Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Debate on the lack of evidence of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis in Crohn's disease.

patients with Crohn’s disease. Furthermore, there was no mention of how long the cultures were incubated and whether polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or nested PCR was used for the identification of MAP. Freeman’s group used 10-mL whole blood samples for culture instead of buffy coat preparation from 4 mL of whole blood samples, as stated by Naser et al. Although the intention may seem to increase the chances of detecting MAP if present, the culture medium was saturated with hemoglobin, which is known to be a serious inhibitor of Taq polymerase during PCR analysis. The belief that all members of the M. avium complex behave similarly in the laboratory setting demonstrated by Freeman and colleagues may in part be a consequence of the microbial nomenclature in use today. Because of the unusual fastidious nature of MAP, the name Mycobacterium paratuberculosis may be more appropriate to use than the term M. avium spp. paratuberculosis. We wholeheartedly agree with Freeman’s conclusion that ‘‘further studies in Crohn’s disease from similar hospitals with access to expert clinical microbiological expertise are essential. ’’ What gastroenterologists must recognize, however, is that most human medicine laboratories do not have ‘‘a great deal of experience and expertise in routine detection of MAP. ’’ If they seek to isolate this pathogen, microbiological expertise outside the normal clinical laboratory settings may be needed. Using the correct methodology is critical for the successful isolation of MAP, especially from human clinical samples.
The Unity of the Senses: Interrelations Among the Modalities

of Violins," by Carleen Maley Hutchins, provides basic technical information regarding the violin family and its historic development. She explains the new violin family of eight instruments which she was largely instrumental in designing and constructing. These instruments are scientifically designed as a well-integrated family ranging from a large bass to a small treble violin. The seventh article, "The Physics of the Bowed String," by John C. Schelleng, explains what actually happens when a violin string is bowed. Using modern concepts and laboratory apparatus he shows the interaction between the bow, the string, and the instrument. This thorough study contributes greatly to a better understanding of how bow technique, the string, and the instrument influence the production of both normal violin tones and '%volf notes. " The last article, "Architectural Acoustics," by Vern C. Knudsen, deals with an important link in the chain of musical production and enjoyment. The fundamentals of reflection, deftaction, and decay of sound waves in rooms are clearly presented along with the influence of resonances in rooms. The authors demonstrate a thorough understanding of their subjects and make important contributions toward an accurate understanding of the physics of music that could be very helpful to musicians and music lovers. The articles also can create a better
Performance of MIMO order and antenna subset selection in realistic urban macro cell

Within this contribution the robustness and reliability of MIMO order (MOS) and antenna subset selection (AS) procedures has been studied. We considered AS for spatial multiplex (SM) systems, where the total power is distributed equally among selected antennas. MIMO channel data sets from a channel sounding campaign in an urban macro cell scenario have been used for advanced performance evaluation. At first, we studied correlation characteristics along various measurement tracks with single and dual polarized antenna configurations. We found that even under NLOS high correlation between antenna elements appears. Based on channel correlation at the transmit side and the receive SNR we discussed different methods for adaptive switching of the number of active RF modules and followed by optimized antenna subset selection (AS). Until a certain SNR threshold our novel low complex proposals perfectly follow the known algorithms from literature.
Feedback quality and environmentally friendly use of domestic central heating systems

The study examined the influence of system-embedded feedback on user behaviour during the environmentally friendly operation of a central heating system. A PC-based simulation, called CHESS, was developed to model the critical features of a central heating system. After having received 30 min of training on the simulation task, 60 participants worked on a series of operational scenarios under different levels of system feedback. In addition to the collection of various performance measures (e.g. energy consumption, energy wastage), a range of user variables was collected (e.g. environmental concern). As hypothesized, the results showed that increased feedback resulted in improved environmentally friendly performance and, more importantly, the specific feedback indicator influenced the type of strategy used to improve human – machine system performance. A major implication is that system designers need to develop feedback indicators that are chiefly influenced by user behaviour and are largely immune to factors that are beyond the user's control (e.g. weather conditions).
Somatotopic organization of mechanoreceptor units in the trigeminal nuclear complex of the macaque

