Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
[Self-Care, Sense Of Coherence And Depression In Patients Hospitalized For Decompensated Heart Failure].

OBJECTIVE To analyze the self-care behaviors according to gender, the symptoms of depression and sense of coherence and compare the measurements of depression and sense of coherence according to gender. METHOD A correlational, cross-sectional study that investigated 132 patients with decompensated heart failure (HF). Data were collected through interviews and consultation to medical records, and analyzed using the chi-square and the Student's t tests with significance level of 0.05. Participants were 75 men and 57 women, aged 63.2 years on average (SD = 13.8). RESULTS No differences in self-care behavior by gender were found, except for rest after physical activity (p = 0.017). Patients who practiced physical activity showed fewer symptoms of depression (p<0.001). There were no differences in sense of coherence according to self-care behavior and gender. Women had more symptoms of depression than men (p = 0.002). CONCLUSION Special attention should be given to women with HF considering self-care and depressive symptoms.
Primary visual response (M100) delays in adolescents with FASD as measured with MEG

Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) are debilitating, with effects of prenatal alcohol exposure persisting into adolescence and adulthood. Complete characterization of FASD is crucial for the development of diagnostic tools and intervention techniques to decrease the high cost to individual families and society of this disorder. In this experiment, we investigated visual system deficits in adolescents (12–21 years) diagnosed with an FASD by measuring the latency of patients' primary visual M100 responses using MEG. We hypothesized that patients with FASD would demonstrate delayed primary visual responses compared to controls. M100 latencies were assessed both for FASD patients and age‐matched healthy controls for stimuli presented at the fovea (central stimulus) and at the periphery (peripheral stimuli; left or right of the central stimulus) in a saccade task requiring participants to direct their attention and gaze to these stimuli. Source modeling was performed on visual responses to the central and peripheral stimuli and the latency of the first prominent peak (M100) in the occipital source timecourse was identified. The peak latency of the M100 responses were delayed in FASD patients for both stimulus types (central and peripheral), but the difference in latency of primary visual responses to central vs. peripheral stimuli was significant only in FASD patients, indicating that, while FASD patients' visual systems are impaired in general, this impairment is more pronounced in the periphery. These results suggest that basic sensory deficits in this population may contribute to sensorimotor integration deficits described previously in this disorder. Hum Brain Mapp 34:2852–2862, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A Study of Follicular Dynamics in the Kenyan Boran Cow

Although ovarian follicular dynamics has been documented in some Zebu cows, literature on the same for the Boran cow is scarce. The current study aimed at providing this information so as to optimize capacity of this breed through utilization of some assisted reproductive technologies like estrous synchronization, in-vitro embryo production and embryo transfer. Follicular development characteristics during estrous cycle were evaluated using a 5.0-7.5 Megahertz linear array portable ultrasound device from 15 randomly selected cows that were open but cycling and of a 2-2.5body condition score. The cows were induced into estrous using 500μg (2ml) of Cloprostenol (Estroplan®). Daily scanning of the ovaries was done and the follicles counted, measured for diameter and recorded. These activities were carried out daily for two inter-estrous cycle lengths. Also the location of the three largest follicles and the corpus luteum were sketched for each ovary on a daily basis. The three sketched follicles were used to track and evaluate for daily follicular dynamics. Follicular parameters such as follicle numbers and sizes were utilized to determine wave emergence, selection and deviation, dominance and atresia characteristics that constituted the dynamics. Changes in the size and growth of corpus luteum were also tracked. The cows exhibited two, three and four follicular waves during the estrous cycles. Most of the cows (66.67%) exhibited the three wave cycles, while 26.67% had the two wave cycles and 6.67% had the four wave cycles. The pre-ovulatory follicle attained a mean maximum diameter of13.56 ± 1.73 millimeters, which was significantly (P≤0.05) higher than the diameter of all the other dominant follicles. Cows with two wave cycles had an estrous cycle length of about 18 days while those with three and four wave cycles had extended estrous cycle lengths of about 25 days. In the cows with fewer wave cycles, the duration of dominance phase of first wave was approximately three days longer than their 3-wave and 4-wave counterparts. There was no significant difference in both the growth and atresia rates for dominant and subordinate follicles among waves within the estrous cycles. Although there was no significant difference in maximum diameter of the dominant follicle between the first and the second wave in cows exhibiting the two wave cycles, three-wave and four-wave cycle diameters of the d o m i n a n t f o l l i c l e of the ovulatory wave was significantly larger than those o f the other waves.There was no significant difference indiameter of corpus luteum noted among the cows. The corpus luteum from four wave cyclespersisted the longest period. It was concluded that the follicular dynamics of Boran cow compares well with other Zebu breeds studied so far and three ovum pick up sessions can be done for utilization of this breed in in-vitro Embryo Production and Embryo Transfer.
Avaliação do Poder Preditivo do Desempenho Operacional a Partir da Situação Econômico-Financeira das Distribuidoras Brasileiras de Energia Elétrica

