Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Clinical and echocardiographic findings in HIV patients with pericardial effusion.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Pericardial effusion (PE) is frequently found in patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), but its clinical significance remains unclear. Our purpose was to study the manifestations of HIV-infected patients with PE and the coexistence of these manifestations with other echocardiographic abnormalities, compared with patients without PE. METHODS We reviewed 141 HIV-infected patients in whom echocardiographic study was performed. We studied their epidemiological, clinical, hematological, immunological, electrocardiographic (ECG) and echocardiographic characteristics and their in-hospital outcome. RESULTS Patients with PE (n = 55), compared with those without PE (n = 86), were more often clinical stage C and immunological stage 3, had left-ventricular dysfunction and right-ventricular dilatation more frequently, and had been diagnosed as HIV-positive for a longer time. Seven patients with moderate to severe PE developed cardiac tamponade. Compared with patients with small PE (n = 34), those with moderate to large PE (n = 21), had pericardial rub, ECG repolarization abnormalities consistent with pericarditis, immunological stage 3, left-ventricular dysfunction and right-ventricular dilatation more frequently. In 3 patients, cardiac tamponade disappeared after anti-tuberculous therapy; in 3 cases, pericardial drainage was performed (anti-tuberculous therapy was not attempted); 1 patient with cardiac tamponade was not drainaged because he was a terminal patient with an extensive lymphoma. CONCLUSIONS PE in HIV-infected patients is associated with (1) advanced stages of infection, and (2) left-ventricular dysfunction and right-ventricular dilatation; (3) presence of pericardial rub and ECG alterations consistent with pericarditis suggests the existence of moderate to large PE.
The Relationship of Physiopsychosocial Factors and Spiritual Well‐Being in Elderly Residents: Implications for Evidence‐Based Practice

BACKGROUND Older adults in residential settings frequently suffer from functional decline, mental illness, and social isolation, which make them more vulnerable to spiritual distress. However, empirical evidence of the interrelationships between physiopsychosocial variables and spiritual well-being are still lacking, limiting the application of the biopsychosocial-spiritual model in institutional healthcare practice. AIMS To explain the mechanisms by which these variables are linked, this cross-sectional study tested a causal model of predictors of spiritual well-being among 377 institutionalized older adults with disability using a structural equation modeling approach. METHODS The primary variables in the hypothesized model were measured using the Barthel Index for functional ability, the Geriatric Depression Scale-short form for depression, the Personal Resources Questionnaire 85-Part 2 for perceived social support, and the Spiritual Well-Being Scale for spiritual well-being. RESULTS The model fit indices suggest that the hypothesized model had a reasonably adequate model fit (χ2 = 12.18, df = 6, p = .07, goodness-of-fitness index [GFI] = 0.99, adjusted GIF index [AGFI] = 0.93, nonnormed fit index [NFI] = 0.99, comparative fit index [CFI] = 0.99). In this study, perceived social support and depression directly affected spiritual well-being, and functional ability indirectly affected spiritual well-being via perceived social support or depression. In addition, functional ability influenced perceived social support directly, which in turn influenced depression and ultimately influenced spiritual well-being. DISCUSSION This study results confirm the effect of physiopsychosocial factors on institutionalized older adults' spiritual well-being. However, the presence and level of functional disability do not necessarily influence spiritual well-being in late life unless it is disruptive to social relationships and is thus bound to lead to low perceived social support and the onset of depression. LINKING EVIDENCE TO ACTION The findings address the fact that the practice of spirituality is multidimensional and multileveled. Psychosocial interventions for institutionalized elders with disabilities should focus on increasing nurse-patient interaction and providing access to meaningful social activities to improve mental health and spiritual well-being.
FMO slice group maps using spatial and temporal indicators for H.264 wireless video transmission

