Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Mastoidectomy elimination: obliterate, reconstruct, or ablate?

OBJECTIVE This study aimed to evaluate a chronology of techniques used to manage troublesome open mastoid cavities, with emphasis on the selection of the mastoidectomy elimination technique most appropriate to the case at hand. STUDY DESIGN The study design was a retrospective review of techniques used in 465 consecutive elimination cases. SETTING The study was conducted at a single surgeon's private otologic practice. PATIENTS Patients with mastoidectomy elimination who were treated from 1974-1996, including 55 patients with obliterations (cavity fill-in), 372 patients with reconstructions (canal wall repair), and 38 patients with ablations (external canal closure), requiring 823 procedures, were examined. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Clinical success and complication rates of the techniques studied were measured. RESULTS Optimal outcomes (89% successful) were recorded from hydroxylapatite reconstruction cases managed with canal revascularization (middle temporal flap) and cholesteatoma prevention (staging and composite grafts). CONCLUSIONS Obliteration is recommended only over noncholesteatomatous sites because of the risk of residual disease and the difficulty re-exploring these cases. Ablation is effective in selected, severely damaged cases. All ablation cases remained disease-free after surgery. Reconstruction is the preferred method when hearing restoration is required. Canal wall reconstruction required modifications to avoid complications from poor tissue vitality and cholesteatoma. These are outlined and discussed below.
Differential regulation of microtubule dynamics by three- and four-repeat tau: Implications for the onset of neurodegenerative disease

The microtubule (MT)-associated protein tau is important in neuronal development and in Alzheimer's and other neurodegenerative diseases. Genetic analyses have established a cause-and-effect relationship between tau dysfunction/misregulation and neuronal cell death and dementia in frontotemporal dementia and parkinsonism associated with chromosome 17; several mutations causing this dementia lead to increased ratios of four-repeat (4R) to three-repeat (3R) wild-type tau, and an attractive hypothesis is that the abnormally high ratio of 4R to 3R tau might lead to neuronal cell death by altering normal tau functions in adult neurons. Thus, we tested whether 3R and 4R tau might differentially modulate the dynamic instability of MTs in vitro using video microscopy. Although both isoforms promoted MT polymerization and decreased the tubulin critical subunit concentration to approximately similar extents, 4R tau stabilized MTs significantly more strongly that 3R tau. For example, 4R tau suppressed the shortening rate, whereas 3R tau had little or no detectable effect. Similarly, 3R tau had no effect on the length shortened during a shortening event, whereas 4R tau strongly reduced this parameter. Further, when MTs were diluted into buffer containing 4R tau, the MTs were stabilized and shortened slowly. In contrast, when diluted into 3R tau, the MTs were unstable and shortened rapidly. Thus, 4R tau stabilizes MTs differently and significantly more strongly than 3R tau. We suggest a “dosage effect” or haploinsufficiency model in which both tau alleles must be active and properly regulated to produce appropriate amounts of each tau isoform to maintain MT dynamics within a tolerable window of activity.
Catalytic Properties, Thiol pK Value, and Redox Potential of Trypanosoma brucei Tryparedoxin*

The dithiol protein tryparedoxin is a component of the unique trypanothione/trypanothione reductase metabolism of trypanosomatids and is involved in the parasite synthesis of deoxyribonucleotides and the detoxication of hydroperoxides. Tryparedoxin is a highly abundant protein in all life stages ofTrypanosoma brucei, the causative agent of African sleeping sickness. As shown here, its functional properties are intermediate between those of classical thioredoxins and glutaredoxins. The redox potential of T. brucei tryparedoxin of −249 mV was determined by protein-protein redox equilibration withEscherichia coli thioredoxin. The trypanothione/tryparedoxin couple is probably the most significant factor determining the cytosolic redox potential of the parasites. The pK value of Cys40, the first thiol in the WCPPC motif, is 7.2 as derived from the thiolate absorption at 240 nm and the rate of carboxymethylation. Alteration of the active site into that of thioredoxin (CGPC) did not affect the pK value. In contrast, in the mutant with the glutaredoxin motif (CPYC) the pK dropped to ≤4.0. The fact that the pK value of tryparedoxin coincides with the intracellular pH of the parasite may contribute to the reactivity of tryparedoxin in thiol disulfide exchange reactions.
Exploitation by Informed Exploration between Isolated Operatives for information-theoretic data harvesting

