Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of production system and geographic location on milk quality parameters.

A main reason for the rapid increase in organic food consumption is the perception that organic foods have a superior nutritional composition and/or convey health benefits. However, there is currently limited scientific knowledge about the effect of production systems on food composition. The study reported here compared fatty acid profiles and levels of fat soluble antioxidants in milk from organic and conventional production systems in 5 geographic regions in Europe (Wales, England, Denmark, Sweden and Italy). Levels of nutritionally desirable mono- and poly-unsaturated fatty acids (vaccenic acid, CLA, α-linolenic acid) and/or a range of fat soluble antioxidants were found to be significantly higher in organic milk.
Recent global warming hiatus dominated by low‐latitude temperature trends in surface and troposphere data

Over the last 15 years, global mean surface temperatures exhibit only weak trends. Recent studies have attempted to attribute this so called temperature hiatus to several causes, amongst them incomplete sampling of the rapidly warming Arctic region. We here examine zonal mean temperature trends in satellite‐based tropospheric data sets (based on data from (Advanced) Microwave Sounding Unit and Global Navigation Satellite System Radio Occultation instruments) and in global surface temperatures (HadCRUT4). Omission of successively larger polar regions from the global mean temperature calculations, in both tropospheric and surface data sets, shows that data gaps at high latitudes cannot explain the observed differences between the hiatus and the prehiatus period. Instead, the dominating causes of the global temperature hiatus are found at low latitudes. The combined use of several independent data sets, representing completely different measurement techniques and sampling characteristics, strengthens the conclusions.
X-Ray-Induced Sterility in Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae) and Male Longevity Following Irradiation

ABSTRACT The mosquito Aedes albopictus (Skuse, 1895) is a potent vector of several arboviral diseases, most notably chikungunya and dengue fever. In the context of the sterile insect technique (SIT), the sterilization of the male mosquitoes before their release can be achieved by gamma-ray irradiation. As gamma-ray irradiators are becoming increasingly problematic to purchase and transport, the suitability of an X-ray irradiator as an alternative for the sterilization of Ae. albopictus males was studied. The sterilization of up to 200,000 pupae at one time can be achieved with relative ease, and the sterility results obtained were comparable with those achieved by gamma irradiation, where 99% sterility is induced with a dose of 40 Gy. A significant reduction of longevity was observed in the latter stages of the males’ life after irradiation treatments, especially at doses >40 Gy, which is consistent with the negative effects on longevity induced by similar radiation doses using gamma rays. Females irradiated at 40 Gy were not only 100% sterile, but also failed to oviposit entirely, i.e., all of the females laid 0 eggs. Overall, it was found that the X-ray irradiator is generally suitable for the sterilization process for sterile insect technique programs, as it showed a high processing capacity, practicality, high effectiveness, and reproducibility.
Metabolic, hormonal characteristics and genetic variants of TCF7L2 associated with development of gestational diabetes mellitus in Mexican women

Variation in TCF7L2 gene is associated with type 2 diabetes and with gestational diabetes mellitus in several populations, but there are no data in Mexican women with gestational diabetes mellitus. In this study, we examined metabolic and hormonal measurements as well as TCF7L2 genetic variants.
Advanced gastrointestinal stromal tumors: 10-years experience from a tertiary care centre.

