry.
Dendritic Cell Deficiency in the Blood of Kidney Transplant Patients on Long‐Term Immunosuppression: Results of a Prospective Matched‐Cohort Study

Evidence from in vitro studies suggests that immunosuppressive drugs interfere with key functions of dendritic cells (DCs), but the in vivo relevance of these findings is elusive. We prospectively analyzed the major DC precursor subsets in the blood of kidney transplant recipients on long‐term immunosuppression (≥1 year). A total of 87 patients were compared to 87 age‐ and sex‐matched controls. Total DC numbers and the precursor subsets, myeloid type 1 DCs, myeloid type 2 DCs (mDC1, mDC2) and plasmacytoid DCs (pDCs) were identified by four color flow cytometry. Long‐term immunosuppression was associated with significant reduction of all major DC subsets in comparison to healthy controls (mDC1 p < 0.001; mDC2 p < 0.0001; two‐tailed Mann‐Whitney U‐test) with the strongest negative impact on pDCs (p < 0.00001). In contrast, total leukocyte numbers were not significantly affected. Analysis of the relative impact of different agents revealed a significant impact of prednisolone on pDCs (p = 0.009) and mDCs2 (p = 0.006). The functional relevance of pDC deficiency was confirmed independently by Interferon‐alpha analysis after Toll‐like receptor 7 (p ≤ 0.001) and 9 (p < 0.05) stimulation. These results indicate for the first time a profound negative impact of long‐term immunosuppression on major DC subsets in kidney transplant recipients. DC deficiency may have important implications with respect to viral infections and tumor development.
An efficient binary motion estimation algorithm and its architecture for MPEG-4 shape coding

In this paper, we propose an efficient binary motion estimation (BME) algorithm and its architecture for MPEG-4 shape coding. In our algorithm, the redundant search position can be skipped. Based on the new algorithm, an architecture design for proposed BME is developed. Simulation results show that our algorithm can reduce the number of search positions in BME to only 3.5% compared with full search algorithm. The proposed algorithm will reduce computational complexity of shape coding significantly and is suitable for real-time software and hardware applications.
Competency-based teacher training: A systematic revision of a proven programme in medical didactics

Objectives: Competency-based medical education (CBME) requires factual knowledge to be practically applied together with skills and attitudes. With the National Competence-Based Learning Objectives for Undergraduate Medical Education (NKLM) representing a strong official demand for competence-orientation, it is generally important to explicitly outline its characteristics and review its realisation in teacher trainings. Further requirements are given by the core competencies for medical teachers (KLM). As an example the MQ programme (“Medizindidaktische Qualifikation”) in Baden-Wuerttemberg, a long established and well-accepted training, has been critically revised on this basis, concerning its suitability for the demands of CBME, its needs for adjustment and the efforts to be undertaken for its implementation. Methods: In a systematic quality management process the MQ curriculum and its organisational framing were analysed and further developed in a step-wise comprehensive approach, using the six-step cycle by Kern. The procedures included a thorough needs assessment (e.g. literature research, programme mapping), strategic decisions on structure and content, piloting and evaluation. During the process essential elements of project and change management were considered. Results: The experiences of the MQ example revealed helpful information for key factors to be considered in the pending change process any training provider will be confronted with. Guiding questions were developed related to the process phases. Our analyses showed persistent key points of proven value as stable foundation for change, as well as components needing special consideration to foster competence-oriented aims and transfer into practice: reflection, feedback, application-oriented methods and transparent competence development. These aspects have to be consciously perceived and experienced by participants. Taking this into account, we re-designed the course evidence-based. Besides visualising competencies and their progress, the occasions for reflection and feedback as well as the number of typical, practice-oriented tasks were extended to facilitate self-directed learning, critical self-reflection and individualised solutions. It is shown at what point, in what form and with which purpose these aspects were integrated in the MQ programme. Piloting showed good acceptance by participants, trainers. Preliminary assessment of the outcome is promising. Conclusion: Respecting the high workload, most likely medical teachers will not put CBME concepts into practice without impulses and support. Therefore, in didactical trainings, medical teachers should practice in a competency-based teaching setting and reflect themselves in different professional roles to be able to transfer the experiences to their own educational approach. Trainers and training can serve as models for CBME realisation.
Applying Genetic Algorithm in Multi Language's Characters Recognition

The character recognition (CR) mechanization is being intensively investigated in the pattern recognition research area. CR automation means translating images of characters into a text; in other words, it represents an attempt to simulate the human reading process. CR is very difficult to accomplish owing to various issues such as the inconsistency of human writing, the segmentation of words into characters, high variability in terms of handwriting styles and shapes, the size of the lexicon, and the writing skew or slant.
Novel Two-Layer Millimeter-Wave Slot Array Antennas Based on Substrate Integrated Waveguides

A novel slot array antenna with two layers of substrate integrated waveguides (SIW) is presented for millimeter-wave wireless applications. Unlike conventional SIW-based slot arrays, in this structure a feed waveguide is placed underneath the main substrate layer containing the slot array and is coupled to the branches of the array via slanted slots. The proposed feeding structure results in a considerable reduction in size and eliminates unwanted radiations from the feed network. Experimental results for two slot arrays with 4 £ 4 and 6 £ 6 elements operating at 60GHz are presented showing 14.8dB and 18.5dB gain, respectively. Furthermore, a novel doubly tapered transition between SIW and microstrip line is presented which is particularly useful in mm-wave applications.
Descending Necrotizing Mediastinitis Causing Pleuroesophageal Fistula : Successful Treatment by Combined Transcervical and Pleural Drainage

Descending necrotizing mediastinitis (DNM) develops as a complication of an oropharyngeal infection and can be life-threatening. Aggressive therapy is generally advised; usually, treatment consists of cervicomediastinal and transthoracic drainage combined with broad-spectrum antimicrobial therapy, especially when the necrotizing process extends below the level of the fourth thoracic vertebra. A rare case of DNM secondary to a retropharyngeal abscess with fistula to both pleural cavities and to the hypopharynx is reported. The patient was successfully treated by cervicomediastinal surgical drainage and percutaneous drainage of both pleural cavities. In our opinion, even complicated DNM can be treated without aggressive surgery if the patient is in good condition.
Measuring the Degree of International Harmony in Selected Accounting Measurement Practices

This research assesses empirically the extent to which selected accounting measurement practices of companies from France, Germany, Japan, the UK and the US are harmonised in the context of major international efforts to enhance the comparability of company financial statements. The findings suggest that significant differences continue in accounting measurement practices between companies originating in each of these countries. The results of the study have important implications for international standard-setters, investors, creditors and those interested in international accounting.
End-to-End Acoustic Feedback in Language Learning for Correcting Devoiced French Final-Fricatives

This work aims at providing an end-to-end acoustic feedback framework to help learners of French to pronounce voiced frica-tives. A classifier ensemble detects voiced/unvoiced utterances, then a correction method is proposed to improve the perception and production of voiced fricatives in a word-final position. Realizations of voiced fricatives contained in French sentences uttered by French and German speakers were analyzed to find out the deviations between the acoustic cues realized by the two groups of speakers. The correction method consists in substituting the erroneous devoiced fricative by TD-PSOLA concate-native synthesis that uses exemplars of voiced fricatives chosen from a French speaker corpus. To achieve a seamless concatena-tion the energy of the replacement fricative was adjusted with respect to the energy levels of the learner's and French speaker's preceding vowels. Finally, a perception experiment with the corrected stimuli has been carried out with French native speakers to check the appropriateness of the fricative revoicing. The results showed that the proposed revoicing strategy proved to be very efficient and can be used as an acoustic feedback.