The properties of neurons in the sensory trigeminal nuclear complex of macaque monkeys have been investigated by a systematic exploration of the principal sub‐divisions in an attempt to define somatotopic organization, modality representation, receptive field size and adaptive properties. Particular attention was paid to several discrepancies in the literature on the cat trigeminal complex. The results suggest that each cutaneous locus is represented by a rostro‐caudally oriented column of neurons possessing comparable properties and receptive field sizes at all levels examined in deeply anesthetized animals. A consistent somatotopic pattern with minor variations, was evident at all rostro‐caudal levels. Criteria for distinguishing “spinothalmic” and “lemniscal” neuron properties in appropriate portions of the sensory complex (inferred from human data) could not be identified. Neurons in adjacent structures may respond to crude stimuli and lack distinct receptive fields, but it is unlikely that these are related to an afferent “pain” pathway.
Elevated CO2 Increases Nitrogen Fixation at the Reproductive Phase Contributing to Various Yield Responses of Soybean Cultivars

Nitrogen deficiency limits crop performance under elevated CO2 (eCO2), depending on the ability of plant N uptake. However, the dynamics and redistribution of N2 fixation, and fertilizer and soil N use in legumes under eCO2 have been little studied. Such an investigation is essential to improve the adaptability of legumes to climate change. We took advantage of genotype-specific responses of soybean to increased CO2 to test which N-uptake phenotypes are most strongly related to enhanced yield. Eight soybean cultivars were grown in open-top chambers with either 390 ppm (aCO2) or 550 ppm CO2 (eCO2). The plants were supplied with 100 mg N kg−1 soil as 15N-labeled calcium nitrate, and harvested at the initial seed-filling (R5) and full-mature (R8) stages. Increased yield in response to eCO2 correlated highly (r = 0.95) with an increase in symbiotically fixed N during the R5 to R8 stage. In contrast, eCO2 only led to small increases in the uptake of fertilizer-derived and soil-derived N during R5 to R8, and these increases did not correlate with enhanced yield. Elevated CO2 also decreased the proportion of seed N redistributed from shoot to seeds, and this decrease strongly correlated with increased yield. Moreover, the total N uptake was associated with increases in fixed-N per nodule in response to eCO2, but not with changes in nodule biomass, nodule density, or root length.
The Utility of Bladder Catheterization in Total Hip Arthroplasty

The use of a urinary bladder catheter in patients having a total hip arthroplasty is controversial. Universal insertion of an indwelling catheter before a total hip arthroplasty, and insertion of a catheter postoperatively as necessary, are accepted variations of care. From 1993 to 1999, 719 patients having primary, unilateral total hip arthroplasties were randomized by surgeons into two groups: a group of patients who had universal preoperative insertion of an indwelling bladder catheter (340 patients) and an observation group who had catheterization as needed (379 patients). Catheterization was required for 295 of these 379 patients (77.8%). Patients were followed up using a total hip arthroplasty database, which recorded all complications. Six patients (1.8%) in the universal catheter insertion group had a urinary tract infection develop. Nine patients (2.4%) in the catheter as necessary group had a urinary tract infection develop. There was no significant difference in incidence of urinary tract infections between the two groups. Female gender and increasing age were associated with a higher incidence of urinary tract infection in both groups. The average length of stay in the hospital for the universal catheter group was 4.8 days, and the average length of stay for the catheter as necessary group was 4.5 days. There was no significant difference in length of stay in the hospital between the two groups. The universal catheter group had an average $590 higher hospital cost for their total hip arthroplasties, which was significant. Routine preoperative bladder catheterization may not be warranted in patients having total hip arthroplasties. Postoperative catheterization as necessary may be more cost effective. Level of Evidence: Therapeutic study, Level III-2 (retrospective cohort study). See the Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Ca2+ signalling in rat vascular smooth muscle cells: a role for protein kinase C at physiological vasoconstrictor concentrations of vasopressin

