Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Prevalence of Dead Regions in Subjects with Sensorineural Hearing Loss

Objective: To estimate the prevalence of dead regions in adult subjects with sensorineural hearing impairment as a function of audiometric threshold and frequency and to assess the extent to which the presence/absence of a dead region can be predicted from the audiogram, gender, or age. Design: Data were obtained from a random sample of adults attending an audiology clinic in Mysore, India. Audiometric air and bone conduction thresholds and tympanometry were used to identify 317 subjects (592 ears) with sensorineural hearing loss. Their ages ranged from 17 to 95 yr (mean = 57 yr). The threshold-equalizing noise hearing level (TEN (HL)) test, administered using the TEN(HL)-test CD and an audiometer, was used to determine the presence or absence of dead regions in these subjects for test frequencies ranging from 0.5 to 4 kHz. Nine subjects had to be excluded as the absolute thresholds were too high for the TEN(HL) test to be administered. Of the remaining 308 subjects (556 ears), 209 (68%) were male and 99 (32%) were female. The hearing losses ranged from mild to severe. Results: Results are presented only for frequencies and ears for which the TEN level could be made high enough to produce at least 10 dB of masking. Classifying by subject, 177 (57.4%) were found to have a dead region in one or both ears for at least one frequency. Fifty-four women (54.5%) and 123 men (58.8%) had dead regions in one or both ears. Classifying by ear, 256 (46%) were diagnosed as having a dead region at one frequency or more: 233 ears (41.9%) had only a high-frequency dead region, 13 ears (2.3%) had only a low-frequency dead region, and 10 ears (1.8%) had a dead region at both low and high frequencies, with a surviving middle-frequency region. It was not possible to achieve both high sensitivity and high specificity when attempting to predict the presence/absence of a dead region from the audiogram. However, for each test frequency, 59% or more of ears had a dead region when the absolute threshold was above 70 dB HL. A very steep slope of the audiogram is suggestive of a high-frequency dead region but does not provide a reliable diagnostic method. Chi-square tests indicated that the prevalence of dead regions did not vary significantly with age or gender. Conclusions: The results indicate a relatively high prevalence of dead regions in adults with sensorineural hearing impairment, especially for frequencies at which the hearing loss exceeds 70 dB HL.
Pathophysiological aspects and clinical outcome of intra-anal application of isosorbide dinitrate in patients with chronic anal fissure.

BACKGROUND: Relaxation of the internal anal sphincter can be achieved by local application of exogenous nitric oxide donors. AIM: To evaluate the influence of topical application of isosorbide dinitrate (ISDN) on anal pressure, anodermal blood flow, and fissure healing. PATIENTS: Thirty four consecutive patients (male/female: 18/16; mean age (SEM): 39 (10)) with a chronic anal fissure were studied. METHODS: All patients were treated for at least six weeks or a maximum period of 12 weeks. Before treatment and at three and six weeks 22 patients underwent conventional anal manometry and laser Doppler flowmetry of the anoderm. RESULTS: Within 10 days the fissure related pain was resolved in all patients. At six, nine, and 12 weeks the anal fissure was completely healed in 14, 22, and 30 patients respectively. At three and six weeks manometry was performed at least one hour after the last application of ISDN. These recordings showed a reduction of the maximum resting anal pressure (mean (SD), pretreatment 111 (26) mm Hg; three weeks 86 (19); six weeks 96 (27), p < 0.001). Simultaneous recordings of anodermal blood flow showed a significant increase of flow (pretreatment 0.53 (0.17); three weeks 0.80 (0.16); six weeks 0.76 (0.31), p < 0.005). The mean (SEM) duration of follow up after successful outcome was 11 (5) months. Within this period fissure relapsed in two of 30 patients (7%), eight and 10 weeks after treatment had been stopped. CONCLUSIONS: Local application of ISDN reduces anal pressure and improves anodermal blood flow. This dual effect results in a fissure healing rate of 88% at 12 weeks. This new and simple treatment modality seems to be an attractive alternative for the current available surgical procedures.
PHOTOSYNTHESIS IN NATURALLY REARED AQUATIC COMMUNITIES.