O presente estudo teve como proposito investigar a relacao entre indicadores economico-financeiros e o desempenho operacional (ou a qualidade do servico prestado), em periodos subsequentes, de concessionarias brasileiras de distribuicao de energia eletrica. A partir de dados de 2010 a 2013, 15 indicadores foram construidos e submetidos a testes estatisticos, em conjunto com variaveis de controle que indicam o porte da empresa e se ela opera ou nao no sistema interligado. Para avaliar o desempenho operacional, foram utilizados o Desempenho Global de Continuidade (DGC) e o Indice Aneel de Satisfacao do Consumidor (IASC). Foram feitas regressoes lineares utilizando todas as combinacoes possiveis de variaveis independentes. Boa parte das relacoes esperadas foi confirmada nos testes, indicando que niveis de investimento, endividamento, eficiencia, rentabilidade e dividendos contribuem para explicar o desempenho operacional futuro. Os indicadores de EBITDA sobre despesa financeira liquida, de CapEx sobre total de ativos e de EBITDA sobre valor da parcela B apresentaram poder de explicacao significativo do DGC, enquanto margem liquida e custos gerenciaveis (pessoal, manutencao, servicos, materiais e outros) sobre receita liquida foram os que apresentaram os melhores resultados nas regressoes do IASC; ja as razoes entre passivo e ativo totais e entre compensacoes regulatorias e receita liquida apresentaram poder de determinacao significativo para ambas as variaveis. Pode-se concluir, portanto, que o monitoramento de indicadores que traduzem a gestao financeira dessas empresas e benefico para a antecipacao de deficiencias operacionais e, consequentemente, para promover melhor equilibrio para o setor.
2,3-Dehydrosilybin Is a Better DNA Topoisomerase I Inhibitor than Its Parental Silybin

Background: We have shown that compared with silybin, 2,3-dehydrosilybin (DHS) exhibits more potent in vitro anticancer activities alone or in combination with tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α. Since TNF-α sensitization is related to DNA topoisomerase (topo) inhibition, DHS may be a potent topo inhibitor. Methods: Under significant apoptosis induction by DHS, we measured specific topo I activity in nuclear extracts or purified enzyme. Results: Treatment of more transformed FIB cells with 30 μM DHS for 24 h caused significant decreases in topo I activity in nuclear extracts while silybin did not have any effects. Less transformed EPI cells were more resistant against DHS-induced topo I inhibition. Inhibitory effects of topo I activity by DHS were also found in cell-free assays using purified topo I, whereas silybin again did not have any effects. Conclusion: DHS is a potent topo I inhibitor rendering its ability to sensitize TNF-α for enhanced cytotoxicity.
A Semantic Analysis of the English Genitive.: Interaction of Lexical and Formal Semantics

