Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Role of Scrub Typhus in Hepatic Dysfunction: Focus on Acute Hepatitis in Differentiating it from other Causes

Elevated liver enzymes are frequently observed but overlooked during scrub typhus. Moreover, acute hepatitis associated with scrub typhus has rarely been described in the literature. Herein, a case with scrub typhus manifested with acute hepatitis was reported and review of relevant literature was performed. Although abrupt fever, headache and rash (including eshcar and maculopapular rash) are considered to be the potential indicators for scrub typhus, elevated hepatic transaminases with various degrees even acute hepatitis could be another striking feature in scrub typhus that physicians need to know in an endemic area.
Recruitment of Transferrin Receptor to Immunological Synapse in Response to TCR Engagement1

T cell receptor engagement by an APC induces the formation of a highly organized complex of surface receptors and intracellular signaling molecules, known as the immunological synapse, at the site of cell-cell contact. The transferrin receptor (TfR, CD71) is normally present in the plasma membrane and recycling endosomes. In this study, we show that, although the TfR is typically absent from lipid rafts at steady state, stimulation with a mitogenic mixture of anti-CD3 Abs of human Jurkat T cells leads to a rapid compartmentalization of the TfR into lipid rafts accompanying that of CD3ε and activated Lck. This change occurs very rapidly and is accompanied by an increase in the surface expression of the TfR, probably by translocation from an internal endosomal pool. TfR recruitment to lipid rafts was also observed in primary T cells treated with mitogenic anti-CD3 Abs and in Jurkat T cell-APC conjugates. The use of beads coated with Abs indicates that the surface and endosomal TfR pools redistribute to the contact site region in response to engagement of CD28 and CD3. In T cell-APC conjugates, the T cell TfR endosomal pool relocates beneath the contact site, whereas surface TfR localizes to the peripheral ring of the immunological synapse. In the presence of specific anti-TfR Abs, the total number of T cell-APC contacts and the percentage of conjugates with CD3 and Lck translocated to the contact site were reduced. Our results therefore suggest the involvement of the TfR in the formation of the immunological synapse.
Yield of smear, culture and amplification tests from repeated sputum induction for the diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis.

OBJECTIVES To assess the yield of repeated sputum induction for the diagnosis of active tuberculosis in patients who do not produce spontaneous sputum, or with smear-negative spontaneous samples. METHODS Induced sputum was examined with fluorescent microscopy, two amplification methods (PCR Amplicor MTB, and MTD2), and cultured for mycobacteria using liquid (Bactec 12B) and Lowenstein-Jensen media. Bronchoscopy and collection of other specimens were performed at the discretion of the treating physician. RESULTS A total of 1115 sputum inductions performed in 500 patients without adverse events yielded an adequate specimen in 1113 (99.8%), and microbiological confirmation in 43 of 44 (98%) culture-positive active TB cases. Yield increased with repeated sputum induction. The cumulative yield for acid-fast bacilli smear and mycobacterial culture was 64% and 70% respectively for one, 81% and 91% for two, 91% and 99% for three, and 98% and 100% for four induced samples. Yield of PCR also increased with the greater number of induced samples tested. CONCLUSIONS Repeated sputum induction could considerably improve diagnostic accuracy for pulmonary TB.
Impact of using attachment handling electronic agents on an individual's perceived work-performance

Mobile devices are generally designed for use in low‐bandwidth environments and therefore have limited ability to handle e‐mail attachments. As such, these devices often have to be complemented by using a type of electronic agents, known as attachment handling agents (AHAs), which convert the contents of the attachments to a bandwidth‐conserving text‐form that is then sent to the mobile device for viewing. The purpose of this study is to assess whether AHA usage would improve an individual employee’s perceived work‐performance, measured by a multidimensional set of factors. The participants in the survey are employees at an F1000 Canadian company, all of whom have adopted a mobile communication device. Results indicate that AHA usage has a positive impact on productivity and customer satisfaction.
Impact of 2D-Graphene on SiN Passivated AlGaN/GaN MIS-HEMTs Under Mist Exposure

