Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Visual field deficits in conventional anterior temporal lobectomy versus amygdalohippocampectomy

Objective: To evaluate and identify the incidence of visual field defects (VFD) after anterior temporal lobectomy (ATL) versus amygdalohippocampectomy (AH). VFD occur frequently after ATL and are usually superotemporal quadrantanopias. Little is known about the incidence of VFD after AH and this surgical method offers the possibility of a seizure-free survival without visual loss. Methods: Patients with similar characteristics were examined. All patients had intractable seizures and mesial temporal sclerosis, small tumors localized to only the uncus, amygdala, or hippocampus, or no known pathology. Postoperative kinetic field testing using the I4e isopter on a Goldmann perimeter was performed 30 days or more after surgery. Results: Of 29 patients examined, 14 underwent AH and 15 had ATL. Four of 14 AH patients (28%) had a VFD at 10 degrees from center and 11/14 (78%) had VFD at 40 degrees. One of 15 ATL patients (7%) had a VFD at 10 degrees from center and 11/15 (73%) had VFD at 40 degrees. There was no significant difference between surgery types. Conclusions: AH in this study was associated with a significant number of VFD. No significant difference was found between the frequency of VFD produced from AH and ATL. The mechanism of injury is due to direct trauma to the optic radiations while accessing the mesial temporal structures. Because all patients in the study were asymptomatic for VFD, it remains to be determined whether these VFD are clinically significant.
Prevalence of depression among a population aged over 45 years in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

OBJECTIVE To determine the prevalence of depression in Thai people of 45 years and over. MATERIAL AND METHOD The presented project was a cross sectional study on the prevalence of depression and cognitive impairment in Chiang Mai. Door-to-door interview technique was assigned in condition with multistage probability random sampling to obtain subjects that represent a population of Chiang Mai. The research was conducted between October 2004 and September 2005. Data were collected on subject that were 45 years old and over. All subjects were selected from all districts in Chiang Mai. Thai Mini Mental State Examination (TMSE) and Thai Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) were used as the assessment tool If the subjects had a TMSE score less than 24 points, it was assumed as a cognitive impairment. RESULTS One thousand four hundred ninety two people, 610 males and 882 females, were enrolled in the present study. Their mean age was 59.7 +/- 10.4 years (45-88 year). The prevalence of depression only was 29.2%, the prevalence of cognitive impairment only was 5.63% and the prevalence of cognitive impairment with depression was 3.96%. The prevalence of depression increased with age. CONCLUSION The prevalence of depression in Thai people of 45 years and over was 29.2% and increased with age.
Benefits and challenges of community-based ecotourism in Park-Fringe communities: The Case of Mesomagor of Kakum National Park, Ghana

Community-based ecotourism (CBE) is seen as a viable model for achieving conservation and improved livelihoods for park-fringe communities. In view of that, many communities in Ghana, including Mesomagor, have embraced the concept. Yet, most studies have employed quantitative methods and failed to examine the challenges of community participation in ecotourism development. Therefore, this study employed qualitative methods to analyze the benefits and challenges of CBE in the Mesomagor community of the Kakum National Park. This involved key informant interviews of 15 stakeholders using a semistructured interview guide. The results of the study show that though the community had made some modest economic gains, especially in infrastructural development, the project was confronted with a number of challenges including apathy towards participation, limited employment and revenue-sharing opportunities, lack of local capacity to manage the project, and destruction of farms by stray elephants from the park.
VO2 kinetics of constant-load exercise following bed-rest-induced deconditioning.

