Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
SCREENING-PIGMENT MIGRATION IN THE OCTOPUS RETINA INCLUDES CONTROL BY DOPAMINERGIC EFFERENTS

The extent of screening-pigment (SP) migration in the intact octopus retina and the amplitude of the early receptor potential (ERP) correspond with the degree of adaptation to light or darkness. The light-adapted retina has SP granules concentrated in an apical layer, at the tips of the photoreceptor rhabdoms and supporting cells, and the ERP is barely detectable. In the fully dark-adapted retina, the SP granules are mostly at the base of the rhabdoms, and the ERP is at its maximum. Retinae at intermediate stages, between the fully dark- and light-adapted states, show corresponding intermediate stages of SP migration and ERP amplitude. A series of experiments demonstrates the effects on SP migration of the efferent nerves, which form a subset of fibres in the optic nerves. When the optic nerves to one half of the retina have been severed, there is a dramatic difference in the distribution of SP in areas of the retina (of the dark-adapted eye) connected with severed or intact nerves: apical versus basal, respectively. On incubation of a light- adapted retina with 5 micromolar dopamine, but not with other catecholamines or other putative neurotransmitter substances, SP migrates basally and the ERP is significantly larger than for controls. In octopuses treated with reserpine, SP stays in an apical location and the ERP remains very small, regardless of the state of adaptation and of whether the optic nerves are intact. It is concluded that dopaminergic efferents from the optic lobes effect dark-adaptational SP migration in the cephalopod retina. The arrival in the retina of efferent signals that effect adaptational changes through the mediation of dopamine is a remarkable analogue of the vertebrate system.
Hardware design of multiclass SVM classification for epilepsy and epileptic seizure detection

An automatic detection system for distinguishing healthy, ictal, and inter-ictal EEG signals plays an important role in medical practice. This paper presents a very large scale integration (VLSI) architecture of three-class classification for epilepsy and seizure detection. In order to find out the most efficient three-class classification scheme for hardware implementation, several multiclass non-linear support vector machine (NLSVM) classifiers are compared and validated using software implementation. Finally, the one-against-one (OAO) multiclass NLSVM is selected due to its highest accuracy. The designed system consists of a discrete wavelet transform (DWT)-based feature extraction module, a modified sequential minimal optimization (MSMO) training module, and an OAO multiclass classification module. A lifting structure of Daubechies order 4 wavelet is introduced in three-level DWT to save circuit area and speed up the computational time. The MSMO is used for on-chip training. The circuit of the largest absolute value decision is designed to avoid the unclassifiable problem in the OAO multiclass classification. The designed system is implemented on a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) platform and evaluated using the publicly available epilepsy dataset. The experimental results demonstrate that the designed system achieves high accuracy with low-dimensional feature vectors.
A solution to multiple problems: the origins of affirmative action in higher education around the world

ABSTRACT How and when does affirmative action emerge in different national contexts? This paper is the first to analyze the emergence of affirmative action in higher education across national contexts. We find that three distinct clusters of affirmative action policies developed historically: (1) early nation-building projects, (2) mechanisms to attenuate social inequality in response to identity-based social movements, and (3) twenty-first century ‘indirect’ affirmative action policies. These clusters differ not only in the goals of their affirmative action policies, but also in how those policies are implemented, and the circumstances under which they emerge, as we show. The findings suggest that once provisions for underrepresented groups becomes part of the repertoire of actions universities or countries can take to solve a variety of national and university problems, affirmative action develops as a means to further a variety of organizational and national goals.
'Connected presence' in distributed family life

Concurrent with the explosive pervasion of information and communication technologies in recent years, mediated communication has gained a strong position in the daily interaction between family members. Based on the results of qualitative interviews with families in Denmark, this article shows how the mobile phone is used by parents and children to mediate a feeling of closeness while they are physically separated. This practice of `connected presence' is based on frequent calls and text messages between parents and children as well as between parents themselves. The article also analyses families' use of the mobile phone in the context of modern family life, emphasizing the importance of the temporal and spatial dispersion of family members in explaining the form and content of intra-familial mediated communication. Finally, the dual role of media technologies (including the mobile phone) in both integrating and dispersing families is discussed.
Community and Cultural Chronicles: Archives Reflected for the People by the People

