Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Intra- and Interrater Reliability of Ultrasound Assessment of Gastric Volume

Background:Gastric sonography can provide information about gastric content and volume that can help determine aspiration risk at the bedside. The primary objective of this study is to assess the intrarater and interrater reliability of a previously validated method of gastric volume assessment based on gastric antral area. The secondary objective is to evaluate the agreement between two different methods to measure gastric antral area. Methods:Three independent raters performed a standardized gastric ultrasound assessment in healthy subjects who had been randomly allocated to ingest a predetermined volume of clear fluid (apple juice) from 0 to 400 ml. Each rater measured the gastric antral area, using twice the two-diameter method and twice the free-tracing method. The rater order was allocated at random and raters were unaware of the volume ingested and of one-another’s measurements. The Guidelines for Reporting Reliability and Agreement Studies were followed for conducting and reporting this study. Results:Twenty-two volunteers were studied. Ultrasound assessment of antral cross-sectional area and volume was found to have “nearly perfect” intrarater and interrater reliability (correlation coefficient >0.8) with maximum differences within 13%. A Bland–Altman analysis suggests that the free-tracing method and the two-diameter method are essentially equivalent, within a clinically acceptable level of agreement. Conclusions:Ultrasound assessment of gastric volume by clinical anesthesiologists is highly reproducible with high intrarater and interrater reliability. The free-tracing method to measure antral cross-sectional area is equivalent to the two-diameter method.
Experimental investigation of normally-on type bidirectional switch for indirect Matrix Converters

In this paper, the novel normally-on type bidirectional switch, in which is comprised of SiC-JFET, SiC-SBD, and Si-IGBT is proposed for one of a protection method of the Matrix Converter (MC). When the MC becomes gate block situation, a diode clamp circuit or auxiliary circuits keeps inductive load current loop in a conventional MC utilized a bidirectional switch. We focus that the normally-on type SiC-JFET becomes turn-on state, when zero gate bias voltage and a SiC-devices have a good tolerance capability for short current than silicon devices. These characteristic of normally-on type SiC-JFET is used to replace diode clamp circuit in MC driver system. The experimentation based on indirect MC induction motor driver system was carried out. The experimental result of IM driver shows that the proposed bidirectional switch can overcome a generated inductive load current by IM. Finally, in order to design heat sink, the power loss of each devices of proposed switch was estimated by experimental results.
The effects of sociodramatic play on problem-solving behavior among culturally disadvantaged preschool children.

ROSEN, CATHERINE ELKIN. The Effects of Sociodramatic Play on Problem-solving Behavior among Culturally Disadvantaged Preschool Children. CHILD DEVELOPMENT, 1974, 45, 920-927. After replicating with American kindergartners Smilansky's finding that disadvantaged youngsters are exceeded in amount and quality of sociodramatic play by advantaged youngsters, 2 classes of disadvantaged kindergartners were given 40 days of instruction and practice in sociodramatic play. Compared with 2 control classes, the experimentals showed significant improvement in posttest group problem-solving behavior, effectiveness in solving group problems requiring maximum cooperation and minimum competition, and role-taking skills. These results support the prediction that acquisition and performance of sociodramatic play improves the problem-solving behavior of culturally disadvantaged children.
Arteriolar Involvement in the Microvascular Lesions of Diabetic Retinopathy: Implications for Pathogenesis

