Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
GERBIL - Benchmarking Named Entity Recognition and Linking consistently

The ability to compare systems from the same domain is of central importance for their introduction into complex applications. In the domains of named entity recognition and entity linking, the large number of systems and their orthogonal evaluation w.r. t. measures and datasets has led to an unclear landscape regarding the abilities and weaknesses of the different approaches. We present G ERBIL —an improved platform for repeatable, storable and citable semantic annotation experiments— and its extension since being release. G ERBIL has narrowed this evaluation gap by generating concise, archivable, human-and machine-readable experiments, analytics and diagnostics. The rationale behind our framework is to provide developers, end users and researchers with easy-to-use interfaces that allow for the agile, ﬁne-grained and uniform evaluation of annotation tools on multiple datasets. By these means, we aim to ensure that both tool developers and end users can derive meaningful insights into the extension, integration and use of annotation applications. In particular, G ERBIL provides comparable results to tool developers, simplifying the discovery of strengths and weaknesses of their implementations with respect to the state-of-the-art. With the permanent experiment URIs provided by our framework, we ensure the reproducibility and archiving of evaluation results. Moreover, the framework generates data in a machine-processable format, allowing for the efﬁcient querying and post-processing of evaluation results. Additionally, the tool diagnostics provided by G ERBIL provide insights into the areas where tools need further reﬁnement, thus allowing developers to create an informed agenda for extensions and end users to detect the right tools for their purposes. Finally, we implemented additional types of experiments including entity typing. G ERBIL aims to become a focal point for the state-of-the-art, driving the research agenda of the community by presenting comparable objective evaluation results. Furthermore, we tackle the central problem of the evaluation of entity linking, i.e., we answer the question of how an evaluation algorithm can compare two URIs to each other without being bound to a speciﬁc knowledge base. Our approach to this problem opens a way to address the deprecation of URIs of existing gold standards for named entity recognition and entity linking, a feature which is currently not supported by the state-of-the-art. We derived the importance of this feature from usage and dataset requirements collected from the G ERBIL user community, which has already carried out more than 24.000 single evaluations using our framework. Through the resulting updates, G ERBIL now supports 8 tasks, 46 datasets and 20 systems.
A Case Report of Fracture of Ceramic Head in Total Hip Arthroplasty: Histological and Biochemical Features of Perimplant Tissues

The authors analyzed the case of a patient with a non-cemented hip prosthesis with a ceramic-ceramic coupling. As a consequence of trauma the head fractured. Although the patient could feel the joint grinding, there was no pain and he continued daily living activities for nearly six months, which led to marked wearing of the ceramic head. SEM analysis with microprobe showed “planed” surfaces on the ceramic head, suggesting repeated movements between the fractured components. Inside the cone of the head, signs of TiAlV, which is an alloy of the prosthetic stem, could be seen. Periprosthetic tissues were packed with ceramic wear particles of sizes ranging between 0.2 and 10 microns, according to the harvest site. Metal and mixed particles were also found. IL1, IL6, IL8 and IL10 assays in the synovial liquid confirmed the inflammatory state and a modest induction of bone resorption, which was less than that observed in patients with loosened metal-polyethylene couplings. The humoral picture was compatible with the radiological aspect, which did not show marked signs of bone resorption. In revision surgery both ceramic components were replaced by a metal head and polyethylene liner. The clinical outcome after 12 months was very good.
75-GHz f/sub T/ SiGe-base heterojunction bipolar transistors

The fabrication of silicon heterojunction bipolar transistors which have a record unity-current-gain cutoff frequency (f/sub T/) of 75 GHz for a collector-base bias of 1 V, an intrinsic base sheet resistance (R/sub bi/) of 17 k Omega / Square Operator , and an emitter width of 0.9 mu m is discussed. This performance level, which represents an increase by almost a factor of 2 in the speed of a Si bipolar transistor, was achieved in a poly-emitter bipolar process by using SiGe for the base material. The germanium was graded in the 45-nm base to create a drift field of approximately 20 kV/cm, resulting in an intrinsic transit time of only 1.9 ps. <<ETX>>
Keratitis in six dogs after topical treatment with carbonic anhydrase inhibitors for glaucoma.

