Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Radiation exposure to patients during interventional procedures in 20 countries: initial IAEA project results.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of our study was to investigate the level of radiation protection of patients and staff during interventional procedures in 20 countries of Africa, Asia, and Europe. SUBJECTS AND METHODS In a multinational prospective study, information on radiation protection tools, peak skin dose (PSD), and kerma-area product (KAP) was provided by 55 hospitals in 20 mainly developing countries (nine mostly in Eastern Europe, five in Africa, and six in Asia). RESULTS Nearly 40% of the interventional rooms had an annual workload of more than 2,000 patients. It is remarkable that the workload of pediatric interventional procedures can reach the levels of adult procedures even in developing countries. About 30% of participating countries have shown a 100% increase in workload in 3 years. Lead aprons are used in all participating rooms. Even though KAP was available in almost half of the facilities, none had experience in its use. One hundred of 505 patients monitored for PSD (20%) were above the 2-Gy threshold for deterministic effects. CONCLUSION Interventional procedures are increasing in developing countries, not only for adults but also for pediatric patients. The situation with respect to staff protection is considered generally acceptable, but this is not the case for patient protection. Many patients exceeded the dose threshold for erythema. A substantial number (62%) of percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty procedures performed in developing countries in this study are above the currently known dose reference level and thus could be optimized. Therefore, this study has significance in introducing the concept of patient dose estimation and dose management.
Brain Monoaminergic Activity in Rainbow Trout Selected for High and Low Stress Responsiveness

This paper investigates whether two lines of rainbow trout displaying genetically determined variation in stress responsiveness and behavior also show differences in brain monoaminergic activity. In several brain regions, strains of rainbow trout selected for consistently high or low post-stress cortisol levels displayed differences in tissue concentrations of monoamines and/or monoamine metabolites, or in metabolite/monoamine ratios. High-responsive trout reacted to stress by an increase in the concentrations of both serotonin (brain stem), dopamine (brain stem), and norepinephrine (optic tectum, telencephalon), whereas low-responsive fish did not. Brain stem and optic tectum concentrations of monoamine metabolites were also elevated after stress in high responders, but not in low-responsive fish. The simultaneous increase in the concentration of monoamines and their metabolites suggests that both synthesis and metabolism of these transmitters were elevated after stress in high-responsive trout. A divergent pattern was seen in the hypothalamus, where low-responsive fish displayed elevated levels of 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (a serotonin metabolite) and 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol (a norepinephrine metabolite). In the telencephalon, both populations had elevated concentrations of these metabolites after stress. These results clearly suggest that selection for stress responsiveness in rainbow trout is also associated with changes in the function of brain monoaminergic systems. The possible functional significance of these observations is discussed with respect to the physiological and behavioral profile of these strains of fish. Literature is reviewed showing that several factors affecting brain monoaminergic activity might be altered by selection for stress responsiveness, or alternatively be under direct influence of circulating glucocorticoids.
Designing Interactive Audience Participation using Smart phones in a Musical Performance

In this paper we describe the design and evaluation of an interactive system for audience participation in live performances using smart phones to control the stereo panoramaoftheleadguitar. Thesystemwasdevelopedthrough feedback from both spectators and artists. The evaluation was conducted during a live concert and builds on interviews and video analysis. Findings include that musicians seem to be cautious about giving up control and that the audience at the same time wants a reasonable amount of control and clear feedback which in turn can be obtrusive to other spectators. We outline that balancing constraints with affordances is the key to both the audience’s and musicians’ acceptance of such a system and that a playful participatory design process can lead to better results in this regard. It is also shown that using smart phones opens up a large possibility space but at the same time their use has to be subtle to not distract too much from the music.
Improvements to an electrical engineering skill audit exam to improve student mastery of core EE concepts

The San José State University Electrical Engineering (EE) department implemented a skill audit exam for graduating seniors in 1999 with the purpose of assessing the teaching and students' mastery of core concepts in EE. However, consistent low scores for the first years of the test suggested that students saw little incentive in reviewing or passing the test. To promote the concept that there is a set of basic skills every graduating senior should master, improvements were implemented that included creating an online exam used for review and requiring earning a 70% or higher score on an in-class exam, a requirement for graduation. After the improvements were made, all students demonstrated at least 70% mastery of the core EE concepts as measured by the improved, in-class skill audit exam. The details of these improvements are presented.
Computer and Video Game Addiction—A Comparison between Game Users and Non-Game Users

