Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Three-dimensional organization of optokinetic responses in the rabbit.

1. Three-dimensional rotations of both eyes were measured in alert rabbits during optokinetic stimulation about axes lying in the horizontal plane or about an earth-vertical axis, with either one or both eyes viewing the stimulus. Optokinetic stimulus speed was 2 degrees /s, either continuous or alternating in polarity (triangular stimulus). In addition to the gains of the responses, the orientations of the response axes relative to the stimulus axes were determined. 2. In comparison to the response to constant-speed optokinetic stimulation about the vertical axis, the response to constant-speed optokinetic stimulation about horizontal axes was characterized by the lack of a speed buildup. In many cases, slow phase tracking was good as long as the eye was within the central oculomotor range but deteriorated when eye deviation became more eccentric and fast phases failed to be generated. These features suggest that the optokinetic reflex about horizontal axes functions as a position-control system, rather than as a velocity-control system. 3. Binocular optokinetic stimulation at constant speed (2 degrees/s) about the roll axis (0 degrees azimuth horizontal axis) elicited disconjugate responses. Although the gain of the response was not significantly different in the two eyes (0.38 for downward and 0.44 for upward stimulation), the response axes of the two eyes differed by as much as 51 degrees. 4. Monocular, horizontal axis optokinetic stimulation at constant speed elicited responses that were grossly dissociated between the two eyes. The magnitude of the responses was anisotropic in that it varied with the azimuthal orientation of the stimulus axis; the maximum gain for each eye (0.41 for the seeing and 0.33 for the covered eye) was at 135 degrees azimuth for each eye. The axis orientation and direction (sense of rotation) of the optokinetic stimulus eliciting the maximal response for each eye coincided with the optic flow normally associated with the maximal excitation of the corresponding ipsilateral anterior canal. 5. Binocular, triangular optokinetic stimulation with small excursions (+/- 10 degrees), which avoided the saturation problems of constant-speed stimulation, elicited adequate responses without systematic directional asymmetries. Gain was approximately 0.9 for all stimulus axis orientations in the horizontal plane. 6. During monocular stimulation with triangular stimuli, the response of the seeing eye showed a gain of approximately 0.5 for all orientations of the stimulus axis. In contrast, the covered eye showed anisotropic responses, with a maximum gain of approximately 0.5 during stimulation of the seeing eye about its 45 degree axis. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Helicobacter pylori cytotoxin-associated genotype and gastric precancerous lesions.

BACKGROUND Helicobacter pylori infection is associated with the development of gastric cancer. Although infection with an H. pylori strain containing the cytotoxin-associated (cag A) gene (a marker for a pathogenicity island) may increase the risk of atrophic gastritis and gastric cancer, the relationship of variants in pathogenic H. pylori genes to the severity and progression of precancerous lesions is not well defined. METHODS Gastric biopsy specimens were obtained at enrollment from 2145 participants in a chemoprevention trial in Tachira State, Venezuela, and examined histologically to determine the severity of precancerous lesions. The presence of H. pylori DNA in gastric biopsies and the strain type according to presence or absence of the cagA gene were detected by polymerase chain reaction and specific probes. The relationship between H. pylori DNA and histologic diagnosis was analyzed by polytomous logistic regression. Rates of progression and regression of precancerous lesions were determined from biopsies from additional annual gastroscopies (mean follow-up = 3.5 years). All statistical tests were two-sided. RESULTS At enrollment, there was a strong association between cagA-positive H. pylori infection and the severity of gastric precancerous lesions, but cagA-negative H. pylori was associated only with chronic gastritis. Using individuals with normal mucosa or superficial gastritis as control subjects, the odds ratio for dysplasia was 15.5 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 6.42 to 37.2) in cagA-positive individuals compared with uninfected individuals and 0.90 (95% CI = 0.37 to 2.17) for individuals infected with cagA-negative H. pylori compared with uninfected individuals. Individuals infected with cagA-positive H. pylori appeared more likely to experience progression (and less likely to experience regression) of precancerous lesions than those infected with cagA-negative H. pylori, but the differences did not attain statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS This large epidemiologic study shows a strong relationship between the presence of H. pylori DNA in gastric biopsies and the severity of precancerous lesions that is specific to cagA-positive strains. The association between H. pylori and gastric carcinoma may have been previously underestimated due to the poor accuracy of serologic H. pylori markers and lack of discrimination by cagA genotype.
Interpreting the cosmic far-infrared background anisotropies using a gas regulator model

