Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Informative Tactile Stimuli in the Perception of Direction

Three experiments evaluated the efficiency of a special tactile symbol, whose stimuli purportedly specify direction, for use in tactile diagrams for the blind. A tactile form of the conventional visual arrow symbol served as a control symbol. The directional aspects of the stimuli were easily discriminated by both blind and sighted Ss. Either symbol proved effective in simple diagrams, but the special symbol was superior in more complex diagrams, suggesting an interaction effect between symbol type and diagram complexity, appearing in response latency. The special symbol was preferred by blind Ss in simple and complex diagrams. Various aspects of diagram presentation also proved significant. For blind Ss IQ was negatively related to response time. Sighted Ss provided similar results, suggesting that effects were general. Blind Ss were faster than sighted Ss, tended to make more errors, and required more information about the tasks. The results were discussed considering involvement of cognitive factors and tactile sensitivity factors. General implications for symbolic displays and tactile graphics for the blind were also discussed.
The Detection of Feigned Hand Weakness Using the Five Position Grip Strength Test

This study assessed the sensitivity and specificity of the five-position grip strength test (5PGST) for detecting feigned hand weakness in healthy volunteers. The 5PGST reliably detected feigned hand weakness in only 15% of cases. Thirty-three per cent of volunteers demonstrated an entirely normal pattern of grip strength when feigning weakness.
Life on the Receiving End: A Qualitative Analysis of Health Providers’ Illness Narratives

Purpose Clinical empathy is integral to forging therapeutic patient–physician relationships. Illness narratives are a potentially rich source of insight into what it feels like to be a patient or patient’s family member. The authors performed a qualitative analysis of illness narratives to develop an explicit framework for understanding what it feels like to be a health care recipient and to explore how providers’ behaviors influence that experience. Method The authors used consensual qualitative research, a methodology based on principles of grounded theory, to analyze 24 illness narratives found in that number of essays from the Annals of Internal Medicine’s “On Being a Patient” series published between January 1, 1999, and December 31, 2003. Trustworthiness was demonstrated via essayists’ feedback on the analysis. Results Patients and their families faced formidable physical and psychosocial challenges. Providers’ behaviors influenced the illness experience in profoundly positive and negative ways, independent of the technical quality of care. Consistent with previous studies of patient–physician relationships, providers’ advocacy for patients and expressions of compassion were prominent determinants of patients’ satisfaction. The experience of simultaneously being a health care provider and consumer was an additional source of stress for essayists, but it positively influenced their subsequent practice. Conclusions Illness narratives vividly illustrate fundamental aspects of the illness experience and are a potentially rich resource for cultivating empathy. The authors’ analysis provides a framework for enhancing trainees’ and practitioners’ ability to understand and meet patients’ and families’ psychosocial needs. The experiences of health care recipients with medical backgrounds are uniquely challenging and beneficial.
Human Rabies in India: Epidemiological Features, Management and Current Methods of Prevention

In most endemic countries stray dogs are the main source of rabies infection in humans. In India 95–97% of rabies patients are infected by dogs. Most pet dogs do not regularly receive booster doses of vaccine. In Thailand, most rabies patients develop the disease within 1 month of exposure. Rabies immunoglobulin is costly and usually not available. So in India nervous tissue vaccine is commonly used — it is inexpensive and freely available despite frequent neurological complications. The cost of immunization by tissue culture vaccines may be reduced by nearly 60% by intradermal vaccination.
Glucose and arterial blood pressure variability in Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome.

