Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Chest radiography and CT findings in patients with the 2009 pandemic (H1N1) influenza.

PURPOSE To present chest radiography and thoracic computed tomography (CT) findings for patients with pandemic influenza A (H1N1) from November-December 2009 and to explore any differences compared to previously reported imaging findings. MATERIALS AND METHODS Fifty-two hospitalized patients with pandemic influenza (H1N1) were included in the study. All of the patients underwent chest radiography, and 28 patients were also evaluated by thoracic CT. Group 1 comprised 24 (46%) patients with no identified risk factors for H1N1 influenza infection. Group 2 comprised the remaining 28 (54%) patients with identified risk factors. The distribution of lung involvement, consolidation, ground-glass opacity (GGO), lymph nodes, and pleural effusion were evaluated. RESULTS Abnormal findings were observed in 85% of the patients. Bilateral lung involvement was present in 80% of the patients. The most common finding was a mixture of GGO and air-space consolidation. Lower zone predominance occurred in 89% of group 1 and 85% of group 2 patients. The involvement was observed most frequently in the peripheral and central perihilar areas of the lung in 80% of the patients. The extent of disease was greater in group 2 patients with the involvement of three or more lung zones in 62% of the patients. CONCLUSION The most common imaging finding for lung involvement was a mixture of air-space consolidation and GGO with a patchy pattern and lower/middle zone predominance. Pulmonary involvement of the disease was more extensive than that described in previous reports.
Study of Risk Factors for Development of Voice Disorders and its Impact on the Quality of Life of School Teachers in Mangalore, India.

INTRODUCTION School teachers are most prone to the development and detrimental effects of voice disorders as a consequence of their work. The risk factors for development of dysphonia in teachers are multifactorial. AIM The primary aim of our study was to investigate the various risk factors that influence the onset and progression of voice disorders in school teachers in the Indian context. We wanted to assess the effect of voice problems on the physical, psychosocial and functional aspect of a teacher's life. MATERIALS AND METHODS It was a cross-sectional study conducted across three English medium institutions. A total of 105 teachers consented to participate in the study and they had to answer a semi-structured, pre-tested questionnaire, which included demographic details, living habits (drug intake, smoking and alcohol intake) health condition [any Deviated Nasal Septum (DNS), Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), stress, etc., or any history of surgery], teaching characteristics, voice symptoms and physical discomforts and quality of life assessment. The completed questionnaires were collected and analyzed based on the responses obtained. RESULTS It was found that 81% of the study population had voice problems at some point of their career. A total of 26% of them fell into the voice disorder category. The association of upper respiratory infections DNS and GERD with voice disorders was found to be statistically significant. We also found that a significant number of teachers with voice disorders had changed their teaching styles and were planning to opt for an early retirement. Most importantly, it was also seen that teachers with voice disorders were more likely to have a poorer quality of life as compared to those without a voice disorder (p<0.001). CONCLUSION Voice disorders had a significant bearing on all the spheres of a school teacher's life. The affected teachers were more likely to take sick leaves, change overall job opinions, retire early, reduce overall communiations, repeat statements and avoid talking to people in person as well as over the telephone. It reduced their overall social abilities and made them avoid social activities. They got easily upset and were dissatisfied with their job performance. All these in turn deteriorate the quality of life in these individuals.
Synchronization Properties of a Cascaded System Consisting of Two External-Cavity Semiconductor Lasers Mutually Coupled via an Intermediate Laser