BACKGROUND Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) are the most common mesenchymal tumors of the gastrointestinal tract. We aimed to study the pattern of presentation and treatment outcome of advanced GIST patients seen by us in a 10- year period. METHODS Medical records of GIST patients seen between years 2002-2012 were retrieved from institute as well as database maintained by authors. Patient included in this analysis had metastatic disease and unresectable and/or residual disease after surgery. RESULTS During the study period 62 patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria but 6 were lost to follow up before treatment and hence 56 patients were analysed. Median age was 45.5 years (range 17-70 years) with a male female ratio of 2:1. Thirty eight (67%) patients had metastatic disease whereas 32% patients had unresectable or incompletely resected disease. The most common primary site was small intestine in 24 (42.8%) which was followed by stomach in 11 (19.6%) patients. The most common site of metastases was liver in 27 (48%) patients. Median tumor size was 12 cm (range 4-50 cm). Thirty two (57%) patients had mitotic counts of > 5/50 HPF. All patients received imatinib. The most common response seen with imatinib was stable disease achieved in 29 (52%) patients. Imatinib was well tolerated by all patients without any drug discontinuation. The 5-year EFS and OS were 35% and 49%, respectively at a median follow up of 55 months. None of the patient or tumor factors were found to have prognostic significance in univariate survival analysis. CONCLUSIONS This is a single center experience of advanced GIST patients where small intestine was found to be the commonest disease site with imatinib producing disease stabilization in more than half of patients. Even though the survival was comparable to published reports, the major limitation was lack of mutation analysis.
Assessments of Axial Motor Control during Deep Brain Stimulation in Parkinsonian Patients

OBJECTIVEWe tested the hypothesis that bilateral deep brain stimulation (DBS) in the globus pallidus internus or the subthalamic nucleus improves various components of postural and oromotor function and that some of the components correlate with changes in the Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) in patients with Parkinson’s disease. METHODSSix patients with Parkinson’s disease were evaluated for four postural and two orofacial UPDRS items, and quantitative tests of posture adjustments and oromotor control were performed while the patients were on and off DBS. Measurements of postural adjustments included reactive force and latency before a voluntary step. The oromotor assessments involved velocity and amplitude changes during voluntary jaw movement. RESULTSDBS significantly improved the total UPDRS motor score by an average of 44%, which included improvement of 18 to 54% in the postural and orofacial items. DBS also decreased foot lift-off latency significantly, but it produced a variable response to the preparatory postural force in the swing limb. DBS significantly improved jaw-opening velocity by 14 to 50% and jaw opening amplitude by 5 to 41%. Significant correlations for the percentage change from off and on DBS occurred among a few UPDRS items and foot lift-off latency and jaw-opening velocities. CONCLUSIONDBS in either the globus pallidus internus or the subthalamic nucleus induces improvements in bradykinesia of specific components of postural and oromotor control, which also can be measured by the postural and orofacial UPDRS items. In some Parkinson’s disease patients, DBS results in improvements in force or amplitude control, although these changes are not reflected in changes in UPDRS postural and orofacial items. A battery of quantitative and clinical tests must be used to evaluate the effects of DBS on axial motor control adequately.
Alterations in Trk A, Trk B and Trk C Receptor Immunoreactivities in Parietal Cortex and Cerebellum in Alzheimer’s Disease

The neurotrophins nerve growth factor, brain-derived neurotrophic factor and neurotrophin-3 bind to the tyrosine kinase (trk) receptors trk A, trk B and trk C, respectively, with high affinity. We investigated the expression of the trk receptors in the parietal cortex (PC) and cerebellum of patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and age-matched controls. Cortical layers II–VI displayed a distinct cellular immunoreactivity for trk A and C with an emphasis in the pyramidal neurons of layers III and V. Trk B immunoreactivity was primarily located in the deeper cortical layers with a predominance in layer V. There was a decrease in trk A and C immunoreactivity in the PC of AD cases, while trk B density appeared to be unchanged. In addition, cerebellar Purkinje cells revealed a distinct immunoreactivity for trk C both in control and AD cases, suggesting trk C may be important in the maintenance of these cells in the aged brain.
Comparison of two software versions of a commercially available computer-aided detection (CAD) system for detecting breast cancer

