Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Low volume, high concentration block of the sciatic nerve

Sciatic nerve block was performed in two groups of patients using a low power peripheral nerve stimulator to aid nerve location. In group A 1% prilocaine with felypressin was used as the local anaesthetic agent in a volume of 0.25 ml/kg body weight. In group B 3% prilocaine with felypressin was used in a volume of 0.08 ml/kg body weight (i.e. equal total drug dosages). Use of the 3% solution resulted in highly significant reductions in the mean latency for analgesia of the nerve block and in the latency and degree of motor block achieved (p < 0.005 in each case). The clinical value of high concentration, low volume nerve block is discussed.
Visual quality beyond artifact visibility

The Electronic imaging community has devoted a lot of effort to the development of technologies that can predict the visual quality of images and videos, as a basis for the delivery of optimal visual quality to the user. These systems have been based for the most part on a visibility-centric approach, assuming the more artifacts are visible, the higher is the annoyance they provoke, the lower the visual quality. Despite the remarkable results achieved with this approach, recently a number of studies suggested that the visibility-centric approach to visual quality might have limitations, and that other factors might influence the overall quality impression of an image or video, depending on cognitive and affective mechanisms that work on top of perception. In particular, interest in the visual content, engagement and context of usage have been found to impact on the overall quality impression of the image/video. In this paper, we review these studies and explore the impact that affective and cognitive processes have on the visual quality. In addition, as a case study, we present the results of an experiment investigating on the impact of aesthetic appeal on visual quality, and we show that users tend to be more demanding in terms of visual quality judging beautiful images.
FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT

The value of firms located abroad but owned by Danish firms is known as foreign direct investment (FDI). 1 Over the last 30-40 years, the extent of FDI has expanded rapidly, both globally and in Denmark, driven, inter alia, by easier and cheaper access for firms to set up in markets other than their home market. This has enabled them to expand more than if they operated solely within the borders of a single country. Developments in Denmark are similar to developments in other advanced economies. However, since the mid-2000s, growth in Danish FDI abroad has exceeded growth in FDI in Denmark, entailing that the Danes have accumulated large net FDI stocks. This reflects, inter alia, that Denmark has been running large current account surpluses for some time, thereby accumulating foreign assets. Moreover, countries with positive net stocks tend to be wealthy advanced economies. Very large Danish firms, especially in the industrial sector, are the main Danish investors abroad. Thus, in 2014, the 10 largest groups accounted for about half of Denmark’s FDI stocks. Danish FDI abroad is concentrated in a few countries, primarily Danish trading partner countries. The country composition is very stable, illustrating that FDI represents long-term economic relations.
Inside Rounds and Venture Capital Returns

We study sequential investment decisions in the venture capital (VC) industry. VC-backed companies typically need to raise several rounds of funding from VC funds. The decision whether to provide further funding to the company and the terms of the new funding determine VC fund returns. We show that investment outcomes in the VC industry can be predicted by whether a round of funding is provided by only VCs who previously invested in the firm, or new VCs join the syndicate of investors. With asymmetric information, financial intermediaries are often thought to “hold up” firms and earn rents on their inside knowledge. However, we show that inside rounds, in which only existing investors participate, lead to a higher likelihood of failure, lower probability of IPOs, and lower cash on cash multiples than rounds with new investors. Inside rounds also appear to be negative NPV, suggesting that investors make inefficient continuation decisions. The findings are both consistent with the phenomenon called escalation of commitment and a manifestation of a novel agency problem driven by changing opportunity costs in the VC fund life-cycle. ∗Ewens: California Institute of Technology; Rhodes-Kropf: Harvard University and NBER; Strebulaev: Stanford University and NBER. We thank Arthur Korteweg, Will Gornal, Sophie Shive, Morten Sorensen and participants at the LA Finance Day, Caltech and Western Finance Association for their comments.
Pharyngealization of East Thuringian postvocalic /r/: Articulation, acoustics and temporal extent

