Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Quality of Basic Life Support - A Comparison between Medical Students and Paramedics.

INTRODUCTION Poor survival rates after cardiac arrest can partly be explained by poor basic life support skills in medical professionals. AIM This study aimed to assess quality of basic life support in medical students and paramedics. MATERIALS AND METHODS We conducted a prospective observational study with 100 early medical students (group A), 100 late medical students (group B) and 100 paramedics (group C), performing a 20-minute basic life support simulation in teams of two. Average frequency and absolute number of chest compressions per minute (mean (±SD)), chest decompression (millimetres of compression remaining, mean (±SD)), hands-off-time (seconds/minute, mean (±SD)), frequency of switching positions between ventilation and chest compression (per 20 minutes) and rate of sufficient compressions (depth ≥50mm) were assessed as quality parameters of CPR. RESULTS In groups A, B and C the rates of sufficiently deep chest compressions were 56%, 42% and 52%, respectively, without significant differences. Male gender and real-life CPR experience were significantly associated with deeper chest compression. Frequency and number of chest compressions were within recommended goals in at least 96% of all groups. Remaining chest compressions were 6 mm (±2), 6 mm (±2) and 5 mm (±2) with a significant difference between group A and C (p=0.017). Hands-off times were 6s/min (±1), 5s/min (±1) and 4s/min (±1), which was significantly different across all three groups. CONCLUSION Overall, paramedics tended to show better quality of CPR compared to medical students. Though, chest compression depth as an important quality characteristic of CPR was insufficient in almost 50% of participants, even in well trained paramedics. Therefore, we suggest that an effort should be made to find better ways to educate health care professionals in BLS.
Ventilation in day care centers and sick leave among nursery children.

Several studies have reported poor indoor air quality (IAQ) in day care centers (DCCs), and other studies have shown that children attending them have an increased risk of respiratory and gastrointestinal infections. The aim of this study was to investigate whether there is an association between ventilation in DCCs and sick leave among nursery children. Data on child sick leave within an 11-week period were obtained for 635 children attending 20 DCCs. Ventilation measurements included three proxies of ventilation: air exchange rate (ACR) measured with the decay method, ACR measured by the perfluorocarbon tracer gas (PFT) method, and CO2 concentration measured over a 1-week period. All but two DCCs had balanced mechanical ventilation system, which could explain the low CO2 levels measured. The mean concentration of CO2 was 643 ppm, exceeding 1000 ppm in only one DCC. A statistically significant inverse relationship between the number of sick days and ACR measured with the decay method was found for crude and adjusted analysis, with a 12% decrease in number of sick days per hour increase in ACR measured with the decay method. This study suggests a relationship between sick leave among nursery children and ventilation in DCCs, as measured with the decay method.
Improving the brain delivery of gold nanoparticles by conjugation with an amphipathic peptide.

BACKGROUND & AIMS Gold nanoparticles (GNPs) have promising applications for drug delivery as well as for the diagnosis and treatment of several pathologies, such as those related to the CNS. However, GNPs are retained in a number of organs, such as the liver and spleen. Owing to their negative charge and/or processes of opsonization, GNPs are retained by the reticuloendothelial system, thereby decreasing their delivery to the brain. It is therefore crucial to modify the nanoparticle surface in order to increase its lipophilicity and reduce its negative charge, thus achieving enhanced delivery to the brain. RESULTS In this article, we have shown that conjugation of 12 nm GNPs with the amphipathic peptide CLPFFD increases the in vivo penetration of these particles to the rat brain. The C(GNP)-LPFFD conjugates showed a smaller negative charge and a greater hydrophobic character than citrate-capped GNPs of the same size. We administered intraperitoneal injections of citrate GNPs and C(GNP)-LPFFD in rats, and determined the gold content in the tissues by neutron activation. Compared with citrate GNPs, the C(GNP)-LPFFD conjugate improved the delivery to the brain, increasing the concentration of gold by fourfold, while simultaneously reducing its retention by the spleen 1 and 2 h after injection. At 24 h, the conjugate was partially cleared from the brain, and mainly accumulated in the liver. The C(GNP)-LPFFD did not alter the integrity of the blood-brain barrier, and had no effect on cell viability.
Diet and status in Birka: stable isotopes and grave goods compared

