Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Iterative Reconstruction Technique for Reducing Body Radiation Dose at Ct: Feasibility Study Hara Et Al. Ct Iterative Reconstruction Technique Gastrointestinal Imaging Original Research

Dose reduction with CT has been limited because the current CT reconstruction algorithm (filtered back projection [FBP]) does not produce consistently diagnostic images if tube current is substantially reduced. Iterative reconstruction is a reconstruction algorithm whereby image data are corrected with an assortment of models. Although new to CT, iterative reconstruction is widely used in PET and was used when CT was introduced [5]. A current limitation of iterative reconstruction, however, is the long computing time. Therefore , a modified and computationally faster iterative reconstruction technique, adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction, was developed in which only one corrective model is used to address image noise. This technique is used to solve one of the primary problems of dose reduction for CT with FBP: increased T he explosive growth of CT can be attributed to its wide availability , speed, and diagnostic benefits. In a 2007 report [1] it was estimated that more than 68.7 million CT examinations are performed each year in the United States, a dramatic upsurge compared with the 3 million performed in 1980. Although it accounts for only 11–13% of ra-diologic examinations performed overall in the United States, CT is responsible for more than two thirds of the total radiation dose associated with medical imaging [2, 3]. Public concern with radiation exposure escalated when a widely publicized article [4] claimed that the estimated cancer risk in the United States attributable to CT radiation has grown from 0.4% to 1.5–2.0% owing to the substantial increase in use of CT. OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the image noise, low-contrast resolution, image quality, and spatial resolution of adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction in low-dose body CT. MATERIALS AND METHODS. Adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction was used to scan the American College of Radiology phantom at the American College of Radiology reference value and at one-half that value (12.5 mGy). Test objects in low-and high-contrast and uniformity modules were evaluated. Low-dose CT with adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction was then tested on 12 patients (seven men, five women; average age, 67.5 years) who had previously undergone routine-dose CT. Two radiologists blinded to scanning technique evaluated images of the same patients obtained with routine-dose CT and low-dose CT with and without adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction. Image noise, low-contrast resolution , image quality, and spatial resolution were graded on a scale of 1 (best) to 4 (worst). Quantitative noise measurements were made on …
The Influence of Social Categories and Interpersonal Behaviors on Future Intentions and Attitudes to Form Subgroups in Virtual Teams

Subgroup formation within larger virtual teams can lead to biased information sharing and conflict. Given this, the present study examined how social categories (i.e., in-group vs. out-group status) and interpersonal behaviors (i.e., a teammate behaving positively vs. negatively) influenced intentions and attitudes toward subgrouping in short-term virtual teams. One hundred sixty-four participants interacted in four-person teams using a synchronous chat program. The analysis showed that, though both social categories and interpersonal behaviors affected subgrouping choices, interpersonal behaviors had a stronger effect. Additionally, there was no evidence for the “black sheep hypothesis” predicting that in-group members behaving negatively discourages subgrouping. Overall, this exemplified how minimal categorical cues trigger in-group favoritism and out-group discrimination in virtual teams as anticipated by social identity models. The findings also illustrated how interpersonal behaviors robustly affect virtual team dynamics as stated by social information processing theory.
Central lymph node changes and progressive massive fibrosis in coalworkers.

SIR,-We were very interested in the "central hypothesis" for the aetiology of progressive massive fibrosis in coalworkers proposed by Dr RME Seal and colleagues (July 1986;41:531-7). The Joint Coal Board medical division has maintained a continuous series of postmortem studies on lung tissue of coalworkers since 1949 and data on 1070 cases have been analysed to date. All but a few of these lungs have been studied in the fixed inflated state.1 2 In this series a total of 72 cases were found to be of progressive massive fibrosis (defined as at least one dust lesion over 2cm in diameter). The hilar lymph node histopathological findings from these 72 cases have been classified on sections of the hilar region according to the scheme proposed by Dr Seal and others without knowledge of the severity of progressive massive fibrosis in the lung parenchyma. Parenchymal progressive massive fibrosis was graded on sagittal sections through both lungs, cut to include the upper and lower lobes. The grading system was similar to the International Labour Office radiographic grading system-namely: category A-a lesion having a greatest diameter exceeding 2cm and up to and including 5cm, or several lesions, each greater than 2cm, the sum of whose greatest diameters does not exceed 5 cm; category B-one or more lesions larger or more numerous than those in category A, whose combined area does not exceed the equivalent of one third of one lung surface; category C-one or more lesions whose combined area exceeds the equivalent of one third of one lung surface. Lymph node histopathology grade was compared with parenchymal progressive massive fibrosis grade (table 1). We also compared the presence or absence of progressive mas-
Effect of etanercept on fatigue in patients with recent or established rheumatoid arthritis.

