Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The reliability of a linear analogue for evaluating pain

A linear analogue for rating pain with 10, 15 and 20 cm lines is significantly less variable than a 5 cm line (mean error of 15 cm line is 0-19%, 95% confidence limits for the group +/- 2% and an inood correlation between repeated ratins of a recalled pain distant in time. The variance of the rating is significantly less than the repeated rating of a random mark. The linear analogue rating of a constant pain stimulus is reproducible and changes in rating are likely to be real changes of opinion. Pethidine 150 mg intramuscularly had no significant effect, tested 30 minutes after the administration, on the accuracy or reproducibility of the analogue rating. A linear analogue seems a suitable method of recording the patient's opion of a severe pain such as that of labour.
An age-structured model to evaluate the potential of novel malaria-control interventions: a case study of fungal biopesticide sprays

It has recently been proposed that mosquito vectors of human diseases, particularly malaria, may be controlled by spraying with fungal biopesticides that increase the rate of adult mortality. Though fungal pathogens do not cause instantaneous mortality, they can kill mosquitoes before they are old enough to transmit disease. A model is developed (i) to explore the potential for fungal entomopathogens to reduce significantly infectious mosquito populations, (ii) to assess the relative value of the many different fungal strains that might be used, and (iii) to help guide the tactical design of vector-control programmes. The model follows the dynamics of different classes of adult mosquitoes with the risk of mortality due to the fungus being assumed to be a function of time since infection (modelled using the Weibull distribution). It is shown that substantial reductions in mosquito numbers are feasible for realistic assumptions about mosquito, fungus and malaria biology and moderate to low daily fungal infection probability. The choice of optimal fungal strain and spraying regime is shown to depend on local mosquito and malaria biology. Fungal pathogens may also influence the ability of mosquitoes to transmit malaria and such effects are shown to further reduce vectorial capacity.
Public security screening for metallic objects with millimetre-wave images

In this paper we present a system for the automatic detection and tracking of metallic objects concealed on moving people in sequences of millimetre-wave images, which can penetrate clothing, plastics and fabrics. The system employs two distinct stages: detection and tracking. In this paper a single detector, for metallic objects, is presented which utilises a statistical model also developed in this paper. Target tracking is performed using a particle filter. Results are presented on real millimetre-wave image test sequences.
The effects of framing on decision making: Collaborative versus individual decision making among older adults

The framing effect in medical decision making was examined using individual and collaborative older adult decision makers. One hundred eight adults over the age of 60 participated. A lung cancer scenario was presented to each participant, with the option of choosing surgery or radiation for treatment. Participants viewed the options in either a positive (survival) or negative (mortality) frame. A mixed design was used, with frame (positive or negative) and condition (individual or collaborative) as the between subject factors, and data format (cumulative probability, interval probability, and life expectancy) as the within subject factor. Individuals demonstrated the framing effect in one data format, life expectancy, by choosing surgery in the positive frame and radiation in the negative frame more often than expected by chance. Collaborative decision makers demonstrated the framing effect in two data formats, cumulative and interval probability. Collaborators indicated higher confidence ratings in the data format where the framing effect was not exhibited as compared to the data formats where the framing effect was exhibited. There were no other differences in confidence and use of information ratings across data formats or between decision makers who demonstrated the framing effect and decision makers who did not demonstrate the framing effect.
Quantifying Inter-Laboratory Variability in Stable Isotope Analysis of Ancient Skeletal Remains

Over the past forty years, stable isotope analysis of bone (and tooth) collagen and hydroxyapatite has become a mainstay of archaeological and paleoanthropological reconstructions of paleodiet and paleoenvironment. Despite this method's frequent use across anthropological subdisciplines (and beyond), the present work represents the first attempt at gauging the effects of inter-laboratory variability engendered by differences in a) sample preparation, and b) analysis (instrumentation, working standards, and data calibration). Replicate analyses of a 14C-dated ancient human bone by twenty-one archaeological and paleoecological stable isotope laboratories revealed significant inter-laboratory isotopic variation for both collagen and carbonate. For bone collagen, we found a sizeable range of 1.8‰ for δ13Ccol and 1.9‰ for δ15Ncol among laboratories, but an interpretatively insignificant average pairwise difference of 0.2‰ and 0.4‰ for δ13Ccol and δ15Ncol respectively. For bone hydroxyapatite the observed range increased to a troublingly large 3.5‰ for δ13Cap and 6.7‰ for δ18Oap, with average pairwise differences of 0.6‰ for δ13Cap and a disquieting 2.0‰ for δ18Oap. In order to assess the effects of preparation versus analysis on isotopic variability among laboratories, a subset of the samples prepared by the participating laboratories were analyzed a second time on the same instrument. Based on this duplicate analysis, it was determined that roughly half of the isotopic variability among laboratories could be attributed to differences in sample preparation, with the other half resulting from differences in analysis (instrumentation, working standards, and data calibration). These findings have serious implications for choices made in the preparation and extraction of target biomolecules, the comparison of results obtained from different laboratories, and the interpretation of small differences in bone collagen and hydroxyapatite isotope values. To address the issues arising from inter-laboratory comparisons, we devise a novel measure we term the Minimum Meaningful Difference (MMD), and demonstrate its application.
Differences in Creative Thinking of Black and White Deaf Children

