Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of Car-Following Input Variables and Development of Three-Vehicle Car-Following Models with Artificial Neural Networks

A four-layer artificial neural network (ANN) structure was set up in the models and a genetic algorithm (GA) and back-propagation methodology were utilized to customize individual driver's behavior. A number of combinations of the input variables was examined with the R2 values representing the model fitting. This paper concluded that there are significant differences in degrees of contribution to the models among the several input variables. The most important finding was that the leading vehicle's (LV) acceleration had stronger relationship to the following vehicle's (FV) acceleration rate rather than the relative speed between the leading vehicle and the following vehicle. Additionally, the input variables related to the preceding vehicle of the leading vehicle (PLV) were added in the model. It was also found the variables of the preceding vehicle of the leading vehicle help car-following models slightly, but they were not as much as expected.
Impedance Matching for Compact Multiple Antenna Systems in Random RF Fields

We investigate the maximization of the received power from compact multiple antenna systems in random RF fields, using two novel impedance matching approaches. The first approach is based on optimal impedance matching where we use convex optimization to propose a sparse optimal impedance matching technique. The second approach is obtained by further relaxing the sparse optimal impedance matching method to obtain a suboptimal impedance matching (SOM) method we refer to as multiport ladder matching (MLM). Simulation results show that the sparse optimal impedance matching approach provides the maximum received power while MLM can capture more power than conventional single-port matching (SPM). Additionally, they can maintain good bandwidth indicating the effectiveness of the sparse optimal and multiport ladder impedance matching approaches.
Contact lens-assisted collagen cross-linking (CACXL): A new technique for cross-linking thin corneas.

PURPOSE To report a novel method of contact lens-assisted corneal cross-linking (CACXL) in eyes with thin corneas. METHODS Patients diagnosed as having progressive keratectasia with a minimum corneal thickness less than 400 and greater than 350 μm after epithelial abrasion were included. After epithelial abrasion, the iso-osmolar riboflavin 0.1% in dextran was applied every 3 minutes for 30 minutes. An ultraviolet barrier-free soft contact lens (0.09-mm thickness, 14-mm diameter) soaked in iso-osmolar riboflavin 0.1% for 30 minutes was placed on the cornea. Once the minimum corneal thickness value was confirmed to be greater than 400 μm, the ultraviolet-A irradiance was started along with instillation of iso-osmolar riboflavin 0.1% in the pre-corneal and pre-contact lens region. Intraoperative minimum corneal thickness changes were recorded with ultrasound pachymetry and optical coherence tomography. Postoperative visual acuity, corneal topography (Orbscan; Bausch & Lomb, Rochester, NY), endothelial cell loss (EM-3000; Tomey, Nagoya, Japan), and stromal demarcation line (Visante; Carl Zeiss Meditec, Jena, Germany) were measured. RESULTS Fourteen eyes underwent the procedure. Mean preoperative minimum corneal thickness after epithelial abrasion was 377.2 ± 14.5 μm (range: 350 to 398 μm). There was a significant difference in minimum functional corneal thickness (Friedman test, P = .000) intraoperatively, before epithelial abrasion, after epithelial abrasion, and with contact lens and riboflavin film. Mean minimum functional corneal thickness after the contact lens was 485.1 ± 15.8 μm (range: 458 to 511 μm). Mean absolute increase in the minimum corneal thickness along with the contact lens and pre-corneal riboflavin film was 107.9 ± 9.4 μm (range: 90 to 124 μm). Mean depth of stromal demarcation line was 252.9 ± 40.8 μm (range: 208 to 360 μm). There was no significant endothelial loss (P = .063) and the corneal topography was stable at the last follow-up (P = .505). CONCLUSIONS CACXL technique was effective and safe in performing cross-linking in corneas less than 400 μm after epithelial abrasion and appeared effective based on stromal demarcation line depth.
Measurement of Posterior Tibial Translation in the Posterior Cruciate Ligament-Reconstructed Knee