This study investigates the acoustic and articulatory influence of postvocalic /r/ on the realization of vowels in an east central german variety. A selection of /r/ and /r/-less word pairs containing the short vowels /Y E a O U/ of seven male speakers were recorded using Ultrasound Tongue Imanging (UTI). Systematic differences were found both in lingual configurations as well as spectral measures (F1-F3) consistent with pharyngeal constriction. Especially the articulatory analysis of a greater portion of the word indicates consequences of /r/ having greater temporal extent showing /r/ to be a feature of the entire syllable rather than of a single segment.
No increased sperm DNA fragmentation index in semen containing human papillomavirus or herpesvirus

It remains unknown whether human papillomaviruses (HPVs) or human herpesviruses (HHVs) in semen affect sperm DNA integrity. We investigated whether the presence of these viruses in semen was associated with an elevated sperm DNA fragmentation index. Semen from 76 sperm donors was examined by a PCR‐based hybridization array that identifies all HHVs and 35 of the most common HPVs. Sperm DNA integrity was determined by the sperm chromatin structure assay. HPVs or HHVs, or both, were found in 57% of semen samples; however, sperm DNA fragmentation index was not increased in semen containing these viruses.
Studying Morbidity and Predicting Mortality in Patients with Blunt Chest Trauma using a Novel Clinical Score

Background: A departmental audit in March 2015 revealed significant mortality rate of 40% in blunt chest trauma patients (much greater than the global 25%). A study was thus planned to study morbidity and predictors of mortality in blunt chest trauma patients admitted to our hospital. Methods: This study was a prospective observational study of 139 patients with a history of blunt chest trauma between June 2015 and November 2015 after the Institutional Ethics Committee approval in April 2015. The sample size was calculated from the prevalence rate in our institute from the past medical records. Results: The morbidity factors following blunt chest injuries apart from pain were need for Intensive Care Unit stay, mechanical ventilation, and pneumonia/acute respiratory distress syndrome. Significant predictors of mortality in our study were SpO2 <80 at the time of presentation, Glasgow coma scale ≤ 8, patients with four or more rib fractures, presence of associated head injury, Injury Severity Score >16, and need for mechanical ventilation. By calculating the likelihood ratios of each respiratory sign, a clinical score was devised. Conclusion: The modifiable factors affecting morbidity and mortality were identified. Mild to moderate chest injury due to blunt trauma is difficult to diagnose. The restoration of respiratory physiology has not only significant implications on recovery from chest injury but also all other injuries. It is our sincere hope that the score we have formulated will help reduce mortality and morbidity after further trials.
Quantitative Analysis of Cells in the Ganglion Cell Layer of the Chick Retina: Developmental Changes in Cell Density and Cell Size

Changes in cell density and size in the ganglion cell layer (GCL) of the retina were studied in chick embryos and post‐hatching chicks. The total number of cells in the GCL increased from 3.64 million at embryonic day 8 (E8) to the maximal 7.85 million at E14. After E14, the number of cells decreased to 6.08 million at post‐hatching day 1 (P1) and 4.87 million at P8. Cell density in the GCL decreased unevenly according to retinal regions; cell density in the presumptive central area (pCA) of P8‐chicks decreased to approximately 45% of that in E8‐embryos. Densities of the nasal peripheral retina (NP) and temporal peripheral retina (TP) of P8‐chicks decreased to 23 and 18% of E8‐embryos, respectively. Differentiation of the central (44 000 cells/mm2 in pCA) – peripheral (28 000 cells/mm2 in TP) gradient in cell density was formed by E8. The presumptive dorsal area (pDA) was shaped by E11, but became obscure with age. Although ganglion cell sizes were basically uniform at E8, differentiation occurred with the appearance of larger ganglion cells after E14. Mean size of retinal ganglion cells increased 2.8‐fold in the pCA and 3.8‐fold in the TP between E8 and P8, accompanying a similar scale of decreases in cell densities.
Protection against anti-citrullinated protein antibody-positive rheumatoid arthritis is predominantly associated with HLA-DRB1*1301: a meta-analysis of HLA-DRB1 associations with anti-citrullinated protein antibody-positive and anti-citrullinated protein antibody-negative rheumatoid arthritis in fou

