Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparison of Three Generations of Electron Beam Tomography on Image Noise and Reproducibility, a Phantom Study

The detection of coronary artery calcification (CAC) using the electron beam tomography (EBT) scanner provides a noninvasive indicator for coronary artery disease (CAD). Physicians interested in preventative medicine also are using this modality to track atherosclerosis over time. Two new iterations of the EBT scanner have been introduced. We sought to evaluate the image quality of each machine to examine whether patients scanned on a previous model would have similar image quality and results to those scanned on the newest scanner. Methods:This study used the C-150 XP, C300, and the e-Speed EBT scanners in high-resolution volume mode. A cork chest phantom was constructed for use as a human chest. A mixture of calcium phosphate, cornstarch and glue was placed inside the wells to simulate coronary calcium. The foci masses were 3, 5, 7, 10, 15, 20, 40, 60, 80, 100, and 200 mg (calcium mass), which provided the 55 foci of different masses and densities to simulate coronary calcium in the chest phantom. Each phantom was scanned multiple times, using both 1.5- and 3-mm slice thickness and table collimation settings with each scanner. Results:There were no statistical differences found between the 1.5-mm and 3.0-mm slice thickness calcium foci scores (Agatston & volumetric) for all 3 EBT scanners. The C-150 XP scanner had a variability of 6.01% between 1.5-mm and 3.0-mm slice thickness. Analysis by t test revealed that the mean noise value of C-150 XP was significantly higher than the C300, e-Speed (50 milliseconds), and e-Speed (100 milliseconds) with P values of 0.001, 0.025, and 0.001, respectively. Comparison of 1.5-mm versus 3.0-mm slice thickness noise value showed a significant difference only for the C-150 XP scanner (P < 0.05). Conclusions:The use of the 3 EBT scanners in longitudinal studies of patients coronary calcium score is feasible to obtain similar calcium score values. The C-150 XP has the greatest noise effect in comparison to the C300 and e-Speed scanners. Improved image noise should improve reproducibility of the calcium measurement with these newer devices.
Removal of Copper (II) from Aqueous Solutions by Flotation using Polyaluminum Chloride Silicate (PAX-Xl60 S) As Coagulant and Carbonate Ion as Activator

Flotation is a separation technology for removing toxic heavy metal ions from aqueous solutions. Here a simple and rapid flotation procedure is presented for the removal of copper(II) from aqueous solutions. It is based on the use of polyaluminum chloride silicate (PAX-XL60 S) as coagulant and flocculent, carbonate ion as activator and oleic acid (HOL) as surfactant. Both ion and precipitate flotation are included depending on the solution pH. Ion and precipitate flotation in the aqueous HOL-PAX-XL60 S-Cu2+-CO3 2− system gave powerful preferential removal of Cu2+ (F ∼100 %) over the HOL-PAX-XL60 S-Cu2+ system containing no CO3 2− ion (F ∼86 %). The role of CO3 2− ion is also evident from decreasing the dose of PAX-XL60 S from 700 mg l−1 to 200 mg l−1. The other parameters, influencing the flotation process, namely: metal ion, surfactant and PAX-XL60 S concentrations, ionic strength, temperature and foreign ions were examined. Moreover, the procedure was successfully applied to recover Cu2+ ions from different volumes up to 1 l and from natural water samples.
L-Band Microwave Emission of Soil Freeze–Thaw Process in the Third Pole Environment

Soil freeze–thaw transition monitoring is essential for quantifying climate change and hydrologic dynamics over cold regions, for instance, the Third Pole. We investigate the L-band (1.4 GHz) microwave emission characteristics of soil freeze–thaw cycle via analysis of tower-based brightness temperature (<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$T_{{{{\mathrm {B}}}}}^{p}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>) measurements in combination with simulations performed by a model of soil microwave emission considering vertical variations of permittivity and temperature. Vegetation effects are modeled using Tor Vergata discrete emission model. The ELBARA-III radiometer is installed in a seasonally frozen Tibetan grassland site to measure diurnal cycles of L-band <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$T_{{{{\mathrm {B}}}}}^{p}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> every 30 min, and supporting micrometeorological as well as volumetric soil moisture (<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\theta $ </tex-math></inline-formula>) and temperature profile measurements are also conducted. Soil freezing/thawing phases are clearly distinguished by using <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$T_{{{{\mathrm {B}}}}}^{p}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> measurements at two polarizations, and further analyses show that: 1) the four-phase dielectric mixing model is appropriate for estimating permittivity of frozen soil; 2) the soil effective temperature is well comparable with the temperature at 25 cm depth when soil liquid water is freezing, while it is closer to the one measured at 5 cm when soil ice is thawing; and 3) the impact on <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$T_{{{{\mathrm {B}}}}}^{p}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> caused by diurnal changes of ground permittivity is dominating the impact of changing ground temperature. Moreover, the simulations performed with the integrated Tor Vergata emission model and Noah land surface model indicate that the <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$T_{{{{\mathrm {B}}}}}^{p}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> signatures of diurnal soil freeze–thaw cycle is more sensitive to the liquid water content of the soil surface layer than the <italic>in situ</italic> measurements taken at 5 cm depth.
Effectiveness of an integrated adventure‐based training and health education program in promoting regular physical activity among childhood cancer survivors