Background: Computer game addiction is excessive or compulsive use of computer and video games that may interfere with daily life. It is not clear whether video game playing meets diagnostic criteria for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV). Objectives: First objective is to review the literature on computer and video game addiction over the topics of diagnosis, phenomenology, epidemiology, and treatment. Second objective is to describe a brain imaging study measuring dopamine release during computer game playing. Methods: Article search of 15 published articles between 2000 and 2009 in Medline and PubMed on computer and video game addiction. Nine abstinent “ecstasy” users and 8 control subjects were scanned at baseline and after performing on a motorbike riding computer game while imaging dopamine release in vivo with [123I] IBZM and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). Results: Psycho-physiological mechanisms underlying computer game addiction are mainly stress coping mechanisms, emotional reactions, sensitization, and reward. Computer game playing may lead to long-term changes in the reward circuitry that resemble the effects of substance dependence. The brain imaging study showed that healthy control subjects had reduced dopamine D2 receptor occupancy of 10.5% in the caudate after playing a motorbike riding computer game compared with baseline levels of binding consistent with increased release and binding to its receptors. Ex-chronic “ecstasy” users showed no change in levels of dopamine D2 receptor occupancy after playing this game. Conclusion: This evidence supports the notion that psycho-stimulant users have decreased sensitivity to natural reward. Significance: Computer game addicts or gamblers may show reduced dopamine response to stimuli associated with their addiction presumably due to sensitization.
Genotyping the Butyrylcholinesterase in Patients with Prolonged Neuromuscular Block after Succinylcholine

Background:Succinylcholine remains the standard neuromuscular blocking drug for tracheal intubation in emergency situations. The short duration of action is due to its rapid hydrolytic degradation by butyrylcholinesterase (plasmacholinesterase). Multiple variants of this enzyme are known (A, F, S, H, J, K variants) with different effects on enzyme activity. This study was undertaken to evaluate the use of molecular genetic methods in patients with clinically prolonged neuromuscular block. Methods:Nine patients with a neuromuscular block of 14 min to 5 h were selected. All four exons of the butyrylcholinesterase were amplified by polymerase chain reaction and analyzed by automated sequencing. Molecular genetic results were compared with clinical relaxation time and with biochemical test results (total butyrylcholinesterase activity, dibucaine and fluoride inhibition). Results:Seven of nine patients were mutation carriers. Five of these had more than one mutation. The A and K variants were the most frequent variations. Three of four patients who were homozygous for the A variant were also carriers of the K allele. The authors identified one novel mutation (G1294T) introducing a stop codon at amino acid position 432. The duration of neuromuscular block was substantially different between patients with identical butyrylcholinesterase genotypes. Conclusions:Variations in the genetic sequence of butyrylcholinesterase are frequent in patients with prolonged duration of action of succinylcholine. Direct sequencing of the whole butyrylcholinesterase gene is an appropriate method for genotyping and, accordingly, should be used in future clinical studies with drugs metabolized by this enzyme (e.g., succinylcholine, mivacurium).
Sample richness and genetic diversity as drivers of chimera formation in nSSU metagenetic analyses

Eukaryotic diversity in environmental samples is often assessed via PCR-based amplification of nSSU genes. However, estimates of diversity derived from pyrosequencing environmental data sets are often inflated, mainly because of the formation of chimeric sequences during PCR amplification. Chimeras are hybrid products composed of distinct parental sequences that can lead to the misinterpretation of diversity estimates. We have analyzed the effect of sample richness, evenness and phylogenetic diversity on the formation of chimeras using a nSSU data set derived from 454 Roche pyrosequencing of replicated, large control pools of closely and distantly related nematode mock communities, of known intragenomic identity and richness. To further investigate how chimeric molecules are formed, the nSSU gene secondary structure was analyzed in several individuals. For the first time in eukaryotes, chimera formation proved to be higher in both richer and more genetically diverse samples, thus providing a novel perspective of chimera formation in pyrosequenced environmental data sets. Findings contribute to a better understanding of the nature and mechanisms involved in chimera formation during PCR amplification of environmentally derived DNA. Moreover, given the similarities between biodiversity analyses using amplicon sequencing and those used to assess genomic variation, our findings have potential broad application for identifying genetic variation in homologous loci or multigene families in general.
Parasacral Perforator Flaps for Reconstruction of Sacral Pressure Sores