OBJECTIVE The protective effect of HLA-DRB1 alleles on the development of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is poorly understood. The aim of this study was to perform a meta-analysis of 4 European populations to investigate which HLA-DRB1 alleles are associated with protection in anti-citrullinated protein antibody (ACPA)-positive RA and ACPA-negative RA. METHODS Data for >2,800 patients and >3,000 control subjects for whom information on HLA-DRB1 typing and ACPA status was available were collected from 4 European countries: Norway, Sweden, The Netherlands, and Spain. The odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) associated with the different HLA-DRB1 alleles were analyzed in a combined meta-analysis focused on protective alleles and classifications. The analysis of ACPA-positive RA was stratified for the shared epitope (SE) alleles, to correct for skewing due to this association. RESULTS In ACPA-positive RA, the only alleles that conveyed protection after stratification for SE were HLA-DRB1*13 alleles (OR 0.54 [95% CI 0.38-0.77]). The protective effect of the allele classifications based on the DERAA and D70 sequences was no longer present after exclusion of DRB1*13 (for D70, OR 0.97 [95% CI 0.75-1.25]), indicating that DRB1*13, rather than the DERAA or D70 sequence as such, is associated with protection. Among the DRB1*13 alleles, only DRB1*1301 was associated with protection (OR 0.24 [95% CI 0.09-0.59]). Protection appeared to follow a north-to-south gradient, with the strongest association in northern European countries. In ACPA-negative RA, there were no robust associations with HLA-DRB1 alleles. CONCLUSION Our data do not support any of the classifications of protective alleles and indicate that protection against ACPA-positive RA is predominantly associated with HLA-DRB1*1301.
Epidemiological and histopathological study of relevance of Guizhou Maotai liquor and liver diseases.

AIM To explore the relevance of Maotai liquor and liver diseases. METHODS Epidemiological study was conducted on groups of subjects, each consisting of 3 subjects from the Maotai liquor group consisting of 99 individuals and one from the non-alcoholic control group consisting of 33 individuals. Liver biopsy was performed on 23 volunteers from Guizhou Maotai Distillery who had a constant and long history of drinking Maotai liquor. Experimental histopathological study was conducted as follows: sixty male Wistar rats were divided into 3 groups randomly and fed with Maotai liquor, ordinary white wine, and physiological saline respectively for a period of 8 and 12 weeks. The rats were sacrificed in batches, then serum ALT, AST, TBil, and AKP were measured. Rat livers were harvested to measure the liver indexes, GSH, and MDA. Histopathological examinations were also performed. Another eighty mice were randomly divided into 4 groups and fed with Maotai (at different dosages of 10 ml.kg(-1) and 20 ml.kg(-1)), ethanol, and physiological saline. The animals were sacrificed after 4 weeks and serum ALT was determined. Then the livers were harvested and liver indexes and MDA were measured. RESULTS The incidence rate of hepatic symptoms, splenomegaly, liver function impairment, reversal of Albumin/Globulin and increased diameter of portal veins in the Maotai liquor group were 1.0% 1/99 , 1.0% 1/99 , 1.0% 1/99 , 1.0% 1/99 , 0 0/99 and 0 0/99 , 0 0/99 ,0 0/99 , 0 0/99 , 0 0/99 , respectively. There was no significant difference between the Maotai group and the non-alcoholic control group P>0.05 . Various degree of fatty infiltration of hepatocytes was found in the 23 volunteers receiving liver biopsy, but there was no obvious hepatic fibrosis or cirrhosis. A comparison was made between the Maotai liquor group and the ordinary white wine group. It was found that hepatic MDA in rats and mice were 0.33+/-0.10 and 0.49+/-0.23 respectively in Maotai group and 0.61+/-0.22 and 0.66+/-0.32 in the ordinary white wine group; MDA had an obvious decrease in the Maotai liquor group (P<0.05); hepatic GSH were 0.12 mg.g(-1)+/-0.06 mg.g(-1) in rats of the Maotai liquor group and (0.08+/-0.02)mg.g(-1) in white wine group, it was obviously increased in the Maotai liquor group (P<0.05). After the 20 rats had been fed with ordinary white wine for 8 weeks consecutively, disarranged hepatocyte cords, fatty infiltration of hepatocytes, and fibrous septa of varying widths due to hepatic connective tissues proliferation were observed; after 12 weeks, the fibrous tissue proliferation continued and early cirrhosis appeared. Compared with the ordinary white wine group, fatty infiltration was observed in the 8-week and 12-week groups, but no necrosis or fibrosis or cirrhosis was found in the Maotai liquor group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION Maotai liquor may cause fatty liver but not hepatic fibrosis or cirrhosis, and it can strengthen lipid peroxidation in the liver.
Low-Cloud Fraction, Lower-Tropospheric Stability, and Large-Scale Divergence