The properties of chaos synchronization in a cascaded mutual coupling semiconductor laser system consisting of two external-cavity semiconductor lasers (ECSLs) and an intermediate semiconductor laser in between are systematically investigated. We theoretically analyze the general conditions for the synchronization between the ECSLs and those for the global synchronization among all semiconductor lasers (SLs), and numerically investigate their distribution characteristics in the different operation parameter spaces, under the condition of that the ECSLs suffer identical feedback. The simulation results demonstrate that both stable isochronal chaos synchronization (ICS) and leader/laggard chaos synchronization (LLCS) can be achieved between the ECSLs in a large operation range, and they are independent of the feedback delay. This property can be adopted to achieve long-range chaos synchronization between two ECSLs. Also, the stable ICS and LLCS between ECSLs show prominent mismatch robustness and detuning tolerance when they suffer properly strong injections from the intermediate laser. On the other hand, when the mutual coupling parameters and the feedback parameters satisfy some certain relationships, a global isochronal chaos synchronization or hybrid chaos synchronization among all SLs can be achieved, and the global chaos synchronization affords message transmissions between any two SLs, which is beneficial for the implementation of chaos communication networks.
Forgetting as a cause of incomplete reporting of sexual and drug injection partners.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Partner notification and social network studies of infectious disease often involve interviewing people to elicit their sexual and/or drug injection partners. Incomplete reporting of partners in these contexts would significantly hamper efforts to understand and control the spread of sexually transmitted diseases, HIV, and other infections. There are many reasons why individuals might not name their partners in interviews. This study provides a comprehensive assessment of forgetting as a cause of incomplete reporting of sexual and injection partners. STUDY DESIGN One hundred fifty-six persons in Seattle, Washington, at presumed high risk for HIV recalled their sexual and/or injection partners in two interviews separated by 1 week or 3 months. RESULTS Repeated, nonspecific prompting elicited, on average, 10% of all partners recalled in an interview. Subjects displayed substantial forgetting of partners across partner types, recall periods, and four independent measurement approaches, with up to 72% of partners forgotten. The number of partners recalled and subjective assessment of forgetting are moderate to good predictors of the number of partners forgotten. Recalled and forgotten partners do not differ dramatically on any of several partner variables. CONCLUSIONS Forgetting is a primary factor in the incomplete reporting of sexual and injection partners. Interviewers should prompt repeatedly to maximize recall of partners. Reinterviewing is currently the best method available for identifying partners as completely as possible and should be focused on individuals who report many partners and/or sense they have other partners they cannot recall.
The association of seasonal variations of asthma hospitalization with air pollution among children in Taiwan.

BACKGROUND The impact of air pollution on asthma in children in different age group has not been well defined. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to evaluate the association between seasonal variations in air pollution and asthma hospitalization of children within a two-year period. METHODS Using the National Health Insurance database, seasonal variations in hospitalization trends in children with a primary diagnosis of asthma (International Classification of Disease 9th revision, code 493) for patients aged < 18 years from 2001 to 2002 were investigated. Data on the average concentration of nitrogen dioxide (NO(2)), carbon monoxide (CO), ozone(O(3)), sulphur dioxide (SO(2)), and particles with aerodynamic diameter < 10 microm (PM(10)) for each month were obtained from the Environmental Protection Department through 71 stations of air quality monitor distributed nationwide. PSI value (pollutants standard index)> 100 was considered poor air quality. Seasonal variations in asthma admissions were compared to the air pollution quality data using Spearman's rank correlation. RESULTS Asthma hospitalization was not related to the number of days when the PSI was > 100 during the 24-months period (r = -0.361; p = 0.083). However, it was significantly associated with seasonal changes in the concentration of each pollutant. The most strongly related air pollutant variable was PM(10) (standardized coefficients 0.384), followed by 0(3) (standardized coefficients 0.255) and SO(2) (standardized coefficients 0.162) concentrations. The association of seasonal changes in asthma hospitalization with these pollutants was greater in pre-school and school age children. Temperature and rainfall in all seasons were not related to asthma hospitalization. None of the pollutants were associated with seasonal variations in admission rate for adolescents. CONCLUSION Seasonal variations of asthma hospitalization among preschool children are associated with concentration of air pollutants.
Cross-Cultural Comparison of Effective Leadership in Schools for Children with Blindness or Low Vision in the United States and Nigeria.