CASE DESCRIPTION 6 dogs (10 eyes) with keratitis following long-term topical treatment with a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor (CAI) were evaluated. In 4 dogs (6 eyes), CAI treatment was discontinued. Three dogs (4 eyes) underwent enucleation because of end-stage corneal disease. One dog was treated differently in each eye and thus was represented in both aforementioned groups. CLINICAL FINDINGS Following initiation of treatment with a CAI (ie, brinzolamide or dorzolamide), the median time to development of severe ocular signs was 266 days (range, 133 to 679 days). Clinically severe ocular signs included ulcerative and nonulcerative perilimbal keratitis or severe diffuse keratitis with marked vascularization. The keratitis was refractory to treatment with anti-inflammatory medications. Histologic and immunohistochemical examination of enucleated globes was performed in 3 affected dogs and in 1 dog with keratitis that recovered. Corneal lesions included 2 distinct inflammatory infiltrates with plasma cells predominating in the anterior stroma and both T cells and neutrophils in the epithelium. Stromal plasma cells and overlying epithelium exhibited strong positive immunoreactivity for IgG. TREATMENT AND OUTCOME Topical CAI treatment was discontinued in 4 dogs after a median of 209 days (range, 44 to 433 days), and in these dogs, clinical improvement was evident within 2 to 4 days of CAI treatment cessation. Signs of keratitis resolved in 12 to 25 days in these 4 dogs, and median follow-up time after CAI discontinuation was 25.5 months (range, 6 to 42 months), during which time signs of corneal disease did not recur. CLINICAL RELEVANCE On the basis of this small series, presumed topical CAI-associated keratitis in dogs appeared to be an uncommon immune-mediated disease that was not responsive to corticosteroid treatment. Affected patients improved rapidly, but only after discontinuation of CAI treatment. In dogs with glaucoma, clinicians should consider the development of punctate keratopathy and severe diffuse keratitis as potential adverse effects related to topical administration of CAIs, even after previously uneventful long-term use.
Mobile Libraries: Librarians' and Students' Perspectives

This study which is based on the Technological Acceptance Model (TAM), seeks to explore whether librarians and LIS students are familiar with the newest technological innovations and whether they are ready to accept them. The research was conducted in Israel during the first and second semesters of the 2012 academic year and considered two populations: librarians and LIS students. Researchers used two questionnaires to gather data: a personal details questionnaire, and a mobile technology questionnaire. On the whole, the current study supported the two core variables of the TAM (perceived ease of use and usefulness), as well as personal innovativeness that may predict librarians’ and students’ behavioral intention to use mobile services in the library.
Immunoglobulin V genes and CD38 expression in CLL.

To the editor: Immunoglobulin V genes and CD38 expression in CLL The finding that the mutational status of immunoglobulin (Ig) V genes correlates with identifiable disease subsets of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and is of prognostic importance has been documented and mutually corroborated by
Selective up‐regulation of phospholipase C‐β2 during granulocytic differentiation of normal and leukemic hematopoietic progenitors

In this study, we have investigated the expression of phospholipase C‐β2 during the course of granulocytic differentiation of normal and malignant progenitors. As a model system, we used the NB4 cell line, a reliable in vitro model for the study of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL), a variety of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) that responds to pharmacological doses of all trans‐retinoic acid (ATRA) by differentiating in a neutrophil‐like manner. We found that PLC‐β2, virtually absent in untreated NB4 cells, was strongly up‐regulated after ATRA‐induced granulocytic differentiation. Remarkably, using primary blasts purified from bone marrow of patients affected by APL successfully induced to remission by treatment with ATRA, we showed a striking correlation between the amount of PLC‐β2 expression and the responsiveness of APL blasts to the differentiative activity of ATRA. An increase of PLC‐β2 expression also characterized the cytokine‐induced granulocytic differentiation of CD34+ normal hematopoietic progenitors. Taken together, these data show that PLC‐β2 represents a sensitive and reliable marker of neutrophil maturation of normal and malignant myeloid progenitors. Moreover, PLC‐β2 levels can predict the in vivo responsiveness to ATRA of APL patients.
Psychosocial Care by General Practitioners—Where are the Problems? Results of a Demonstration Project on Quality Management in Psychosocial Primary Care

