Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Cost-Benefit Analysis of Leaf Habit and Leaf Longevity of Trees and Their Geographical Pattern

To maximize net gain of a tree, leaves must be replaced when net gain of a leaf per unit time over the leaf's life span is maximum. A model in which leaf longevity is determined to maximize the net gain of a leaf per unit time is constructed. The model predicts that leaf longevity is short when initial net photosynthetic rate of the leaf is large, long when the construction cost of the leaf is large, and short when the decrease in net photosynthetic rate with time is large. The model describes leaf habit (deciduousness and evergreenness) with the length of the favorable period for photosynthesis within a year and simulates distributional pattern of leaf habit along latitudes. The percentages of evergreenness decrease with decreasing favorable-period length and reach the minimum at an intermediate length of the favorable period but increase again with a decrease in the length of the favorable period. A bimodal distributional pattern with two peaks, one at lower and the other at higher latitudes, is observed for the percentages of evergreenness. Percentages of deciduousness show a unimodal distribution pattern with a peak at midlatitude.
Organ‐specific effects of oxygen and carbogen gas inhalation on tissue longitudinal relaxation times

Molecular oxygen has been previously shown to shorten longitudinal relaxation time (T1) in the spleen and renal cortex, but not in the liver or fat. In this study, the magnitude and temporal evolution of this effect were investigated. Medical air, oxygen, and carbogen (95% oxygen/5% CO2) were administered sequentially in 16 healthy volunteers. T1 maps were acquired using spoiled gradient echo sequences (TR = 3.5 ms, TE = 0.9 ms, α = 2°/8°/17°) with six acquisitions on air, 12 on oxygen, 12 on carbogen, and six to 12 back on air. Mean T1 values and change in relaxation rate were compared between each phase of gas inhalation in the liver, spleen, skeletal muscle, renal cortex, and fat by one‐way analysis of variance. Oxygen‐induced T1‐shortening occurred in the liver in fasted subjects (P < 0.001) but not in non‐fasted subjects (P = 0.244). T1‐shortening in spleen and renal cortex (both P < 0.001) were greater than previously reported. Carbogen induced conflicting responses in different organs, suggesting a complex relationship with organ vasculature. Shortening of tissue T1 by oxygen is more pronounced and more complex than previously recognized. The effect may be useful as a biomarker of arterial flow and oxygen delivery to vascular beds. Magn Reson Med 58:490–496, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A disorder of blood coagulation in systemic lupus erythematosus.

Conley and Hartmann (1, 2) have reported the existence of a disorder of blood clotting in two patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. In both cases there were severe hemorrhagic symptoms associated with prolongation of the clotting time and the presence of a substance interfering with the interaction of thromboplastin and prothrombin. Previous studies in this laboratory (3) had suggested that the L. E. cell factor required thromboplastin or some component thereof, in order to act on leukocytes. A possible relationship between these two sets of data suggested itself: the L. E. cell factor, reacting in some way with thromboplastin, could inhibit thromboplastin in turn from reacting with prothrombin. If this hypothesis were valid, every blood containing the L. E. cell factor should show impaired thromboplastin function. The clotting disorder described might thus be a characteristic feature of systemic lupus. To test this hypothesis, a systematic survey of blood coagulation in every available patient with systemic lupus erythematosus was undertaken.
Criteria of robust stability for time-varying 2D Wang–Mitchel differential systems: integral funnel method

ABSTRACT Two-dimensional nonlinear systems with parametrical interval uncertainty are studied. Differential geometric extremal deviations method is developed. Its basic elements are integral funnels (IFs) and their boundaries. Extreme matrix-valued functions determining the branches of the boundaries of IFs are synthesised. Typical phase portraits of considered uncertain systems with different oscillatory properties are presented. Analytical criteria of robust stability for different oscillatory classes of uncertain systems are formulated.
Photonic Fractional-Order Differentiator Using an SOI Microring Resonator With an MMI Coupler

