Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Dermoscopy of squamous cell carcinoma and keratoacanthoma.

OBJECTIVES To characterize dermoscopic criteria of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and keratoacanthoma and to compare them with other lesions. DESIGN Observer-masked study of consecutive lesions performed from March 1 through December 31, 2011. SETTING Primary care skin cancer practice in Brisbane, Australia. PARTICIPANTS A total of 186 patients with 206 lesions. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Sensitivity, specificity, predictive values, and odds ratios. RESULTS In a retrospective analysis of 60 invasive SCC and 43 keratoacanthoma cases, keratin, surface scale, blood spots, white structureless zones, white circles, and coiled vessels were commonly found in both types of lesions. We reevaluated the significance of these criteria in 206 raised, nonpigmented lesions (32 SCCs, 29 keratoacanthomas, and 145 other lesions). Central keratin was more common in keratoacanthoma than in SCC (51.2% vs 30.0%, P = .03). Keratin had the highest sensitivity for keratoacanthoma and SCC (79%), and white circles had the highest specificity (87%). When keratoacanthoma and SCC were contrasted with basal cell carcinoma, the positive predictive values of keratin and white circles were 92% and 89%, respectively. When SCC and keratoacanthoma were contrasted with actinic keratosis and Bowen disease, the positive predictive value of keratin was 50% and that of white circles was 92%. In a multivariate model, white circles, keratin, and blood spots were independent predictors of SCC and keratoacanthoma. White circles had the highest odds ratio in favor of SCC and keratoacanthoma. The interobserver agreement for white circles was good (0.55; 95% CI, 0.44-0.65). CONCLUSIONS White circles, keratin, and blood spots are useful clues to differentiate SCC and keratoacanthoma from other raised nonpigmented skin lesions by dermoscopy. The significance of these criteria depends on the clinical context.
Effects of Intertidal Harvest Practices on Levels of Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Vibrio vulnificus Bacteria in Oysters

ABSTRACT Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Vibrio vulnificus can grow rapidly in shellfish subjected to ambient air conditions, such as during intertidal exposure. In this study, levels of total and pathogenic (tdh + and/or trh + ) V. parahaemolyticus and total V. vulnificus were determined in oysters collected from two study locations where intertidal harvest practices are common. Samples were collected directly off intertidal flats, after exposure (ambient air [Washington State] or refrigerated [New Jersey]), and after reimmersion by natural tidal cycles. Samples were processed using a most-probable-number (MPN) real-time PCR method for total and pathogenic V. parahaemolyticus or V. vulnificus. In Washington State, the mean levels of V. parahaemolyticus increased 1.38 log MPN/g following intertidal exposure and dropped 1.41 log MPN/g after reimmersion for 1 day, but the levels were dependent upon the container type utilized. Pathogenic V. parahaemolyticus levels followed a similar trend. However, V. vulnificus levels increased 0.10 log MPN/g during intertidal exposure in Washington but decreased by >1 log MPN/g after reimmersion. In New Jersey, initial levels of all vibrios studied were not significantly altered during the refrigerated sorting and containerizing process. However, there was an increase in levels after the first day of reimmersion by 0.79, 0.72, 0.92, and 0.71 log MPN/g for total, tdh + and trh + V. parahaemolyticus, and V. vulnificus, respectively. The levels of all targets decreased to those similar to background after a second day of reimmersion. These data indicate that the intertidal harvest and handling practices for oysters that were studied in Washington and New Jersey do not increase the risk of illness from V. parahaemolyticus or V. vulnificus. IMPORTANCE Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Vibrio vulnificus are the leading causes of seafood-associated infectious morbidity and mortality in the United States. Vibrio spp. can grow rapidly in shellfish subjected to ambient air conditions, such as during periods of intertidal exposure. When oysters are submersed with the incoming tide, the vibrios can be purged. However, data on the rates of increase and purging during intertidal harvest are scarce, which limits the accuracy of risk assessments. The objective of this study was to help fill these data gaps by determining the levels of total and pathogenic (tdh + and/or trh + ) V. parahaemolyticus and V. vulnificus in oysters from two locations where intertidal harvest practices are common, using the current industry practices. The data generated provide insight into the responses of Vibrio spp. to relevant practices of the industry and public health, which can be incorporated into risk management decisions.
ScholarWorks@BGSU ScholarWorks@BGSU

