Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
On the Rational Recursive Sequence xn+1=(α-βxn)/(γ-δxn-xn-k)

We study the global stability, the periodic character, and the boundedness character of the positive solutions of the difference equation x n+1 = (a -βx n )/(γ - δx n - x n-k ), n = 0,1,2,. , k ∈ {1,2,. }, in the two cases: (i) 6 > 0, α > 0, y > p > 0; (ii) 6 > 0, a = 0, γ,β > 0, where the coefficients a, β, y, and 6, and the initial conditions x-k, x-k+1,. , x -1 , x 0 are real numbers. We show that the positive equilibrium of this equation is a global attractor with a basin that depends on certain conditions posed on the coefficients of this equation.
Imaging Characteristics of Male Breast Disease

Abstract: The purpose of the study was to describe the imaging findings of male breast disease. One hundred and sixty‐four male patients, who underwent mammography and ultrasonography (US) between January 1999 and December 2008, were retrospectively evaluated. Seventy‐five patients (46%) underwent biopsy, and 89 patients (54%) were diagnosed radiologically. The radiologic and pathologic diagnoses in 164 cases of this series were 13 cancers (8%), including one ipsilateral and one contralateral breast cancers, 147 cases of gynecomastia (90%), one fibroadenoma (0.6%), two cases of fibrocystic disease of the breast (1.2%), and one epidermoid inclusion cyst (0.6%). Three mammographic patterns were adequate to describe all 147 cases of gynecomastia in our series: 53 patients (36%) had nodular gynecomastia, 46 patients (31%) had dendritic gynecomastia, and 48 patients (33%) had diffuse gynecomastia. Gynecomastia was unilateral in 65% of cases (n = 95), and bilateral in 35% of cases (n = 52). On physical examination, two of the malignant lesions had no clinic features of malignancy (15%). On mammography, 11 of 13 malignant masses were demonstrated (85%). A mass with microcalcifications was seen on mammograms in one case (9%). The contours of the masses were irregular in nine cases (82%), well‐circumscribed in two cases (18%). The location of the masses was retroareolar in seven cases (64%) and eccentric to the nipple in four cases (36%). The size of the masses varied between 0.5 cm and 5 cm (mean 2.4 cm). Nipple retraction was evident in five cases (45%), and skin thickening in four cases (36%). All of the malignant masses were demonstrated on ultrasound; however, one of them was seen retrospectively after mammography. All of the masses were hypoechoic and solid, the contours were well‐defined and smooth in two masses (15%), and irregular in 11 masses (85%), and five masses (39%) had posterior prominent shadowing. Axillary lymphadenopathia was detected in two cases (15%). One patient had a previous contralateral breast cancer, and one had an ipsilateral. On mammography, breast cancer characteristically exhibits an irregular subareolar mass, nipple retraction, and skin ulceration or thickening, but sometimes breast cancer has a well‐circumscribed contour and punctuated microcalcifications. Ultrasonography is essential and useful for further characterization and helpful for demonstrating lymphadenopathies of the axillary region.
Effect of monocortical and bicortical screw numbers on the properties of a locking plate-intramedullary rod configuration

Summary Objectives: To evaluate the effect of varying the number and configuration of locking bicortical and monocortical screws on a plate-rod construct using a mid-diaphyseal femoral ostectomy model. Methods: Thirty Greyhound femurs were assigned to six groups (A-F). An intramedullary pin was placed in each bone following which a 3.5 mm locking plate was applied with six differing locking screw configurations. Groups A to C had one bicortical screw in the most proximal and distal plate holes and one to three monocortical locking screws in the proximal and distal fragments. Groups D to F had no bicortical screws placed and two to four monocortical locking screws in proximal and distal fragments. Each construct was axially loaded at 4 Hz from a preload of 10 Newtons (N) to 72 N, increasing to 144 N and 216 N, each of 6000 cycles with a further 45,000 cycles at 216 N to simulate a three to six week postoperative convalescence period. Constructs were then loaded to failure. Results: No construct suffered screw loosening or a significant change in construct stiffness during cyclic loading. There was no significant difference in load to failure of any construct (p = 0.34), however, less variation was seen with monocortical constructs. All constructs failed at greater than 2.5 times physiological load, and failure was by bending of the intramedullary pin and plate rather than screw loosening or pull-out. Clinical significance: Axially loaded locking monocortical plate-rod constructs applied to the canine femur may confer no difference biomechanically to those employing locking bicortical screws.
In vitro and in vivo antiplasmodial activity of oxyresveratrol and artonine isolated from two Artocarpus plants in Indonesia.