We consider the problem of ferrying data between nodes of a sparsely distributed sensing network of Unattended Ground Sensors (UGS) with endurance-constrained Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS). The sensing domain wherein the sparsely distributed UGS network is deployed is assumed to be highly nonstationary (time-varying) and noisy. This makes the data-ferrying problem very complicated as the expected value-of-information at a sensing location can rapidly change. To address this issue, we present a new data ferrying algorithm termed Exploitation by Informed Exploration between Isolated Operatives (EIEIO), and show that with several reasonable assumptions and a model on the predicted accumulation of value-of-information, the problem can be simplified to a mathematical linear program. To solve the linear program, the UAS learns to anticipate regions in the sensing domain that have the highest degree of change. The degree of change, is learned using a novel implementation of a Cox Process called the Cox-Gaussian Process (CGP). Our approach does not require a priori knowledge of the sensing domain model to arrive at an optimal UAS allocation strategy.
Intraperitoneal Ropivacaine Nebulization for Pain Management After Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy: A Comparison with Intraperitoneal Instillation

BACKGROUND: Studies evaluating intraperitoneal local anesthetic instillation for pain relief after laparoscopic procedures have reported conflicting results. In this randomized, double-blind study we assessed the effects of intraperitoneal local anesthetic nebulization on pain relief after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. METHODS: Patients undergoing elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy were randomly assigned to receive either instillation of ropivacaine 0.5%, 20 mL after induction of the pneumoperitoneum, or nebulization of ropivacaine 1%, 3 mL before and after surgery. Anesthetic and surgical techniques were standardized. Degree of pain at rest and on deep breathing, incidence of shoulder pain, morphine consumption, unassisted walking time, and postoperative nausea and vomiting were evaluated at 6, 24, and 48 hours after surgery. RESULTS: Of the 60 patients included, 3 exclusions occurred for conversion to open surgery. There were no differences between groups in pain scores or in morphine consumption. No patients in the nebulization group presented significant shoulder pain in comparison with 83% of patients in the instillation group (absolute risk reduction −83, 95% CI −97 to −70, P < 0.001). Nineteen (70%) patients receiving nebulization walked without assistance within 12 hours after surgery in comparison with 14 (47%) patients receiving instillation (absolute risk reduction −24, 95% CI −48 to 1, P = 0.04). One (3%) patient in the instillation group vomited in comparison with 6 (22%) patients in the nebulization group (absolute risk reduction −19%, 95% CI −36 to −2, P = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Intraperitoneal ropivacaine nebulization was associated with reduced shoulder pain and unassisted walking time but with an increased incidence of postoperative vomiting after laparoscopic cholecystectomy.
Social capital’s imagined benefits in Ardoyne electoral ward

This study examines how access to social capital impacts on the daily lives of residents in an area of Northern Ireland ranked as one of the most deprived areas in the UK but equally, one that is rich in social networks. The thesis challenges social capital paradigms that promote social dividends by highlighting the role of power brokers in locally based social networks. The research uses grounded theory to deconstruct the social capital paradigm to show its negative and positive attributes. Survey and interview data is used to show how social capital contributes to social exclusion because social capital depends on inequitable distribution to give it value and that distribution is related to inequitable forms of social hierarchy access that are influenced by one’s sense of identity. This thesis challenges normative assertions that civil society organisations build trust and community cohesion. The research is unique in that it is focused on a religiously segregated area transitioning from conflict and realising the impact of post industrialisation. The research is important because it provides ethnographic evidence to explain how social capital functions in practice by not only those with extensive participatory experience but also with those excluded from social networks.
Feed use intensification and technical efficiency of dairy farms in New Zealand†