There is growing concern about declining levels of physical activity in childhood cancer survivors. This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of an integrated adventure‐based training and health education program in promoting changes in exercise behavior and enhancing the physical activity levels, self‐efficacy, and quality of life of Hong Kong Chinese childhood cancer survivors.
Active and Passive Cigarette Smoking and the Risk of Cervical Neoplasia

OBJECTIVE: Evidence links active cigarette smoking to cervical neoplasia, but much less is known about the role of passive smoking. Using a prospective cohort design, we examined personal cigarette smoking and household passive smoke exposure in relation to the risk of cervical neoplasia. METHODS: Cohorts were established based on data collected on the smoking status of all household members during private censuses of Washington County, Maryland in 1963 (n = 24,792) and 1975 (n = 26,381). Using the Washington County Cancer Registry, the occurrence of cervical neoplasia in the two cohorts was ascertained from 1963–1978 and from 1975–1994. Poisson regression models were fitted to estimate the relative risk of developing cervical neoplasia associated with active and passive smoking in both cohorts. The referent category for all comparisons was never smokers not exposed to passive smoking. RESULTS: The adjusted relative risk and 95% confidence limits for passive smoking was 2.1 (1.3, 3.3) in the 1963 cohort and 1.4 (0.8, 2.4) in the 1975 cohort. The adjusted relative risk and 95% confidence limits for current smoking were 2.6 (1.7, 4.1) and 1.7 (1.1, 2.6) in the 1963 and 1975 cohort, respectively. CONCLUSION: The associations were in the direction of increased risk for both passive smoking and current active smoking in both the 1963 and 1975 cohorts, but were stronger in the 1963 cohort. The results of this long-term, prospective cohort study corroborate the association between active cigarette smoking and cervical neoplasia and provide evidence that passive smoking is a risk factor for cervical neoplasia. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: II-2
Pilot project of the Nutrition-Friendly School Initiative (NFSI) in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso and Cotonou, Benin, in West Africa

This paper describes the first African experience with the Nutrition-Friendly School Initiative (NFSI) in two large West African cities: Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso and Cotonou, Benin. NFSI was launched by the World Health Organization (WHO) and its partners in 2006, as a means of preventing the double burden of malnutrition: the coexistence of undernutrition and overnutrition among school-children. NFSI pilot-testing is one component of the Partnership Project on the Double Burden of Malnutrition, funded by the Canadian International Development Agency for 6 years (2008–2014). The Project assisted the government in the selection of pilot schools, fostered the installation of health and nutrition committees in selected schools, and helped with the initial school self-assessments. In accordance with the empowering philosophy of health promotion, pilot schools did not follow a pre-defined schedule of interventions, except for the training of teachers in nutrition education and the nutritional (anthropometric) surveillance of schoolchildren. For the latter activities, technical assistance and seminal funds were provided. Yearly planning workshops were held for school committees, with WHO support. In both settings, training was given to street vendors in order to improve the hygiene and nutritional value of food sold to schoolchildren. Other activities included special nutrition events and sanitation measures. In both cities, NFSI showed promising results in terms of school and community mobilization towards improved nutrition and health; however, NFSI must be better understood as an endogenous and self-sustaining approach. Furthermore, household poverty and scarce school resources appear as major barriers to gaining full impact of NFSI in low-income populations.
Is anti-platelet therapy needed in continuous flow left ventricular assist device patients? A single-centre experience.