Background: The measurement of anterior or posterior tibial translation depends on the existence of a repeatable and accurate reference position of the knee from which the corresponding translation is measured. Hypothesis: Clinical measurements of posterior tibial translation alone do not accurately reflect the laxity of posterior cruciate ligament-reconstructed knees. Study Design: Controlled laboratory study. Methods: Ten human cadaveric knees were tested by using a robotic/universal force-moment sensor testing system. The reference positions and the resulting kinematics in response to a 134-N anterior-posterior tibial load were determined for the intact and reconstructed knees. Posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction was performed with the graft tensioned and fixed at two different positions: 1) 90° of knee flexion with a 134-N anterior tibial load and 2) full extension with no load. Results: Posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with graft fixation at full extension with no load resulted in anterior shift of the reference position by 1.5 to 3.2 mm. The reconstruction resulted in an overconstrained knee with significantly decreased total anterior-posterior translation of 2.6 to 3.2 mm. However, the posterior tibial translation measured was not significantly different from that of the intact knee. Posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with graft fixation performed at 90° of flexion with a 134-N anterior tibial load resulted in kinematics similar to those of the intact knee. Conclusion: Posterior tibial translations that are measured clinically can be misleading because the reference position of the knee can be shifted significantly after posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Clinical Relevance: The measurement of total anterior-posterior translation may be a more accurate way to assess kinematics of the reconstructed knee.
Allograft Meniscus Transplantation

Menisci function to manage load transmission, provide secondary mechanical stability as well as nutrition, and lubricate the joint. Meniscus transplantation techniques continue to evolve and include: free soft tissue allograft implantation; separate anterior and posterior bone plugs; and bone bridges including key hole, trough, dovetail, and bridge-in-slot variations. The senior author’s preference is for the bridge-in-slot technique for lateral and medial menisci, owing to its simplicity and secure bony fixation, flexibility in allowing concomitant procedures as osteotomy and ligament reconstruction, and the ability to maintain the native anterior and posterior meniscal horn attachments. Meniscal allograft transplantation yields fair to excellent results in almost 85% of patients. Patients demonstrate significant decrease in pain, as well as an increase in activity. Long-term success is encouraging in well-selected patients but is unknown whether transplantation is protective against the progression of degenerative changes.
Fungemia in a Spanish hospital: the role of Candida parapsilosis over a 15-year period

Abstract Background: Candida parapsilosis is one of the main causes of fungemia in tertiary-care hospitals. Few studies have analysed the changes in its distribution over a long period. We compared the distribution of C. parapsilosis with that of other fungi over a 15-y period in a tertiary hospital. Methods: The susceptibility of C. parapsilosis was analysed using the new species-specific clinical breakpoints. The C. parapsilosis complex species were differentiated molecularly. Results: From January 1997 to December 2011, 360 isolates causing 350 episodes of fungemia were isolated. C. parapsilosis was the second most frequently isolated species (20%); only 1 C. orthopsilosis was identified and there were no C. metapsilosis. The remaining episodes were caused by C. albicans (43.1%), C. tropicalis (14.4%), C. glabrata (11.7%), and other fungal species (10.8%). The incidence of candidemia increased more than two-fold between 2009 and 2011 (from 3.3 to 7.4 cases/100,000 population), and C. parapsilosis and C. glabrata fungemia increased throughout the period. C. parapsilosis was the most frequent species in children under 15 y (57.1%). All C. parapsilosis isolates were susceptible to anidulafungin, micafungin, flucytosine, amphotericin B, and posaconazole, while 98.5% were susceptible to caspofungin, 97.1% to voriconazole, 95.6% to fluconazole, and 76.5% to itraconazole. Conclusions: This long-term study showed a slight increase in the incidence of candidemia during the years of the study and a trend towards an increase in C. parapsilosis. Because of its high frequency and intrinsic low susceptibility to echinocandins, the prevalence and susceptibility of C. parapsilosis should be monitored, especially in children.
Chromosome 22q11 deletions, velo-cardio-facial syndrome and early-onset psychosis