In recent years, the traditionally pasture‐based dairy farms in New Zealand have become more intensive by using higher proportions of supplementary feed. This trend has been attributed to a range of factors, such as productivity enhancement, overcoming pasture deficits and the improvement of body condition scores. However, there is a lack of knowledge as to how feed use intensification affects the technical efficiency of dairy farms in New Zealand. This paper addresses the research gap by estimating the impact of feed use intensification on the technical efficiency of New Zealand dairy farms, using a fixed effects stochastic production frontier model and a balanced panel of 257 farms from 2010 to 2013. The empirical results show that technical efficiency on New Zealand dairy farms is positively and significantly influenced by feed use intensification, herd size and milking frequency.
Connections of the auditory brainstem in a Songbird, Taeniopygia guttata. I. Projections of nucleus angularis and nucleus laminaris to the auditory torus

Auditory information is important for social and reproductive behaviors in birds generally, but is crucial for oscine species (songbirds), in particular because in these species auditory feedback ensures the learning and accurate maintenance of song. While there is considerable information on the auditory projections through the forebrain of songbirds, there is no information available for projections through the brainstem. At the latter levels the prevalent model of auditory processing in birds derives from an auditory specialist, the barn owl, which uses time and intensity parameters to compute the location of sounds in space, but whether the auditory brainstem of songbirds is similarly functionally organized is unknown. To examine the songbird auditory brainstem we charted the projections of the cochlear nuclei angularis (NA) and magnocellularis (NM) and the third‐order nucleus laminaris (NL) in zebra finches using standard tract‐tracing techniques. As in other avian species, the projections of NM were found to be confined to NL, and NL and NA provided the ascending projections. Here we report on differential projections of NA and NL to the torus semicircularis, known in birds as nucleus mesencephalicus lateralis, pars dorsalis (MLd), and in mammals as the central nucleus of the inferior colliculus (ICc). Unlike the case in nonsongbirds, the projections of NA and NL to MLd in the zebra finch showed substantial overlap, in agreement with the projections of the cochlear nuclei to the ICc in mammals. This organization could suggest that the “what” of auditory stimuli is as important as “where. ” J. Comp. Neurol. 518:2109–2134, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Evolution of a contagious cancer: epigenetic variation in Devil Facial Tumour Disease

The emergence of Devil Facial Tumour Disease (DFTD), a highly contagious cancer, is driving Tasmanian devils (Sarcophilus harrisii) to extinction. The cancer is a genetically and chromosomally stable clonal cell line which is transmitted by biting during social interactions. In the present study, we explore the Devil Facial Tumour (DFT) epigenome and the genes involved in DNA methylation homeostasis. We show that tumour cells have similar levels of methylation to peripheral nerves, the tissue from which DFTD originated. We did not observe any strain or region-specific epimutations. However, we revealed a significant increase in hypomethylation in DFT samples over time (p < 0.0001). We propose that loss of methylation is not because of a maintenance deficiency, as an upregulation of DNA methyltransferase 1 gene was observed in tumours compared with nerves (p < 0.005). Instead, we believe that loss of methylation is owing to active demethylation, supported by the temporal increase in MBD2 and MBD4 (p < 0.001). The implications of these changes on disease phenotypes need to be explored. Our work shows that DFTD should not be treated as a static entity, but rather as an evolving parasite with epigenetic plasticity. Understanding the role of epimutations in the evolution of this parasitic cancer will provide unique insights into the role of epigenetic plasticity in cancer evolution and progression in traditional cancers that arise and die with their hosts.
Charge trapping in irradiated SOI wafers measured by second harmonic generation