In this paper the authors investigate isotopic signatures of burials from the famous Viking period cemetery at Birka in Sweden, comparing their results on diet with the status and identities of individuals as interpreted from grave goods. These first observations offer a number of promising correlations, for example the shared diet of a group of women associated with trade, and a marine emphasis among men buried with weapons.
Detection of Multiple Bone Morphogenetic Protein Messenger Ribonucleic Acids and Their Signal Transducer, Smad1, During Mouse Decidualization1

Abstract Decidualization is a process characterized by morphological and functional changes in the uterine stromal cells. In addition to steroid hormones, growth factors are implicated in this process. Using in situ hybridization, we found that mRNAs for several bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) were detected in the decidual and vascular endothelial cells. The Bmp7 mRNA was detected in the decidualizing stromal cells surrounding the blastocyst and distributed in a gradient, with the highest levels occurring near the uterine epithelium at 4.5 days post-coitus (dpc). With the progression of decidualization, Bmp7 signals in the deciduum at the antimesometrial side decreased, but strong signals were retained in the decidual area at the mesometrial side at 7.0 dpc. In contrast, Bmp8a transcripts increased from 5.5 to 7.0 dpc in the decidual tissue, with the highest levels occurring in the secondary decidual zone at the antimesometrial side. The Bmp2, Bmp4, and Smad1 transcripts were found in the secondary decidual zone, especially at the mesometrial side. The Bmp2 signals were primarily detected in decidual cells, whereas Bmp4 and Smad1 transcripts were mainly detected in vascular endothelial cells, suggesting that they may be involved in decidual angiogenesis.
Dermatofitoma extraungueal. Comunicación de 15 casos

Los dermatofitomas extraungueales son masas de hifas observadas al examen directo, que al examen fisico corresponden a placas tipicas de tina. Objetivo: establecer la frecuencia de dermatofitomas extraungueales en el Instituto de Dermatologia y Cirugia de Piel Prof. Dr. Fernando A Cordero C, en Guatemala. Pacientes y metodo: estudio retrospectivo y transversal de 15 pacientes con tinas y que al estudio microscopico se confirmo la existencia de dermatofitomas, que acudieron al Instituto de Dermatologia y Cirugia de Piel Prof. Dr. Fernando A Cordero C de Guatemala, de junio de 2008 a septiembre de 2009. Resultados: se evaluo la existencia de dermatofitomas extraungueales en 15 casos, los cuales representan 0.5% del total de las micosis estudiadas y 1.6% de las superficiales causadas por dermatofitos. Conclusiones: 73.3% de los pacientes con dermatofitomas extraungueales padecio tina corporal con tratamiento previo con esteroides topicos
Temporal Coding Mediates Discrimination of “Bitter” Taste Stimuli by an Insect

The mechanisms that mediate discriminative taste processing in insects are poorly understood. We asked whether temporal patterns of discharge from the peripheral taste system of an insect (Manduca sexta caterpillars; Sphingidae) contribute to the discrimination of three “bitter” taste stimuli: salicin, caffeine, and aristolochic acid. The gustatory response to these stimuli is mediated exclusively by three pairs of bitter-sensitive taste cell, which are located in the medial, lateral, and epipharyngeal sensilla. We tested for discrimination by habituating the caterpillars to salicin and then determining whether the habituation generalized to caffeine or aristolochic acid. We ran habituation-generalization tests in caterpillars with their full complement of taste sensilla (i.e., intact) and in caterpillars with ablated lateral sensilla (i.e., lat-ablated). The latter perturbation enabled us to examine discrimination in caterpillars with a modified peripheral taste profile. We found that the intact and lat-ablated caterpillars both generalized the salicin-habituation to caffeine but not aristolochic acid. Next, we determined whether this pattern of stimulus-generalization could be explained by salicin and aristolochic acid generating distinct ensemble, rate, temporal, or spatiotemporal codes. To this end, we recorded excitatory responses from the bitter-sensitive taste cells and then used these responses to formulate predictions about whether the salicin-habituation should generalize to caffeine or aristolochic acid, separately for each coding framework. We found that the pattern of stimulus generalization in both intact and lat-ablated caterpillars could only be predicted by temporal coding. We conclude that temporal codes from the periphery can mediate discriminative taste processing.
The Early Iron Age Treasure from Snettisham Norfolk

