Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of tissue Doppler imaging for regional quantification of radial left ventricular wall motion in healthy horses.

OBJECTIVE To compare the feasibility and repeatability of tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) for quantification of radial left ventricular (LV) velocity and deformation from different imaging planes and to correlate cardiac event timing data obtained by TDI to M-mode and pulsed-wave Doppler-derived time intervals in horses. ANIMALS 10 healthy adult horses. PROCEDURES Repeated echocardiography was performed by 2 observers from right and left parasternal short-axis views at papillary muscle and chordal levels. The TDI measurements of systolic and diastolic velocity, strain rate, strain peak values, and timing were performed in 8 LV wall segments (LV free wall and interventricular septum from right parasternal views; left and right region of LV wall from left parasternal views). The inter- and intraobserver within- and between-day variability and measurement variability were assessed. The correlation between TDI-based measurements and M-mode and pulsed-wave Doppler-based time measurements was calculated. RESULTS TDI measurements of velocity, strain rate, and strain were feasible in each horse, although deformation could often not be measured in the LV free wall. Systolic and diastolic time intervals could be determined with low to moderate variability, whereas peak amplitude variability ranged from low to high. The TDI-based time measurements were significantly correlated to M-mode and pulsed-wave Doppler measurements. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE TDI measurements of radial LV velocity and deformation were feasible with low to moderate variability in 8 LV segments. These measurements can be used for evaluating LV function in further clinical studies.
Old maps, channel change, serendipity and loss: medieval fishweirs on the Fergus Estuary, Co. Clare, Ireland

ABSTRACT Large, impressive medieval V-shaped wooden fishing structures located on the Fergus Estuary, Co. Clare, Ireland have been the subject of ongoing research funded by the Heritage Council (2008–2012) and a Marie Curie IEF fellowship (2011–2013). The weirs would have caught fish on an ebb tide and are collectively known as the Boarland Rock complex. Successive construction occurred from as early as the thirteenth century to the fifteenth century AD and possibly later. This short paper explores these structures and their relationship to channel change as expressed through historic mapping and nineteenth century commentary. Using this evidence, in combination with current dating evidence, the paper reflects upon the original siting of the Boarland Rock structures in the medieval period, the serendipity of discovery and the extent to what we see today it is under threat.
Cardiovascular actions of saxitoxin.

In the innervated pump-perfused hind leg of the cat and in the innervated pump-assisted cross-perfused hind leg of the cat, saxitoxin causes a vasodilation by a direct relaxant action on the vascular muscle (at doses lower than 1.5 µg/kg) and by an additional blockade of vasoconstrictor nerves (at doses higher than 1.5 µg/kg). These actions of saxitoxin are similar to those of tetrodotoxin. Saxitoxin differs from tetrodotoxin in causing a less severe hypotension, which is accompanied by a greater tendency for compensatory release of catecholamines. This tendency is responsible for the frequent occurrence of a secondary pressor effect after saxitoxin hypotension and may account for the apparent absence of hypotension in clinical cases of paralytic shellfish poisoning.
Performance Factors of a "Full Distance Learning": The Case of Undergraduate Students in Academic Exchange

Various e-learning systems have been developed and implemented in educational contexts. However, few studies try to go beyond the experimental level of identifying numerous factors that influence this technology and apply them to a real academic class of students. This article based on an in-depth analysis of a business school case—Montpellier Business School (France)—and survey data from 405 students assessed on their use of the e-learning platform, helps illuminate the patterns involved in e-learning performance. A literature review on e-learning performance factors is realized and a theoretical model focusing on three dimensions of e-learning performance—the learner side, the institutional environment and the e-learning system per se—is presented and tested empirically. The key findings of this paper identify motivation and selfdiscipline of students as main drivers of e-learning outcomes. Other results show that the integration of e-learning in a pedagogical program requires the analysis of its performance not only from learners and instructors point of view, but also from the underlying strategic perspective of the institution.
Confirmatory and disconfirmatory feedback in families of schizophrenics, pathological controls and normals