Total dose effects on silicon on insulator (SOI) UNIBOND wafers are studied via optical second harmonic generation (SHG). This technique is qualitatively compared with the pseudo-MOSFET technique for monitoring charges at the interfaces. Optical and electrical methods are combined to separate the contribution of the signal from each interface to the total SHG intensity. Radiation-induced oxide and interface traps increase the interface fields as determined from the SHG signals and the results are compared with electrical measurements.
Crowdfunding: Preparation considerations and success factors for the German restaurant sector

ABSTRACT Crowdfunding in restaurants is a relatively new and underresearched area. This study assessed the relationship among theoretical preparation considerations with success factors for reward-based concepts in Germany using platform content and interviews. The findings support and contradict earlier propositions. Specifically, the study found support for the following preparation considerations in the German restaurant context: professional video pitch, brief textual description, team composition considerations, appropriate funding targets, shorter funding duration, rewards that are tailored to fit, and the importance of getting the word out. Little support for social capital needs and funding target restrictions was found.
Does firm performance increase with risk-taking behavior under information technological turbulence?

Purpose This paper aims to contribute to the risk management studies in small and medium enterprises (SMEs) by examining the complicated relationship between risk-taking behavior and firm performance. Design/methodology/approach The study conducted a survey of the Indonesian SME owner-managers and used partial least square structural equation modeling to examine the mediating effect of pricing capability and moderating effects of information technological turbulence. Findings The results do not only confirm the positive impact of risk-taking behavior on firm performance but also identify that impact of risk-taking behavior on firm performance is more effective at the low information technological turbulence than at the high one. Research limitations/implications This study relied on information from the owner-managers in SMEs, which may bias against the perspective of their employees and the business partners. Originality/value This study advances the risk-taking behavior research in SMEs context by introducing the effect of pricing capability and information technological turbulence.
Viral infections and antiphospholipid antibodies.

OBJECTIVE To study the relationship between viral infections and the induction of antiphospholipid (aPL) antibodies. METHODS We reviewed the medical literature from 1968 until 2000 using MEDLINE and the key words virus, infection, antiphospholipid, and anticardiolipin. RESULTS Anticardiolipin antibodies and/or lupus anticoagulant were associated with a number of viral infections, including hepatitis C virus, human immunodeficiency virus, cytomegalovirus, varicella zoster, Epstein-Barr virus, adenovirus, and parvovirus B. In many instances, the presence of these antibodies was associated with thrombosis. CONCLUSION The clinical significance of finding aPL antibodies in patients with viral infections remains unknown. In some patients, these antibodies may be transient and disappear within 2 or 3 months. In other susceptible individuals, they may persist and raise the question of whether infections may trigger the development of aPL antibodies in autoimmune diseases.
Retroperitoneal paragangliomas: role of immunohistochemistry in the diagnosis of malignancy and in assessment of prognosis.

OBJECTIVE To present our experience of 10 patients with extra-adrenal retroperitoneal paragangliomas, and assess prognostic tests. DESIGN Retrospective study of casenotes. SETTING University hospital, Italy. SUBJECTS 10 Patients who presented with paragangliomas between 1970 and 1991. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Histological and immunohistochemical results, and outcome. RESULTS All tumours were completely resected and there was no operative mortality. Of the 8 patients who had no metastases at presentation 3 died of recurrence 3, 5, and 10 years later, respectively; 4 were alive and free of disease 2-7 years after diagnosis. The 2 patients with synchronous bone metastases at presentation died 1 and 4 years later. Immunohistochemical analysis of type I cells (chromogranin A and neurone-specific enolase) showed little correlation with progression of disease, but there was a correlation between the presence of type II cells (S100 protein) and good prognosis. CONCLUSIONS Excision is the treatment of choice for paraganglioma. Immunohistochemical techniques may provide useful information about prognosis, in particular about those patients who are at increased risk of recurrence. Long term follow up is essential, because successful management of recurrence is dependent on early recognition.
Converting Enzyme Inhibitor Temocaprilat Prevents High Glucose‐Mediated Suppression of Human Aortic Endothelial Cell Proliferation

