Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The spectrum of extrinsic lower airway compression in children: MR imaging.

V ascular rings, such as aortic arch anomalies and pulmonary sling, cause characteristic patterns of midtracheal compression on plain radiographs [ 1 ]. The MR appearances of these lesions are described in the literature [2]. Recently, in an attempt to contain cost, reports have suggested surgical planning based on findings on plain radiographs and barium studies alone [3]. However, extrinsic airway compression has multiple, not uncommon, causes other than the classically described vascular rings. Mass effect from an abnormal course, enlargement, or malposition of any vascular structure or from a nonvascular mass adjacent to the airway can cause compression. In many cases of extrinsic airway compression, the airway is compressed at the level of the carina or proximal main bronchi. Radiographs are insensitive for detecting compression of the distal airway [4]: in these cases. radiographic findings are often normal. Also, some anatomic variations in aortic arch abnormalities that may affect the surgical approach are not depicted on plain radiographs or barium studies [2]. MR imaging accurately shows the level, severity, and cause of airway compression. Concepts about lower airways compression in children should be redefined to include causes other than the classic causes of midtracheal narrowing. We categorize causes of exainsic airway obstruction other than the classically described causes of midIraCheal narrowing as related to enlarged ascending aorta, malpositioned descending aorta, enlarged pulmonary arteries, enlarged left atrium, nonvascular mediastinal masses, or abnormal thoracic configuration. This pictorial essay illustrates the MR appearance of this spectnim ofcauses ofairway compression.
Permanent Leadless Cardiac Pacemaker Therapy: A Comprehensive Review

A new technology, leadless pacemaker therapy, was recently introduced clinically to address lead- and pocket-related complications in conventional transvenous pacemaker therapy. These leadless devices are self-contained right ventricular single-chamber pacemakers implanted by using a femoral percutaneous approach. In this review of available clinical data on leadless pacemakers, early results with leadless devices are compared with historical results with conventional single-chamber pacing. Both presently manufactured leadless pacemakers show similar complications, which are mostly related to the implant procedure: cardiac perforation, device dislocation, and femoral vascular access site complications. In comparison with conventional transvenous single-chamber pacemakers, slightly higher short-term complication rates have been observed: 4.8% for leadless pacemakers versus 4.1% for conventional pacemakers. The complication rate of the leadless pacemakers is influenced by the implanter learning curve for this new procedure. No long-term outcome data are yet available for the leadless pacemakers. Larger leadless pacing trials, with long-term follow-up and direct randomized comparison with conventional pacing systems, will be required to define the proper clinical role of these leadless systems. Although current leadless pacemakers are limited to right ventricular pacing, future advanced, communicating, multicomponent systems are expected to expand the potential benefits of leadless therapy to a larger patient population.
Examining ERP implementation success from a project environment perspective

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to identify factors that are crucial for the successful implementation of enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems. Although there are many factors that influence the success, this study focuses on factors related to the ERP project environment, namely, project management, team composition and competence, and business process reengineering.Design/methodology/approach – The study was conducted using a survey questionnaire distributed to ERP users in Iranian organizations. In total, 384 responses were collected and analyzed.Findings – A significant relationship was found between project management and team composition with ERP implementation success. The better the project management activities the more likely the implementation will be successful. Likewise, the possibility of successful implementation is higher when the ERP team is more coordinated and experienced.Practical implications – ERP adopting organizations and managers could gain an understanding of the com.
DLS@CU: Sentence Similarity from Word Alignment

We present an algorithm for computing the semantic similarity between two sentences. It adopts the hypothesis that semantic similarity is a monotonically increasing function of the degree to which (1) the two sentences contain similar semantic units, and (2) such units occur in similar semantic contexts. With a simplistic operationalization of the notion of semantic units with individual words, we experimentally show that this hypothesis can lead to state-of-the-art results for sentencelevel semantic similarity. At the SemEval 2014 STS task (task 10), our system demonstrated the best performance (measured by correlation with human annotations) among 38 system runs.
Size of Yolk Sac by Ultrasonography and Its Correlation with Pregnancy Outcome