Two studies are reported measuring feedback mechanism in 10,771 communication acts in families of schizophrenics, nonschizophrenics within the range of schizophrenia spectrum disorders, and healthy offspring, using the Confirmation‐Disconfirmation Coding System (CONDIS). Couples were observed in interaction with their offspring in situations provoking disagreement using the Colour Conflict Method (CCM) (n= 21), and alone during collaboration (n= 21) using the Consensus Spouse‐Rorschach Method, respectively. The main categories of confirmatory and disconfirmatory feedback showed cross‐situational stability, whereas subcategories such as egocentric utterances and active disqualification of others varied across situations and gave predicted differential deficits in S‐parents. In 8 of 14 analyses, parents of pathological controls came out similar to normals or between normals and schizophrenics. The results supported the construct validity of CONDIS. Feedback mechanisms in parental communication were associated with schizophrenic traits in the offspring, incomprehensible egocentric utterances and active disqualification of others with schizophrenia.
Polyphasic Study of the Spatial Distribution of Microorganisms in Mexican Pozol, a Fermented Maize Dough, Demonstrates the Need for Cultivation-Independent Methods To Investigate Traditional Fermentations

ABSTRACT The distribution of microorganisms in pozol balls, a fermented maize dough, was investigated by a polyphasic approach in which we used both culture-dependent and culture-independent methods, including microbial enumeration, fermentation product analysis, quantification of microbial taxa with 16S rRNA-targeted oligonucleotide probes, determination of microbial fingerprints by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE), and 16S ribosomal DNA gene sequencing. Our results demonstrate that DGGE fingerprinting and rRNA quantification should allow workers to precisely and rapidly characterize the microbial assemblage in a spontaneous lactic acid fermented food. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) accounted for 90 to 97% of the total active microflora; no streptococci were isolated, although members of the genus Streptococcus accounted for 25 to 50% of the microflora. Lactobacillus plantarum and Lactobacillus fermentum, together with members of the generaLeuconostoc and Weissella, were the other dominant organisms. The overall activity was more important at the periphery of a ball, where eucaryotes, enterobacteria, and bacterial exopolysacharide producers developed. Our results also showed that the metabolism of heterofermentative LAB was influenced in situ by the distribution of the LAB in the pozol ball, whereas homolactic fermentation was controlled primarily by sugar limitation. We propose that starch is first degraded by amylases from LAB and that the resulting sugars, together with the lactate produced, allow a secondary flora to develop in the presence of oxygen. Our results strongly suggest that cultivation-independent methods should be used to study traditional fermented foods.
Photoshopping the selfie: Self photo editing and photo investment are associated with body dissatisfaction in adolescent girls.

OBJECTIVE Social media engagement by adolescent girls is high. Despite its appeal, there are potential negative consequences for body dissatisfaction and disordered eating from social media use. This study aimed to examine, in a cross-sectional design, the relationship between social media use in general, and social media activities related to taking "selfies" and sharing specifically, with overvaluation of shape and weight, body dissatisfaction, and dietary restraint. METHOD Participants were 101 grade seven girls (M(age) = 13.1, SD = 0.3), who completed self-report questionnaires of social media use and body-related and eating concerns measures. RESULTS Results showed that girls who regularly shared self-images on social media, relative to those who did not, reported significantly higher overvaluation of shape and weight, body dissatisfaction, dietary restraint, and internalization of the thin ideal. In addition, among girls who shared photos of themselves on social media, higher engagement in manipulation of and investment in these photos, but not higher media exposure, were associated with greater body-related and eating concerns, including after accounting for media use and internalization of the thin ideal. DISCUSSION Although cross-sectional, these findings suggest the importance of social media activities for body-related and eating concerns as well as potential avenues for targeted social-media-based intervention.
A regional ultrastructural analysis of the cellular and synaptic architecture in the chinchilla cristae ampullares