Fluency, flexibility, originality, and elaboration scores were obtained from Thinking Creatively With Pictures, Form A, given to 233 white and black deaf children in Grades 1, 2, 3, and 4. Fluency scores were not dependent upon race as such but upon grade level as such and in interaction with race. Flexibility scores showed an over-all relation with race and grade level but not with sex. Originality scores were independent of grade level, race, and sex. Elaboration scores were dependent upon race and grade level and upon interaction of race with grade level.
Tooth preparation: a study on the effect of different variables and a comparison between conventional and channeled diamond burs.

PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to evaluate the different variables involved in tooth cutting to characterize intrapulpal temperature generation, cutting efficiency, and bur durability when using conventional and channeled diamond burs. MATERIALS AND METHODS Forty premolars and 60 molars were selected for the study. Four diamond burs were paired according to grit size: 125-microm grit: Brasseler Coarse (Control 1) and TDA System (Test 1) burs; and 180-microm grit: Brasseler CRF (Control 2) and NTI Turbo Diamond (Test 2) burs. Each bur was used twice when cutting the premolar teeth, whereas it was used for 60 cuts when cutting the molar teeth. The data were analyzed to compare the correlation of bur design, grit and wear, amount of pressure, advancement rate, revolutions per minute, cutting time and rate, and proximity to the pulp chamber with intrapulpal temperature generation, cutting efficiency, and bur longevity. The mean values of test and control burs in each group were compared using an ANOVA (p < 0.05 for significant differences) for temperature generation and an ANOVA and the Tukey multiple range test (p< or = 0.05) for cutting efficiency and bur longevity. RESULTS No significant difference was found in intrapulpal temperature generation while cutting premolar and molar teeth with conventional and channeled diamond burs. In both groups, the mean temperature recorded during and after the cutting procedure was lower than the baseline temperature. For premolar teeth, no significant difference was established for control and test burs for the load required to cut into the tooth and the cutting rate. However, both test burs showed significantly fewer revolutions per minute when compared to their control counterparts. For the molar teeth, the Brasseler CRF bur required a significantly lower cutting load when compared to the NTI bur, whereas no difference was noted between the other pair of burs. The cutting rate was significantly higher for both control burs, whereas revolutions per minute (rpm) were greater for control coarser burs only. Overall, channeled burs showed a significantly lower cutting efficiency when compared to conventionally designed burs. CONCLUSION Within the limitations of this study, channeled burs showed no significant advantage over conventional diamond burs when evaluating temperature generation and bur durability. Moreover, the cutting efficiency of conventional burs was greater than that of channeled burs.
Intrapair Similarity of Computer Self-Efficacy in Turkish Adolescent Twins

The purpose of this study is to investigate genetic and environmental influences on computer self-efficacy. A total of 165 Turkish twin-pairs participated in the study. Participants’ mean age was 12.45 (SD = 1.82). The results of paired t-test comparisons showed no significant differences in monozygotic, and both same-sex and opposite-sex dizygotic twin-pairs’ levels of computer self-efficacy. Correlations were calculated to test intrapair similarity for computer self-efficacy. The monozygotic correlation for computer self-efficacy was . 443 and the same-sex dizygotic correlation was . 472, suggesting no genetic contribution to computer self-efficacy but providing support for environmental influences. Interpretations of results and potential directions for future research are presented.
Cross-Talk between the Cellular Redox State and the Circadian System in Neurospora

The circadian system is composed of a number of feedback loops, and multiple feedback loops in the form of oscillators help to maintain stable rhythms. The filamentous fungus Neurospora crassa exhibits a circadian rhythm during asexual spore formation (conidiation banding) and has a major feedback loop that includes the FREQUENCY (FRQ)/WHITE COLLAR (WC) -1 and -2 oscillator (FWO). A mutation in superoxide dismutase (sod)-1, an antioxidant gene, causes a robust and stable circadian rhythm compared with that of wild-type (Wt). However, the mechanisms underlying the functions of reactive oxygen species (ROS) remain unknown. Here, we show that cellular ROS concentrations change in a circadian manner (ROS oscillation), and the amplitudes of ROS oscillation increase with each cycle and then become steady (ROS homeostasis). The ROS oscillation and homeostasis are produced by the ROS-destroying catalases (CATs) and ROS-generating NADPH oxidase (NOX). cat-1 is also induced by illumination, and it reduces ROS levels. Although ROS oscillation persists in the absence of frq, wc-1 or wc-2, its homeostasis is altered. Furthermore, genetic and biochemical evidence reveals that ROS concentration regulates the transcriptional function of WCC and a higher ROS concentration enhances conidiation banding. These findings suggest that the circadian system engages in cross-talk with the cellular redox state via ROS-regulatory factors.
Surface velocity estimation of fluids using millimetre-wave radar