Some earlier treatments of the semantics of the prenominal genitive assume two syntactic types for genitive NPs like the girl's, one which combines with relational nouns like sister, and another that combines with non-relational nouns like car. In the former case the genitive relation is provided by the relational head noun, in the latter the source of the relation is taken to be provided by the utterance context. Our analysis uniformly assumes only one syntactic type for genitive NPs, viz., one that forces a genitive NP to combine only with relational nouns. In cases with inherently non-relational head nouns, such as the girl's car, we hypothesize that the genitive NP coerces a shift of the meaning of the head noun so that it becomes relational. To determine the sort of meaning shift which is carried out, we appeal to the qualia structure of the lexical entry for the head noun. A consequence of this analysis is an extension of the area of lexically determined interpretations and a corresponding reduction of the context-determined, pragmatic area.
The Molecular Pathogenesis of Head and Neck Cancer

Head and neck cancer arises from a series of molecular alterations progressive from dysplasia to carcinoma in situ, and finally invasive carcinoma. Risk factors associated with head and neck cancer include tobacco, alcohol, and viral infection. There are genetic alterations in pre-cancerous cells that contribute to transformation. The accumulation of these alterations facilitates tumor development. Additionally, the tumor microenvironment enables tumor progression. The cooperative effect of molecular alterations in the tumor cells and compensatory microenvironment changes enable tumors to invade and metastasize. This review focuses on the genes and molecules altered during the progression of head and neck cancer with an emphasis on the genetic, molecular and phenotypic changes during the pathogenesis of head and neck cancer. Therapeutic strategies that target key changes in the tumor cells and/or stromal cells in the tumor microenvironment are discussed.
Incidental findings on research functional MR images: Should we look?

In the Marx brothers movie, A Day at the Races, Margaret Dumont, in the role of a wealthy matron, praises Groucho as the one of finest doctors she has known, saying, “Why, I didn’t know there was a thing the matter with me till I met him. ” Although radiologists frequently find themselves in a
Immunocytochemical detection of the carbohydrate antigen, Sialyl Lewisx, in normal human skin and during irritant contact dermatitis

Abstract Sialys Lewisx (SLex) is a ligand for the E‐selectin and the interaction of E‐selectin on the endothelium and SLex on T cells may be important for T‐cell migration into the skin. We investigated the expression of SLex on Langerhans cells (LC) in normal skin and on LC repopulating epidermis deprived of LC due to a preceding irritant contact dermatitis. SLex was visualized by fluorescence and light microscopic immunocytochemistry using the monoclonal antibody. CSLEX‐1. The results showed that about 40% of LC in normal epidermis express SLex. In the repopulation phase, most of the epidermal cells were CDla+/SLex+. We suggest that SLex is present on epidermal LC that have recently immigrated from the dermis.
Long-term survival after surgical resection for pancreatic cancer.

BACKGROUND/AIMS Pancreatic cancer remains one of the most formidable tumors defying early detection and effective treatment. Long-term survivors, however, do exist after resection. We investigated the clinicopathologic features of patients with pancreatic cancer who survived more than 5 years to draw out some suggestions concerning the indication of surgical treatment. METHODOLOGY We studied the clinicopathologic features of 13 patients with pancreatic cancer who survived more than 5 years after resection. We reviewed their clinical records to investigate preoperative symptoms, serum tumor markers, operative findings, postoperative adjuvant therapy, and modes of recurrence and survival periods. Information on the location, size, histology and spread of the primary tumors were mainly obtained from pathology reports. RESULTS Histologic types of the long survivors included ductal adenocarcinoma of common type in 4 patients, mucinous noncystic adenocarcinoma in 2, intraductal papillary-mucinous carcinoma (invasive) in 4, undifferentiated carcinoma in 1, endocrine tumor (islet cell carcinoma) in 1 and acinar cell carcinoma in 1. All 4 cases of ductal adenocarcinoma of the common type showed a moderate invasion either to the retroperitoneum, the portal vein or the duodenum. Two patients with mucinous noncystic carcinoma attained a long survival despite extensive invasion of the pancreatic stroma, although one died of peritoneal carcinomatosis. Two of 4 patients with intraductal papillary-mucinous cancer (invasive) died of peritoneal dissemination 6 and 11 years after resection, respectively. Three patients with cancer of other special histologic types, i.e., undifferentiated, well-differentiated endocrine carcinoma and acinar cell carcinoma, showed invasion of the portal vein and splenic artery, involvement of the retroperitoneum and a metastatic tumor in the liver, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Whereas special histologic types including ductal variants tended to predispose to long-term survival, ductal adenocarcinoma of the common type had some chance of long survival even with invasion of the surrounding tissues.
Some aspects of reproductive function in the male beagle at puberty.

