Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Diagnosing and treating the failing right heart

Purpose of review Right ventricular failure (RVF) is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. There is an increasing interest in proper assessment of right ventricle (RV) function as well as understanding mechanisms behind RVF. Recent findings Within this article, we discuss the metabolic changes that occur in the RV in response to RVF, in particular, a shift toward glycolysis and increased glutaminolysis. We will detail the advances made in noninvasive imaging in assessing the function of the RV and review the methods to assess right ventricle–pulmonary artery coupling. We lastly investigate the role of new treatment options in the failing RV, such as &bgr;-blocker therapy. Summary RVF is a complicated entity. Although some inferences on RV function and treatment can be made from our understanding of the left ventricle, the RV has unique features, anatomically, metabolically and embryologically, that require dedicated RV-directed research.
Stress and strain analysis on the anastomosis site sutured with either epineurial or perineurial sutures after simulation of sciatic nerve injury

The magnitude of tensile stress and tensile strain at an anastomosis site under physiological stress is an important factor for the success of anastomosis following suturing in peripheral nerve injury treatment. Sciatic nerves from fresh adult cadavers were used to create models of sciatic nerve injury. The denervated specimens underwent epineurial and perineurial suturing. The elastic modulus (40.96 ± 2.59 MPa) and Poisson ratio (0.37 ± 0.02) of the normal sciatic nerve were measured by strain electrical measurement. A resistance strain gauge was pasted on the front, back, left, and right of the edge of the anastomosis site after suturing. Strain electrical measurement results showed that the stress and strain values of the sciatic nerve following perineurial suturing were lower than those following epineurial suturing. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that the sciatic nerve fibers were disordered following epineurial compared with perineurial suturing. These results indicate that the effect of perineurial suturing in sciatic nerve injury repair is better than that of epineurial suturing.
Determinants and spatial modeling of tree β-diversity in a tropical forest landscape in Panama

Abstract Questions: The objectives of this study were to clarify the extent to which environmental factors and geographical distance account for tropical floristic composition, and propose a methodology for delimiting the boundaries of floristic types based on species similarity. Location: The Panama Canal watershed. Methods: To assess which factors (climate, topography, geology and geographical distance) account for floristic composition, we performed Mantel tests on distance matrices and partitioned variation in species composition using canonical analysis. We used a permutation-based regression model computed on distance matrices and a hierarchical clustering of the tree composition to construct a predictive map of forest types of the Panama Canal Watershed. Results: We found that spatial variation alone explained 22–27% of species variation, while the fraction of species variation explained by environmental variables was smaller (10–12%); 13–19% of the variation was accounted for by the joint effect of environmental variation and geographic distance. The similarity-based map emphasizes the principal division in tree flora between the drier Pacific side and the wetter Caribbean slopes. Conclusions: The distribution of Panamanian tree species appears to be primarily determined by dispersal limitation, then by environmental heterogeneity. ‘Environmental segregation’ processes do play an important role. Maps of broad-scale vegetation patterns based on thorough tree inventories can be used in conservation planning in the tropics. Abbreviation: PCW = Panama Canal Watershed.
Length dependence in polyneuropathy associated with IgM gammopathy

In polyneuropathy associated with monoclonal IgM gammopathy, nerve conduction studies may show disproportionate distal slowing consistent with segmental demyelination. This was suggested to represent a length‐dependent demyelinating process, starting in distal and proceeding to proximal segments. Because the evidence for this is incomplete, we assessed whether length dependence occurs in IgM neuropathy.
Effect of changing breast cancer incidence rates on the calibration of the Gail model.