This paper presents a microwave sensor which allows to measure the surface velocity of fluids via determining the Doppler shift of the scattered signal. To fulfil natural as well as industrial measurement conditions, different distances and spatial arrangements, the design of the sensor exhibits a modular system. Thus, different beam forming components have been developed and can be exchanged easily. A lot of effort has been spent in designing an innovative dielectrical waveguide antenna for near distance measurements of hard-to-reach liquids. This design process will be exposed and the technical suitability will be tested with an exemplary test set-up. The dependency of the signal strength on the angle of polarisation will be investigated and an approach to estimate the velocity from the measured data will be introduced.
Relation of Perfectionism with Athletes' Burnout: Further Examination

The purpose was to examine the different aspects of perfectionism and athletes' burnout. College athletes (N = 320) with mean age of 19.7 yr. (SD = 1.4) completed the Chinese version of the Multiple Perfectionism Scale for Sport and the Eades' Athlete Burnout Inventory. Results indicated that perfectionism could be separated into adaptive and maladaptive perfectionism. Adaptive perfectionism was linked to reduced athletes' burnout while maladaptive perfectionism was associated with athletes' burnout. In addition, significant interaction was found between adaptive perfectionism and maladaptive perfectionism on athletes' burnout. Results suggest that high maladaptive perfectionism and low adaptive perfectionism corresponds to higher scores on athletes' burnout. Perfectionism should not be treated as an all-or-nothing disposition. The extent of athlete burnout can vary with the interaction effects of the two types of perfectionism. In terms of practical implications in intervention work, coaches and sport psychologists should try to reduce athletes' maladaptive perfectionism and increase adaptive perfectionism.
Molecular basis for impaired collateral artery growth in the spontaneously hypertensive rat: insight from microarray analysis

Analysis of global gene expression in mesenteric control and collateral arteries was used to investigate potential molecules, pathways, and mechanisms responsible for impaired collateral growth in the Spontaneously Hypertensive Rat (SHR). A fundamental difference was observed in overall gene expression pattern in SHR versus Wistar Kyoto (WKY) collaterals; only 6% of genes altered in collaterals were similar between rat strains. Ingenuity® Pathway Analysis (IPA) identified major differences between WKY and SHR in networks and biological functions related to cell growth and proliferation and gene expression. In SHR control arteries, several mechano‐sensitive and redox‐dependent transcription regulators were downregulated including JUN (−5.2×, P = 0.02), EGR1 (−4.1×, P = 0.01), and NFĸB1 (−1.95×, P = 0.04). Predicted binding sites for NFĸB and AP‐1 were present in genes altered in WKY but not SHR collaterals. Immunostaining showed increased NFĸB nuclear translocation in collateral arteries of WKY and apocynin‐treated SHR, but not in untreated SHR. siRNA for the p65 subunit suppressed collateral growth in WKY, confirming a functional role of NFkB. Canonical pathways identified by IPA in WKY but not SHR included nitric oxide and renin–angiotensin system signaling. The angiotensin type 1 receptor (AGTR1) exhibited upregulation in WKY collaterals, but downregulation in SHR; pharmacological blockade of AGTR1 with losartan prevented collateral luminal expansion in WKY. Together, these results suggest that collateral growth impairment results from an abnormality in a fundamental regulatory mechanism that occurs at a level between signal transduction and gene transcription and implicate redox‐dependent modulation of mechano‐sensitive transcription factors such as NFĸB as a potential mechanism.
“Dormant” Pulmonary Vein Conduction Revealed by Adenosine after Ostial Radiofrequency Catheter Ablation

Introduction: The endogenous nucleoside adenosine is an important intermediate in cellular metabolism, a regulator of function in many organ systems, and a pharmacologic agent with potent electrophysiologic effects. We studied the effects of adenosine on the activation of the pulmonary veins (PVs) after successful ostial isolation in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF).
Valproate‐induced thrombocytopenia: a prospective monotherapy study

Purpose: The frequency of valproate (VPA)‐induced thrombocytopenia varied widely in previous studies, due to methodological differences. Our objective was to evaluate the relationship between trough VPA plasma levels and platelet counts and assess risk factors for the development of thrombocytopenia.
Epidemiology of bacterial isolates among pediatric cancer patients from a tertiary care oncology center in North India.