Cosmic far-infrared background (CFIRB) is a powerful probe of the history of star formation rate (SFR) and the connection between baryons and dark matter across cosmic time. In this work, we explore to which extent the CFIRB anisotropies can be reproduced by a simple physical framework for galaxy evolution, the gas regulator (bathtub) model. This model is based on continuity equations for gas, stars, and metals, taking into account cosmic gas accretion, star formation, and gas ejection. We model the large-scale galaxy bias and small-scale shot noise self-consistently, and we constrain our model using the CFIRB power spectra measured by Planck. Because of the simplicity of the physical model, the goodness of fit is limited. We compare our model predictions with the observed correlation between CFIRB and gravitational lensing, bolometric infrared luminosity functions, and submillimetre source counts. The strong clustering of CFIRB indicates a large galaxy bias, which corresponds to haloes of mass 10^(12.5) M⊙ at z = 2, higher than the mass associated with the peak of the star formation efficiency. We also find that the far-infrared luminosities of haloes above 10^(12) M⊙ are higher than the expectation from the SFR observed in ultraviolet and optical surveys.
WLC37-6: Error Probability of OFDM with Carrier Frequency Offset in AWGN and Fading Channels

In this paper we investigate the error probability for OFDM with carrier frequency offset (CFO) in additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN) and Rayleigh fading channels. The statistical nature of the intercarrier interference (ICI) due to CFO and the validity of the usual Gaussian distributed ICI assumption are studied. In AWGN channels, our simulations indicate that the theoretical symbol error rate (SER) obtained by assuming Gaussian characteristics for the ICI is not accurate. The effect of adjacent channel ICI coefficients must be considered. However in a fading channel provided that the channel correlation effects on the useful OFDM signal and the ICI are considered, the theoretical BER results due to Gaussian ICI approach and simulations closely agree. The theoretical SER for MQAM signaling in fading channels is also derived in closed form.
Decorrelation characteristics of transverse blood flow along an intravascular array catheter

In recent years, a new method to measure transverse blood flow based on the decorrelation of radio frequency (RF) signals has been introduced. In this paper, we investigated the decorrelation characteristics of transverse blood flow measurement using an intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) array catheter by means of computer modeling. Blood was simulated as a collection of randomly located point scatterers. Moving this scattering medium transversally across the acoustical beam represented flow. First-order statistics were evaluated, and the signal-to-noise ratio from the signals was measured. The correlation coefficient method was used to present the results. The decorrelation patterns for RF and for RF-envelope signals were studied. The decorrelation patterns from the RF signals were in good agreement with those obtained from theoretical beam profiles. This agreement suggests that the decorrelation properties of an IVUS array catheter for measuring quantitative transverse blood flow can be assessed by measuring the ultrasound beam. A line of point scatterers, moved transversally across the acoustical beam (line spread function), can determine this decorrelation behaviour.
Progress in the treatment of breast cancer in the elderly.

More than one third of all breast cancers occur in women >70 years of age, but adequate directives for their treatment are often lacking, because these patients have often been excluded from clinical trials. Although justified by many questionable reasons, such an exclusion is difficult to understand, as a 70 year old woman has a median life expectancy of 15.5 years, i.e. half of them will live much longer. Older and younger women with operable breast cancer have a similar prognosis but older women are more likely to have metastatic disease at diagnosis, and to die from intercurrent disease [1]. The largest series reporting on biological differences in breast cancer among patients of various age groups originally reported on 9228 patients, of whom 2919 were ≥65 years of age. The investigators showed that elderly women have a higher frequency of hormone receptor positive tumors [84% estrogen receptor (ER) positive versus 67% in younger patients], and 58% (compared with 50%) are diagnosed with node negative disease although 20% had tumors >5 cm, versus 13% of those <65 years of age [2].
special topic Pre- and Postnatal Lung Development, Maturation, and Plasticity Intra-amniotic injection of IL-1 induces inﬂammation and maturation in fetal sheep lung