This paper describes and discusses a group of five hoards of metal-work and coins found in 1948–50 by ploughing supplemented by excavation at Ken Hill, Snettisham, in north-west Norfolk. On account of the large quantity of precious metals included the find has been termed collectively ‘The Snettisham Treasure. ’ Its principal contents are as follows:—Hoard A (p. 36) contained the remains of four gold tubular torcs. Hoard B contained three staters, four quarter-staters of the Bellovaci; four staters and one quarter-stater of the Gaulish Atrebates, all of gold (p. 59): Hoard C contained at least 145 speculum (tin) coins of Allen's Class I (p. 72) and three buffer terminal bronze torcs (p. 52). From Hoards B and C came at least 48 loop terminal torcs of gold alloy, bronze and tin (p. 46); 17 ‘ingot-bracelets’ of bronze and tin (p. 52) 14 rings of gold alloy, bronze and tin (p. 54); U-shaped bronze binding (p. 56); fragment of a bronze bridle bit (p. 57); two dome-shaped bronze rivets (p. 57); 10 iron nails (p. 58) and miscellaneous fragments of sheet-bronze and ‘cake’ of gold alloy and tin (pp. 57–58). Hoard D consisted of a gold loop terminal torc (p. 46) with securing ring of gold (p. 54). Hoard E contained the following gold objects: ring terminal torc (p. 63) with quarter-stater of Gaulish Atrebates (p. 59); bracelet (p. 66) and large buffer terminal torc (p. 67).
Quantification of myocardial perfusion and determination of coronary stenosis severity during hyperemia using real-time myocardial contrast echocardiography.

Although regional myocardial perfusion can be currently quantified with myocardial contrast echocardiography (MCE) by using intermittent harmonic imaging (IHI), the method is tedious and time-consuming in the clinical setting. We hypothesized that regional myocardial perfusion can be quantified and the severity of coronary stenosis determined during hyperemia with MCE using real-time imaging (RTI) where microbubbles are not destroyed. Six open-chest dogs were studied during maximal hyperemia induced by adenosine in the absence or presence of coronary stenoses varying from mild to severe. Myocardial blood flow (MBF) was measured at each stage by using radiolabeled microspheres. MCE was performed using both IHI and RTI. Data for the latter were acquired in both end-systole and end-diastole. No differences were found between myocardial flow velocity (MFV) derived from IHI and RTI when end-systolic frames were used for the latter. MFV was consistently higher for RTI (P <.01) when end-diastolic frames were used. A linear relation was noted between MFV and radiolabeled microsphere-derived MBF ratios from the stenosed and the normal beds when end-systolic frames were used for RTI (r = 0.78, P <.001), whereas no relation was found when end-diastolic frames were used (r = 0.08, P =.78). The scatter for assessing MBF (A.beta) was minimal for IHI and RTI (9%-10%) with end-systolic frames, whereas that for RTI with end-diastolic frames was large (30%). Furthermore the correlation with radiolabeled microsphere-derived MBF was significantly (P <.01) weaker with RTI when end-diastolic frames were used (r = 0.53) than when end-systolic frames (r = 0.94) or IHI was used (r = 0.99). Data acquisition for IHI was 10 minutes, whereas it was 8 seconds for RTI. Thus, RTI can be used to quantify regional myocardial perfusion and stenosis severity during MCE. Only end-systolic frames, however, provide accurate data. RTI offers a rapid and easy means of assessing regional myocardial perfusion with MCE.
Growth patterns in euconodont crown enamel: implications for life history and mode-of-life reconstruction in the earliest vertebrates

Euconodonts were the first vertebrates to produce a mineralized skeleton. It is concluded that the minor increments in the crown enamels of Protopanderodus varicostatus and Drepanodus robustus are probable homologues of the cross striations in hominoid enamel, although they are much more variable in thickness and represent daily to weekly growth. Major increments are superficially similar to lines of Retzuis, but represent a check in growth that is likely to have occurred at monthly intervals. Periods of above– and below–average growth are likely to have been seasonally moderated. The growth of P.varicostatus' elements are characterized by two distinct phases: the production of a triangular, asymmetrical juvenile ‘proto–element’ followed, in a second phase, by the development of the curved and twisted geometry of the adult element. These fundamentally different morphologies imply that juvenile and adult animals had different modes of life and/or feeding strategies. In these animals the growth of the elements was indeterminate. The growth model for euconodonts is clearly different from that of hominoid teeth as the enamel organ must have reformed repeatedly throughout life.
Nurses' Fears and Professional Obligations Concerning Possible Human-to-Human Avian Flu

