Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The medical and economic impact of severely injured lower extremities.

Modern methods of open fracture management, skeletal fixation, and soft-tissue and bone reconstruction have dramatically improved the potential for limb salvage. The absence of adequate objective parameters on which to base the decision for salvage results in delayed amputations in many cases. The present study was undertaken to review the medical and economic impact of delayed versus primary amputations following severe open fractures of the tibia. From January 1980 to August 1986, 263 patients with grade III open tibia fractures were treated at a major trauma center: 43 ultimately had amputations. This group included 38 males and five females with an average age of 31 years (range, 15-73). All patients were taken to the operating suite for consideration of limb salvage procedures including debridement, fasciotomy, revascularization, or rigid fixation. The standard subjective criteria including color, consistency, bleeding, and contractility were used to determine muscle viability at the time of debridement. If substantial muscle mass was found to be nonviable then amputation was considered. Fourteen (32.6%) of the patients had primary amputations. They averaged 22.3 days hospitalization, 1.6 surgical procedures to the involved lower extremity, and $28,964 hospital costs (range, $5,344-$81,282). The 29 patients with delayed amputations had an average of 53.4 days hospitalization, 6.9 surgical procedures, and $53,462 hospital costs (range, $14,574-$102,434). Six (20.7%) of the delayed amputation patients developed sepsis secondary to their involved lower extremity and died; no patient in the primary amputation group developed sepsis or died. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Gray Hair in Black Males A Possible Risk Factor in Coronary Artery Disease

Premature gray hair has been reported to be associated with coronary artery disease (CAD) in white males. Premature gray hair also occurs in black males despite a reported lower incidence of coronary artery disease in this group. In order to determine if premature gray hair is associated with coronary artery disease in a black male population, we prospectively studied 120 pa tients. Forty black males with proven CAD had gray hair in 100 percent of the cases as compared to 55 percent in a control series of 80 black males. The appearance of gray hair occurred at an earlier age in the black patients wtih CAD. The appearance of gray hair occurred at an earlier age in the black patients with CAD. The interrelating mechanism between premature gray hair and CAD in black males is not clearly understood at this time, but we think it represents a clinically significant observation.
Sequential and combinatorial roles of maf family genes define proper lens development

Purpose Maf proteins have been shown to play pivotal roles in lens development in vertebrates. The developing chick lens expresses at least three large Maf proteins. However, the transcriptional relationship among the three large maf genes and their various roles in transactivating the downstream genes largely remain to be elucidated. Methods Chick embryos were electroporated with wild-type L-maf, c-maf, and mafB by in ovo electroporation, and their effects on gene expression were determined by in situ hybridization using specific probes or by immunostaining. Endogenous gene expression was determined using nonelectroporated samples. Results A regulation mechanism exists among the members of maf family gene. An early-expressed member of this gene family typically stimulates the expression of later-expressed members. We also examined the regulation of various lens-expressing genes with a focus on the interaction between different Maf proteins. We found that the transcriptional ability of Maf proteins varies, even when the target is the same, in parallel with their discrete functions. L-Maf and c-Maf have no effect on E-cadherin expression, whereas MafB enhances its expression and thereby impedes lens vesicle formation. This study also revealed that Maf proteins can regulate the expression of gap junction genes, connexins, and their interacting partner, major intrinsic protein (MIP), during lens development. Misexpression of L-Maf and c-Maf induces ectopic expression of Cx43 and MIP; in contrast, MafB appears to have no effect on Cx43, but induces MIP significantly as evidenced from our gain-of-function experiments. Conclusions Our results indicate that large Maf function is indispensable for chick lens initiation and development. In addition, L-Maf positively regulates most of the essential genes in this program and directs a series of molecular events leading to proper formation of the lens.
Roadmap on optical energy conversion

