Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Sheffield modified technique for external cephalic version

Summary External cephalic version (ECV) is the manipulation of the fetus, through the maternal abdomen, to a cephalic presentation. The incidence of caesarean section for breech presentation has increased markedly in the last 20 years. External version has become more popular in the past 10 years because of the increasing evidence of risks from vaginal breech delivery, increasing demand on the reduction of caesarean sections, a strong safety record, and high success rate of ECV of up to 80%. The use of external cephalic version can produce considerable cost savings in the management of the breech presentation at term; however, there is a wide variation in the success rate, with a range between 30–80%. The ECV technique has remained unchanged for many generations without any modification. This paper provides the outcome of a small prospective study implementing a modified technique for ECV, which has a high success rate.
Interruption of the enterohepatic circulation of phenprocoumon by cholestyramine

The effect of cholestyramine (12 gm/day divided into 3 doses) on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of a single intravenous dose (30 mg) of phenprocoumon was studied in 6 normal subjects. Cholestyramine treatment led to an increase in the rate of elimination of phenprocoumon in all. Total clearance increased 1.5‐ to 2‐fold. The total anticoagulant effect per dose was considerably reduced during treatment with cholestyramine. Binding studies in vitro showed that phenprocoumon is strongly bound to cholestyramine and that at a given cholestyramine concentration the percentage of phenprocoumon bound remained constant over a large concentration range of phenprocoumon. The results suggest that phenprocoumon undergoes extensive enterohepatic recycling in man which can be effectively interrupted by cholestyramine.
Ghrelin, pancreatic polypeptide plasma concentrations and gastric myoelectric activity in celiac disease.

BACKGROUND/AIMS The aim of the study was to analyze the effect of celiac disease(CED) on the upper-gut motility and release of enteral hormones (ghrelin and pancreatic peptide (PP)). MATERIALS AND METHODS the study included 25 patients diagnosed with CED and 30 healthy controls. Gastric myoelectric activities (EGG) in a fasted and fed state were recorded. The plasma concentrations of ghrelin and PP were determined. R e s u l t s: CED patients presented in a fasted state a decreased percentage of normogastria 54.8 ± 24.5 vs. 86 ± 12.3%, p = 0.02 and slow wave coupling (SWC) 52.7 ± 13.4 vs. 77.4 ± 11.9%; p = 0.00001 with increased dominant power (DP) 11.6 ± 1.5 vs. 11.1 ± 1.1. Contrary to the controls, they did not show an improvement in the percentage of normogastria, DP and SWC when examined in a fed state (p 〈0.05). Furthermore, CED patients presented with significantly lower fasting plasma concentrations of ghrelin 156.8 ± 86.7 vs. 260.2 ± 87.6 pg/ml, p = 0.0002 and significantly higher fasting PP levels than did the controls 265.2 ± 306.3 vs. 54.1 ± 54.6 pg/ml, p = 0.0005. C o n c l u s i o n: CED affects gastric myoelectric activity (decreasing normogastria and coupling) and causes changes in fasting concentrations of enteral hormones (decrease in ghrelin and an increase in PP). Gastric myoelectric response to food is abolished in CED patients, probably due to the neurohormonal changes induced by primary inflammation associated with this disease.
The ‘genderman’: (re)negotiating militarized masculinities when ‘doing gender’ at NATO

ABSTRACT As a result of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization's (NATO) engagement with United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 and the Women, Peace and Security agenda, military personnel have been tasked with engaging with and implementing NATO’s interpretation of the Women, Peace and Security agenda, to do ‘gender work’ within the alliance. There is only a small – though increasing – number of men working full time on gender issues within the military structures of the Alliance. This article analyses the experiences of two military men actively and consciously ‘doing’ this gender work. Conceptualizing a (re)negotiation of gender relationships based upon empathy, similarity, interdependence, respect, and equality, the accounts of these men are analysed, exploring ways in which a more ‘gender-conscious’ militarized masculinity may develop. It is argued that positive, incremental shifts within militarized masculinities should not be dismissed; yet the process is contested, contradictory, and incomplete. The article highlights how perceived gender transgressions are policed and controlled via trivialization and feminization, and how conceptualizations of masculinist protection and credibility can reinforce pre-existing gender relations, rather than challenge or change them.
The Market for Corporate Control in the US Hotel Industry: The Case of the ITT Takeover

This paper takes as its focus for analysis the fierce take-over battle that took place between the Hilton Hotel Corporation and Starwood Lodging for control of the ITT Sheraton hotel chain. The paper provides a detailed perspective of the take-over, following the key stages of progress, and compares these to the theoretical background in this field.
[Ultrastructural changes in rabbits cornea and sclera caused by radio frequency burn].

