Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Transplantation of the type 1 diabetic patient: the long-term benefit of a functioning pancreas allograft.

Although simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation (SPK) is generally believed to be the treatment of choice in type 1 diabetic patients with kidney failure, there is continuing controversy whether SPK is superior to kidney transplantation alone (KTA), especially when a live donor kidney (LDK) is available. This controversy is highlighted by three recent publications authored by Young et al. (1), Weiss et al. (2), and our group (3). Analyzing data from large registries, all three studies compared kidney graft and patient survival in SPK (all from deceased organ donors) and KTA transplants, whereby the KTA grafts were from deceased (DDK) or living donors (LDK). The three studies are summarized in Table 1( bold ) with respect to data source, treatment modality, length of follow-up, and patient and kidney graft survival. Young et al. and Weiss et al. analyzed U.S. data based on the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network/United Network for Organ Sharing and the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients, respectively. View this table: Table 1. Impact of glycemic control on kidney allograft and patient survival (modified from Morath and Zeier [9]) Young and colleagues found superior kidney graft and patient survival in LDK recipients as compared with SPK recipients after a maximum of 7 years of follow-up. No significant difference was found between deceased donor SPK and DDK patients with respect to kidney graft and patient survival. In contrast, analyzing the international Collaborative Transplant Study (CTS) database, which collects data from 46 countries in five continents, our group found that SPK and LDK yielded clearly superior kidney graft and patient survival as compared with DDK alone. Importantly, in the CTS analysis, patient survival beyond year 10 after transplantation in SPK recipients was significantly better than that of recipients of a LDK without a pancreas graft (hazard ratio = 0.55; P = 0.005), as demonstrated for transplants …
eHealth Literacy and Web 2.0 Health Information Seeking Behaviors Among Baby Boomers and Older Adults

Background Baby boomers and older adults, a subset of the population at high risk for chronic disease, social isolation, and poor health outcomes, are increasingly utilizing the Internet and social media (Web 2.0) to locate and evaluate health information. However, among these older populations, little is known about what factors influence their eHealth literacy and use of Web 2.0 for health information. Objective The intent of the study was to explore the extent to which sociodemographic, social determinants, and electronic device use influences eHealth literacy and use of Web 2.0 for health information among baby boomers and older adults. Methods A random sample of baby boomers and older adults (n=283, mean 67.46 years, SD 9.98) participated in a cross-sectional, telephone survey that included the eHealth literacy scale (eHEALS) and items from the Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS) assessing electronic device use and use of Web 2.0 for health information. An independent samples t test compared eHealth literacy among users and non-users of Web 2.0 for health information. Multiple linear and logistic regression analyses were conducted to determine associations between sociodemographic, social determinants, and electronic device use on self-reported eHealth literacy and use of Web 2.0 for seeking and sharing health information. Results Almost 90% of older Web 2.0 users (90/101, 89.1%) reported using popular Web 2.0 websites, such as Facebook and Twitter, to find and share health information. Respondents reporting use of Web 2.0 reported greater eHealth literacy (mean 30.38, SD 5.45, n=101) than those who did not use Web 2.0 (mean 28.31, SD 5.79, n=182), t 217.60=−2.98, P=. 003. Younger age (b=−0.10), more education (b=0.48), and use of more electronic devices (b=1.26) were significantly associated with greater eHealth literacy (R 2 =.17, R 2adj =.14, F9,229=5.277, P<.001). Women were nearly three times more likely than men to use Web 2.0 for health information (OR 2.63, Wald= 8.09, df=1, P=.004). Finally, more education predicted greater use of Web 2.0 for health information, with college graduates (OR 2.57, Wald= 3.86, df =1, P=.049) and post graduates (OR 7.105, Wald= 4.278, df=1, P=.04) nearly 2 to 7 times more likely than non-high school graduates to use Web 2.0 for health information. Conclusions Being younger and possessing more education was associated with greater eHealth literacy among baby boomers and older adults. Females and those highly educated, particularly at the post graduate level, reported greater use of Web 2.0 for health information. More in-depth surveys and interviews among more diverse groups of baby boomers and older adult populations will likely yield a better understanding regarding how current Web-based health information seeking and sharing behaviors influence health-related decision making.
Disability and the Psychology of Political Participation