Address for Correspondence: Dr. Geetanjali Srivastava, Junior resident IIIrd year,Department of Anatomy, Era’s Lucknow medical college, Lucknow-226003, Uttar Pradesh, India. 9792171135, E-Mail: srivastavageetanjali2012@gmail.com Introduction: The yolk sac is the first extra embryonic structure that becomes sonographically visible within the gestational sac and acts as the primary route of exchange between the human embryo and the mother before the placental circulation is established. The yolk sac is a round structure that is made up of an anechoic center bordered by a regular well-defined echogenic rim. It is usually 2-5 mm in diameter. The yolk sac appears at 6 weeks, thereafter increases in size, attains its maximum diameter at 10 weeks and then it starts decreasing in size. It disappears at 12 weeks. Aims and Objectives of the present study is to measure the size of yolk sac in pregnancies of duration 6-12 weeks by Transvaginal sonography and also to measure the inner diameter of yolk sac and correlate it with pregnancy outcome. Materials and Methods: We studied 72 pregnant women of duration 6-12 weeks referred by Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. The inner diameter of yolk sac was measured by Transvaginal sonography and its correlation with pregnancy outcome was studied. Observations and Results: The mean yolk sac diameter was noted as 3.7±1.8 mm. The diameter of the smallest yolk sac was 1.25 mm and that of the largest was 8.96 mm. Yolk sac size was normal in 62 (88.57%) cases, it was smaller in size in one (1.4%) case. Further in another 7 (10%) cases, the yolk sac was found to be abnormally enlarged. In these cases where yolk sac was either enlarged or smaller in size, gestation terminated into abortion.
Estimation of Bioenergetics Parameters for a Stunted Northern Pikeminnow Population of South Central British Columbia

We estimate bioenergetics parameters using length-age and mark-recapture data for a stunted population of Northern pikeminnow on the Bonaparte plateau, British Columbia using a seasonal reproduction, skeletal allocation model. We show that using field data alone it was possible to estimate food consumption rates, standard metabolic rate and metabolic Q10 parameters, the proportional increase in feeding rate per 10 o C increase (Qc), but that prior parameter ranges must be specified. Using the estimated parameter set, we predict body sizes using warmer water temperatures from Cultis Lake, British Columbia and the John Day Reservoir, Columbia River. We show that surface temperature differ- ences between the Bonaparte plateau, John Day reservoir and Cultus Lake alone are insufficient to explain very large un- der-predictions of body size for these areas. In addition to diet differences, fish are likely choosing between fine-scale temperature and food-density environments to optimize capture and metabolism of food.
Synergistic antitumor responses by combined GITR activation and sunitinib in metastatic renal cell carcinoma

Sunitinib, a multitargeted tyrosine kinase inhibitor, is the frontline therapy for renal and gastrointestinal cancers. In view of its well‐documented proapoptotic and immunoadjuvant properties, we speculate that combination of Sunitinib and immunotherapy would provide a synergistic antitumor effect. Here, we report that a remarkably synergistic antitumor responses elicited by the combined treatment of Sunitinib and an agonistic antibody against glucocorticoid‐induced TNFR related protein (GITR) in a model of metastatic renal cell carcinoma. Sunitinib significantly increased the infiltration, activation, and proliferation and/or cytotoxicity of CD8+ T cells and NK cells in liver metastatic foci when combined with the anti (α)‐GITR agonist, which was associated with treatment‐induced prominent upregulation of Th1‐biased immune genes in the livers from mice receiving combined therapy versus single treatment. Sunitinib/α‐GITR treatment also markedly promoted the maturation, activation and cytokine production of liver‐resident macrophages and DCs compared with that achieved by α‐GITR or Sunitinib treatment alone in mice. Cell depletion experiments demonstrated that CD8+ T cells, NK cells and macrophage infiltrating liver metastatic foci all contribute to the antitumor effect induced by combined treatment. Furthermore, mechanistic investigation revealed that Sunitinib treatment reprograms tumor‐associated macrophages toward classically activated or “M1” polarization upon GITR stimulation and consequently mounts an antitumor CD8+ T and NK cell response via inhibiting STAT3 activity. Thus, our findings provide a proof of concept that Sunitinib can synergize with α‐GITR treatment to remodel the tumor immune microenvironment to trigger regressions of an established metastatic cancer.
On real-time performance of ahead-of-time compiled Java

