Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Difficulties in the fine needle aspiration (FNA) diagnosis of schwannoma

The results of nine FNAs of eight histologically proven schwannomas are presented. In only one of the aspirates was a diagnosis of schwannoma made; three additional cases were diagnosed as ‘spindle cell neoplasm’. Two of the cases were considered to be non‐diagnostic due to hypocellularity, while two cases containing cellular material raised the differential diagnosis of granulation tissue and granulomatous inflammation due to the presence of epithelioid cells and an inflammatory infiltrate, and are illustrated here. The remaining FNA was felt suggestive of branchial cleft cyst due to the presence of only cystic fluid in a neck mass. We observe that: (i) the acquisition of an adequate, representative specimen via FNA is often difficult in schwannoma, and (ii) diagnostic difficulties may be encountered in cases in which cellular material is obtained.
Global form perception in cats early deprived of pattern vision

Recently, we showed that binocularly deprived cats are not able to detect global motion in a random dot pattern (Burnat et al., 2002). Here, we examined, in these animals, a global form discrimination task, that is, distinction of a square from a rectangle, matched for total surface. In contrast to the previously tested motion task, binocularly-deprived cats, as compared with controls, performed only at higher thresholds. Interestingly, the increase of the stimuli's surface, or a shift from horizontal to vertical orientation of the rectangle, significantly impaired their performance. We therefore conclude that binocularly-deprived cats do not attend to the global form of the stimuli. Instead, they spontaneously choose a local cue to discriminate and are not able to modify it.
Robust nonlinear integral control

It is well known from linear systems theory that an integral control law is needed for asymptotic set-point regulation under parameter perturbations. The note presents a similar result fur a class of nonlinear systems in the presence of an unknown equilibrium due to uncertain nonlinearities and dynamic uncertainties. Both partial state and output feedback cases are considered. Sufficient small-gain type conditions are identified for existence of linear and nonlinear control laws. A procedure for robust nonlinear integral controller design is presented and illustrated via a practical example of fan speed control.
Growing Vestibular Schwannomas: What Happens Next?

Objective: To determine the subsequent growth patterns in vestibular schwannomas shown to be growing on serial imaging. Study Design: Retrospective review. Setting: Tertiary academic referral center. Patients: Patients with tumors that demonstrated growth of greater than 1 mm/yr between 2 consecutive scans (magnetic resonance or computed tomography) and had at least 1 follow-up scan were included. Patients with neurofibromatosis were excluded. Intervention(s): Review of radiographic images (magnetic resonance imaging scans) or neuroradiologists' reports when the images were unavailable. Main Outcome Measure(s): Maximum dimension along the axis of the internal auditory canal was measured for intracanalicular tumors, whereas for extracanalicular tumors, maximal dimension along any orientation was used. A significant difference in dimension was defined to be greater than 1 mm/yr, positive or negative. Results: Thirty-six patients were included in the study; 47% were women and with an average age of 60.2 years. The average follow-up period after growth was identified was 2.1 years. Of the growing tumors, 63.9% continued to grow, 30.6% stayed the same size, and 5.6% regressed in size. Conclusion: Most vestibular schwannomas identified to be growing are likely to continue to grow on subsequent serial imaging. These results are useful in clinical decision making and counseling patients with growing vestibular schwannomas.
Alcohol poisoning in Russia and the countries in the European part of the former Soviet Union, 1970 2002.

BACKGROUND To investigate the phenomenon of alcohol poisoning in Russia and the countries in the European part of the former Soviet Union in the period 1970-2002. METHODS Four time points were chosen spanning the late Soviet and post-Soviet periods. Data relating to alcohol poisoning deaths were collected at each point for the countries in the region-Belarus, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Russia and Ukraine. Age-standardized death rates from alcohol poisoning were subsequently calculated for the total population and separately for men and women. RESULTS In 1970, the alcohol poisoning rates in the countries in this region were exceptionally high in comparative terms. Rates continued to rise in the late Soviet period in all the countries, only falling in the period following Gorbachev's anti-alcohol campaign. Mortality from alcohol poisoning became more common amongst women during the study period. In post-Soviet society alcohol poisoning mortality is occurring on an unprecedented scale although there may be some divergence in trends between the Slavic and Baltic countries which had mirrored each other in the Soviet period. Extremely high poisoning rates are probably explained by a combination of the volume of alcohol being consumed, what exactly is drunk and how it is being drunk. The consumption of illicitly produced alcohol in the post-Soviet period may also be contributing to the high mortality rates. CONCLUSIONS Acute alcohol poisoning has now reached unprecedented rates in parts of the ex-USSR with worrying trends among men as well as among women. Effective action by the governments concerned is now essential.
A Neural-Network-Based Data-Driven Nonlinear Model on Time- and Frequency-Domain Voltage–Current Characterization for Power-Quality Study