Background Velo-cardio-facial syndrome (VCFS) is associated with interstitial deletions of chromosome 22q11. About 30% of patients with VCFS have psychosis, and the rate of these deletions in schizophrenia has been reported to be about 1%. Even higher rates of VCFS deletions have been reported for childhood-onset schizophrenia. Aims To test the hypothesis that there is an increased rate of VCFS among patients with early-onset psychosis (age at onset < 18 years). We screened 192 early-onset patients and 329 patients with adult-onset schizophrenia. Method We genotyped the patients and 444 healthy controls for hemizygosity of five microsatellite markers and one single nucleotide polymorphism that map to the 22q11-deleted region. Results One patient had a VCFS deletion, confirmed with semi-quantitative polymerase chain reaction. None of the controls showed a pattern of genotypes consistent with hemizygosity. Conclusions VCFS may be less frequent among patients with psychosis than previously suggested; this rate is not increased among early-onset patients.
Sarcoidosis and transplantation.

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF WORK Organ transplantation is an accepted treatment for patients with end-stage organ failure. There is limited information about transplantation in patients with sarcoidosis. While there has been no systematic study of transplantation in sarcoidosis, there have been several reports of patients with sarcoidosis undergoing organ transplantation. The purpose of this review is to analyze the available literature. METHODS We reviewed the literature regarding transplantation of kidney, liver, heart, heart-lung and lung in patients with sarcoidosis with attention to survival, complications and the incidence of recurrence of sarcoidosis in the transplanted organ and at distant sites. RESULTS Survival and complication rates are similar to those of patients undergoing transplantation for other indications. Recurrence of pulmonary sarcoidosis has been estimated to be 47% following lung transplantation. The published cases represent a fraction of the patients reported to the International Registry maintained by the United Network of Organ Sharing (UNOS). CONCLUSIONS Transplantation can be carried out safely in patients with sarcoidosis. Recurrence is frequent, often asymptomatic, and does not compromise graft function or patient survival. Radiographic abnormalities or symptoms associated with recurrence are responsive to increased adrenocorticosteroid therapy. Exacerbation of sarcoidosis in transplant recipients occurs in the setting of intense immunosuppression.
Open questions on Balkan nephropathy.

The prevalence of the disease was stable over manyyears, but now appears to decline in most affectedsettlements w1x. Some authors also suggest that theincidence of BEN decreases w1,2x and that it appearsto be tapering off; others, however, describe a stableincidence of BEN w3x. The question arises on differentepidemiological characteristics of the disease in dif-ferent endemic regions. In search of an answer tothis question a retrospective analysis of the incidenceof haemodialysis BEN patients was undertaken infour haemodialysis centres situated in three differ-ent endemic regions over the period 1991–2000.The medical ﬁles of haemodialysis patients treatedin Lazarevac (Kolubara River), Nis and Leskovac(South Morava River) and Pozarevac (Pek River) wereused in this study. The incidence of haemodialysispatients with BEN from endemic villages was com-pared with the incidence of patients suffering fromother renal diseases from the same endemic villages.Non-standardized rates per 1000 inhabitants werecalculated.The incidence of BEN patients in ESRD, whostarted haemodialysis, was different in three endemicregions already known as differently affected endemicfoci. However, during the last decade the incidence ofhaemodialysis BEN patients remained stable in allthree regions (Figure 1a). In the same period, theincidence of haemodialysis patients suffering fromother renal diseases and living in the same endemicvillages (mean incidence for three regions 0.035–0.28)was lower than the incidence of BEN patients onhaemodialysis (0.22–0.58) (Figure 1b). These resultscorrespond with those reported by Cukuranovic et al.w4x but these authors pointed out a marked decreaseof the incidence of BEN in end-stage renal disease(ESRD) in the last 10 years as compared with theprevious decade. BEN is a slowly progressive dis-ease and patients usually start haemodialysis in theirsixties. Therefore, although our data demonstrate astable incidence of BEN in ESRD it only indicatesthat BEN is preserved. In order to answer the ques-tion above, monitoring of the incidence of BEN in theearly stage is more important. A recent study in theKolubara River area has discovered new BEN orBEN-suspected cases and the authors consider thatBEN is not tapering off w5x. However, early diagnosisof BEN is associated with the following unsolvedquestions on BEN—criteria for a correct diagnosis.
Pilot study of dietary influences on mammographic density in pre- and postmenopausal Hispanic and non-Hispanic white women