Background: The performance of the computer-aided detection (CAD) system can be determined by the sensitivity and false-positive marks rate, therefore these factors should be improved by upgrading the software version of the CAD system. Purpose: To compare retrospectively the performances of two software versions of a commercially available CAD system when applied to full-field digital mammograms for the detection of breast cancers in a screening group. Material and Methods: Versions 3.1 and 8.3 of a CAD software system (ImageChecker, R2 Technology) were applied to the full-field digital mammograms of 130 women (age range 36–80, mean age 53 years) with 130 breast cancers detected by screening. Results: The overall sensitivities of the version 3.1 and 8.3 CAD systems were 92.3% (120 of 130) and 96.2% (125 of 130) (P=0.025), respectively, and sensitivities for masses were 78.3% (36 of 46) and 89.1% (41 of 46) (P=0.024) and for microcalcifications 100% (84 of 84) and 100% (84 of 84), respectively. Version 8.3 correctly marked five lesions of invasive ductal carcinoma that were missed by version 3.1. Average numbers of false-positive marks per image were 0.38 (0.15 for calcifications, 0.23 for masses) for version 3.1 and 0.46 (0.13 for calcifications, 0.33 for masses) for version 8.3 (P=0.1420). Conclusion: The newer version 8.3 of the CAD system showed better overall sensitivity for the detection of breast cancer than version 3.1 due to its improved sensitivity for masses when applied to full-field digital mammograms.
Diagnostic Dilemma in Sequential Branch Retinal Vein and Artery Occlusion

Purpose To report on an unusual case of a branch retinal vein occlusion followed by occlusion of the respective branch retinal artery of the same eye 7 years later, in a young, otherwise healthy man with marginal elevation of antiphospholipid antibodies. Case Report On first presentation, a 30-year-old male patient was diagnosed as having a branch retinal vein occlusion with the sole risk factor of slightly increased diastolic pressure. On second presentation, 7 years later, a transient occlusion of the respective branch retinal artery was diagnosed on the same patient. Extensive ophthalmologic and general medical evaluations were performed including cardiovascular, coagulation, and immunology testing. Coagulopathy screening revealed slightly elevated titers of anticardiolipin IgM and anti–beta 2 glycoprotein-I IgM antibodies, and aspirin prophylaxis was initiated. Conclusions Retinal vascular occlusions are typically associated with well-defined, classical risk factors in older people. In younger, otherwise healthy patients, further autoimmune hypercoagulable disorders are often causal. Our case suggests the contribution of slightly elevated antiphospholipid IgM antibodies, although this remains to be proven.
Comparison between five commonly used two-dimensional methods of human bite mark overlay production from the dental study casts.

AIM The present study was conducted to determine the most accurate bite mark overlay fabrication technique by studying two physical characteristics, i.e., area and rotation of biting edges of anterior teeth of thirty volunteers. The objective of the study was to evaluate the reliability and efficacy of five commonly used methods of human bite mark overlays using two dimensional (2D) digital images of dental study casts as a gold standard, to rank different methods according to statistically based determination of relative accuracy of each method and to determine its feasibility in Forensic science. MATERIALS AND METHODS Overlays were produced from the biting surfaces of six upper and six lower anterior teeth of 30 volunteers using the following five methods: a) hand tracing from study casts, b) hand tracing from wax impressions, c) xerographic method, d) radiopaque impression method and e) 2D computer-based method. Area of the biting edges of the anterior teeth and relative rotation of each anterior tooth were measured and compared. RESULTS The xerographic method was determined to be the more accurate method with respect to tooth area and rotation. Hand tracing methods, from either wax impressions of teeth or directly from study casts, were determined to be inaccurate and subjective. CONCLUSIONS It is recommended that forensic odontologists discontinue the use of hand tracing overlays in bite mark comparison cases as there is lot of scope for manipulation and observer bias.
3 Toxicology and Adverse Drug Reactions

Toxicology has two main goals in relation to adverse drug reactions (ADRs). The first is to identify and characterize the potential for harmful effects that can be produced in biological systems, particularly laboratory animals, by a drug, and to suggest therapeutic circumstances in which toxic responses may occur and/or are unlikely to occur. The second is necessary when unexpected adverse clinical reactions are detected, i.e. those not predicted by conventional animal and clinical studies, and to investigate the mechanism in additional toxicological studies, often of nonstandard design, in order to understand these reactions and possibly how to avoid or ameliorate them.
Cross-Cultural Studies on Subjective Evaluation of a Seal Robot