For decades, progress in the field of optical (including solar) energy conversion was dominated by advances in the conventional concentrating optics and materials design. In recent years, however, conceptual and technological breakthroughs in the fields of nanophotonics and plasmonics combined with a better understanding of the thermodynamics of the photon energy-conversion processes reshaped the landscape of energy-conversion schemes and devices. Nanostructured devices and materials that make use of size quantization effects to manipulate photon density of states offer a way to overcome the conventional light absorption limits. Novel optical spectrum splitting and photon-recycling schemes reduce the entropy production in the optical energy-conversion platforms and boost their efficiencies. Optical design concepts are rapidly expanding into the infrared energy band, offering new approaches to harvest waste heat, to reduce the thermal emission losses, and to achieve noncontact radiative cooling of solar cells as well as of optical and electronic circuitries. Light–matter interaction enabled by nanophotonics and plasmonics underlie the performance of the third- and fourth-generation energy-conversion devices, including up- and down-conversion of photon energy, near-field radiative energy transfer, and hot electron generation and harvesting. Finally, the increased market penetration of alternative solar energy-conversion technologies amplifies the role of cost-driven and environmental considerations. This roadmap on optical energy conversion provides a snapshot of the state of the art in optical energy conversion, remaining challenges, and most promising approaches to address these challenges. Leading experts authored 19 focused short sections of the roadmap where they share their vision on a specific aspect of this burgeoning research field. The roadmap opens up with a tutorial section, which introduces major concepts and terminology. It is our hope that the roadmap will serve as an important resource for the scientific community, new generations of researchers, funding agencies, industry experts, and investors.
Commentary and Analysis

Comments on " Choice of South Asian Summer Monsoon Indices " The choice of an appropriate index for the south Asian summer monsoon has been a subject of some controversy and received considerable attention in recent years (Webster and Yang; Goswami et al. 1999). Two major indices are the zonal wind shear index proposed by Webster and Yang (1992, hereafter referred to WYI) and the meridional shear index defined by Goswami et al. (1999, hereafter referred to as GKA; the index is hereafter referred to as MHI). In their recent article in the Bulletin, Wang and Fan (1999, hereafter referred to as WF) attempt to provide a dynamical basis for the discrepancies between different indices. Based on outgoing longwave radiation (OLR) data, they define summer monsoon activity in terms of a convection index, CI1, representing OLR anomalies over the center of convective activity around the northern Bay of Bengal. They try to identify centers of circulation variability that are closely associated with the variation of CI1. Based on such examinations, they show that WYI did not represent the first baroclinic response to CI1 correctly, as they averaged the shear over a region where the anomalies were not largest. They recommended the use of a new zonal wind shear index, MCI, a modified version of WYI in which anomalies are averaged over the region where the zonal wind shear response to CI1 is largest. They also take pains to point out that " the southerly shear [i.e., an index like MHI] should be used with caution because the meridional shears do not represent the first baroclinic mode simulated by convective heating " (p. 636 of their article). Here, we argue that WF are incorrect in making this statement and that no higher objectivity is involved in the choice of a zonal wind shear index over a meridional shear index. We do not understand how WF arrived at the above-mentioned conclusion. In fact, the first baro-clinic response to an off-equatorial heat source (Webster 1972; Gill 1980) would certainly have a meridional wind shear associated with it, which is clearly evident in the regression pattern of WF (their Fig. 4c). This basically was the point made by GKA in their paper. It is true that it may not apply as well to an equatorial heat source. One criticism of the use of the meridional shear (or southerly shear as they call it) is …
THE COMPARISON OF THE AFFECTIVE STRATEGIES USED BY DOMESTIC AND INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY STUDENTS IN PREPARATORY CLASSES IN TURKEY TO COPE WITH AFFECTIVE FILTER IN SPEAKING ENGLISH VS. THEIR SPEAKING PROFICIENCY