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of bed-rest-induced deconditioning on changes in O2 uptake (VO2) kinetics, O2 deficit, steady-state VO2, and recovery VO2 during the performance of constant-load exercise. Five male subjects (36-40 yr) underwent 7 days of continuous bed rest (BR) in the head-down (-6 degrees) position. Two days before (pre) and the day after (post) BR each subject performed one submaximal exercise test in the supine and one in the upright position consisting of 5 min of rest, 5 min of cycle ergometer exercise at 700 kg.m/min, and 10 min of recovery from exercise. VO2 was measured continuously in all tests from 2-liter aliquot gas samples collected every 30 s. Following BR steady-state VO2 was unchanged in supine and upright exercise. In the supine position BR did not change total exercise VO2, O2 deficit, or total recovery VO2. However, compared with pre-BR, total exercise VO2 decreased (P less than 0.05) from 7.41 +/- 0.11 to 7.23 +/- 0.17 liters, O2 deficit increased (P less than 0.05) from 1.15 +/- 0.05 to 1.41 +/- 0.07 liters, and total recovery VO2 increased (P less than 0.05) from 5.17 +/- 0.11 to 5.47 +/- 0.17 liters during the post-BR upright test. Despite the ability to attain similar steady-state VO2 within 5 min, bed-rest-induced deconditioning resulted in a reduction of total VO2 capacity and an increase in the O2 deficit during submaximal constant-load exercise. This change in VO2 kinetics is found only with exercise in the upright rather than supine position implicating orthostatic mechanisms in the delayed response to submaximal exercise.
Does Body Mass Index Predict Overweight in Native Asian Indians? A Study from a North Indian Population

Aims: Body mass index (BMI) has been considered as a gold standard for defining overweight and obesity, and in western populations it has correlated with percentage body fat (%BF). However, data in native Asian Indians regarding BMI and %BF is conflicting and questions have been raised to redefine the BMI cut-off values in these subjects. Subjects and Methods: 150 healthy volunteers (79 men and 71 women aged 18–78 and 23–75 years respectively) were recruited for the study. Clinical examination was performed to exclude any systemic disease. Anthropometric measurements were done and %BF was calculated from skinfold thickness. Results: The BMI for men was 24.96 kg/m2 (±3.85) and for women was 25.75 kg/m2 (±4.39). %BF calculated by skinfold thickness was 21.94% (±5.92) in men and 35.15% (±5.77) in women. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed a higher sensitivity (92%) and higher negative predictive value (95%) for the conventional cut-off value of the BMI (25 kg/m2) in identifying subjects with overweight with %BF of more than 25% in men. However, in females a BMI of 23.9 kg/m2 had a sensitivity of 84% and negative predictive value of 62% thereby decreasing the misclassification by 13% with %BF of more than 30% as compared to conventional BMI cut-off of >25 kg/m2. A comparison of BF data amongst Caucasians, Blacks and migrant ethnic Asians revealed inconspicuous differences in men. Conclusion: Native North Indian men had comparative BMI and %BF as that of their western counterparts.
The Effects of Research and Development Expenditure on the Firm Value: Focusing on the Portfolio's Excess Return

To analyze the effects of R&D expenditure on the firm value of Korean firms, we classified portfolios based on R&D activity levels. After that, we conducted a time-series analysis to assess excess returns from the portfolios. To carry out such an analysis, an empirical analysis of excess returns in the capital market was performed by using the monthly earning rate of stocks from 2000 to 2013. The purpose of this research is to provide basic data on investment to stakeholders in the capital market by analyzing the effects of R&D on the firm value and to overcome scholarly limitations by offering a new model of analysis. The criteria for classifying the portfolios were based on R&D expenditure levels. The analysis models follow the Fama-French Three-Factor Model and the Carhart Four-Factor Model. The analyses results are as follows. Extrapolating monthly profit rates based on R&D expenditure levels, portfolios with low R&D expenditures showed higher earning rates than those with high R&D expenditures. This suggests that high R&D expenditures did not translate into high earning rates. The investor depreciates the R&D expenditures related profitability and the possibility of success in the market, leading to falls in stock prices and a failure to give a positive effect on the firm value. Our research differs from the previous investigations as we carried out an empirical analysis based on the actual investors’ attitudes about R&D expenditures and how these can generate excess earnings. Our research results show that the data related to R&D expenditure are not reflected fully in the market.
Rat and human Schwann cells in vitro can synthesize and express MHC molecules

