Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Asymmetry of jets, lobe size and spectral index in radio galaxies and quasars

In this paper we investigate the correlations between spectral index, jet side and extent of the radio lobes for a sample of nearby FRII radio galaxies. In DennettThorpe et al. (1997) we studied a sample of quasars and found that the high surface brightness regions had flatter spectra on the jet side (explicable as a result of Doppler beaming) whilst the extended regions had spectral asymmetries dependent on lobe length. Unified schemes predict that asymmetries due to beaming will be much smaller in narrow-line radio galaxies than in quasars, and we therefore chose to investigate in a similar fashion, a sample of radio galaxies with detected jets. We find that spectral asymmetries in these objects are uncorrelated with jet sidedness at all brightness levels, but depend on relative lobe volume. Our results are not in conflict with unified schemes, but suggest that the differences between the two samples are due primarily to power or redshift, rather than to orientation. We also show directly that hotspot spectra steepen as a function of radio power or redshift. Whilst a shift in observed frequency due to the redshift may account for some of the steepening, it cannot account for all of it, and a dependence on radio power is required.
Gamma Knife Radiosurgery for Trigeminal Neuralgia: Comparing the Use of a 4-mm versus Concentric 4- and 8-mm Collimators

Purpose: Gamma knife (GK) radiosurgery for trigeminal neuralgia (TN) has been effective in 50–80% of cases when using a single 4-mm collimator and a maximum dose of 60–90 Gy. Attempting to improve the response rate by increasing the dose may lead to increased risk of facial numbness or disturbed sensation. Combined use of 4- and 8-mm collimators results in a larger target volume, which would potentially treat a larger region of the nerve without increasing the maximum dose. Materials and Methods: One hundred-one patients suffering from medically refractory TN were evaluated. Fifty-four were treated with a single shot using a 4-mm helmet and 47 with concentrically aimed, equally weighted 4- and 8-mm helmets. 75 Gy were prescribed to the 100% isodose line (using a 4-mm helmet output factor of 0.80) in all cases. The outcome was assessed by interview or outpatient visit. Results: An excellent/good response was seen in 57.8 vs. 71.4%, respectively, with a partial response of 13.3 vs. 2.3%, respectively (p > 0.05). Pain recurrence occurred in 28.6 vs. 23.2%, respectively (p > 0.05). Conclusion: The use of a combined concentric 4- and 8-mm collimator treatment for medically refractory TN at a maximum dose of 75 Gy does not improve outcome as compared with a single 4-mm collimator with an equivalent maximum dose.
Synchronous Effects of Temperature, Hydrostatic Pressure, and Salinity on Growth, Phospholipid Profiles, and Protein Patterns of Four Halomonas Species Isolated from Deep-Sea Hydrothermal-Vent and Sea Surface Environments

ABSTRACT Four strains of euryhaline bacteria belonging to the genus Halomonas were tested for their response to a range of temperatures (2, 13, and 30°C), hydrostatic pressures (0.1, 7.5, 15, 25, 35, 45, and 55 MPa), and salinities (4, 11, and 17% total salts). The isolates were psychrotolerant, halophilic to moderately halophilic, and piezotolerant, growing fastest at 30°C, 0.1 MPa, and 4% total salts. Little or no growth occurred at the highest hydrostatic pressures tested, an effect that was more pronounced with decreasing temperatures. Growth curves suggested that the Halomonas strains tested would grow well in cool to warm hydrothermal-vent and associated subseafloor habitats, but poorly or not at all under cold deep-sea conditions. The intermediate salinity tested enhanced growth under certain high-hydrostatic-pressure and low-temperature conditions, highlighting a synergistic effect on growth for these combined stresses. Phospholipid profiles obtained at 30°C indicated that hydrostatic pressure exerted the dominant control on the degree of lipid saturation, although elevated salinity slightly mitigated the increased degree of lipid unsaturation caused by increased hydrostatic pressure. Profiles of cytosolic and membrane proteins of Halomonas axialensis and H. hydrothermalis performed at 30°C under various salinities and hydrostatic pressure conditions indicated several hydrostatic pressure and salinity effects, including proteins whose expression was induced by either an elevated salinity or hydrostatic pressure, but not by a combination of the two. The interplay between salinity and hydrostatic pressure on microbial growth and physiology suggests that adaptations to hydrostatic pressure and possibly other stresses may partially explain the euryhaline phenotype of members of the genus Halomonas living in deep-sea environments.
How Effective Is Security Screening of Airline Passengers?