The productivity of aquatic communities has been the subject of numerous researches and theoretical analyses in recent years. Direct measurements of photosynthetic activity per volumetric unit of phytoplankton, however, are conspicuously scarce in the literature. Students of aquatic photosynthesis have usually expressed their results as "yield per 106 cells" or "yield per liter of natural water. " In the present report measurements of photosynthetic rates per unit of phytoplankton volume are presented, and their bearing on aquatic production is discussed.
Dynamic MR imaging of human brain oxygenation during rest and photic stimulation

Dynamic FLASH (fast low‐angle shot) magnetic resonance (MR) imaging was used to monitor changes in brain oxygenation in the human visual cortex during photic stimulation. The approach exploits the sensitivity of the gradient‐echo signal to susceptibility changes induced by varying concentrations of paramagnetic deoxyhemoglobin in the cerebral blood pool. After the onset of binocular photic stimulation (10 Hz, red light, checkerboard), there was a distinct increase in the MR signal in the calcarine cortex within 6–9 seconds, indicating a decrease in the total deoxyhemoglobin concentration. After the stimulation was switched off, the MR signal returned to a basal value within a similar period of time. Assuming enhanced blood flow and only a minor increase in oxygen consumption (production of deoxyhemoglobin) during physiologic activation, the results reflect an enhanced supply of diamagnetic oxyhemoglobin and an increase in the partial oxygen pressure in the capillary and venous blood pools. In addition, a decrease in the basal MR signal in the calcarine cortex was observed during the first 60–90 seconds of persistent activation, which may be understood as an autoregulatory adaptation to increased overall brain activity associated with information processing due to continuous perception of visual stimuli.
Seasonal Variation in Physico-Chemical Characteristics of Rural Groundwater of Benue State, Nigeria

Groundwater exploitation for rural water supply without proper understanding of its chemistry and changes that may be induced by physical processes and anthropogenic activities may be counter productive. This study examines the effect of season on the physico-chemical concentrations in groundwater in rural areas of Benue State. Water samples were collected from 26 rural community boreholes in the months of October 2005 and February 2006 for both the wet and dry seasons.The analyses was done according to standard methods for water examination and reported based on the WHO prescribed limit for drinking water. The results of analyses show the mean values and CVof the parameters as follows:TP has a mean and CV of 29.15o C and 4.19% for wet season and 32.26 oC; 6.41% for dry season.PH has a mean and CV of 7.55 and 6.21 for wet season as against 8.26 and 4.24% for dry season. The mean and CV of TH is 73.31 and 5.74% for wet season and 65.19 and94.92% for dry season. EC has a mean and CV of 414.27 and137.58% for wet season as against 272.13 and 94.53% for dry season.Chloride has a mean and CV of 72.88 and 137.42% for wet season and 29.65 and 60.24% for dry season.The mean and CV of TDS for wet season is 167.73 and 139.26% and 181.78 and 139.06% for dry season. AK has a mean and CV of 117.15 and 78.26% for wet season as against 16.46 and 145.20%. The mean and CV of TBD of 27.09 and 206.05% is for wet season and 16.82 and 209.39% for dry season. Apart from PH and TDS all other parameters show higher concentrations in groundwater during the dry season.
The chronic bronchitis phenotype in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: features and implications.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major public health problem that is projected to rank fifth worldwide in terms of disease burden and third in terms of mortality. Chronic bronchitis is associated with multiple clinical consequences, including hastening lung function decline, increasing risk of exacerbations, reducing health-related quality of life, and possibly raising all-cause mortality. Recent data suggest greater elucidation on the risk factors, radiologic characteristics, and treatment regimens. Our goal was to review the literature on chronic bronchitis that has been published in the past few years. RECENT FINDINGS A growing body of literature that more carefully describes environmental risk factors, epidemiology, and genetics associated with chronic bronchitis. In addition, as computed tomography technology continues to improve, the radiologic phenotype associated with chronic bronchitis is better understood. SUMMARY With these new data, the clinician can recognize the newly described risk factors and the associated phenotype for chronic bronchitis and entertain new treatment options for this high-risk population.
Two-Year Follow-up of the Sheffield Psychotherapy Project

Of 40 depressed and anxious patients who received treatment during the Sheffield Psychotherapy Project, 31 completed the BDI and SCL-90 at two-year follow-up. At both group and individual levels, outcomes were very similar to those obtained at the completion of treatment. Substantial minorities of patients reported major life events and seeking further help for psychological problems during the two years, but these reports were not reliably associated with symptoms at follow-up. Patients recalled very different elements in prescriptive and exploratory therapies as helpful, with a notable emphasis upon prescriptive therapy's relaxation and anxiety management as a source of problem solution.
In Vitro Activities of Isepamicin, Other Aminoglycosides, and Capreomycin against Clinical Isolates of Rapidly Growing Mycobacteria in Taiwan

ABSTRACT The in vitro activities of isepamicin against 117 Mycobacteria abscessus, 48 Mycobacterium fortuitum, and 20 Mycobacterium chelonae isolates were evaluated by a microdilution test. Isepamicin MIC90s were ≤16 μg/ml for the three species. Isepamicin was as active as amikacin and kanamycin and more active than tobramycin, capreomycin, gentamicin, and streptomycin.
The genotoxic, hepatotoxic, nephrotoxic, haematotoxic and histopathological effects in rats after aluminium chronic intoxication