BackgroundDespite advances in reconstruction techniques, pressure sores continue to present a challenge to the plastic surgeon. The parasacral perforator flap is a reliable flap that preserves the entire contralateral side as a future donor site. On the ipsilateral side, the gluteal muscle itself is preserved and all flaps based on the inferior gluteal artery are still possible. We present our experience of using parasacral perforator flaps in reconstructing sacral defects. MethodsBetween August 2004 and January 2013, 19 patients with sacral defects were included in this study. All the patients had undergone surgical reconstruction of sacral defects with a parasacral perforator flap. The patients’ sex, age, cause of sacral defect, flap size, flap type, numbers of perforators used, rotation angle, postoperative complications, and hospital stay were recorded. ResultsThere were 19 parasacral perforator flaps in this series. All flaps survived uneventfully except for 1 parasacral perforator flap, which failed because of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection. The overall flap survival rate was 95% (18/19). The mean follow-up period was 17.3 months (range, 2–24 months). The average length of hospital stay was 20.7 days (range, 9–48 days). No flap surgery-related mortality was found. Also, there was no recurrence of sacral pressure sores or infected pilonidal cysts during the follow-up period. ConclusionsPerforator-based flaps have become popular in modern reconstructive surgery because of low donor-site morbidity and good preservation of muscle. Parasacral perforator flaps are durable and reliable in reconstructing sacral defects. We recommend the parasacral perforator flap as a good choice for reconstructing sacral defects.
Randomness and the reverberation time, RT60, of acoustic responses

This paper investigates an implication of the clustering, on the complex plane, of the roots of transfer function polynomials obtained from acoustic responses. These polynomials can be the high order transfer functions obtained from room impulse responses or the relatively lower order ones obtained from head related impulse responses. This clustering behavior is explained using results from the theory of the roots of random polynomials. It is demonstrated that, although they do not appear that way, the coefficients of acoustic polynomials can be modeled as random polynomials with certain constraints applied. In the case of room impulse responses, the median of their clustered roots is shown to be directly related to the reverberation time of the room. This is shown to be an accurate measure of the reverberation time by comparison with other estimation techniques.
Cerebrum The Dana Forum on Brain Science

Neuropsychologist Teicher reveals the alarming connections scientists are discovering betweenchild abuse—even when it is psychological, not physical—and permanent debilitating changesin the brain that may lead to psychiatric problems. The discoveries are a wake-up call for oursociety, but they may also hold hope for new treatments for abused children and the adults thatthey become.
Effects of Low Amyloid-β (Aβ) Concentration on Aβ1–42 Oligomers Binding and GluN2B Membrane Expression

Abstract Numerous studies have shown that amyloid-β (Aβ) modulate intracellular metabolic cascades and an intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis and a cell surface NMDA receptor expression alteration in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). However most of these findings have been obtained by using non-physiological Aβ concentrations. The present study deals with the effect of low Aβ concentrations on cellular homeostasis. We used nerve growth factor-differentiated PC12 cells and murine cortical neurons sequentially treated with low chronic monomeric or small oligomeric Aβ concentrations and high acute oligomeric Aβ concentrations to bring out a priming effect of chronic treatment on subsequently high Aβ concentrations-elicited cellular response. Both cell types indeed displayed an enhanced capacity to bind oligomeric Aβ after monomeric or small oligomeric Aβ application. Furthermore, the results show that monomeric Aβ1–42 application to the cells induces an increase of the Ca2+-response and of the membrane expression of the extrasynaptic subunit of the NMDA receptor GluN2B in PC12 cells, while the opposite effects were observed in cultured neurons. This suggests a sequential interaction of Aβ with the cellular plasma membrane involving monomers or small Aβ oligomers which would facilitate the binding of the deleterious high molecular Aβ oligomers. This mechanism would explain the slow progression of AD in the human nervous system and the deep gradient of neuronal death observed around the amyloid plaques in the nervous tissue.
Cystine Dependence of Thermoresistant Mutants of Poliovirus

In 1957, Youngner selected thermoresistant (R) mutants of poliovirus by passing virions which survived heating at 50 C for 1 hr (J. Immunol. 78:282, 1957). Prior to heating, the samples were held at pH 8 to 8.5 in medium 199, which contains cyst(e)ine, for 2 to 4 hr at 37 C. These are the very conditions under which poliovirus, in the presence of cystine, becomes thermoresistant (Pohjanpelto, Virology 6:472, 1958). Other workers have also obtained thermoresistant virus by subjecting poliovirus to elevated temperatures (50 to 70 C) and passing the surviving virus. However, these viruses had all been held in medium containing cyst(e)ine prior to the heat treatment (Medearis et al., Proc. Soc. Exptl. Biol. Med. 104:419, 1960; Pohjanpelto, Virology 15:231, 1961). In 1963, we reported that Youngner's R strain was cystine-dependent (Wallis and Melnick, J. Bacteriol. 86:499, 1963). In our hands, the R strain could be rendered thermosensitive by treatment with glutathione, and, when it was passed in cells maintained in cysteine-free medium, the resulting harvest was heat-sensitive. We also reported that the R strain was unusual in that single-cycle harvests, made prior to release of virus into the cysteinecontaining medium, yielded virus that was thermoresistant. From this we concluded that monkey-kidney cells apparently contain cellbound cyst(e)ine in sufficient quantity to provide cystine to the R strain intracellularly during replication. In 1964, Youngner and Hallum (J. Bacteriol. 88:265, 1964) reported that the R strain they
The DNA Repair Protein XRCC1 Functions in the Plant DNA Demethylation Pathway by Stimulating Cytosine Methylation (5-meC) Excision, Gap Tailoring, and DNA Ligation*