An optically tunable fractional order temporal differentiator implemented using a silicon-on-isolator microring resonator with a multimode interference (MMI) coupler is proposed and experimentally demonstrated. Through changing the input polarization state, the self coupling coefficient and the loss factor of the designed ring resonator with the MM! coupler are changed. Correspondingly, the coupling regime is changed. Through changing the coupling regime from over-coupled to under-coupled regime, the phase shift in the resonance wavelength is changed from <;π to >π. This tunable phase shift is used to implement a tunable fractional order photonic differentiator with an order tunable from <;1 to 1. The proposed fractional order differentiator is demonstrated experimentally. A Gaussian pulse with a bandwidth of 45 GHz is temporally differentiated with a tunable order of 0.37, 0.67, 1, 1.2, and 1.3.
[Laparoscopic management of ovarian masses during pregnancy].

BACKGROUND The diagnosis of an adnexal mass associated with pregnancy is increasingly common with the routine use of ultrasound during prenatal care. AIM To assess the feasibility, advantages and limiting factors of laparoscopy in the management of ovarian masses during pregnancy. METHODS Rretrospective study of a series of 34 pregnant women operated by laparoscopy for adnexal masses during a period of 14 years. RESULTS The mean age of patients was 29 years. Fifty percent of patients were nulliparous. In 62% of cases, patients were asymptomatic. Laparoscopy was performed at a mean gestational age of 15 weeks. Open laparoscopy was performed in 58.8% of cases. Intraperitoneal cystectomy was performed in 28 cases (72%). In two cases (5 %), it was a borderline ovarian tumor requiring further surgery outside of pregnancy. Fetal loss was noted at a term of 16 weeks. CONCLUSION Laparoscopic management of adnexal masses during pregnancy appears to be safe and reproducible procedure with few maternal and fetal complications.
Prevalence and susceptibility pattern of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in Kashmir

Background: Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a multidrug resistant organism that threatens the effectiveness of antibiotics worldwide and is a threat in hospitals and long-term care settings. Aims: To determine the proportion of MRSA strains and their in vitro antibiotic susceptibility patterns against various antibiotics. Material and Methods: Different clinical specimens (n= 679) received at Al-Haram Diagnostic, Research and Training Center, Kashmir during a two year period commencing January, 2009 to December, 2010 were cultured, the isolates identified using standard microbiological techniques and their antibiotic susceptibilities determined. Results: Of the 679 specimens, Staphylococcus. aureus was isolated in 127 and 32 (25.2%) of these 127 were found be MRSA. No significant association with age or sex were observed in the MRSA positive specimens. MRSA were mainly isolated from burns, and skin and superficial soft tissue infections. MRSA isolates were found to be 100% sensitive to Vancomycin and 94%, 87%, 81%, 78% and 75% of isolates were resistant to Gentamycin, Tetracycline, Clindamycin, Erythromycin and Co-trimoxazole respectively. Conclusions: The relatively high proportion of MRSA and the associated antibiotic resistance seen in this study emphasizes the need for local or country based surveillance to characterize and monitor MRSA and to develop strategies that will improve MRSA treatment and control. DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.3329/bjms.v12i4. 16663 Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science Vol. 12 No. 04 October ’13 Page 427-431
Granulomatous Gastritis: A Clinicopathologic Analysis of 18 Biopsy Cases

Granulomas in gastric biopsy specimens are extremely rare, and in Western countries, more than half are associated with Crohn’s disease. To evaluate the incidence and their etiology in a gastric carcinoma (and Helicobater pylori infection)-prevalent area, gastric mucosal biopsies were reviewed and their clinicopathologic findings were analyzed. The clinicopathologic diagnoses of the 18 patients with granulomatous gastritis were as follows: chronic gastritis with (n = 14) and without (n = 1) H. pylori infection; gastric adenocarcinomas (n = 2); and Crohn’s disease (n = 1). Almost all cases of granulomatous gastritis in this study showed small erosions or ulcers on the endoscopic examinations. H. pylori were found to be one of the most common causes of granulomatous gastritis after excluding all other causes for the granulomas in this study. The granulomas were more frequently found in the antrum, superficially located, and were related to damage within a pit in which the H. pylori were commonly observed. These findings suggest that H. pylori can be causal in the pathogenesis of granulomatous gastritis.
Religious Construction of a First Episode of Psychosis in Urban Brazil