The effect of a 2D graphene layer (GL) on top of the silicon nitride (SiN) passivation layer of AlGaN/GaN metal-insulator-semiconductor high-electron-mobility transistors has been systematically analyzed. Results showed that in the devices without the GL, the maximum drain current density (<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\text{I}_{\text {D,max}}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>) and the maximum transconductance (<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\text{g}_{\text {m,max}}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>) decreased gradually as the mist exposure time increased, up to 23% and 10%, respectively. Moreover, the gate lag ratio increased around 10% during mist exposure. In contrast, devices with a GL showed a robust behavior and not significant changes in the electrical characteristics in both dc and pulsed conditions. The origin of these behaviors has been discussed and the results pointed to the GL as the key factor for improving the moisture resistance of the SiN passivation layer.
Young Children's Divergent Movement Ability

To examine the relations of age, gender, movement experience, and gross motor development to young children's scores on divergent movement (i.e., ability to perform and modify fundamental movement patterns), 40 boys and girls ages 4, 6, and 8 years were tested. Ability to make divergent movements was evaluated by having subjects perform 3 different fundamental movement tasks. Movement experience was assessed by asking parents to complete a questionnaire. Ulrich's Test of Gross Motor Development was used to evaluate subjects' gross motor skill. Testing sessions were videotaped for analysis. Based on a forward stepwise regression analysis, experience and age accounted for 45% of the variance in children's gross motor skill.
[Expressions of CD31 and vWF in arachnoid villus endothelium cell from experimental animal with Hydrocephalus].

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to investigate the CD-31 and vonWillebrand factor (vWF) expressions and the cell morphological alterations ofarachnoid villus endothelium in different stages of animal hydrocephalus. METHODS Silicon oil was injected into the fourth ventricle of experimental canine for buildinghydrocephalus model. The post-injection ethology of the canine was observed, and thescoring of Tarlov n was performed. The magnetic resonance (MR) images of canineskulls were achieved for verification of hydrocephalus at 3 day, 2 weeks, and 12 Cweeks post-injection. The expressions of CD-31 and von Willebrand factor (vWF) inthe arachnoid villus endothelium cells at different stages of hydrocephalus werestudied by immunofluorescence histochemistry. RESULTS Experimental hydrocephalusanimal model was built up satisfactorily by injection of silicon oil. Experimentalcanines appeared the hydrocephalus symptoms and Tarlov scoring decrease. MRimages revealed progressive ventricular enlargement in different stages ofhydrocephalus. The immunofluorescence histochemistry staining showed that CD31 expressed positively in all the endothelium cells, including the endothelium cell of thevillus. The immunofluorescence histochemistry staining showed that the vWFexpression in the endothelium of the villus was diminished when compared to that innormal sinus wall. And in sub-acute and chronic hydrocephalus, the expression of vonWillebrand factor increased. CONCLUSIONS The fourth ventricular injection of siliconoil may induce the hydrocephalus animal model. The expression of von Willebrandfactor in the endothelium cell of arachnoid villus increases during progressedhydrocephalus.
An intraretinal worm. Report of a case of macular retinopathy caused by invasion of the retina by a worm.

A small, white roundworm was found in the macula of a 43-year-old white man. During a three-year period of observation, progressive destruction of this left macula occurred. The right macula had been destroyed eight years previously by an obscure chorioretinitis. The worm disappeared after three years.
Larger screw diameter may not guarantee greater pullout strength for headless screws – a biomechanical study