BACKGROUND Infections are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in pediatric oncology. Resistance pattern of bacterial isolates determine empiric antibiotic therapy and influence outcome. AIMS This study was planned to determine profile of bacterial isolates and their antibiotic resistance pattern among pediatric cancer patients. DESIGN It was a retrospective, single institutional study. MATERIALS AND METHODS The study was carried out in the department of pediatric hematology-oncology of a tertiary care cancer centre in north India over a period of 24 months (2012-2014). Microbiological data pertaining to pediatric cancer patients, less than 18 yrs of age was analysed. RESULTS Hence, 238 bacterial isolates were cultured from among 1757 blood, urine and other specimens. Gram negative bacteria were the most common (74%) pathogens identified and E. coli and Klebsiella comprised 80% of them. A high incidence of extended spectrum beta lactamase producing organisms (84%), beta-lactam beta-lactamase inhibitor (78%) and carbapenem resistance was observed (29%). Blood stream infection with multi-drug resistant Klebsiella was associated with high mortality. The gram positive bacteria isolated were predominantly staphylococcus aureus and were antibiotic sensitive. Reduction in the number of culture positive isolates in the second year of our study was probably due to rigorous implementation of infection control measures. CONCLUSION These results on microbiologic profile and antibiotic sensitivity pattern of the isolates will be extremely helpful in revision of antibiotic guidelines for our patients and in developing strategies for coping with high prevalence of multi-drug resistance. Antibiotic stewardship and strict implementation of infection control practices will be important components of this effort.
Calibration of Hydrologic Models Using Distributed Surrogate Model Optimization Techniques: A WATCLASS Case Study

This thesis presents a new approach to the calibration of hydrologic models using distributed computing framework. Distributed hydrologic models are known to be very computationally intensive and difficult to calibrate. To cope with the high computational cost of the process a Surrogate Model Optimization(SMO) technique built for distributed computing facilities is proposed. The proposed method along with two analogous SMO methods are employed to calibrate the WATCLASS hydrologic model. This model has been developed at the University of Waterloo and is now a part of the Environment Canada MESH (Environment Canada community environmental modeling system called Modèlisation Environmentale Communautaire (MEC) for Surface Hydrology (SH)) systems. SMO has the advantage of being less sensitive to the “curse of dimensionality” and it is very efficient for large scale and computationally expensive models. In this technique, a mathematical model is constructed based on a small set of simulated data from the original expensive model. SMO technique follows an iterative strategy which in each iteration the SM map the region of optimum more precisely. A new comprehensive method based on a smooth regression model is proposed for the calibration of WATCLASS. This method has at least two advantages over the previously proposed methods: it does not require a large number of training data and it does not have many model parameters and therefore its construction and validation process is not demanding. To evaluate the performance of the proposed SMO method, it has been applied to five well-known test functions and the results are compared to two other analogous SMO methods. Since the performance of all SMOs are promising, two instances of WATCLASS modeling Smoky River watershed are calibrated using these three adopted SMOs and the resultant Nash numbers are reported.
Inherited polymorphism in the N‐acetyltransferase 1 (NAT1) and 2 (NAT2) genes and susceptibility to gastric and colorectal adenocarcinoma

The polymorphic arylamine N‐acetyltransferases (NAT1 and NAT2) have been implicated in increased susceptibility to certain malignancies. We analyzed genetic polymorphisms in both the NAT1 and NAT2 genes among 140 gastric adenocarcinoma patients, 103 colorectal adenocarcinoma patients and 122 healthy controls from Japan. The frequency of the specific genotype NAT1*10 allele, which contains a variant polyadenylation signal, was higher among all gastric adenocarcinoma cases, but this increase did not reach statistical significance. After grouping according to tumor differentiation of gastric adenocarcinoma patients, NAT1 polymorphism was a risk factor among the well‐differentiated type of tumors (OR = 3.03, 95% CI 1.08–8.46). Stratifying by smoking status, we found that the OR for heavy smokers with the NAT1*10 allele was 2.97 (95% CI 1.23–7.14). When the combined risk of NAT1*10 allele from smoking and tumor differentiation was calculated, we found that the risk of the NAT1*10 allele with heavy smoking was increased among the well ‐ differentiated type of gastric adenocarcinoma (OR = 4.24, 95% CI 0.87–20.6). The NAT1*10 genotype was not a significant risk factor in colorectal adenocarcinoma. No statistically significant differences were observed in the frequency of NAT2 rapid acetylation genotype in gastric (91.4%) or colorectal (95.2%) adenocarcinoma patients when compared with the control population (94.3%). Our results suggest the NAT1*10 allele may be an important genetic determinant of the well‐differentiated type of gastric adenocarcinoma, which may be induced by smoking. Int. J. Cancer 85:46–49, 2000. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.