In this project, the authors used the Essential Behavioral Leadership Qualities (EBLQ) method of measuring leadership effectiveness to assess and compare the effectiveness of principals (leaders) of residential schools for children with blindness or low vision in the United States (U.S.) and Nigeria. A total of 248 teachers (subordinates) in 25 schools in the U.S. and 271 teachers in 22 schools in Nigeria, assessed their principals against the qualities they (teachers) perceived to be essential for effective leadership in their respective countries. Differences found in perceived EBLQ items for leadership effectiveness in both countries demonstrated support for both the trans-cultural and culture-specific perspectives of leadership effectiveness. The outcomes in both countries indicated that the principals could derive a “coaching” effect from
Privatization and inter-municipal cooperation in local stormwater planning and management

Decentralized approaches to environmental policy benefit from local input and knowledge, yet also place greater responsibility on local governments. Under the US Clean Water Act, thousands of municipalities are required to implement stormwater programs. Most research has focused on stormwater management strategies in large cities, but there are few studies of how smaller municipalities respond to federal mandates given their relatively limited fiscal and staffing capacities. Our work examines the prevalence of outsourcing strategies to administer stormwater programs among municipalities in Utah. We find that municipalities use a mix of in-house staffing, private consultant use, and cooperation with other municipalities to develop and administer their stormwater programs. The use of private consultants was most common among suburban cities, while all municipalities engaged in inter-municipal cooperation through county-level coalitions that take responsibility for public education programming. Reliance on the county-level coalition had the effect of distancing managers from public education activities.
The p53 R72P polymorphism does not influence cervical cancer development in a portuguese population: A study in exfoliated cervical cells

The interaction between the E6 protein of the high‐risk human papillomaviruses (HPVs) with p53 seems to be crucial in cervical carcinogenesis. The presence of Arg/Arg genotype at codon 72 of TP53 gene was characterized as a risk factor in development of cervical cancer. However, the role of this polymorphism remains controversial and some authors suggested that the origin of DNA (blood or exfoliated cervical cells) might influence these results. This study analyzed the effect of the p53 codon 72 polymorphism (R72P) in exfoliated cervical cells of women from the northern region of Portugal using two methodologies: allele‐specific polymerase chain reaction and real‐time polymerase chain reaction. We studied 700 cervical exfoliated cells which showed: 334 cases from women without cervical cancer or cervical lesion (N), 114 low‐grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (LSIL), 107 high‐grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL), 20 invasive cervical cancers (ICC) and 125 atypical squamous cells of unknown significance (ASCUS). No statistically significant differences between cases and controls were found, regarding the influence of the R72P polymorphism with cytological classification, high risk‐HPV infection and HPV16 presence (P = 0.336, P = 0.945, and P = 0.964, respectively). Also, the influence of this polymorphism in the median age of onset for LSIL, HSIL, and ICC was not statistically significant (P = 0.674, P = 0.810, and P = 0.928, respectively). Therefore, the hypothesis that women with Arg/Arg genotype have an increased risk of developing cervical cancer failed to be proven in this study. Moreover, our study reveals that results using exfoliated cervical cells are reliable as compared with studies on blood. J. Med. Virol. 80:424–429, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Laboratory investigation of Acanthamoeba lugdunensis from patients with keratitis.