An accurate model of nonlinear load is important for the evaluation of power quality (PQ). Among different PQ disturbance sources, alternating current electric arc furnace (AC EAF) is one of most complicated and serious loads. To provide effective operation prediction of AC EAF, a data-driven modeling approach based on time- and frequency-domain voltage-current (v -i) characterization is proposed in this paper. With the prediction of the proposed model in the time domain, the dynamic and short-term behavior of AC EAF can be observed. And the quasistationary and long-term features of AC EAF would be extracted via the frequency-domain phase of the proposed model. From the comparison on the field measurement data, the performance of the proposed model can be verified in the applications of PQ studies.
Adverse Health Effects of Organophosphate Pesticides among Occupationally Exposed Farm Sprayers: A Case Study of Bhopal Madhya Pradesh, India.

India being an agricultural land, pesticides consumption causes a serious environmental and public health problem. Due to the steep competition and a large demand, many farmers are resorting to extensive and rather over use of organophosphate pesticides to increase their agricultural yields. The sprayers who are involved in the spraying activity of pesticides in fields get the direct exposure of pesticides due to unsafe and non-preventive work practices. They do not use the safety masks, gloves and other protective gears during the spraying of pesticides which results into the access of pesticides in the blood stream through inhalation and dermal exposure which can adversely affect their eyes, skin and the respiratory system. In the present study relationship between the extent of pesticide used and signs and symptoms of illnesses due to exposure among spray farmers of Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh India, who sprayed pesticides by themselves and therefore were directly exposed to pesticides were assessed. 105 spray farmers were interviewed using previously designed questionnaires during a cross sectional survey. The 18 months exposed spray farmers reported maximum acute signs and symptoms like burning/stinging of eyes (18.42%), blurred vision (23.68%), skin redness/itching (50%), excessive sweating/shortness of breath (34.2%), dry sore throat (21.05%) and burning of nose (28.9%). The signs and symptoms were found to be duration dependent among the sprayers. It is concluded that there is need for creating more awareness among the farm sprayers and authorities in implementing and ensuring the use of protective gear while handling pesticides.
TRIPSTAR: prioritizing oral triptan treatment attributes in migraine management

Migraine can be associated with severe pain and is often very disabling. Optimal treatment should provide rapid and sustained, complete pain relief, be well tolerated and restore normal function. The seven commercially available triptans show differences in performance on individual treatment attributes. The TRIPSTAR multiattribute decision model compares the profiles of the oral triptans, using efficacy and tolerability data weighted for importance, to identify if measurable differences are clinically relevant. Application of the TRIPSTAR model was demonstrated at the Migraine Trust International Symposium 2002, where delegates collectively prioritized treatment attributes according to the needs of a specific patient case history. The TRIPSTAR model identified the preferred triptans for this patient. These three triptans, almotriptan 12.5 mg, eletriptan 80 mg and rizatriptan 10 mg, standout in a triptan meta‐analysis, three TRIPSTAR surveys and in a demonstration of the TRIPSTAR model at a symposium in the USA. Taken together the findings suggest that some differences amongst triptans may be relevant in clinical practice.
Expression of var genes located within polymorphic subtelomeric domains of Plasmodium falciparum chromosomes