Researchers focusing on diasporic contexts face the difficult task of wearing their “academic hats” while at the same time building meaningful relationships with immigrant communities. This is no more apparent (and important) than with “non-community” (i.e., outsider) researchers. Here diasporic communities, having already experienced the trauma of forced migration, must see the academic researcher as one they can trust and who is in-vested in their long-term well being. In this paper I address methodological and philosophical concerns related to the insider-outsider researcher distinction and to conducting research as an “outsider. ” The principle aims of the paper are to critically examine the distinctions that create and perpetuate the insider-outsider polemic, explore what this polemic “looks like” within diasporic contexts, and consider community-based participatory research as one “vehicle” that might effectively address some of the thorniest problems associated with the insider-outsider distinction.
Nutritive value of pastures of Cynodon mixed with forage peanut in southwestern Paraná State

This study evaluated the nutritive value of pastures of Coastcross-1 and Tifton 85 mixed with increasing inclusion of forage peanut (0, 25, 50, 75% occupancy area), subjected to cuts, over two study years in Southwestern Parana State. The experimental design was factorial (three factors) distributed in randomized block. The factors were cultivars (2), the occupancy area of forage peanut (4) and seasons of cuts (5), with three replications. It was evaluated the percentage of crude protein, neutral detergent fiber and in vitro digestibility of dry matter of leaf blades, stem + sheath of grasses and available forage mass of pastures. Values of crude protein ranged from 17.0 to 20.4% and from 16.8 to 19.3% for the forage mass available of Coastcross-1 and Tifton 85, respectively. Higher digestibility values were found at the beginning of evaluations. On average, the Coastcross-1 showed better nutritive value compared to Tifton 85, and, the inclusion of forage peanut increased crude protein content in leaf blades of grasses studied, in the second year after planted.
Rotation change in the orientation of the centre-of-figure frame caused by large earthquakes

Jiangcun Zhou,1 Wenke Sun,2 Shuanggen Jin,3 Heping Sun1 and Jianqiao Xu1 1State Key Laboratory of Geodesy and Earth’s Dynamics, Institute of Geodesy and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430077, China. E-mail: zjc@asch.whigg. ac.cn 2Key Laboratory of Computational Geodynamics, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China 3Key Laboratory of Planetary Sciences, Shanghai Astronomical Observatory, Chinese Academy of Science, Shanghai 200030, China
Non‐thermal extremely low frequency magnetic field effects on opioid related behaviors: Snails to humans, mechanisms to therapy

In 1984, it was initially discovered in mice that an extremely low frequency magnetic field (ELF‐MF) could attenuate opiate induced analgesia. In the past 30 years, we defined some of ELF‐MF exposure and subject state conditions that can both increase and decrease nociception in snails and mice and can induce analgesia in humans. In our search for mechanisms and our desire to translate our findings to the treatment of chronic pain in humans, we pioneered the use of electroencephalography and magnetic resonance imaging to monitor effects during exposure. We have contributed to an understanding of the phenomena but a considerable amount remains to be done by us and those who have undertaken corroboratory and complimentary work. As the recipient of the 2013 d'Arsonval Award, I was invited to prepare an article for Bioelectromagnetics that highlights research findings that led to the award. Here, I have focused on our main findings associated with the effects of nociception of exposure to ELF‐MF. To enrich the value of this contribution, I have put our research into the context of work of others. Further, I have suggested future directions of research and the potential for linkages and synergies associated with the extensive literature on animal orientation. Hence, it needs to be acknowledged that this is a report of our contributions and not intended as a balanced review. Bioelectromagnetics. 36:333–348, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Serum carbohydrate sulfotransferase 7 in lung cancer and non-malignant pulmonary inflammations

