Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Localization of AMPA-selective glutamate receptor subunits in the cat retina: A light- and electron-microscopic study

The distribution of AMPA-selective glutamate receptor subunits was studied in the cat retina using antisera against GluR1 and GluR2/3. Both antisera were localized in postsynaptic sites in the outer plexiform layer (OPL) as well as the inner plexiform layer (IPL). Immunoreactivity for GluR1 was seen in a subpopulation of OFF cone bipolar cells and a number of amacrine and ganglion cells. Within the IPL, processes staining for GluR1 received input from OFF and ON cone bipolar cells but not from rod bipolars. Labeling for GluR2/3 was seen in horizontal cells, an occasional cone bipolar cell, and numerous amacrine and ganglion cells. In the IPL, GluR2/3 staining was postsynaptic to cone bipolar cells in both sublaminae. AII amacrine cells which receive rod bipolar input were also labeled for GluR2/3. With both antisera, staining was limited to a single member of the bipolar dyad complex, providing morphological evidence for functional diversity in glutamatergic pathways.
Measurement of presence and its consequences in virtual environments

A sense of presence is one of the critical components required by any effective virtual environment (VE). In contrast, side effects such as sickness may be produced in some virtual environments, detracting from the enjoyment or usefulness of the VE and from subsequent performance of the participant. Both presence and sickness in virtual environments are multifactorial phenomena not easily amenable to understanding or measurement. The first experiment reported here compares use of direct performance measures and rating scales to assess presence, whilst varying the VE display medium (head mounted and desktop displays) and whether or not sound was used in the VE. The second experiment addresses associations between presence, sickness and enjoyment of virtual environment participation. There was enough comparability between a reflex response within the VE and the rating scales to justify future exploration of the former measure of presence. A number of explanations are given for the partial association found between presence and sickness.
Survival following HIV infection of a cohort followed up from seroconversion in the UK

Objectives: To estimate changes over calendar time in survival following HIV seroconversion in the era of HAART and to provide updated survival estimates. Methods: Using data from a UK cohort of persons with well estimated dates of HIV seroconversion, we analysed time from seroconversion to death from any cause using Cox models, adjusted for prognostic factors. Kaplan–Meier methods were then used to determine the expected survival in each calendar period. Results: 2275 seroconverters were included with 18 695 person-years of follow up. A total of 444 (20%) died. The relative risk of death, compared with pre-1996, decreased over time to 0.63 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.48–0.81], 0.24 (0.17–0.34), 0.14 (0.10–0.21), 0.08 (0.05–0.13) and 0.03 (0.02–0.06) in 1996–1997, 1998–1999, 2000–2001, 2002–2003 and 2004–2006, respectively. An elevated risk of death was associated with older age at seroconversion [hazard ratio (HR), 1.49; 95% CI, 1.34–1.66 per 10-year increase] and HIV infection through injecting drug use (HR, 1.53; 95% CI, 1.17–2.00). In 2000–2006, the proportion of individuals expected to survive 5, 10 and 15 years following seroconversion was 99%, 94% and 89%, respectively. Conclusions: Survival following HIV seroconversion has continued to improve over calendar time in our cohort, even in the more recent years of HAART availability. HIV seroconverters, by definition identified early in their infection, are likely to have the greatest opportunity for intervention; if similar high survival expectations are to be seen in the wider HIV-infected population, early diagnosis is likely to be crucial.
[Clinical research on revision after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction].