This survey aimed to illustrate factors that contribute to nurses' fear when faced with a possible human-to-human avian flu pandemic and their willingness to care for patients with avian flu in Taiwan. The participants were nursing students with a lesser nursing credential who were currently enrolled in a bachelor degree program in a private university in southern Taiwan. Nearly 42% of the nurses did not think that, if there were an outbreak of avian flu, their working hospitals would have sufficient infection control measures and equipment to prevent nosocomial infection in their working environment. About 57% of the nurse participants indicated that they were willing to care for patients infected with avian influenza. Nurses' fear about an unknown infectious disease, such as the H5N1 influenza virus, could easily be heightened to levels above those occurring during the 2003 severe acute respiratory syndrome outbreak in Taiwan.
Expected interference in wireless networks with geometric path loss: a closed-form approximation

In this letter, we derive 2¿¿P/((¿ - 2)g¿ - 2) as a closed-form approximation of the expected interference around a receiver in wireless networks. We use a geometric path loss model, assume that nodes are randomly distributed, and that only nodes outside a guard zone around the receiver simultaneously transmit. The derived solution depends on the path loss exponent ¿, node density ¿, transmission power per node P, and the radius g of the guard zone. The simplicity of this solution makes it widely applicable in wireless network analysis.
Disordered Eating in College Freshman Women: A Prospective Study

Abstract The authors assessed eating behaviors and attitudes of 225 college freshman women on the bulimia and restraint scales at the beginning of the year. Seven months later, they reassessed 104 of the original students. Concurrent data regression analyses found that symptoms of eating pathology were associated with figure dissatisfaction, ineffectiveness, public self-consciousness, and vigor on the Profile of Mood States, and for bulimia, self-efficacy to control eating when experiencing negative feelings, and reward conditions. Both bulimia and restraint were highly stable across the 7 months. Prospective analyses, controlling for the initial level of eating pathology in hierarchical regressions, found that figure dissatisfaction, ineffectiveness, and alcohol use/abuse over the past year were significant predictors of worsening symptoms. Beginning levels of bulimia and restraint were the best predictors of eating pathology at the end of the study. The roles that self-image and alcohol use may play as vulnerabilities for eating pathology are also considered.
Improvement of the Performance of TiHfO MIM Capacitors by Using a Dual Plasma Treatment of the Lower Electrode

We show that a conventional nitrogen plasma treatment is insufficient to suppress the formation of an interfacial layer at the bottom electrode of TiHfO metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitors. However, the capacitance density and leakage current of TaN/TiHfO/TaN MIM capacitors monotonically improve by exposing the lower TaN electrode to an additional oxygen plasma treatment. By performing dual oxygen and nitrogen plasma treatments on the lower electrode, the leakage current was 4.8 times 10-6 A/cm2 (at -1 V) at a 28 fF/ mum2 capacitance density.
Are MuSK antibodies the primary cause of myasthenic symptoms?

