Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Use of the Percentage Change in Oswestry Disability Index Score As an Outcome Measure in Lumbar Spinal Surgery

Study Design A retrospeotive analysis of the change in the Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Questionaire in a heterogeneous group of 144 operatively managed patients was undertaken to examine the change in disability index as an outcome measure. Objectives To establish the percent change in disability index as an outcome measure able to identity risk factors for poor results in lumbar spinal surgery. Methods Epidemiologic, diagnostic, and surgical variables were examined as risk factors using step-wise multiple linear regression analysis at both follow-up times (6 months and 2 years), with percent change in disability index used as the outcome measure. Results At 6-months follow-up, previous surgery, female gender, workers' compensation, a lower initial disability index score, increasing age, and spinal fusion alone as an operative procedure were independently and significantly negatively correlated with outcome. Further analysis revealed that for patients with spinal canal stenosis, the magnitude of the initial disability index did not correlate with outcome, whereas patients with low back pain or a prolapsed intervertebral disc fared better if they had high initial disability scores. Date at 2-years follow-up were less adequate. However, previous surgery on the spine and low initial disability score were significant negative predictors of outcome at 6-month and 2-year follow-up were less adequate. However, previous surgery on the spine and low inltial disability score were significant negative predictors of outcome at 6-month and 2-year follow-up. Conclusions The findings indicate that the absolute value and change in these scores after surgery vary from patient to patient, but that their percentage change is likely to be the best marker of outcome when such subjective scoring systems are used.
Local context selection for outlier ranking in graphs with multiple numeric node attributes

Outlier ranking aims at the distinction between exceptional outliers and regular objects by measuring deviation of individual objects. In graphs with multiple numeric attributes, not all the attributes are relevant or show dependencies with the graph structure. Considering both graph structure and all given attributes, one cannot measure a clear deviation of objects. This is because the existence of irrelevant attributes clearly hinders the detection of outliers. Thus, one has to select local outlier contexts including only those attributes showing a high contrast between regular and deviating objects. It is an open challenge to detect meaningful local contexts for each node in attributed graphs. In this work, we propose a novel local outlier ranking model for graphs with multiple numeric node attributes. For each object, our technique determines its subgraph and its statistically relevant subset of attributes locally. This context selection enables a high contrast between an outlier and the regular objects. Out of this context, we compute the outlierness score by incorporating both the attribute value deviation and the graph structure. In our evaluation on real and synthetic data, we show that our approach is able to detect contextual outliers that are missed by other outlier models.
Single, chemically defined sporulation medium for Bacillus subtilis: growth, sporulation, and extracellular protease production

The composition and application of a single, chemically defined medium or growth and sporulation of Bacillus subtilis is described. At 37 degrees C cells grew with a doubling time of about 40 min; cultures attained near-maximal spore formation (70 to 80% by 12 h after the end of exponential growth and produced 1 X 10(9) to 2 X 10(9) heat-resistant free spores at 24 h. Dipicolinic acid production was completed between 7 and 11 h. Cells grown in the single, chemically defined medium excreted levels of serine and neutral proteases comparable to those excreted in nutrient broth medium.
Ultra‐thick Triassic dolomites control the rupture behavior of the central Apennine seismicity: Evidence from magnetic modeling of the L'Aquila fault zone

High‐resolution tomography from the 2009 L'Aquila extensional seismic sequence has shown that the Mw 6.1 main shock and most of the aftershocks occurred within a high velocity body (6.6 ≤ Vp ≤ 6.8 km/s), located between depths of 3 and 12 km. The nature of the high‐Vp body has remained speculative, although exhumed mafic deep crustal and upper mantle rocks (serpentinites) have been favored. We used 3D magnetic anomaly modeling to investigate the plausibility of these favored sources for the L'Aquila body. The modeling does not support the presence of high‐velocity serpentinites with a 30–50% serpentinization degree and gabbros. Accordingly, we conclude that the high‐Vp body may represent non‐magnetic upper Triassic and possibly lower Liassic dolomites that have been drilled in neighboring wells for 2–4 km. This conclusion is also consistent with the lack of a coherent gravity anomaly for the body. We speculate that ultra‐thick Triassic dolomites reaching a thickness of 8 km may have been deposited in syntectonic wedges formed at the northern margin of the Ionian Sea, where oceanic spreading occurred in mid‐late Triassic times.
Vascular endothelial damage and repair in antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis.