OBJECTIVE To assess the influence of radio frequency (RF) burn on the ultrastructure of rabbits cornea, sclera, lens and retina. METHODS The cornea and sclera of 24 adult New Zealand rabbits were burned by RF (power 15 W) for 10 seconds. The specimens of cornea, sclera, lens and retina were collected and examined under transmission electron microscopy (TEM) at 2 hours, 24 hours, 3 days and 14 days after burning. RESULTS The TEM showed corneal epithelial cells nuclear chromatin pyknosis, stromal partial colloid fibers rupture, endothelial cells mitochondria turgescence and vacuolization; scleral fibroblastic nuclear chromatin pyknosis, rough endoplasmic reticulum distention, mitochondria turgescence; lens normal; retinal pigment epithelial cells mitochondria turgescence, photoreceptor cells outer segment disarrangement, inner segment mitochondria turgescence, and outer nuclear layer cells' nuclear chromatin pyknosis, 2 hours after burning. Corneal epithelial cells structure was fairly clear, some mitochondria of endothelial cells were turgescent, scleral fibroblastic mitochondria were slightly turgescent, and retinal structure was almost normal, 3 days after burning. There were no significant changes of cornea, sclera and retina in ultrustructure when the burnt groups were compared with the control group, 14 days after burning. CONCLUSION These findings suggest that RF can cause direct lesion of cornea, sclera and indirect lesion of retina by burning cornea and selera, but the ultrastructural changes will almost recover 14 days after RF burning.
Providing Research-Focused Work-Integrated Learning for High Achieving Science Undergraduates.

Work-integrated learning has become an integral part of many undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, both in Australia and internationally. Such programs vary in structure, timeframe and discipline type, with concomitant amounts of support, assessment and evaluation. Their value to students, industry partners and higher education institutions, while of considerable potential, depends on a range of factors including the level of resourcing (i.e. level of funding, involvement of a project coordinator, strength of communication among participants), how optimally matched students are to projects, and the use of evaluation and reflection tools to refine and improve them. This paper reports on the development, implementation and evaluation of an inaugural research-oriented WIL program for high-achieving science students at Monash University. The research-related nature of this WIL program has been of considerable value to students and industry partners. Further, it has established ongoing links between the University and industry partners, and provides a strong foundation for establishing a faculty coordinated WIL program. (Asia-Pacific Journal of Cooperative Education, 2013 14(2), 59-73)
The Effects of Thrombocytopenia on Vessel Stasis and Macromolecular Leakage after Photodynamic Therapy Using Photofrin

Abstract— Several studies have reported thrombus formation and/or the release of specific vasoactive eicosanoids, suggesting that platelet activation or damage after photodynamic therapy (PDT) may contribute to blood flow stasis. The role of circulating platelets on blood flow stasis and vascular leakage of macromolecules during and after PDT was assessed in an intravital animal model. Sprague‐Daw‐ley rats bearing chondrosarcoma on the right hind limb were injected intravenously (i.v.) with 25 mg/kg Photofrin 24 h before light treatment of 135 J/cm2 at 630 nm. Thrombocytopenia was induced in animals by administration of 3.75 mg/kg of rabbit anti‐rat platelet antibody i.v. 30 min before the initiation of the light treatment. This regimen reduced circulating platelet levels from 300000/mm3 to 20000/mm3. Reductions in the luminal diameter of the microvasculature in normal muscle and tumor were observed in control animals given Photofrin and light. Venule leakage of macromolecules was noted shortly after the start of light treatment and continued throughout the period of observation. Animals made thrombocytopenic showed none of these changes after PDT in either normal tissues or tumor. The lack of vessel response correlated with the absence of thromboxane release in blood during PDT. These data suggest that platelets and eicosanoid release are necessary for vessel constriction and blood flow stasis after PDT using Photofrin.
Text-dependent speaker-recognition systems based on one-pass dynamic programming algorithm