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is the most widespread complication of diabetes mellitus and a major cause of blindness in the working population of developed countries. The clinicopathology of the diabetic retina has been extensively studied, although the relative contribution of the various biochemical and molecular sequelae of hyperglycemia remains ill defined. Many neural and microvascular abnormalities occur in the retina of short‐term diabetic animals but it remains uncertain how closely these acute changes relate to chronic human disease. It is important to determine the relationship between alterations observed within the first weeks or months in short‐term animal models, and human disease, where clinically manifest retinopathy occurs only after durations of diabetes measured in years. This review is focused on the retinal microvasculature, although it should be appreciated that pathological changes in this system often occur in parallel with abnormalities in the neural parenchyma that may be derivative or even causal. Nevertheless, it is useful to reevaluate the microvascular lesions that are manifest in the retina during diabetes in humans and long‐term animal models, since in addition to providing useful clues to the pathogenic basis of DR as a disease entity, it is in the deterrence of such changes that the efficacy of any novel treatment regimes will be measured. In particular, an emphasis will be placed on the relatively unappreciated role of arteriolar dysfunction in the clinical manifestations and pathology of this disease.
Association between accelerometer-measured physical activity and muscle capacity in middle-aged postmenopausal women

Objective:Greater muscle strength and power are associated with better physical function in middle-aged and older women. The aim of the present study was to determine whether accelerometer-measured physical activity was associated with muscle strength and power in middle-aged postmenopausal women. Methods:Postmenopausal women (N = 60; mean [SD] age, 58.9 [3.9] y) were assessed for physical activity (step count and moderate to vigorous physical activity [MVPA]) via accelerometer, for body composition via dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry, for concentric isokinetic knee torque at 60°/s and 180°/s using isokinetic dynamometry, and for leg extensor power with the Nottingham power rig. Results:In linear regression analysis, daily step count was independently associated with isokinetic knee torque at 60°/s (standardized &bgr; = 0.32, P = 0.01), isokinetic knee torque at 180°/s (standardized &bgr; = 0.32, P = 0.01), and total leg extensor power (&bgr; = 0.36, P = 0.01) after adjustment for covariates. Daily MVPA had similar associations with isokinetic knee torque at 60°/s (&bgr; = 0.38, P < 0.01), isokinetic knee torque at 180°/s (&bgr; = 0.41, P < 0.01), and leg power (&bgr; = 0.31, P = 0.02). Analysis of covariance indicated that women who engaged in MVPA for 30 minutes or more per day produced significantly greater isokinetic knee torque (60°/s and 180°/s) and leg extensor power compared with women not meeting this guideline (all P < 0.05). Conclusions:These findings suggest that daily step count and MVPA are independently associated with muscle strength and power in middle-aged postmenopausal women. Future studies should determine whether interventions that increase habitual physical activity in middle-aged women are associated with concomitant improvements in muscle capacity.
Simultaneous Detection of Pathogens in Clinical Samples from Patients with Community-Acquired Pneumonia by Real-Time PCR with Pathogen-Specific Molecular Beacon Probes

ABSTRACT In this study, real-time PCR with pathogen-specific molecular beacons (MB) and primers was evaluated for prediction of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) causative agents, detecting six main CAP agents, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Chlamydophila pneumoniae, Legionella pneumophila, and Streptococcus pyogenes, simultaneously. The PCR assay was evaluated for fresh clinical specimens from infants and children (n = 389) and from adults (n = 40). The MB probes and primers are both pathogen specific, namely, the lytA gene for S. pneumoniae, the mip gene for L. pneumophila, and 16S rRNA genes for the remaining four organisms. DNA extraction of clinical specimens was performed with a commercially available EXTRAGEN II kit, and amplification was performed with Stratagene Mx3000P. The limit of detection for these pathogens ranged from 2 copies to 18 copies. The whole process from DNA extraction to the analysis was finished in less than 2 h. The obtained sensitivity and specificity of this real-time PCR study relative to those of conventional cultures were as follows: 96.2% and 93.2% for S. pneumoniae, 95.8% and 95.4% for H. influenzae, 100% and 100% for S. pyogenes, and 100% and 95.4% for M. pneumoniae, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity for M. pneumoniae relative to those of a serologic assay were 90.2% and 97.9%, respectively. In six clinical samples of C. pneumoniae, the real-time PCR gave positive predictable values, and in those cases, elevation of the titer value was also observed. In conclusion, we demonstrated that a real-time PCR assay with pathogen-specific MB is useful in identifying CAP causative agents rapidly and in examining the clinical course of empirical chemotherapy in a timely manner, supporting conventional culture methods.
Multicenter P300 brain mapping of impaired attention to cues in hyperkinetic children.