PURPOSE Species of four Acanthamoeba isolates (KA/E2, KA/E12, KA/E15, and KA/E16) from the cornea of patients with keratitis were identified and their molecular characteristics compared with those of other strains. METHODS Morphologic features of amebic cysts were evaluated with a microscope with differential interference contrast (DIC) optics. Restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLP) of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), riboprinting of small subunit ribosomal RNA gene (18S rDNA), and DNA sequences of 18S rDNA were analyzed. mtDNA and PCR-amplified 18S rDNA of the ocular isolates were digested with restriction enzymes, and the restriction patterns were compared with those of reference strains purchased from American Type Culture Collection (ATCC, Manassas, VA). PCR products of 18S rDNA were cloned and subjected to sequencing. The complete sequence of approximately 2300 bp obtained from the isolates and reference strains were compared with each other and those registered in GenBank. RESULTS Three ocular isolates (KA/E2, KA/E12, and KA/E16) of Acanthamoeba revealed the identical mtDNA RFLPs and riboprint patterns with Acanthamoeba L3a, the type strain of A. lugdunensis. The other isolate (KA/E15) had riboprint patterns very similar to A. lugdunensis L3a but quite different mtDNA RFLP patterns from those of all the other strains. A dendrogram based on the riboprint data showed that three ocular isolates were identified as A. lugdunensis and the other isolate was very closely related to this species. Identification of the isolates as A. lugdunensis was confirmed by 18S rDNA sequence analysis. The sequence differences of the four isolates from A. lugdunensis L3a was 0.1% to 0.4% (3 to 8/2284 bp) and 1.2% to 1.5% from A. castellanii Castellani. CONCLUSIONS This is the first report of Acanthamoeba keratitis in Korea caused by A. lugdunensis, which was originally isolated from a freshwater pool in France. Riboprinting can be used as a simple and rapid tool for putative identification of unknown Acanthamoeba ocular isolates.
Pyometra in Captive Large Felids: A Review of Eleven Cases

Abstract Eleven cases of pyometra were diagnosed in a captive exotic felid collection over 3 yr in seven African lions (Panthera leo), two tigers (P. tigris), one liger (lion-tiger crossbreed), and one leopard (P. pardus). Clinical signs included anorexia, lethargy, vulvar discharge, and vomiting. Diagnosis was based on clinical signs, complete blood cell counts, plasma biochemistry and electrolyte values, radiographs, and abdominal ultrasonography. The most common findings on complete blood count and biochemistry profiles were leukocytosis (>15,000/μL) and hyperproteinemia (>8.2 g/dL) due to increased globulins. Abdominal radiographic findings were largely nonspecific, but ultrasonography routinely showed a distended, fluid-filled uterus. Each case was treated with ovariohysterectomy and systemic antibiotic therapy. Lions were shown to be at an increased risk for developing pyometra compared with other species. Pyometra should be considered as a differential diagnosis in anorexic or lethargic intact female large felids, and ovariohysterectomy may be warranted in nonbreeding female lions.
Analysis of Helicobacter pylori Genotypes and Correlation with Clinical Outcome in Turkey

ABSTRACT The predominant Helicobacter pylori strains circulating among geographic locations differ in regard to genomic structure. The association of the cagA-positive, vacA s1 genotypes with peptic ulcer disease (PUD) and gastric cancer was reported in Western countries but not in East Asian countries. Strains from Western countries predominantly possessed cagA type 2a, vacA s1a or s1b/m1a, or vacA m2a genotypes, whereas strains from East Asia possessed cagA type 1a, vacA s1c/m1b, or vacA m2b genotypes. Whether the Turkish strains possessed such genotypes was investigated and correlated with the disease outcome. Seventy-three patients from Turkey were enrolled. H. pylori was detected in 65 (89%) patients (22 with gastritis, 33 with PUD, and 10 with gastric cancer) by any of the following tests: Campylobacter-like organism test, culture, or PCR. Among the H. pylori-positive patients, presence of the cagA gene (78%) was significantly associated with PUD (P < 0.00001), gastric cancer (P < 0.001), and vacA s1a genotypes (P < 0.0001). Multiple vacA genotypes were more prevalent in PUD and gastric cancer patients than in patients with gastritis. Restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis of the cagA gene revealed three different patterns with no significant association with clinical outcome. Turkish strains examined predominantly possessed cagA type 2a, vacA s1a/m1a, or vacA m2a genotypes, which were typical genotypes in strains from Western countries. This fact might be one of the reasons for the low prevalence of severe gastroduodenal diseases in Turkey compared to the East Asian countries.
Interhemispheric cerebral asymmetry detected by VEPS in diabetic patients with recognized depression.