PURPOSE The Gail model combines relative risks (RRs) for five breast cancer risk factors with age-specific breast cancer incidence rates and competing mortality rates from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) program from 1983 to 1987 to predict risk of invasive breast cancer over a given time period. Motivated by changes in breast cancer incidence during the 1990s, we evaluated the model's calibration in two recent cohorts. METHODS We included white, postmenopausal women from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) -AARP Diet and Health Study (NIH-AARP, 1995 to 2003), and the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal and Ovarian Cancer Screening Trial (PLCO, 1993 to 2006). Calibration was assessed by comparing the number of breast cancers expected from the Gail model with that observed. We then evaluated calibration by using an updated model that combined Gail model RRs with 1995 to 2003 SEER invasive breast cancer incidence rates. RESULTS Overall, the Gail model significantly underpredicted the number of invasive breast cancers in NIH-AARP, with an expected-to-observed ratio of 0.87 (95% CI, 0.85 to 0.89), and in PLCO, with an expected-to-observed ratio of 0.86 (95% CI, 0.82 to 0.90). The updated model was well-calibrated overall, with an expected-to-observed ratio of 1.03 (95% CI, 1.00 to 1.05) in NIH-AARP and an expected-to-observed ratio of 1.01 (95% CI: 0.97 to 1.06) in PLCO. Of women age 50 to 55 years at baseline, 13% to 14% had a projected Gail model 5-year risk lower than the recommended threshold of 1.66% for use of tamoxifen or raloxifene but >or= 1.66% when using the updated model. The Gail model was well calibrated in PLCO when the prediction period was restricted to 2003 to 2006. CONCLUSION This study highlights that model calibration is important to ensure the usefulness of risk prediction models for clinical decision making.
The Process Model of Group-Based Emotion

Scholars interested in emotion regulation have documented the different goals and strategies individuals have for regulating their emotions. However, little attention has been paid to the regulation of group-based emotions, which are based on individuals’ self-categorization as a group member and occur in response to situations perceived as relevant for that group. We propose a model for examining group-based emotion regulation that integrates intergroup emotions theory and the process model of emotion regulation. This synergy expands intergroup emotion theory by facilitating further investigation of different goals (i.e., hedonic or instrumental) and strategies (e.g., situation selection and modification strategies) used to regulate group-based emotions. It also expands emotion regulation research by emphasizing the role of self-categorization (e.g., as an individual or a group member) in the emotional process. Finally, we discuss the promise of this theoretical synergy and suggest several directions for future research on group-based emotion regulation.
Visual feedback-related changes in ipsilateral cortical excitability during unimanual movement: Implications for mirror therapy

Provision of a mirror image of a hand undertaking a motor task (i.e., mirror therapy) elicits behavioural improvements in the inactive hand. A greater understanding of the neural mechanisms underpinning this phenomenon is required to maximise its potential for rehabilitation across the lifespan, e.g., following hemiparesis or unilateral weakness. Young and older participants performed unilateral finger abductions with no visual feedback, with feedback of the active or passive hands, or with a mirror image of the active hand. Transcranial magnetic stimulation was used to assess feedback-related changes in two neurophysiological measures thought to be involved in inter-manual transfer of skill, namely corticospinal excitability (CSE) and intracortical inhibition (SICI) in the passive hemisphere. Task performance led to CSE increases, accompanied by decreases of SICI, in all visual feedback conditions relative to rest. However, the changes due to mirror feedback were not significantly different to those observed in the other (more standard) visual conditions. Accordingly, the unimanual motor action itself, rather than modifications in visual feedback, appears more instrumental in driving changes in CSE and SICI. Therefore, changes in CSE and SICI are unlikely to underpin the behavioural benefits of mirror therapy. We discuss implications for rehabilitation and directions of future research.
Examination of birthplace and birthdate in world junior ice hockey players