This paper looks to community archives and the ways in which they represent the history of often-underrepresented communities, and therefore how they enhance a nation’s history. Three Canadian community archive projects are examined, including the following initiatives: the [murmur] project in Toronto, the Project Naming collection, and the John Freeman Walls Historic Site and Underground Railroad Museum in Puce, Ontario. These three community-archive projects are highlighted to demonstrate how they provide a more holistic picture of various aspects of Canadian history and culture, and also how they fit within the community-archive framework of various theorists, such as Jeannette Bastian, Terry Cook, Andrew Flinn, Anne Gilleland and Karen Underhill.
Therapeutic Discovery Combined Treatment with Silibinin and Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors Overcomes Drug Resistance Caused by T 790 M Mutation

Although epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKI) produce an initially dramatic response in lung cancer patients harboring a mutation in the EGFR gene, development of acquired resistance is almost inevitable. A secondary mutation of threonine 790 (T790M) is associated with approximately half of the cases of acquired resistance. This study investigated whether the addition of silibinin to therapy with gefitinib or erlotinib could overcome T790M-mediated drug resistance considering that silibinin has various antitumor effects, including EGFR modulation. Silibinin selectively reduced the activity of the EGFR family (EGFR, ErbB2, and ErbB3) through the inhibition of receptor dimerization in lung cancer cells with EGFR mutations, but not in those harboring the wild type. In primary and acquired resistant cells with T790M, addition of silibinin enhanced the ability of EGFR-TKIs to downregulate EGFR signals and to inhibit cell growth. Similarly, the combination of silibinin and erlotinib effectively suppressed tumor growth in erlotinib resistance-bearing PC-9 xenografts. The results indicate that the addition of silibinin to EGFR-TKIs is a promising strategy to overcomeT790M-mediateddrug resistance.Mol Cancer Ther; 9(12); 3233–43. 2010AACR.
High-Normal HbA1c Is a Strong Predictor of Type 2 Diabetes in the General Population

OBJECTIVE Glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) recently has been recommended for the diagnosis of diabetes by the American Diabetes Association, but its value in the prediction of type 2 diabetes is poorly understood. In this study we evaluated how high-normal HbA1c levels predict type 2 diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS We measured HbA1c in 919 Caucasian subjects, aged 40–79 years, and recorded new cases of type 2 diabetes in the following 15 years. Diabetes was diagnosed with HbA1c. RESULTS Subjects were stratified according to baseline HbA1c (<5.0, 5.00–5.49 [reference], 5.50–5.99, and 6.00–6.49%). Sex- and age-adjusted hazard ratios (95% CI) for type 2 diabetes were 1.11 (0.30–4.41), 1.00, 3.79 (1.79–8.06), and 12.50 (5.51–28.34), respectively. Results did not change after adjusting for several putative confounding factors and were confirmed when models with updated variables were used. CONCLUSIONS HbA1c is an independent risk factor for type 2 diabetes. Subjects with high-normal levels of HbA1c deserve particular attention because they have a strong risk of developing diabetes.
Molecular biology of visual pigments.

We have witnessed exciting advances in the study of vision over the past several years. In particular, our understanding of the biochemical events responsible for visual transduction has grown enormously. By visual trans­ duction we mean those events within the retinal photoreceptor cell that convert a photon stimulus into a neural signal. At center stage are the visual pigments. These light-absorbing molecules initiate an intracellular enzyme cascade that eventually leads either to decreasing (vertebrates) or increasing (invertebrates) plasma membrane cation conductance. I focus in this review on the structure and function of the visual pigments, with emphasis on vertebrates. I have tried throughout to highlight interesting areas in which our knowledge is still incomplete. Recent reviews of this and related topics include Birge 1981, Hargrave 1982, Chabre 1985, Lamb 1986, and Stryer 1986.
Hypopituitarism, pulmonary infiltration and a spontaneously resolving occipital mass.