Objective: The extent to which modifiable dietary factors may account for some of the variability demonstrated in mammographic density across ethnic groups is unknown. The purpose of this study was to provide pilot data describing the relationship between dietary variables and mammographic density in pre- and postmenopausal Hispanic and non-Hispanic white (NHW) women (N = 238) ranging in age from 41 to 50 years (premenopausal only) or 56 to 70 years (postmenopausal only). Design: Using a cross-sectional design, computer-assisted density assessments were performed on mammograms of both breasts and averaged for analysis. The Arizona Food Frequency Questionnaire was used to estimate dietary intake. Results: Study participants were well educated and overweight, with mean mammographic densities ranging from 20.25% for postmenopausal Hispanic women to 46.94% for premenopausal NHW women. Hispanic women reported higher energy intake than NHW women, but energy-adjusted intake of other nutrients was generally comparable. There was preliminary evidence of ethnic variability in diet-mammographic density associations. Among premenopausal Hispanic women, density was inversely associated with dairy, calcium, and vitamin D intakes (P ≤ 0.05 for all). Among premenopausal NHW women, lower mammographic density was associated with greater intake of vegetables (P ≤ 0.05), and higher density was associated with greater fruit intake (P ≤ 0.05). Among postmenopausal Hispanic women, for every 4.54 increase in the polyunsaturated-to-saturated fat ratio, there was a 9.0% reduction in mammograph density. Conclusions: These preliminary results suggest that a differential pattern of dietary nutrient associations with mammographic density could potentially exist among Hispanic and NHW women. These ethnic differences in diet and mammographic density associations need to be further explored in larger studies.
Range contractions of the world's large carnivores

The majority of the world's terrestrial large carnivores have undergone substantial range contractions and many of these species are currently threatened with extinction. However, there has been little effort to fully quantify the extent of large carnivore range contractions, which hinders our ability to understand the roles and relative drivers of such trends. Here we present and analyse a newly constructed and comprehensive set of large carnivore range contraction maps. We reveal the extent to which ranges have contracted since historical times and identify regions and biomes where range contractions have been particularly large. In summary, large carnivores that have experienced the greatest range contractions include the red wolf (Canis rufus) (greater than 99%), Ethiopian wolf (Canis simensis) (99%), tiger (Panthera tigris) (95%) and lion (Panthera leo) (94%). In general, the greatest range contractions occurred in Southeastern Asia and Africa. Motivated by the ecological importance of intact large carnivore guilds, we also examined the spatial extent of intact large carnivore guilds both for the entire world and regionally. We found that intact carnivore guilds occupy just 34% of the world's land area. This compares to 96% in historic times. Spatial modelling of range contractions showed that contractions were significantly more likely in regions with high rural human population density, cattle density or cropland. Our results offer new insights into how best to prevent further range contractions for the world's largest carnivores, which will assist efforts to conserve these species and their important ecological effects.
Absence of  “Original Antigenic Sin” in Autoimmunity Provides an Unforeseen Platform for Immune Therapy

In this issue of The Journal of Experimental Medicine , Tuohy et al. study the spreading of the autoimmune response to myelin antigens in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) and its likely human counterpart, multiple sclerosis (MS) (([1][1])). They demonstrate that as disease develops in
Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration diagnosis of secondary tumors involving the pancreas: An institution's experience

