Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
VECTOR: A Hands-On Approach That Makes Electromagnetics Relevant to Students

A two-course sequence in electromagnetics (EM) was developed in order to address a perceived lack of student learning and engagement observed in a traditional, lecture-based EM course. The two-course sequence is named VECTOR: Vitalizing Electromagnetic Concepts To Obtain Relevance. This paper reports on the first course of the sequence. VECTOR incorporates active learning methods with three projects to address three interrelated objectives: 1) to make the required EM course more relevant to students by demonstrating the impact of EM on emerging technologies; 2) to teach students how to utilize modern EM simulation and characterization tools; and 3) to improve student attitudes towards the introductory EM course in order to help pipeline students into the electromagnetics-photonics specialization in the undergraduate program. To assess the effectiveness of VECTOR the course was taught in a lecture format for one semester, then taught for three semesters in the project-based format. The assessment indicated that VECTOR caused significant changes to how and what students learned. VECTOR was effective in meeting the first objective, and achieved mixed success on the others.
Comparison of the VIDAS RSV assay and the Abbott Testpack RSV with direct immunofluorescence for detection of respiratory syncytial virus in nasopharyngeal aspirates

The sensitivity and accuracy of the VIDAS RSV assay in testing fresh specimens were 82.7 and 87.1%, respectively, whereas specimens previously frozen at -70 degrees C gave a sensitivity of 96.2% and an accuracy of 95.4%. The sensitivity and accuracy of Abbott Testpack RSV were 92.6 and 91.3% for fresh specimens and 86.8 and 88.1% for frozen specimens. The advantages and drawbacks of the two assays are discussed.
Materials and Methods 2 . 1 . Study Design and Area

Background: Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is a frequently diagnosed skin cancer with variable histopathological types. BCC was not widely studied in Sudan as it is in the Caucasian population. Objectives: To appraise the clinical and histopathological aspects of BCC of the skin in Sudan. Materials and methods: A retrospective descriptive analysis of 84 histologically diagnosed BCC specimens seen at three hospitals in four-year duration were reviewed and classified into histological variants according to the WHO classification 2006. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, version 23.0. Results: The mean age (±SD) of the study participants was 56 (±1.75) years, ranging from 20 to 92 years and 63.1% were females (Female to male ratio 1.7:1). The most common incidence was among the age group 51 60 years. The face was the primary tumor site in 89.3% with a predilection for the nasal area (31% of those in the face), followed by the trunk (6%). Out of the total, 54.8% were histologically categorized as nodular/solid, while infiltrative accounts for 11.9% followed by the superficial type (8.3%). Surgical margins were involved in 34.5% of cases and peri-neural invasion was seen in 3.6% of cases, mostly were of the infiltrative variant. Conclusion: BCC in Sudan is commonly present in the head as solid nodular histopathological variant which is correlated with worldwide distribution but has slightly younger age and female predominance; thus further studies are needed to assess risk factors in Sudanese patients and improve approaches for earlier diagnosis and better management.
InSAR velocity field across the North Anatolian Fault (eastern Turkey): Implications for the loading and release of interseismic strain accumulation

We use the Persistent Scatterer Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (PS‐InSAR) technique with the European Space Agency's Envisat and ERS SAR data acquired on three neighboring descending tracks (T350, T078, and T307) to map the interseismic strain accumulation along a ~225 km long, NW‐SE trending section of the North Anatolian Fault that ruptured during the 1939, 1942, and 1943 earthquakes in eastern Turkey. We derive a line‐of‐sight velocity map of the region with a high spatial resolution and accuracy which, together with the maps of earthquake surface ruptures, shed light on the style of continental deformation and the relationships between the loading and release of interseismic strain along segmented continental strike‐slip faults. In contrast with the geometric complexities at the ground surface that appear to control rupture propagation of the 1939 event, modeling of the high‐resolution PS‐InSAR velocity field reveals a fairly linear and narrow throughgoing shear zone with an overall 20 ± 3 mm/yr slip rate above an unexpectedly shallow 7 ± 2 km locking depth. Such a shallow locking depth may result from the postseismic effects following recent earthquakes or from a simplified model that assumes a uniform degree of locking with depth on the fault. A narrow throughgoing shear zone supports the thick lithosphere model in which continental strike‐slip faults are thought to extend as discrete shear zones through the entire crust. Fault segmentation previously reported from coseismic surface ruptures is thus likely inherited from heterogeneities in the upper crust that either preexist and/or develop during coseismic rupture propagation. The geometrical complexities that apparently persist for long periods may guide the dynamic rupture propagation surviving thousands of earthquake cycles.
Intraocular pressure measured with a noncontact tonometer in an elderly Chinese population: the Shihpai Eye Study.