Sly, Alan H. Intra-amniotic injection of IL-1 induces inﬂammation and maturation in fetal sheep lung. Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol 282: L411–L420, 2002; 10.1152/ajplung.00097. 2001. —Antenatal inﬂammation may be an important triggering event in the pathogenesis of bronchopulmonary dysplasia but may also accelerate fetal lung maturation. We examined the effects of intra-amniotic (IA) interleukin (IL)-1 (cid:1) and IL-1 (cid:2) on maturation of the fetal sheep lung. These cytokine effects were compared with IA endotoxin, a potent proinﬂammatory stimulus that accelerated lung maturation. Date-bred ewes received 15 or 150 (cid:3) g recombinant ovine IL-1 (cid:1) or IL-1 (cid:2) or 10 mg Escherichia coli endotoxin by IA injection at 118 days gestation (term (cid:4) 150 days), and fetuses were delivered at 125 days. IL-1 (cid:1) and IL-1 (cid:2) improved lung function and increased alveolar saturated phosphatidylcholine (Sat PC) and surfactant protein mRNA expression at the higher dose. The maturation response to IL-1 (cid:1) was greater than that to IL-1 (cid:2) , which was similar to endotoxin response. Inﬂammation was also more pronounced after IL-1 (cid:1) treatment. Only endotoxin animals had residual inﬂammation of the fetal membranes at 7 days. Lung compliance, lung volume, and alveolar Sat PC were positively correlated with residual alveolar wash leukocyte numbers 7 days after IL-1 treatment, suggesting a link between lung inﬂammation and maturation.
Caudal Neostigmine and Bupivacaine Facilitates Early Extubation and ProvidesProlonged Postoperative Analgesia in Children Undergoing Open Heart Surgery

Objective: This study was designed to examine the effect of single shot of caudal neostigmine with bupivacaine on early extubation versus standard intravenous fentanyl regimen without caudal block. Design: Prospective, randomized double blind controlled clinical trial Setting of the study: Children University Hospital Patients: 80 children (4 to 12 years) undergoing correction of congenital heart defects Methods: Patients were randomized into two equal groups (caudal neostigmine group and non-caudal group); Anesthesia was provided with sevoflurane, midazolam, plus fentanyl 5 mcg/kg and cisatracurium 0.1 mg/kg and maintained with sevoflurane, fentanyl 1 mcg/kg/h. and cisatracurium 0.05 mg/kg. In caudal group; caudal block with bupivacaine (0.125%) in a dose of 1.5 ml/kg plus neostigmine in a dose of 2 mcg/kg was performed after endotracheal intubation in the caudal group only. In non-caudal group intravenous fentanyl was continuously infused postoperatively until weaning from mechanical ventilation. Measurements and Main Results: Both groups were comparable as regard age, sex, weight, and bypass and aortic cross clamp times. In the caudal neostigmine group patients were early extubated, with shorter Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) stay and prolonged postoperative analgesia. Eleven patients had nausea and vomiting in caudal versus four in non-caudal group. Conclusion: Single dose of caudal bupivacaine with neostigmine provided optimum conditions for extubation and good control of postoperative pain in children undergoing cardiac surgery.
Taxonomy and evolution of gibbons

Because the fossil history of gibbons is virtually unknown,1,2 gibbon evolution can only be reconstructed from a comparative analysis of evolutionarily informative characteristics of modern gibbons and, to some degree, of related primate taxa that can be used as outgroups. Several studies have tried to reconstruct gibbon phylogeny, using fur coloration, morphological, vocal, or molecular data.3–10 Each study produced a different result. As a consequence, the relationships among the various hylobatids are under debate, and even the evolutionary relationships among the major groups of gibbons remain unresolved.11 For the present study, three different data sets of approximately equal size were collected in order to assess their relevance for a reconstruction of gibbon phylogeny with cladistic methods. Set 1 uses characteristics of fur coloration, set 2 consists mainly of morphological and anatomical data, and set 3 consists of vocal data. MATERIALS AND METHODS
Overexpression of the Xenopus tight-junction protein claudin causes randomization of the left-right body axis.