OBJECTIVE To assess the long-term impact of etanercept on fatigue in patients with recent-onset (mean duration 11 months) or established (mean duration 12 years) rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS Patients participating in either of 2 multicenter, randomized, double-blind clinical trials were included. In one trial, patients with recent-onset RA received either etanercept 25 mg twice weekly or methotrexate in a double-blind fashion for 12 months, then open label for 12 months. All patients then received open-label etanercept. In the second trial, patients with established RA received etanercept 25 mg or placebo twice weekly for 6 months in a double-blinded fashion, then open-label etanercept. Up to 46 months of followup data were included. Fatigue was measured regularly using the Health Assessment Questionnaire vitality domain. RESULTS Patients with recent-onset RA who received etanercept had a significantly faster improvement in fatigue than those receiving methotrexate in the first 2 months. Subsequently, patients receiving etanercept and methotrexate had 23-29% and 17-24% reductions in fatigue scores, respectively. In the group with established RA, patients who received etanercept had significantly greater reductions in fatigue than those receiving placebo during the blinded period. Patients initially receiving etanercept sustained a mean fatigue reduction of 25-36% for the entire followup. Patients achieving clinically meaningful improvement in fatigue were more likely to meet the American College of Rheumatology improvement criteria. CONCLUSION Etanercept therapy reduces fatigue in patients with recent-onset or established RA. Improvement in fatigue was sustained for up to 46 months, and correlated with other RA-relevant outcomes.
Routine immunofluorescence detection of Ro/SS-A autoantibody using HEp-2 cells transfected with human 60 kDa Ro/SS-A.

BACKGROUND: Ro/SS-A autoantibodies associated with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and Sjögren syndrome may be missed during routine screening for antinuclear autoantibodies (ANA) by immunofluorescence using HEp-2 cells. AIMS: To investigate the use of HEp-2 cells transfected with human 60 kDa Ro/SS-A for routine detection of these antibodies. METHODS: 10,500 sera were screened at a dilution of 1:200 for Ro/SS-A antibodies, identified by intense immunofluorescence staining in 10-15% of hyperexpressing cells of either the nucleus and nucleolus combined or the nucleus alone. RESULTS: Ro/SS-A antibodies were identified in 160/2100 ANA positive sera (8%), of which seven were ANA negative (titre < 200) and 33 had weak ANA titres (200) in 85-90% of non-hyperexpressing "background" cells. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) confirmed the presence of Ro/SS-A antibodies in 110 newly diagnosed Ro/SS-A positive sera. Of these, 50 reacted with Ro/SS-A, 51 with Ro/SS-A and La/SS-B, and nine with Ro/SS-A and other extractable nuclear antigen (ENA) specificities. Fifteen sera which did not show Ro/SS-A antibodies by immunofluorescence tested positive for Ro/SS-A by immunodiffusion, counter-immunoelectrophesis, or ELISA; of these, 14 had ANA titres > 200. Clinical data from 95 Ro/SS-A positive patients showed that 52% had SLE, 24% Sjögren syndrome, 8% rheumatoid arthritis, and 16% other diseases. CONCLUSIONS: (1) HEp-2 cells transfected with human 60 kDa Ro/SSA are useful for routine immunofluorescence detection for Ro/SS-A antibodies with a positive predictive value of 100%; (2) sera positive for Ro/SS-A antibodies by immunofluorescence should be tested for ENA by other methods because > 50% of these sera will have another ENA reactivity in addition to Ro/SS-A; (3) detection of Ro/SS-A by immunofluorescence may be missed in the presence of high titre ANAs; (4) with a detection sensitivity of 91%, a negative immunofluorescence results for Ro/SS-A does not exclude the presence of this autoantibody.
Visual integration in autism