Abstract The present study investigated birthdate (known as the Relative Age Effect; RAE) and birthplace as determinants of expertise in an international sample of elite ice hockey players. The sample included 566 World Junior (WJR) ice hockey players from four countries (Canada, n = 153; USA, n = 136; Sweden, n = 140; Finland, n = 137). Participants competed in the International Ice Hockey Federation World U20 Championship between 2001 and 2009. A series of Poisson regression models were conducted to examine the consistency of direct then interactive relationships between both birthdate and birthplace and WJR membership across the four countries (Canada, USA, Sweden, and Finland). Findings revealed a consistent RAE across the four countries for World Junior participation from 2000 to 2009. WJR players from the four countries were also less likely to be from major cities. In addition, there was no evidence in any of the four countries of an interaction between RAE and birthplace. Future research should explore the contextual and cultural factors that influence elite athlete development in smaller towns, cities and communities.
Tense and agreement in the non-native english of basque-spanish bilinguals: content and language integrated learning vs. English as a school subject learners

Esta tesis se articula en dos ejes principales: (a) el estudio transversal y longitudinal de la adquisicion de los morfemas de tiempo (T) y concordancia (Agr) del ingles por bilingues de euskera-espanol (en concreto, la produccion, omision y produccion erronea de la de 3psing presente, la ed de pasado y las formas copulativas y auxiliares de be); (b)la comparacion de 2 grupos con enfoques de aprendizaje de lenguas distintos: Aprendizaje Integrado de Contenidos y Lenguas Extranjeras AICLE- vs. ingles como asignatura no-AICLE. Partiendo de estudios previos y de asunciones de la teoria generativista, se consideran tres hipotesis: (i) la interlengua (ILG) de los aprendientes no esta deteriorada ni parcial ni totalmente; (ii) las flexiones supletivas (las formas be) se producen con mas frecuencia que las afijadas (la s y la ed); (iii) los participantes en programas AICLE produciran con mas frecuencia estos morfemas. Los datos provienen de narraciones orales realizadas en 3o y 4o ESO y 2o BACHILLER. Los hallazgos desvelan: (i) una proporcion alta de omisiones en ambos grupos y en los tres momentos temporales de medicion para las formas afijadas, mientras que en las formas supletivas la omision es baja; (ii) un numero de errores constante y bajo (< 5%); (iii) la falta de evolucion en la omision de las formas supletivas, y del morfema ed, aunque si en el morfema s; (iv) la comparacion entre grupos es mas compleja: el grupo AICLE es mejor que el no-AICLE en 4o, mientras que en 3o y 2o obtienen resultados paralelos. Estos hallazgos sugieren que sus interlenguas no estan deterioradas en los rasgos de T y Agr apoyando asi las hipotesis que defienden un acceso completo a la Gramatica Universal. La variabilidad seria el resultado de dificultades con la (re)estructuracion de los rasgos. Estos hallazgos tambien apuntan a que la disociacion entre formas supletivas y afijadas tambien se sostiene en el aprendizaje de terceras lenguas. Por ultimo, los hallazgos de AICLE pueden explicarse si se asume un plateau que podria superarse si se adoptase un enfoque metodologico centrado en la forma.
Fibrinogen and fibrin: scaffold proteins in hemostasis

Purpose of reviewElevated fibrinogen is a cardiovascular risk factor. Recent work provides a rationale for this risk, as abnormal fibrin clot structure, strength and stability correlates with coronary artery disease. This review describes in-vitro experiments whose intent is to define the molecular mechanisms that control clot architecture and function in vivo. Recent findingsBiochemical and structural data continue to define the interactions between monomer units that assemble into a fibrin clot. In particular, ‘A: a’ interactions dominate the first step in fiber formation, while the analogous ‘B: b’ interactions have a minor role. Studies show the N-terminus of Bβ, the C-terminus of Aα, and the splice variant γ′ modulate fibrin clot structure. Measurement of the mechanical properties of fibrinogen and fibrin show fibrin fibers are among the strongest in nature. Studies have identified fibrinogen-binding proteins that influence clot structure and function. SummaryThese findings defined mechanisms that control fibrin clot structure, strength and stability. This basic information provides direction for clinical studies to examine clot properties in pathologic thrombosis and pharmaceutical studies to develop therapeutic interventions to prevent or control cardiovascular disease. These studies also establish novel techniques to examine individual bonds, molecules and fibers.
Coping and psychological adjustment in recent-onset inflammatory polyarthritis: the role of gender and age.