OBJECTIVE To measure specific neurophysiological attention deficits in children with hyperkinetic disorders (HD; the ICD-10 diagnosis for severe and pervasive attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder [ADHD]). METHOD In a multicenter sample of 148 children with HD and control children aged 8 to 14 years, event-related potential maps were recorded during a cued continuous performance test (A-X/O-X). Maps to cues (requiring attention but no response) and distractors and performance were tested for differences between age- and sex-matched HD and control groups (n = 57 each), as well as between clinics (n = 5). RESULTS The N1, P3a, and P3b maps revealed reliable attention effects, with larger amplitudes after cues than after distractors, and only minor differences across clinics. Children with HD missed more targets, made more false alarms, and had larger N1 followed by smaller P3b amplitudes after cues than did controls. Cue-P3b amplitude correlated with detecting subsequent targets. Cue-P3b tomography indicated posterior sources that were attenuated in children with HD. CONCLUSIONS Brain mapping indicates that children with HD attend to cues (preceding potential targets) with increased initial orienting (N1) followed by insufficient resource allocation (P3b). These multiple, condition-specific attention deficits in HD within 300 msec extend previous results on ADHD and underline the importance of high temporal resolution in mapping severe attention deficits.
Ranking economics departments in the US South: an update

ABSTRACT This study provides an update to Mixon and Upadhyaya’s (2001) ranking of Southern economics departments using research output indexed in EconLit. Ranking results from a ‘core’ (i.e. the top five faculty researchers) of each institution’s economics department reveal that Vanderbilt University, George Mason University, Johns Hopkins University, the University of Maryland and Georgia State University currently maintain the top five economics departments, respectively, in the US South. Relatedly, the five institutions rising the most from Mixon and Upadhyaya (2001) are Tulane University, Georgia State University, University of Texas–Dallas, Rice University and Florida International University, respectively.
Alpha-Band Brain Oscillations Shape the Processing of Perceptible as well as Imperceptible Somatosensory Stimuli during Selective Attention

Attention filters and weights sensory information according to behavioral demands. Stimulus-related neural responses are increased for the attended stimulus. Does alpha-band activity mediate this effect and is it restricted to conscious sensory events (suprathreshold), or does it also extend to unconscious stimuli (subthreshold)? To address these questions, we recorded EEG in healthy male and female volunteers undergoing subthreshold and suprathreshold somatosensory electrical stimulation to the left or right index finger. The task was to detect stimulation at the randomly alternated cued index finger. Under attention, amplitudes of somatosensory evoked potentials increased 50–60 ms after stimulation (P1) for both suprathreshold and subthreshold events. Prestimulus amplitude of peri-Rolandic alpha, that is mu, showed an inverse relationship to P1 amplitude during attention compared to when the finger was unattended. Interestingly, intermediate and high amplitudes of mu rhythm were associated with the highest P1 amplitudes during attention and smallest P1 during lack of attention, that is, these levels of alpha rhythm seemed to optimally support the behavioral goal (“detect” stimuli at the cued finger while ignoring the other finger). Our results show that attention enhances neural processing for both suprathreshold and subthreshold stimuli and they highlight a rather complex interaction between attention, Rolandic alpha activity, and their effects on stimulus processing. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Attention is crucial in prioritizing processing of relevant perceptible (suprathreshold) stimuli: it filters and weights sensory input. The present study investigates the controversially discussed question whether this attention effect extends to imperceptible (subthreshold) stimuli as well. We found noninvasive EEG signatures for attentional modulation of neural events following perceptible and imperceptible somatosensory stimulation in human participants. Specifically, stimulus processing for both kinds of stimulation, subthreshold and suprathreshold, is enhanced by attention. Interestingly, Rolandic alpha rhythm strength and its influence on stimulus processing are strikingly altered by attention most likely to optimally achieve the behavioral goal.
Reversible limbic encephalitis with antibodies against the membranes of neurones of the hippocampus

