Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Unintended positive and negative effects of drugs on lipoproteins

Purpose of review Dyslipidaemia is an important cardiovascular disease risk factor. Many drugs affect lipid profile and lipoprotein metabolism. We reviewed unintended effects of nonlipid modifying, commonly used medications on lipid profile and lipoprotein metabolism. Recent finding Several detrimental effects of many drug classes such as diuretics, antidepressant, anticonvulsant and antiretroviral drugs have been reported, whereas other drug classes such as antiobesity, alpha 1-blockers, oestrogens and thyroid replacement therapy were associated with positive effects. Summary Dyslipidaemia is a common side-effect of many medications. This should be taken into consideration, especially in patients at high risk of cardiovascular disease. Other drugs demonstrated positive effects on circulating lipids and lipoproteins. The impact of these unintended effects on atherosclerotic disease risk and progression is unclear.
Systemic Mycosis in a California Sea Lion (Zalophus californianus) with Detection of Cystofilobasidiales DNA

Abstract: A 6-yr-old, intact male California sea lion (Zalophus californianus) with a systemic mycosis died after 5 wk of antifungal drug therapy. Antemortem clinical findings included hind flipper swelling, ring-lesions on skin of the flippers, and dermal nodules that increased in size and number spreading from the hind flippers and ventral abdomen to the foreflippers and muzzle. Lesions were accompanied by severe lymphadenopathy and development of systemic clinical signs despite therapy using itraconazole and later voriconazole. Histopathologic evaluation of biopsies revealed granulomatous dermatitis due to infection by fungus-producing yeast cells in tissue. Isolation attempts, using biopsied skin and tissue samples collected at necropsy, failed to yield growth of a fungus producing yeast cells like those in histologic section. Consensus polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests of biopsied skin for fungal DNA produced an amplicon having significant sequence identity with a Cystofilobasidiales, a fungus belonging to a subclade that includes several Cryptococcus spp. Histopathologic evaluation of necropsy tissues revealed a systemic mycosis with yeast cells disseminated throughout subcutis, lymph nodes, and viscera. Hepatic necrosis was identified associated with acute liver failure, possibly from the voriconazole administration. This is the first report documenting the clinical presentation, treatment, and pathologic findings of infection associated with Cystofilobasidiales in a marine mammal and serves to expand the understanding of mycoses in pinnipeds.
The social reproduction of community-based development: syncretism and sustainability in a Senegalese farmers' association

This article traces the rise and decline of a grassroots community organisation in rural Senegal. It has three aims. First, it problematises the sometimes idealistic nature of the rhetoric and literature on community-based development. Second, it suggests three factors that contribute to the effectiveness of rural self-help organisations: educated and technocratically skilled leadership, unintentionally benevolent state neglect, and a willingness to syncretically recycle elements of ‘traditional' social order and culture in the service of contemporary development tasks. Finally, the demise of the community-based organisation examined here suggests a need to shift focus away from the institutionalisation of community-based or civil society organisations per se, and to consider instead the routinisation of the participatory, empowering, and deliberative socio-political conditions that make possible the regular emergence of new grassroots organisations across time within a given community. Recent events (since 2005) in the village in question support this shift, as a new generation of community leaders has begun to craft a new community organisation, explicitly built from the detritus of the older organisation described in this article.
Performance Analysis of Two Hop Amplify-and-Forward Systems with Interference at the Relay

We analyze the performance of a two hop channel state information (CSI)-assisted amplify-and-forward system, with co-channel interference at the relay. The system's outage probability and the average bit error rate (BER) in the presence of Rayleigh faded multiple interferers are investigated. We derive an exact expression for the outage probability and an accurate bound for the system's average BER. Simulation results show the validity of the analysis and point out the effect of interference.
Inadvertent iatrogenic introduction of air into myometrium. Sonographic demonstration.