Background: Pancreatic masses may seldom represent a metastasis or secondary involvement by lymphoproliferative disorders. Recognition of this uncommon occurrence may help render an accurate diagnosis and avoid diagnostic pitfalls during endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA). In this study, we review our experience in diagnosing secondary tumors involving the pancreas. Materials and Methods: The electronic database of cytopathology archives was searched for cases of secondary tumors involving the pancreas at our institution and a total of 31 cases were identified. The corresponding clinical presentations, imaging study findings, cytological diagnoses, the results of ancillary studies, and surgical follow-up, if available, were reviewed. Results: Nineteen of the patients were male and 12 female, with a mean age of 66 years. Twenty-three patients (74%) had a prior history of malignancy, with the latency ranging from 6 months to 19 years. The secondary tumors involving the pancreas included metastatic carcinoma (24 cases), metastatic sarcoma (3 cases), diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (2 cases), and plasma cell neoplasm (2 cases). The most common metastatic tumors were renal cell carcinoma (8 cases) and lung carcinoma (7 cases). Correct diagnoses were rendered in 29 cases (94%). The remaining two cases were misclassified as primary pancreatic carcinoma. In both cases, the patients had no known history of malignancy, and no ancillary studies were performed. Conclusions: Secondary tumors involving the pancreas can be accurately diagnosed by EUS-FNA. Recognizing uncommon cytomorphologic features, knowing prior history of malignancy, and performing ancillary studies are the keys to improve diagnostic performance and avoid diagnostic pitfalls.
Relationship between chewing behavior and body weight status in fully dentate healthy adults

Abstract Recent research indicates that chewing behavior may influence energy intake and energy expenditure. However, little is known about the relationship between chewing behavior and body weight status. In the present study, 64 fully dentate normal-weight or overweight/obese adults were asked to consume five portions of a test food and the number of chewing cycles, chewing duration before swallowing and chewing rate were measured. Adjusting for age and gender, normal-weight participants used a higher number of chewing cycles (p = 0.003) and a longer chewing duration (p < 0.001) to consume each portion of the food, compared to overweight/obese participants. However, there was no significant difference in their chewing rate (p = 0.597). A statistically significant negative correlation between body mass index and the number of chewing cycles (r = −0.296, p = 0.020) and chewing duration (r = −0.354, p = 0.005) was observed. In conclusion, these results suggest that chewing behavior is associated with body weight status in fully dentate healthy adults.
Phenotypic characterization of Indian equine breeds: a comparative study

Las poblaciones de las seis razas equinas registradas por laOficina Nacional India deRecursos Zoogeneticos han disminuido drasticamente a causa de la cria sin criterio y de su menor utilizacion. En este trabajo, se estudiaron 15 indices biometricos, junto con caracteristicas raciales tipicas, en 50 animales de cada raza, excepto en la raza Bhutia (35) para su caracterizacion fenotipica. En base a sus alzadas a la cruz, las razas Kathiawari y Marwari se clasificaron como �caballos�, mientras que las razas Zanskari, Manipuri, Bhutia y Spiti se clasificaron como �ponis�. La raza Marwari fue la de mayor alzada y la que era significativamente diferente a otras razas en la mayoria de los indices biometricos. La raza Spiti fue la que presento una menor alzada entre las seis poblaciones de caballos y ponis estudiadas. Se observo un moderado dimorfismo sexual en algunos de los indices biometricos en las diferentes razas. En las razas Marwari y Kathiawari, tanto los sementales como las yeguas, pueden girar las orejas en un angulo de 180°, quedando las puntas de las orejas en el centro, siendo una caracteristica tipica de estas dos razas. Este trabajo tiene como objetivo proporcionar informacion de referencia para la identificacion y comparacion de las distintas razas de equidos de la India, con el proposito de sensibilizar a genetistas y criadores acerca de la importancia de producir ejemplares tipicos, de su conservacion y para la mejora de la gestion de estos valiosos recursos geneticos.