OBJECTIVE To determine the distribution of intraocular pressure (IOP) as measured by a noncontact tonometer (NCT) and risk factors responsible for ocular hypertension in elderly Chinese people. DESIGN Population-based study of randomly sampled Chinese people 65 years and older in Shihpai, Taipei, Taiwan. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Participants completed an interview and underwent a physical examination and a standardized ophthalmic examination, including IOP measurement with the NCT. People with a history of glaucoma were excluded. Risk factors were assessed using multivariate regression analysis. RESULTS Of 1361 study participants examined, 1292 (95.4%) had no history of glaucoma and were therefore included in the study. Their mean +/- SD IOP was 12.9 +/- 3.1 mm Hg. The IOP decreased significantly (P<.001) with age, changing from 13.3 +/- 3.0 mm Hg in participants aged 65 to 69 years to 11.6 +/- 2.8 mm Hg in those 80 years and older. Women had significantly higher IOP than men (P<.001). In the multivariate regression analysis, decreasing age, female sex, increasing systolic blood pressure, a history of diabetes, and alcohol drinking were significantly associated with increasing IOP. CONCLUSIONS The distribution of IOP in elderly Chinese people is similar to that found in other East Asian people, with a negative age-IOP relationship. The mean IOP values in this elderly Chinese population were lower than in white people but higher than in Japanese people in similarly aged groups. Establishing the epidemiologic characteristics of IOP with the NCT is important for the mass screening of ocular hypertension.
Endogenous Agents That Contribute to Generate or Prevent Ischemic Damage

From single to multicellular organisms, protective mechanisms have evolved against endogenous and exogenous noxious stimuli. Over the past decades numerous signaling pathways by which the brain senses and reacts to such insults as neurotoxins, substrate deprivation and inflammation have been discovered. Research on preconditioning is aimed at understanding endogenous neuroprotection to boost it or to supplement its effectors therapeutically once damage to the brain has occurred, such as after stroke or brain trauma. Another goal of establishing preconditioning protocols is to induce endogenous neuroprotection in anticipation of incipient brain damage. Currently several endogenous neuroprotectants are being investigated in controlled clinical trials. There is consensus that many of the neuroprotectants, which were highly effective in animal models of stroke, but failed in clinical trials, were unsuccessful because of side effects, which in many cases led to premature termination of the trial. Nowadays research aims to overcome this problem by developing compounds which induce, mimic, or boost endogenous protective responses and thus do not interfere with physiological neurotransmission. In the present review we will give a short overview on the signals, sensors, transducers, and effectors of endogenous neuroprotection. We will first focus on common mechanisms, on which pathways of endogenous neuroprotection converge. We will then discuss various applications of endogenous neuroprotectors and explore the prospects of endogenous neuroprotective therapeutic approaches.
Use of green fluorescent protein to monitor survival of genetically engineered bacteria in aquatic environments

Many methods for detecting model genetically engineered microorganisms (GEMs) in experimental ecosystems rely on cultivation of introduced cells. In this study, survival of Escherichia coli was monitored with the green fluorescent protein (GFP) gene. This approach allowed enumeration of GEMs by both plating and microscopy. Use of the GFP-marked GEMs revealed that E. coli persisted in stream water at higher densities as determined microscopically than as determined by CFU enumeration. The GFP gene did not negatively impact the fitness of the host strain.
The effect of occlusal discrepancies on periodontitis. II. Relationship of occlusal treatment to the progression of periodontal disease.

BACKGROUND A causal relationship between occlusal discrepancies and periodontal disease has been postulated in the past. However, minimal data are available concerning the effect of treatment of occlusal discrepancies on periodontitis. METHODS The records from a private practice limited to periodontics were reviewed to find patients who had complete periodontal examination records, including occlusal analysis, that were recorded at least 1 year apart. Patients who fit these criteria were divided into a group that had none of the recommended treatment (untreated n = 30), those who had only non-surgical treatment (partially treated n = 18), and a control group that had completed all recommended treatment (surgically treated n = 41). The data for each tooth of each patient, including occlusal status, were placed in a database and analyzed using the generalized estimating equations method. RESULTS Worsening in overall clinical condition, as measured by worsening in prognosis, indicated that teeth with no initial occlusal discrepancies and teeth with treated initial occlusal discrepancies were only about 60% as likely to worsen in overall clinical condition over time compared to teeth with untreated occlusal discrepancies. Teeth with untreated occlusal discrepancies were also shown to have a significantly greater increase in probing depth per year than either teeth without initial occlusal discrepancies or teeth with treated initial occlusal discrepancies (P < 0.001). In addition, teeth with untreated occlusal discrepancies had a significant increase in probing depth per year (P < 0.001), whereas teeth without initial occlusal discrepancies and teeth with treated initial occlusal discrepancies had no significant increase in probing depth per year (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS This study provides strong evidence of an association between untreated occlusal discrepancies and the progression of periodontal disease. In addition, this study shows that occlusal treatment significantly reduces the progression of periodontal disease over time and can be an important adjunct therapy in the comprehensive treatment of periodontal disease.
Comprehensive Perinatal Safety Initiative to Reduce Adverse Obstetric Events