Subjective evaluation of a seal robot was conducted in exhibitions that were held in seven different countries: Japan, the UK, Sweden, Italy, South Korea, Brunei and the US. Surveys were administered to the visitors after interaction with the robot. To explore the differences among people's evaluations of the robot in the seven countries, statistical analysis was conducted in the data set obtained from over 1400 respondents. The subjective evaluation provided high scores on the whole, and the factors 'comfortable feeling like interacting with real animals' and 'favorable impression to encourage interaction' were extracted. The results showed that people in the UK, Sweden and Italy evaluated the robot highly in the first factor, and people in Japan and South Korea evaluated it highly in the second factor. We considered that the subjective evaluation of the seal robot was influenced by cultural differences of relationships with animals.
Phylogeography of a ‘great speciator’ (Aves: Edolisoma tenuirostre) reveals complex dispersal and diversification dynamics across the Indo‐Pacific

We derive a new phylogenetic framework of the Indo‐Pacific avian genus Edolisoma based on a dense taxon sampling and use it in an explicit spatiotemporal framework to understand the history of intraspecific diversification dynamics in a ‘great speciator’, the Cicadabird Edolisoma tenuirostre/remotum complex.
The natural history of renal function following orthotopic heart transplant

Abstract: Background: The outcome of solid organ transplantation has dramatically improved after the introduction of the calcineurin inhibitor cyclosporine. With the increasing longevity of heart transplant recipients, the long‐term effects of cyclosporine on renal function have become more evident. The natural history of kidney function following orthotopic heart transplant is not well defined and long‐term follow up studies are scant.
Revisited RF Compact Model of Gate Resistance Suitable for High-K/Metal Gate Technology

State-of-the-art compact models of gate access resistance are investigated and compared with RF measurements for 28-nm high-k/metal gate MOS transistors. This work shows that the usual lumped gate resistance model fails to capture both geometry scaling and voltage dependence observed on silicon. The increasing role of the interface resistance is highlighted, and an improved gate access resistance model is proposed, featuring an encapsulation of the interface resistance component by parasitic capacitances. Theoretical insights and relevance of this new distributed model and associated parameters are also discussed.
Factors Affecting the Implementation of the National Programme for Information Technology in the National Health Services: The Case of Lorenzo in the North, Midlands and East of England Region

This study is concerned with the aspect of revealing the factors that affect the adoption of IT programs in the health sector in the NHS in UK. It focuses on the identification of the factors that influence significantly the adoption of LORENZO, the Electronic Health Record system that is being implemented in the Strategic Health Authorities (SHAs) in the North, Midlands and East of England (NME) region as part of the National Program for Information Technology (NPfIT) in the NHS. This study is based on the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). A qualitative research methodology was used to approach this area unlike the quantitative approach usually associated with the TAM. The data was obtained by conducting face-to-face semi-structured interviews with people who represented the end users in the NHS and the designing company (the LSP). By contrast with most academic studies, the research, therefore, studied the NPfIT from the bottom up (i.e., the end user perspective). The main tool used to aid the analysis of the interview data is NVivo. This analysis was used to develop an extended TAM model and to suggest a theoretical model of the relationship between LORENZO development methodology and users’ acceptance. The study suggests some factors, apart from usefulness, which LORENZO’s designers, the NHS should take into account when it comes to enhance users’ usage of IT adoption. These factors are clinical safety, security, integration and information sharing.
Extensions of the Queueing Relations L = λW and H = λG