The expression of MHC class I and II molecules on cultured rat and human Schwann cells (SCs) was studied to determine whether these molecules could be synthesized by SCs in the absence of T cells. Normal rat and human SCs in vitro expressed low levels of class I MHC, but this was markedly increased by incubation with interferon gamma (IFN‐γ). Untreated SCs of rat or human origin did not express detectable class II MHC molecules, but after 48 hours incubation with IFN‐γ 100 U/ml, 20% of rat SCs and 90% of human SCs were class II positive. Immunoelectron microscopy confirmed the surface expression of MHC molecules on SCs and demonstrated class II MHC within endocytotic vesicles. These findings provide further evidence for an immunological role for SCs as antigen presenting cells or as targets for cytotoxic T cells.
Calcium ionophore A23187 specifically decreases the secretion of β‐secretase cleaved amyloid precursor protein during apoptosis in primary rat cortical cultures

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by the degeneration and loss of neurons, intracellular neurofibrillary tangles and the accumulation of extracellular senile plaques consisting mainly of β‐amyloid (Aβ). Aβ is generated from the amyloid precursor protein (APP) by sequential β‐ and γ‐secretase cleavage. Alternatively, APP may be cleaved within the Aβ region by α‐secretase, preventing Aβ formation. Here we investigated APP processing and secretion in primary neurons, using either colchicine or the calcium ionophore A23187 to induce apoptosis. Cell viability was determined by MTT measurements and apoptosis was further confirmed by annexin V and propidium iodide staining. We found that exposure to A23187 significantly decreased the secretion of soluble β‐secretase cleaved APP (β‐sAPP) in a caspase‐dependent manner, although the secretion of total soluble APP βsAPP) did not change. In addition, caspase inhibition restored cell viability to control levels. Exposure to colchicine did not change the amount of either secreted β‐sAPP or total sAPP and caspase inhibition was only partially able to restore cell viability. We conclude that calcium homeostasis is an important apoptotic effector specifically affecting the β‐secretase cleavage of APP. J. Neurosci. Res. 63:429–437, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The mechanism of alpha-helix formation by peptides.

HISTORY . 97 A Thermodynamic Model of a-Helix Formation 97 Statistical Mechanical Models of a-Helix Formation 98 Tests of Helix-Coil Theory and Values for Parameters 99 Host-Guest Studies 101 HELIX FORMATION BY SEQUENCES FROM PROTEINS 102 Early Studies. 102 pH Dependence of Helix Formation by C Peptide 102 Helix Stop in S Peptide 103 Charge-Helix Dipole Interactions 103 Phe8··· His12+ Interaction in C Peptide 104 Glu2-'" ArgJO+ Interaction in C Peptide 105 Studies of Helix Propensities in C Peptide . 105 The Nascent Helix 106
Adaptive learning rate CNN for SAR ATR

A new approach is developed for synthetic aperture radar (SAR) automatic target recognition based on convolutional neural network (CNN). In order to improve the low efficiency caused by fixed learning rate in CNN, the AdaDelta method is introduced to adjust the learning rate adaptively. The experimental results on Moving and Stationary Target Acquisition and Recognition (MSTAR) data sets show that convergence is significantly faster in proposed method than CNN with fixed learning rate.
Analysis of Binding Sites for the New Small-Molecule CCR5 Antagonist TAK-220 on Human CCR5

ABSTRACT G protein-coupled receptor CCR5 is the main coreceptor for macrophage-tropic human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1), and various small-molecule CCR5 antagonists are being developed to treat HIV-1 infection. It has been reported that such CCR5 antagonists, including TAK-779, bind to a putative binding pocket formed by transmembrane domains (TMs) 1, 2, 3 and 7 of CCR5, indicating the importance of the conformational changes of the TMs during virus entry. In this report, using a single-round infection assay with human CCR5 and its substitution mutants, we demonstrated that a new CCR5 antagonist, TAK-220, shares the putative interacting amino acid residues Asn252 and Leu255 in TM6 with TAK-779 but also requires the distinct residues Gly163 and Ile198 in TMs 4 and 5, respectively, for its inhibitory effect. We suggested that, together with molecular models of the interactions between the drugs and CCR5, the inhibitory activity of TAK-220 could involve direct interactions with amino acid residues in TMs 4, 5, and 6 in addition to those in the previously postulated binding pocket. The possible interaction of drugs with additional regions of the CCR5 molecule would help to develop a new small-molecule CCR5 antagonist.
Identification of a Novel Endocytic Recycling Signal in the D1 Dopamine Receptor*