OBJECTIVES To examine the role of gender, age and coping in psychological adjustment of patients with early inflammatory polyarthritis (IP). METHODS One hundred and twelve patients with IP of up to 18 months' duration from the Norfolk Arthritis Register completed questionnaires measuring coping, anxiety, disability and pain. RESULTS Thirty-six per cent of the patients were at risk of depressive symptoms. Women had significantly higher levels of depression and anxiety than men. Regression analyses showed that pain and (low) illness acceptance predicted levels of depression. Younger age, wishful thinking and covering up predicted anxiety levels. CONCLUSIONS The study found higher levels of depression and anxiety for women than men with early IP. Psychological distress was predicted by younger age, specific coping strategies and high levels of pain.
Consumer Awareness and Use of Mobile Health Services in India: An Urban - Rural Comparison Study

Mobile health (mHealth) are touted to have huge potential to broaden access, at low cost, to quality healthcare. We examine how awareness and use of mHealth develops among consumers in urban and rural India through a combination of individual traits related to mobile services and individual health characteristics. We conducted a survey in several parts of urban and rural India to develop a diversified sample that approximates the 2011 Indian Census. We find consumers’ appraisals of mobile serviceenabled empowerment, affects mHealth awareness/use through innovativeness toward mobile services. We also find that this mediation mechanism is stronger (1) for rural consumers who perceive themselves less vulnerable to chronic diseases and (2) for urban consumers who exhibit a higher regularity of preventive monitoring. Our study has implications on how mHealth awareness and use can be developed among consumers in urban and rural areas and in developing country contexts.
Dynamic intracellular survivin in oral squamous cell carcinoma: underlying molecular mechanism and potential as an early prognostic marker

Survivin functions as an apoptosis inhibitor and a regulator of cell division in many tumours. The intracellular localization of survivin in tumours has been suggested as a prognostic marker. However, current reports are inconsistent and the underlying molecular mechanisms are not understood. The present study has examined the localization and prognostic value of nuclear and cytoplasmic survivin in the pre‐therapeutic biopsies from 71 oral and oropharyngeal squamous carcinoma (OSCC) patients. Statistical analysis indicated that preferential nuclear versus cytoplasmic survivin correlated with favourable versus unfavourable disease outcome. Uni‐ and multi‐variate analysis showed that in contrast to total survivin expression, the difference between nuclear and cytoplasmic survivin was a strong predictor for relapse‐free survival (p = 0.0003). As a potential underlying molecular mechanism, it is shown in OSCC cell lines that predominantly cytoplasmic survivin mediates protection against chemo‐ and radio‐therapy‐induced apoptosis. Importantly, the cytoplasmic localization of survivin is regulated by its nuclear export signal (NES), and export‐deficient nuclear survivin is not cytoprotective. This study suggests that the difference between cytoplasmic and nuclear survivin is an indicator for survivin activity in tumour cells. Thus, this difference may serve as a predictive marker of outcome in OSCC patients undergoing multi‐modality therapy. The pharmacogenetic interference with survivin's cytoplasmic localization is also to be pursued as a potential therapeutic strategy. Copyright © 2007 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Ewolucja produkcji ziemniaków w Polsce i UE