Accompanied by the newly emerging circumstances and rapidly increasing requirements of the globalizing world, language learning and teaching has always been in the limelight. It is a field in which there are a great number of researches to help learners and teachers overcome hardships and foster their experiences in language. Compared to other skills, speaking in a different language is the most challenging one for learners, which deserves much attention. Along with cognitive, personal, social factors, etc., affective ones like motivation, confidence and anxiety also play a significant role in performing speaking. Individuals learn a language if they have an intelligible input and if their affective filters (AF) are low enough to permit it in. In studies done on this area, learners state that their speaking performances are hindered because a mental block prevents them realizing a good speaking when they feel unmotivated, anxious or insecure. It is therefore important to come up with strategies so as to come to grips with it for both learners and teachers in helping them. This pilot study aims at finding affective variables domestic (Turkish) and international students in preparatory classes of two state universities in Turkey might face in speaking English and exploring different strategies used to lower affective filter and itscorrelation with their achievement through speaking grades. This way, it intends to help learners from both sides see what other strategies are employed by those from a different background, society, culture and nationality for the promotion of speaking, and give insight into their implementations. As a result of the study, which was carried upon 11 domestic, Turkish and 11 international students, it shows that international students have higher values in affective factors like self-confidence, motivation in, and attitude towards speaking English than Turkish students. Likewise, their speaking scores and affective strategy use are ahead of those of Turkish students.
Differential expression of miR-1, a putative tumor suppressing microRNA, in cancer resistant and cancer susceptible mice

Mus spretus mice are highly resistant to several types of cancer compared to Mus musculus mice. To determine whether differences in microRNA (miRNA) expression account for some of the differences in observed skin cancer susceptibility between the strains, we performed miRNA expression profiling of skin RNA for over 300 miRNAs. Five miRNAs, miR-1, miR-124a-3, miR-133a, miR-134, miR-206, were differentially expressed by array and/or qPCR. miR-1 was previously shown to have tumor suppressing abilities in multiple tumor types. We found miR-1 expression to be lower in mouse cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas (cSCCs) compared to normal skin. Based on the literature and our expression data, we performed detailed studies on predicted miR-1 targets and evaluated the effect of miR-1 expression on two murine cSCC cell lines, A5 and B9. Following transfection of miR-1, we found decreased mRNA expression of three validated miR-1 targets, Met, Twf1 and Ets1 and one novel target Bag4. Decreased expression of Ets1 was confirmed by Western analysis and by 3’ reporter luciferase assays containing wildtype and mutated Ets1 3’UTR. We evaluated the effect of miR-1 on multiple tumor phenotypes including apoptosis, proliferation, cell cycle and migration. In A5 cells, expression of miR-1 led to decreased proliferation compared to a control miR. miR-1 expression also led to increased apoptosis at later time points (72 and 96 h) and to a decrease in cells in S-phase. In summary, we identified five miRNAs with differential expression between cancer resistant and cancer susceptible mice and found that miR-1, a candidate tumor suppressor, has targets with defined roles in tumorigenesis.
The Wonderlic Classic Cognitive Ability Test as a measure of player selection and success for Quarterbacks in the National Football League

The purpose of this research is to further the investigation on the use of the Wonderlic Classic Cognitive Ability Test (WCCAT) within the context of the National Football League (NFL) to determine the test’s influence on draft decisions and ability to predict NFL performance for the Quarterback position (QB). Hierarchical Linear Modeling (HLM) was used to analyze archival data to determine the predictive value of WCCAT scores on QB success in the NFL and if the degree of prediction varied with time. Multiple measures of performance success were used for the QBs who were eligible for the NFL draft in the years 1999-2008 and obtained performance statistics in years 19992010. Several significant relationships were found. Higher WCCAT scores were associated with earlier selection in the NFL draft. Earlier selection in the NFL draft was associated with better QB performance in both rookie year and at the career median. While it was hypothesized that higher WCCAT scores would be associated with better performance in the NFL, the results did not support this hypothesis. In fact, three of the five performance statistics displayed the same pattern. Higher WCCAT scores were associated with lower QB performance in the rookie year and a faster rate of improvement with differences in QB performance no longer significantly different in Year 4.2. In light of these results, the use of the WCCAT at the NFL combine is questioned.
Risk of severe liver disease in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease with normal aminotransferase levels: A role for insulin resistance and diabetes