OBJECTIVE Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis (AAV) is characterized by necrotizing vessel wall inflammation, paralleled by the detachment of endothelial cells. The repair of such endothelial defects is crucial for the maintenance of regular structure and function of the injured vessels. Bone marrow-derived endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) are thought to play a pivotal role in the regeneration of damaged endothelium. The aim of this study was to investigate whether EPCs are involved in vascular repair in AAV. METHODS We assessed disease activity, CD34+ hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPCs) using flow cytometry, EPCs using an in vitro assay, and circulating endothelial cells (CECs) by immunomagnetic isolation from the peripheral blood of 31 patients with active AAV at 1, 3, and 6 months after the initiation of immunosuppressive therapy. RESULTS In patients with untreated active disease, HPC and EPC numbers were comparable with those in healthy control subjects (n = 64). With the induction of remission, the number of HPCs and EPCs increased significantly, from a median of 1.5 cells/microl (range 0.0-7.0) to a median of 3.2 cells/microl (range 0.76-9.2) (P < 0.001) and from a median of 261 cells/high-power field (range 171-643) to a median of 470 cells/high-power field (range 168-996) (P < 0.021), respectively. In contrast, the initially elevated number of CECs decreased significantly (P < 0.001). We observed no correlation between the number of HPCs or EPCs and the leukocyte count, the thrombocyte count, or kidney function. CONCLUSION In patients with AAV, the numbers of circulating CD34+ HPCs and EPCs increased significantly after the institution of immunosuppressive therapy and disease remission. This finding points to a role of circulating CD34+ HPCs and EPCs in endothelial repair in vasculitis. Targeted stimulation of these cells might represent a new possibility of improving vascular healing in AAV.
A Novel Method of Spam Mail Detection using Text Based Clustering Approach

A novel method of efficient spam mail classification using clustering techniques is presented in this research paper. E-mail spam is one of the major problems of the today’s internet, bringing financial damage to companies and annoying individual users. Among the approaches developed to stop spam, filtering is an important and popular one. A new spam detection technique using the text clustering based on vector space model is proposed in this research paper. By using this method, one can extract spam/non-spam email and detect the spam email efficiently. Representation of data is done using a vector space model. Clustering is the technique used for data reduction. It divides the data into groups based on pattern similarities such that each group is abstracted by one or more representatives. Recently, there is a growing emphasis on exploratory analysis of very large datasets to discover useful patterns, it is called data mining. Each cluster is
Effect of a single dose of citalopram on amygdala response to emotional faces

Background Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are typically thought to have a delay of several weeks in the onset of their clinical effects. However, recent reports suggest they may have a much earlier therapeutic onset. A reduction in amygdala responsivity has been implicated in the therapeutic action of SSRIs. Aims To investigate the effect of a single dose of an SSRI on the amygdala response to emotional faces. Method Twenty-six healthy volunteers were randomised to receive a single oral dose of citalopram (20 mg) or placebo. Effects on the processing of facial expressions were assessed 3 h later using functional magnetic resonance imaging. Results Volunteers treated with citalopram displayed a significantly reduced amygdala response to fearful facial expressions compared with placebo. Conclusions Such an immediate effect of an SSRI on amygdala responses to threat supports the idea that antidepressants have an earlier onset of therapeutically relevant effects than conventionally thought.
Decarbonation in an intracratonic setting: Insight from petrological‐thermomechanical modeling