Aluminium (Al) is used in water purification and is also present in several manufactured foods and medicines. Al is known to induce a broad range of physiological, biochemical and behavioural dysfunctions in laboratory animals and humans. This investigation was carried out to investigate the effects of subchronic exposure to Al (as AlCl3) in rats. Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly separated into two groups. Group 1 rats treated with sodium chloride served as the control, group 2 rats were treated with Al (as AlCl3, 5 mg/kg body weight) intraperitonally for 10 weeks. Animals were killed and blood samples were analyzed for blood serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) enzyme activities and creatinine, urea (U) and uric acid (UA) levels for evaluating hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity. Blood parameters including red blood cells (RBCs), haemoglobin (Hb) concentration, haematocrit (Ht), platelets (PLTs) and white blood cells (WBCs) were compared between control and experimental group to assess haematoxicity. In order to determine the genotoxicity, the number of micronucleated hepatocytes (MNHEPs) was counted in isolated hepatocytes. In addition, histological alterations in liver and kidney samples were investigated. After exposure with Al, the enzymatic activities of ALP, AST, ALT and LDH, and the levels of U and UA significantly increased. RBC, WBC, PLT, Hb and Ht revealed significant decreases in experimental group compared to the control. AlCl3 caused a significant increase in MNHEPs. Furthermore, severe pathological damages were established in both liver and kidney samples. Subchronic exposure to low doses of Al can produce serious dysfunctions in rat blood, liver and kidney, and exposure to this metal can result in greater damages.
Magnetic resonance elastography of skeletal muscle

While the contractile properties of skeletal muscle have been studied extensively, relatively little is known about the elastic properties of muscle in vivo. Magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) is a phase contrast‐based method for observing shear waves propagating in a material to determine its stiffness. In this work, MRE is applied to skeletal muscle under load to quantify the change in stiffness with loading. A mathematical model of muscle is developed that predicts a linear relationship between shear stiffness and muscle load. The MRE technique was applied to bovine muscle specimens (N = 10) and human biceps brachii in vivo (N = 5). Muscle stiffness increased linearly for both passive tension (14.5 ± 1.77 kPa/kg) and active tension, in which the increase in stiffness was dependent upon muscle size, as predicted by the model. A means of noninvasively assessing the viscoelastic pro‐perties of skeletal muscle in vivo may provide a useful method for studying muscle biomechanics in health and disease. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2001;13:269–276. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Further evidence that object-based correspondence effects are primarily modulated by object location not by grasping affordance

Tipper, Paul and Hayes found object-based correspondence effects for door-handle stimuli for shape judgments but not colour. They reasoned that a grasping affordance is activated when judging dimensions related to a grasping action (shape), but not for other dimensions (colour). Cho and Proctor, however, found the effect with respect to handle position when the bases of the door handles were centred (so handles were positioned left or right; the base-centred condition) but not when the handles were centred (the object-centred condition), suggesting that the effect is driven by object location, not grasping affordance. We conducted an independent replication of Cho and Proctor's design, but with behavioural and event-related potential measures. Participants made shape judgments in Experiment 1 and colour judgments in Experiment 2 on the same door-handle objects. Correspondence effects on response time and errors were obtained in both experiments for the base-centred condition but not the object-centred condition. Effects were absent in the P1 and N1 data, which are consistent with the hypothesis of little binding between visual processing of grasping component and action. These findings question the grasping-affordance view but support a spatial-coding view, suggesting that correspondence effects are modulated primarily by object location.
Supplemental material for : Optically-gated resonant emission in single quantum dots

HAL is a multi-disciplinary open access archive for the deposit and dissemination of scientific research documents, whether they are published or not. The documents may come from teaching and research institutions in France or abroad, or from public or private research centers. L’archive ouverte pluridisciplinaire HAL, est destinée au dépôt et à la diffusion de documents scientifiques de niveau recherche, publiés ou non, émanant des établissements d’enseignement et de recherche français ou étrangers, des laboratoires publics ou privés. Optically-gated resonant emission in single quantum dots Hai-Son Nguyen, Gregory Sallen, Christophe Voisin, Philippe Roussignol, Carole Diederichs, Guillaume Cassabois
Toward the Tailoring of Sexual Health Education Messages for Young Women: A Focus on Tourist Experiences