Plasmodium falciparum var genes encode a diverse family of proteins, located on the surfaces of infected erythrocytes, which are implicated in the pathology of human malaria through antigenic variation and adhesion of infected erythrocytes to the microvasculature. We have constructed a complete representative telomere-to-telomere yeast artificial chromosome (YAC) contig map of the P. falciparum chromosome 8 for studies on the chromosomal organization, distribution, and expression of var genes. Three var gene loci were identified on chromosome 8, two of which map close to the telomeres at either end of the chromosome. Analysis of the previously described chromosome 2 contig map and random P. falciparum telomeric YAC clones revealed that most, if not all, 14 P. falciparum chromosomes contain var genes in a subtelomeric location. Mapping the chromosomal location of var genes expressed in a long-term culture of the P. falciparum isolate Dd2 revealed that four of the five different expressed var genes identified map within subtelomeric locations. Expression of var genes from a chromosomal domain known for frequent rearrangements has important implications for the mechanism of var gene switching and the generation of novel antigenic and adhesive phenotypes.
Rapid Discontinuation of Steroids in Living Donor Kidney Transplantation: A Pilot Study

Steroids are associated with significant postoperative complications (hypertension, cosmetic changes, bone loss, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, and cataracts). Most develop early; in addition, late post‐transplant steroid withdrawal in kidney transplant recipients has been associated with increased acute rejection (AR). To obviate these problems, we studied outcome of a protocol of rapid discontinuation of prednisone (RDS) (steroids stopped on POD6). Between November 1, 1999 and October 31, 2000, 51 adult living donor (LD) first transplant recipients (2 HLA‐id, 28 non‐id relative, 21 LURD) were immunosuppressed with thymoglobulin (1.25 mg/kg intraoperatively and then qdx4); prednisone (P) (500 mg methylprednisolone intraoperatively, 1 mg/kg × 1 day, 0.5 mg/kg × 2 days, 0.25 mg/kg × 2 days, then d/c); MMF, 1 g b.i. d. ; and CSA, 4 mg/kg b.i. d. adjusted to achieve levels of 150–200 ng/mL (by HPLC). Exclusion criteria were delayed graft function or 1° disease requiring P. Minimum follow‐up was 5.5 months (range 5.5 to 17.5 months). Outcome was compared vs. previous cohorts of LD recipients immunosuppressed with P/AZA/CSA (n = 171) or P/MMF/CSA (n = 43) (both without antibody induction). Results: For the RDS group, average CSA level (± S.E.) at 3 and 6 months was 190 ± 12 and 180 ± 9; avg. MMF dose, 1.7 ± 0.1 g and 1.7 ± 0.1 g. There was no significant difference in 6‐ and 12‐month actuarial patient survival, graft survival and rejection‐free graft survival between recipients on the RDS protocol vs. historical controls. For RDS recipients, actuarial 6‐ and 12‐month rejection‐free graft survival was 87%. Of the 51 RDS recipients, five (10%) have had AR (at 20 days, 1 month, 3 months, 3 months, and 3.5 months post‐transplant). After treatment, all five were maintained on 5 mg P; there have been no second AR episodes. Two additional recipients were started on 5 mg P due to low white blood count (WBC) and low/no MMF. Of the 51 grafts, one has failed (death with function). Average serum Cr level (± S.E.) at 3 and 6 months for RDS recipients was 1.7 ± 0.5 (NS vs. historical controls). Conclusion: For low‐risk LD recipients, a kidney transplant with an RDS protocol does not increase risk of AR or graft loss. Future studies will need to be done to assess AR rates with an RDS protocol in cadaver transplant recipients and in recipients with delayed graft function.
Fracture Failure Mechanisms of Long Single PA6 Fibers

The present study investigates the failure mechanisms of industrial fiber materials, using a custom designed fiber cutting performance test bench. The fracture morphologies of single PA6 fibers are examined by scanning electron microscopy. The analysis reveals that fiber cutting can be distinguished according to four distinct stages of fiber failure represented by shearing, cutting, brittle fracture, and tensile failure, which are the result of different mechanisms active during the processes of crack initiation, extension, and fracture. The results of fractographic analysis are further verified by an analysis of the blade assembly speed with respect to time over the entire fracture failure process based on high-speed camera data. The results of fractographic analysis and blade assembly speed are fully consistent.
Stuttering, temperament, and anxiety: data from a community cohort ages 2-4 years.

PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to ascertain whether and when temperament differences, including precursors of anxiety, emerge before onset and during stuttering development. METHOD The authors prospectively studied temperament characteristics of a community cohort of children who stutter (N = 183) and children in the control group (N = 1,261). RESULTS No significant differences were found at ages 2, 3, or 4 years between children who stutter and control children for approach or at ages 3 or 4 years for easy/difficult temperament. Both of these measures are precursors of anxiety. Significant differences were found for reactivity and persistence at age 3 years. Children who stutter were less reactive to environmental stimuli and had a reduced ability to attend to a task until completion. There was no evidence of this difference for persistence at age 4 years. Reactivity was not measured at age 4 years. CONCLUSION On the basis of parents' responses to the Short Temperament Scale, preschoolers who stutter did not have innately different temperaments from control children on those temperament traits measured from ages 2 to 4 years. They showed no signs of temperament precursors of anxiety before stuttering onset or shortly after. Results suggest, at most, that temperament is influenced somehow during the period after stuttering onset but with a waning developmental influence subsequently.
Expression of the Agrobacterium tumefaciens chvB virulence region in Azospirillum spp

Inner membranes of Azospirillum brasilense incubated with UDP-glucose were unable to synthesize beta-(1-2) glucan and lacked the 235-kilodalton intermediate protein known to be involved in the synthesis of beta-(1-2) glucan in Agrobacterium tumefaciens and Rhizobium meliloti. Inner membranes of A. brasilense strains carrying a cosmid containing the chromosomal virulence genes chvA and chvB of Agrobacterium tumefaciens formed beta-(1-2) glucan in vitro and synthesized the 235-kilodalton intermediate protein. No DNA homology to the chvB region was found in different wild-type strains of A. brasilense, but the introduction of a cosmid containing the Agrobacterium tumefaciens chvA and chvB regions yielded strains in which DNA hybridization with the chvB region was detected, provided that the strains were grown under an antibiotic selective pressure.
Chickpea Improvement: Role of Wild Species and Genetic Markers

Abstract Chickpea is an important grain legume of the semi arid tropics and warm temperate zones, and forms one of the major components of human diet. However, a narrow genetic base of cultivated chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) has hindered the progress in realizing high yield gains in breeding programs. Furthermore, various abiotic and biotic stresses are the major bottlenecks for increasing chickpea productivity. Systematic collection and evaluation of wild species for useful traits has revealed presence of a diverse gene pool for tolerance to the biotic and abiotic stresses. Relationships among the species of genus Cicer are presented based on crossability, karyotype and molecular markers. The reproductive barriers encountered during interspecific hybridization are also examined. Recent information on genetic linkage maps, comparison of isozymes The functional markers generated from genic sequence (e.g. ESTs) have definite advantage over the markers generated from anonymous random regions of the genome, because they are completely linked to desired trait alleles (Anderson and Lubberstedt, 2003; Varshney et al., 2005; Buhariwala et al., 2005). At ICRISAT, Buhariwala et al. (2005) have developed an EST library from two very closely related chickpea genotypes (Cicer arietinum). A total of 106 EST-based markers were designed from 477 sequences with functional annotations and tested on C. arietinum. Forty-four EST markers were polymorphic when screened across nine Cicer species (including the cultivated species) and were used to study the species relationship. Most of the species clustered as reported in the previous studies, and hence it further supported the classification of primary (C. arietinum, C. echinospermum and C. reticulatum), secondary (C. pinnatifidum, C bijugum and C. judaicum), and tertiary (C. yamashitae, C. chrossanicum and C. cuneatum) gene-pools. A large proportion of EST alleles (45%) were only present in one or two of the accessions tested whilst the others were represented in up to twelve of the accessions tested.
Assessment of planarity of the golf swing based on the functional swing plane of the clubhead and motion planes of the body points