Cratons form the stable core roots of the continental crust. Despite long‐term stability, cratons have failed in the past. Cratonic destruction (e.g., North Atlantic Craton) due to chemical rejuvenation at the base of the lithosphere remains poorly constrained numerically. We use 2‐D petrological‐thermomechanical models to assess cratonic rifting characteristics and mantle CO2 degassing in the presence of a carbonated subcontinental lithospheric mantle (SCLM). We test two tectonothermal SCLM compositions: Archon (depleted) and Tecton (fertilized) using 2 CO2 wt % in the bulk composition to represent a metasomatized SCLM. We parameterize cratonic breakup via extensional duration (7–12 Ma; full breakup), tectonothermal age, TMoho (300–600°C), and crustal rheology. The two compositions with metasomatized SCLMs share similar rifting features and decarbonation trends during initial extension. However, we show long‐term (>67 Ma) stability differences due to lithospheric density contrasts between SCLM compositions. The Tecton model shows convective removal and thinning of the metasomatized SCLM during failed rifting. The Archon composition remained stable, highlighting the primary role for SCLM density even when metasomatized at its base. In the short‐term, three failed rifting characteristics emerge: failed rifting without decarbonation, failed rifting with decarbonation, and semifailed rifting with dry asthenospheric melting and decarbonation. Decarbonation trends were greatest in the failed rifts, reaching peak fluxes of 94 × 104 kg m−3. Increased TMoho did not alter the effects of rifting or decarbonation. Lastly, we show mantle regions where decarbonation, mantle melting in the presence of carbonate, and preservation of carbonated mantle occur during rifting.
Numerical and Experimental Investigation into the Mechanisms of First Contact Miscible Simultaneous and Slug WAG Injection

1 D12 Numerical and Experimental Investigation into the Mechanisms of First Contact Miscible Simultaneous and Slug WAG Injection H. AL-SHURAIQI A. MUGGERIDGE and C.A. GRATTONI Department of Earth Science and Engineering Imperial College SW7 2AZ London United Kingdom Abstract Miscible Water-Alternate-Gas (WAG) injection is currently being performed in many fields around the world and a large number of numerical studies investigating both simultaneous and slug injection including the effects of slug sizes gravity and heterogeneity have been carried out in the past. However there are few laboratory studies to support the numerical work and to understand the interactions between injected
Seasonal Characterization of Organic Nitrogen in Atmospheric Aerosols Using High Resolution Aerosol Mass Spectrometry in Beijing, China

Despite extensive efforts to characterize organic nitrogen (ON) in atmospheric aerosols, knowledge of the sources and processes of ON in the megacity of Beijing is still limited, mainly due to the complexity of ON species and the absence of highly time-resolved measurements. Here we demonstrate the applications of Aerodyne high-resolution time-of-flight aerosol mass spectrometer combined with positive matrix factorization in characterization of ON in submicron aerosols. Our results show that the average nitrogen-to-carbon ratios (N/C) vary from 0.021 to 0.028, and the average ON concentrations range from 0.26 to 0.59 μg m–3 during four seasons in Beijing. ON accounts for 7–10% of the total nitrogen (TN) on average, yet the sources vary differently across different seasons. We found that 56–65% of ON was secondary during three seasons except winter when 59–67% was related to primary emissions. Particularly, more oxidized secondary organic aerosol contributes the dominant fraction of ON (39–44%) in spring, .
Operation of trans-thylakoid thiol-metabolizing pathways in photosynthesis

Thiol oxidation to disulfides and the reverse reaction, i.e., disulfide reduction to free thiols, are under the control of catalysts in vivo. Enzymatically assisted thiol-disulfide chemistry is required for the biogenesis of all energy-transducing membrane systems. However, until recently, this had only been demonstrated for the bacterial plasma membrane. Long considered to be vacant, the thylakoid lumen has now moved to the forefront of photosynthesis research with the realization that its proteome is far more complicated than initially anticipated. Several lumenal proteins are known to be disulfide bonded in Arabidopsis, highlighting the importance of sulfhydryl oxidation in the thylakoid lumen. While disulfide reduction in the plastid stroma is known to activate several enzymatic activities, it appears that it is the reverse reaction, i.e., thiol oxidation that is required for the activity of several lumen-resident proteins. This paradigm for redox regulation in the thylakoid lumen has opened a new frontier for research in the field of photosynthesis. Of particular significance in this context is the discovery of trans-thylakoid redox pathways controlling disulfide bond formation and reduction, which are required for photosynthesis.
Cirrhosis induces apoptosis in renal tissue through intracellular oxidative stress.