Objective: Since 1987, psychosocial services have been a part of the primary care setting in Germany. In the framework of an eight-center national demonstration program, problems in the diagnosis and therapy of psychosocial problems and psychosomatic disorders were assessed. Methods to improve quality were also implemented. Method: General practitioners (n = 191) from six regions participated in the study. One thousand three hundred and forty-one treatment episodes of patients with predominantly psychosocial symptoms were documented. Differences between psychosocial strain, treatment, and outcome were determined by analyses of variance. Results: Anxiety (62%), depression (51%), and marital/family conflicts (44%) were the most frequent symptoms. Psychosocial treatment was offered more often to those patients who had the highest level of anxiety and depression. Patients with pain and without a psychological attribution to their illnesses were offered less psychosocial treatment and suffered worse results. Partners and family members were rarely integrated into therapy. The procedures employed to improve outcome were quality circles, family-oriented case conferences, consultation services, and collaborative groups. Conclusions: These initial results are promising. A process of internal quality management has been initiated. Some of the physicians still resist documenting the data. Patients with somatic symptoms without psychological attribution may need special psychosocial interventions to improve their outcomes.
Deficiency of Carbonic Anhydrase II Results in a Urinary Concentrating Defect

Carbonic anhydrase II (CAII) is expressed along the nephron where it interacts with a number of transport proteins augmenting their activity. Aquaporin-1 (AQP1) interacts with CAII to increase water flux through the water channel. Both CAII and aquaporin-1 are expressed in the thin descending limb (TDL); however, the physiological role of a CAII-AQP1 interaction in this nephron segment is not known. To determine if CAII was required for urinary concentration, we studied water handling in CAII-deficient mice. CAII-deficient mice demonstrate polyuria and polydipsia as well as an alkaline urine and bicarbonaturia, consistent with a type III renal tubular acidosis. Natriuresis and hypercalciuria cause polyuria, however, CAII-deficient mice did not have increased urinary sodium nor calcium excretion. Further examination revealed dilute urine in the CAII-deficient mice. Urinary concentration remained reduced in CAII-deficient mice relative to wild-type animals even after water deprivation. The renal expression and localization by light microscopy of NKCC2 and aquaporin-2 was not altered. However, CAII-deficient mice had increased renal AQP1 expression. CAII associates with and increases water flux through aquaporin-1. Water flux through aquaporin-1 in the TDL of the loop of Henle is essential to the concentration of urine, as this is required to generate a concentrated medullary interstitium. We therefore measured cortical and medullary interstitial concentration in wild-type and CAII-deficient mice. Mice lacking CAII had equivalent cortical interstitial osmolarity to wild-type mice: however, they had reduced medullary interstitial osmolarity. We propose therefore that reduced water flux through aquaporin-1 in the TDL in the absence of CAII prevents the generation of a maximally concentrated medullary interstitium. This, in turn, limits urinary concentration in CAII deficient mice.
Selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibition prevents alveolar bone loss in experimental periodontitis in rats.

BACKGROUND Prostaglandins are implicated in periodontal bone destruction. We investigated the effect of a non-selective cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitor (indomethacin-IND) or a type 2 COX inhibitor (meloxicam-MLX) in an experimental periodontal disease (EPD) model. METHODS Wistar rats were subjected to placement of a nylon thread ligature around the maxillary molars and sacrificed after 7 days. Alveolar bone loss (ABL) was measured in one quadrant as the distance between the cemento-enamel junction and the alveolar bone. The other quadrant was processed for histopathologic analysis. Daily weight and white blood cell count were recorded. Groups were treated subcutaneously for 7 days with either IND (0.5, 1, or 2 mg/kg) or MLX (0.75, 1.5, or 3 mg/kg). Controls received no treatment. Macroscopic analysis of the gastric mucosa was done. The control group did not receive any manipulation, and a non-treated group consisted of rats subjected to periodontitis that received no pharmacological treatment. RESULTS In the non-treated (NT) group, there was significant ABL, severe mononuclear influx, and an increase in osteoclast numbers. Significant neutrophilia and lymphomonocytosis occurred at 6 hours and at 7 days, respectively, as compared to controls. Significant weight loss persisted until the seventh day in the NT group. Both IND and MLX reduced ABL and histopathologic changes. Neutrophilia and lymphomonocytosis were also significantly reversed. Both IND and MLX induced earlier weight recovery. The stomachs of the IND (1 and 2 mg/kg) groups presented hemorrhage and ulcers, whereas in the MLX-treated groups, there were mild petechiae just in the 3 mg/kg group. CONCLUSIONS COX inhibition prevented ABL in this experimental periodontal disease model. MLX displays similar efficacy and less gastric damage than IND. MLX may provide a better risk/benefit ratio in the treatment of human periodontitis than non-selective COX inhibitors.
Evaluation of ethical conflicts associated with randomized, controlled trials in critically ill children