&NA; A comprehensive perinatal safety initiative (PSI) was incrementally introduced from August 2007 to July 2009 at a large tertiary medical center to reduce adverse obstetrical outcomes. The PSI introduced: (1) evidence‐based protocols, (2) formalized team training with emphasis on communication, (3) standardization of electronic fetal monitoring with required documentation of competence, (4) a high‐risk obstetrical emergency simulation program, and (5) dissemination of an integrated educational program among all healthcare providers. Eleven adverse outcome measures were followed prospectively via modification of the Adverse Outcome Index (MAOI). Additionally, individual components were evaluated. The logistic regression model found that within the first year, the MAOI decreased significantly to 0.8% from 2% (p<.0004) and was maintained throughout the 2‐year period. Significant decreases over time for rates of return to the operating room (p<.018) and birth trauma (p<.0022) were also found. Finally, significant improvements were found in staff perceptions of safety (p<.0001), in patient perceptions of whether staff worked together (p<.028), in the management (p<.002), and documentation (p<.0001) of abnormal fetal heart rate tracings, and the documentation of obstetric hemorrhage (p<.019). This study demonstrates that a comprehensive PSI can significantly reduce adverse obstetric outcomes, thereby improving patient safety and enhancing staff and patient experiences.
The role of argyrophilic nucleolar organizer region (AgNoR) study in cytological evalution of fluids, especially for detection of malignancy.

BACKGROUND Serous effusion smears reported as (suspicious for malignancy) pose problems in clinical management. Silver staining for argyrophilic nucleolar organizer regions (AgNOR) has proved useful in making a cytopathologic differential diagnosis between benign and malignant cells. Nucleolar organizer regions(NORs) are loops of DNA located in acrocentric chromosomes. These NORs are visualized by silver staining technique that recognizes these argyrophilia associated proteins which are increased in malignancy. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to distinguish reactive mesothelial cells from malignant cells in serous effusions using these NORs. METHODS A total of 174 serous effusions received at the Department of Pathology, TUTH, during a period of one year were included in the study. Smears were studied by conventional Papanicolaou and Giemsa stains. AgNOR counts, variation in size and dispersion of AgNOR dots in smears were graded and compared in malignant and non-malignant effusions. RESULTS Mean AgNOR counts of 10.43+\-0.73 and 10.21+\-0.51 in malignant peritoneal and pleural effusions, respectively, were significantly (p < 0.0001) greater as compared with counts of 2.12 +\- 0.54 and 2.11 +\- 0.54 in non-malignant effusions. The AgNORs were irregular in shape in malignant effusions whereas they were comparatively larger, single dots in benign effusions. AgNOR size and dispersion were of higher grade in significantly greater proportion of malignant as compared with non malignant effusions (p < 0.0001). Of the cytologically suspicious samples, nine were in the malignant range and one was in the benign range. CONCLUSION AgNOR study appears to be clinically useful as an additional diagnostic tool for use in serous effusion when the cytologic diagnosis is difficult.
The Effect of the Inferior Capsular Shift on Shoulder Intra-articular Pressure