This study presents Xenopus claudin (Xcla), a tight-junction protein that is abundantly expressed in eggs and neuroectodermal precursors during early development. It was isolated via a differential screen for mRNAs enriched in microsomes in the Xenopus blastula. The Xcla protein contains four transmembrane domains and a carboxy-terminal cytoplasmic region with a putative PDZ-binding site. We show that this PDZ-binding site of Xcla is critical for its correct localization on the cell membrane and that a truncated form leads to delocalization of the tight-junction protein ZO-1. Overexpression of Xcla causes changes in the cell adhesion properties of blastomeres and leads to visceral situs randomization. The results suggest that left-right axial patterning is very sensitive to changes in regulation of cell-cell interactions and implicate a tight-junction protein in the determination of left-right asymmetry.
Fiber Optic Spectroelectrochemical Sensing for in situ Determination of Metal Ions

Abstract In situ chemical sensing techniques are increasingly used for a variety of applications, including industrial process control, on‐site environmental assessment, and detection of explosives and chemical and biological weapons. A common category of sensors for such purposes entails the use of optical fibers for making spectral measurements of target compounds or species derived from these compounds via physical, chemical, enzymatic, or immunologic reactions. A less common but potentially advantageous approach involves the electrochemical conversion of the analyte subsequent to its spectroscopic detection. These spectroelectrochemical schemes represent versatile, essentially reagent‐free analyses that could provide superior alternatives to existing methods. Reported here is a summary of progress made by the authors' group toward the development of fiber optic spectroelectrochemical sensors for in situ measurements. The aqueous copper (II)/copper (0) couple was chosen as a model system to investigate the merit of an analytical scheme involving (i) cathodic preconcentration of Cu2+ as Cu0 followed by (ii) anodic stripping of Cu0 to Cu2+, (iii) complexation of Cu2+ by an appropriate ligand, and finally (iv) absorbance determination of the copper–ligand complex or fluorescence determination of the unbound ligand. Results are encouraging and indicate the need for further refinement of the sensor's design and the experimental protocol in order to improve the method's sensitivity.
Juvenile Nasopharyngeal Angiofibroma: The Expanded Endonasal Approach

Background Juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma (JNA) is a benign but locally aggressively vascular tumor that may involve the skull base and extend intracranially. Endoscopic excision has become the new standard for smaller tumors but remains a challenge for large tumors, leading some to advocate radiation therapy. We reviewed our experience managing JNA, specifically with respect to utility of the expanded endonasal approach (EEA) for lesions with skull base and intracranial extension. Methods All cases of JNA at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center from 1995 to 2006 were reviewed with respect to tumor size and location, vascular supply and results of embolization, skull base involvement and intracranial extension, surgical approach, blood loss, intraoperative and postoperative complications, and recurrence. Results Thirty-one cases of JNA were identified. The majority of tumors were completely excised using the EEA, regardless of size or extension into adjacent compartments. Surgical excision of some tumors with intracranial blood supply was staged. Recurrence rates were not associated with extent of tumor or surgical technique. Long-term morbidity was minimal. Conclusion Most JNA, regardless of tumor extent, may be completely excised using EEA alone or in combination with minor sublabial incisions avoiding the morbidity associated with larger open approaches or postoperative radiation therapy.
The era of centenarians: mortality of the oldest old in Sweden

Dear Sir, Demographic evidence has shown that life-expectancyhasbeen improving formore than160 years [1, 2]. This remarkable trend was first fuelled by reductions in infant andchildmortality; however, since the 1950smostof thereductionhasbeenbecauseofadecrease inmortality in the elderly. The annual decline inmortality at older ages is continuing inmanycountries, including Sweden [3]. According to the Human Mortality Database, Swedish life-expectancy at the age of 80 years increased by 1.84 years for men and 2.78 years for women between 1969 and 2009 [4]. The number of Swedish centenarians has risen almost exponentially in recent years,mainlybecauseof thedecrease inmortality below the age of 100 [5]. The increase in mortality has been accompanied by a steady and almost linear increase in the maximum ageatdeath [6].
Psychosocial Determinants of Adherence to Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy among Injection Drug Users in Vancouver