We propose variable-text text-dependent speaker-recognition systems based on the one-pass dynamic programming (DP) algorithm. The key feature of the proposed algorithm is its ability to use multiple templates for each of the words which form the `password' text. The use of multiple templates allows the proposed system to capture the idiosyncratic intra-speaker variability of a word, resulting in significant improvement in the performance. Our algorithm also uses inter-word silence templates to handle continuous speech input. We use the proposed one-pass DP algorithm in three speaker-recognition systems, namely, closed-set speaker-identification (CSI), speaker-verification (SV) and open-set speaker-identification (OSI). These systems were evaluated on a 100 speaker and 200 speaker tasks using the TIDIGITS database and with various car noise conditions. The key result of this paper is that the use of multiple templates enhances the performance of all the three systems significantly -the use of multiple templates (in comparison to a single template) enhances the CSI performance from 94% to 100%, the SV EER from 1.6% to 0.09% and the OSI EER from 12.3% to 3.5% on a 100 speaker task. We also use the proposed one-pass DP for automatically extracting the multiple templates from continuous speech training data. The performance of the three systems using such automatically extracted multiple templates is as good as with manually extracted templates. Front-end noise suppression enables our systems to deliver robust performance in up to 0 dB car noise
A functional DNA methylation system in the pea aphid, Acyrthosiphon pisum

Methylation of cytosine is one of the main epigenetic mechanisms involved in controlling gene expression. Here we show that the pea aphid (Acyrthosiphon pisum) genome possesses homologues to all the DNA methyltransferases found in vertebrates, and that 0.69% (±0.25%) of all cytosines are methylated. Identified methylation sites are predominantly restricted to the coding sequence of genes at CpG sites. We identify twelve methylated genes, including genes that interact with juvenile hormone, a key endocrine signal in insects. Bioinformatic prediction using CpG ratios for all predicted genes suggest that a large proportion of genes are methylated within the pea aphid.
TMC114/ritonavir substitution for protease inhibitor(s) in a non-suppressive antiretroviral regimen: a 14-day proof-of-principle trial

Objective:To evaluate antiviral activity, tolerability, and safety of the protease inhibitor (PI) TMC114 boosted with low-dose ritonavir (RTV). Design:A randomized, open-label, controlled, phase IIA clinical trial in 15 sites in Europe with 50 HIV-1-infected patients who had taken multiple PIs. Methods:At entry, PIs in non-suppressive regimens were replaced with TMC114/RTV (300/100 or 600/100 mg twice daily, or 900/100 mg once daily) or left unchanged for 14 days. The time-averaged difference (DAVG) in HIV-1 RNA from baseline, change in HIV-1 RNA from baseline, proportions achieving plasma HIV-1 RNA < 400 copies/ml and ≥ 0.5 and ≥ 1.0 log10 copies/ml reductions in HIV-1 RNA, and safety were assessed. Results:DAVG responses in all TMC114/RTV groups (range, −0.56 to −0.81 log10 copies/ml) were significantly greater (P < 0.001) than in the controls (−0.03 log10 copies/ml). Median change at day 14 was −1.38 and +0.02 log10 copies/ml for all TMC114/RTV groups and the control group, respectively. A reduction of ≥ 0.5 and ≥ 1.0 log10 copies/ml was attained by 97% and 76% of patients, respectively, in all TMC114/RTV groups and by 25% and 17%, respectively, in the control group. HIV-1 RNA < 400 copies/ml at any time during treatment was achieved by 40% in the TMC114/RTV groups and 8% in the control group. Most common reported adverse events were gastrointestinal and central nervous system disorders (mild to moderate severity). No dose relationship was observed. Biochemical, haematological and electrocardiographic parameters showed no significant changes. Conclusions:TMC114/RTV demonstrated a potent antiretroviral effect over 14 days in multiple-PI–experienced patients and was generally well tolerated.
Should SPECT-CT replace SPECT for the evaluation of equivocal bone scan lesions in patients with underlying malignancies?

