Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Mapping acoustic field distributions of VHF to SHF SAW transducers using a Scanning Electron Microscope

Mapping the energy distribution of Surface Acoustic Wave (SAW) devices operating in the Very High Frequency (VHF) and Super-High Frequency (SHF) range provides a quantitative indicator of energy confinement, a core parameter when addressing low loss filters or high quality factor resonators. We here demonstrate the use of Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) for mapping Rayleigh wave acoustic field and shear transverse wave (STW) propagating on quartz. Furthermore, the availability of Focused Ion Beam (FIB) for milling the piezoelectric substrate allows for creating obstacles on the acoustic path and hence tune the acoustic wave propagation direction by reflecting the waves along directions which might otherwise exhibit poor electromechanical coupling.
Dissociation between Categorization and Similarity Judgments

A dissociation between categorization and similarity was found by Rips (1989) In one experiment, Rips found that a stimulus half-way between a pizza and a quarter was categorized as a pizza but was rated as more similar to a quarter. Smith & Sloman (1994) discuss these results in terms of the role of necessary and characteristic features. In one experiment, participants had to learn to categorize new stimuli (unknown shapes) built with necessary and characteristic features. We compared two experimental conditions in which we manipulated the association between the characteristic features and the two categories. Contrary to the suggestion made by Smith and Sloman, subjects categorized the stimuli on the basis of a necessary feature. However, their similarity judgments relied on the characteristic features. This resulted, for one of the two experimental conditions, in a perfect dissociation between similarity and categorization. According to Rips, the dissociation indicates that categorization and similarity rating are different processes. On the contrary, we suggest that categorization and similarity are the same processes, but that they sometimes operate on different subsets of
Morpholin-4-ium hydrogen tartrate

In the title molecular salt, C4H10NO+·C4H5O6 −, the morpholinium cation adopts a chair conformation. The conformation of the C—C—C—C backbone of the monotartrate anion is close to anti [torsion angle = 173.18 (17)°], which is supported by two intramolecular O—H⋯O hydrogen bonds. In the crystal, the components are linked by N—H—O and O—H—O hydrogen bonds, generating (001) sheets.
Fire-setting performed in adolescence or early adulthood predicts schizophrenia: a register-based follow-up study of pre-trial offenders

Abstract Background: Aggressive and disruptive behaviours often precede the onset of serious mental illnesses. Fire-setting is a type of crime that is associated with psychotic disorders. Aim: The aim of this prospective follow-up study was to investigate if fire-setting performed in adolescence or early adulthood was associated with future diagnoses of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder. Methods: The consecutive sample consisted of 111 Finnish 15–25-year old males with fire-setting crimes, decreed to a pre-trial forensic psychiatric examination in 1973–1998, and showing no past nor current psychosis at the time of examination. For each firesetter, four age-, gender-, and place of birth-matched controls were randomly selected from the Central Population Register. The subjects were followed until the death of the individual, until they moved abroad, or until the end of 2012. Results: Fourteen firesetters (12.6%) and five controls (1.1%) were diagnosed with either schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder later in life, corresponding to a hazard ratio of 12.5. The delay between the fire-setting offense and the future diagnosis was on average nearly 10 years. Conclusions: Young male offenders undergoing a forensic psychiatric examination because of fire-setting crimes had a significant propensity for schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder. Accurate assessments should be made both during imprisonment and later in life to detect possible psychotic signs in these individuals.
Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) protein Vif inhibits the activity of HIV-1 protease in bacteria and in vitro

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) Vif is required for productive infection of T lymphocytes and macrophages. Virions produced in the absence of Vif have abnormal core morphology and those produced in primary T cells carry immature core proteins and low levels of mature capsid (M. Simm, M. Shahabuddin, W. Chao, J. S. Allan, and D. J. Volsky, J. Virol. 69:4582-4586, 1995). To investigate whether Vif influences the activity of HIV-1 protease (PR), the viral enzyme which is responsible for processing Gag and Gag-Pol precursor polyproteins into mature virion components, we transformed bacteria to inducibly express truncated Gag-Pol fusion proteins and Vif. We examined the cleavage of polyproteins consisting of matrix to PR (Gag-PR), capsid to PR (CA-PR), and p6Pol to PR (p6Pol-PR) and evaluated HIV-1 protein processing at specific sites by Western blotting using antibodies against matrix, capsid, and PR proteins. We found that Vif modulates HIV-1 PR activity in bacteria mainly by preventing the release of mature MA and CA from Gag-PR, CA from CA-PR, and p6Pol from p6Pol-PR, with other cleavages being less affected. Using subconstructs of Vif, we mapped this activity to the N-terminal half of the molecule, thus identifying a new functional domain of Vif. Kinetic study of p6Pol-PR autocatalysis in the presence or absence of Vif revealed that Vif and N'Vif reduce the rate of PR-mediated proteolysis of this substrate. In an assay of in vitro proteolysis of a synthetic peptide substrate by purified recombinant PR we found that recombinant Vif and the N-terminal half of the molecule specifically inhibit PR activity at a molar ratio of the N-terminal half of Vif to PR of about 1. These results suggest a mechanism and site of action of Vif in HIV-1 replication and demonstrate novel regulation of a lentivirus PR by an autologous viral protein acting in trans.
Triangular mesh simplification using an adaptive subdivision