Abstract Headless compression screws (HCSs) are commonly utilized devices for small bone fracture fixation. The Mini-Acutrak 2 and headless reduction (HLR) screws are the newer version types, in which both have fully threaded and variable pitch design. Specifically, the HLR is characterized by two thread runouts to facilitate implantation. With the thread runouts, the holding strength of the screw may be compromised. To the best of our knowledge, no study has examined the pullout force of the global sizes of a HCS. We sought to determine the pullout strength of the HLR and compare the strength of this screw with that of the Mini-Acutrak 2. Synthetic bone blocks with simulated transverse fractures were used to conduct the tests. Four commonly used sizes of the HLR were examined, and one Mini-Acutrak 2 was employed for comparison. Five screws of each size were tested. The pullout force of all screws that were tested in this study ranged from 45.23 to 233.22 N. The results revealed that the pullout force increased as the screw diameter increased. Interestingly, we found that one small screw outperformed the Mini-Acutrak 2, which has a larger diameter. This study provided extensive knowledge regarding the pullout strength of fully threaded HCSs of different sizes. An unexpected finding is that a small screw has higher holding power than a large one because of its increased number of threads. Therefore, we suggest that the thread number should be a critical consideration for the design of size distribution of HCSs.
School enrollment--social and economic characteristics of students: October 1982.

In the US during the past decade, there were notable changes in enrollment at each level of school, except kindergarten, resulting from changes in the sizes of the relevant population groups and in enrollment patterns. In October 1982, 59.4 persons 3 years old and over were enrolled in regular school, about 1.7 million fewer persons than were enrolled in October 1972. This decline in total enrollment reflects declines of about 4.8 million students in elementary school and 1.1 million in high school offset by increases of . 9 million nursery school students and 3.2 million college students. In turn, these changes in the numbers of students reflect, to a varying extent, changes in the size of the population groups from which students are drawn and the proportion attending school. From 1972 to 1982, nursery school enrollment grew by about 68%, from 1.3 million to 2.2 million. This sharp rise resulted from the substantial increase in the enrollment rate of the eligible population, for the number of 3 to 5-year-olds declined by 3% over the decade. The decrease in elementary and high school enrollments is almost entirely due to the decrease in the size of the population of relevant ages. From 1972-1982, college enrollment increased by 35.3%. About 80% of the increase was in the number of women in college.
Stress, burnout, and strategies for reducing them: what's the situation among Canadian family physicians?

OBJECTIVE To ascertain Canadian family physicians' levels of stress and burnout and the strategies they use to reduce these problems. DESIGN Census survey. SETTING Kitchener-Waterloo, an urban area with a population of approximately 300 000 in southwestern Ontario. PARTICIPANTS Family physicians. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Scores on the Family Physician Stress Inventory, scores on strategies to reduce personal stress, scores on strategies to reduce stress on the job, and scores on the Maslach Burnout Inventory. RESULTS Participation rate was 77.8% (123 of 158 surveys returned). About 42.5% of participants had high stress levels. Burnout was defined by 3 components: emotional exhaustion, depersonalization (going through the day like an "automaton"), and perceived lack of personal accomplishment. Many respondents scored high on the burnout inventory, and almost half had high levels of emotional exhaustion and depersonalization (47.9% and 46.3%, respectively). No demographic factors were associated with high scores on these components. Use of strategies to reduce personal and occupational stress was associated with lower levels of burnout. Scores on the Family Physician Stress Inventory correlated highly with scores on the Maslach Burnout Inventory. CONCLUSION Regardless of demographic factors, family physicians are at risk of having high levels of stress and burnout. Classic burnout is related to stress brought on by factors such as too much paperwork, long waits for specialists and tests, feeling undervalued, feeling unsupported, and having to abide by rules and regulations. Common strategies for reducing personal stress included eating nutritiously and spending time with family and friends. Common strategies for reducing stress on the job included valuing relationships with patients and participating in continuing medical education. Stress and burnout are related to the desire to give up practice and are, therefore, a human resources issue for the entire health care system.
Factor analysis of customers perception of mobile banking services in Kenya