OBJECTIVE To analyze the management principle of revision after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction and the factors contributing to its result. METHODS The data of 12 patients who received revision after ACL reconstructions from November 2001 to July 2006 were studied retrospectively. The indication of the operation, the management during the procedure and the clinical results were analyzed. RESULTS All the patients had pathological instability after primary ACL reconstructions. In this group, 2 cases received primary bone transplantation. The other 10 cases received primary ACL revision. Among them, 4 cases were reconstructed with STG obtained from the same lateral, 4 cases were obtained from the opposite lateral, 1 case was reconstructed with bone-patellar tendon-bone (B-PT-B) obtained from the same lateral, and 1 case was reconstructed with iliotibial tractus. One year later, the mean side-to-side difference of KT-2000 examination were 1.6 mm and 3.1 mm at 90 degrees and 30 degrees. The mean IKDC, Lysholm and Tegner scores were 72.8, 78.3 and 4.9. CONCLUSIONS The functional results and objective stability could be obtained through revision ACL reconstruction. However, outcomes are less favorable than those with primary reconstructions, which might be related to the factors including deficiency of previous surgery and impact of revision procedure.
Nurse-related factors in the delivery of preoperative patient education.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES This article aimed to explore the factors relating to nurses themselves that influence the delivery of preoperative patient education in everyday surgical clinical contexts at one large general adult teaching hospital in Ireland. BACKGROUND As landmark studies of preoperative education undertaken in the UK in the 1970s identified the superiority of structured programmes of patient education over and above 'regular' preoperative care, there have been many intervention/outcome experimental studies carried out in this area. However, there has been little interpretative work conducted that explores the regular, or 'usual' preoperative education given to patients in everyday surgical units. Methods. A sample of 12 experienced surgical nurses was selected and each participant was interviewed in depth. Data were analysed using a qualitative strategy resembling grounded theory. RESULTS Findings indicate that preoperative education was variously interpreted by participants, and participants' accounts suggested that different understandings and practices by nurses resulted in patients receiving different levels of care. In addition, diverse levels of knowledge and experience of individual nurses resulted in unevenness in the type of preoperative education that patients received. A number of participants advocated a more formal method of preparation for nurses in the area of preoperative education. Finally, in some surgical areas, specialist nurses worked side-by-side with regular ward nurses and their input in preoperative education was largely seen by participants in a positive way, particularly in view of the structural constraints that ward nurses faced. CONCLUSIONS We conclude that nurse-related factors in preoperative education do not arise in a vaccum, but rather are related to the wider organizational practices and culture. The difficulties with preoperative education identified in data may be addressed through organizational investment in preoperative education. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE This paper produces evidence for nurses and clinical nurse managers about how nurse-related factors impede preoperative education, and may provide a starting point for how to begin to address obstacles to better preoperative care.
A Novel HVDC Transmission System with Parallel Large Capacitor Connected in the DC Side of the Rectifier and Its Technical Feasibility

In this paper, a novel HVDC transmission system is presented which is with parallel large capacitor connected in the DC side of the rectifier (shorted form HVDC-C). The fundamental principle and technology characteristics of HVDC-C are analyzed. The study shows that HVDC-C reduces the component of harmonic voltage and harmonic current both side in AC system and DC transmission line, makes control strategy more flexible and the filter structure more simple, etc. Furthermore, the control method, contrast to conventional HVDC and application foreground of HVDC-C is discussed briefly. The simulations based on PSCAD/EMTDC show that HVDC-C can operate steadily, has the capability to restore steadily when short circuit fault occurs, and is feasible technically and obvious in advantages
Immunity and aging: the enemy within?

Functional analyses of changes in the immune response indicate that aging is associated with a decline of adaptive immunity whereas innate immunity is ramped up. Gene expression studies also support age‐dependent changes in immunity. Studies using a large panel of methodologies and multiple species show that some of the most dramatic transcriptional changes that occur during aging are associated with immunity. This observation leads to two fundamental questions: (1) Why is the immune response altered with age? (2) Is this a consequence of aging or does it contribute to it? The origin of these changes and the mechanistic relationship among them as well as with aging must be identified. In mammals, this task is complicated by the interdependence of the innate and adaptive immune systems. The value of invertebrates as model organisms to help answer these questions is presented. This includes a description of the immune response in invertebrate models and how it compares with vertebrates, focusing on conserved pathways. Finally, these questions are explored in light of recent reports and data from our laboratory. Experimental alterations of longevity indicate that the differential expression of immunity‐related genes during aging is linked to the rate of aging. Long‐lived nematodes are more resistant to pathogens and blocking the expression of immune‐related genes can prevent lifespan extension. These observations suggest that the immune response has a positive effect on longevity, possibly by increasing fitness. By contrast, it has been reported that activation of the immune system can reduce longevity upon starvation. We also observed that deregulation of the immune response has drastic effects on viability and longevity in Drosophila. These data suggest that the immune response results in a trade‐off between beneficial and detrimental effects that might profoundly affect the aging process. Given this, immunity may be an ally early in life, but turns out to be an enemy as we age.
A regression‐based performance prediction framework for synchronous iterative algorithms on general purpose graphical processing unit clusters