In this paper we present a triangular mesh simplification algorithm which produces accurate approximations of the original models. The simplification is realized using iterative edge contractions. The accuracy is obtained using a symmetric error metric and generating sample points over the simplified mesh. The sample points are generated using iterative 1 : 4 subdivisions of each triangle. The number of subdivisions for each triangle depends on the area of the triangle.
Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein‐1 and Large Artery Structure and Function in Young Individuals: The African‐PREDICT Study

To better understand hypertension development, the authors determined whether monocyte chemoattractant protein‐1 (MCP‐1) is associated with arterial stiffness (pulse wave velocity [PWV]) and carotid intima‐media wall thickness (cIMT) in a young apparently healthy black and white population (N=403, aged 20–30 years). Carotid‐femoral PWV, central systolic blood pressure, and cIMT were measured, and MCP‐1, reactive oxygen species, inflammatory markers (interleukin 6, tumor necrosis factor α), and endothelial activation (intercellular adhesion molecule, vascular cell adhesion molecule) were determined from blood samples. Although carotid‐femoral PWV and cIMT were similar between blacks and whites, black men and women showed higher central systolic blood pressure, MCP‐1, and reactive oxygen species than whites (all P<.05). In addition, black women had higher brachial blood pressure and interleukin 6 (all P<.001). A consistent positive association only in black women between cIMT and MCP‐1 in multiple regression analyses was found (R²=0.151, β=0.248; P=.021). In this model, cIMT was also independently associated with vascular cell adhesion molecule (β=0.251; P=.022). The authors found elevated central systolic blood pressure and MCP‐1 in young blacks, where cIMT was independently associated with MCP‐1 in black women.
Kinesin‐1 (uKHC/KIF5B) is Required for Bidirectional Motility of ER Exit Sites and Efficient ER‐to‐Golgi Transport

Transport of proteins and lipids between intracellular compartments is fundamental to the organization and function of eukaryotic cells. The efficiency of this process is greatly enhanced through coupling of membranes to microtubules. This serves two functions, organelle positioning and vesicular transport. In this study, we show that in addition to the well‐known role for the minus‐end motor dynein in endoplasmic reticulum (ER)‐to‐Golgi transport, the plus‐end‐directed motor kinesin‐1 is involved in positioning coat protein II‐coated ER exit sites (ERES) in cells as well as the formation of transport carriers and their movement to the Golgi. Using two‐dimensional Gaussian fitting to determine their location at high spatial resolution, we show that ERES undergo short‐range bidirectional movements. Bidirectionality depends on both kinesin‐1 and dynein. Suppression of kinesin‐1 (KIF5B) also inhibits ER‐to‐Golgi transport and affects the morphology of ER‐to‐Golgi transport carriers. Furthermore, we show that suppression of dynein heavy chain expression increases the range of movement of ERES, suggesting that dynein might anchor ERES, or the ER itself, to microtubules. These data implicate kinesin‐1 in the spatial organization of the ER/Golgi interface as well as in traffic outside the ER.
Quantifying Craniometric Change Early After Fronto-Orbital Advancement in Metopic Synostosis

AbstractFrontal orbital advancement (FOA) for metopic synostosis results in cranial vault expansion, supporting underlying growth of the developing brain and improving head shape. Previous studies have shown that FOA in younger infants leads to a greater incidence of long-term growth restriction of intracranial volume; however, it is still unknown as to whether this is due to undercorrection at the time of surgery versus primary suture pathology. The purpose of our study is to provide a method for objective analyses of intracranial volumes in the early post-FOA period. A retrospective chart review was conducted on patients who underwent FOA over a 10-year period by a single surgeon. Data collected included patient characteristics and clinical outcomes. Radiological analysis of intracranial volumes pre- and post-FOA was determined using Amira volume-rendering software. Average increase in intracranial volume at 6 weeks post-FOA was 139.27 mL (80.01–225.25 mL) with average relative cranial vault expansion of 18.1% (3.3–48%). Patients who underwent FOA older than 12 months of age had an average increase in intracranial volume of 8.5% (3.3–13.1%). Patients younger than 12 months had a statistically higher average increase of 25% (12.8–48%). Frontal orbital advancement effectively increases intracranial volume in patients with metopic synostosis. When compared with older patients, patients younger than 1 year of age have a greater relative increase in intracranial volume in the immediate postoperative period. Quantifying cranial vault expansion after FOA can assist surgeons in surgical planning as well as in measuring and monitoring clinical outcomes within and across craniofacial centers regardless of technique.
Characteristics of 10 patients with paraneoplastic rheumatologic musculoskeletal manifestations