Abstract This paper explores the capability of the mixed-layer model (MLM) to represent the observed relationship between low-cloud fraction and lower-tropospheric stability; it also investigates the influence of large-scale meteorological fields and their variability on this relationship. The MLM’s local equilibrium solutions are examined subject to realistic boundary forcings that are derived from data of the 40-yr European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts Re-Analysis (ERA-40). The MLM is successful in reproducing the positive correlation between low-cloud fraction and lower-tropospheric stability. The most accurate relationship emerges when the forcings capture synoptic variability, in particular, the daily varying large-scale divergence is a leading factor in improving the regression slope. The feature of the results is mainly attributed to the model cloud fraction’s intrinsic nonlinear response to the divergence field. Given this nonlinearity, the full range of divergence must be accounted f.
Attraction of Agrilus planipennis (Coleoptera: Buprestidae) to a Volatile Pheromone: Effects of Release Rate, Host Volatile, and Trap Placement

ABSTRACT Attraction of emerald ash borer, Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire, to a volatile pheromone was demonstrated in three field experiments using baited green sticky traps. A dose-response curve was generated for male A. planipennis to increasing release rates of (3Z)-dodecen-12-olide ((3Z)lactone) in combination with the green leaf volatile, (3Z)-hexenol. Only the lowest release rate (<2.50 µg/d) of (3Z)-lactone significantly increased captures of male A. planipennis, as compared with traps baited with (3Z)-hexenol alone. Effect of trap height, (3Z)-lactone, and (3Z)-hexenol and their interactions on the trap capture of A. planipennis was determined in a factorial experiment. Number of males per trap was significantly and positively affected by (3Z)-lactone, (3Z)-hexenol, and trap height whereas number of females per trap was affected by trap height only; none of the interactions were significant. As predicted, the greatest mean catch of males was in traps baited with (3Z)-lactone and (3Z)-hexenol placed high in the canopy. Electroantennogram tests on the bark volatile, 7-epi-sesquithujene, demonstrated the ability of male and female A. planipennis antennae to detect and respond to this compound, particularly the (+)-7-epi-sesquithujene isomer. Results from an olfactometer bioassay and field testing did not demonstrate attraction of either males or females to (+)-7-epi-sesquithujene. These data increase our understanding of the pheromone ecology of the invasive emerald ash borer, provide further confirmation of the behavioral activity of the female-produced lactone pheromone, and should increase the ability to detect A. planipennis infestations where they are present.
Epidemiological survey of standard series patch test results and observations on day 2 and day 4 readings

Computer data on 4721 consecutive patients patch tested with an extended standard series were analysed for the frequency of allergic reactions to each substance. Particular Attention was given to the negative first reading at day 2 (D2) which later became positive at day 4 (D4). A total of 4210 allergic reactions were recorded. 993 of which were negative on D2(24%). The most frequent positive reactions were to nickel sulphate (18%), fragrance‐mix (8%), colophony (6%), neomycin (6%), cobalt chloride (6%), thiuram‐mix (4%) and potassium dichromate (3%). The frequency of negative D2, positive D4 readings was sizeable for all but one substance, primin, with a range of 14% for fragrance‐mix to 64% for neomycin. All of 21 positive reactions to primin, with a range of 14% for fragrance‐mix to 64% for neomycin. All of 21 positive reactions to primin were recorded on D2. In our opinion, it is unjustified to perform D2‐only patch test readings.
Fabrication and characterization of wafer-bonded cMUT arrays dedicated to ultrasound-image-guided FUS

In this paper, the development of wafer-bonded cMUTs arrays, which will be implemented on a dual-mode probe dedicated to liposomes activation and high frequency imaging, is presented. The process flow is briefly described, and optical and electrical characterizations are reported. Then, experimental electro-acoustic tests confirming the expected performances of each array are presented and discussed.
BIOACTIVITY OF 1,8-CINEOLE AGAINST RED FLOUR BEETLE TRIBOLIUM CASTANEUM (HERBST)