Heterogeneous performance prediction models are valuable tools to accurately predict application runtime, allowing for efficient design space exploration and application mapping. The existing performance models require intricate system architecture knowledge, making the modeling task difficult. In this research, we propose a regression‐based performance prediction framework for general purpose graphical processing unit (GPGPU) clusters that statistically abstracts the system architecture characteristics, enabling performance prediction without detailed system architecture knowledge. The regression‐based framework targets deterministic synchronous iterative algorithms using our synchronous iterative GPGPU execution model and is broken into two components: the computation component that models the GPGPU device and host computations and the communication component that models the network‐level communications. The computation component regression models use algorithm characteristics such as the number of floating‐point operations and total bytes as predictor variables and are trained using several small, instrumented executions of synchronous iterative algorithms that include a range of floating‐point operations‐to‐byte requirements. The regression models for network‐level communications are developed using micro‐benchmarks and employ data transfer size and processor count as predictor variables. Our performance prediction framework achieves prediction accuracy over 90% compared with the actual implementations for several tested GPGPU cluster configurations. The end goal of this research is to offer the scientific computing community, an accurate and easy‐to‐use performance prediction framework that empowers users to optimally utilize the heterogeneous resources. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Physical fitness or physical activity as a predictor of ischaemic heart disease? A 17‐year follow‐up in the Copenhagen Male Study

Abstract. Physical fitness and leisure time physical activity are strongly correlated, and both are inversely correlated with risk of ischaemic heart disease. Does this mean, however, that a very fit man has a lower risk of ischaemic heart disease (IHD), even if he is inactive? And does it also mean that an unfit, but active man, does not have a lower risk of IHD than an unfit, inactive man? In the Copenhagen Male Study, we analysed the joint effect of fitness and leisure time activity. In 1970/71, 4999 men aged 40–59 years, were classified according to level of physical fitness, i.e. indirectly measured maximal oxygen uptake, and physical activity, and their mortality was recorded over the following 17 years. In sedentary men, fitness was no predictor of future risk of IHD whatsoever. Age‐adjusted baseline values were similar in later IHD cases and survivors (32.3 and 32.1 ml O2 kg−1 min−1, respectively; P = 0.91). In medium or highly active men, however, fitness was a strong predictor. The corresponding fitness values were 33.1 and 34.8 ml O2 kg−1 min−1 (P < 0.001). The least fit (two least fit quintiles) physically active men had a lower IHD mortality rate (6%) than the least fit sedentary men (10%). Adjusted for age, social class and smoking in a multiple logistic regression equation, this was estimated to an RR (95% C.I.) of 1.67 (1.06‐2.64) (P = 0.027). The two major new findings of this study were (a) that being very fit, provides no protection against IHD—nor all‐cause mortality—in sedentary men, and (b) that unfit but sedentary men have a higher risk of IHD than unfit but active men, i.e. those performing light physical activity for at least 4 h per week.
Neuropsychological Functioning in Adults With ADHD and Adults With Other Psychiatric Disorders