With a simple mathematical model, we explored the antiterrorist effectiveness of airport passenger prescreening systems. Supporters of these systems often emphasize the need to identify the most suspicious passengers, but they ignore the point that such identification does little good unless dangerous items can actually be detected. Critics often focus on terrorists' ability to probe the system and thereby thwart it, but ignore the possibility that the very act of probing can deter attempts at sabotage that would have succeeded. Using the model to make some preliminary assessments about security policy, we find that an improved baseline level of screening for all passengers might lower the likelihood of attack more than would improved profiling of high-risk passengers.
Aerobic exercise training can reverse age-related peripheral circulatory changes in healthy older men.

BACKGROUND The age-related decline in maximal oxygen consumption is attenuated by habitual aerobic exercise. However, the relative effects of training on central and peripheral responses to exercise in older subjects are not known. The present study assessed the contribution of central and peripheral responses to the age-associated decline in peak oxygen consumption and compared the effect of exercise training in healthy older and younger subjects. METHODS AND RESULTS Ten older and 13 younger men underwent invasive measurement of central and peripheral cardiovascular responses during an upright, staged cycle exercise test before and after a 3-month period of exercise training with cycle ergometry. At baseline, cardiac output and AV oxygen difference during exercise were significantly lower in older subjects. With training, the older and younger groups increased maximal oxygen consumption by 17.8% and 20.2%, respectively. Peak cardiac output was unchanged in both groups. Systemic AV oxygen difference increased 14.4% in the older group and 14.3% in the younger group and accounted for changes in peak oxygen consumption. Peak leg blood flow increased by 50% in older subjects, whereas the younger group showed no significant change. There was no change in peak leg oxygen extraction in the older group, but in the younger group, leg AV oxygen difference increased by 15.4%. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that the age-related decline in maximal oxygen consumption results from a reversible deconditioning effect on the distribution of cardiac output to exercising muscle and an age-related reduction in cardiac output reserve.
PREDICT: A simple risk score for clinical severity and long-term prognosis after hospitalization for acute myocardial infarction or unstable angina: the Minnesota heart survey.

BACKGROUND We evaluated short- and long-term mortality risks in 30- to 74-year-old patients hospitalized for acute myocardial infarction or unstable angina and developed a new score called PREDICT. METHODS AND RESULTS PREDICT was based on information routinely collected in hospital. Predictors abstracted from hospital record items pertaining to the admission day, including shock, heart failure, ECG findings, cardiovascular disease history, kidney function, and age. Comorbidity was assessed from discharge diagnoses, and mortality was determined from death certificates. For 1985 and 1990 hospitalizations, the 6-year death rate in 6134 patients with 0 to 1 score points was 4%, increasing stepwise to 89% for >/=16 points. Score validity was established by only slightly attenuated mortality prediction in 3570 admissions in 1970 and 1980. When case severity was controlled for, 6-year risk declined 32% between 1970 and 1990. When PREDICT was held constant, 24% of those treated with thrombolysis died in 6 years compared with 31% of those not treated. CONCLUSIONS The simple PREDICT risk score was a powerful prognosticator of 6-year mortality after hospitalization.
Test Performance of Immunologic Fecal Occult Blood Testing and Sigmoidoscopy Compared with Primary Colonoscopy Screening for Colorectal Advanced Adenomas