Antiplasmodial activity of two compounds, oxyresveratrol and artonin E isolated from A. dadah and A. rigida, respectively, were evaluated. The in vitro antiplasmodial activity was done on the chloroquine-resistant strain of P. falciparum 3D7, while the in vivo antiplasmodial assay was done on Swiss mice breed which were infected by P. berghei. The two compounds tested showed very high in vitro activity with IC50 value of 0.05 and 0.2 µg/mL for oxyresveratrol and artonin E, respectively. However, by contrast in the in vivo activity assay, oxyresveratrol has an ED 50 of 10.26 mg/kg, while the artonin E was not able to be determined.
Early amniocentesis: outcome, risks, and technical problems at less than or equal to 12.8 weeks.

OBJECTIVE It is the purpose of this report to evaluate our experience with amniocentesis at less than or equal to 12 weeks' gestation. STUDY DESIGN Medical records of 936 patients at less than or equal to 12.8 weeks' gestation undergoing genetic amniocentesis between Oct. 1, 1986, and June 30, 1990, were evaluated for gestational age, indication, frequency of needle insertion, amniocentesis complications, and pregnancy outcome. RESULTS There were seven miscarriages within 2 weeks of amniocentesis (0.7%), 21 miscarriages before 28 weeks (2.2%), and four stillbirths or neonatal deaths (0.4%), resulting in a total postprocedural loss rate of 3.4%. There were 26 chromosomally abnormal fetuses (2.8%). The spontaneous abortion rate in ultrasonographically normal pregnancies at less than 14 weeks, not undergoing amniocentesis, has been estimated at 2.1% to 3.2%. CONCLUSION Amniocentesis at 12 weeks is a viable option for patients desiring earlier prenatal genetic diagnostic information.
Alterations in mitochondrial respiratory function in response to endurance training and endurance racing.

REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY Limited information exists about the muscle mitochondrial respiratory function changes that occur in horses during an endurance season. OBJECTIVES To determine effects of training and racing on muscle oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) and electron transport system (ETS) capacities in horses with high resolution respirometry (HRR). METHODS Mitochondrial respiration was measured in microbiopsies taken from the triceps brachii (tb) and gluteus medius (gm) muscles in 8 endurance horses (7 purebred Arabians and 1 crossbred Arabian) before training (T0), after two 10 week training periods (T1, T2) and after 2 CEI** endurance races (R1, R2). Muscle OXPHOS capacity was determined using 2 titration protocols without (SUIT 1) or with pyruvate (SUIT 2) as substrate. Electrons enter at the level of Complex I, Complex II or both complexes simultaneously (Complexes I+II). Muscle ETS capacity was obtained by uncoupling Complexes I+II sustained respiration. RESULTS T1 improved OXPHOS and ETS capacities in the tb as demonstrated by the significant increase of oxygen fluxes vs. T0 (Complex I: +67%; ETS: +37%). Training improved only OXPHOS in the gm (Complex I: +34%). Among horses that completed the race, a significant decrease in OXPHOS (Complex I: ∼ -35%) and ETS (-22%) capacities was found in the tb with SUIT 2 indicating a reduced aerobic glycolysis. Significant correlations between CK activities and changes in OXPHOS were found suggesting a relationship between exercise-induced muscle damage and depression of mitochondrial respiration. CONCLUSIONS For the first time, OXPHOS and ETS capacities in equine muscle at different steps of an endurance season have been determined by HRR. Significant alterations in mitochondrial respiratory function in response to endurance training and endurance racing have been observed although these changes appeared to be muscle group specific.
d-Xylulose Fermentation to Ethanol by Saccharomyces cerevisiae