The chinchilla crista ampullaris was studied in 10 samples, each containing 32 consecutive ultrathin sections of the entire neuroepithelium. Dissector methods were used to estimate the incidence of various synaptic features, and results were confirmed in completely reconstructed hair cells. There are large regional variations in cellular and synaptic architecture. Type I and type II hair cells are shorter, broader, and less densely packed in the central zone than in the intermediate and peripheral zones. Complex calyx endings are most common centrally. On average, there are 15–20 ribbon synapses and 25–30 calyceal invaginations in each type I hair cell. Synapses and invaginations are most numerous centrally. Central type II hair cells receive considerably fewer afferent boutons than do peripheral type II hair cells, but have similar numbers of ribbon synapses. The numbers are similar because central type II hair cells make more synapses with the outer faces of calyx endings and with individual afferent boutons. Most afferent boutons get one ribbon synapse. Boutons without ribbon synapses were only found peripherally, and boutons getting multiple synapses were most frequent centrally. Throughout the neuroepithelium, there is an average of three to four efferent boutons on each type II hair cell and calyx ending. Reciprocal synapses are rare. Most synaptic ribbons in type I hair cells are spherules; those in type II hair cells can be spherical or elongated and are particularly heterogeneous centrally. Consistent with the proposal that the crista is concentrically organized, the intermediate and peripheral zones are each similar in their cellular and synaptic architecture near the base and near the planum. An especially differentiated subzone may exist in the middle of the central zone. J. Comp. Neurol. 389:419–443, 1997. © 1997 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The Relationship Between Breast Cancer and Risk Factors: A Single-Center Study.

OBJECTIVE To determine the relationship between breast cancer and known risk factors in patients who had mammography (MG) for breast cancer screening or ultrasonography and/or MG for diagnostic purposes. MATERIALS AND METHODS In the period of January-December, 2011, a questionnaire composed of 17 questions was applied to 2862 female patients and MG and/or US examination was performed afterwards. Chi-square and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS The mean age was 51.05±8.98, age at menarche was 13.0±1.6 and age at menopause was 47±5.2. The first pregnancy was at 20±4.6. Out of 2862 cases, 242 had breast cancer diagnosis and 32 were newly diagnosed. There was no correlation between menarche age, age at menopause or first pregnancy and breast cancer. There was no relationship between breast cancer risk and hormone replacement therapy or oral contraceptive use. In patients with the diagnosis of breast cancer (242 cases), 61 had (25%) a positive family history. There was a significant correlation between the presence of a positive family history and having breast cancer (p=0.003). CONCLUSION The presence of breast cancer in the family has the strongest relationship among all risk factors. It is important to have regular followup of these patients and to raise the awareness of patients.
ECG - Remote Patient Monitoring Using Cloud Computing

The purpose of this paper is to build an Android platform based mobile application for the healthcare domain, which uses the idea of Internet of Things (IoT) and cloud computing. The idea is to build ‘ECG Android App’ which provides the end user with visualization of their Electro Cardiogram (ECG) waves. The data can be uploaded to the user’s private centralized cloud or a specific medical cloud, which keeps a record of all the monitored data and can be retrieved for analysis by the medical personnel. Though the idea of building the medical application using IoT and cloud techniques is not totally new, there is a lack of empirical studies in building such a system.
The Coupling of 5-Oxo-Eicosanoid Receptors to Heterotrimeric G Proteins1

5-Oxo-eicosatetraenoic acid (5-oxoETE) stimulated human neutrophil (PMN) and eosinophil chemotaxis, PMN hexose uptake, and PMN membrane GTP/GDP exchange. Pertussis toxin (PT), a blocker of heterotrimeric G proteins (GP), completely inhibited these responses, but proved far less effective on the same responses when elicited by leukotriene B4, C5a, FMLP, platelet-activating factor, IL-8, or RANTES chemotactic factors. 5-OxoETE also specifically bound to the membrane preparations that conducted GTP/GDP exchange. This binding was down-regulated by GTPγS, but not ADPγS, and displaced by 5-oxoETE analogues, but not by leukotriene B4, lipoxin A4, or lipoxin B4. Finally, PMN expressed PT-sensitive GP αι2 and PT-resistant GP αq/11- and α13-chains; eosinophils expressed only αi2 and αq/11. We conclude that 5-oxoETE activates granulocytes through a unique receptor that couples preferentially to PT-sensitive GP. The strict dependency of this putative receptor on PT-sensitive GP may underlie the limited actions of 5-oxoETE, compared with other CF, and help clarify the complex relations between receptors, GP, cell signals, and cell responses.
Relapsed or refractory anaplastic large-cell lymphoma in children and adolescents after Berlin-Frankfurt-Muenster (BFM)-type first-line therapy: a BFM-group study.