A previously healthy 25-year-old primigravida presented to the emergency room with a 2-day history of pelvic cramping and 4-h history of vaginal spotting. P-human chorionic gonadotropin was positive for pregnancy. Physical examination demonstrated uterine enlargement consistent with early preg· nancy and left adnexal tenderness. The remainder of the phys• ical examination was normal. She was afebrile; hematocrit and white blood cell counts were normal. The diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy was entertained, and following culdocentesis, the patient was referred for sonography. Sonography demon· strated a live intrauterine fetus with gestational age estimated at 7 weeks, based on crown-rump length. No adnexal masses were identified, and there was no free fluid in the culwde-sac. However, multiple echogenic foci with acoustic shadowing and reverberations were identified within the myometrium (Figs. lA, 18). These foci were seen to move in the distribution
Psychological Antecedents of Heterosexuals' Pro-gay Activism Behavior

Previous research on heterosexuals' attitudes toward gays is characterized by a focus on negative attitudes and minimal use of behavioral dependent variables. In an attempt to rectify this situation, the present study explored the psychological antecedents of heterosexuals' pro-gay activism behavior in an undergraduate sample using the theory of planned behavior (Ajzen, 1991). Findings suggest that intentions predict activism behavior (in the form of signing an online petition supporting the construction of a new lesbian, gay, and bisexual resource center on their campus). In addition, attitudes toward the possible outcomes of the behavior, attitudes toward the behavior itself, and self-identity were found to predict intentions. Directions for future research on pro-gay activism are discussed.
On classical control and smart cities

We discuss the applicability of classical control theory to problems in smart grids and smart cities. We use tools from iterated function systems to identify controllers with desirable properties. In particular, controllers are identified that can be used to design not only stable closed-loop systems, but also to regulate large-scale populations of agents in a predictable manner. We also illustrate by means of an example and associated theory that many classical controllers are not suitable for deployment in these applications.
The impact of illness perception on adherence to therapeutic regimens of patients with hypertension in Taiwan.

AIMS To examine the predictive effects of illness perception on adherence to therapeutic regimens of patients with hypertension. BACKGROUND Illness perception is an important predictor for adherence to therapeutic regimens. Hypertension is asymptomatic. How the lay views, especially identity and causal attribution, affect the patients' adherence to therapeutic regimens need to be further explored. DESIGN A cross-sectional survey. METHODS Purposive sampling was conducted at the cardiovascular clinics of two teaching hospitals in central Taiwan. A sample of 277 patients was included in this study. Guided by the Self Regulation Model, a series of variables including socio-demographic variables, clinical variables, illness representations, identity and causes were evaluated for their relationships with adherence to the antihypertensive regimen and recommendations of self-management. RESULTS Predictors of adherence to prescribed medications in the hierarchical logistic regressions were treatment control, risk factors and psychological attribution. In the self-management model, we found that symptoms experienced after a hypertension diagnosis, symptoms for blood pressure prediction, personal control, balance and cultural causal attribution were significant predictors of adherence to self-management, adding an additional 21% of the variance. The results of analysis of variance showed that those who were unsure if they had experienced symptoms after a hypertension diagnosis were more likely to self-regulate (increase or decrease) prescribed medications than those without symptoms. CONCLUSIONS The findings suggest that the Self Regulation Model may provide a useful framework for understanding and explaining adherence to therapeutic regimens of patients with hypertension across cultures. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE. Factors that affect the patients' adherence to prescribed medications and self-management recommendations differ greatly. Despite its subjectivity, identity showed significantly predictive effects on adherence to self-management. Understanding patients' lay views on hypertension allows health professionals providing effective care for better adherence to therapeutic regimens.
Early Outcomes of Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection for Colorectal Neoplasms According to Clinical Indications