Religion plays an important role in the lives of people with psychosis. Based on fieldwork with 21 families living in poor neighborhoods of São Paulo, Brazil, this article examines how youth suffering a first episode of psychosis resort to religion for help (including, Catholicism, Pentecostalism, Candomblé, and Umbanda) and how this frames their experience of psychosis and that of their family members. For young people, the personal articulation of religious idioms and signifiers served to communicate, elaborate and transform their experience of psychosis. Family members resorted to religion as a source of healing, complementary to psychiatric treatment, as well as for personal relief and comfort. For youth, involvement with religion worked in both ‘progressive’ and ‘regressive’ ways, to improve and, at times, to diminish functioning and well-being.
Structure and composition of unmanaged riparian forests in the coastal mountains of Oregon , U . S . A . 1

We characterized the structure and composition of unmanaged riparian forests in three river basins in Oregon’s coastal mountains. Our objective was to evaluate stand attributes at three spatial scales: streamside (site), drainage network (stream order), and basin (subregion). Data on basal area, species composition, snag density, canopy cover, and tree regeneration were collected along transects at 124 sites. Conifer basal area increased with distance from stream, a trend similar among subregions, and was highest at sites along first-order streams. Hardwood basal area was relatively constant with distance from stream and was proportionally higher at sites along secondand third-order streams than at sites along first-order streams. Conifer and hardwood tree regeneration occurred infrequently and varied by topographic position, stream order, and subregion. Conifer regeneration was associated with basal area of shadetolerant conifers and appeared to be limited by shrub competition. The unmanaged forests we studied were characterized by a patchy mosaic of structure and composition. Hardwoods and shrubs were major components of the near-stream environment in these forests, whereas dominance of conifers was limited to hillslopes. It appears that finescale patterns associated with proximity to the stream are influenced by coarser scale factors such as valley-floor width
Motor cortex excitability during ballistic forearm and finger movements

In a ballistic forearm flexion movement, a centrally programmed triphasic pattern of electromyogram (EMG) is seen with two bursts in biceps and a single burst in triceps. Rapid abduction of the index finger, in contrast, is achieved with a single agonist burst. Transcranial magnetic and electrical stimuli, triggered at the onset of the EMG burst, have been used to probe cortical and spinal cord excitability during and after self‐paced ballistic finger and forearm movements. In both, the motor cortex has two phases of increased excitability. The first phase is coincident with the initial agonist burst. The second phase in biceps is associated with the second agonist burst, but in the finger movement, the raised motor cortical excitability is not associated with any EMG. It is argued that the motor program for the two movements may be similar, despite there being large differences in the EMG pattern generated. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Direct Power Output Forecasts From Remote Sensing Image Processing

A direct methodology for intra-day forecasts (1–6 h ahead) of power output (PO) from photovoltaic (PV) solar plants is proposed. The forecasting methodology uses publicly available images from geosynchronous satellites to predict PO directly without resorting to intermediate irradiance (resource) forecasting. Forecasts are evaluated using four years (January 2012–December 2015) of hourly PO data from 2 nontracking, 1 MWp PV plants in California. For both sites, the proposed methodology achieves forecasting skills ranging from 24% to 69% relative to reference persistence model results, with root-meansquare error (RMSE) values ranging from 90 to 136 kW across the studied horizons. Additionally, we consider the performance of the proposed methodology when applied to imagery from the next generation of geosynchronous satellites, e.g., Himawari-8 and geostationary operational environmental satellite (GOES-R). [DOI: 10.1115/1.4038983]
The prognosis of primary tumors of the iris treated by iridectomy.