A critical event determining the functional consequences of G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) endocytosis is the molecular sorting of internalized receptors between divergent recycling and degradative membrane pathways. The D1 dopamine receptor recycles rapidly and efficiently to the plasma membrane after agonist-induced endocytosis and is remarkably resistant to proteolytic down-regulation. Whereas the mechanism mediating agonist-induced endocytosis of D1 receptors has been investigated in some detail, little is known about how receptors are sorted after endocytosis. We have identified a sequence present in the carboxyl-terminal cytoplasmic domain of the human D1 dopamine receptor that is specifically required for the efficient recycling of endocytosed receptors back to the plasma membrane. This sequence is distinct from previously identified membrane trafficking signals and is located in a proximal portion of the carboxyl-terminal cytoplasmic domain, in contrast to previously identified GPCR recycling signals present at the distal tip. Nevertheless, fusion of this sequence to the carboxyl terminus of a chimeric mutant δ opioid neuropeptide receptor is sufficient to re-route internalized receptors from lysosomal to recycling membrane pathways, defining this sequence as a bona fide endocytic recycling signal that can function in both proximal and distal locations. These results identify a novel sorting signal controlling the endocytic trafficking itinerary of a physiologically important dopamine receptor, provide the first example of such a sorting signal functioning in a proximal portion of the carboxyl-terminal cytoplasmic domain, and suggest the existence of a diverse array of sorting signals in the GPCR superfamily that mediate subtype-specific regulation of receptors via endocytic membrane trafficking.
Combination therapy with naltrexone and bupropion for obesity

Introduction: Although pharmacological treatments for obesity represent only one option in managing obesity, they are a useful tool in an otherwise extremely limited armamentarium. Naltrexone/bupropion combination therapy was developed by using technological advances that have improved our understanding of how the brain regulates body weight. Areas covered: This review covers the development of naltrexone/bupropion combination therapy for obesity, as well as the published clinical trials on the safety and efficacy of the combination in overweight and obese humans. The effect of naltrexone/bupropion on food craving seems to be unique, and the implications of this finding for weight loss are discussed. Expert opinion: Safety and tolerability issues seem to be manageable and consistent with the documented effects of each component. Appropriate patient management should address the mild sympathomimetic effect of bupropion, although the FDA has required that a cardiovascular outcomes study be conducted preapproval to determine the effects of long-term use of naltrexone/bupropion in an overweight/obese population. When used in conjunction with diet and exercise, the naltrexone/bupropion combination may be a useful treatment option for obesity, especially for overweight and obese adults who report difficulty controlling eating behavior and their response to food cravings.
Membership density and trade union power

Union membership has declined in almost all European and other advanced economies, though in many cases the membership that remains reflects overall changes in the gender and occupational structure of the economy. Meanwhile, in most countries unions’ incorporation in governing institutions of the labour market has remained stable or risen. Union strength (membership density and incorporation) and to a lesser extent bargaining coordination correlate positively with core employee interests in the post-Keynesian economy: a combination of high employment and low inequality, and a balance between flexibility and security. The evidence suggests that unions’ most important role today is as part of wider political forces, where the role of membership strength remains ambiguous.
Improving QoS and Utilisation in modern multi-core servers with Dynamic Cache Partitioning

Co-execution of multiple workloads in modern multi-core servers may create severe performance degradation and unpredictable execution behavior, impacting significantly their Quality of Service (QoS) levels. To safeguard the QoS levels of high priority workloads, current resource allocation policies are quite conservative, disallowing their co-execution with low priority ones, creating a wasteful tradeoff between QoS and aggregated system throughput. In this paper we utilise the cache monitoring and allocation facilities provided by modern processors and implement a dynamic cache partitioning scheme, where high-priority workloads are monitored and allocated the amount of shared cache that they actually need. This way, we are able to simultaneously maintain their QoS very close to the levels of full cache allocation and boost the system's throughput by allocating the surplus cache space to co-executing, low-priority applications.
Built-in Reliability Design of Highly Integrated Solid-State Power Switches With Metal Bump Interconnects