PURPOSE To evaluate risk factors for outcome in children and adolescents with relapse of anaplastic large-cell lymphoma (ALCL) after comparable first-line therapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS We analyzed a population-based cohort of 74 children with relapsed ALCL after Berlin-Frankfurt-Muenster-type first-line therapy between April 1990 and December 2003. The recommended salvage strategy was reinduction chemotherapy followed by autologous hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation (SCT). RESULTS With a median follow-up time of 8.4 years (range, 4.5 to 16.4 years), the 5-year overall survival (OS) rate after first relapse was 57% ± 6%. Survival correlated with time of relapse and clinically advanced dissemination. Five-year OS of 16 patients who experienced progression during first-line therapy was 25% ± 11% compared with 66% ± 6% for 58 patients with a later relapse (P = .002). Five-year OS of 11 patients with bone marrow or CNS involvement was 27% ± 13% compared with 62% ± 6% for 63 patients without involvement (P = .001). Five-year event-free survival (EFS) and OS of 39 children who received the recommended autologous SCT were 59% ± 8% and 77% ± 7%, respectively. EFS after autologous SCT was significantly associated with time to relapse (progression: n = 3; EFS, 0; later relapse: n = 36; EFS, 64% ± 8%; P = .014) and CD3 expression (CD3 negative: n = 25; EFS, 72% ± 9%; CD3 positive: n = 11; EFS, 18% ± 12%; P < .001), but not with site of relapse, conditioning regimen, or graft manipulation. No relapses occurred among 10 patients with relapsed CD3-positive ALCL treated with allogeneic SCT. CONCLUSION Reinduction chemotherapy followed by autologous SCT proved feasible and efficacious for patients with a first relapse of CD3-negative ALCL after first-line therapy. Patients with progression during first-line therapy or relapsed CD3-positive ALCL may benefit from allogeneic SCT.
Current demand of nursing competency in China

With the economic expansion and life style alteration in China recent years, hospital employers are demanding qualified and competent nurses to provide high-quality clinical care. However, nursing education in China tends not to reflect the changing demands in the hospital nursing environment in time into the program curriculum; partially due to the lack of information on health care employers’ demand on nursing competencies. We aimed to investigate the current demand of nurses’ competencies from health care institutions regarding all educational background in China. employers from 396 medical institutions of 17 provinces, including 164 secondary hospitals and 59 tertiary hospitals and 173 rehabilitation centers were invited to a survey using a pre-validated instrument on a five-point Likert scale (1-never required, 2= not required, 3= neutral, 4= required, 5-extremely required). The demand on main core competences components by health care employers were found to be as follows: clinical care (scored 4.94±0.23), teaching-coaching (scored 4.83±0.38), critical thinking and research aptitude (scored 4.81±0.43), interpersonal relationships (IPR, scored 4.76±0.43), professional-development (scored 4.67±0.47), legal/ethical practice (scored 4.25±0.55) and leadership (scored 3.86±0.74). Most of the demand for nursing expertise still focused on major departments such as department of Internal medicine, surgical department and OBGYN, the total of which accounted for 50%-60%. The departments generally required less nursing staff exhibited an overall increase of the demand over the years such as department of imaging and department of geriatrics. Our results are not only indicative for Chinese nursing educators but might also be helpful for other developing countries facing society aging problem and rapid economy booming.
Utility of knowledge, attitude, and practice survey, and prevalence of dental caries among 11- to 13-year-old children in an urban community in India