IntroductionBone scintigraphy is used extensively in evaluating metastatic disease. There are currently no clear recommendations for the use of single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT)/CT in metastatic bone disease. Given its limited availability there is a need to identify the clinical indications for which SPECT/CT is clearly beneficial in influencing patient care and outcome. MethodsForty-two patients with equivocal lesions on planar scintigraphy were recruited and underwent SPECT/CT imaging. On reading of SPECT alone and then SPECT/CT, lesions were classified as malignant, benign or equivocal. Follow-up clinical information, radiological studies and/or bone scans were used as a gold standard. SPECT and SPECT/CT were compared in terms of the number of equivocal findings and accuracy on a patient-wise and lesion-wise basis. ResultsForty-two patients with 189 skeletal lesions were examined. There was a diverse variety of primary tumours, with the majority being breast (n=22) and prostate cancer (n=8). SPECT/CT resulted in a significant reduction in the proportion of patients (48–14%, P=0.0015) and lesions (31–9%, P<0.0001) with equivocal findings. The overall accuracy of SPECT/CT was significantly higher on both a patient-wise (52–79%, P=0.0026) and lesion-wise basis (67–92%, P<0.0001). ConclusionSPECT/CT significantly outperforms SPECT alone for the interpretation of skeletal lesions in patients undergoing bone scanning for metastases. When available SPECT/CT is indicated in patients in whom correct classification of equivocal lesions is expected to alter the patient's management.
Timing of hCG administration does not affect pregnancy rates in couples undergoing intrauterine insemination using clomiphene citrate.

BACKGROUND Therapeutic intrauterine insemination (IUI) combined with clomiphene citrate ovarian stimulation is widely used to improve pregnancy rates for a variety of disorders. The goal of this study was to elucidate whether hCG administration at 24 or 36 hours after clomiphene citrate stimulation impacts pregnancy rates. METHODS The study was conducted as a retrospective chart review of 182 clomiphene citrate/IUI cycles in 90 women at the Center for Reproductive Health at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center. Comparisons were made between IUls performed at 24 hours versus 36 hours after hCG. Clinical variables included age of the female partner, semen concentration and motility, and infertility diagnosis. Outcomes were pregnancy rates and live birth rates. Data analysis was performed using Chi square for proportions and Student's t-test for continuous variables. RESULTS The pregnancy rate was 7% in the 24-hour group and 15.9% in the 36-hour group (P=0.057). However, the live birth rate was 4.0% in the 24-hour group and 8.5% in the 36-hour group (P=0.2). CONCLUSIONS There is no significant difference in pregnancy rates in couples utilizing clomiphene citrate and undergoing IUI, whether hCG is administered at 24 hours or 36 hours prior to the procedure.
Time course of cerebellar morphological development in postnatal ferrets: Ontogenetic and comparative perspectives

We provide the first systematic description of the morphological ontogenesis of the ferret cerebellum and compare its relative time‐course to that of the rat cerebellum. Overall cerebellar size, foliation, and thickness of cortical layers were quantified and Purkinje cell morphology was characterized at 24 timepoints in ferrets from postnatal day (P)1 to P63. The ferret cerebellum was substantially larger than that of the rat and had a much longer developmental period. In ferrets, Purkinje cells were dispersed into a monolayer by P9, the formation of folia declined abruptly around P20, and the external granular layer peaked in thickness around P22 and disappeared by P56. Timepoints of corresponding relative developmental maturity of the quantified architectural features of rat and ferret cerebella were determined and their relationship was analyzed by linear regression. The time‐conversion equation derived, describing the relationship between cerebellar morphogenesis in the two species, had a determination coefficient (r2) of 0.95. Conspicuously, the equation predicted with high accuracy the timing of structural changes in individual Purkinje cells in the ferret cerebellum. The conversion equation should be useful for precise quantitative translation of data between studies of ferret and rat cerebellum and for comparisons between development of motor and sensory structures and functions in ferrets. The degree of similarity in the time‐courses of cerebellar development in two distantly related mammals makes explicit in quantitative terms how remarkably conserved the cerebellum is in phylogenesis. Therefore, the methodology should be applicable to precise quantitative conversions of cerebellar developmental time‐courses also between other species. J. Comp. Neurol. 501:916–930, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The Effect of Public Policies on Inducing Technological Change in Solar Energy