Atypical integration is a topic of debate in the autism literature. Some theories suggest that altered perception in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is due to a failure to integrate information from meaningful context into the final percept, whereas others suggest that integration of low-level features is impaired. Empirical research which forms the basis for these theories has failed to account for higher-level influences not inherent in the stimuli (i.e., instructions and goals) and assess integration at both lower and higher perceptual levels within the same task. Here, we describe how perceived expectations and goals of a task can modulate the processing of low-level visual input via the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). We then go on to illustrate how future research might assess the relative contribution of both low and high-level processes using the same paradigm. We conclude by recommending that when results appear conflicting, consideration of the relative strength of low-level input vs. feedback or high-level processes may prove helpful. Importantly, research in this area needs to more broadly consider the various influences on perception, and find better ways to assess the contributions of early and later visual processes.
Risk Taking and Novelty Seeking in Adolescence: Introduction to Part I

Abstract: Risk taking and novelty seeking are hallmarks of typical adolescent behavior. Adolescents seek new experiences and higher levels of rewarding stimulation, and often engage in risky behaviors, without considering future outcomes or consequences. These behaviors can have adaptive benefits with regard to the development of independence and survival without parental protection, but also render the adolescent more vulnerable to harm. Indeed, the risk of injury or death is higher during the adolescent period than in childhood or adulthood, and the incidence of depression, anxiety, drug use and addiction, and eating disorders increases. Brain pathways that play a key role in emotional regulation and cognitive function undergo distinct maturational changes during this transition period. It is clear that adolescents think and act differently from adults, yet relatively little is known about the precise mechanisms underlying neural, behavioral, and cognitive events during this period. Increased investigation of these dynamic alterations, particularly in prefrontal and related corticolimbic circuitry, may aid this understanding. Moreover, the investigation of mammalian animal models of adolescence—such as those examining impulsivity, reward sensitivity, and decision making—may also provide new opportunities for addressing the problem of adolescent vulnerability.
Crew accidents reported during 3 years on a cruise ship.

STUDY OBJECTIVE To register and analyze data from all crew injuries reported to the medical center of a cruise ship with a median crew of 630 during a three-year period and to determine high risk areas, equipment and behavior. METHODS All crew injuries reported to the medical center aboard were registered on a standardized form at first visit. An injury was classified at follow-up as 'lost time accident' (LTA) if it caused the victim to be off work for more than one day and/or to be signed off for medical attention (medical sign-off). RESULTS During 3 years, 361 injuries (23% women) were reported aboard. Thirty percent were LTA. The marine department accounted for 14% (deck 5%; engine 9%), the hotel'department for 79% and contractors for 7% of the reports. Filipinos comprised half the crew, reported 35% of the accidents, and their rate of serious injuries were lower than non-Filipino crew (p<0.01). Hotel crew had a higher rate of LTA occurring during work than marine crew (p<0.05). The dancers' rate of serious injuries was higher than other hotel crew (p<0.05) and marine crew (p<0.01). The upper extremity was the most frequently injured body part (51%), open wounds the most common injury type (37%), and galleys the most common accident location (30%). Less than one in ten reported injuries caused medical sign-off. KEY MESSAGE Well-equipped, competent medical staff aboard can after crew injury effectively reduce time off work, as well as number of referrals to medical specialists ashore, helicopter evacuations and ship diversions, and medical sign-off.
Multi-scale interactions in an idealized Walker cell : analysis with isentropic