Background The inferior capsular shift procedure is commonly performed for multidirectional instability of the shoulder with excellent clinical results. Hypothesis The mechanism of this procedure is to increase shoulder stability by changing the responsiveness of intra-articular pressure to downward loading. Study Design Controlled laboratory study. Methods In 7 fresh-frozen cadaveric shoulders, inferior capsular shift was simulated by imbricating the anterior and posterior capsule using clamps. The position was monitored using an electromagnetic tracking device with the glenohumeral joint capsule intact, imbricated anteriorly, or imbricated anteriorly and posteriorly and with the inferior load of 0, 0.5, or 1.0 kg. Simultaneously, intra-articular pressure was monitored using a pressure transducer. Saline was injected into the glenohumeral joint to measure capsular volume. The capsule was vented, and the position was again measured. Results Intra-articular pressure was –71 ± 19, –221 ± 70, and –366 ± 73 cm H2O with 0, 0.5, and 1.0 kg of load, respectively, with the capsule intact. With anterior imbrication, intra-articular pressure decreased to –79 ± 10, –274 ± 103, and –460 ± 135 cm H2O, respectively, and with anterior and posterior imbrication, intra-articular pressure further decreased to –87 ± 16, –308 ± 74, and –548 ± 39 cm H2O, respectively. The volume of the intact shoulder (36 ± 9 mL) significantly decreased to 27 ± 7 mL (75%) with anterior imbrication and to 15 ± 5 mL (42%) with anterior and posterior imbrications (P = .0001). Before venting the capsule, inferior displacement was 5% of the vertical length of the glenoid, even with 1.0 kg of load with any capsular conditions. After venting, the humeral head dislocated inferiorly in all shoulders, even after imbrications. Conclusion The inferior capsular shift procedure decreases joint volume and increases responsiveness of intra-articular pressure to downward loading. Clinical Relevance Biomechanical data provide scientific background to the commonly performed procedures of inferior capsular shift and thermal capsular shrinkage.
Speech Perception and Cortical Event Related Potentials in Children with Auditory Neuropathy

Objectives 1) To investigate the unaided and aided speech perception abilities of children with auditory neuropathy (AN) and to compare their performance to children with sensorineural hearing loss. 2) To establish whether cortical event related potentials (ERPs) could be recorded in children with AN, and to determine the relationship between the presence of these responses and speech perception. Design Unaided and aided speech perception assessments (PBK words), and cortical-ERP testing was carried out in a group of 18 children with AN. Data also were obtained from a cohort of age and hearing level matched children with sensorineural hearing loss. Results The speech perception performance of the 15 children with AN able to complete a PBK-word assessment, fell into two distinct categories. The children either showed no open-set speech perception ability (7/15 cases), or performance levels similar to their sensorineural counterparts (8/15 cases). Approximately 50% of children with AN showed ERPs of normal latency, amplitude and morphology. In all cases, response presence (at normal latencies) was consistent with reasonable speech perception ability, and response absence was consistent with negligible speech perception. Conclusions In approximately 50% of children with auditory neuropathy, the provision of amplification results in significant open-set speech perception improvements. The results confirm the previously published reports that speech perception ability cannot be reliably estimated from the behavioral audiogram in children with AN. Obligatory ERP test results may offer a means of predicting perceptual skills in newly diagnosed youngsters as the presence of ERPs (with age-appropriate latency and morphology) was correlated with significant open set speech perception abilities and amplification benefit. The absence of the ERP in contrast, indicated profound hearing disability evidenced by profound hearing loss and/or extremely poor speech perception.
Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences

The invention relates to a method and device for generating and presenting an image on a visual display unit or some other display member. The image is composed, for example by an operator via a keyboard, of a plurality of symbols defined in advance in a symbol memory, which are placed on the image adjacent to each other. Each symbol is associated with at least one predetermined entry point and at least one predetermined exit point. When creating the image, a symbol is placed so that an entry point of that symbol is located immediately adjacent to an exit point of a previously displayed symbol.
Assessment of resident professionalism using high-fidelity simulation of ethical dilemmas.

OBJECTIVES To examine the responses of emergency medicine residents (EMRs) to ethical dilemmas in high-fidelity patient simulations as a means of assessing resident professionalism. METHODS This cross-sectional observational study included all EMRs at a three-year training program. Subjects were excluded if they were unable or unwilling to participate. Each resident subject participated in a simulated critical patient encounter during an Emergency Medicine Crisis Resource Management course. An ethical dilemma was introduced before the end of each simulated encounter. Resident responses to that dilemma were compared with a professional performance checklist evaluation. Multi-response permutation procedure analysis was used to compare performance measures between resident classes, with the a priori hypothesis that mean performance should increase as experience increases. RESULTS Of the 30 potential subjects, 90% (27) participated. The remaining three residents were unavailable due to scheduling conflicts. It was observed that senior residents (second and third year) performed more checklist items than did first-year residents (p < 0.028 for each senior class). Omnibus comparison of mean critical actions completed across all three years was not statistically significant (p < 0.13). Residents performed a critical action with 100% uniformity across training years in only one ethical scenario ("Practicing Procedures on the Recently Dead"). Residents performed the fewest critical actions and overall checklist items for the "Patient Confidentiality" case. CONCLUSIONS Senior residents had better overall performance than incoming interns, suggesting that professional behaviors are learned through some facet of residency training. Although limited by small sample size, the application of this performance-assessment tool showed the ability to discriminate between experienced and inexperienced EMRs with respect to a variety of aspects of professional competency. These findings suggest a need for improved resident education in areas of professionalism and ethics.