Abstract Objectives. To evaluate the possible correlation of malignant neoplasms and paraneoplastic rheumatologic syndromes. Methods. We studied a series of 10 patients with paraneoplastic rheumatological syndromes collected from our Division of Rheumatic Disease between 2006 and 2012. Results. Our series consisted of four males and six females, with a mean age of 65.5 years (range, 57–78 years). Of the 10 patients recruited, six had hematological malignancies and four had solid cancers. Malignancies were diagnosed after rheumatic symptoms were reported in all patients. Compared to solid tumors, hemopathy was diagnosed at a later time point (16.2 vs. 7.3 months). Extra-articular symptoms were associated with rheumatologic musculoskeletal manifestations in 100% of the patients. Polyarthritis was the main rheumatologic musculoskeletal manifestation (50% of the patients). The other manifestations were oligopolyarthritis and polymyalgia rheumatic-like symptoms (20% of the patients). Symmetric arthritis was present in 60% of the patients, and the remaining patients developed asymmetric arthritis. Musculoskeletal manifestations completely regressed in 66.7% of the patients after cancer therapy. When tumor relapse was observed, rheumatic symptoms did not recur in any of our patients (100%). Conclusions. Rheumatic disorders with atypical clinical presentation in older patients, poor response to usual treatment and systemic features such as weight loss and clinical findings compatible with well-recognized paraneoplastic syndromes should alert clinicians to the possible coexistence of an occult malignancy. Especially in cases of paraneoplastic rheumatic/musculoskeletal manifestations associated with hemopathy, the primary disease is unlikely to have manifested yet, making the diagnosis difficult. Thus, caution is required.
Alcohol use among khat (Catha) chewers in Kenya.

Consequences de l'usage conjoint du khat (cathine), substance a mâcher, et de l'alcool au Kenya. Enquete epidemiologique sur 100 patients kenyans utilisateurs de Khat et buveurs de busaa ou de chang'aa (biere et whisky locaux)
Thalamic resting-state functional networks: disruption in patients with mild traumatic brain injury.

PURPOSE To explore the neural correlates of the thalamus by using resting-state functional magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and to investigate whether thalamic resting-state networks (RSNs) are disrupted in patients with mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI). MATERIALS AND METHODS This HIPAA-compliant study was approved by the institutional review board, and written informed consent was obtained from 24 patients with MTBI and 17 healthy control subjects. The patients had varying degrees of symptoms, with a mean disease duration of 22 days. The resting-state functional MR imaging data were analyzed by using a standard seed-based whole-brain correlation method to characterize thalamic RSNs. Student t tests were used to perform comparisons. The association between thalamic RSNs and performance on neuropsychologic and neurobehavioral measures was also investigated in patients with MTBI by using Spearman rank correlation. RESULTS A normal pattern of thalamic RSNs was demonstrated in healthy subjects. This pattern was characterized as representing relatively symmetric and restrictive functional thalamocortical connectivity, suggesting an inhibitory property of the thalamic neurons during the resting state. This pattern was disrupted, with significantly increased thalamic RSNs (P ≤ .005) and decreased symmetry (P = .03) in patients with MTBI compared with healthy control subjects. Increased functional thalamocortical redistributive connectivity was correlated with diminished neurocognitive functions and clinical symptoms in patients with MTBI. CONCLUSION These findings of abnormal thalamic RSNs lend further support to the presumed subtle thalamic injury in patients with MTBI. Resting-state functional MR imaging can be used as an additional imaging modality for detection of thalamocortical connectivity abnormalities and for better understanding of the complex persistent postconcussive syndrome.
The meaning of living with dementia and disturbing behaviour as narrated by three persons admitted to a residential home.

AIM The aim of our study was to illuminate the meaning of living with dementia and disturbing behaviour, as narrated by three persons admitted to a residential home. BACKGROUND Living with dementia and so-called disturbing behaviour in an institution involves interaction with care providers and fellow residents and poses a challenge to all who are involved. METHODS We asked the head nurses at a residential home to select persons with dementia and disturbing behaviour who were willing to be interviewed and able to communicate verbally. We performed 10 informal conversational interviews with three persons. The interviews were transcribed into text and interpreted using a phenomenological hermeneutic method inspired by Ricoeur's philosophy. RESULTS The findings indicate that the meaning of living with dementia and disturbing behaviour, as narrated by three persons admitted to a residential home, is about being surrounded by disorder, being trapped by restriction and being set aside, as well as about being included. The findings are interpreted as a collapse of relations to self and others intertwined with occasional episodes of togetherness. This is reflected on in relation to the literature on homelessness and at-homeness and loss and maintenance of personal and social selves. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE The view others have of the person with dementia and of disturbing behaviour determines the nursing care given. Taking the residents' personal history and actual context into account, disturbing behaviour may be seen as a way persons with dementia express their story and maintain their self.
Epidemiology of Chronic Pain with Psychological Comorbidity: Prevalence, Risk, Course, and Prognosis