Given the current increase in colorectal cancer screening, information on performance of screening tests is needed, especially in groups with a presumed lower test performance. We compared test performance of immunologic fecal occult blood testing (FIT) and pseudosigmoidoscopy with colonoscopy for detection of advanced adenomas in an average risk screening population. In addition, we explored the influence of gender, age, and location on test performance. FIT was collected prior to colonoscopy with a 50 ng/mL cutoff point. FIT results and complete colonoscopy findings were available from 329 subjects (mean age: 54.6 ± 3.7 years, 58.4% women). Advanced adenomas were detected in 38 (11.6%) of 329 subjects. Sensitivity for advanced adenomas of FIT and sigmoidoscopy were 15.8% (95% CI: 6.0–31.3) and 73.7% (95% CI: 56.9–86.6), respectively. No sensitivity improvement was obtained using the combination of sigmoidoscopy and FIT. Mean fecal hemoglobin in FIT positives was significantly lower for participants with only proximal adenomas versus those with distal ones (P = 0.008), for women versus men (P = 0.023), and for younger (<55 years) versus older (≥55 years) subjects (P = 0.029). Sensitivities of FIT were 0.0% (95% CI: 0.0–30.9) in subjects with only proximal versus 21.4% (95% CI: 8.3–41.0) in those with distal nonadvanced adenomas; 5.3% (95% CI: 0.0–26.0) in women versus 26.3% (95% CI: 9.2–51.2) in men; 9.5% (95% CI: 1.2–30.4) in younger versus 23.5% (95% CI: 6.8–49.9) in older subjects. Sigmoidoscopy had a significantly higher sensitivity for advanced adenomas than FIT. A single FIT showed very low sensitivity, especially in subjects with only proximal nonadvanced adenomas, in women, and in younger subjects. This points to the existence of “low” FIT performance in subgroups and the need for more tailored screening strategies. Cancer Prev Res; 4(10); 1563–71. ©2011 AACR.
A survey of interfering shoulder pain in United States competitive swimmers

The prevalence of shoulder pain in United States com petitive swimmers has not been extensively surveyed but is perceived as common. To evaluate this concern, a questionnaire survey was conducted on 1262 United States swimmers: 993 age group, 198 senior develop ment, and 71 national team athletes. We sought to identify the incidence of interfering shoulder pain in this population and how it is influenced by various training tasks. The prevalence of current shoulder pain in these groups varied between 10% (age group) to 26% (na tional team) and increased with time in the sport. In those athletes with a painful shoulder, weight training, use of hand paddles, kickboard use, stretching, and various resistance activities aggravated the painful shoulder. This survey has identified that interfering shoulder pain is present in a substantial number of competitive swimmers.
Electrocardiogram ST-Segment Morphology Delineation Method Using Orthogonal Transformations

Differentiation between ischaemic and non-ischaemic transient ST segment events of long term ambulatory electrocardiograms is a persisting weakness in present ischaemia detection systems. Traditional ST segment level measuring is not a sufficiently precise technique due to the single point of measurement and severe noise which is often present. We developed a robust noise resistant orthogonal-transformation based delineation method, which allows tracing the shape of transient ST segment morphology changes from the entire ST segment in terms of diagnostic and morphologic feature-vector time series, and also allows further analysis. For these purposes, we developed a new Legendre Polynomials based Transformation (LPT) of ST segment. Its basis functions have similar shapes to typical transient changes of ST segment morphology categories during myocardial ischaemia (level, slope and scooping), thus providing direct insight into the types of time domain morphology changes through the LPT feature-vector space. We also generated new Karhunen and Lo ève Transformation (KLT) ST segment basis functions using a robust covariance matrix constructed from the ST segment pattern vectors derived from the Long Term ST Database (LTST DB). As for the delineation of significant transient ischaemic and non-ischaemic ST segment episodes, we present a study on the representation of transient ST segment morphology categories, and an evaluation study on the classification power of the KLT- and LPT-based feature vectors to classify between ischaemic and non-ischaemic ST segment episodes of the LTST DB. Classification accuracy using the KLT and LPT feature vectors was 90% and 82%, respectively, when using the k-Nearest Neighbors (k = 3) classifier and 10-fold cross-validation. New sets of feature-vector time series for both transformations were derived for the records of the LTST DB which is freely available on the PhysioNet website and were contributed to the LTST DB. The KLT and LPT present new possibilities for human-expert diagnostics, and for automated ischaemia detection.
Sibling support and the educational prospects of young adults in Malawi