1 Physiological vasoconstrictor concentrations of Arg8‐vasopressin (AVP, 10–100 pM) stimulate oscillations (spikes) in cytosolic free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) in A7r5 rat vascular smooth muscle cells. These Ca2+ spikes are dependent on L‐type voltage‐sensitive Ca2+ channels and increase in frequency with increasing AVP concentration. The signal transduction pathway responsible for this effect was examined in fura‐2‐loaded A7r5 cell monolayers. 2 The serine/threonine phosphatase inhibitor calyculin A (5 nM) sensitized A7r5 cells to AVP, resulting in the stimulation of Ca2+ spiking by 1–10 pM AVP. Calyculin A alone did not stimulate Ca2+ spiking. 3 The protein kinase C (PKC) activator 4β‐phorbol 12‐myristate 13‐acetate (PMA, 100 pM to 200 nM), also stimulated Ca2+ spiking and this effect was additive with a submaximal concentration of AVP (50 pM). The PKC inhibitors Ro‐31–8220 (1 μM) and calphostin C (250 nM) completely blocked the stimulation of Ca2+ spiking by either PMA or AVP. 4 α, β, γ, δ, ε, ζ and λ isoforms of PKC were detected in A7r5 cells by Western blot analysis. Time‐dependent redistribution of PKC‐α, ‐δ and ‐ε isoforms between the membrane and cytosolic fractions occurred in response to 100 pM AVP. Pretreatment for 24 h with 1 μM PMA downregulated expression of PKC‐α and ‐δ, but not PKC‐ε, and prevented the Ca2+‐spiking responses to either 1 nM PMA or 100 pM AVP. Neither the release of intracellular Ca2+ by 1 μM AVP nor the increase in [Ca2+]i in response to elevated extracellular [K+] was prevented by the PMA pretreatment. 5 We conclude that PKC activation is a necessary step in the signal transduction pathway linking low concentrations of AVP to Ca2+ spiking in A7r5 cells.
The High Frequency Electrical Properties of Interconnects on a Flexible Polyimide Substrate Including the Effects of Humidity

Flexible circuit board materials can be used to advantage in radio frequency and high-speed digital systems but an obstacle to their use is the lack of availability of information on the electrical properties of materials to high frequencies and, in particular, the variation in dielectric constant and loss tangent as a function of frequency. This makes accurate electromagnetic simulation of high frequency flexible interconnects difficult. The variation of the electrical properties of these materials as a function of environmental parameters, such as humidity, is also unknown at higher frequencies. This paper has, using microwave resonators, investigated the electrical properties from 2 GHz to 18 GHz of a polyimide flexible circuit board material saturated at 25% RH and at 85% RH relative humidity levels. Rigid circuit board materials FR4 and CER-10 were also measured as reference materials. The relative permittivity, εr, total loss, αT, and loss tangent, tan δ, have been extracted from the measurements for each material. The strong influence of conductor losses on overall losses when using thin materials such as flex at high frequency has also been evaluated and quantified in these measurements. In addition to the resonators used for measurement of material electrical properties, microstrip transmission lines were also included on each test sample and their s-parameters were measured at the same time and under the same conditions as the resonators. Comparisons between the measured electrical performance of the microstrip transmission lines and simulations of the lines based on the extracted material parameters show a high degree of correlation, indicating the validity of both the use of the resonator approach and overall loss measurement methodologies.
Effects of the application of Aloe vera (L.) and microcurrent on the healing of wounds surgically induced in Wistar rats.

PURPOSE To investigate the effects of topical application of an Aloe vera gel combined or not with microcurrent application on the healing of skin wounds surgically induced in Wistar rats. METHODS The animals were randomly divided into the following groups: control group, animals topically treated with Aloe vera, animals treated with a microcurrent, and animals receiving topical application of Aloe vera combined with microcurrent application. RESULTS The results indicated differences in wound healing between the various treatments when compared to the control group. Tissue hyperplasia was lower in the control group compared to the other treated groups. Accelerated wound healing was observed in the group treated with Aloe vera compared to control. Animals submitted to microcurrent application only and the group treated with microcurrent plus Aloe vera presented an earlier onset of the proliferative phase compared to the control group and animals treated with Aloe vera gel alone. Morphometric data confirmed the structural findings. CONCLUSION Simultaneous application of Aloe vera gel and microcurrent is an excellent choice for the treatment of open wounds thus indicating a synergistic action of these two applications.
REVASCULARIZED PERIOSTEAL GRAFTS—A NEW METHOD TO PRODUCE FUNCTIONAL NEW BONE WITHOUT BONE GRAFTING