One of the main challenges in getting acceptance for safe object-oriented languages in hard real-time systems is to combine automatic memory management with hard real-time constraints, while providing adequate general execution performance. An approach to real-time Java based on ahead-of-time compilation is presented, and real-time properties and problems are examined. In particular, achieving both low latency and high throughput in an environment where neither the back-end compiler nor the scheduler is aware of automatic memory management is considered. Optimizations in both the compiler and run-time system, aimed at reducing the execution time overhead while still allowing very short latency times, is presented and experimentally verified.
Some remarks on robust stability of networked control systems

This paper focuses on the robust stability of networked control systems (NCSs), considering time-delay and sampling period simultaneously. Particular stability problems involving constant and/or time-varying parameters are investigated, and the corresponding stability regions are derived. The methods are based on searching an appropriate Lyapunov matrix and parameter-sweeping. It is shown that the obtained results are less conservative than the existing ones.
Long‐term safety of proton pump inhibitor therapy assessed under controlled, randomised clinical trial conditions: data from the SOPRAN and LOTUS studies

Control of chronic gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease may be achieved either by anti‐reflux surgery (ARS) or by long‐term medical therapy with proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). The primary efficacy results of the SOPRAN study, comparing long‐term omeprazole use with open ARS, and the LOTUS study, comparing long‐term esomeprazole use with laparoscopic ARS, have been reported. A secondary objective of these studies was to address the long‐term safety of these respective therapeutic strategies and thereby provide a valid scientific platform for assessing long‐term PPI safety.
A microfluidic dye laser fabricated by nanoimprint lithography in a highly transparent and chemically resistant cyclo-olefin copolymer (COC)

We present a polymer-based, microfluidic dye laser suitable for integration into polymer- or silicon-based lab-on-a-chip systems. The laser is fabricated by nanoimprint lithography (NIL) in cyclo-olefin copolymer (COC). The polymer device consists of microfluidic channels, with sizes ranging from several mm down to a few µm, and integrated optical waveguides to couple the light out of the structure, all fabricated in one single NIL step and with approximately 10 nm roughness. COC is a highly transparent, chemically resistant thermoplastic polymer optimal for the integration of microfluidic systems with optical elements. Rhodamine 6G dissolved in ethanol is used as an active medium in the laser, and the resonator is based on multiple reflections from a periodic structure of 16 µm wide, parallel microfluidic channels. Lasing from the device is observed at 577 nm, when optically pumped with a frequency doubled Nd:YAG laser emitting at 532 nm, where Rhodamine 6G has its absorption maximum.
The MODIS 2.1-μm channel-correlation with visible reflectance for use in remote sensing of aerosol

A new technique for remote sensing of aerosol over the land and for atmospheric correction of Earth imagery is developed. It is based on detection of dark surface targets in the blue and red channels, as in previous methods, but uses the 2.1 /spl mu/m channel, instead of the 3.75 /spl mu/m for their detection. A 2.1-/spl mu/m channel is present on ADEOS OCTS and GLI and planned on EOS-MODIS and EOSP, and a similar 2.2-/spl mu/m channel is present on Landsat TM. The advantage of the 2.1-/spl mu/m channel over the 3.75-/spl mu/m channel is that it is not affected by emitted radiation. The 2.1-/spl mu/m channel is transparent to most aerosol types (except dust) and therefore can be used to detect dark surface targets. Correlation between the surface reflection in the blue (0.49 /spl mu/m), red (0.66 /spl mu/m), and 2.1 /spl mu/m is established using atmospherically corrected Landsat TM and AVIRIS aircraft images collected over the Eastern United States, Maine, and California and spectral data obtained from the ground and light aircraft near San Diego, CA. Results from a variety of surface covers show that the surface reflectance at 0.49 /spl mu/m (/spl rho//sub 0.49/) and 0.66 /spl mu/m (/spl rho//sub 0.66/) can be predicted from that at 2.2 /spl mu/m (/spl rho//sub 2.2/) within /spl Delta//spl rho/=/spl plusmn/0.06 for /spl rho//sub 2.2//spl les/0.10, using /spl rho//sub 0.49/=/spl rho//sub 2.2//4 and /spl rho//sub 0.66/=/spl rho//sub 2.2//2. Error in surface reflectance of 0.006 corresponds to an error in remote sensing of aerosol optical thickness, /spl tau/, of /spl Delta//spl tau//spl sim//spl plusmn/0.06. These relationships were validated using spectral data taken close to the surface over vegetated areas in a different biome. This method expends application of dark targets for remote sensing of aerosol to brighter, nonforested vegetation. The higher reflection of the surface at 2.2 /spl mu/m than that of 3.75 /spl mu/m may even enable remote sensing of dust above surfaces with reflectivity /spl rho//sub 2.2/=0.15/spl plusmn/0.05. For this reflectivity range the dust radiative effect at 2.2 /spl mu/m is small, and the surface reflectance in the blue and red channels can be retrieved.
Time and temperature dependence on the flexural fatigue strength in the transverse direction of unidirectional CFRP