A 34-year-old man presented with a 12-month history of progressive tiredness and weight loss. Further questioning elicited symptoms of polyuria, polydipsia, reduced libido and erectile dysfunction. He had a 20-pack-a-year smoking history. Physical examination was notable for sparse androgenic hair, loss of muscle bulk and 15 ml testes bilaterally. Biochemical profiling excluded diabetes mellitus, but confirmed partial anterior and posterior hypopituitarism [LH 0.2 U/l (RR 1.5–9.3), FSH 0.9 U/l (RR 1.4–8.1), testosterone 1.1 nmol/l (RR 7.4–25.7), FT4 5.9 pmol/l (RR 5.0–19.6), TSH 2.25 mU/l (RR 0.49–3.95), post-Synacthen® cortisol 463 nmol/l (RR > 550), water deprivation test urine osmolalities: baseline 132 mOsm/kg; 8 hr 147 mOsm/kg; post-desmopressin (2 mcg) 616 mOsm/kg]. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain showed infundibular thickening with contrast enhancement (Figure 1A) and absence of the posterior pituitary bright spot, but no other lesions. A screen for inflammatory and infiltrative disorders [ANCA, ANA, immunoglobulins (including IgG4), serum ACE, ESR and CRP] proved unremarkable. Cerebrospinal …
Persistent Hyperglycemia Is Associated With Increased Mortality After Intracerebral Hemorrhage

Background Hyperglycemia may be associated with worse outcome after intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). We assessed the association of early glycemic trajectory on ICH mortality and edema growth. Methods and Results We included patients from the Helsinki ICH study with glucose measurements at least once between both 0 to 24 and 24 to 72 hours from onset. Hyperglycemia was defined as blood glucose ≥8 mmol/L (144 mg/dL) based on the local threshold for treatment. Glycemic trajectory was defined on maximum values 0 to 24 and 24 to 72 hours after ICH: (1) persistent normoglycemia in both epochs; (2) late hyperglycemia (only between 24 and 72 hours); (3) early hyperglycemia (only before 24 hours); and (4) persistent hyperglycemia in both epochs. Logistic regression with known predictors of outcome estimated the association of glycemic trajectory and 6‐month mortality. A generalized linear model assessed the association of glycemic trajectory and interpolated 72‐hour edema extension distance. A total of 576 patients met eligibility criteria, of whom 214 (37.2%) had persistent normoglycemia, 44 (7.6%) late hyperglycemia, 151 (26.2%) early hyperglycemia, and 167 (29.0%) persistent hyperglycemia. Six‐month mortality was higher in the persistent (51.1%) and early (26.3%) hyperglycemia groups than the normoglycemia (19.0%) and late hyperglycemia (3.6%) groups. Persistent hyperglycemia was associated with 6‐month mortality (odds ratio 3.675, 95% CI 1.989–6.792; P<0.001). Both univariate (P=0.426) and multivariable (P=0.493) generalized linear model analyses showed no association between glycemic trajectory and 72‐hour edema extension distance. Conclusion Early hyperglycemia after ICH is harmful if it is persistent. Strategies to achieve glycemic control after ICH may influence patient outcome and need to be assessed in clinical trials.
The Molecular Mechanism of Thermal Noise in Rod Photoreceptors

Responding to Light and Heat The protein rhodopsin is sensitive to dim light, but its sensitivity is limited by signals caused by the noise of thermal activation. The basis of this relationship, known as the Barlow correlation, has long been debated. A recent study suggested that thermal activation involves a canonical isomerization reaction. Gozem et al. (p. 1225) confirm that isomerization is the rate-limiting step controlling thermal noise, and they provide a molecular understanding of the Barlow correlation. They use quantum mechanics coupled with molecular mechanics to show that the transition state mediating thermal activation has the same electronic structure as the photochemical excited state. In rhodopsin, the transition state for thermal activation has the same electronic structure as that for photoexcitation. Spontaneous electrical signals in the retina's photoreceptors impose a limit on visual sensitivity. Their origin is attributed to a thermal, rather than photochemical, activation of the transduction cascade. Although the mechanism of such a process is under debate, the observation of a relationship between the maximum absorption wavelength (λmax) and the thermal activation kinetic constant (k) of different visual pigments (the Barlow correlation) indicates that the thermal and photochemical activations are related. Here we show that a quantum chemical model of the bovine rod pigment provides a molecular-level understanding of the Barlow correlation. The transition state mediating thermal activation has the same electronic structure as the photoreceptor excited state, thus creating a direct link between λmax and k. Such a link appears to be the manifestation of intrinsic chromophore features associated with the existence of a conical intersection between its ground and excited states.
Effects of off-the-shelf foot orthoses on plantar foot pressures in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis.