Background: Active DNA demethylation in plants is initiated by 5-meC DNA glycosylases of the ROS1/DME family and continued through a base excision repair pathway. Results: XRCC1 stimulates ROS1-initiated demethylation and is required for efficient processing of post-excision intermediates. Conclusion: XRCC1 functions at several stages during active DNA demethylation. Significance: This study identifies a new component of the active DNA demethylation pathway in Arabidopsis. DNA methylation patterns are the dynamic outcome of antagonist methylation and demethylation mechanisms, but the latter are still poorly understood. Active DNA demethylation in plants is mediated by a family of DNA glycosylases typified by Arabidopsis ROS1 (repressor of silencing 1). ROS1 and its homologs remove 5-methylcytosine and incise the sugar backbone at the abasic site, thus initiating a base excision repair pathway that finally inserts an unmethylated cytosine. The DNA 3′-phosphatase ZDP processes some of the incision products generated by ROS1, allowing subsequent DNA polymerization and ligation steps. In this work, we examined the possible role of plant XRCC1 (x-ray cross-complementing group protein 1) in DNA demethylation. We found that XRCC1 interacts in vitro with ROS1 and ZDP and stimulates the enzymatic activity of both proteins. Furthermore, extracts from xrcc1 mutant plants exhibit a reduced capacity to complete DNA demethylation initiated by ROS1. An anti-XRCC1 antibody inhibits removal of the blocking 3′-phosphate in the single-nucleotide gap generated during demethylation and reduces the capacity of Arabidopsis cell extracts to ligate a nicked DNA intermediate. Our results suggest that XRCC1 is a component of plant base excision repair and functions at several stages during active DNA demethylation in Arabidopsis.
Physiological noise in oxygenation‐sensitive magnetic resonance imaging

The physiological noise in the resting brain, which arises from fluctuations in metabolic‐linked brain physiology and subtle brain pulsations, was investigated in six healthy volunteers using oxygenation‐sensitive dual‐echo spiral MRI at 3.0 T. In contrast to the system and thermal noise, the physiological noise demonstrates a signal strength dependency and, unique to the metabolic‐linked noise, an echo‐time dependency. Variations of the MR signal strength by changing the flip angle and echo time allowed separation of the different noise components and revealed that the physiological noise at 3.0 T (1) exceeds other noise sources and (2) is significantly greater in cortical gray matter than in white matter regions. The SNR in oxygenation‐sensitive MRI is predicted to saturate at higher fields, suggesting that noise measurements of the resting brain at 3.0 T and higher may provide a sensitive probe of functional information. Magn Reson Med 46:631–637, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Children with Down Syndrome Sharing Past Personal Event Narratives with Their Teacher Aides: A Pilot Study

Abstract Personal narrative ability is crucial for social–emotional well-being and classroom participation. This study investigated the ability of 10 school-age participants with Down syndrome to share past personal experiences with their teacher aides in their school environment. To participate, children were required to speak in short sentences and be largely intelligible to unfamiliar listeners. Personal narratives were elicited using photo prompts, comprising a set of the child’s own photographs and a standard set of photographs and accompanying verbal prompts, utilising a clinical language sampling protocol. Personal narratives were analysed on quality, syntactic complexity, verbal fluency and intelligibility. Examiner behaviour was evaluated for measures of syntactic complexity, mean turn length in utterances and number of utterances. Results indicated significant difficulties in producing quality personal narratives in both photo conditions. Examiner behaviour was negatively correlated to the participants’ spoken language performance. Clinical implications are highlighted.
The Relationship between Inattentional Blindness, Inattentional Insensitivity, Situation Awareness, and Performance in a Driving Simulator

Fifty-eight students at a small liberal arts college in northeastern United States participated in a study of inattentional blindness (IB) and inattentional insensitivity (IIS). IIS is the inability to detect the sensation of a salient stimulus while performing a task within a congruent sensory modality. Participants’ driving performance and situation awareness (SA) were tested in a driving simulator. Similar to previous research, IB was found to exist in about 45% of the participants who watched the Invisible Gorilla video. However, over 80% of participants displayed IIS in a tactile condition. Moreover, participants who displayed IIS showed better performance in SA. In addition, IIS participants were less likely to slam on the brakes when driving the simulator compared to participants who noticed the irrelevant tactile stimulus. Finally, it was found that participants who have high working memory (WM) are more likely to correctly count the number of basketball passes made in the Invisible Gorilla video than participants who have low WM.