A prediction method of fatigue strength of polymer composites for an arbitrary frequency, stress ratio and temperature was proposed. The method is based upon the four hypotheses, (A) same failure mechanism for static, creep and fatigue failure, (b) same time-temperature superposition principle for all failure strengths, (C) linear cumulative damage law for monotone loading and (D) linear dependence of fatigue strength upon stress ratio. Flexural static, creep and fatigue tests at various temperatures were conducted in the transverse direction of two kinds of unidirectional CFRP laminates, which are T300/2500 and T300/PEEK. The validity of the prediction method and the applicability of the hypotheses for the flexural fatigue strength in the transverse direction of unidirectional CFRP laminates were discussed.
Benefit of the Vibrant Soundbridge Device in Patients Implanted For 5 to 8 Years

Objectives: To assess audiological performance, satisfaction rate, and side effects of 100 patients who have been using the middle ear implant Vibrant Soundbridge (VSB) for 5 to 8 yr when compared with data collected from 3 to 18 mo postsurgery. Design: Audiological testing and subjective evaluation using self-assessment scales were performed in 77 out of the 100 patients using the VSB for 5 to 8 years. The results were compared to data collected 3 months (audiological testing) and 18 months (self-assessment scales) after surgery. Twenty-three patients have not been evaluated for different reported reasons. Results: Pure-tone hearing thresholds decreased similarly in both implanted and contralateral ears. The satisfaction ratings and the functional gain provided by the VSB remained stable. Speech comprehension in quiet conditions without the VSB decreased from 56 to 37% in 5 to 8 yr, but an 81% score was achieved with the VSB. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that the performance of the VSB does not deteriorate for more than 5 yr, without adverse effect. These results confirm the safety and the effectiveness of the VSB with a long-term follow-up.
Amygdalar NMDA Receptors Are Critical for the Expression of Multiple Conditioned Fear Responses

There is conflicting evidence regarding the issue of whether NMDA receptors in the basolateral amygdalar complex (BLA) are critically involved in the expression of conditioned fear. This matter was addressed by infusing the rat BLA withd,l-2-amino-5-phosphonovaleric acid (APV), a competitive NMDA receptor antagonist. APV infusion into the BLA was reported to block the expression of conditioned fear when measured by freezing but not when measured by fear-potentiated startle response to a loud noise. To examine this issue further, here we used multiple indices of conditioned fear, including analgesia, 22 kHz ultrasonic vocalization (USV), defecation, and freezing. Rats with bilateral BLA cannula implants underwent fear conditioning consisting of 10 tone–footshock pairings. Before context and tone fear-retention tests, animals received intra-BLA infusions with APV (2.5 μg/side) or artificial CSF. Both tone and context tests demonstrated that the expression of conditioned freezing, USV, defecation, and analgesia were significantly impaired by intra-amygdalar infusions of APV. In a second set of experiments, intra-BLA infusions of APV markedly impaired the normal expression of postshock fear responses during training, as measured by freezing, USV, and defecation. Immediate postshock fear expression was predictive of subsequent fear retention to the tone and context when the animals were not infused. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that amygdalar NMDA receptors participate in normal synaptic transmission and therefore the overall functioning of the amygdala.
Sensory Reconstruction of a Finger Pulp Defect Using a Dorsal Homodigital Island Flap