BACKGROUND Renal failure is a frequent and serious complication in patients with decompensated cirrhosis. OBJECTIVES We aimed to evaluate the renal oxidative stress, cell damage and impaired cell function in animal model of cirrhosis. METHODS Secondary biliary cirrhosis was induced in rats by ligation of the common bile duct. We measured TBARS, ROS and mitochondrial membrane potential in kidney as markers of oxidative stress, and activities of the antioxidant enzymes. Relative cell viability was determined by trypan blue dye-exclusion assay. Annexin V-PE was used with a vital dye, 7-AAD, to distinguish apoptotic from necrotic cells and comet assay was used for determined DNA integrity in single cells. RESULTS In bile duct ligation animals there was significant increase in the kidney lipoperoxidation and an increase of the level of intracellular ROS. There was too an increase in the activity of all antioxidant enzymes evaluated in the kidney. The percentage viability was above 90% in the control group and in bile duct ligation was 64.66% and the dominant cell death type was apoptosis. DNA damage was observed in the bile duct ligation. There was a decreased in the mitochondrial membrane potential from 71.40% ± 6.35% to 34.48% ± 11.40% in bile duct ligation. CONCLUSIONS These results indicate that intracellular increase of ROS cause damage in the DNA and apoptosis getting worse the renal function in cirrhosis.
On Bistable Region of Slotted-ALOHA Systems with Delay Constraints

Bistable behavior of slotted ALOHA systems has been extensively investigated. It is proved that bistable region can be eliminated by limiting the number of allowable transmission attempts per packet to eight or less. In this paper, we investigate bistable behavior of slotted ALOHA systems with delay constraints in terms of the catastrophe theory. A lifetime of a packet is confined within D slots, that is, a packet will be discarded after timer of D time-slots expired, unless packet transmission succeeds. Letting r be the packet transmission probability in a slot, we indicate that there exists bistable region, if the product Dr is greater than approximately 8.30, and that the system can operate with the unique stable equilibrium point, if Dr is less than approximately 8.30.
Eating disorders and obstetric-gynecologic care.

OBJECTIVE Disordered eating can have consequences for gynecologic and obstetric patients and fetuses. Amenorrhea, infertility, hyperemesis gravidarum, and preterm birth have been linked to eating disorders (EDs). This study aimed to evaluate obstetrician-gynecologists' ED-related knowledge, attitudes, and practices. METHODS Questionnaires were sent to 968 Fellows of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists between November 2007 and March 2008. Data were analyzed separately for generalists (provide obstetric and gynecologic care) and gynecologists only (treat only gynecologic patients). RESULTS A majority of obstetrician-gynecologists assess body weight, exercise, body mass index, and dieting habits. Less than half assess ED history, body image concerns, weight-related cosmetic surgery, binging, and purging. Over half (54%) of generalists believed ED assessment falls within their purview. Most (90.8%) generalists agreed or strongly agreed that EDs can negatively impact pregnancy outcome. A majority rated residency training in diagnosing (88.5%) and treating (96.2%) EDs as barely adequate or less. Most knew low birth weight (91%) and postpartum depression (90%) are associated with maternal EDs, though over a third was unsure about several consequences. Some gender differences emerged; females screen for more ED indicators and are more likely to view ED assessment as within their role. CONCLUSIONS Despite the consequences of EDs and the fact that most physicians agree EDs can negatively impact pregnancy, only about half view ED assessment as their responsibility. Only some weight- and diet-related topics are assessed, and there are gaps in knowledge of ED consequences. Obstetrician-gynecologists are not confident in their training regarding EDs. Improvement in knowledge and altering obstetrician-gynecologists' view of their responsibilities may improve ED screening rates.
Development and Verification of a Mouse Model for Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass Surgery with a Small Gastric Pouch