Background The school oral health education program is believed to be a cost-effective method for promoting oral health. The KAP (knowledge–attitude–practice) model of oral health education is often the foundation of most health education programs. Objectives To assess the existing knowledge, attitude, and oral health care practices among 11- to 13-year-old children and the association of knowledge with attitude, oral health care practices, and dental caries prevalence. Design Cross-sectional design, involving 858 children studying in class seven at various schools in the city of Mangalore, India. The children were selected using stratified random sampling method. Prevalence of dental caries was determined using decayed, missing, and filled permanent teeth (DMFT) index. A self-administered questionnaire on self-care practices in oral health, knowledge, and attitude toward oral health care was filled by children. The association of different variables with knowledge was analyzed using binary logistic regression analysis. Results The dental caries prevalence was 59.4%, and 54.5% had low knowledge. They lacked knowledge regarding use of fluoridated toothpaste and did not use them. Children with low knowledge had significantly higher odds of having DMFT ≥ 1, not using fluoridated toothpaste, and being afraid of going to the dentist due to possible pain. There was no association of other oral health care practices and attitudes with knowledge. Conclusion Oral health care practices and attitudes are not fully explained by knowledge, and other models of health education need to be considered.
Urinary myo-Inositol-to-chiro-Inositol Ratios and Insulin Resistance

F ive papers have recently appeared dealing with urinary myoand chiroinositol excretion in diabetes in the Rhesus monkey and in humans, particularly as related to insulin resistance (1-5). Four papers (1,2,4,5) are in agreement, and a fifth (3) is in apparent disagreement. In the present report, we reevaluate the published data in the human studies and demonstrate overall agreement when 1) the ratio of increased urinary myoinositol to decreased chiro-inositol is examined rather than only the urinary chiroinositol excretion and 2) when the group of obese nondiabetic subjects studied by Ostlund et al. (3) is considered as potentially insulin resistant.
The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Evidence-Based Guideline on Management of Hip Fractures in the Elderly.

The AAOS Evidence-Based Guideline on Management of Hip Fractures in the Elderly includes both diagnosis and treatment. This clinical practice guideline has been endorsed by the Orthopaedic Trauma Association (OTA), the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (AAPM&R), the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR), the United States Bone and Joint Initiative, the Hip Society, the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists, the Orthopaedic Rehabilitation Association (ORA), and the American Geriatrics Society (AGS). This brief summary of the AAOS Clinical Practice Guideline contains a list of the recommendations and the rating of strength based on the quality of the supporting evidence. Discussion of how each recommendation was developed and the complete evidence report are contained in the full guideline at www.aaos. org/guidelines. ### ADVANCED IMAGING Moderate evidence supports MRI as the advanced imaging of choice for diagnosis of presumed hip fracture not apparent on initial radiographs. Strength of Recommendation: Moderate ★★★☆ ### PERIOPERATIVE REGIONAL ANALGESIA Strong evidence supports regional analgesia to improve preoperative pain control in patients with hip fracture. …
The Search for Distant Objects in the Solar System Using Spacewatch

We have completed a low-inclination ecliptic survey for distant and slow-moving bright objects in the outer solar system. This survey used data taken over 34 months by the University of Arizona's Spacewatch Project based at Steward Observatory, Kitt Peak. Spacewatch revisits the same sky area every three to seven nights in order to track cohorts of main-belt asteroids. This survey used a multiple-night detection scheme to extend our rate sensitivity to as low as 0.012 arcsec hr-1. When combined with our plate scale and flux sensitivity (V ≈ 21), this survey was sensitive to Mars-sized objects out to 300 AU and Jupiter-sized planets out to 1200 AU. The survey covered approximately 8000 deg2 of raw sky, mostly within 10° of the ecliptic but away from the Galactic center. An automated motion-detection program was modified for this multinight search and processed approximately 2 terabytes of imagery into motion candidates. This survey discovered 2003 MW12, currently the tenth largest classical Kuiper Belt object. In addition, several known large Kuiper Belt objects and Centaurs were detected, and the detections were used with a model of our observational biases to make population estimates as a check on our survey efficiency. We found no large objects at low inclinations despite having sufficient sensitivity in both flux and rate to see them out as far as 1200 AU. For low inclinations, we can rule out more than one to two Pluto-sized objects out to 100 AU and one to two Mars-sized objects to 200 AU.