Abstract Background: Carbohydrate sulfotransferases (CHST) were shown to be involved in carcinogenesis. The aim of the study was to assess the diagnostic value of serum CHST7 concentration in differentiation between lung cancer and non-malignant pulmonary inflammations. Methods: Clinical case-control study involving 125 participants was conducted: the control group containing cases of pneumonia and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease was compared to the lung cancer group composed of primary and metastatic cancers. Serum concentrations of CHST7 and routinely used markers including carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), cytokeratin fragment 21-1 (CYFRA 21-1) and neuron-specific enolase (NSE) were determined for each participant using immunochemical methods. Statistical association, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis and cross-validation were used for the evaluation of CHST7 either as a standalone biomarker or as a part of a biomarker panel. Results: In comparison to the control group, serum CHST7 was elevated in lung cancer (p<0.001), but no differences between the overall stages of primary cancers were detected (p=0.828). The differentiation performance in terms of ROC area under curve (AUC) was 0.848 making CHST7 superior biomarker to the NSE (p=0.031). In comparison to CEA and CYFRA 21-1, the performance differences were not detected. CHST7 was not correlated to other biomarkers, and its addition to the routine biomarker panel significantly improved the cross-validated accuracy (85.6% vs. 75.2%) and ROC AUC (p=0.004) of the differentiation using a machine learning approach. Conclusions: Serum CHST7 is a promising biomarker for the differentiation between lung cancer and non-malignant pulmonary inflammations.
The Analgesic Effects of Opioids and Immersive Virtual Reality Distraction: Evidence from Subjective and Functional Brain Imaging Assessments

BACKGROUND:Immersive virtual reality (VR) is a novel form of distraction analgesia, yet its effects on pain-related brain activity when used adjunctively with opioid analgesics are unknown. We used subjective pain ratings and functional magnetic resonance imaging to measure pain and pain-related brain activity in subjects receiving opioid and/or VR distraction. METHODS:Healthy subjects (n = 9) received thermal pain stimulation and were exposed to four intervention conditions in a within-subjects design: (a) control (no analgesia), (b) opioid administration [hydromorphone (4 ng/mL target plasma level)], (c) immersive VR distraction, and (d) combined opioid + VR. Outcomes included subjective pain reports (0–10 labeled graphic rating scales) and blood oxygen level-dependent assessments of brain activity in five specific, pain-related regions of interest. RESULTS:Opioid alone significantly reduced subjective pain unpleasantness ratings (P < 0.05) and significantly reduced pain-related brain activity in the insula (P < 0.05) and thalmus (P < 0.05). VR alone significantly reduced both worst pain (P < 0.01) and pain unpleasantness (P < 0.01) and significantly reduced pain-related brain activity in the insula (P < 0.05), thalmus (P < 0.05), and SS2 (P < 0.05). Combined opioid + VR reduced pain reports more effectively than did opioid alone on all subjective pain measures (P < 0.01). Patterns of pain-related blood oxygen level-dependent activity were consistent with subjective analgesic reports. CONCLUSIONS:These subjective pain reports and objective functional magnetic resonance imaging results demonstrate converging evidence for the analgesic efficacy of opioid administration alone and VR distraction alone. Furthermore, patterns of pain-related brain activity support the significant subjective analgesic effects of VR distraction when used as an adjunct to opioid analgesia. These results provide preliminary data to support the clinical use of multimodal (e.g., combined pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic) analgesic techniques.
A new and feasible model for predicting operative risk.