We propose a new approach for analyzing multi-scale properties of the atmospheric flow that employs the recently introduced isentropic streamfunction and relies on its scale decomposition with Haar wavelets. We applied this method to a cloud resolving simulation of a planetary Walker Cell characterized by pronounced multi-scale flow. The resulting set of isentropic streamfunctions – obtained at the convective, mesoscale, synoptic, and planetary scales – captured many important features of the Walker Circulation. The convective scale was associated with the shallow, congestus, and deep clouds, which jointly dominate the upward mass flux in the lower troposphere. The synoptic and planetary scales played important roles in extending mass transport to the upper troposphere where the corresponding streamfunctions mainly captured the first baroclinic mode associated with large-scale overturning circulation. The intermediate scale features of the flow, such as anvil clouds associated with organized convective systems, were extracted with the mesoscale and synoptic scale isentropic streamfunctions. Multi-scale isentropic streamfunctions were also used to extract salient mechanisms that underlie the low-frequency variability of Walker Cell. In particular, the lag of a few days of the planetary behind the convective scale indicated the importance of the convective scale in moistening the atmosphere and strengthening the planetary-scale overturning circulation. Furthermore, the mesoscale and synoptic lags behind the planetary scale reflected the strong dependence of convective organization on shear. 14
Associations between Active Trachoma and Community Intervention with Antibiotics, Facial Cleanliness, and Environmental Improvement (A,F,E)

Background Surgery, Antibiotics, Facial cleanliness and Environmental improvement (SAFE) are advocated by the World Health Organization (WHO) for trachoma control. However, few studies have evaluated the complete SAFE strategy, and of these, none have investigated the associations of Antibiotics, Facial cleanliness, and Environmental improvement (A,F,E) interventions and active trachoma. We aimed to investigate associations between active trachoma and A,F,E interventions in communities in Southern Sudan. Methods and Findings Surveys were undertaken in four districts after 3 years of implementation of the SAFE strategy. Children aged 1–9 years were examined for trachoma and uptake of SAFE assessed through interviews and observations. Using ordinal logistic regression, associations between signs of active trachoma and A,F,E interventions were explored. Trachomatous inflammation-intense (TI) was considered more severe than trachomatous inflammation-follicular (TF). A total of 1,712 children from 25 clusters (villages) were included in the analysis. Overall uptake of A,F,E interventions was: 53.0% of the eligible children had received at least one treatment with azithromycin; 62.4% children had a clean face on examination; 72.5% households reported washing faces of children two or more times a day; 73.1% households had received health education; 44.4% of households had water accessible within 30 minutes; and 6.3% households had pit latrines. Adjusting for age, sex, and district baseline prevalence of active trachoma, factors independently associated with reduced odds of a more severe active trachoma sign were: receiving three treatments with azithromycin (odds ratio [OR] = 0.1; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.0–0.4); clean face (OR = 0.3; 95% CI 0.2–0.4); washing faces of children three or more times daily (OR = 0.4; 95% CI 0.3–0.7); and presence and use of a pit latrine in the household (OR = 0.4; 95% CI 0.2–0.9). Conclusion Analysis of associations between the A,F,E components of the SAFE strategy and active trachoma showed independent protective effects against active trachoma of mass systemic azithromycin treatment, facial cleanliness, face washing, and use of pit latrines in the household. This strongly argues for continued use of all the components of the SAFE strategy together.
POLG1 Mutations Associated With Progressive Encephalopathy in Childhood

Abstract We have identified compound heterozygous missense mutations in POLG1, encoding the mitochondrial DNA polymerase gamma (Pol &ggr;), in 7 children with progressive encephalopathy from 5 unrelated families. The clinical features in 6 of the children included psychomotor regression, refractory seizures, stroke-like episodes, hepatopathy, and ataxia compatible with Alpers-Huttenlocher syndrome. Three families harbored a previously reported A467T substitution, which was found in compound with the earlier described G848S or the W748S substitution or a novel R574W substitution. Two families harbored the W748S change in compound with either of 2 novel mutations predicted to give an R232H or M1163R substitution. Muscle morphology showed mitochondrial myopathy with cytochrome c oxidase (COX)-deficient fibers in 4 patients. mtDNA analyses in muscle tissue revealed mtDNA depletion in 3 of the children and mtDNA deletions in the 2 sibling pairs. Neuropathologic investigation in 3 children revealed widespread cortical degeneration with gliosis and subcortical neuronal loss, especially in the thalamus, whereas there were only subcortical neurodegenerative findings in another child. The results support the concept that deletions as well as depletion of mtDNA are involved in the pathogenesis of Alpers-Huttenlocher syndrome and add 3 new POLG1 mutations associated with an early-onset neurodegenerative disease.
Some Histological And Histochemical Aspects Of Egg-Implantation In The Rat