Objective: To review the relation between chronic pain and psychological comorbidities, and the influence on course and prognosis, based on epidemiologic and population studies. Method: We present a narrative overview of studies dealing with the epidemiology of chronic pain associated with mental health and psychiatric factors. Studies were selected that were of good quality, preferably large studies, and those that dealt with prevalences, course and prognosis of chronic pain, risk factors predicting new pain and comorbid disorders, and factors that affect health outcomes. Results: Chronic pain is a prevalent condition, and psychological comorbidity is a frequent complication that significantly changes the prognosis and course of chronic pain. In follow-up studies, chronic pain significantly predicts onset of new depressions, and depression significantly predicts onset of new chronic pain and other medical complaints. Age, sex, severity of pain, psychosocial problems, unemployment, and compensation are mediating factors in course and prognosis. Conclusion: In assessment of chronic pain, the evidence from epidemiologic studies makes it clear that chronic pain can best be understood in the context of psychosocial factors.
Ca(2+)-induced Ca2+ release in sea urchin egg homogenates: modulation by cyclic ADP-ribose

Calcium-induced calcium release (CICR) may function widely in calcium-mediated cell signaling, but has been most thoroughly characterized in muscle cells. In a homogenate of sea urchin eggs, which display transients in the intracellular free calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) during fertilization and anaphase, addition of Ca2+ triggered CICR. Ca2+ release was also induced by the CICR modulators ryanodine and caffeine. Responses to both Ca2+ and CICR modulators (but not Ca2+ release mediated by inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate) were inhibited by procaine and ruthenium red, inhibitors of CICR. Intact eggs also displayed transients of [Ca2+]i when microinjected with ryanodine. Cyclic ADP-ribose, a metabolite with potent Ca(2+)-releasing properties, appears to act by way of the CICR mechanism and may thus be an endogenous modulator of CICR. A CICR mechanism is present in these nonmuscle cells as is assumed in various models of intracellular Ca2+ wave propagation.
Disc Stimulation and Patterns of Referred Pain

Study Design. Prospective, within-subjects, observational experimental design. Objectives. To determine the pattern of pain response to noxious stimulation of the intervertebral disc. Summary of Background Data. Experimental studies have demonstrated that noxious stimulation of interspinous ligaments, facet joints, and paravertebral muscles causes referred pain into the extremity, with the distal extent of radiation dependent on the intensity of stimulation. Analogous studies have not been performed on the lumbar intervertebral disc. Methods. A total of 25 consecutive patients meeting inclusion criteria completed a pain diagram before undergoing the intradiscal electrothermal annuloplasty procedure. The location, intensity, and familiarity of any pain provoked during disc heating were correlated with presenting symptoms and duration of heating. Results. During disc heating, 68% of patients reported exact reproduction of their presenting pain, in both pain quality and location. None of the patients experienced unfamiliar pain during the procedure. The pattern of pain reproduction was consistent; pain originated proximally and progressed distally as stimulus intensity increased. Conclusion. Noxious stimulation of the intervertebral disc may result in low back and referred extremity in patients presenting with these symptoms. The distal extent of pain produced depends on the intensity of stimulation. Disc stimulation may reproduce pain that extends to below the knee.
The ovarian histology of the diamond‐backed water snake, Natrix rhombifera during the reproductive cycle

The changes in the gross morphology of the ovarian follicles, atretic follicles, and corpora lutea during the reproductive cycle of Natrix rhombifera are similar to those occurring in other viviparous colubrids of temperate latitudes. Evidence is presented for a type of bursting atresia. The production of mature ova probably requires 2.5 years; consequently, female Natrix require at least 2.5 years to become sexually mature. Follicular growth is slow over the first two years, but most of the growth occurs prior to ovulation during the spring of the third year. In Missouri, ovulation probably occurs between 15 May and 15 June; gestation is approximately three months in duration.
Review Article: Regenerative Techniques for Repair of Rotator Cuff Tears

The failure rate of rotator cuff repair is high. Regenerative techniques using material scaffolds, stem cells, and growth factors help augment repair and regenerate tissue. We reviewed the literature of various regenerative techniques in terms of (1) enhancing the repair process, (2) tissue regeneration, (3) mechanical strength, and (4) clinical outcome.