INTRODUCTION Current evidence supports an association between Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome (OSAS), insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) and cardiovascular disorders. The relationship is complex and still remains poorly understood. AIM The aim of this study was to examine the potential correlation of sleep characteristics with glucose and arterial pressure values variability in non - diabetic, non-hypertensive patients with OSAS. SUBJECTS AND METHODS We examined 22 subjects, 11 men and 11 women (mean age 54 ± 14,5 years), recently diagnosed with OSAS (Apnea - Hypopnea Index (AHI) ≥ 5 apneas/hypopneas per hour of sleep) by full night polysomnography (PSG). Fasting and postprandial after a 2 hour oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) glucose and insulin levels were measured, and homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA(IR)) index profile as well as Matsuda insulin sensitivity index (ISI) were calculated. A 24 hour glucose monitoring with subcutaneous measurements every 5 minutes and a 24-hour arterial blood pressure (ABP) monitoring (Holter monitoring) were evaluated. RESULTS AHI, a widely accepted marker of the severity of OSAS, was correlated with HOMA and Matsuda index (p = 0.016 and p = 0.022, respectively), Standard Deviation (SD) of glucose measurements (p = 0.05) and mean diastolic blood pressure (p = 0.007). Percentage of sleep time with saturation of hemoglobin with oxygen, as measured by pulse oximetry, (SpO2) < 90% was also correlated with HOMA and Matsuda index (p = 0.014 and p = 0.012, respectively), coefficient of variation (CV) of glucose measurements (p = 0.009) and SD of 24-hour systolic blood pressure. Moreover, minimum SpO2 was correlated with glucose levels (p = 0.018), Matsuda index (p = 0.30) and SD of 24-hour diastolic and systolic blood pressure (p = 0.005 and p = 0.022, respectively). CONCLUSIONS Glucose and arterial pressure variability were associated with markers of OSAS severity (AHI, % sleep time with SpO2 < 90%, min SpO2), among nondiabetic patients. Thus, glucose and arterial pressure variability in OSAS may be an additional marker of cardiovascular risk as well as of future diabetes in these subjects. Nevertheless, the clinical significance of our observations remains to be confirmed by prospective studies.
Full-Scale/Model Test Comparisons to Validate the Traditional ABL Wind Tunnel Simulation Technique: A Literature Review

Full-scale/model test comparison studies to validate the traditional atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) wind tunnel simulation technique are reviewed. According to the literature review, notable discrepancies between full-scale measurement results and model test results were observed by most performed comparison studies, but the causes of the observed discrepancies were not revealed in a scientific way by those studies. In this regard, a new research scheme for future full-scale/model test comparison studies is proposed in this article, which utilizes the multiple-fan actively controlled wind tunnel simulation technique. With the new research scheme, future full-scale/model test comparison studies are expected to reasonably disclose the main problems with the traditional ABL wind tunnel simulation technique, and the technique can be improved correspondingly.
Building multi-resolution volumetric 3D maps in real-time using CPU

We propose an approach to fuse sequences of point cloud data from RGB-D cameras or other Laser sensors into one multi-resolution volumetric map. Our approach can work with one or multiple generic sensors and bases on an octree-like data structure to compress data into a memory efficient and multi-resolution map. Such map correctly models free, occupied as well as unknown space and can be suitable for robot navigation. We make use of a fast neighbour search on octrees to reach real-time registration on CPU. Our system does not require availability of a state-of-art GPU and hence can be run on systems with limited on-board computational resources like flying robots. We present our first experimental results using such approach.
Dimensions of sexual orientation and the prevalence of mood and anxiety disorders in the United States.

OBJECTIVES We used data from a nationally representative sample to examine the associations among 3 dimensions of sexual orientation (identity, attraction, and behavior), lifetime and past-year mood and anxiety disorders, and sex. METHODS We analyzed data from wave 2 of the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions. RESULTS Mental health outcomes differed by sex, dimension of sexual orientation, and sexual minority group. Whereas a lesbian, gay, or bisexual identity was associated with higher odds of any mood or anxiety disorder for both men and women, women reporting only same-sex sexual partners in their lifetime had the lowest rates of most disorders. Higher odds of any lifetime mood or anxiety disorder were more consistent and pronounced among sexual minority men than among sexual minority women. Finally, bisexual behavior conferred the highest odds of any mood or anxiety disorder for both males and females. CONCLUSIONS Findings point to mental health disparities among some, but not all, sexual minority groups and emphasize the importance of including multiple measures of sexual orientation in population-based health studies.
The ID effect on youth access to cigarettes