The purposes of this study were (1) to determine the functional swing plane (FSP) of the clubhead and the motion planes (MPs) of the shoulder/arm points and (2) to assess planarity of the golf swing based on the FSP and the MPs. The swing motions of 14 male skilled golfers (mean handicap = − 0.5 ± 2.0) using three different clubs (driver, 5-iron, and pitching wedge) were captured by an optical motion capture system (250 Hz). The FSP and MPs along with their slope/relative inclination and direction/direction of inclination were obtained using a new trajectory-plane fitting method. The slope and direction of the FSP revealed a significant club effect (p < 0.001). The relative inclination and direction of inclination of the MP showed significant point (p < 0.001) and club (p < 0.001) effects and interaction (p < 0.001). Maximum deviations of the points from the FSP revealed a significant point effect (p < 0.001) and point–club interaction (p < 0.001). It was concluded that skilled golfers exhibited well-defined and consistent FSP and MPs, and the shoulder/arm points moved on vastly different MPs and exhibited large deviations from the FSP. Skilled golfers in general exhibited semi-planar downswings with two distinct phases: a transition phase and a planar execution phase.
Soil Nutrient Responses to One Year of Simulated Global Warming and Nitrogen Deposition on the Songnen Meadow Steppes, Northeast China

Soil nutrient processes and functionalities play significant roles in affecting global changes. Herein, two key global change factors, warming and nitrogen deposition were used to examine the soil nutrient responses under simulated global change conditions on the Songnen meadow steppes of Northeastern China. Through onsite investigations and laboratory analysis, soil nutrient responses were evaluated under short-term simulated global changes as follows: (1) The soil net nitrogen mineralization rate (NMR) responded positively to warming with a statistical significance of about 24%, in the presence of about a 2degC increase in soil surface temperature on the Songnen meadow steppes. The NMR did not respond significantly to N deposition or N deposition in combination with warming. NMR remained at a relatively stable level during the growing season of the year; (2) warming had no significant effect upon either TN or AN, while N deposition in combination with warming had a significant effect upon AN but not upon TN. TN and AN both displayed seasonal variability during the year; (3) warming, N deposition and their combined action had no significant effect upon AP. However an increase in N deposition in our study had a positive effect upon TP with an increase of about 40%, TP responded with no significance to warming or warming and N deposition combined. AP did not display seasonal variability while TP levels decreased swiftly at the end of the experimental period; (4) Our data indicates that warming and N deposition may both add to future warming and aggravate local non-point sources of pollution.
Functional biosynthesis of cell wall peptidoglycan by polymorphic bifunctional polypeptides. Penicillin-binding protein 1Bs of Escherichia coli with activities of transglycosylase and transpeptidase.

Dual enzyme activities for the biosynthesis of peptidoglycan of the cell wall are located in major higher molecular weight penicillin-binding proteins (PBP) of Escherichia coli. Each of these proteins catalyzes the two successive final reactions in the synthesis of cross-linked peptidoglycan from the precursor N-acetylglucosaminyl-N-acetylmuramyl peptide linked to undecaprenol diphosphate; namely, the transglycosylation that extends the glycan chain and the penicillin-sensitive DD-transpeptidation that cross-links the glycan chains through two peptide side chains. Both transglycosylation and transpeptidation catalyzed by PBP-1Bs represent de novo synthesis of cross-linked peptidoglycan. Under appropriate conditions, about 25% cross-linkage was observed during the reaction, the main reaction product supposedly being a regularly cross-linked network of peptidoglycan. The two domains for the transglycosylase and transpeptidase activities were found to be located on a 50-kDa portion of the PBP-1Bs, which are about 90 kDa. Gene recombination experiments indicated that the transglycosylase domain is located upstream, i.e. on the N-terminal side of the transpeptidase domain, suggesting that the gene for these bifunctional peptides may have been formed by fusion of the genes for transglycosylase and transpeptidase that were previously located separately on the chromosome in this order.
Representation of Action Sequence Boundaries by Macaque Prefrontal Cortical Neurons

Complex biological systems such as human language and the genetic code are characterized by explicit markers at the beginning and end of functional sequences. We report here that macaque prefrontal cortical neurons exhibit phasic peaks of spike activity that occur at the beginning and endpoint of sequential oculomotor saccade performance and have the properties of dynamic start- and end-state encoders accompanying responses to sequential actions. Sequence bounding may thus reflect a general mechanism for encoding biological information.