BACKGROUND Although the POSSUM (Physiological and Operative Severity Score for the enumeration of Mortality and Morbidity) score can be used to calculate operative risk, its complexity makes its use unfeasible in the immediate clinical setting. The aim of this study was to create a new model, based on ASA status, to predict mortality. METHODS Data were collected in two hospitals. All types of surgery were included except for cardiac surgery and Caesarean delivery. Age, sex and preoperative information, including the presence of cardiocirculatory and/or lung disease, renal failure, diabetes mellitus, hepatic disease, cancer, Glasgow Coma Score, ASA grade, surgical diagnosis, severity of the procedure and type of surgery (elective, urgent or emergency), were recorded for each patient. The model was developed using a data set incorporating data from 1936 surgical patients, and validated using data from a further 1849 patients. Forward stepwise logistic regression was used to build the model. Goodness of fit was examined using the Hosmer-Lemeshow test and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses were performed on both data sets to test calibration and discrimination. In the validation data set, the new model was compared with POSSUM and P-POSSUM for both calibration and discrimination, and with ASA alone to compare discrimination. RESULTS The following variables were included in the new model: ASA status, age, type of surgery (elective, urgent, emergency) and degree of surgery (minor, moderate or major). Calibration and discrimination of the new model were good in both development and validation data sets. This new model was better calibrated in the validation data set (Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test: chi(2)=6.8017, P=0.7440) than either P-POSSUM (chi(2)=14.4643, P=0.1528) or POSSUM, which was not calibrated (chi(2)=31.8147, P=0.0004). POSSUM and P-POSSUM had better discrimination than the new model, although this was not statistically significant. Comparing the two ROC curves, the new model had better discrimination than ASA alone (difference between areas, 0.077, SE 0.034, 95% confidence interval 0.012-0.143, P=0.021). CONCLUSIONS This new, ASA status-based model is simple to use and can be performed routinely in the operating room to predict operative risk for both elective and emergency surgery.
Climatic Factors Shape the Spatial Distribution of Concentrations of Triterpenoids in Barks of White Birch (Betula Platyphylla Suk.) Trees in Northeast China

Betulin, betulinic acid and lupeol are naturally occurring pentacyclic triterpenoids with significant medicinal values. Great amounts of triterpenoids are found in the bark of white birch (Betula platyphylla Suk.) trees, which can be affected by climatic factors along the geographical gradients. In this study, site-based data of triterpenoids’ (betulin, betulinic acid and lupeol) concentrations were determined in barks of white birch trees from 48 sites in Northeast China. Triterpenoid concentration in white birch tree barks did not change in response to any geographical gradients along latitudes, longitudes or elevations. Instead, concentrations of betulin and lupeol in birch tree barks increased with the increase of temperature and precipitation but declined with the increase of relative humidity. As a result, betulin concentration was higher in birch trees in the northeastern and southwestern parts of the study area, and lower in the central part of the study area in Northeast China. Although betulinic acid concentration did not change with climatic factors, its distribution pattern was similar to betulin concentration. Lupeol concentration was highest in the north-eastern part and along the southern and eastern boundaries in the study area. Our results can supply information for precondition of triterpenoids’ extraction for industrial production, which can be an available approach to solve the issue of bark waste processing of white birch.
Behavioral shifts associated with reproduction in garter snakes

Reproduction may involve profound modifications to behaviors such as feeding, antipredator tactics, and thermoregulation. Such shifts have generally been interpreted as direct consequences of reproduction but may instead be secondary effects of reproduction-associated changes in other traits such as habitat use. We quantified behaviors of red-sided garter snakes (Thamnophis sirtalis parietalis) courting and mating at a communal den, and also of postreproductive snakes dispersing from the same den. Snakes at the den actively courted, did not feed, tolerated close approach by humans, and did not retaliate (bite) when seized by us. Dispersing snakes did not court, fed, fled from our approach, and bit when seized. Snakes of both groups were then transferred to outdoor arenas and retested. Courtship vigor by males, and attractiveness of females, had declined but not disappeared for the dispersing snakes. Snakes of both groups ate readily, showing that reproduction-associated anorexia was a facultative response to lack of prey in the den. Body temperature regimes were also similar in the two groups of snakes. Overall, many of the characteristic behavioral changes associated with reproduction were responses to features of the den environment (e.g., presence of sexual partners, lack of food) rather than to reproduction per se. The shift in antipredator responses, however, may reflect a neural or endocrine "switch," suggesting that the link between reproduction and other behaviors involves a diversity of proximate mechanisms. Copyright 2003.
Laser cutting of wood and wood composites - evaluation of cut quality and comparison to conventional wood cutting techniques