Mobile banking service, M-Shwari, allows users to save, earn interest and borrow loan over a short period of time using their mobile phones. The service has a potential to spur economic growth if consumers could understand the concept, its' benefits and adopts it. In our study, we investigated factors that influence the adoption of mobile banking services in Kenya. In particular we have shown empirically that the influence of the intervening demographic factors and the consumer perception may have differential impact in emerging market as compared to developed market situations. We extracted and grouped factors that were perceived by the clients as important in adoption of mobile banking. We then tested if the differences in perceptions on some of the factors extracted by exploratory factor analysis significantly differ between gender categories. The results indicated that there was no significant difference in the perception of ease of use and risk of use between genders in the decision to adopt mobile banking service in emerging market. The findings of our study will therefore provide the financial industry with a better understanding of the factors underlying consumer adoption of mobile banking services and help them formulate marketing and promotional strategies for mobile banking services.
Rehabilitation in a Warm Versus a Colder Climate in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A RANDOMIZED STUDY

PURPOSE: The primary aim of this study was to evaluate if pulmonary rehabilitation in a subtropical climate during winter had better long-term effects on health-related quality of life and symptoms of anxiety and depression than an equivalent pulmonary rehabilitation program in a colder climate. The secondary aim was to assess short-term differences in the same outcomes. METHODS: Referred patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were randomized to and completed rehabilitation in a subtropical climate in Spain (n = 60) or in a temperate climate in Norway (n = 36). Health-related quality of life was assessed with St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire, and symptoms of anxiety and depression were assessed with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale at the start of rehabilitation, at discharge, and 8 months later. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the 2 groups in mean changes in St George's Respiratory Questionnaire dimensions or total score (−3.0; 97.5% confidence interval [CI], −8.6 to 2.6, P = .22) or Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale anxiety (−1.2; 97.5% CI, −2.7 to 0.3, P = .08) or depression (−0.3; 97.5% CI, −1.7 to 1.1, P = .62) score from the start of rehabilitation to 9 months thereafter. During rehabilitation, the Spain group improved more than the Norway group in the activity score of the St George's Respiratory Questionnaire (−6.2; 97.5% CI, −12.4 to −0.1, P = .02) and in the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale anxiety score (−1.7; 97.5% CI, −2.9 to −0.6, P = .001). CONCLUSIONS: No significant long-term differences in improvement in health-related quality of life or psychological well-being was demonstrated after chronic obstructive pulmonary disease rehabilitation in a subtropical versus a temperate climate.
Lubiprostone for the treatment of opioid-induced bowel dysfunction

Introduction: Opioid-induced bowel dysfunction (OBD) is a prevalent condition that leads to reduced opioid use, human suffering and a high burden and cost on the healthcare system. Opioid-induced constipation (OIC) is the most troublesome aspect of OBD, for which standard laxatives are often ineffective. A major unmet need is effective and safe OIC treatment without inhibiting opioid analgesia or inducing opioid withdrawal symptoms. Recent data indicate that lubiprostone, a locally acting type 2 chloride channel activator, approved for the treatment of chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC) and irritable bowel syndrome with constipation, may be effective in treating OBD. Areas covered: The areas covered are: i) an overview of clinical trials of lubiprostone in the treatment of OBD based on peer-reviewed literature and congress materials from 2005 to 2010; and ii) an evaluation of the efficacy and potential mechanisms of action of lubiprostone in the treatment of OBD. Expert opinion: Lubiprostone has potential in treating OBD and deserves additional study. Lubiprostone's ability to promote fluid secretion locally at the apical membrane of intestinal epithelial cells ensures it does not provoke opioid withdrawal or compromise analgesia. Lubiprostone seems safe for long-term use in CIC patients, and a similar safety profile is anticipated in OBD.
Cytotoxicity of the anticancer agents cisplatin and taxol during cell proliferation and the cell cycle