In the replacement of bone lost from trauma, tumor, or infection, and also for the correction of certain congenital abnormalities, conventional bone grafting is not always successful. The survival of these grafts, as such or as materials for new bone, is often unpredictable, and they may become resorbed.1,2 Recently, the microvascular transfer of living bone has been performed—but there are strict limitations on thé size and configuration of such free vascularized grafts.3, 4 We will discuss an alternative to bone grafting—vascularized periosteal grafts— by means of which new bone may be intentionally formed.
Superior Efficacy of Tumor Cell Vaccines Grown in Physiologic Oxygen

Purpose: Atmospheric oxygen (∼20% O2) has been the universal condition employed to culture tumor cells used as vaccine antigen. We tested the hypothesis that reducing oxygen tension would increase the efficacy of tumor cell lysate vaccines. Experimental Design: GL261 glioma cells and EMT6 breast carcinoma cells were grown in 5% or 20% O2. Syngeneic tumor-bearing mice were vaccinated with these tumor cell lysates mixed with CpG oligodeoxynucleotides as an adjuvant. Tumor infiltrating T cells and apoptotic GL261 cells were quantified by immunohistochemistry. Tumor-reactive immunoglobulin was detected by Western blot. Ovalbumin and gp100-derived peptides were mixed with GL261 lysates as marker antigens to detect changes in presentation of exogenous antigen on MHC class I in vitro, and in vivo following adoptive transfer of gp100-specific CD8+ T cells. Results: Mice bearing orthotopic glioma and breast carcinoma survived significantly longer when vaccinated with 5% O2 lysates. Antigen-specific CTL activation was significantly enhanced following stimulation with lysates derived from GL261 cells grown in 5% O2 versus 20% O2 through a mechanism that involved enhanced cross-presentation of exogenous antigen on MHC I. Vaccination with 5% O2 GL261 cell lysates caused a significant increase in CTL proliferation, tumoricidal function, and trafficking into brain tumor sites, whereas 20% O2 lysate vaccines predominantly evoked an antibody response. Conclusions: Tissue culture oxygen functions as an “immunologic switch” by dictating the cellular and humoral immune responses elicited by tumor cell lysates. These results have profound implications for cancer vaccines that utilize tumor cells as the source of antigen. Clin Cancer Res; 16(19); 4800–8. ©2010 AACR.
A new type of vulnerability curve: is there truth in vine?

The underlying measurements for predicting the hydraulic per-formance of a woody species under drought stress have always been tricky. We are still lacking standard protocols for estimating hydraulic functioning of woody stems, and the discussion on the most suitable method for estimating vulnerability to cavitation in long-vesseled angiosperm species, which started some years ago, has not reached a consensus yet (Cochard et al. 2010, 2013, Jacobsen and Pratt 2012, McElrone et al. 2012, Sperry et al. 2012, Cochard and Delzon 2013, Tobin et al. 2013, Martin-StPaul et al. 2014, Torres-Ruiz et al. 2014, Wang et al. 2014, Zhang and Holbrook 2014). Moreover, a debate arose recently on whether procedures for xylem tension relaxation prior to branch sampling avoid or cause cavitation artifacts (Cochard and Delzon 2013, Sperry 2013, Wheeler al. 2013, Rockwell al. 2014, Trifilò al. 2014 The future protocols sampling
Computed tomography fluoroscopy-guided chemical lumbar sympathectomy: simple, safe and effective.