We used commercial bakers' yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) to study the conversion of d-xylulose to ethanol in the presence of d-xylose. The rate of ethanol production increased with an increase in yeast cell density. The optimal temperature for d-xylulose fermentation was 35°C, and the optimal pH range was 4 to 6. The fermentation of d-xylulose by yeast resulted in the production of ethanol as the major product; small amounts of xylitol and glycerol were also produced. The production of xylitol was influenced by pH as well as temperature. High pH values and low temperatures enhanced xylitol production. The rate of d-xylulose fermentation decreased when the production of ethanol yielded concentrations of 4% or more. The slow conversion rate of d-xylulose to ethanol was increased by increasing the yeast cell density. The overall production of ethanol from d-xylulose by yeast cells under optimal conditions was 90% of the theoretical yield.
Regional Convergence Clubs in Europe: Identification and Conditioning Factors

The aim of this paper is to empirically identify convergence clubs in per capita incomes of European regions and to investigate whether initial conditions − as suggested by the club convergence hypothesis − are responsible for club formation. To tackle this issue, we propose a two-step procedure in which we first endogenously identify groups of regions that converge to the same steady state level, and in a second step we investigate the role of starting conditions and structural characteristics for a region's club membership. Our sample comprises 206 European NUTS2 regions between 1990 and 2002. The results strongly support the existence of convergence clubs, indicating that European regions form six separate groups converging to their own steady state paths. Moreover, estimates from an ordered logit model reveal that the level of initial conditions such as human capital and per capita income plays a crucial role in determining the formation of convergence clubs among European regions.
Brief Intervention in the Emergency Department Among Mexican-Origin Young Adults at the US-Mexico Border: Outcomes of a Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial Using Promotores.

AIMS A randomized controlled trial of brief intervention (BI), for drinking and related problems, using peer health promotion advocates (promotores), was conducted among at-risk and alcohol-dependent Mexican-origin young adult emergency department (ED) patients, aged 18-30. METHODS Six hundred and ninety-eight patients were randomized to: screened only (n = 78), assessed (n = 310) and intervention (n = 310). Primary outcomes were at-risk drinking and Rapid Alcohol Problems Screen (RAPS4) scores. Secondary outcomes were drinking days per week, drinks per drinking day, maximum drinks in a day and negative consequences of drinking. RESULTS At 3- and 12-month follow-up the intervention condition showed significantly lower values or trends on all outcome variables compared to the assessed condition, with the exception of the RAPS4 score; e.g. at-risk drinking days dropped from 2.9 to 1.7 at 3 months for the assessed condition and from 3.2 to 1.2 for the intervention condition. Using random effects modeling controlling for demographics and baseline values, the intervention condition showed significantly greater improvement in all consumption measures at 12 months, but not in the RAPS4 or negative consequences of drinking. Improvements in outcomes were significantly more evident for non-injured patients, those reporting drinking prior to the event, and those lower on risk taking disposition. CONCLUSIONS At 12-month follow-up this study demonstrated significantly improved drinking outcomes for Mexican-origin young adults in the ED who received a BI delivered by promotores compared to those who did not. TRIAL REGISTER ClinicalTrials.gov. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER NCT02056535.
Pterygium Surgery: Conjunctival Autograft Using a Fibrin Adhesive

Purpose: To evaluate the efficiency and safety of using a fibrin adhesive (Tissucol Duo®, Baxter AG, Vienna, Austria) to avoid the need for sutures during conjunctival autograft surgery for primary pterygium. Methods: Twenty patients (20 eyes) with primary nasal pterygium were subjected to conjunctival autograft surgery. The free conjunctival graft placed over the bare sclera was fixed to the surrounding conjunctiva and cornea using the fibrin glue. An occlusive patch was applied. The outcome of surgery and any possible complications were periodically assessed. Results: Mean patient age was 54.9 years (28-75 years). The mean follow-up time was 26.05 ± 3.15 (SD) weeks. The time of surgery was 15 to 20 minutes. During the postoperative course, none of the patients felt pain, and only 5/20 (25%) had the mild sensation of the presence of a foreign body. In 18/20 (90%) patients, the conjunctival autograft was observed to be correctly positioned and fixed in all the follow-up exams. No sutures were used during or after surgery. There were no cases of regrowth of the pterygium. Conclusion: Our findings demonstrate the safety and efficiency of Tissucol Duo® as a conjunctival adhesive for pterygium autograft surgery as treatment of primary pterygium. Because of its fast and easy application, this product considerably reduces the time of surgery. Its use also avoids complications derived from sutures and diminishes the sensation of a foreign body in the eye following surgery.
T‐cell “priming” against environmental allergens in human neonates: sequential deletion of food antigen reactivity during infancy with concomitant expansion of responses to ubiquitous inhalant allergens