Original scientific paper Izvorni znanstveni ~lanak SUMMARY Red flour beetle Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) is a major pest of stored products. The aim of this study was to assess the potential fumigant effects of 1,8-cineole, essential oil component, on the T. castaneum pupae. The compound was tested in 6 doses; in two treatments (fumigation without grain and with wheat grain), exposed for 48 h, in 4 repetitions, for each gender. The compound 1,8-cineole had lethal effect on the treated pupae at both genders and in the both treatments. Total proportion of the normally developed beetles was decreased. In addition, 1,8-cineole had also a growth regulator effect, producing adultoids and deformed units, with males more susceptible. In the treatment with the grain there were significant lower dead pupae, normally developed live male beetles and also deformed female units in the stage 2. In general, compound 1,8-cineole has multiple effect against T. castaneum in pupal stage.
Patient attitudes to discussing life-sustaining treatment.

Medical, ethical, and legal guidelines recommend that decisions about life-sustaining treatment be made jointly by physicians and competent, informed patients.1-4Many patients, however, are incompetent when such decisions must be made.5For these patients, it is recommended that clinicians follow wishes that the patient had previously expressed when competent.1-4Although such advance directives respect patient autonomy, several reservations about them have been raised.2,4,6Patients may not want to discuss life-sustaining treatment in advance, may not deliberate about their preferences, or may change their minds as their disease worsens and decisions become real rather than hypothetical. Physicians may fear that such discussions will cause the patient to become anxious or depressed. Refusal of treatment may be due to reversible medical or psychosocial problems.7To address these issues, we administered questionnaires to outpatients who might require decisions about life-sustaining treatment. PATIENTS AND METHODS The site of the
Relative Contributions of Chemistry and Topography to the Osseointegration of Hydroxyapatite Coatings

The purpose of the current study was to ascertain the relative contributions of surface chemistry and topography to the osseointegration of hydroxyapatite-coated implants. A canine femoral intramedullary implant model was used to compare the osseous response to commercially pure titanium implants that were either polished, grit-blasted, plasma-sprayed with hydroxyapatite, or plasma-sprayed with hydroxyapatite and masked with a very thin layer of titanium using physical vapor deposition (titanium mask). The titanium mask isolated the chemistry of the underlying hydroxyapatite layer without functionally changing its surface topography and morphologic features. At 12 weeks, the bone-implant specimens were prepared for undecalcified thin section histologic evaluation and serial transverse sections were quantified with backscattered scanning electron microscopy for the percentage of bone apposition to the implant surface. Bone apposition averaged 3% for the polished implants and 23% for the grit-blasted implants. Bone apposition to the hydroxyapatite-coated implants averaged 74% whereas bone apposition to the titanium mask implants averaged 59%. Although there was significantly greater osseointegration with the hydroxyapatite-coated implants, 80% of the maximum bone forming response to the implant surfaces developed with the titanium mask implants. This simple, controlled experiment revealed that topography is the dominant factor governing bone apposition to hydroxyapatite-coated implants.
NFX1 Interacts with mSin3A/Histone Deacetylase To Repress hTERT Transcription in Keratinocytes

ABSTRACT Transcription of the catalytic subunit of telomerase (hTERT) in keratinocytes can be induced by human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV16) E6/E6AP ubiquitin ligase through degradation of the repressor, NFX1-91. Here, we demonstrate that NFX1-91 interacts with the corepressor complex mSin3A/histone deacetylase (HDAC) at the hTERT promoter. By degrading NFX1-91, E6/E6AP changes the chromatin structure at the hTERT promoter as indicated by enhanced acetylation of histones H3 and H4 as well as dimethylation of H3K4. Knockdown of NFX1-91 by short hairpin RNA (shRNA) mimics the effect of E6 and leads to acetylation of histones H3 and H4. Conversely, knockdown of E6AP by shRNA suppresses histone acetylation at the hTERT promoter. These data demonstrate that targeted degradation of NFX1-91 by E6/E6AP dissociates the mSin3A/HDAC complex from the hTERT promoter and induces hTERT transcription.