Using patent statistics related to solar power on a panel of eleven countries from 1990 to 2008, we build a reduced-form model to analyze the role that public policies play in fostering innovation. We conclude that public expenditure on R&D and feed-in tariffs have a significant effect on the development of solar energy. We also find a significant effect of electricity price, attributable to rising energy prices. Using patent citations, we estimate the knowledge flows available to inventors in each country over time and we find that the marginal productivity of R&D has a positive and significant effect on innovation.
Serving underserved transplant recipients: experience of the Medication Access Program

Objective Programs have been established to help underserved, solid-organ transplant recipients and other patient populations address the burden of medication regimen costs. The purpose of this study was to describe one such program, the Medication Access Program (MAP), and the population of solid-organ transplant recipients it serves. An additional objective was to compare characteristics of recipients whose MAP enrollment was continued versus those who were discontinued during the annual re-enrollment period. Methods Enrollment into MAP is based on referral from a pharmacist or another health care professional/transplant team member. To enroll, a recipient must complete an application which includes information about demographics, health care coverage, income, and medication regimen. To maintain enrollment, patients must complete a renewal application on an annual basis. Data were collected from renewal applications for 2012 and 2011 (for those who did not return the 2012 renewal applications). Chi-square analyses and Student’s t-test for independent samples were conducted to compare the characteristics of those who renewed their MAP enrollment in 2012 and those who were discontinued because they did not return the renewal application. Multivariate stepwise logistic regression was conducted to determine variables predictive of MAP continuation status. Results In total, 246 recipients were included. The majority qualified for Medicare (67.9%), did not qualify for Medicaid (69.9%), and did not have private health care coverage (63.8%). Significantly more continued recipients qualified for Medicare compared to discontinued recipients (P=0.002). Discontinued recipients had a greater number of past discontinuations than continued recipients (P=0.01). In the logistic regression analysis, qualifying for Medicare was significantly associated with continuation status (P=0.001). Conclusion MAP is designed to increase medication access for low-income solid-organ transplant recipients through enrollment into medication assistance programs, education regarding medication therapy, and availability of medication assistance programs. Health care providers should use historical monitoring to identify high risk patients and implement programs that will facilitate continuity of care.
Diurnal Fluctuations in Human Ventricular and Atrial Refractoriness

The relative significance of the direct and indirect effects ofautonomic tone on diurnal fluctuations in human ventricular and atrial refractoriness are not well known. In this study, the circadian rhythms of ventricular and atrial effective refractory periods (ERPs) were measured by noninvasive programmed stimulation in ten patients (mean age 62 ± 10 years) who had a permanent dual chamber pacemaker for complete atrioventricular (AV) block. The ERP was measured at 4‐hour intervals during spontaneous sinus rhythm with ventricular pacing (day 1)and during constant‐rate dual chamber pacing (day 2). Cosinor analysis showed the ventricular ERP to have a significant diurnal rhythm in sinus rhythm (amplitude, 12 msec; 95% confidence intervals 1–24 msec) but not during constant‐rate pacing (amplitude, 4 msec; 95% confidence intervals ‐3–12 msec). The atrial ERP had a significant rhythm at times of both spontaneous sinus rate (amplitude, 19 msec; confidence intervals 13–24 msec) and constant heart rate (amplitude, 11 msec; confidence intervals 1–21 msec) with acrophase during the sleeping hours. The increase in heart rate during dual chamber pacing resulted in a more marked decrease in the average 24‐hour ERP in the ventricle than in the atrium (46 ± 9 msec vs 12 ± 6 msec, P < 0.01). Thus, refractoriness is more rate dependent in the ventricle than in the atrium, and autonomic influences on ventricular refractoriness are mainly indirect, via fluctuations in the sinus rate, but atrial refractoriness is also affected by direct neural influences and/or other rate independent factors.