What can disability teach us about the psychology of political participation ? Disability highlights issues of personal control and identity, which are important in the disability rights movement and are also linked to political participation in general. This study uses in-depth interviews and written questionnaires to examine these issues among 64 people— both political activists and nonactivists—who have spinal cord injuries (SCI's). It explores the connections among political involvement, locus of control, personal efficacy, experiences of stigma and discrimination, and views of disability. The interviews reveal a wide variety of responses to SCI, some discouraging but others encouraging political involvement. Political participation is discouraged by isolation and decreased resources that contribute to fatalism, as well as by efforts to "normalize" and distance oneself from others with disabilities, or by a focus on self-help following SCI. The political activists—some of whom had such responses in the past— have lived with their injuries for a longer time on average than other interviewees. Thus, they have had more opportunity to come to terms with SCI, join disability groups, learn about disability issues, and go through a gradual process of politicization. Partly as a result of political work, activists are more likely to perceive discrimination and stigma and to express a greater sense of personal control and efficacy. Their experiences show that social context and circumstances are important in who becomes politically active, indicating that outreach policies of disability organizations can play a large role in creating conditions that encourage political participation.
Linezolid Cerebrospinal Fluid Concentration in Central Nervous System Infection

Abstract We report two cases of central nervous system infection due to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis treated with linezolid. The first case was a 72-year old woman with ventriculitis in the presence of intraventricular catheter: therapeutic effectiveness was documented clinically and microbiologically; serum and cerebrospinal fluid levels were measured after the first and fourth doses: trough linezolid concentrations in cerebrospinal fluid were 1.44 and 2.9 mg/L respectively, higher than the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). The second case was a 27-year old man with post-traumatic cerebral abscess; during 5 days linezolid was not found in his cerebrospinal fluid despite very high serum level peak, and the drug was not detectable in cerebral tissue surgically removed after 14 days of therapy. Linezolid may not reach therapeutic concentrations in cerebrospinal fluid, and, when possible, we suggest that drug levels be monitored.
A sub-1V low dropout regulator with improved transient performance for low power digital systems

This paper presents a low-voltage Flipped Voltage Follower (FVF) based output-capacitorless low-dropout (OCL-LDO) regulator. It consists of a transient-enhanced push-pull (TEPP) driving stage to improve the response at low quiescent power. With simple Miller compensation (SMC) and modified damping factor control (DFC) compensation, the regulator permits small compensation capacitance for maintaining circuit stability under different loading conditions whilst increasing the design flexibility. Validated by UMC 65nm CMOS technology, the regulator can support the capacitive load from 100 pF to 3 nF. It delivers a maximum load current of 10 mA with a dropout voltage of 200 mV in 0.9 V supply and a quiescent current of less than 20 μA. The regulator's output voltage stays within 1% of the final steady-state voltage level during load current transitions. Compared with other reported counterparts, it displays reasonable good transient figure-of-merits (FOMs), particularly suitable for low power digital systems.
Coronary Microvascular Disease in Chronic Chagas Cardiomyopathy Including an Overview on History, Pathology, and Other Proposed Pathogenic Mechanisms

This review focuses on the short and bewildered history of Brazilian scientist Carlos Chagas's discovery and subsequent developments, the anatomopathological features of chronic Chagas cardiomyopathy (CCC), an overview on the controversies surrounding theories concerning its pathogenesis, and studies that support the microvascular hypothesis to further explain the pathological features and clinical course of CCC. It is our belief that knowledge of this particular and remarkable cardiomyopathy will shed light not only on the microvascular involvement of its pathogenesis, but also on the pathogenetic processes of other cardiomyopathies, which will hopefully provide a better understanding of the various changes that may lead to an end-stage heart disease with similar features. This review is written to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the discovery of Chagas disease.
The Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing: from conception to implementation

The Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing is the most important United Nations (UN) document on population ageing for 20 years and sets the context for global policies on ageing for the current century. Drawing from the authors' active participation in the preparation of the draft that formed the basis of the Madrid Plan, the primary purpose of this article is to describe the two-year process of development of the Plan. Then the main features of the Plan are outlined, including the pivotal role of the society for all ages concept and its thematic foundations. The Madrid Plan is contrasted with its Vienna predecessor of 20 years earlier – the priority given to developing countries in the former is identified as one of the key differences between them. Following a brief outline of the implementation and monitoring processes for the Madrid Plan, a model is presented as a potential template for use in evaluating the impact of the Plan and, especially, its effectiveness in improving the conditions of older people's lives. It is argued that a systematic process of monitoring and evaluation is required if the Plan is not to suffer the fate of being regarded as yet another worthy ‘wish list’.
Student volunteering in English higher education