This paper extends the fundamental queueing relations L = λW and H = λG that relate customer averages the customer-average waiting time W or cost G to associated time averages the time-average queue length L or cost H given an arrival process with arrival rate λ. These relations can be established by focusing on a two-dimensional cumulative input process that has the two one-dimensional cumulative input processes of interest as marginals. Relations between the marginal averages are established for cumulative input processes that may not be representable as integrals or sums. The general framework includes the continuous versions of L = λW and H = λG due to T. Rolski and S. Stidham as well as the standard version of H = λG, and can be extended to higher dimensions. Inequalities are also established when some of the conditions for equality do not hold. Moreover, central limit theorem versions of H = λG are established, extending our recent results for L = λW.
Accelerated Tau Aggregation, Apoptosis and Neurological Dysfunction Caused by Chronic Oral Administration of Aluminum in a Mouse Model of Tauopathies

To clarify whether long‐term oral ingestion of aluminum (Al) can increase tau aggregation in mammals, we examined the effects of oral Al administration on tau accumulation, apoptosis in the central nervous system (CNS) and motor function using tau transgenic (Tg) mice that show very slowly progressive tau accumulation. Al‐treated tau Tg mice had almost twice as many tau‐positive inclusions in the spinal cord as tau Tg mice without Al treatment at 12 months of age, a difference that reached statistical significance, and the development of pretangle‐like tau aggregates in the brain was also significantly advanced from 9 months. Al exposure did not induce any tau pathology in wild‐type (WT) mice. Apoptosis was observed in the hippocampus in Al‐treated tau Tg mice, but was virtually absent in the other experimental groups. Motor function as assessed by the tail suspension test was most severely impaired in Al‐treated tau Tg mice. Given our results, chronic oral ingestion of Al may more strongly promote tau aggregation, apoptosis and neurological dysfunction if individuals already had a pathological process causing tau aggregation. These findings may also implicate chronic Al neurotoxicity in humans, who frequently have had mild tau pathology from a young age.
New treatment strategies for disseminated intravascular coagulation based on current understanding of the pathophysiology

A variety of clinical conditions may cause systemic activation of coagulation, ranging from insignificant laboratory changes to severe disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). DIC consists of a widespread systemic activation of coagulation, resulting in diffuse fibrin deposition in small and midsize vessels. There is compelling evidence from clinical and experimental studies that DIC is involved in the pathogenesis of microvascular dysfunction and contributes to organ failure. In addition, the massive and ongoing activation of coagulation, may result in depletion of platelets and coagulation factors, which may cause bleeding. Recent understanding of important pathogenetic mechanisms that may lead to DIC has resulted in novel preventive and therapeutic approaches to patients with sepsis and a derangement of coagulation. Thrombin gener‐ation proceeds via the (extrinsic) tissue factor/factor VIIa route and simultaneously occurring depression of inhibitory mechanisms, such as antithrombin III and the protein C system. Also, impaired fibrin degradation, due to high circulating levels of the fibrinolytic inhibitor plasminogen activator inhibitor, type 1 (PAI‐1), contributes to enhanced intravascular fibrin deposition. Interestingly, an extensive cross‐talk between activation of inflammation and coagulation exists, where inflammatory mediators (such as cytokines) not only activate the coagulation system, but vice versa activated coagulation proteases and protease inhibitors may modulate inflammation through specific cell receptors. Supportive strategies aimed at the inhibition of coagulation activation may theoretically be justified and have been found beneficial in experimental and initial clinical studies. These strategies comprise inhibition of tissue factor‐mediated activation of coagulation or restoration of physiological anticoagulant pathways, for example by means of the administration of recombinant human activated protein C.
Nonlocality, closing the detection loophole, and communication complexity

It is shown that the detection loophole that arises when trying to rule out local realistic theories as alternatives for quantum mechanics can be closed if the detection efficiency η≥Cd 3 / 4 2 - 0 . 0 0 3 5 d where d is the dimension of the bipartite entangled system and C is a positive constant. Furthermore it is argued that such an exponential decrease of the detector efficiency required to close the detection loophole is almost optimal. This optimality argument is based on a close connection that exists between closing the detection loophole and the amount of classical communication required to simulate quantum correlations when the detectors are perfect.