Background: This article reports sensory reconstruction of a finger pulp defect using a dorsal homodigital island flap including double dorsal branches of the proper digital nerves. Methods: From February of 2008 to December of 2009, the dorsal homodigital island flap was used in 15 fingers in 15 patients. The average patient age was 32 years. The injured digits included six index, six long, and three ring fingers. The mean size of the finger pulp defects was 2.4 × 2.0 cm, the mean flap size was 2.5 × 2.1 cm, and the mean pedicle length was 1.2 cm. Neurorrhaphy was performed between the dorsal branches of the proper digital nerves and the proper digital nerves at the recipient site. Flap sensation was assessed using static two-point discrimination and Semmes-Weinstein monofilament testing. For comparison, 28 patients treated using a cross-finger flap including a single nerve branch from February of 2005 to October of 2007 were included. Results: In the study group, all flaps survived completely. At a mean follow-up of 19 months, the mean static two-point discrimination and Semmes-Weinstein monofilament scores on the pulp were 5.8 mm and 3.94, respectively. In the comparison group, the scores were 8.4 mm and 4.11, respectively. There was a significant difference between the two groups in static two-point discrimination and no significant difference in Semmes-Weinstein monofilament scores. Conclusions: The dorsal homodigital island flap is an alternative for finger pulp reconstruction. The authors suggest performing double neurorrhaphies to improve flap sensation. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, III.
Marital History and Survival After Stroke

Background Stroke is among the leading causes of disability and death in the United States, and nearly 7 million adults are currently alive after experiencing a stroke. Although the risks associated with having a stroke are well established, we know surprisingly little about how marital status influences survival in adults with this condition. This study is the first prospective investigation of how marital history is related to survival after stroke in the United States. Methods and Results Data from a nationally representative sample of older adults who experienced a stroke (n=2351) were used to examine whether and to what extent current marital status and past marital losses were associated with risks of dying after the onset of disease. Results showed that the risks of dying following a stroke were significantly higher among the never married (hazard ratio [HR], 1.55; 95% CI, 1.15–2.08), remarried (HR, 1.22; 95% CI, 1.05–1.43), divorced (HR, 1.22; 95% CI, 1.01–1.50), and widowed (HR, 1.32; 95% CI, 1.16–1.51) relative to those who remained continuously married. We also found that having multiple marital losses was especially detrimental to survival—regardless of current marital status and accounting for multiple socioeconomic, psychosocial, behavioral, and physiological risk factors. Conclusions Marital history is significantly associated with survival after stroke. Additional studies are needed to further examine the mechanisms contributing to the associations and to better understand how this information can be used to personalize care and aggressively treat vulnerable segments of the population.
Comparative evaluation of purified Taenia solium glycoproteins and crude metacestode extracts by immunoblotting for the serodiagnosis of human T. solium cysticercosis

A lentil-lectin purified glycoprotein (LL-Gp) and a crude saline extract of Taenia solium metacestodes were compared for the immunodiagnosis of human cysticercosis by immunoblotting. The LL-Gp preparation was 95% sensitive for antibodies against a range of seven antigens with molecular masses of 50 to 13 kDa, whereas the sensitivity of the crude saline extract for the detection of antibodies against two major polypeptide molecules (26 and 8 kDa) was 91%. Specificity was 100% with both sets of diagnostic antigens. Affinity-purified antibodies against the 26-kDa molecule from the crude saline extract recognized the 24-kDa diagnostic region in the LL-Gp-purified extract and vice versa, suggesting that the antigens had common epitopes recognized by cysticercotic sera. In addition, in a preliminary community study of 115 randomly selected people from Bali (Indonesia), seroprevalence by immunoblot assay varied from 7.8% (with the crude saline antigen extract) to 9.6% (with the LL-Gp-purified extract). The results of this study demonstrate that both antigenic preparations are applicable for the immunodiagnosis of T. solium cysticercosis. The crude T. solium metacestode antigen extract was as specific as the purified LL-Gp T. solium metacestode extract and simpler to produce but slightly less sensitive.