It is uncertain whether patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and normal alanine aminotransferase (ALT) have a milder disease and should undergo liver biopsy. We reviewed the histological data of 458 Italian patients with NAFLD in whom liver biopsy was indicated by altered liver enzymes (395 cases, 86%), or persistently elevated ferritin or long‐lasting severe steatosis (63 cases). Factors associated with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and fibrosis ≥ 2 were identified by multivariate analysis. Patients with normal ALT were significantly older, had lower body mass index, fasting triglycerides, insulin resistance according to homeostasis model assessment (HOMA‐IR), ALT, and gamma‐glutamyltransferase, but a higher prevalence of hypertension. NASH was diagnosed in 59% and 74% of the patients with normal and increased ALT, respectively (P = 0.01). In the overall series of patients, NASH was independently predicted by ALT (odds ratio [OR], 1.11; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.04–1.19 per 10‐IU/mL increase) and diabetes (OR, 1.5; 95% CI, 1.1–2.0). The same variables were selected in patients with increased ALT, whereas in those with normal ALT, HOMA‐IR and ALT were independent predictors. Severe fibrosis was independently predicted by serum ferritin (OR, 1.04; 95% CI, 1.001–1.08 per 50‐ng/mL increase), ALT (OR, 1.07; 95% CI, 1.02–1.14), and diabetes (OR, 1.8; 95% CI, 1.4–2.3) in the overall series, serum ferritin and diabetes in those with increased ALT, and only HOMA‐IR (OR, 1.97; 95% CI, 1.2–3.7) in patients with normal ALT. Conclusion: Normal ALT is not a valuable criterion to exclude patients from liver biopsy. Alterations in glucose metabolism and insulin resistance in subjects with normal ALT should also be considered in the selection of NAFLD cases for histological assessment of disease severity and progression. (HEPATOLOGY 2008.)
Comparative evaluation of compressive strength, diametral tensile strength and shear bond strength of GIC type IX, chlorhexidine-incorporated GIC and triclosan-incorporated GIC: An in vitro study

Aim: To comparatively evaluate the compressive strength, diametral tensile strength, and shear bond strength of glass ionomer cement type IX, chlorhexidine-incorporated glass ionomer cement, and triclosan-incorporated glass ionomer cement. Materials and Methods: In this study, glass ionomer cement type IX was used as a control. Chlorhexidine diacetate, and triclosan were added to glass ionomer cement type IX powder, respectively, in order to obtain 0.5, 1.25, and 2.5% concentrations of the respective experimental groups. Compressive strength, diametral tensile strength, and shear bond strength were evaluated after 24 h using Instron Universal Testing Machine. The results obtained were statistically analyzed using the independent t-test, Dunnett test, and Tukey test. Results: There was no statistical difference in the compressive strength, diametral tensile strength, and shear bond strength of glass ionomer cement type IX (control), 0.5% triclosan-glass ionomer cement, and 0.5% chlorhexidine-glass ionomer cement. Conclusion: The present study suggests that the compressive strength, diametral tensile strength, and shear bond strength of 0.5% triclosan-glass ionomer cement and 0.5% chlorhexidine-glass ionomer cement were similar to those of the glass ionomer cement type IX, discernibly signifying that these can be considered as viable options for use in pediatric dentistry with the additional value of antimicrobial property along with physical properties within the higher acceptable range.
Endothelium‐Derived Relaxing Factor in Cultured Cells