Background Sub-optimal adherence to highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) among injection drug users (IDUs) is a significant concern. As such, there is an urgent need to identify psychosocial determinants of adherence that can be incorporated into interventions designed to promote optimal adherence. Objective To identify psychosocial determinants of adherence to HAART, as well as self-reported reasons for missing doses of HAART among HIV-infected IDUs. Methods We developed an eight-item adherence self-efficacy scale comprised of two sub-scales: adherence efficacy and self-regulatory efficacy. We examined correlates between adherence self-efficacy, outcome expectations, socio-demographic characteristics, drug use and risk behaviours, social support and HAART adherence among 108 HIV-infected participants in the Vancouver Injection Drug Users Study (VIDUS). Pharmacy-based adherence to HAART was obtained through a confidential record linkage to the province of British Columbia's HIV/AIDS Drug Treatment Program. Participants were defined as adherent if they picked-up 95% of their HAART prescriptions. Participants were also asked to indicate reasons for missing doses of HAART. Logistic regression was used to identify the factors independently associated with adherence to HAART. Results Seventy-one (66%) HIV-infected IDUs were less than 95% adherent. Forgetting was the most frequently cited reason (27%) for missing doses of HAART. Factors independently associated with adherence to HAART included adherence efficacy expectations [OR=1.8 (95% CI: 1.0–3.1); P=0.039] and negative outcome expectations [OR=0.8 (95% CI: 0.7–0.9); P=0.027]. Conclusions We found low rates of adherence to HAART among IDUs. Psychological constructs derived from self-efficacy theory are highly germane to the understanding of adherence behaviour, and interventions that address these constructs should be developed and tested among HIV-infected drug users.
Medium-Term and Long-Term Outcomes of Interventions for Primary Psoas Tendinopathy

Objective:To assess medium- and long-term outcomes of psoas tendinopathy to psoas tenotomy and image-guided steroid injections. Design:This is a 14-year retrospective case-control study to identify the efficacy of psoas tenotomy and image-guided steroid injections. Setting:This study was undertaken in a secondary care setting. Patients:Patients with confirmed psoas tendinopathy were followed up by postal questionnaire, which included a nonarthritic hip score (NAHS) and a study patient satisfaction questionnaire. Interventions:Patients underwent image-guided steroid injections. Depending on the analgesic or symptomatic relief, some patients proceeded to psoas tenotomy. Main Outcome Measures:Response to steroid injection. Pain relief and symptomatic relief after the surgery. Results:Twenty-three patients were reviewed with a 70% follow-up over a time of 49 months for surgery (range, 13-144 months) and 77 months for injection (range, 14-160 months). Eight patients had a lasting response to injection and required no further intervention, and 15 patients proceeded to psoas tenotomy using a medial Ludloff approach. The average NAHS scores after the surgery and injection were 66.15 and 76.08, respectively. Ten patients reported pain relief after their tenotomy, and 5 patients reported no change in pain. All 8 patients, who only underwent injection, reported lasting pain relief. Conclusions:Local steroid injections can provide long-term relief for patients presenting with psoas tendinopathy. For those patients with only temporary relief from injection, psoas tenotomy can provide good long-term pain relief.
Community perceptions of TravelSmart behaviour in South Australia

This study aims to contribute to travel behaviour change research by enhancing our understanding of the reasons people choose to engage or not engage in sustainable travel behaviours, such as riding public transport, walking, or riding bicycles. A secondary aim of this study is to inform the design and implementation of behaviour change programs and to enable a more strategic approach to travel behaviour change. Face-to-face interviews were conducted on a sample of 392 individuals from western Adelaide metropolitan region. Respondents were categorised according to their level of agreement with a number of key statements and discriminant analysis was conducted to discover the most important travel issues distinguishing those engaged or not engaged in that behaviour. The results suggested potentially important factors to be addressed when developing strategies for changing travel behaviour.