BACKGROUND: Although endoscopic submucosal dissection has been shown to be safe and effective for colorectal tumors, its clinical outcomes vary. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to assess the outcomes of endoscopic submucosal dissection according to clinical indications. DESIGN: This is a prospective, multicenter, single-arm study. SETTING: The study was conducted at special hospitals for colorectal diseases and cancers. PATIENTS: The study population included consecutive patients aged 20 to 80 years who underwent colorectal endoscopic submucosal dissection for 1) early colorectal cancer, 2) laterally spreading tumors ≥2 cm in diameter, and 3) submucosal tumors. INTERVENTIONS: Procedures were performed by experienced colonoscopists. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary end points were en bloc and curative resection rates. En bloc resection was defined as endoscopic one-piece resection without tumor fragmentation. Curative resection was defined as en bloc resection and no pathologic requirement for additional surgery. Secondary end points included procedure time, complications, and hospital stay. RESULTS: Of 321 patients, 317 (98.8%) underwent en bloc resection and 231 (72.0%) underwent curative resection. The mean procedure time was 46.2 minutes. Mean hospital stay after the procedure was 3.1 days. Perforation occurred in 2 patients (0.6%), and bleeding occurred in 10 (3.1%) patients. All patients with complications were treated by endoscopic clipping or nonoperative management. Fifteen patients (4.7%) underwent additional radical surgery owing to the risks of lymph node metastasis. Although tumor size was smaller and procedure time shorter in the submucosal tumor group than in the laterally spreading tumor or early colorectal cancer group, there were no differences in clinical outcomes including en bloc and curative resection rates. Submucosal fibrosis was the only factor affecting endoscopic submucosal dissection procedure-related complications. LIMITATIONS: Early outcomes in a limited population and the potential for selection bias were limitations of this study. CONCLUSIONS: Outcomes of colorectal endoscopic submucosal dissection were acceptable in selected patients, with no difference in outcomes according to clinical indications. Because submucosal fibrosis can increase complications, it should be minimized before endoscopic submucosal dissection.
A low-complexity algorithm for OFDM phase noise estimation

Phase noise compensation plays an indispensable role in realizing the potential of orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) for high-data-rate communications. Due to various heuristics employed to deal with the particular properties of phase noise, the existing approaches are still performance-limited in terms of accuracy and computational cost. In this paper, we focus on channel estimation stage and formulate the problem of phase noise compensation in the time domain. An efficient algorithm is devised using the majorization-minimization technique with guaranteed convergence. Numerical results with phase noise generated as a Wiener process demonstrate that our proposed algorithm is able to provide substantially improved phase noise and channel estimates with lower mean squared error especially for moderate signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). The computational complexity is also much lower than that of the benchmark.
Human force reproduction error depends upon force level

For optimal haptic tele-manipulation system design, it is important to understand the accuracy and limitations of human force perception. Previous research demonstrated that humans generate higher forces when asked to reproduce an externally applied force; these studies proposed that the nervous system attenuates feedback from self-generated forces. The goal of this study was to determine how accurately subjects reproduce self-generated forces with the same hand over a broad range of force levels. Subjects (n=10, all right handed) had to generate an onscreen target force with visual support and subsequently reproduce the same force without visual support with their right hand against a static handle equipped with a force sensor. Six force levels (10 to 160N) were each presented randomly for eight repetitions. Subjects generated too high forces for lower force levels (≤40N) and too low forces for higher force levels (≥ 130N). Our results support force-dependent sensory integration and demonstrate that attenuated feedback of self-generated forces is not the sole factor in force reproduction errors.
Video-Rate Holographic Display Using Azo-Dye-Doped Liquid Crystal

A video-rate optical holographic display is achieved by using an azo-dye-doped liquid crystal as the passive, updatable recording material. The response time of this material is measured in the order of several to tens of milliseconds, depending on recording beam intensities, polarization directions, and polarization states. A holographic video at a refresh rate of 25 Hz, sourced from a spatial light modulator, is demonstrated in the experiments.
Relationship between mechanical factors and pelvic tilt in adults with and without low back pain.