BACKGROUND Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) often affects feet with progressive pathologic changes to foot morphology and pressure distribution. Studies in RA suggest that reductions in forefoot peak pressures can reduce pain. We investigated the effects of off-the-shelf foot orthoses on plantar foot pressures in patients with early RA. METHODS Thirty-five patients with early RA were recorded walking. Variables measured were forefoot peak plantar pressure (PPPft), forefoot pressure-time integral (PTIft), and hallux and lesser toe and midfoot contact areas. Patients were analyzed while walking barefoot, with shoes, and with shoes and foot orthoses. Measurements were taken at baseline and at 3 and 6 months. RESULTS There were significantly increased PPPft values between barefoot and shod and between barefoot and orthoses (P < .01). However, there was a significant reduction in PPPft during the 6 months with orthoses compared with shoes only (P < .01). Foot orthoses significantly reduced PTIft over 6 months (P < .01). Results also demonstrated a significant increase in hallux and lesser toe (P < .01) and midfoot (P < .01) contact areas during the 6 months with foot orthoses. CONCLUSIONS In patients with early RA, off-the-shelf foot orthoses cause a significant reduction of 22% in PPPft and 14% in PTIft as soon as insoles are worn compared with shod. Further reductions for orthoses compared with baseline were found by 3 months (15% in PPPft and 14% in PTIft) and 6 months (33% in PPPft and 33% in PTIft). These findings could contribute to reductions in foot pain.
Challenges in the Transition from Waterfall to Scrum - a Casestudy at Portbase

upcoming trend in software development is the Scrum- framework. Old sequential methods like Waterfall have proven ineffective. Many companies are making the switch from Wa- terfall to Scrum and there are a number of challenges in this transition. In this paper, known challenges are researched based on existing literature and case-study research is performed. Known challenges are identified, previously unknown chal- lenges might surface and advice is given on how to deal with these challenges. These results are relevant to other companies making the transition to Scrum. KeywordsScrum, agile, transition Many companies are making the transition from a Waterfall based development process to the Scrum methodology. In chapter 2 the characteristics of Waterfall and Scrum are ex- plained. The positive and negative aspects of both methodolo- gies are summarized. This gives us an overview of the reasons to adopt Scrum. Chapter 3 gives the problem statement and the relevance of this work. Chapter 4 defines the research approach taken. In chapter 5 literature research is performed to identify already know challenges in the transition from Waterfall to Scrum. Chapter 6 describes the case-study at Portbase, a logis- tics information hub, who has made the transition from Water- fall to Scrum in 2012. The reasons for adopting Scrum, changes in the development process, the effectiveness of Scrum and les- sons learned in the transition will be researched. The literature research helps at identifying potential problems. In chapter 7 the results will be discussed, comparing them to findings in lit- erature and possibly identifying previously unknown chal- lenges. These findings are relevant for other companies transi- tioning from Waterfall to Scrum.
Genetic polymorphisms of the drug-metabolizing enzyme CYP2C19 in the Uyghur population in northwest China

Abstract 1. CYP2C19 is a clinically important enzyme and is involved in the metabolism of approximately 10% of drugs used in daily clinical practice. Previous studies mainly focused on Chinese Han populations or other ethnic groups, little is known about Uyghur populations. 2. The present study was designed to determine the genetic basis of CYP2C19 polymorphisms. 3. We used direct sequencing to investigate the promoter, exons and surrounding introns, and 3′-untranslated region of the CYP2C19 gene in 96 unrelated healthy Uyghur individuals. 4. A total of 31 different CYP2C19 polymorphisms were identified in the Uyghur population, three of which were novel, including two nonsynonymous variants (57807A > M, Gln279Pro and 19257G > R, Asp262Asn) and one synonymous variants in exon 5 (19184T > Y, Leu237Leu). In addition, CYP2C19*1, *2 and *3 alleles showed frequencies of 83.34%, 14.06% and 2.08%, respectively. 5. This is the first study that systematically screened the polymorphisms of the whole CYP2C19 gene in Uyghur population. Hence, our results provided important information on CYP2C19 polymorphisms in Uyghur population and could be helpful for future personalized medicine studies in Uyghur population generally.
Epilepsy and its effects on children and families in rural Uganda.