Objective: To estimate the effect on cigarette sales rates when minors present identification (ID). Design: Controlled experiment in which minors attempting to purchase cigarettes either carried a valid photo ID (documenting they were minors) or carried no ID, and were instructed to show the ID or admit having no ID if the clerk requested proof of age. Setting: Census of retail stores in six urban and suburban Colorado counties. Subjects: Retail cigarette clerks, uninformed of the study. Main outcome measures: Relative risk (RR) of cigarette sale to a minor when ID was requested and presented versus requested but not presented. Results: When clerks requested ID, sales were more than six times as frequent if minors presented ID than if they did not (12.2% v 2.0%, RR 6.2, p < 0.0001). The relative risk remained substantially unchanged under adjustment for demographic and circumstantial covariates. Conclusions: Presentation of photo ID in compliance checks increases illegal cigarette sales to minors. The impact may vary among states or locales and depends strongly on how often clerks request proof of age. Clerk training and responsible cigarette sales practices should include age calculations from photo ID. Programmes relying on investigative purchase attempts to estimate actual rates of cigarette sales to minors should ascertain and replicate local ID presenting behaviours that minors typically use during genuine attempts to buy cigarettes.
Photovoltaic module diagnostics by series resistance monitoring and temperature and rated power estimation

One of the most important parameters, which characterizes a photovoltaic panel health state, is its series resistance. An increase of this, normally indicates bad contacts between cells or panels. An other important property, which characterizes the aging of the panel is the reduction of its MPP power in standard test conditions (STC1). Simulation and experimental measurements regarding the determination of a PV panel series resistance, its MPP power in STC, as well as its temperature, are presented in this paper. It is shown that the panel series resistance can be determined experimentally without needing to perform an entire I-V curve scan. The panel MPP power in STC and its temperature - given the irradiance is measured - can be well approximated using the measured I-V curve, and a simple model of the PV panel.
Decreased gene expression of fibrillin‐1 in stress urinary incontinence

Studies to show impairments in the pelvic floor extracellular matrix (ECM) associated with stress urinary incontinence (SUI) has earlier been performed, but the results are contradictory. Collagen I and III, the elastin associated proteins fibrillin‐1 and fibulin‐5 and the small leucine‐rich repeat proteoglycans (SLRPs) decorin, lumican and fibromodulin are involved in giving the tissue its mechanical properties. Their gene signals and tissue localizations were investigated.
Mitochondrial tRNAThr G15927A mutation may modulate the phenotypic manifestation of ototoxic 12S rRNA A1555G mutation in four Chinese families

Objective To investigate the role of mitochondrial modifiers in the development of deafness associated with 12S rRNA A1555G mutation. Methods Four Chinese families with nonsyndromic and aminoglycoside-induced deafness were studied by clinical and genetic evaluation, molecular and biochemical analyses of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). Results These families exhibited high penetrance and expressivity of hearing impairment. Penetrances of hearing loss in WZD31, WZD32, WZD33, and WZD34 pedigrees ranged from 50 to 67% and from 39 to 50%, respectively, when aminoglycoside-induced hearing loss was included or excluded. Matrilineal relatives in these families developed hearing loss at the average of 14, 13, 16, and 15 years of age, respectively, when aminoglycoside-induced deafness was excluded. Mutational analysis of entire mtDNA in these families showed the homoplasmic A1555G mutation and distinct sets of variants belonging to haplogroup B5b1. Of these, the tRNAThr G15927A mutation locates at the fourth base in the anticodon stem (conventional position 42) of tRNAThr. A guanine (G42) at this position of tRNAThr is highly conserved from bacteria to human mitochondria. The lower levels and altered electrophoretic mobility of tRNAThr were observed in cells carrying A1555G and G15927A mutations or only G15927A mutation but not cells carrying only A1555G mutation. The abolished base pairing (28C-42G) of this tRNAThr by the G15927A mutation caused a failure in tRNA metabolism, worsening the mitochondrial dysfunctions altered by the A1555G mutation. Conclusion The G15927A mutation has a potential modifier role in increasing the penetrance and expressivity of the deafness-associated 12S rRNA A1555G mutation in those Chinese pedigrees.
Cloning and characterization of cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COXI) in Gobiocypris rarus