We present a new method, the STI-FMO, that combines spatial and temporal indicators of MB importance to generate slice group maps for H.264 wireless video transmission. Starting from an initial MB-to-slice group mapping we propose a distortion-from-propagation measure that can be used to generate a slice group map that offers less distortion than the initial map from an error concealment point of view. The new method exploits the location of the MB within a slice group, the distortion measure of the MB in the same slice and the probability of error of a MB estimated from the bit-count information to compute a distortion-from-propagation measure. The new method considers the effect of the MB's location within a slice group as added information to assess its importance. Experiments indicate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Involvement of nervous system in maternally inherited diabetes and deafness (MIDD) with the A3243G mutation of mitochondrial DNA

Objectives – The A3243G mutation of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) has been associated with maternally inherited diabetes and deafness (MIDD) in a number of reports; however, the involvement of the nervous system has rarely been mentioned, prompting this exploration of the manifestation of neurological disorders in MIDD cases. Material and methods– We investigated four generations of a large Taiwanese family in which MIDD is manifest. We conducted a series of clinical examinations, including computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the head, brain 99mTc‐HMPAO single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), cognitive function tests, and nerve conduction velocity (NCV) studies. Blood levels of creatine kinase (CK) and lactate, pathology of muscle biopsy samples and proportions of mutant mtDNA in blood cells, hair follicles, muscle and skin were also analyzed. Mean follow‐up period was 4 years. Results– The patients exhibited the clinical features of diabetes mellitus including sensorineural hearing loss, short stature, and/or histories of spontaneous abortion. No stroke‐like episodes were reported. Analysis for mtDNA revealed that the A3243G mutation existed in 11 members (6 symptomatic and 5 asymptomatic members) of this MIDD‐prone family, with the proportion of mutant mtDNA ranging from 21% to 47% in leukocytes. Head CT revealed diffuse brain atrophy for all 6 (100%) patients examined and bilateral basal ganglia calcification in 4 of 6 (67%) patients. Brain 99mTc‐HMPAO SPECT revealed diminished uptake in the bilateral parieto‐occipital or occipital regions for all 6 tested patients, cognitive function for these patients was normal. Results of head CT and SPECT were normal in one asymptomatic member of the family. One muscle biopsy revealed abundant ragged‐red fibers with modified Gomori‐trichrome stain. Muscle‐enzyme activity and serum‐lactate levels were normal. Conclusion– We have demonstrated that a wide spectrum of sub clinical pathologies of the central nervous system and muscle are present for this MIDD‐prone family, none of whom developed typical MELAS during the 4‐year period of follow‐up study.
Guided interaction in pre-school settings

Abstract The aim of this study was to explore how guided interaction could create opportunities for learning with information and communication technologies (ICT) for children aged three and four. The study was grounded in the naturalistic environment of the playroom, in a context of free play and child-initiated activity, and focused on interventions selected and implemented by practitioners. Guided interaction describes the ways in which children's interactions with computers and other forms of ICT can be actively supported in pre-school settings. The paper presents a framework that illustrates proximal and distal guided interaction and the modes by which they are enacted. The concept of guided interaction (i) provides a tool for thinking about the different modes by which learning can be supported in pre-school settings and (ii) helps practitioners to articulate, reflect on and legitimise changes in pedagogy, enabling them to find new approaches to working with ICT. The paper provides an account of the analysis underpinning the development of the concept, followed by a description of its characteristics and the different types of learning that can be supported. An adapted version of this analytical framework has potential both as a research tool and to support changes in practice for professionals in other sectors of education.
Two-phase flow structure and operating characteristics of supersonic steam injector

In the case at which the external power supply of a nuclear power plant is stopped by external or internal events, the temperature of the core fuel continues to increase, and the cooling of the reactor core is not possible. This eventually leads to a severe accident owing to the core meltdown. However, if the cooling water can be injected into the reactor and the steam is condensed without an electric power supply, the accident is prevented and the contaminant vessel is protected from serious damage. There are several passive water cooling systems, such as the gravity-driven isolation condenser (IC), and the turbine-driven reactor core isolation cooling system (RCIC). Steam injector (SI) can constitute one of such passive cooling systems. SI has a converging-diverging nozzle and consists of a mixing nozzle, a throat, and a diffuser, as illustrated in Fig. 1. In the mixing nozzle, a water jet is driven by direct contact condensation. On the other hand, the velocity is converted into pressure in the diffuser. SI can then operate as a passive jet pump and a heat-exchanger without an electric power supply. Typical previous studies on SI include the studies on the measurement of the pressure distributions along the flow direction, and the development of the one-dimensional analysis model predicting the operating characteristics. This model assumed that the steam completely condensed in the mixing nozzle (Narabayashi, et al., 1996, 1997). The local
Safety and efficacy of pneumatic lithotripters versus holmium laser in management of ureteral calculi: a randomized clinical trial.