Summary: We examined the involvement of the oxidative stress in high glucose‐induced suppression of human aortic endothelial cell proliferation. Chronic glucose treatment for 72 h concentrationdependently (5.6‐22.2 mol/l) inhibited human coronary endothelial cell proliferation. Temocaprilat, an angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitor, at 10 nmol/l to 1 &mgr;mol/l inhibited high glucose (22.2 mmol/l)‐mediated suppression of human aortic endothelial cell proliferation. Temocaprilat at 1 &mgr;mol/l inhibited high glucoseinduced membrane‐bound protein kinase C activity in human aortic endothelial cells. The protein kinase C inhibitors calphostin C 100 nmol/l or chelerythrine 1 &mgr;mol/l inhibited high glucose‐mediated suppression of human aortic endothelial cell proliferation. Chronic high glucose treatment for 72 h increased intracellular oxidative stress, directly measured by flow cytometry using carboxydichlorofluorescein diacetate bis‐acetoxymethyl ester, and this increase was significantly suppressed by temocaprilat 10 nmol/l to 1 &mgr;mol/l. Bradykinin B2 receptor antagonist icatibant 100 nmol/l significantly reduced the action of temocaprilat; whereas bradykinin B1 receptor antagonist des‐Arg9‐Leu8‐bradykinin 100 nmol/l had no effect. These findings suggest that high glucose inhibits human aortic endothelial cell proliferation and that the angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitor temocaprilat inhibits high glucose‐mediated suppression of human aortic endothelial cell proliferation, possibly through suppression of protein kinase C, bradykinin B2 receptors and oxidative stress.
Characterization of a new monoclonal antibody to rat macrophages and Kupffer cells

We have characterized the cell and tissue binding specificity of a newly generated monoclonal antibody, Mab Ku‐1, which shows selective reactivity with rat macrophages and Kupffer cells. The hybridoma secreting Mab Ku‐1 was constructed by fusion of 8653 myeloma cells with spleen cells isolated from a mouse immunized with nonparenchymal liver cells coated with antihepatocyte antibodies. When binding was assessed by indirect immunofluorescence on frozen sections from normal liver tissue, Mab Ku‐1 showed strong reactivity with Kupffer cells but was unreactive with hepatocytes, endothelial cells, bile ducts or lymphocytes. Both resident and activated macrophages bound Mab Ku‐1. Reactivity in other tissues was compatible with specificity for macrophages. In the gut, scattered cells in the lamina propria were positive, whereas epithelial cells were negative. Individual cells in the lung were reactive. In the spleen, cells in the red pulp peripheral to germinal centers bound antibody. Reactivity of Mab Ku‐1 to isolated Kupffer cells correlated with endogenous peroxidase activity. Sodium dodecyl sulfate‐polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analysis of components immunoprecipitated by Mab Ku‐1 from detergent lysates of Kupffer cells biosynthetically labeled with 35S‐cysteine and 35S‐methionine demonstrated that the reactive antigen was a peptide with an apparent molecular weight of 107 kD. This rat macrophage‐reactive monoclonal antibody is a useful marker for identification of macrophage populations in tissue as well as in isolated cell populations.
Tobacco Counter-Advertising: A Review of the Literature and a Conceptual Model for Understanding Effects

The tobacco counter-advertising literature is reviewed as it relates to basic process questions concerning what makes counter-advertisements effective. Limitations in addressing (a) counter-advertisement content and the psychological mediators targeted, (b) counter-advertisement style and the affective reactions targeted, (c) prior smoking experience, and (d) other audience factors are enumerated. A theoretical model based on alcohol advertising research is presented to address those limitations. The model addresses the practical research question of predicting when tobacco counter-advertising will work by examining the independent influence of each of these enumerated factors, as well as how these factors operate in concert, qualifying each other. The model also addresses the process question of explaining how counter-advertising works by identifying affective and cognitive processes as mediators. By understanding the processes that underlie the qualified findings, one can better advise the designers of tobacco counter-advertisements how to be more effective.