Objective: The aim was to investigate how well neuropsychological measures can discriminate between adults with ADHD and those with other psychiatric disorders. Method: Adults with ADHD and a clinical control group (n = 110) were included. Neuropsychological functioning was investigated using measures of inhibition, working memory, set shifting, planning, fluency, reaction-time variability, and delay aversion. Results: Adults with ADHD performed more poorly compared with clinical controls with regard to all constructs. The effects of verbal memory, inhibition, set shifting, fluency, and delay aversion remained significant when controlling for IQ. However, when controlling for basic cognitive functions, only the effects of inhibition, fluency, and delay aversion were significant. Sensitivity ranged between 64% and 75%, and specificity between 66% and 81%. Conclusion: Neuropsychological tests have a relatively poor ability to discriminate between adults with ADHD and clinical controls, but they may be used to identify individuals at particularly high risk for poor daily functioning.
Identifying predictors of resilience at inpatient and 3-month post-spinal cord injury

Objectives: To identify (1) changes in psychosocial factors, (2) relationships between psychosocial factors, and (3) significant predictors of resilience in adults with spinal cord injury (SCI) during inpatient rehabilitation and at 3-month post-discharge. Design: Cross sectional with convenience sample based on inclusion/exclusion criteria. Setting: Inpatient rehabilitation hospital and community-based follow-up. Participants: Individuals with a SCI. Interventions: Not applicable. Outcome measures: Demographic, resilience, self-efficacy for managing a chronic health issue, depression, social roles/activity limitations, and pain. Results: The final sample consisted of 44 respondents (16 women and 28 men). Results of repeated measure analyses of variance indicated no significant changes in variables between inpatient and 3-month follow-up. Bivariate correlations revealed associations between resilience and self-efficacy at inpatient (r = 0.54, P < 0.001), and resilience and depression (r = −0.69, P < 0.001) and self-efficacy (r = 0.67, P < 0.001) at 3-month follow-up. Hierarchical regression analyses a significant model predicting resilience at inpatient stay (R = 0.61; adjusted R2 = 0.24, P = 0.023), and at 3-month follow-up (R = 0.83; adjusted R2 = 0.49, P = 0.022). Self-efficacy was the strongest predictor at inpatient stay (β = 0.46, P = 0.006) and depression was strongest at 3-month follow-up (β = −0.80, P = 0.007). Conclusion: Results suggest that although resilience appears to be stable from inpatient to 3-month follow-up, different factors are stronger predictors of resilience across time. Based on current results, an assessment of self-efficacy during inpatient rehabilitation and an identification of depression at 3-month follow-up may be important factors to help identify those at risk of health issues overtime.
Root MUSIC Transform Covariance Differencing for Correlated Sources under Unknown Symmetric Toeplitz Noise

Abastract - This paper proposes a method to find the 2dimensional (2-D) direction of arrival angles (DOAs) from correlated sources under an unknown noise environment. This paper assumes a symmetric Toeplitz covariance matrix for the unknown noise. The proposed method employs the root MUSIC algorithm with the covariance matrix difference between a unitary transformed forwardbackward average covariance matrix of the received signal and the transpose of the backward covariance matrix to completely eliminate the unknown noise. The proposed method also employs a two L-shape antenna configuration for the 2-D azimuth and elevation DOA estimation. The numerical results verify that the proposed method gives a better performance with a less computation and more advantages than the Prasad’s method.
Economic Strains and the Coping Function of Alcohol

Some of the social and psychological antecedents of the use of alcohol to control emotional distress are examined. Interconnections are shown to exist among economic hardship, anxiety, and drinking for the relief of distress. These relationships are especially close among intensely anxious people having little sense of mastery and possessing low self-esteem. The results indicate that some functions of drinking stem from experiences and feelings rooted in basic features of social and economic organization.
Proliferation of Donor Spleen and Bone-Marrow Cells in the Spleens and Bone Marrows of Unirradiated and Irradiated Adult Mice 1