PURPOSE To compare efficacy and safety of holmium:YAG laser and pneumatic lithotripter in the management of ureteral stones. MATERIALS AND METHODS One hundred and twelve patients with 1 to 2 cm ureteral calculi were selected for pneumatic or holmium:YAG laser transurethral ureterolithotripsy (56 patients in each group). Ultrasonography and plain abdominal x-ray were performed for all the patients before the operation. The pneumatic lithoclast was Swiss LithoClast, while in laser lithotripsy, holmium:YAG laser frequency was used, which was usually set between 5 and 10 Hz at a power of 10 to 15 Watt. Intravenous urography was performed for all the patients at 3 months to assess functional status and to delineate the ureteral anatomy. RESULTS The mean patients' age and stones' size were the same in both groups, and there were no statistical differences. Mean duration of lithotripsy was 13.7 ± 12.6 minutes in laser group and 7.9 ± 4.2 minutes in pneumatic lithotripsy group. Immediate stone-free rate was 100% and 82.1% in the laser and pneumatic groups, respectively (P = .001). Stone pushing back occurred only in 10 (17.9%) patients in pneumatic group. In terms of complications, such as perforation, mucosal injury, and bleeding, there were no differences between the two groups. No intravenous pyelography related complication was seen at 3-month follow-up. CONCLUSION Laser lithotripsy is a superior approach for the management of upper ureteral stones of 1 to 2 cm in size due to its higher rate of stone clearance.
Circulating Zonulin, a Marker of Intestinal Permeability, Is Increased in Association with Obesity-Associated Insulin Resistance

Zonulin is the only physiological mediator known to regulate intestinal permeability reversibly by modulating intercellular tight junctions. To investigate the relationship between intestinal permeability and obesity-associated metabolic disturbances in humans, we aimed to study circulating zonulin according to obesity and insulin resistance. Circulating zonulin (ELISA) was measured in 123 caucasian men in association with inflammatory and metabolic parameters (including minimal model-measured insulin sensitivity). Circulating zonulin increased with body mass index (BMI), waist to hip ratio (WHR), fasting insulin, fasting triglycerides, uric acid and IL-6, and negatively correlated with HDL-cholesterol and insulin sensitivity. In multiple regression analysis, insulin sensitivity (p = 0.002) contributed independently to circulating zonulin variance, after controlling for the effects of BMI, fasting triglycerides and age. When circulating IL-6 was added to this model, only BMI (p = 0.01) contributed independently to circulating zonulin variance. In conclusion, the relationship between insulin sensitivity and circulating zonulin might be mediated through the obesity-related circulating IL-6 increase.
Dollar Illiquidity and Central Bank Swap Arrangements During the Global Financial Crisis

While the global financial crisis was centered in the United States, it led to a surprising appreciation in the dollar, suggesting global dollar illiquidity. In response, the Federal Reserve partnered with other central banks to inject dollars into the international financial system. Empirical studies of the success of these efforts have yielded mixed results, in part because their timing is likely to be endogenous. In this paper, we examine the cross-sectional impact of these interventions. Theory consistent with dollar appreciation in the crisis suggests that their impact should be greater for countries that have greater exposure to the United States through trade and financial channels, less transparent holdings of dollar assets, and greater illiquidity difficulties. We examine these predictions for observed cross-sectional changes in CDS spreads, using a new proxy for innovations in perceived changes in sovereign risk based upon Google-search data. We find robust evidence that auctions of dollar assets by foreign central banks disproportionately benefited countries that were more exposed to the United States through either trade linkages or asset exposure. We obtain weaker results for differences in asset transparency or illiquidity. However, several of the important announcements concerning the international swap programs disproportionately benefited countries exhibiting greater asset opaqueness.
Prediction of Aerobic and Anaerobic Capacities of Elite Cyclists From Changes in Lactate During Isocapnic Buffering Phase