In study of gene expression profile in cloned embryos which derived from D. rerio embryonic nuclei and G. rarus enucleated eggs, cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COXI) of G. rarus, exhibiting difference at expression level between cloned embryos and zebrafish embryo, was cloned. Its full cDNA length is 1654 bp and contains a 1551 bp open reading frame, encoding a 5.64 kDa protein of 516 amino acids. The alignment result shows that mitochondrion tRNAser is co-transcripted with COXI, which just was the 3′-UTR of COXI. Molecular phylogenic analysis based on COXI indicates G. rarus should belong to Gobioninae, which was not in agreement with previous study according to morphological taxonomy. Comparison of DNA with cDNA shows that RNA editing phenomenon does not occur in the COXI of G. rarus.
Outpatient Satisfaction With Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment in a Hospital Center: A Survey.

Context Although osteopathy is not yet certified as a health profession in Italy, many people choose osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) for pain relief. Nevertheless, no study evaluating patients' degree of satisfaction after OMT and the perceived quality of the treatment has occurred in Italy. Objectives The study intended to assess outpatients' satisfaction with OMT carried out at a hospital. Design The research team conducted a survey from January 2015 to January 2016 using 3 questionnaires. Setting The study took place the Fondazione Santa Lucia Hospital (Rome, Italy), an institute for research and health care. Participants Participants were 101 patients with musculoskeletal (MSK) disorders undergoing OMT at the hospital. Interventions The OMT was performed by 3 osteopathic practitioners who had completed the 6-y, part-time training program recognized by the Italian Register of Osteopaths. Outcome Measures To measure the level of their satisfaction, the research team had patients complete the modified patient satisfaction questionnaire (mPSQ), the patient satisfaction with outpatient physical therapy (PSOPT) instrument, and the visual analog scale for satisfaction (VASS). Parametric and nonparametric analyses were performed to correlate the questionnaires and the demographic variables using the Pearson and Spearman tests. Results Data were obtained from 97 patients, with mean age of 42.48 ± 16.1 y, 50 of whom were female. The data showed high, average general satisfaction after OMT: (1) VASS-9.36 ± 1.00 and (2) PSOPT-43.27 ± 3.65. A significant negative correlation was found between access to care (D1-TOT) on the mPSQ and at ages older than 65 y-r = -0.24 and P < . 05. A significant positive correlation was found between the VASS and female gender-r = 0.23 and P < . 05. A significant positive correlation was also found between continuity of care (D3-TOT) and continuity of care-family (D3-1) on the mPSQ and education level-r = . 20 and P < . 05 and r = 0.24, P < . 05, respectively, and with other dimensions explored by the questionnaires. Conclusions The data show a high level of general satisfaction in patients with MSK disorders who underwent OMT in an Italian hospital setting. The overall satisfaction rate was mainly influenced by the patient's perception of the practitioner's technical quality, the continuity of the treatment, and the cost of the service. Some differences emerged for age, gender, and educational level. The information from the current study may be useful for improving the therapeutic assistance provided with OMT and to promote alternative therapies in health and medicine.
Trend in prosthetic rehabilitation of partially edentulous patients in a Nigerian teaching hospital.

BACKGROUND Tooth loss is a common dental problem usually managed with fixed or removable dentures. Recently, because of better aesthetic and functional comfort, missing teeth are replaced more often with implant supported dentures. The purpose of this study was to assess the trend in prosthetic rehabilitation of partially edentulous patients in a Nigerian teaching Hospital and to assess factor that influence the choice of treatment. METHODOLOGY Records of patients who had prosthetic replacement of their missing teeth at a Teaching Hospital in Nigeria between January 2008 and December 2014 were reviewed. Information obtained included demographic data, occupation and types of denture obtained. Data were analyzed using SPSS Version 16. Chi-square test was used to test for statistical significance. Level of significance was set at p≤0.05. RESULTS One thousand, five hundred and eighteen patients were given removable or fixed prostheses. Majority (97.3 %) had removable partial dentures, 1% had tooth supported and 1.7 % had implant supported dentures. There was a statistical significant relationship between the occupational status of the patients and types of denture obtained for treatment of missing teeth. CONCLUSION RPD was the most common method of replacing missing teeth among the study population and occupational status was the most important factor that influenced the choice for prosthetic replacement.
Myocardin expression during avian embryonic heart development requires the endoderm but is independent of BMP signaling