Laser cutting of wood was one of the first industrial applications of CO2 laser material processing in the early 70’s. Today, it covers market niches such as die board cutting and cutting of inlays. For laser cutting of wood and wood composites, the maximum feed rate and cut quality contribute strongly to the production costs. Therefore, systematic investigations on the cut quality of representative wood species and wood composites have been carried out.A recommendation for process and material parameters is given, to achieve maximum cut quality and minimum material damage. The cut quality is evaluated using surface quality deviations, which are defined by using the parameters perpendicularity tolerance as well as the roughness of the cut surface. Based on these findings, wood and wood composite cut quality from class 1 to class 3 is achievable, which is the same or even higher than the quality of a sheet metal cut, and much higher than for using a saw. At optimal conditions, material damage depths lower than 20 microns are observed. Finally, the results are compared to conventional wood cutting techniques.In order to assist optimum scaling of laser machines for the industrial laser user, the feed rate is investigated for different wooden materials, particularly wood fiber reinforced plastics. This leads to an economical study for laser contour cutting of car interior parts with operation costs of 0.13-0.25 €/m.Laser cutting of wood was one of the first industrial applications of CO2 laser material processing in the early 70’s. Today, it covers market niches such as die board cutting and cutting of inlays. For laser cutting of wood and wood composites, the maximum feed rate and cut quality contribute strongly to the production costs. Therefore, systematic investigations on the cut quality of representative wood species and wood composites have been carried out.A recommendation for process and material parameters is given, to achieve maximum cut quality and minimum material damage. The cut quality is evaluated using surface quality deviations, which are defined by using the parameters perpendicularity tolerance as well as the roughness of the cut surface. Based on these findings, wood and wood composite cut quality from class 1 to class 3 is achievable, which is the same or even higher than the quality of a sheet metal cut, and much higher than for using a saw. At optimal conditions, material damage depths lower .
Smartphones for Payments and Withdrawals Utilizing Embedded LED Flashlight for High Speed Data Transmission

In this paper, we experimentally transmit the required information to the automatic teller machine (ATM) or card readers over a visible light communication channel employing mobile smartphones LED flashlight at high data rates. Due to the dependence of users on their personal digital assistants and smartphones to perform almost everyday tasks including payments and banking transactions, it is of great interest to use such phones to replace the magnetic cards. This paper encodes the LED camera flashlight embedded in almost every smartphone with the required information with no additional hardware on the receiver end. However, a small sized non-expensive module is added to ATMs and card readers to detect and decode the received data. The proposed unidirectional optical link offers secure transmission with a speed up to 500 bps with no error detected.
Shearing Characteristics of Corn Stalk Pith for Separation

The rind of corn stalk (Zea mays L.) contains a high content of lignin, which is difficult for ruminants to digest. So, the separation of the pith and rind is the basis for the effective use of corn stalk. The shearing characteristics of pith are important parameters in the process of the separation of rind and pith for corn stalk. In this study, both the shearing strength and shearing energy were determined for the pith of cornstalk. The shearing force was measured at three moisture content levels (10 w.b.%, 40 w.b.%, and 70 w.b.%), different sample heights (lower, middle, and upper), and three different shearing speed levels (2 mm·min-1, 20 mm·min-1, and 50 mm·min-1). The shearing strength and the shearing energy were calculated from this data. The shearing energy was calculated by using the area under the shearing force versus the displacement curve. The results showed that the maximum shearing strength and the shearing energy increased as the moisture content increased. The maximum shearing strength and shearing energy were found to be 0.8452 MPa and 0.6446 J, respectively. Both the shearing strength and the shearing energy were found to be higher in the lower region of the stalk due to structural heterogeneity.