Existing mouse models of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) surgery are not comparable to human RYGB in gastric pouch volume for a large or absent gastric volume. The aim of this study was to develop and characterize a mouse RYGB model that closely replicates gastric pouch size of human RYGB surgery of about 5% of total gastric volume. We established this model in diet-induced obese (DIO) mice of C57BL/6J. This surgery resulted in a sustained 30% weight loss, entirely accounted for by decreased fat mass but not lean mass, compared to sham-operated mice on the high fat diet. Compared to sham-operated mice, energy expenditure corrected for total body weight was significantly increased by about 25%, and substrate utilization was shifted toward higher carbohydrate utilization at 8 weeks after RYGB when body weight had stabilized at the lower level. The energy expenditure persisted and carbohydrate utilization was even more pronounced when the mice were fed chow diet. Although significantly increased during daytime, overall locomotor activity was not significantly different. In response to cold exposure, RYGB mice exhibited an improved capacity to maintain the body temperature. In insulin tolerance test, exogenous insulin-induced suppression of plasma glucose levels was significantly greater in RYGB mice at 4 weeks after surgery. Paradoxically, food intake measured at 5 weeks after surgery was significantly increased, possibly in compensation for increased fecal energy loss and energy expenditure. In conclusion, this new model is a viable alternative to existing murine RYGB models and the model matches human RYGB surgery in anatomy. This model will be useful for studying molecular mechanisms involved in the beneficial effects of RYGB on body weight and glucose homeostasis.
RAPID, SIMULTANEOUS MEASUREMENT OF DNA, PROTEIN, AND CELL VOLUME IN SINGLE CELLS FROM LARGE MAMMALIAN CELL POPULATIONS

The advent of high speed, cell analysis systems (1-5) for rapid measurement of physical and biochemical properties in single cells has provided new and useful techniques for performing a wide variety of biological experiments . Such systems recently have been used in studies related to DNA content per cell as a function of chromosome number (6, 7), effects of chemotherapeutic agents on cell cycle traverse (8), and quantitation of cell surface binding of the plant lectin concanavalin A (9) as well as immunofluorescent detection of antigen-binding cells (10) . These investigations have involved quantitative fluorescent staining of monodisperse cell populations in liquid suspension by techniques specific for biochemical components of interest and subsequent rapid analysis of the fluorescence emission signal obtained as each cell traverses a laser beam . General operating characteristics of this flow system, as well as validation of the methodology, have been presented in detail elsewhere (7, 11) . These earlier studies involved measurement of only a single cellular property. In this report we describe a method for measurement and simultaneous analysis of DNA, protein, and cell volume in the same cell by use of a newly developed multiparameter cell analysis system which incorporates several pre-existing analytical techniques and allows all the various measurements to be performed on the same cell under conditions where large populations can be analyzed rapidly and a high degree of statistical precision obtained . Electronic processing of fluorescence and volume signals from each cell provides a direct method for establishing relationships between various cellular properties reflecting specific phases of the cell cycle .
Relative Contribution of Prolyl Hydroxylase-Dependent and -Independent Degradation of HIF-1alpha by Proteasomal Pathways in Cerebral Ischemia

Hypoxia inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) is a key regulator in hypoxia and can determine the fate of brain cells during ischemia. However, the mechanism of HIF-1 regulation is still not fully understood in ischemic brains. We tested a hypothesis that both the 26S and the 20S proteasomal pathways were involved in HIF-1α degradation under ischemic conditions. Using in vitro ischemic model (oxygen and glucose deprivation) and a mouse model of middle cerebral artery occlusion, we tested effects of inhibitors of proteasomes and prolyl hydroxylase (PHD) on HIF-1α stability and brain injury in cerebral ischemia. We observed that 30 and 60 min of oxygen-glucose deprivation significantly increased the 20S proteasomal activity. We demonstrated that proteasome inhibitors increased HIF-1α stabilization and cell viability and were more effective than PHD inhibitors in primary cultured cortical neurons exposed to oxygen and glucose deprivation. Furthermore, the administration of the proteasome inhibitor, epoxomicin, to mice resulted in smaller infarct size and brain edema than a PHD inhibitor. Our results indicate that 20S proteasomes are involved in HIF-1α degradation in ischemic neurons and that proteasomal inhibition provides more HIF-1α stabilization and neuroprotection than PHD inhibition in cerebral ischemia.