Demographic, clinical and laboratory data were retrospectively collected from records of 146 cases of CT fluoroscopy-guided chemical lumbar sympathectomy for the palliation of inoperable peripheral vascular disease (PVD) between January 1997 and August 1999. Of these, 16% had claudication, 39% had rest pain and 44% had ischaemic ulcers or gangrene. Seventy-three percent of elective cases were outpatients. At 3 months, 27 cases were lost to follow up, leaving 119 cases. Within 3 months, improvement, defined as doubling of the walking distance, cessation of rest pain or healing of ulcers, occurred in 30.3% of cases. No change was observed in 45.4% of cases and 24.3% of cases deteriorated. Patients with ulcers or gangrene had significantly poorer results than those without any ischaemic lesions, as only 19% versus 39% of patients improved (P < 0.05). The presence of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidaemia and smoking had no value in predicting clinical outcome (P > 0.05). There were no major complications noted. CT fluoroscopy-guided chemical lumbar sympathectomy is safe and effective, with a complication rate of less than 1%, and efficacy of at least 30% measured within 3 months. It is a simple and minimally invasive procedure, easily performed on an outpatient basis. CT fluoroscopy-guided chemical lumbar sympathectomy should be considered for all patients in the early stages of inoperable PVD.
Sensory, Motor and Intrinsic Mechanisms of Thalamic Activity related to Organic and Psychogenic Dystonia

The thalamus is a critical module in the circuit which has been associated with movement disorders including dystonia. This circuit extends from cortex to striatum to pallidum to the thalamic nucleus Ventral Lateral anterior (VLa) to cortex and can be studied by activity recorded during thalamic stereotactic surgery for the treatment of dystonia. Neuronal recordings in the VLa nucleus show low frequency modulation of firing that is correlated with and leads the low frequency modulation of EMG activity; this EMG activity is characteristic of dystonia. Immediately posterior is the Ventral Lateral posterior (VLp) nucleus which, in controls (patients with tremor or chronic pain), is characterized by deep sensory cells which fire at short latency in response to movement of a single joint or to stimulation of deep structures, such as muscles, tendons and joints. In patients with dystonia, neurons with this sensory activity are much more common than in controls and single neurons often respond to movement of multiple joints. In controls operated for the treatment of tremor or chronic pain many neurons in both nuclei are activated during active or involuntary joint movements, such as tremor or dystonia. The active joint movement related to the firing of a cell is usually in the opposite direction to the passive joint movement which causes that cell to fire. This linkage of active or involuntary and passive joint movement is unfocussed in dystonia. The involuntary dystonic joint movement best correlated with firing of a neuron may not activate the neuron when it occurs as a passive movement, while multiple other passive movements will activate the neuron. These linkages may explain the overflow of isolated voluntary activity to multiple other muscles that is seen in dystonia. The activity of either nucleus may have a critical role in dystonia since their disruption by stimulation or lesioning can decrease dystonia.
Brachial plexus injury in Thailand: A report of 520 cases

Between October 1984 and October 1993, 520 patients with traumatic brachial plexus injuries were treated at the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok. There were 486 male and 34 female patients. Eighty‐two percent of the injuries were caused by motorcycle accidents, 9% by other traffic accidents, and 9% by gunshot, stabbing, and other means. The initial physical examination revealed 332 (63.8%) complete paralyses and 88 (36.2%) incomplete paralyses. One hundred twenty‐seven patients were treated conservatively, 43 patients were observed before definitive treatment was given, and 350 patients were treated by operative means. Four hundred and twenty‐one surgical procedures were performed, consisting of 314 neurotisations (250 spinal accessory, 14 plexo‐plexal, 21 intercostal, 21 phrenic, 4 cervical plexus, 1 long thoracic, and 3 neuromuscular), 38 neurolyses, 23 nerve grafting, 16 free muscle transfers combined with neurotisations, and 30 musculotendinous transfers. Motor functional recovery of patients followed up for more than 2 years was evaluated. Nerve grafting gave 82% good (more than MRC grade 3) and 18% fair and poor recovery. Neurolysis gave 69% good and 31% fair and poor recovery. In patients with neurotisation, the spinal accessory (to supra‐scapular, axillary, and musculocutaneous), intercostal (to musculocutaneous), phrenic (to suprascapular, axillary, and musculocutaneous), and plexo‐plexal methods gave a significant number of good results. © Wiley‐Liss, Inc. © 1995 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.