The study below comprises prospective analysis of patterns of allergen‐specific T‐cell reactivity in a cohort of 23 children bled at'regular intervals from 6–10 weeks to 2 years of age, together with cross sectional studies on panels of cord and adult blood samples. The results indicate reciprocal patterns of responses to dietary and inhalant allergens, the former being frequent in infancy but rare in adults, whereas the latter are preserved and expand between infancy and adulthood. These findings are consistent with a recently proposed model for the development of immunity to environmental allergens which involves allergen‐driven T‐cell “selection” during early life leading to deletion of food allergen‐specific T‐cells via the induction of specific anergy, with concomitant selection and ultimately expansion of mutually exclusive TH‐1‐like or TH‐2‐like reactivity to inhalant allergens via Immune Deviation mechanisms.
Photoresponsive molecularly imprinted hydrogel casting membrane for the determination of trace tetracycline in milk

This study aimed to develop a photoresponsive molecularly imprinted hydrogel (MIH) casting membrane for the determination of trace tetracycline (TC) in milk. This MIH casting membrane combined the specificity of MIHs, the photoresponsive properties of azobenzene, and the portable properties of a membrane. Photoresponsive TC‐imprinted MIHs were initially fabricated and then cast on sodium dodecyl sulfonate polyacrylamide gel. After TC removal, a photoresponsive MIH casting membrane was obtained. The photoresponsive properties of the MIH casting membrane were robust, and no obvious photodegradation was observed after 20 cycles. The MIH casting membrane displayed specific affinity to TC upon alternate irradiation at 365 and 440 nm; it could quantitatively uptake and release TC. The TC concentration (0.0–2.0 × 10−4 mol l−1) in aqueous solution displayed a linear relationship with the photoisomerization rate constant of azobenzene within the MIH casting membrane. As such, a quick detection method for trace TC in aqueous foodstuff samples was established. The recovery of this method for TC in milk was investigated with a simple pretreatment of milk, and a high recovery of 100.54–106.35% was obtained. Therefore, the fabricated membrane can be used as a portable molecular sensor that can be easily recycled. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
On the reliability of a dental OSCE, using SEM: effect of different days.

AIM The first aim was to study the reliability of a dental objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) administered over multiple days, and the second was to assess the number of test stations required for a sufficiently reliable decision in three score interpretation perspectives of a dental OSCE administered over multiple days. MATERIALS AND METHODS In four OSCE administrations, 463 students of the year 2005 and 2006 took the summative OSCE after a dental course in comprehensive dentistry. The OSCE had 16-18 5-min stations (scores 1-10), and was administered per OSCE on four different days of 1 week. ANOVA was used to test for examinee performance variation across days. Generalizability theory was used for reliability analyses. Reliability was studied from three interpretation perspectives: for relative (norm) decisions, for absolute (domain) and pass-fail (mastery) decisions. As an indicator of reproducibility of test scores in this dental OSCE, the standard error of measurement (SEM) was used. The benchmark of SEM was set at <0.51. This is corresponding to a 95% confidence interval (CI) of <1 on the original scoring scale that ranged from 1 to 10. RESULTS The mean weighted total OSCE score was 7.14 on a 10-point scale. With the pass-fail score set at 6.2 for the four OSCE, 90% of the 463 students passed. There was no significant increase in scores over the different days the OSCE was administered. 'Wished' variance owing to students was 6.3%. Variance owing to interaction between student and stations and residual error was 66.3%, more than two times larger than variance owing to stations' difficulty (27.4%). The SEM norm was 0.42 with a CI of +/-0.83 and the SEM domain was 0.50, with a CI of +/-0.98. In order to make reliable relative decisions (SEM <0.51), the use of minimal 12 stations is necessary, and for reliable absolute and pass-fail decisions, the use of minimal 17 stations is necessary in this dental OSCE. CONCLUSIONS It appeared reliable, when testing large numbers of students, to administer the OSCE on different days. In order to make reliable decisions for this dental OSCE, minimum 17 stations are needed. Clearly, wide sampling of stations is at the heart of obtaining reliable scores in OSCE, also in dental education.
Postprandial gut peptide plasma levels in women with idiopathic slow-transit constipation.