Myocardin, a serum response factor cofactor, plays an important role in regulating heart and smooth muscle development. To investigate myocardin function during early stages of heart development, we isolated the chicken orthologue of myocardin and characterized its expression between Hamburger and Hamilton stages 3 and 15. At stage 4, myocardin transcripts are detected in the lateral and extraembryonic mesoderm, become progressively localized to the precardiac mesoderm and the differentiated myocardium and are also seen in smooth muscle cells of the developing vascular plexus. Surprisingly, myocardin expression within the developing chicken embryo precedes that of the homeodomain transcription factor Nkx2.5. Embryonic dissection studies demonstrate that signals from the endoderm are required for myocardin expression within the precardiac mesoderm. However, unlike Nkx2.5, myocardin expression is not regulated by bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling. These results suggest that initial expression of myocardin in the precardiac mesoderm is regulated by a signaling pathway that is parallel to, and independent of, Nkx2.5 expression. Developmental Dynamics 237:216–221, 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
B-Myb Overexpression Results in Activation and Increased Fas/Fas Ligand-Mediated Cytotoxicity of T and NK Cells1

The human B-myb gene encodes a transcriptional regulator that plays an important role in cell cycle progression, differentiation, and survival. To assess the in vivo role of B-myb, we investigated the phenotype of mouse transgenic lines in which B-Myb expression in lymphoid tissues was driven by the LCK proximal promoter. Overexpression of B-Myb had no measurable effect on the subsets of splenic and thymic lymphocytes, but was associated with increased expression of Fas ligand in NK and T cells. B-Myb-overexpressing splenocytes expressed higher IFN-γ levels and contained higher percentages of cytokine-producing cells than wild-type (wt) splenocytes, as detected by Western blot analysis and ELISPOT assays, respectively. Ex vivo-cultured transgenic thymocytes and splenocytes had decreased survival compared with the corresponding cells from wt mice, possibly dependent on increased expression of Fas ligand. In addition, Fas ligand-dependent cytotoxicity of transgenic T and NK cells was significantly higher than that mediated by their wt counterparts. Together, these results indicate that B-Myb overexpression results in T and NK cell activation and increased cytotoxicity. Therefore, in addition to its well-established role in proliferation and differentiation, B-myb also appears to be involved in activation of NK and T cells and in their regulation of Fas/Fas ligand-mediated cytotoxicity
Cryptorchidism among indigenous breeds of bulls in a semi-arid region of Nigeria.

Available online at www.macvetrev. mk The study was carried out with the aim of determining the occurrence of cryptorchidism in bulls slaughtered at the Sokoto metropolitan abattoir. Out of 575 bulls examined, 10 (1.74%) were cryptorchid. Nine (90.00%) of this were unilateral cryptorchidism while 1 (10.00%) was bilateral cryptorchidism. Sokoto Gudali breed had the highest 5 (50.00%) occurrence followed by Red Bororo breed 3 (30.00%) then crosses 2 (20.00%) while none (0.00%) was cryptorchid among Bunaji breed. Young bulls 5 years had 1 (10.00%) each. None (0.00%) was cryptorchid among bulls 4 ≥ - < 5 years. Subcutaneous testes 9 (90.00%) occurred more than abdominal testis 1 (10.00%) while left testicles 6 (66.67%) were more affected than the right 3 (33.33%) testicle. There were signifi cant differences (p<0.05) between the mean±SEM testicular length, circumference and weight of the descended and retained testes.