Paraneoplastic limbic encephalitis (PLE) is a rare neurological syndrome characterised by short-term memory impairment, seizures and various psychiatric disturbances. It is often associated with small-cell lung cancer, germ-cell tumours of the testis and breast cancer, but rarely with ovarian teratoma.1 Several cases of PLE with ovarian teratoma have been reported, but the autoantigens of this disease remain unknown. Recently, an antibody to the membranes of neurones of the hippocampus (antigens colocalising with exchange factor for ADP-ribosylation factor 6 A (EFA6A)) was reported in association with PLE and ovarian teratoma.2 Here, we report a case of a young Japanese woman who had PLE with ovarian teratoma, and whose serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) contained an antibody against the membranes of neurones of the hippocampus. Immunosuppressive treatments resulted in a rapid improvement. A 30-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital (Jichi Medical University, Tochigi, Japan) in April 2004 because of headache, fever and disorientation for 3 days. Figure 1A summarises the clinical course of the patient. She had no relevant family or medical history of interest. Her temperature was 37.8°C. Neurological examination on admission showed only recent memory disturbance. Examination of CSF showed increased protein concentration (670 mg/l), an increased number of mononuclear-dominant cells (40/mm3) and 67 mg/dl glucose. CSF cytology was negative for malignant cells. Polymerase chain reaction for herpes simplex virus (HSV) was negative. No marked increase in anti-HSV, varicella zoster virus, human herpes virus type …
Testing an Expected Utility Model of Corporate Deterrence

This article reports on the first quantitative perceptual deterrence study of corporate (rather than individual) deterrence. The study is based on interviews with 410 chief executives of small organizations and their officially recorded compliance with regulatory standards. We find partial support for the certainty of detection as a predictor of both self-reported and officially recorded compliance but no support for the certainty or severity of sanctioning. The narrow range of sanctions available in the particular regulatory domain studied (regulation of nursing home quality) has enabled a fuller specification than was possible in previous studies of an expected utility model for all available sanctions. Managers' expected corporate disutility from all sanctions fails to explain compliance. Deterrence does not work significantly more effectively for chief executives (a) of forprofit versus nonprofit organizations, (b) who are owners compared with those who are not owners, (c) who say they think about sanctions more (sanction salience), (d) who may better fit the rational choice model in that they are low on emotionality, (e) who have a weaker belief in the law. Nor is deterrence more effective when compliance costs are low.
Relationship between depth of anesthesia and effect-site concentration of propofol during induction with the target-controlled infusion technique in elderly patients.