BACKGROUND Extended kin networks are an important social and economic resource in Africa. Existing research has focused primarily on intergenerational ties, but much less is known about “lateral” ties, such as those between siblings. In contexts of high adult mortality (i.e., fewer parents and grandparents) sibling interdependencies may assume heightened importance, especially during the transition to adulthood. OBJECTIVE In this paper, we extend the resource dilution perspective that dominates research on sibling relationships in early childhood and propose an alternate framework in which siblings represent a source of economic support that contributes positively to educational outcomes at later stages of the life course. METHODS We draw upon longitudinal data from young adults (age 15–18) in southern Malawi to assess the scope and magnitude of economic transfers among sibship sets. We then explore the relationships between sibship size, net economic transfers between siblings, and four measures of educational progress. RESULTS First, exchanges of economic support between siblings are pervasive in the Malawian context and patterned, especially by birth order. Second, economic support from siblings is positively associated with educational attainment, as well as with the odds of being at grade level in school, both contemporaneously and prospectively. CONCLUSIONS During young-adulthood, economic support from siblings acts as a buffer against the negative association between sibship size and schooling outcomes that has been documented at earlier ages. COMMENTS We question the established notion that siblings unilaterally subtract from resource pools, and argue that sibling support may be consequential for a wide range of demographic outcomes in a variety of cultural contexts. Our findings point to the need for additional research on the importance of lateral kinship ties across cultural settings and throughout the life course.
Kinetics of invertase production by Saccharomyces cerevisiae in Batch culture

The present study is concerned with the improved invertase production by Saccharomyces cerevisiae on kinetic basis. The wild-culture (IIB-1) and putative mutant (NA6) of S. cerevisiae were compared on time course basis when grown in batch culture. The values for Yx/s, Yp/s and Yp/x with urea were significantly improved (p≤0.05) over the control (peptone+yeast extract) as well as peptone supplementation. The maximum growth in terms of volumetric rate for cell mass formation (Qx), 48 h after the incubation was only marginally different from control. The values of both Km and Vmax of the invertase from mutant culture were significantly improved, as were the specificity constant and kcat for the enzyme. The activation energy and substrate binding for sucrose fermenting were found to be highly significant for yeast culturing.
Evaluation of a bivalent (CVD 103-HgR/CVD 111) live oral cholera vaccine in adult volunteers from the United States and Peru

To provide optimum protection against classical and El Tor biotypes of Vibrio cholerae O1, a single-dose, oral cholera vaccine was developed by combining two live, attenuated vaccine strains, CVD 103-HgR (classical, Inaba) and CVD 111 (El Tor, Ogawa). The vaccines were formulated in a double-chamber sachet; one chamber contained lyophilized bacteria, and the other contained buffer. In the first study, 23 U.S. adult volunteers received CVD 103-HgR at 10(8) CFU plus CVD 111 at 10(8), 10(7), or 10(6) CFU, CVD 111 alone at 10(7) CFU, or placebo. In the second study, 275 Peruvian adults were randomized to receive CVD 103-HgR at 10(9) CFU plus CVD 111 at 10(9) or 10(8) CFU, CVD 111 alone at 10(9) CFU, CVD 103-HgR alone at 10(9) CFU, or placebo. Three of 15 U.S. volunteers who received CVD 111 at 10(7) or 10(8) CFU developed mild diarrhea, compared to none of 4 who received CVD 111 at 10(6) CFU and 1 of 4 who received placebo. Twelve (63%) of 19 vaccine recipients shed the El Tor vaccine strain. All but one volunteer developed significant Ogawa and Inaba vibriocidal antibody titers. Volunteers who received CVD 111 at 10(7) CFU had geometric mean Ogawa titers four to five times higher than those of volunteers who received the lower dose. In the second study, all dosage regimens were well tolerated in Peruvians. About 20% of volunteers who received CVD 111 at the high dose excreted the El Tor organism, compared to 7% in the low-dose group. CVD 111 was detected in the stools of two placebo recipients, neither of whom had symptoms or seroconverted. In all vaccine groups, 69 to 76% developed fourfold rises in Inaba vibriocidal antibodies. Among those who received the bivalent vaccine, 53 to 75% also developed significant rises in Ogawa vibriocidal antibodies. We conclude that it is feasible to produce a single-dose, oral bivalent vaccine that is safe and immunogenic against both biotypes (El Tor and classical) and both serotypes (Inaba and Ogawa) of cholera for populations in both developed and developing parts of the world.
Amassin, an olfactomedin protein, mediates the massive intercellular adhesion of sea urchin coelomocytes