Three male Beagle litter-mates, which were kept in the same environment and fed on the same diet, were studied from 20 to 45 weeks of age. The first ejaculates were obtained at 33 weeks in one and 34 weeks in two of the puppies. Ejaculatory volume, sperm concentration, libido increased quickly and although the early ejaculates contained large numbers of abnormal spermatozoa they soon decreased. By 45 weeks of age the seminal characteristics were comparable with those reported for adults. Plasma testosterone concentrations increased at the time that the first ejaculate was obtained.
Prolactin Response to Thyrotropin-Releasing Hormone in Early and Advanced Human Breast Cancer

While prolactin (PRL) has been shown to stimulate the development of mammary carcinoma in several animal species, its role in human breast cancer remains to be established. To further investigate PRL secretion in human breast cancer, its basal levels and response to thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) were evaluated in 16 patients (6 with no metastases and 10 with metastatic locations). The control group consisted of 19 healthy women. High PRL basal concentrations were seen in 2 patients only; no significant differences were found between the other patients and the normal subjects. The PRL increase induced by TRH administration was significantly higher in patients than in controls. Finally a change in the hormonal secretion was found after chemotherapy in 3 of the 5 patients in whom PRL response to TRH was evaluated either before or 10-12 days after a cycle of intravenous CMF adjuvant chemotherapy. These results demonstrate the existence of an exaggerated response of PRL to TRH in patients with breast cancer, even in the presence of normal basal levels. Moreover, they would seem to suggest a possible influence of CMF on PRL response to TRH stimulation.
Limb muscle dysfunction in COPD: effects of muscle wasting and exercise training.

PURPOSE Lower-limb muscle weakness has often been reported in COPD, and contributes to exercise intolerance. Controversial information is available regarding upper-limb muscle adaptations and the influence of muscle wasting on muscle weakness. We investigated leg and arm muscle function in 59 stable COPD patients (GOLD stage III) with preserved fat-free mass (FFM) and in 28 patients with reduced FFM relative to age- and sex-matched healthy control subjects and studied the effects of 8 wk of whole-body exercise training. METHODS FFM was measured with bioelectrical impedance analysis. Isokinetic quadriceps (F-leg) and biceps strength (F-arm), as well as quadriceps (E-leg) and biceps endurance (E-arm) were determined with a Biodex dynamometer. Exercise training consisted of cycle ergometry, treadmill walking, weight training, and gymnastics during 5 d.wk. RESULTS F-leg (76.2 +/- 3.6 vs 118.2 +/- 6.3 N.m, P < 0.001) and F-arm (25.6 +/- 1.3 vs 38.1 +/- 2.1 N.m, P < 0.001) were significantly and similarly reduced in the COPD patient group compared with controls. Also, E-leg (-2.13 +/- 0.12 vs -1.61 +/- 0.11, P < 0.01), but not E-arm (-2.72 +/- 0.11 and -2.47 +/- 0.13 NS), was decreased in patients. F-leg (62.4 +/- 4.3 vs 82.8 +/- 4.7 N.m, P < 0.01), but not F-arm or muscle endurance, was reduced in FFM-depleted compared with non-FFM-depleted patients. Whereas after training F-leg and E-leg significantly increased by 20% in the whole COPD group, biceps muscle function remained unchanged. CONCLUSION Lower- and upper-limb muscle dysfunction was observed in COPD patients, irrespective of the presence of FFM depletion. Generalized muscle weakness suggests systemic muscular involvement, although the preserved arm endurance and the poor response of arm performance to exercise training is indicative for intrinsic differences in muscular adaptations between leg and arm muscles.
New Modified Scrambled Faure Sequences