Summary CBA/HT6T6 spleen or bone-marrow cells were injected into unirradiated or irradiated CBA/H mice, and the percentages of donor-type cells in the spleen and the bone marrow were scored at various intervals after irradiation. When CBA/HT6T6 spleen or bone-marrow cells were injected into unirradiated CBA/H hosts, a few donor cells were found in the bone marrows and spleens of the hosts. When CBA/HT6T6 bone-marrow cells were injected into CBA/H mice irradiated with 400 R, more than 90% of the dividing cells in the bone marrow were of donor origin at day 10, and more than 70% were still of donor origin at day 15. Increasing the radiation dose to 600 or 800 R resulted in exclusive proliferation of donor cells in the bone marrow at days 10 and 15. When CBA/HT6 T6 spleen cells were injected into CBA/H mice irradiated with 400 or 600 R, more than 90% of the dividing cells in the host spleens were of donor origin at day 10, but most of the donor cells were replaced with host cells by day 15. Increasing the radiation dose to 800 R resulted in a higher percentage of donor-type cells in the spleens at day 15, but some of the mice died by day 18. When CBA/HT6T6 spleen cells were injected into CBA/H irradiated with 400 or 600 R, less than 10% of the dividing cells in the bone marrow were of donor origin at days 10 and 15. Increasing the radiation dose resulted in dividing cells mainly of donor origin in the bone marrow at days 10 and 15, but some mice died by day 18. These results suggest that stem cells compete with one another in mitosis, and that division of stem cells is largely regulated by that of other dividing cells.
Modulating cholesterol efflux capacity to improve cardiovascular disease

Purpose of review Low HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C) levels are predictive of incident atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease events. However, the use of medication to raise HDL-C levels has not consistently shown clinical benefit. As a result, studies have shifted toward HDL function, specifically cholesterol efflux, which has been inversely associated with prevalent subclinical atherosclerosis as well as subsequent atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease events. The purpose of this review is to summarize the effects of current medications and interventions on cholesterol efflux capacity. Recent findings Medications for cardiovascular health, including statins, fibrates, niacin, and novel therapeutics, are reviewed for their effect on cholesterol efflux. Differences in population studied and assay used are addressed appropriately. Lifestyle interventions, including diet and exercise, are also included in the review. Summary The modification of cholesterol efflux capacity (CEC) by current medications and interventions has been investigated in both large randomized control trials and smaller observational cohorts. This review serves to compile the results of these studies and evaluate CEC modulation by commonly used medications. Altering CEC could be a novel therapeutic approach to improving cardiovascular risk profiles.
Insulin sensitivity in chronic pancreatitis and features of insulin resistance syndrome.

INTRODUCTION Chronic pancreatitis predisposes to diabetes. Loss of endocrine function by beta-cells in the Langerhans islets is considered to be the main causative factor, although several studies have also suggested insulin resistance as a possible additional mechanism. OBJECTIVES The aim of the study was to estimate insulin sensitivity in chronic pancreatitis in view of the coexisting meta bolic syndrome components. PATIENTS AND METHODS The study involved 30 patients (mean age 50.83 +/-6.61 years; 23.33% women, 76.66% men) diagnosed with chronic pancreatitis (using imaging tests). Insulin sensitivity with regard to the coexistent obesity, dyslipidemia, and arterial hypertension was measured using the euglycemic clamp method. RESULTS Diabetes was present in 22 patients, impaired glucose tolerance in 4, and no carbohydrate metabolism disturbances in 4. Insulin resistance was present in 22 patients (73.33%), in whom a higher prevalence of diabetes (77.27% vs. 62.5%) and prediabetes (13.63% vs. 12.5%) was observed. The analysis of anthropometric para meters revealed that individuals with a high index of central obesity had a statistically significantly lower tissue glucose utilization (TGU) (3.23 vs. 4.89 mg/kg/min; P = 0.02), although there were no obese patients in the study group according to the body mass index. No statistically significant differences in TGU were observed in relation to lipid disorders (total cholesterol, low- and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides) and arterial hypertension. CONCLUSIONS In patients with chronic pancreatitis, lack of correlation between insulin sensitivity and meta bolic syndrome components may indicate that insulin resistance is related to primary disease or that an additional mechanism underlying pancreatic diabetes operates.