OBJECTIVES The present study was undertaken in order to verify the hypothesis stating that patients with depression exhibit some abnormalities concerning a cerebral symmetry. For this purpose, an analysis of the relationship between the VEPs (Visual Evoked Potentials) results and the depressive symptoms intensification, as well interrelation between depressive and diabetic symptoms were performed. MATERIAL AND METHODS VEPs recordings were obtained from the two study groups (both aged 20-45 years), 20 healthy subjects and 32 diabetic patients with clinically documented depression. The VEPs examination was carried out using a computer system called STELLA (Stimulated Electroencephalogram on Line Analyzer). RESULTS VEPs examinations revealed a cerebral symmetry in the all control subjects and in 10 out of 32 diabetic patients with depressive disorders. It is noteworthy that 22 of 32 diabetic patients (68.8%) showed a hemispheric asymmetry in the VEPs recordings. Of 12 patients with a moderate depression, 10 showed the left cerebral laterality, and 2--the right laterality. In turn, all 10 patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) demonstrated in the VEPs recordings a significant cerebral laterality with the right hemisphere dominance. CONCLUSIONS The obtained results suggest that interhemispheric cerebral asymmetry might be considered a specific feature of depression, and, if this is a case, it could justify a conclusion that right hemisphere dominance could be a neurophysiological marker of MDD. It should be emphasized that intensification of the depressive symptoms has an unfavorable influence on course of diabetes mellitus, its self-control and severity of following complications.
Physiological measurements and prevalence of lower airway diseases in Trotters with dorsal displacement of the soft palate.

REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY Dorsal displacement of the soft palate (DDSP) is one of the most common obstructive conditions of the upper respiratory tract in the racehorse. This condition has a complex aetiology which may be caused or exacerbated by pharyngeal inflammation. Additionally, lower respiratory airway diseases may be associated with DDSP thereby contributing to exercise intolerance in these horses. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to measure physiological variables during a standardised exercise test and to assess the prevalence and consequences of lower respiratory airway disease in horses with DDSP. METHODS A total of 46 horses were included in this study: 22 in the control and 24 in the DDSP groups. All horses performed a SET with measurement of heart rate (HR) and blood lactate concentration. One hour post exercise, respiratory samples were collected for cytological and bacteriological analysis. RESULTS During exercise, the DDSP group had higher blood lactate concentration than the control group. According to BAL results, 50 and 63% of control and DDSP group horses, respectively, had evidence of inflammatory airway disease (IAD). In the DDSP group, 42% of horses had a syndrome of tracheal inflammation (STI) with 71% of this group having bacteria isolated at >10(5) CFU/ml. CONCLUSIONS Horses with DDSP showed evidence of a high prevalence of IAD and STI with an associated positive bacteriology in 55% of the cases. Even if DDSP is treated by surgery, the authors' recommendation would be to investigate the possibility of lower respiratory airway problems which may also be impacting the horse's performance and/or surgery efficiency.
Device, circuit and system-level analysis of noise in multi-bit phase-change memory

We present a comprehensive investigation of noise in multi-bit phase-change memory (PCM). The impact of noise on data integrity was quantified with a combination of experiments and simulations. A prototype chip was fabricated to support our system-level analysis, which shows that a raw bit error rate of ∼10−4 is achievable at 3-bit/cell. At the circuit level, we identified the bit line capacitance and the voltage regulator noise as the critical elements determining the electronic readout circuit noise. In addition, device-level measurements showed that 80% of the total noise can be traced back to the fluctuations in the PCM cell current itself. Our analysis captures for the first time how these fluctuations ultimately limit the achievable bit error rate in future multi-level-cell (MLC) PCM chips.