In this paper, we introduce two new modified scrambled Faure sequences based on linear digit scrambling method with good two-dimensional projections in consecutive dimensions using two new linear digit scrambling matrices for linear and nonlinear scrambled Faure sequences. Also, we present performance of our two new scrambling methods by two-dimensional projections and test-integrals.
Differential nitric oxide and TNF-alpha production of murine Kupffer cell subfractions upon priming with IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha.

AIMS/BACKGROUND We have previously shown a striking heterogeneity of naive murine Kupffer cells (KC) that depends on cell size. METHODS In the present study, we demonstrate a shift in response of KC fractions separated on cell size by countercurrent elutriation upon priming with tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) or interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma). RESULTS Whereas unprimed large KC are most active in the production of TNF-alpha and nitric oxide (NO), after priming of KC with TNF-alpha predominantly small and intermediate sized KC produce TNF-alpha in response to bacteria. Priming with IFN-gamma enhanced NO production in all KC. A strong synergy, with respect to production of NO, was observed when KC subfractions were exposed to a combination of TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma. Concerning TNF-alpha production, priming of KC subfractions seemed to induce a shift of activity from large KC to smaller KC. CONCLUSIONS The present data demonstrate a clear heterogeneity among murine KC with respect to immunologic response to stimuli. These results demonstrate that KC have different functions in immunologic reactions that seem to be related to size.
Machine Learning in Non-Stationary Environments - Introduction to Covariate Shift Adaptation

As the power of computing has grown over the past few decades, the field of machine learning has advanced rapidly in both theory and practice. Machine learning methods are usually based on the assumption that the data generation mechanism does not change over time. Yet real-world applications of machine learning, including image recognition, natural language processing, speech recognition, robot control, and bioinformatics, often violate this common assumption. Dealing with non-stationarity is one of modern machine learning's greatest challenges. This book focuses on a specific non-stationary environment known as covariate shift, in which the distributions of inputs (queries) change but the conditional distribution of outputs (answers) is unchanged, and presents machine learning theory, algorithms, and applications to overcome this variety of non-stationarity. After reviewing the state-of-the-art research in the field, the authors discuss topics that include learning under covariate shift, model selection, importance estimation, and active learning. They describe such real world applications of covariate shift adaption as brain-computer interface, speaker identification, and age prediction from facial images. With this book, they aim to encourage future research in machine learning, statistics, and engineering that strives to create truly autonomous learning machines able to learn under non-stationarity.
Inkjet printing in manufacturing of stretchable interconnects

Stretchable circuits have the potential to enable integrating electronics in everyday objects, but also skin-like, imperceptible electronic applications. However, manufacturing stretchable electronics requires developing novel manufacturing methods and using novel materials at least as substrate. Since the elastic materials for stretchable electronics are relatively soft, using traditional manufacturing methods becomes more problematic, whereas contactless material deposition by inkjet-printing is unaffected by such material properties. This study concentrates on feasibility analysis of using inkjet printing in manufacturing of stretchable electronics. First, printing related challenges are evaluated by manufacturing test structures with inkjet-printer using silver nanoparticle ink on elastic thermoplastic polyurethane substrate and sintering structures in convection oven. Adhesion between ink and substrate, but also sheet resistance, is evaluated. A minimum sheet resistance approx. of 26 mΩ/□ was obtained, and peak strains of inkjet-printed conductors are found to be between 1.0 % and 1.5 %, but conductivity is observed to be almost fully reversible when strain is released.