A stacked substrate-chip-bump-chip-substrate assembly has been demonstrated in the construction of power switch modules with high power density and good electrical performance. In this paper, special effort has been devoted to material selection and geometric shape of the bumps in the design for improving the thermomechanical reliability of a highly integrated bidirectional switch. Results from 3-D finite-element simulation indicate that for all design cases the maximum von Mises stresses and creep strain accumulations occur in the solder joints used to join bumps on IGBTs during a realistic mission profile, but occur in the solder joints used to join bumps on DBC substrates during accelerated thermal cycling. The results from both the simulation and the accelerated thermal cycling experiments reveal that selection of Cu/Mo/Cu composite brick bumps in the stacked assembly can significantly improve the thermomechanical reliability of both the solder joints and the DBC substrates when compared to Cu cylinder bumps and Cu hollow cylinder bumps reported in previous work. Such results can be attributed to the effective reduction in the extent of mismatch of coefficients of thermal expansion between the different components in the assembly.
Revision total knee arthroplasty with use of modular components with stems inserted without cement.

We reviewed the results of seventy-six revision total knee replacements, performed between 1980 and 1988 on the Knee Service at The Hospital for Special Surgery, in seventy-four patients. Sixty-five patients (sixty-seven knees; 88 percent) had a complete clinical examination and radiographic evaluation, and nine patients (nine knees; 12 percent) were only interviewed by telephone. Survivorship analysis was performed for all patients. The average duration of follow-up was three years and six months (range, two to nine years). Only patients who had had revision of the femoral component or the tibial component, or both, because of aseptic failure were included. The tibial component of all prostheses that were used for revision had a metal backing. Cement was placed on the cut surfaces in the metaphyseal region of the femur and tibia. Fluted diaphyseal intramedullary rods were used in all patients and were not cemented. Metal wedges and augments were used to fill osseous defects when necessary. The average preoperative knee score, according to the rating scale of The Hospital for Special Surgery, was 49 points (range, 0 to 62 points). Postoperatively, the knee score improved to an average of 76 points (range, 0 to 97 points). Of the sixty-seven knees that had complete follow-up, fifty-six (84 percent) had an excellent or good result and five (7 percent) had a fair or poor result. In six (8 percent) of the seventy-six knees, the prosthesis failed, necessitating another revision. Failure was defined as removal or a recommendation for removal of the implant. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Risk factors and outcome of bougienage for treatment of benign esophageal strictures in dogs and cats: 28 cases (1995-2004).

OBJECTIVE To determine outcome of bougienage for treatment of benign esophageal stricture (BES) in dogs and cats and identify risk factors for the condition. DESIGN Retrospective case series. ANIMALS 20 dogs and 8 cats with BES. PROCEDURES Medical records were reviewed for information on signalment, clinical features, and outcome. Long-term outcome information was obtained with a questionnaire. RESULTS Esophageal bougienage was performed with dilators ranging from 5 to 15 mm in diameter; median numbers of bougienage procedures were 3 (dogs) and 4.5 (cats). A good outcome, defined as tolerance of solid food with regurgitation less than once a week, was achieved in 14 dogs and 6 cats. Complications were minimal, with nonfatal esophageal perforation occurring in 1 cat. Four dogs and 1 cat were euthanized or died because of esophageal disease. Dogs with BES were more likely to be female, have a recent history of general anesthesia, have received an antimicrobial orally, or have a history of vomiting than were dogs in a reference population. Cats with BES were more likely to have a recent history of general anesthesia, vomiting, or gastrointestinal tract trichobezoars than were cats in a reference population. Doxycycline-induced esophagitis was the suspected cause of BES in 3 cats. Although general anesthesia was associated with development of BES in 18 dogs and 5 cats, concurrent potential causes of esophageal injury were common. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results suggested that esophageal bougienage was a safe and effective treatment for most dogs and cats with BES, with outcomes similar to those reported for balloon dilation.