توصل هذا البحث إلى النتائج التالية : 1- وجود خلايا متفسخة أو ميتة في الطبقة الطلائية لرحم الأم . كما تظهر خلايا هذه الطبقة نقصا شديدا في المحتوى البروتيني لها وفي المواد عديدة التسكر والأحماض النووية . ويزداد هذا النقص مع تقدم المراحل الجنينية في 129 ساعة إلى 153 ساعة بعد الإخصاب إلى أن تتلاشى الطبقة الطلائية تماما من حول الجنين النامي عند135 ساعة بعد الإخصاب . 2- ظهور خلايا متفسخة أو ميتة بكتلة الخلايا الجنينية وتمثل هذه الخلايا الميتة بعض الخلايا الجنينية التي لم تتمكن من التميز إلى خلايا إكتودرمية أو اندودرمية ، ربما لاحتوائها على شواذ كروموسومات مما يجعلها عرضة للتحلل والموت . 3- يظهر في الجنين النامي زيادة تدريجية في المحتوى البروتيني من 129 ساعة إلى 153 ساعة بعد الإخصاب . ومن ناحية أخرى فإن المواد عديدة التسكر بالجنين تظهر نقصا واضحا من مرحلة 129 ساعة إلى 138 ساعة بعد الإخصاب ، ثم تعود هذه المواد إلى الزيادة الكبيرة عند مرحلة 153 ساعة بعد الإخصاب . وبمناقشة هذه النتائج من ناحية النشاط الأيضي للمواد البيولوجية المدروسة بالبحث ، فإنه يستنتج أن هناك عملية تخليق للمواد البروتينية مع نمو الجنين . وفي نفس الوقت توجد عملية هدم للمواد عديدة التسكر بين 129 ساعة إلى 138 ساعة وذلك لإنتاج الطاقة اللازمة للجنين أثناء زرعه بجدار رحم الأم ونموه الى الجنين الاسطواني .
The Evolutionary Genetics of Personality y

Genetic influences on personality differences are ubiquitous, but their nature is not well understood. A theoretical framework might help, and can be provided by evolutionary genetics. We assess three evolutionary genetic mechanisms that could explain genetic variance in personality differences: selective neutrality, mutation-selection balance, and balancing selection. Based on evolutionary genetic theory and empirical results from behaviour genetics and personality psychology, we conclude that selective neutrality is largely irrelevant, that mutation-selection balance seems best at explaining genetic variance in intelligence, and that balancing selection by environmental heterogeneity seems best at explaining genetic variance in personality traits. We propose a general model of heritable personality differences that conceptualises intelligence as fitness components and personality traits as individual reaction norms of genotypes across environments, with different fitness consequences in different environmental niches. We also discuss the place of mental health in the model. This evolutionary genetic framework highlights the role of gene-environment interactions in the study of personality, yields new insight into the person-situation-debate and the structure of personality, and has practical implications for both quantitative and molecular genetic studies of personality. Copyright # 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Control of the pharyngeal musculature during wakefulness and sleep: Implications in normal controls and sleep apnea

Respiration involves the complex coordination of several pump and upper airway/pharyngeal muscles. From a respiratory perspective, the major function of the pharyngeal muscles is to keep the airway patent allowing for airflow in and out of the lung with minimal work by the respiratory pump muscles. The activity of each of the pharyngeal muscles varies depending on its function, but many reduce their activity during sleep. In healthy individuals, these muscles can respond to respiratory stimuli during sleep to prevent airway collapse. However, in individuals with an anatomically small airway, the muscles cannot always compensate for the increased mechanical load. Thus a vulnerable situation in which the airway is prone to collapse may occur with the development of obstructive sleep apnea. This article describes the current understanding regarding the control of the pharyngeal musculature during wakefulness and sleep, as well as the implications for obstructive sleep apnea. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2011