Volunteering in English higher education has come under political scrutiny recently, with strong cross‐party support for schemes to promote undergraduate volunteering in particular. Recent targeted initiatives and proposals have sought to strengthen both the role of volunteering in higher education and synergies between higher education and voluntary sectors. There is, therefore, an emerging consensus among both politicians and academics that promoting student volunteering is beneficial for students, higher education institutions and the communities in which they volunteer. This article reviews the rationale of recent initiatives to promote volunteering and the empirical evidence of the impacts that volunteering has on students, higher education institutions and communities. It argues that the benefits of student volunteering are assumed rather than proven, and, in the light of current political conviction of the need to promote volunteering, it is essential that we consider, critically, the motivations behind this agenda.
mHealth App for Cannabis Users: Satisfaction and Perceived Usefulness

Objective The aim of this study was to describe the characteristics of cannabis users and their levels of satisfaction with Stop-cannabis, an app intended for cannabis users who want to stop or reduce their cannabis use or prevent relapse. Methods A cross-sectional online survey was administered to users of Stop-cannabis, a French-language app for iOS and Android devices. All app users were invited to participate in the survey via a message sent to the app. Results For hundred and eighty-two users answered the survey. The app was used daily by 348 of the participants (around 70%). More than 80% of participants (397) considered the app to have helped them “a little” or “a lot” to stop or reduce cannabis consumption. Most of the users’ suggestions were related to the number or the quality of the messages sent by, or displayed in, the app. Conclusion This pilot study supports the feasibility of such an app and its perceived usefulness. A self-selection bias, however, limits the conclusions of the study. The efficacy of the app should be evaluated in a randomized controlled trial.
Strength and Stability of Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion: Comparison of Titanium Fiber Mesh Implant and Tricortical Bone Graft

Study Design. A paired comparison was done of the bending flexibility and compression strength of tricortical bone graft and titanium fiber mesh implants in a human cadaver model of posterior lumbar interbody fusion. Objectives. To test the hypothesis that a titanium fiber mesh implant and a tricortical bone graft provide adequate and equal mechanical strength and stability in posterior lumbar interbody fusion constructs. Summary of Background Data. Although studies of posterior lumbar interbody fusion constructs have been performed, the authors are unaware of any study in which the strength and stability of a titanium fiber mesh implant are compared with those of tricortical bone graft for posterior lumbar interbody fusion in the human cadaver lumbar spine. Methods. Changes in neutral zone and range of motion were measured in a bending flexibility test before and after placement of posterior lumbar interbody fusion constructs. Tricortical bone graft and titanium fiber mesh implant construct stability then were compared in a paired analysis. The constructs then were loaded to failure to evaluate construct strength as a function of graft material and bone mineral density. Results. The posterior lumbar interbody fusion procedure produced statistically significant decreases in neutral zone when compared with the intact spine. No statistically significant differences in neutral zone, range of motion, or strength were detected between the two implants. Construct strength correlated strongly with bone mineral density. Conclusions. Posterior lumbar interbody fusion procedures result in equal or improved acute stability for titanium fiber mesh implants and tricortical bone graft implants when used without additional posterior stabilization.
Molecular Characterization of High-Level-Cholera-Toxin-Producing El Tor Variant Vibrio cholerae Strains in the Zanzibar Archipelago of Tanzania

ABSTRACT Analysis of 1,180 diarrheal stool samples in Zanzibar detected 247 Vibrio cholerae O1, Ogawa strains in 2009. Phenotypic traits and PCR-based detection of rstR, rtxC, and tcpA alleles showed that they belonged to the El Tor biotype. Genetic analysis of ctxB of these strains revealed that they were classical type, and production of classical cholera toxin B (CTB) was confirmed by Western blotting. These strains produced more CT than the prototype El Tor and formed a separate cluster by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) analysis.
No-reference perceptual quality assessment of colour image

Image quality assessment plays an important role in various image processing applications. In recent years, some objective image quality metrics correlated with perceived quality measurement have been developed. Two categories of metrics can be distinguished: with full-reference and no-reference. Full-reference looks at decrease in image quality from some reference of ideal. No-reference approach attempts to model the judgment of image quality without the reference. Unfortunately, the universal image quality model is not on the horizon and empirical models establishes on psychophysical experimentation are generally used. In this paper, we present a new algorithm for quality assessment of colour reproduction based on human visual system modeling. A local contrast definition is used to assign quality scores. Finally, a good correlation is obtained between human evaluations and our method.
Ribosomopathies: how a common root can cause a tree of pathologies