BACKGROUND This report aims to assess the impact of childhood epilepsy in an isolated rural area in Western Uganda, with little access to medical care, via its effect on children and families. Basic information on 440 affected children, clinically examined at 19 rural centres, was collated and data on seizure pattern and duration analysed, together with information on school attendance of older children. OBJECTIVE To publicise the consequences of undertreated illness, and to encourage improved management of this condition. RESULTS Distribution by seizure type was: generalised 61%, focal 33%, and miscellaneous 6%. When information on all seizure types was combined, a 'typical seizure' lasted < 1 hour, followed by coma. The typical age of onset and duration of illness approximated 2½ and 4 years respectively. Modal frequency and duration of seizures suggested that ∼96 hours might be 'lost' to seizures over 4 years. Twenty four children had delayed global or motor development; a further 93 were reported to have 'poor understanding'. Information on school attendance available on 162 of 231 school aged children indicated that 92 were attending and 70 not attending school. Fifty eight percent of children >10 yrs old attending school and 68% of non-attendees, had never progressed beyond the entry class. CONCLUSION The unexpected prevalence of apparent cognitive delay is discussed, together with strategies for prevention and management of epilepsy at community level.
The use of a vomer flap covered with an autogenous skin graft as a part of the palatal repair in children with unilateral cleft lip and palate. Arch dimensions and occlusion up to the age of five.

The alveolar arch dimensions and the occlusion from the time of the lip closure operation to approximately 5 years of age were studied in two groups of children with complete unilateral cleft lip and palate. The major difference between the groups was the type of palatal surgery performed on them. In one group (VS), the hard palate was closed with a vomer flap covered with an autogenous skin graft and the soft palate was closed by medial displacement of soft tissue. The other group (LT) was selected from patients in whom the hard and soft palate were closed using a modified von Langenbeck technique. Using study casts made before lip closure the subjects in group LT were chosen in order to make the group as a whole as analogous as possible to the first group with respect to the size of the cleft and the size and the morphology of the alveolar process. Each group consisted of 11 children. Palatal closure was made at a mean age of 18 months in group VS and at a mean age of 21 months in group LT. From the tim.
Study of Aldosterone Synthase Inhibition as an Add‐On Therapy in Resistant Hypertension

Aldosterone inhibition with mineralcorticoid receptor antagonists (MRAs) is an effective treatment for resistant hypertension. Aldosterone synthase inhibitors (ASIs) are currently being investigated as a new therapeutic strategy to reduce aldosterone secretion from the adrenal gland. In this study, the efficacy and safety of the first‐generation ASI LCI699 (0.25 mg twice daily, 1 mg 4 once daily, and 0.5 mg/1 mg twice daily) was compared with placebo and eplerenone (50 mg twice daily), in patients with resistant hypertension. Placebo‐adjusted decreases in systolic blood pressure (BP) with LCI699 ranged from 2.6 mm Hg to 4.3 mm Hg at week 8; changes in diastolic BP ranged from +0.3 mm Hg to −1.2 mm Hg. However, reductions were smaller than observed with eplerenone 50 mg twice daily (9.9 mm Hg and 2.9 mm Hg for systolic and diastolic BP, respectively) and not statistically significant vs placebo. LCI699 suppressed plasma aldosterone levels in a dose‐related manner with corresponding dose‐dependent increases in plasma renin activity and plasma 11‐deoxycorticosterone. LCI699 and eplerenone were well tolerated. These data demonstrate that aldosterone synthesis inhibition with LCI699 lowers BP modestly in patients with resistant hypertension. Aldosterone synthesis inhibition might offer an attractive adjunct to aldosterone receptor blockade, although the potential of a combination MRA/ASI has not yet been tested. J Clin Hypertens (Greenwich). 2012;00:00–00. ©2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.