BACKGROUND As abnormalities of circulating gut regulatory peptides may have pathogenetic relevance in chronic idiopathic slow-transit constipation, we measured fasting and postprandial levels of plasma pancreatic polypeptide, motilin, cholecystokinin, neurotensin, and somatostatin in women with the disease. Results were compared with those of women with normal bowel habits. METHODS Eight women with slow-transit constipation and 10 healthy women were studied. Blood samples were taken at regular intervals in fasting conditions and for 3 h after a standard solid-liquid meal (550 kcal). Gut peptide plasma levels were measured with a radioimmunoassay. RESULTS Fasting gut peptide levels and postprandial pancreatic polypeptide responses were normal in constipated patients, in whom, however, motilin levels did not increase after the meal, and postprandial concentration-time curves of cholecystokinin, neurotensin, and somatostatin were delayed. Mean +/- standard error of the mean peak times in patients and in controls were, respectively, 99 +/- 14.7 and 46 +/- 4.1 min (P < 0.01, Mann-Whitney test) for cholecystokinin, 135 +/- 9.8 and 60 +/- 3.9 min (P < 0.01) for neurotensin, and 111 +/- 17.7 and 51 +/- 6.0 min (P < 0.05) for somatostatin. CONCLUSIONS Patients with slow-transit constipation have abnormal postprandial patterns of motilin, cholecystokinin, neurotensin, and somatostatin.
Automatic translation in multilingual business meetings

Purpose – Multilingual meetings continue to be a problem in business communication due to the necessity to translate between different natural language pairs. The paper has developed a new electronic meeting technology that automatically translates comments written in any of 41 languages (e.g. French, Chinese, etc.). The purpose of this paper is to quickly and accurately show on each user's terminal in his or her own native language all comments contributed by the group written in several different tongues.Design/methodology/approach – A prototype system, Polyglot II, utilizes instant messaging on Microsoft Windows PCs to exchange comments between client personal computers and a server which in turn, calls the Google Translate API for each translation. In an attempt to measure the accuracy, reverse translations are conducted, e.g. English to French to English, because of the lack of human experts fluent in all of the languages. The final English translations are analyzed for comprehension by 240 college b.
Recurrent familial intrahepatic cholestasis in the faeroe islands. phenotypic heterogeneity but genetic homogeneity

Recurrent familial intrahepatic cholestasis is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by episodes of severe pruritus and jaundice lasting for weeks to months without extrahepatic bile duct obstruction. Symptom‐free intervals may last for months to years, and chronic liver damage does not develop. We recently studied four of the five patients from the Faeroe Islands described by us 30 years ago (one had recently died) and an additional five patients that were identified after the initial report. The episodes of cholestasis were more frequent and severe in patients with early onset, but tended to reduce in frequency with age. The youngest patient, aged 25 years, who had had 16 episodes each lasting about 6 months, had a liver transplant after which no further episodes were recorded (1 year after surgery). Signs of chronic liver disease were absent in all patients. The FIC1 gene was investigated for mutations in the surviving patients. A single mutation (I661T) was found on both chromosomes in all nine patients, indicating that they are genetically identical for the disease‐causing defect. Nevertheless, considerable differences among patients were observed clinically
REVIEW: Vitamin transport and homeostasis in mammalian brain: focus on Vitamins B and E

With the application of genetic and molecular biology techniques, there has been substantial progress in understanding how vitamins are transferred across the mammalian blood–brain barrier and choroid plexus into brain and CSF and how vitamin homeostasis in brain is achieved. In most cases (with the exception of the sodium‐dependent multivitamin transporter for biotin, pantothenic acid, and lipoic acid), the vitamins are transported by separate carriers through the blood–brain barrier or choroid plexus. Then the vitamins are accumulated by brain cells by separate, specialized systems. This review focuses on six vitamins (B1, B3, B6, pantothenic acid, biotin, and E) and the newer genetic information including relevant ‘knockdown’ or ‘knockout’ models in mice and humans. The overall objective is to integrate this newer information with previous physiological and biochemical observations to achieve a better understanding of vitamin transport and homeostasis in brain. This is especially important in view of the newly described non‐cofactor vitamin roles in brain (e.g. of B1, B3, B6, and E) and the potential roles of vitamins in the therapy of brain disorders.