Abstract Hasanli, M, Nikooie, R, Aveseh, M, and Mohammad, F. Prediction of aerobic and anaerobic capacities of elite cyclists from changes in lactate during isocapnic buffering phase. J Strength Cond Res 29(2): 321–329, 2015—This study predicted aerobic and anaerobic capacities using relative changes of arterial blood lactate during the isocapnic buffering phase (relative [La]ISBP). Fourteen male professional cyclists (sprint-trained [n = 6] and endurance [n = 8]) performed 2 exercise sessions to exhaustion on a cycle ergometer; 1 incremental standard test to determine the isocapnic buffering phase, buffering capacities, and relative [La]ISBP and 1 supramaximal exercise test to determine maximal accumulated oxygen deficit (MAOD). The time between Lactate threshold (LT) and respiratory compensatory threshold (RCT) was considered to be the isocapnic buffering phase. Total buffering capacity was calculated as &Dgr;[La]·&Dgr;pH−1. Bicarbonate buffering was calculated as &Dgr;[HCO3 −]·&Dgr;pH−1, and the difference between −&Dgr;[La]·&Dgr;pH−1 and &Dgr;[HCO3 −]·&Dgr;pH−1 was considered as nonbicarbonate buffering. The lactate concentration for LT (p ⩽ 0.05) and RCT (p ⩽ 0.05), and relative [La]ISBP (p < 0.01) were significantly lower for endurance cyclists than for sprint-trained cyclists. A significant difference was found for bicarbonate buffering capacity between groups (p < 0.01). A significant correlation was found between relative [La]ISBP with (r = −0.71, p ⩽ 0.05) and MAOD (r = 0.73, p < 0.01). Relative [La]ISBP was useful for predicting aerobic power (R 2 = 51%) and anaerobic capacity (R 2 = 53%). These results demonstrated that relative [La]ISBP is an important variable in intermediary metabolism and in addition to and LT is recommended for better evaluation of performance of athletes who show nearly equal contributions from the aerobic and anaerobic energy systems during exercise.
Surface Defects in Polished Silicon Studied by Cross‐Sectional Transmission Electron Microscopy

The cross-sectional TEM technique is applied to Si(100) surfaces, which are exposed to mild polishing with diamond paste in the 0.25- to 6-μm-size range as well as with the commercial polishing medium Syton HT 50. Syton polishing is also used to prepare electron-transparent foils for TEM studies, and this preparation technique shows several advantages over ion thinning. Mild diamond polishing results in small-scale abrasive grooving and production of superficial dislocation loops of 1/2〈110〉{111} type. Debris of amorphous material tends to aggregate in surface cavities. These aggregates are formed during polishing, not by ion milling. Syton polishing results in very smooth surfaces, with no signs of abrasive grooving or dislocation density. Two major mechanisms of mass removal are suggested: (1) “smearing” of very superficial material at a nearly atomic level, resulting in amorphous aggregates and (2) strongly localized plastic cutting or shearing. In mild polishing, both mechanisms are suggested to be active, localized plastic cuttinglshearing becoming progressively more dominant for increasing particle size.
The Neoclassical Revival in Growth Economics: Has It Gone Too Far?

In our view there has been a "Neoclassical Revival" in growth economics spurred by the empirical findings of Mankiw, Romer, and Weil (1992), Barro and Sala-i-Martin (1995), and Young (1994 and 1995). By this we mean a revival of the neoclassical growth model-which features a common level of productivity but different levels of human and physical capital across countries-as a viable candidate for explaining the major part of country differences in levels and growth rates of output per worker. Marshaling existing evidence from the labor literature on the returns to schooling and experience, we construct new measures of human capital across countries. We find that productivity differences are the dominant source of the large international dispersion in levels and growth rates of output per worker. We conclude that, although models that focus on physical and human capital are clearly important, research needs to be re-focused on explaining the causes of productivity differences across countries.
Clinicopathological features of 11 suspected outbreaks of bovine adenovirus infection and development of a real-time quantitative PCR to detect bovine adenovirus type 10