Over the years it has become increasingly evident that tumors of the iris should not be lumped with those of the ciliary body and choroid. They present entirely different problems in clinical diagnosis and surgical management, and there is mounting evidence to support the belief that biologically they may be different tumors. Progress in the study of these tumors has been slow, for they are not common, and a large volume of material with many years of follow-up is necessary for the accumulation of a series of cases from which lessons can be learned. Reese,1for example, stated that at the Institute of Ophthalmology, in New York. 271 malignant melanomas of the uvea included only 23 that were primary in the iris. More recently, Duke and Dunn2reviewed the primary tumors of the iris in the pathology laboratory of the Wilmer Institute and were able to report only
Risk-adjusted outcome models for public mental health outpatient programs.

OBJECTIVE To develop and test risk-adjustment outcome models in publicly funded mental health outpatient settings. We developed prospective risk models that used demographic and diagnostic variables; client-reported functioning, satisfaction, and quality of life; and case manager clinical ratings to predict subsequent client functional status, health-related quality of life, and satisfaction with services. DATA SOURCES/STUDY SETTING Data collected from 289 adult clients at five- and ten-month intervals, from six community mental health agencies in Washington state located primarily in suburban and rural areas. Data sources included client self-report, case manager ratings, and management information system data. STUDY DESIGN Model specifications were tested using prospective linear regression analyses. Models were validated in a separate sample and comparative agency performance examined. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS Presence of severe diagnoses, substance abuse, client age, and baseline functional status and quality of life were predictive of mental health outcomes. Unadjusted versus risk-adjusted scores resulted in differently ranked agency performance. CONCLUSIONS Risk-adjusted functional status and patient satisfaction outcome models can be developed for public mental health outpatient programs. Research is needed to improve the predictive accuracy of the outcome models developed in this study, and to develop techniques for use in applied settings. The finding that risk adjustment changes comparative agency performance has important consequences for quality monitoring and improvement. Issues in public mental health risk adjustment are discussed, including static versus dynamic risk models, utilization versus outcome models, choice and timing of measures, and access and quality improvement incentives.
Pharmacogenetic-guided psychiatric intervention associated with increased adherence and cost savings.

OBJECTIVES Pharmacogenetic testing as a means of guiding treatment decisions is beginning to see wider clinical use in psychiatry. The utility of this genetic information as it pertains to clinical decision making, treatment effectiveness, cost savings, and patient perception has not been fully characterized. STUDY DESIGN In this retrospective study, we examined health claims data in order to assess medication adherence rates and healthcare costs for psychiatric patients. METHODS Individuals for whom pharmacogenetic testing was ordered (cases) were contrasted with those who did not undergo such testing (controls). Cases and controls were propensity score matched in order to minimize risk of confounding in this nonrandomized study. An initial analysis of 111 cases and 222 controls examined both adherence and healthcare costs. A replication study of 116 cases and 232 controls examined adherence alone, as cost data was not available for this latter cohort. RESULTS Overall, individuals with assay-guided treatment were significantly more medication adherent (P = 1.56 3 10–3; Cohen’s d = 0.511) than patients with standard treatment and demonstrated a relative cost savings of 9.5% in outpatient costs over a 4-month follow-up period, or $562 in total savings. CONCLUSIONS The data show the utility of pharmacogenetic testing in everyday psychiatric clinical practice, as it can lead to improved patient adherence and decreased healthcare costs.
Trophoblast differentiation of human embryonic stem cells

Molecular mechanisms regulating human trophoblast differentiation remain poorly understood due to difficulties in obtaining primary tissues from very early developmental stages in humans. Therefore, the use of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) as a source for generating trophoblast tissues is of significant interest. Trophoblast‐like cells have been obtained through treatment of hESCs with bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) or inhibitors of activin/nodal/transforming growth factor‐β signaling, or through protocols involving formation of embryoid bodies (EBs); however, there is controversy over whether hESC‐derived cells are indeed analogous to true trophoblasts found in vivo. In this review, we provide an overview of previously described efforts to obtain trophoblasts from hESCs. We also discuss the merits and limitations of hESCs as a source of trophoblast derivatives.
Focal vibration of quadriceps muscle enhances leg power and decreases knee joint laxity in female volleyball players.