BACKGROUND The assessment of the lumbo-pelvic complex parameters is the basic procedure during the examination of the patients with low back pain syndrome (LBP). OBJECTIVE The aim of the study was to define the relationship between pelvic tilt and following factors: age, BMI, ability to activate deep abdominal muscles, iliopsoas and hamstrings muscles length, lumbar lordosis and thoracic kyphosis angle value, in adults with and without low back pain. METHODS The study covered a group of 60 female students aged 20-26. Average age was 22 years ± 1.83 (median = 22.5 years). In order to investigate the relationship between the anterior pelvic tilt and the analysed variables, simple linear regression and multiple linear regression were carried out. RESULTS Individuals with and without pain differed significantly in terms of age, p < 0.001. There was a statistically significant relationship between the anterior pelvic tilt and the LBP (R2 = 0.07, p = 0.049) and the lumbar lordosis (R2 = 0.13, p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS The position of the pelvis depends on age, angle value of lumbar lordosis and BMI. Individuals with and without pain differed significantly in terms of the anterior pelvic tilt. The risk of LBP incidence increased with age in the study group.
Determinants of human cerebral pressure–flow velocity relationships: new insights from vascular modelling and Ca2+ channel blockade

Non‐technical summary Brain function is critically dependent on the regulation of cerebral blood flow (CBF) by cerebral blood vessels. We show that a mechanical blood vessel property called compliance plays an important role in determining the way cerebral blood vessels respond to changes in blood pressure. These results enhance our knowledge of how cerebral blood vessels regulate CBF, which is critical to understanding the causes and effects of cerebrovascular diseases such as stroke and dementia.
Determination of the Hubble Constant Using a Two-Parameter Luminosity Correction for Type Ia Supernovae

In this paper, we make a comprehensive determination of the Hubble constant H0 by using two parameters—the B-V color and the rate of decline Δm15—to simultaneously standardize the luminosities of all nearby Cepheid-calibrated Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia) and those of a larger, more distant sample of 29 SNe Ia. Each group is treated in as similar a manner as possible in order to avoid systematic effects. A simultaneous χ2 minimization yields a standardized absolute luminosity of the Cepheid-calibrated supernovae as well as the Hubble constant obtained from the more distant sample. With an adopted LMC distance modulus of 18.50, we find H0 = 62 km s-1 Mpc-1 and a standardized absolute magnitude of -19.46. The sensitivity of H0 to a metallicity dependence of the Cepheid-determined distances is investigated. The total uncertainty δH0, dominated by uncertainties in the primary distance indicators, is estimated to be 5 km s-1 Mpc-1.
Ki‐ras activation in vitro affects G1 and G2M cell‐cycle transit times and apoptosis

Mutant ras genes occur frequently in human neoplasia and, in particular, in pancreatic, colorectal, and lung adenocarcinomas. Recent evidence suggests that G→T and G→C transversions of the Ki‐ras gene in codon 12 may lead to biological effects in vitro and in vivo that may be associated with an abnormal cell cycle and increased tumour aggressiveness. The role of Ki‐ras activation (a G→C transversion in codon 12, arginine for glycine) in the cell cycle and apoptosis was investigated using control and permanently transfected NIH3T3 mouse fibroblasts. Flow cytometry was used to evaluate the G1‐, S‐ and G2M‐phase transit times, the potential doubling time, the growth fraction, and the cell loss factor during asynchronous exponential growth. Apoptosis was induced in both cell lines by absence of growth factors for an extended period of time (72 h) and quantitatively evaluated using the TUNEL method coupled with flow cytometry. It was found that codon 12 G→C Ki‐ras transfected cells compared with controls, had a significant prolongation of G1 by about 50%, a reduction of the G2M transit time by 30%, and a decrease of the cell loss factor by about 90%. Apoptotic cells were about 10% in control and less than 0.5% in Ki‐ras transfected cells after 72 h starvation‐confluency. These data suggest that codon 12 G→C Ki‐ras activation in mouse NIH3T3 fibroblasts is associated with deregulation of checkpoint controls in the G1 and G2M phases of the cell cycle and inhibition of apoptosis. It appears plausible that these cell mechanisms are related to a proliferative advantage and that they may also be important in the progression of human tumours characterized by specific Ki‐ras mutations. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Budd‐chiari syndrome: Spectrum of appearances of acute, subacute, and chronic disease with magnetic resonance imaging