The overt effects of the anti‐cancer drugs cisplatin (cis‐DDP) and taxol appear to be DNA modification and microtubule stabilization respectively, yet the mechanisms by which these drugs elicit tumor cell death are not well understood. In this report cell sensitivities to cis‐DDP and taxol were accurately determined as a function of cell proliferation and cell cycle stage. Quiescent fibroblasts restimulated to synchronously enter the cell cycle become maximally sensitive to cis‐DDP immediately preceding DNA synthesis, and resistance increases with onset of DNA synthesis. Mid‐log proliferating cells were separated into progressive stages of the cell cycle by centrifugal elutriation or by double thymidine (dThd) block. Cells staged by either method are maximally sensitive to cis‐DDP in G1, just prior to the onset of DNA synthesis and minimally sensitive in peak DNA synthesis, with entry into S phase resulting in a 2‐fold decrease in sensitivity. Cells that remained blocked at the G1/S phase boundary during cis‐DDP treatment remain maximally sensitive after release. Sensitivity to taxol increases at 2 points: transiently during transition of normal cells from quiescence to proliferation and steadily as proliferating cells progress from early G1 to late G2. This 3‐fold increase in taxol sensitivity through the cell cycle is rapidly reversed upon cell division. Synchronous cells treated with either drug at points of maximum sensitivity initiate apoptotic DNA fragmentation 12‐14 hr post‐exposure to drug. © 1994 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Load-independent current output of inductive power transfer converters with optimized efficiency

Inductive power transfer (IPT) systems are resonant converters whose output characteristics are mostly load dependent. Conditions for ensuring a load-independent voltage-transfer ratio of an IPT system have been studied. However, load-independent current output can be more desirable for applications such as battery charging and LED driving. This paper studies the characteristics of IPT systems operating at different frequencies as transconductance converters. Operating frequencies for load-independent transconductance are explored, looking for optimal efficiency. The frequencies interested are found to facilitate the design of a current-output IPT converter with efficient power conversion. The analysis is supported by experimental results.
ESTIMATION OF GENETIC VARIABILITY IN TURMERIC (CURCUMA LONGA L.) GERMPLASM USING AGRO-MORPHOLOGICAL TRAITS

Turmeric is an important medicinal plant and cultivated spice crop in Pakistan. The present study was conducted to determine the extent of genetic variation and relationship among turmeric genotypes using 21 qualitative and quantitative traits. A total of 20 genotypes collected from three eco-geographical areas (Bannu, Haripur and Kasur) of turmeric cultivation in Pakistan were studied under field conditions. In qualitative trait light green leaf color, light orange yellow rhizome color and greenish white flower color were found in abundance in most of the genotypes. The leaves, rhizomes and flowers of turmeric plants collected from Bannu and Haripur were light green, yellow and yellowish-white in color, while those of Kasur area were dark green, dark orange and whitish green in color, respectively. A considerable level of variability was displayed by various genotypes for some of the quantitative traits measured. Pattern of variation among the genotypes was different for different agro-morphological traits. The largest variation was observed for plant height, leaf length, leaf width, total and fresh number of leaves, whereas relatively, a low level of variability was detected in most of the remaining quantitative traits. Agro-morphological data was also analyzed by numerical taxonomic techniques using two complementary procedures: cluster and principal component analysis (PCA). Phenogram based on Euclidean distance coefficients placed 20 genotypes into two main clusters with three sub-groups in the 2 nd cluster. Genotypes groups were primarily associated with morphological differences among the collections and secondly with the consumer preference and horticulture use. Principal component analysis reordered genotypes into four broad groups that had within cluster similarities and inter-cluster morphological variation. Our study revealed that the evaluated germplasm of turmeric appeared to have narrow genetic base which underwent high level of genetic erosion and selection pressure. This is perhaps due to the use of same ancestors and similar seed source by the farmers for cultivation of crop in selected areas of the country. However, this preliminary study of traditional turmeric landraces from Pakistan provided useful information regarding their horticultural and medicinal potential. The given method of analysis may be helpful in selecting diverse parents and broadening local germplasm base of turmeric for future breeding programs.