Objective: To investigate the morphologic, electrophysiologic, and molecular correlates of muscle-specific tyrosine kinase-seropositive [MuSK(+)] myasthenia gravis (MG). Background: Anti-MuSK antibodies are detected in some of acetylcholine receptor-seronegative [AChR(−)] patients with MG with prominent facial, bulbar, and respiratory muscle involvement. The morphologic and electrophysiologic correlates of MuSK(+) MG have not been investigated to date. Methods: Immunohistochemistry, electron microscopy, and in vitro electrophysiology studies were performed on an intercostal muscle specimen of a patient with MuSK(+) MG and in control subjects. MUSK was directly sequenced, and the nucleotide changes were traced with allele-specific PCR in control subjects. Results: A man aged 34 years has had facial weakness since childhood and progressive bulbar and respiratory muscle weakness and intermittent diplopia since age 21 years. He has thin temporalis and masseter muscles, a high-arched palate, and an atrophic tongue. EMG shows a 36% decrement in facial muscles. His mother has similar facial features. His endplates (EPs) show no AChR or MuSK deficiency, but the amplitudes of the miniature EP potentials and currents are reduced to 35% and 55% of normal, respectively. EP ultrastructure is well preserved, but some junctional folds immunostain faintly for immunoglobulin G. Mutation analysis of MUSK reveals one rare and two common DNA polymorphisms. Conclusions: 1) The circulating anti-muscle-specific tyrosine kinase antibodies caused neither muscle-specific tyrosine kinase nor acetylcholine receptor deficiency at the endplates; 2) the reduced intercostal miniature endplate potential and current amplitudes were not accounted for by acetylcholine receptor deficiency; 3) the faint immunoglobulin G deposits at the endplates may or may not represent anti-muscle-specific tyrosine kinase antibodies; and 4) the anti-muscle-specific tyrosine kinase antibodies may not be the primary cause of myasthenic symptoms in this patient.
On Limiting Distributions of Quantum Markov Chains

In a quantum Markov chain, the temporal succession of states is modeled by the repeated action of a "bistochastic quantum operation" on the density matrix of a quantum system. Based on this conceptual framework, we derive some new results concerning the evolution of a quantum system, including its long-term behavior. Among our findings is the fact that the Ces$\grave{a}$ro limit of any quantum Markov chain always exists and equals the orthogonal projection of the initial state upon the eigenspace of the unit eigenvalue of the bistochastic quantum operation. Moreover, if the unit eigenvalue is the only eigenvalue on the unit circle, then the quantum Markov chain converges in the conventional sense to the said orthogonal projection. As a corollary, we offer a new derivation of the classic result describing limiting distributions of unitary quantum walks on finite graphs \cite{AAKV01}.
Breast reconstruction with the deep inferior epigastric perforator flap is a reliable alternative in slim patients

For slim patients eligible to breast reconstruction, clinical concerns exist on availability of adequate amount of donor tissue to restore breast volume and challenges in donor‐site closure, when using the deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap. The purpose of the current study is to analyze whether the DIEP flap can provide adequate volume for breast reconstruction in slim patients, without increased complication rates or prolonged hospital stay.
Personalized Computational Modeling of Mitral Valve Prolapse: Virtual Leaflet Resection

Posterior leaflet prolapse following chordal elongation or rupture is one of the primary valvular diseases in patients with degenerative mitral valves (MVs). Quadrangular resection followed by ring annuloplasty is a reliable and reproducible surgical repair technique for treatment of posterior leaflet prolapse. Virtual MV repair simulation of leaflet resection in association with patient-specific 3D echocardiographic data can provide quantitative biomechanical and physiologic characteristics of pre- and post-resection MV function. We have developed a solid personalized computational simulation protocol to perform virtual MV repair using standard clinical guidelines of posterior leaflet resection with annuloplasty ring implantation. A virtual MV model was created using 3D echocardiographic data of a patient with posterior chordal rupture and severe mitral regurgitation. A quadrangle-shaped leaflet portion in the prolapsed posterior leaflet was removed, and virtual plication and suturing were performed. An annuloplasty ring of proper size was reconstructed and virtual ring annuloplasty was performed by superimposing the ring and the mitral annulus. Following the quadrangular resection and ring annuloplasty simulations, patient-specific annular motion and physiologic transvalvular pressure gradient were implemented and dynamic finite element simulation of MV function was performed. The pre-resection MV demonstrated a substantial lack of leaflet coaptation which directly correlated with the severe mitral regurgitation. Excessive stress concentration was found along the free marginal edge of the posterior leaflet involving the chordal rupture. Following the virtual resection and ring annuloplasty, the severity of the posterior leaflet prolapse markedly decreased. Excessive stress concentration disappeared over both anterior and posterior leaflets, and complete leaflet coaptation was effectively restored. This novel personalized virtual MV repair strategy has great potential to help with preoperative selection of the patient-specific optimal MV repair techniques, allow innovative surgical planning to expect improved efficacy of MV repair with more predictable outcomes, and ultimately provide more effective medical care for the patient.