AIM This double-blind randomized controlled study aims at determining the effect of repeated muscle vibration (rMV) on explosive and reactive leg power and on knee laxity of female volleyball players. METHODS Eighteen voluntary volleyball athletes, belonging to the same senior regional level team (age=22.7 ± 3 years, height=180.3 ± 5 cm, mass= 64 ± 4 kg) were assigned to three groups (N.=6) for vibration on contracted quadriceps (VC), vibration on relaxed muscle (VR), and sham vibration (NV), respectively. Intervention consisted in 3 rMV sessions performed in 3 consecutive days. In each session, 100 Hz, 300-500 μm amplitude vibratory stimuli were bilaterally delivered to the quadriceps in three consecutive 10-minutes applications. Explosive and reactive leg power and knee joint laxity were evaluated 1 day before, and 1, 30, and 240 days after intervention. RESULTS In VC group, explosive and reactive leg power increased respectively by ~16% and ~9% at 1 day, by ~19% and ~11% at 30 days and by ~26% and ~13% at 240 days, concomitantly knee laxity decreased by ~6%, ~15% and ~18% at the same times. These changes were significantly larger than in the other groups, in which leg power increment and knee joint laxity reduction remained close to ~3%, ~5% and ~10% at 1, 30 and 240 days, respectively. CONCLUSION Combined bilateral voluntary contraction and rMV of the quadriceps muscles is a short-lasting, non-invasive technique that can significantly and persistently improve muscle performance and knee laxity in volleyball women players.
Thai version of the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire: psychometric testing using a longitudinal design

Abstract Background: The Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire (MLHFQ) is the most widely used diseasespecific instrument for heart failure (HF). However, a Thai version of the MLHFQ has not been available yet. Objective: Test the psychometric properties of the Thai version of the MLHFQ in terms of practicality, reliability, validity, and responsiveness, using a longitudinal design. Methods: One hundred eighty HF outpatients (mean age: 65±12 years; 58% male) were interviewed at Phramongkutklao Hospital, Bangkok between December 2008 and August 2009. Practicality was assessed with interview-times. Reliability was evaluated using Cronbach’s α and intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs). Validity was tested with correlations between the MLHFQ scores and the SF-36 scores, confirmatory factor analysis, and known-groups validity. Responsiveness was observed with effect sizes (ES) and minimal clinically important differences (MCID). Results: The averaged interview-time was approximately five minutes. The Cronbach’s α and ICCs of the MLHFQ were 0.86-0.93 and 0.84-0.88, respectively. The MLHFQ scores were moderately correlated with the Short Form-36 Health Survey (SF-36) scores, and discriminated the patients with different classes by New York Heart Association. The average ES were medium, ranging from 0.2 to 0.5. The MCID ranged from 1.4 to 14.5 for improved patients and from -1.4 to -12.7 for worsened patients. Conclusion: The Thai version of the MLHFQ showed acceptable psychometric properties. It can be used as a disease-specific instrument to measure health-related quality of life of Thai patients with HF.
Brain Natriuretic Peptide in Term Pregnancy

Objective: To determine the normal range of serum brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) in uncomplicated, singleton term pregnant patients. Study Design: Serum for analysis of BNP was drawn at admission to labor and delivery (= 104), prior to administration of intravenous fluid. Results: Median BNP was 20 pg/mL, with an interquartile range of 20 pg/mL (range 5-70 pg/mL; or a mean ± standard deviation [SD] of 23 ± 16 pg/mL). Brain natriuretic peptide negatively correlated with prepregnant (r = −.24, P < .05) and pregnant weight (r = −26, P < .01) and with heart rate (r = −.35, P < 0.001); heart rate was also positively correlated with BMI (r = .32). Brain natriuretic peptide levels were higher in Hispanic than African American women, independent of body mass index (BMI) and heart rate. Conclusions: Brain natriuretic peptide values found in term pregnant patients are similar to those of prepregnant women of reproductive age. Brain natriuretic peptide levels appear to be set by conditions present in the prepregnant condition and maintained, despite changes in plasma volume, systemic vascular resistance, and cardiac output.