ABSTRACT Defects in ribosome biogenesis are associated with a group of diseases called the ribosomopathies, of which Diamond-Blackfan anemia (DBA) is the most studied. Ribosomes are composed of ribosomal proteins (RPs) and ribosomal RNA (rRNA). RPs and multiple other factors are necessary for the processing of pre-rRNA, the assembly of ribosomal subunits, their export to the cytoplasm and for the final assembly of subunits into a ribosome. Haploinsufficiency of certain RPs causes DBA, whereas mutations in other factors cause various other ribosomopathies. Despite the general nature of their underlying defects, the clinical manifestations of ribosomopathies differ. In DBA, for example, red blood cell pathology is especially evident. In addition, individuals with DBA often have malformations of limbs, the face and various organs, and also have an increased risk of cancer. Common features shared among human DBA and animal models have emerged, such as small body size, eye defects, duplication or overgrowth of ectoderm-derived structures, and hematopoietic defects. Phenotypes of ribosomopathies are mediated both by p53-dependent and -independent pathways. The current challenge is to identify differences in response to ribosomal stress that lead to specific tissue defects in various ribosomopathies. Here, we review recent findings in this field, with a particular focus on animal models, and discuss how, in some cases, the different phenotypes of ribosomopathies might arise from differences in the spatiotemporal expression of the affected genes. Summary: This paper reviews recent data on Diamond Blackfan anemia and discusses them in connection with other ribosomopathies.
WOMEN'S AGENCY AND HOUSEHOLD DIPLOMACY

The overall oppressive effect on women's rights of religious fundamentalism has been well documented in the literature. When looking at women's resistance to fundamentalism, it is important to examine not only organized efforts but individual women's agency in subverting or co-opting these movements toward their own ends. Using a series of narratives, the authors discuss four strategies used by Iranian women to negotiate the patriarchal practices of Islamic fundamentalism. These women crafted agency by responding to the demands of family and state through collaboration, acquiescence, co-optation, and subversion. Their narratives of agency show how some women negotiated the economic hardship and gender oppression brought on by the Iranian revolution and how these negotiations affected women's options when filtered through the rhetoric of Islamic fundamentalism. The purpose of the article is to contribute further to the feminist discourse that has moved beyond victimization narratives.
Divergent Nationalisms: Some Comparative Thoughts On Australia, Canada And New Zealand1

Is the ‘nation’a useful political and sociological concept for describing the character of relations between Maori and Pakeha? By examining nationalist discourses and ideologies within Australia, Canada and New Zealand, new theoretical directions for understanding the intricacies of current ‘national’ questions in settler societies are proposed. Drawing on the recent work of Rogers Brubaker on state-framed and counter-state nationalisms, the theoretical shortcomings of a bi-national model of New Zealand are elaborated.
Book Review: Brain Specialization for Music

Music, like language, is a universal and specific trait to humans. Similarly, music appreciation, like language comprehension, appears to be the product of a dedicated brain organization. Support for the existence of music-specific neural networks is found in various pathological conditions that isolate musical abilities from the rest of the cognitive system. Cerebrovascular accidents, traumatic brain damage, and congenital brain anomalies can lead to selective disorders of music processing. Conversely, autism and epilepsy can reveal the autonomous functioning and the selectivity, respectively, of the neural networks that subserve music. However, brain specialization for music should not be equated with the presence of a singular “musical center” in the brain. Rather, multiple interconnected neural networks are engaged, of which some may capture the essence of brain specialization for music. The encoding of pitch along musical scales is likely such an essential component. The implications of the existence of such special-purpose cortical processes are that the human brain might be hardwired for music.
Complication rates in patients using absorbable collagen sponges in third molar extraction sockets: a retrospective study

Objectives The purpose of this study is to retrospectively evaluate the postoperative complication rates for absorbable type-I collagen sponge (Ateloplug; Bioland) use in third molar extraction. Materials and Methods From January to August 2013, 2,697 total patients undergoing third molar extraction and type-I collagen sponge application in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at Yonsei University Dental Hospital (1,163 patients) and Dong-A University Hospital (1,534 patients) were evaluated in a retrospective study using their operation and medical records. Results A total of 3,869 third molars in 2,697 patients were extracted and the extraction sockets packed with type-I collagen sponges to prevent postoperative complications. As a result, the overall complication rate was 4.52%, with 3.00% experiencing surgical site infection (SSI), 1.14% showing alveolar osteitis, and 0.39% experiencing hematoma. Of the total number of complications, SSI accounted for more than a half at 66.29%. Conclusion Compared to previous studies, this study showed a relatively low incidence of complications. The use of type-I collagen sponges is recommended for the prevention of complications after third molar extraction.