Many vasoactive agents stimulate release of an endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF). EDRF stimulates cyclic guanosine 3′,5′-monophosphate (cGMP) accumulation and relaxation of vascular smooth muscle in a manner similar to that produced by sodium nitroprusside. Endothelium and vascular smooth muscle were isolated from porcine, bovine, and rat thoracic aorta. The capacity of sodium nitroprusside to stimulate cGMP accumulation in cultured bovine, porcine, and rat vascular smooth muscle was found to increase with time in culture to a maximum of 12 to 14 days after plating. In addition, bovine and porcine vascular smooth muscle, but not rat vascular smooth muscle, lost the sodium nitroprusside–stimulated cGMP response after the fifth passage. Cultured endothelial cells did not respond to endothelium-dependent vasodilators or sodium nitroprusside with increased cGMP levels. Vascular smooth muscle cells responded only to sodium nitroprusside. Mixed cultures of porcine and bovine endothelium and vascular smooth muscle and bovine endothelium and rat vascular smooth muscle responded to endothelium-dependent vasodilators with increased cGMP levels. Short-term (4 hours) coculture experiments using bovine endothelium grown on microcarriers to assess the need for long-term contact between the two cell types produced similar results. Release of EDRF from bovine endothelium was studied by loading endothelium-covered microcarrier beads into a column superfused with physiological buffer. Treatment of the column with bradykinin, the calcium ionophore A23187, melittin, and arachidonate released EDRF from the column as measured by cGMP changes in denuded aortic rings and vascular smooth muscle cells and by relaxation of rings when bathed in column effluent. The time course of cGMP changes and relaxation were similar and could be reversed by hydroquinone. These findings demonstrate that EDRF can be released from cultured cells and define a variety of cell culture techniques that can be used in the further study of EDRF.
A CMOS voltage-controlled grounded resistor using a single power supply

The paper proposes a voltage-controlled grounded resistor. The principle of the proposed circuit is nonlinearity term cancellation of a MOS operating in the ohmic region. The circuit consists of a nonsaturation-operated MOS transistor and a voltage adder circuit. Its advantage over other grounded resistors is that this circuit uses a single low voltage power supply. Simulation results are carried out by using PSpice.
Use of active substances of plant origin in chicken diets based on maize and locally grown cereals

1. A total of 336 Hubbard Hi-Y broiler hybrids were fed from d 1–41 on diets based on maize or wheat and barley which were supplemented (or not) with 100 mg/kg plant extract consisting of capsaicin, cinnamaldehyde and carvacrol. 2. Body weight was not enhanced, but feed conversion improved by 4·2% on the maize diet and 2·0% on the wheat and barley diet. 3. Plant extract addition enhanced the breast muscle proportion of empty body weight by 1·2% in comparison to control birds. 4. The apparent ileal digestibility of nutrients (crude protein, fibre and amino acids) was not significantly better in birds fed on supplemented diets than in the control group. 5. Reduction of E. coli, Clostridium perfringens and fungi and increase of Lactobacillus spp. were observed in the 41-d-old chickens from the supplemented groups. 6. An increase in the lipase activity in pancreas and intestine wall was found in older birds fed on the plant extract supplemented diets.
Disability pension after coronary revascularization: a prospective nationwide register-based Swedish cohort study

Background Scientific knowledge on disability pension (DP) after revascularization by coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is scarce. The aim was to study the incidence of and risk factors for being granted DP in the 5 years following a first CABG or PCI, accounting for socio-demographic and medical factors. Methods This is a nationwide population-based study using Swedish registers including all patients 30–63 years of age (n = 34,643, 16.4% women) who had a first CABG (n = 14,107) or PCI (n = 20,536) during 1994–2003. All were alive and without reintervention 30 days after the procedure and were not on DP or old-age pension. Multivariable adjusted Cox proportional hazard ratios (HR) for DP were estimated with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results In 5 years following revascularization, 32.4% had been granted DP and the hazard ratio (HR) was higher in women (HR 1.55, 95% CI 1.48–1.62), and in CABG patients compared with PCI patients (HR 1.35, 95% CI 1.30–1.40). Long-term sick leave in the year before intervention was the strongest predictor for DP following revascularization. After adjustments for socio-demographic factors and sick-leave days in the 12 months before revascularization, HR remained high in all patients with diabetes mellitus regardless of type of revascularization. Conclusions DP after coronary revascularization was common, especially among women and CABG patients. Most studied medical covariates, including mental and musculoskeletal disorders, were risk factors for future DP, especially long-term sickness absence.