BACKGROUND There are few studies to assess whether the effect-site concentration of propofol can predict anesthetic depth during the target-controlled infusion (TCI) induction in elderly patients. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between effect-site concentration of propofol and depth of anesthesia during the TCI induction in elderly patients. METHODS Ninety patients (60 - 80 years) with an American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status of 1 - 3, undergoing scheduled abdominal and thoracic surgery under general anesthesia were randomly allocated into one of three groups, Group S1, S2 and S3 (30 patients in each group). The patients in Group S1 received propofol with a target plasma concentration of 4.0 microg/ml; patients in Group S2 received propofol with an initial target plasma concentrations of 2.0 microg/ml that was raised to 4.0 microg/ml 3 minutes later; patients in Group S3 received an infused scheme of 3 steps; starting from a target plasma concentration of 2.0 microg/ml that was increased stepwised by 1 microg/ml until a target plasma concentration of 4.0 microg/ml was achieved, the interval between the two steps was 3 minutes. When an Observer's Assessment of Alertness/Sedation (OAA/S) score of 1 was achieved, remifentanil (effect-site concentration (Ce) of 4.0 ng/ml) and rocuronium 0.9 mg/kg were administered. Tracheal intubation was started 2 minutes after rocuronium injection. Changes of propofol Ce, blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR), and bispectral index (BIS) were recorded. RESULTS When an OAA/S score of 1 was achieved, Ce of propofol were (1.7 +/- 0.4) microg/ml, (1.9 +/- 0.3) microg/ml, (1.9 +/- 0.4) microg/ml and the BIS values were 64 +/- 5, 65 +/- 8, and 62 +/- 8 in Groups S1, S2 and S3. Before intubation, Ce of propofol was (2.8 +/- 0.2) microg/ml, (2.8 +/- 0.3) microg/ml, (2.7 +/- 0.3) microg/ml, and the BIS values were 48 +/- 7, 51 +/- 7, and 47 +/- 5 in Groups S1, S2 and S3. By linear regression analysis, a significant correlation between Ce of propofol and BIS values was found (r = -0.580, P < 0.01). Systolic blood pressure (SBP) before intubation was significantly lower in Group S1 than in Groups S2 and S3. SBP and HR after intubation in the three groups were significantly increased when compared with pre-intubation values, but they did not exceed baseline values. CONCLUSIONS During the TCI induction, Ce of propofol with (1.9 +/- 0.3) microg/ml may make the elderly patients unconscious. When remifentanil with a Ce of 4.0 ng/ml is added a Ce of propofol with (2.8 +/- 0.3) microg/ml is suitable for intubation. The Ce of propofol has a close correlation with the BIS values. Also, a two-step TCI technique seems to be a more suitable method of anesthesia induction in elderly patients compared with the no-stepwise TCI technique and three-step TCI technique.
Quality of serious adverse events reporting to academic sponsors of clinical trials: far from optimal

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the quality of the serious adverse events (SAE) reported to an academic sponsor. Assessing the safety of a clinical trial relies on information gathering the collection of adverse events reported by the investigators to the sponsor. The accuracy of safety evaluation depends in particular on the quality of the reporting.
Expression of vesicular glutamate transporter 1 in the mouse retina reveals temporal ordering in development of rod vs. cone and ON vs. OFF circuits

Glutamatergic transmission is crucial to the segregation of ON and OFF pathways in the developing retina. The temporal sequence of maturation of vesicular glutamatergic transmission in rod and cone photoreceptor and ON and OFF bipolar cell terminals is currently unknown. Vesicular glutamate transporters (VGLUTs) that load glutamate into synaptic vesicles are necessary for vesicular glutamatergic transmission. To understand better the formation and maturation of glutamatergic transmission in the rod vs. cone and ON vs. OFF pathways of the retina, we examined the developmental expression of VGLUT1 and VGLUT2 immunocytochemically in the mouse retina. Photoreceptor and bipolar cell terminals showed only VGLUT1‐immunoreactivity (‐IR); no VGLUT2‐IR was present in any synapses of the developing or adult retina. VGLUT1‐IR was first detected in cone photoreceptor terminals at postnatal day 2 (P2), several days before initiation of ribbon synapse formation at P4–P5. Rod terminals showed VGLUT1‐IR by P8, when they invade the outer plexiform layer (OPL) and initiate synaptogenesis. Developing OFF bipolar cell terminals showed VGLUT1‐IR around P8, 2–3 days after bipolar terminals were first identified in the inner plexiform layer (IPL) by labeling for the photoreceptor and bipolar cell terminal marker, synaptic vesicle protein 2B. Although terminals of ON bipolar cells were present in the IPL by P6–P8, most did not show VGLUT1‐IR until P8–P10 and increased dramatically from P12. These data suggest a hierarchical development of glutamatergic transmission in which cone circuits form prior to rod circuits in both the OPL and IPL, and OFF circuits form prior to ON circuits in the IPL. J. Comp. Neurol. 465:480–498, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.