The production and the market for potatoes in Poland, in Europe and in the world has undergone a process of evolution. The changes in Poland in the last decade or more have been very dynamic, especially after Poland joined the EU. The production of potatoes has also undergone changes in other EU countries, but they have taken a much milder course. The article attempts to evaluate the changes in Poland and in other countries that are crucial to potato production in the EU. Statistics from Eurostat, national statistics from individual states and information and materials of the European Commission were used in this research. The article concentrates on analysis of changes in production area, yields and potato harvests and evaluates the processes in chosen EU countries. Reasons for changes are discussed, most especially the changes in demand on the potato market demand. / Synopsis. Produkcja i rynek ziemniakow w Polsce, Europie i na świecie podlega procesom ewolucji. Zmiany te w naszym kraju w ostatnich kilkunastu latach mialy bardzo dynamiczny przebieg, zwlaszcza po akcesji Polski do UE. Zmianom podlega rowniez produkcja ziemniakow i w innych krajach UE, ale mają one zdecydowanie lagodniejszy przebieg. W artykule podjeto probe oceny tych zjawisk w Polsce i w innych krajach, kluczowych dla uprawy ziemniakow w UE. Wykorzystano do tego celu dane statystyczne Eurostat, statystki krajowe poszczegolnych panstw oraz informacje i materialy Komisji Europejskiej. W artykule skoncentrowano sie na analizie zmian arealu uprawy, wysokości plonow i zbiorow ziemniakow oraz ocenie procesow koncentracji. Wskazano na ich przyczyny, z ktorych najwazniejsze to zmiany zapotrzebowania rynkowego na ziemniaki.
Cytological aspects of the mode of action of chlorhexidine diacetate

Electron microscopic examination of ultra‐thin sections of Escherichia coli cells treated with various concentrations of chlorhexidine diacetate reveal two effects. In low drug concentrations many cells lose electron dense material leaving behind empty shells, in higher concentrations the appearance of the cytoplasm is significantly affected. These results are discussed in the light of biochemical findings under identical conditions.
PET Studies of Auditory and Phonological Processing: Effects of Stimulus Characteristics and Task Demands

Abstract Positron emission tomography (PET) was used to investigate the functional anatomy of auditory and phonological processing. Stimulus sets were designed to determine areas of the brain significantly activated during speech and nonspeech acoustic processing for stimuli with or without rapidly changing acoustic cues. Performance of auditory target detection tasks using these stimulus sets produced increased activation in superior temporal, frontal opercular, and medial frontal (SMA) cortices, relative to a visual fixation control task. While the medial frontal and superior temporal changes are best explained by motor and sensory components of the task, respectively, the frontal opercular changes were dependent upon the task performed upon the auditory input (mere presentation of the stimuli did not result in significant activation). On the left, the frontal opercular increases were larger when subjects performed an auditory detection task upon stimuli that incorporated rapid temporal changes (words, syllables, and tone sequences) than steady-state vowels. A converging study involving performance of orthographic (ascending letter) and phonological (long vowel sound) word discrimination tasks supports anatomical and behavioral evidence suggesting the left frontal opercular region is important for certain types of auditory/temporal analysis, as well as high-level articulatory coding. In addition to the activation increases associated with performance of auditory target detection tasks, decreases in activation were observed bilaterally along the intraparietal sulcus and superior parietal cortex, in the Rolandic sulcus, and the posterior cingulate; these decreases may reflect an attentional shift away from areas involved in the fixation task during the performance of a difficult auditory task. These results demonstrate that focusing more closely on basic neural processing differences (such as temporal integration rates) may lead to a better understanding of the specific neural processes that underlie complex phonological tasks.
Exploring machine learning techniques for fault localization

Debugging is the most important task related to the testing activity. It has the goal of locating and removing a fault after a failure occurred during test. However, it is not a trivial task and generally consumes effort and time. Debugging techniques generally use testing information but usually they are very specific for certain domains, languages and development paradigms. Because of this, a Neural Network (NN) approach has been investigated with this goal. It is independent of the context and presented promising results for procedural code. However it was not validated in the context of Object-Oriented (OO) applications. In addition to this, the use of other Machine Learning techniques is also interesting, because they can be more efficient. With this in mind, the present work adapts the NN approach to the OO context and also explores the use of Support Vector Machines (SVMs). Results from the use of both techniques are presented and analysed. They show that their use contributes for easing the fault localization task.