The purpose of this study was to describe our collective experience in the magnetic resonance (MR) investigation of patients with proven acute, subacute, and chronic Budd‐Chiari syndrome and to demonstrate the spectrum of appearances on T1‐ and T2‐weighted as well as dynamic post‐gadolinium spoiled gradient‐echo imaging. All patients with proven Budd‐Chiari syndrome who underwent MR examinations between June, 1992 and October, 1998 were included in the study. Fourteen patients were included in the study: four with acute, three with subacute, three with chronic, and four with acute superimposed on either subacute (two) or chronic (two) Budd‐Chiari syndrome. MR imaging features were retrospectively evaluated to determine: a) liver morphology, b) pattern of signal intensity (SI) on T1‐weighted images, c) pattern of SI on T2 weighted images, d) dynamic enhancement characteristics, e) presence or absence of visible venous thrombosis, and f) presence or absence of venous macroscopic collaterals. The MR findings were correlated with surgical, histopathological, and laboratory data to determine imaging characteristics related to the chronicity of the disease process. Hepatic venous thrombosis or absence of hepatic venous flow was demonstrated in all patients in the study. In the four patients with acute Budd‐Chiari syndrome, the liver periphery was moderately low signal on T1 and moderately high signal on T2‐weighted images relative to the central liver; both early and late gadolinium—enhanced images revealed diminished peripheral enhancement. In the three patients with subacute Budd‐Chiari syndrome, the liver periphery was moderately low signal on T1, and moderately high signal on T2‐weighted images, while early and late gadolinium‐enhanced images revealed heterogenously increased enhancement within the liver periphery. In the three patients with chronic Budd‐Chiari syndrome, the SI differences between peripheral and central liver were minimal on T1‐ and T2‐weighted images, and enhancement differences were also minimal. Extensive bridging intrahepatic and capsular venous collaterals were visualized in chronic cases. In the four patients with acute Budd‐Chiari syndrome superimposed on more chronic disease, a combination of gadolinium enhancement patterns was observed on MR images. Enhancement patterns between central and peripheral liver were different for acute, subacute, and chronic Budd‐Chiari syndromes, suggesting differentiation between these phases of the disease process. Application of this pattern approach permitted recognition of acute changes superimposed on more chronic disease. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2000;11:44–50. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
In vivo effects of insulin on tumor and skeletal muscle glucose metabolism in patients with lymphoma

Background. The anabolic properties of insulin have been suggested for use to reverse malnutrition associated with cancer. The host and tumor sensitivities to insulin are critical for such treatments, which aim to improve patient nutrition. The authors studied insulin effects on tumor and skeletal muscle metabolism with 2‐[18F]‐fluoro‐2‐deoxy‐D‐glucose ([18F]FDG) and positron emission tomography (PET).
Mode-locked hybrid soliton pulse source with extremely wide operating frequency range

The authors report a mode-locked pulse source with extremely wide operating frequency range and very stable operation, through the use of a long, linearly chirped Bragg reflector as the output coupler integrated in a fiber external cavity. A 1.55 mu m strained MQW laser diode is used, with one facet high reflectivity (HR) coated for improved cavity Q, and the other antireflection (AR) coated to allow coupling to the external cavity and suppress Fabry-Perot modes. Near-transform-limited pulses are obtained over a frequency range of 700 MHz around a system operating frequency of 2.488 GHz, with pulsewidths of 50 ps, as required for a practical soliton transmission system. <<ETX>>