CASE HISTORY: A retrospective study was conducted to investigate 11 outbreaks of presumptive fatal adenovirus infection diagnosed through two New Zealand diagnostic laboratories during 2014 and 2015. Outbreaks occurred in 6–12-month-old Friesian or Friesian cross cattle during autumn, winter and spring. Individual outbreaks were short in duration, with mortality rates ranging from 3/250 to 20/600 (1.2 to 3.3%). CLINICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL FINDINGS: Clinical signs included severe diarrhoea, depression, recumbency, and death. Post-mortem examination revealed congestion and oedema of the alimentary tract and fluid to haemorrhagic intestinal contents. Histopathological lesions were characterised by congestion and haemorrhage of the alimentary tract mucosa, oedema of the submucosa, and mild interstitial inflammation in the kidneys. Large basophilic intranuclear inclusion bodies were identified in vascular endothelial cells of the alimentary tract in 11/11 cases and of the kidney in 8/9 cases. MOLECULAR TESTING: A real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) assay was designed to detect bovine adenovirus type 10 (BAdV-10) using hexon gene sequences available in GenBank. DNA extracted from a field case and confirmed by sequencing was used as a positive control. The qPCR had a reaction efficiency of 101% (R2=0.99) and the limit of detection was <10 DNA copies/reaction. The qPCR detected BAdV-10 in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue from 10/11 cases. DNA sequencing of PCR products from nine of these cases showed them to be identical to BAdV-10 sequences in GenBank. For the PCR-negative case, the PCR product had a hexon sequence 99% similar to bovine adenovirus Wic isolate Ma20-1, a close relative of BadV-10. DIAGNOSIS: Bovine adenovirus type 10 was identified in FFPE tissues from cattle with histopathological evidence of adenovirus infection. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Bovine adenoviruses, and especially BAdV-10, should be considered in the differential diagnosis for acute enteric disease and death in young cattle. The qPCR detected BAdV-10 from FFPE tissue of cattle with suspected adenoviral infection diagnosed by histopathology. However results should be interpreted in light of clinical and pathological findings due to the possibility of adenovirus shedding by healthy cattle and the presence of pathogenic adenoviruses other than BAdV-10.
Dynamic assembly of chromatin complexes during cellular senescence: implications for the growth arrest of human melanocytic nevi

The retinoblastoma (RB)/p16INK4a pathway regulates senescence of human melanocytes in culture and oncogene‐induced senescence of melanocytic nevi in vivo. This senescence response is likely due to chromatin modifications because RB complexes from senescent melanocytes contain increased levels of histone deacetylase (HDAC) activity and tethered HDAC1. Here we show that HDAC1 is prominently detected in p16INK4a‐positive, senescent intradermal melanocytic nevi but not in proliferating, recurrent nevus cells that localize to the epidermal/dermal junction. To assess the role of HDAC1 in the senescence of melanocytes and nevi, we used tetracycline‐based inducible expression systems in cultured melanocytic cells. We found that HDAC1 drives a sequential and cooperative activity of chromatin remodeling effectors, including transient recruitment of Brahma (Brm1) into RB/HDAC1 mega‐complexes, formation of heterochromatin protein 1β (HP1β)/SUV39H1 foci, methylation of H3‐K9, stable association of RB with chromatin and significant global heterochromatinization. These chromatin changes coincide with expression of typical markers of senescence, including the senescent‐associated β‐galactosidase marker. Notably, formation of RB/HP1β foci and early tethering of RB to chromatin depends on intact Brm1 ATPase activity. As cells reached senescence, ejection of Brm1 from chromatin coincided with its dissociation from HP1β/RB and relocalization to protein complexes of lower molecular weight. These results provide new insights into the role of the RB pathway in regulating cellular senescence and implicate HDAC1 as a likely mediator of early chromatin remodeling events.