Perceived anonymity and decreased influence of sexual double standards in tourism provide female travelers with opportunities for sexual experimentation and risk taking. The purpose of this study was (a) to identify the clusters of risk takers among young women based on their perceptions of and motivations for sexual risk taking in tourism and (b) to profile the clusters with respect to the psychological, sexual, demographic, and tourist characteristics. The data were collected through an online survey of 853 women (age in years: M = 23.5, SD = 6.67). Five clusters of sexual risk takers emerged based on their factor-analyzed risk perceptions and motivations. These clusters were interpreted as (a) diversely motivated broad risk perceivers; (b) fun-seeking broad risk perceivers; (c) diversely motivated physical risk perceivers; (d) anonymity- and empowerment-seeking risk disregarders; and (e) unmotivated broad risk perceivers. Women in these clusters differed in their intentions to engage in sexual risk taking in tourism, sensation-seeking propensities, perceptions of tourist characteristics, levels of sexual experience, and demographic backgrounds. Results suggest tailoring sexual health promotion messages based on cluster affiliation, leveraging cluster-specific risk perceptions, motivations, and personal characteristics. This study provides recommendations for individually tailored, context-specific, age-appropriate, and gender-sensitive sexual health education programs.
Evaluation of 4 years of clinical pharmacist anticoagulation case management in a rural, private physician office.

OBJECTIVES To evaluate patient outcomes after 4 years of anticoagulation case management by a pharmacist and to document patient and provider satisfaction with the service. SETTING Rural, private physician office in Mt. Vernon, Iowa. PRACTICE DESCRIPTION Clinical pharmacist anticoagulation clinic. PRACTICE INNOVATION Under a protocol reviewed annually, a clinical pharmacist faculty member from the University of Iowa College of Pharmacy provides on-site, point-of-care anticoagulation dose adjustment and monitoring 1 day per week. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Data on anticoagulation outcomes from 1998 to 2002 were obtained through retrospective review of medical charts of patients served by the clinic. A survey of patient satisfaction with the clinic was mailed to all currently active patients enrolled in the anticoagulation clinic, and a second satisfaction survey was distributed to providers and ancillary staff of the physician office. RESULTS Eighty patients met the criteria for evaluation of therapeutic outcomes. The mean +/- standard deviation percentage of international normalized ratios in the therapeutic range ("percent therapeutic") for the anticoagulation clinic population was 57.5 +/- 17.4. The percent therapeutic for patients who had been on warfarin before enrolling in the pharmacist case management anticoagulation clinic (defined as the usual medical care group) was 37.6%, compared with 57.8% for those patients receiving care in the pharmacist case management anticoagulation clinic (P < .001). In nearly all instances, responses to the surveys indicated that patient and provider satisfaction with the anticoagulation service was extremely high. CONCLUSION A clinical pharmacist can provide anticoagulation case management services safely and effectively in a private physician office, and the service is highly valued by both patients and providers. We believe case management is an optimal method for systematically monitoring outpatient anticoagulation therapies and is preferable to usual medical care.
Goldberg–Shprintzen megacolon syndrome with associated sensory motor axonal neuropathy

Goldberg–Shprintzen megacolon syndrome (GOSHS) (OMIM 609460) is characterized by a combination of learning difficulties, characteristic dysmorphic features and Hirschsprung's disease. Variable clinical features include iris coloboma, congenital heart defects and central nervous system abnormalities, in particular polymicrogyria. GOSHS has been attributed to recessive mutations in KIAA1279, encoding kinesin family member (KIF)‐binding protein (KBP) with a crucial role in neuronal microtubule dynamics. Here we report on a 7‐year‐old girl with GOSHS as a result of a homozygous deletion of exons 5 and 6 of the KIAA1279 gene. She had been referred with the suspicion of an underlying neuromuscular disorder before the genetic diagnosis was established, prompted by the findings of motor developmental delay, hypotonia, ptosis and absent reflexes. Neurophysiological studies revealed unequivocal evidence of a peripheral axonal sensory motor neuropathy. We hypothesize that an axonal sensory motor neuropathy may be part of the phenotypical spectrum of KIAA1279‐related GOSHS, probably reflecting the effects of reduced KBP protein expression on peripheral neuronal function. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
On the Effect of Exploiting GPUs for a More Eco-Sustainable Lease of Life

It has been estimated that about 2% of global carbon dioxide emissions can be attributed to IT systems. Green (or sustainable) computing refers to supporting business critical computing needs with the least possible amount of power. This phenomenon changes the priorities in the design of new software systems and in the way companies handle existing ones. In this paper, we present the results of a research project aimed to develop a migration strategy to give an existing software system a new and more eco-sustainable lease of life. We applied a strategy for migrating a subject system that performs intensive and massive computation to a target architecture based on a Graphics Processing Unit (GPU). We validated our solution on a system for path finding robot simulations. An analysis on execution time and energy consumption indicated that: (i) the execution time of the migrated system is less than the execution time of the original system; and (ii) the migrated system reduces energy waste, so suggesting that it is more eco-sustainable than its original version. Our findings improve the body of knowledge on the effect of using the GPU in green computing.