Sea urchins have a fluid-filled body cavity, the coelom, containing four types of immunocytes called coelomocytes. Within minutes after coelomic fluid is removed from the body cavity, a massive cell–cell adhesion of coelomocytes occurs. This event is referred to as clotting. Clotting is thought to be a defense mechanism against loss of coelomic fluid if the body wall is punctured, and it may also function in the cellular encapsulation of foreign material and microbes. Here we show that this intercoelomocyte adhesion is mediated by amassin, a coelomic plasma protein with a relative molecular mass (M r) of 75 kD. Amassin forms large disulfide-bonded aggregates that adhere coelomocytes to each other. One half of the amassin protein comprises an olfactomedin (OLF) domain. Structural predictions show that amassin and other OLF domain-containing vertebrate proteins share a common architecture. This suggests that other proteins of the OLF family may function in intercellular adhesion. These findings are the first to demonstrate a function for a protein of the OLF family.
Role of magnetic resonance imaging and apparent diffusion coefficient at 3T in distinguishing between adenocarcinoma of the uterine cervix and endometrium.

BACKGROUND To determine whether magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) are able to distinguish between adenocarcinoma originating from the uterine cervix and endometrium. METHODS Institutional review board approval and informed consent were obtained. From May 2006 to June 2008, 29 women 25-73 years old (mean age, 50.3 years) with a cervical biopsy yielding adenocarcinoma were enrolled for 3-T MR study with the imaging pulse-sequence protocol of T2-weighted imaging (T2WI) and dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) MRI and diffusion-weighted MRI (DWI, b = 0, 1000 sec/mm2). The extent and shapes of the tumor and ADC values were evaluated by two radiologists retrospectively. Surgical histopathology served as the reference standard of the tumor origin from the cervix (n = 22) or endometrium (n = 7). The Mann-Whitney U test was used for statistical comparison and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was used to obtain optimal ADC cut off values. RESULTS A longitudinal shape occurred significantly more frequently in endometrial cancer, and an oval shape was more frequently found in cervical cancer (p = 0.011). Mean ADC values were significantly lower in endometrial cancer (76.6 × 10(-5) mm2/sec) than in cervical cancer (96.9 × 10(-5) mm2/sec). Receiver operating characteristic analysis yielded an optimal ADC cutoff value of 70 × 10(-5) mm2/sec to distinguish cervical cancer from endometrial cancer. CONCLUSION MRI may distinguish between most uterine adenocarcinoma originating from the cervix and endometrium using distinctive characteristics found on T2WI and DCE. When tumors show an ambiguous morphology, the ADC value of the tumor may be helpful for further differentiation.
Reading Front to Back: MEG Evidence for Early Feedback Effects During Word Recognition

Magnetoencephalography studies in humans have shown word-selective activity in the left inferior frontal gyrus (IFG) approximately 130 ms after word presentation ( Pammer et al. 2004; Cornelissen et al. 2009; Wheat et al. 2010). The role of this early frontal response is currently not known. We tested the hypothesis that the IFG provides top-down constraints on word recognition using dynamic causal modeling of magnetoencephalography data collected, while subjects viewed written words and false font stimuli. Subject-specific dipoles in left and right occipital, ventral occipitotemporal and frontal cortices were identified using Variational Bayesian Equivalent Current Dipole source reconstruction. A connectivity analysis tested how words and false font stimuli differentially modulated activity between these regions within the first 300 ms after stimulus presentation. We found that left inferior frontal activity showed stronger sensitivity to words than false font and a stronger feedback connection onto the left ventral occipitotemporal cortex (vOT) in the first 200 ms. Subsequently, the effect of words relative to false font was observed on feedforward connections from left occipital to ventral occipitotemporal and frontal regions. These findings demonstrate that left inferior frontal activity modulates vOT in the early stages of word processing and provides a mechanistic account of top-down effects during word recognition.