Objective: To determine whether randomized, controlled trials (RCTs) of potentially life‐sustaining therapies in critically ill infants and children cause an ethical conflict for physician investigators and if ethical conflicts affect protocol implementation. Design: Descriptive survey. Subjects: A convenience sample of 1,050 physicians from a national pediatric critical care meeting mailing list. Interventions: None. Measurements and Main Results: The survey return rate was 41% (n = 415). Of the returned surveys, 81% (n = 331) were answered by pediatric intensivists and fellows. The remaining 19% (n = 84) were completed by other physician subspecialists. Overall, 74% had experience with RCTs involving a potentially life‐saving therapy (25% had experience with three or more trials, and 26% had never participated in this type of study). The vast majority of the respondents (96%) indicated that they believe RCTs of potentially life‐sustaining therapies are ethical; however, only 10% stated that they never experienced an ethical conflict with these types of studies. Most respondents (84%) indicated that published data from uncontrolled trials may bias them toward an investigational therapy. Furthermore, only 35% of the respondents indicated that they always maintain strict protocol adherence when the condition of a control patient deteriorates and parents request the experimental treatment. There was a significant association between physicians who experienced an ethical conflict and the likelihood that they would do the following if the condition of a control patient deteriorated: fail to maintain strict protocol adherence (p = .05); alter the protocol in response to parental requests for the experimental treatment (p < .01); or seek compassionate use of the experimental treatment (p < .01). Conclusions: Although physicians consider RCTs of potentially life‐sustaining therapies ethical, they acknowledge that this type of study sometimes creates an ethical conflict. Published results of uncontrolled trials lead to investigator bias in randomized trials and preclude equipoise. Our results indicate that RCTs involving life‐sustaining therapies may be biased, lack consistent protocol implementation, and raise concern that data from these studies are potentially flawed.
Canonical WNT Signaling Promotes Osteogenesis by Directly Stimulating Runx2 Gene Expression*

Both activating and null mutations of proteins required for canonical WNT signaling have revealed the importance of this pathway for normal skeletal development. However, tissue-specific transcriptional mechanisms through which WNT signaling promotes the differentiation of bone-forming cells have yet to be identified. Here, we address the hypothesis that canonical WNT signaling and the bone-related transcription factor RUNX2/CBFA1/AML3 are functionally linked components of a pathway required for the onset of osteoblast differentiation. Our findings show that, in bone of the SFRP1 (secreted frizzled-related protein-1)-null mouse, which exhibits activated WNT signaling and a high bone mass phenotype, there is a significant increase in expression of T-cell factor (TCF)-1, Runx2, and the RUNX2 target gene osteocalcin. We demonstrate by mutational analysis that a functional TCF regulatory element responsive to canonical WNT signaling resides in the promoter of the Runx2 gene (–97 to –93). By chromatin immunoprecipitation, recruitment of β-catenin and TCF1 to the endogenous Runx2 gene is shown. Coexpression of TCF1 with canonical WNT proteins resulted in a 2–5-fold activation of Runx2 promoter activity and a 7–8-fold induction of endogenous mRNA in mouse pluripotent mesenchymal and osteoprogenitor cells. This enhancement was abrogated by SFRP1. Taken together, our results provide evidence for direct regulation of Runx2 by canonical WNT signaling and suggest that Runx2 is a target of β-catenin/TCF1 for the stimulation of bone formation. We propose that WNT/TCF1 signaling, like bone morphogenetic protein/transforming growth factor-β signaling, activates Runx2 gene expression in mesenchymal cells for the control of osteoblast differentiation and skeletal development.
A retrospective comparison of intrathecal morphine and epidural hydromorphone for analgesia following posterior spinal fusion in adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis

Posterior spinal fusion to correct idiopathic scoliosis is associated with severe postoperative pain. Intrathecal morphine is commonly used for analgesia after adolescent posterior spinal fusion; however, anticipating and managing the increase in pain scores after resolution of analgesic effect of intrathecal morphine analgesia is challenging. In 2014, we developed a clinical protocol detailing both the administration of intrathecal morphine intraoperatively and the transition to routine, scheduled oral analgesics at 18 h postoperatively. The goal of our study was to examine the efficacy of our intrathecal morphine protocol vs epidural hydromorphone for postoperative analgesia after posterior spinal fusion.
Natural killer cells in mice treated with 89strontium: normal target-binding cell numbers but inability to kill even after interferon administration.

Natural Killer (NK) cell activity against YAC-1 lymphoma cells is greatly reduced in spleens of mice injected previously with the bone-seeking isotope, 89Sr. Spleen cells from 89Sr-treated mice filtered over nylon wool and Sephadex G-10 columns failed to increase the low NK cell activity. Cell mixture experiments failed to show inhibition of NK activity of normal spleen cells by spleen cells from 89Sr-treated mice. 89Sr produced lowering of NK activity in athymic nude mice similar to that seen in control mice. These experiments suggest that the low NK activity in 89Sr-treated mice is not due to the presence of thymus-dependent or independent suppressor cells active at the effector phase of NK cell-mediated killing. The low NK activity of 89Sr-treated mice could not be stimulated by administration of interferon inducers, polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid and Corynebacterium parvum, or by preparations containing type I or II interferons. The frequency of cells capable of binding to YAC-1 target cells in normal in spleens of 89Sr-treated mice. These data suggest that in 89Sr-treated mice, NK cells exist in a state in which they can bind the target cells but cannot lyse them and are unresponsive to the activating effect of interferons. Transformation of these cells into fully lytic and interferon-responsive cells appears to require an intact bone marrow. Bone marrow cell infusions failed to restore NK activity in irradiated or unirradiated 89Sr-treated mice, but were able to do so in normal lethally irradiated mice. Thus functional NK cells reactive against YAC-1 lymphoma cells are not only marrow derived but also marrow dependent.
Retrospective and prospective evaluation of the Amplicor HPV test for detection of 13 high-risk human papillomavirus genotypes on 862 clinical samples.

BACKGROUND Persistent infection with a subgroup of at least 15 high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) genotypes is considered as a necessary although insufficient etiological factor in the development of cervical carcinoma. As a consequence, HPV testing has recently become an important part of the cervical carcinoma screening and detection algorithms. AIM OF THE STUDY To evaluate the analytical performance of a recently developed polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based Amplicor HPV test (Roche Molecular Systems) in comparison with the Hybrid Capture 2 HPV DNA test (hc2) (Digene Corporation) for the detection of 13 high-risk HPV genotypes. Inhouse consensus PGMY09/PGMY11 and CPI/IIg PCRs targeting two different HPV genes coupled with HPV genotyping were used as an HPV internal reference standard. MATERIALS AND METHODS In the retrospective evaluation, 550 cervical scrape specimens with previously established HPV status were included. Additionally, 312 cervical scrape specimens were tested prospectively for the presence of 13 high-risk HPV genotypes by both hc2 and Amplicor HPV test. RESULTS In the retrospective evaluation, the Amplicor HPV test results agreed almost completely with the HPV internal reference standard results. In the prospective evaluation performed on 312 samples, the concordant Amplicor and hc2 results were obtained in 85.9% of samples tested. CONCLUSION In our hands, the Amplicor HPV test demonstrated high analytical sensitivity and specificity. The higher analytical specificity of Amplicor in comparison to that of hc2 can be considered clinically useful. Prospective studies with clinical endpoints are urgently needed to assess the clinical utility of the higher analytical sensitivity of the Amplicor HPV test for primary HPV screening and triaging patients with ASC-US.