OBJECTIVES We report our 5-year experience of continuous flow left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation without the use of anti-platelet therapy. METHODS Between February 2006 and September 2011, 27 patients (26 men; 1 woman) were implanted with a continuous flow LVAD (HeartMate II, Thoratec Corporation, Pleasanton, CA, USA). The mean age was 55.7 ± 9.9 years. The mean duration of support was 479 ± 436 (1-1555) days with 35.4 patient-years on support. Twenty-one patients were implanted as a bridge to transplantation and 6 for destination therapy. The anticoagulation regimen was fluindione for all patients, with aspirin for only 4 patients. At the beginning of our experience, aspirin was administered to 4 patients for 6, 15, 60 and 460 days. Due to gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding and epistaxis, aspirin was discontinued, and since August 2006, no patients have received anti-platelet therapy. RESULTS At 3 years, the survival rate during support was 76%. The most common postoperative adverse event was GI bleeding (19%) and epistaxis (30%) (median time: 26 days) for patients receiving fluindione and aspirin. The mean International Normalized Ratio (INR) was 2.58 ± 0.74 during support. Fifteen patients have been tested for acquired Von Willebrand disease. A diminished ratio of collagen-binding capacity and ristocetin cofactor activity to Von Willebrand factor antigen was observed in 7 patients. In the postoperative period, 2 patients presented with ischaemic stroke at 1 and 8 months. One of these 2 patients had a previous history of carotid stenosis with ischaemic stroke. There were no patients with haemorrhagic stroke, transient ischaemic attack or pump thrombosis. The event rate of stroke (ischaemic and haemorrhagic) per patient-year was 0.059 among the patients without aspirin with fluindione regimen only. CONCLUSIONS A fluindione regimen without aspirin in long-duration LVAD support appears to not increase thromboembolic events and could lead to a diminished risk of haemorrhagic stroke.
TUMORIGENESIS AND NEOPLASTIC PROGRESSION The Prolactin Receptor Transactivation Domain Is Associated with Steroid Hormone Receptor Expression and Malignant Progression of Breast Cancer

The polypeptide hormone prolactin (PRL) stimulates breast epithelial cell growth, differentiation, and motility through its cognate receptor, PRLr. PRLr is expressed in most breast cancers; however, its exact role remains elusive. Our laboratory previously described a novel mode of PRLr signaling in which Stat5a-mediated transcription is regulated through ligand-induced phosphorylation of the PRLr transactivation domain (TAD). Herein, we used a PRLr transactivation-de ﬁ cient mutant (PRLrYDmut) to identify novel TAD-speci ﬁ c target genes. Microarray analysis identi ﬁ ed 120 PRL-induced genes up-regulated by wild type but not PRLrYDmut. Compared with control, PRLr expression signi ﬁ cantly induced expression of approximately 4700 PRL-induced genes, whereas PRLrYDmut ablated induction of all but 19 of these genes. Ingenuity pathway analysis found that the PRLr TAD most profoundly affected networks involving cancer and proliferation. In support of this, PRLrYDmut expression reduced anchorage-dependent and anchorage-independent growth. In addition, pathway analysis identi ﬁ ed a link between the PRLr TAD and the estrogen and progesterone receptors (ER a /PR). Although neither ER a nor PR was identi ﬁ ed as a PRL target gene, a TAD mutation signi ﬁ cantly impaired ER a /PR expression and of receptors as prognostic markers in breast cancer pathogenesis.
Iterative Feedback Tuning in Fuzzy Control Systems. Theory and Applications

The paper deals with both theoretical and application aspects concerning Iterative Feedback Tuning (IFT) algorithms in the design of a class of fuzzy control systems employing Mamdani-type PI-fuzzy controllers. The presentation is focused on two- degree-of-freedom fuzzy control system structures resulting in one design method. The stability analysis approach based on Popov's hyperstability theory solves the convergence problems associated to IFT algorithms. The suggested design method is validated by real- time experimental results for a fuzzy controlled nonlinear DC drive-type laboratory equipment.
Effect of hepatocyte growth factor on methionine adenosyltransferase genes and growth is cell density‐dependent in HepG2 cells

Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) is a potent hepatocyte mitogen but its effect in liver cancer is conflicting. Methionine adenosyltransferase (MAT) is an essential enzyme encoded by two genes (MAT1A and MAT2A), while a third gene (MAT2β) encodes for a subunit that regulates the MAT2A‐encoded isoenzyme. MAT1A is silenced while MAT2A and MAT2β are induced in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The current work examined expression of HGF/c‐met in HCC and whether HGF regulates MAT genes and growth in HepG2 cells. We found the mRNA levels of HGF and c‐met are markedly increased in HCC. To study the influence of cell density, HepG2 cells were plated under high‐density (HD) or low‐density (LD) and treated with HGF (10 ng/ml). Cell density had a dramatic effect on MAT1A expression, being nearly undetectable at LD to a ninefold induction under HD. Cell density also determined the effect of HGF. At HD, HGF increased the mRNA levels of p21 and p27, while lowering the levels of MAT genes, cyclin A, and c‐met. At LD, HGF increased the mRNA levels of cyclin A, MAT2A, MAT2β, and c‐met. Consistently, HGF inhibits growth under HD but stimulates growth under LD. HGF induced sustained high ERK activation under HD as compared to LD. In summary, HGF induces genes favoring growth and is mitogenic when HepG2 cells are plated under LD; however, the opposite occurs under HD. This involves cell density‐dependent differences in HGF‐induced ERK activation. This may explain why HGF is mitogenic only when there is loss of cell‐cell contact in vivo. J. Cell. Physiol. 210: 766–773, 2007. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Cooperation of two distinct ExpR regulators controls quorum sensing specificity and virulence in the plant pathogen Erwinia carotovora

Quorum sensing, the population density‐dependent regulation mediated by N‐acylhomoserine lactones (AHSL), is essential for the control of virulence in the plant pathogen Erwinia carotovora ssp. carotovora (Ecc). In Erwinia carotovora ssp. the AHSL signal with an acyl chain of either 6 or 8 carbons is generated by an AHSL synthase, the expI gene product. This work demonstrates that the AHSL receptor, ExpR1, of Ecc strain SCC3193 has strict specificity for the cognate AHSL 3‐oxo‐C8‐HSL. We have also identified a second AHSL receptor (ExpR2) and demonstrate a novel quorum sensing mechanism, where ExpR2 acts synergistically with the previously described ExpR1 to repress virulence gene expression in Ecc. We show that this repression is released by addition of AHSLs and appears to be largely mediated via the negative regulator RsmA. Additionally we show that ExpR2 has the novel property to sense AHSLs with different acyl chain lengths. The expI expR1 double mutant is able to act in response to a number of different AHSLs, while the expI expR2 double mutant can only respond to the cognate signal of Ecc strain SCC3193. These results suggest that Ecc is able to react both to the cognate AHSL signal and the signals produced by other bacterial species.
Brain Networks Maintain a Scale-free Organization across Consciousness, Anesthesia, and Recovery: Evidence for Adaptive Reconfiguration

Background:Loss of consciousness is an essential feature of general anesthesia. Although alterations of neural networks during anesthesia have been identified in the spatial domain, there has been relatively little study of temporal organization. Methods:Ten healthy male volunteers were anesthetized with an induction dose of propofol on two separate occasions. The duration of network connections in the brain was analyzed by multichannel electroencephalography and the minimum spanning tree method. Entropy of the connections was calculated based on Shannon entropy. The global temporal configuration of networks was investigated by constructing the cumulative distribution function of connection times in different frequency bands and different states of consciousness. Results:General anesthesia was associated with a significant reduction in the number of network connections, as well as significant alterations of their duration. These changes were most prominent in the &dgr; bandwidth and were also associated with a significant reduction in entropy of the connection matrix. Despite these and other changes, a global “scale-free” organization was consistently preserved across multiple subjects, anesthetic exposures, states of consciousness, and electroencephalogram frequencies. Conclusions:Our data suggest a fundamental principle of temporal organization of network connectivity that is maintained during consciousness and anesthesia, despite local changes. These findings are consistent with a process of adaptive reconfiguration during general anesthesia.
Steady-State Nitrogen Isotope Effects of N2 and N2O Production in Paracoccus denitrificans

ABSTRACT Nitrogen stable-isotope compositions (δ15N) can help track denitrification and N2O production in the environment, as can knowledge of the isotopic discrimination, or isotope effect, inherent to denitrification. However, the isotope effects associated with denitrification as a function of dissolved-oxygen concentration and their influence on the isotopic composition of N2O are not known. We developed a simple steady-state reactor to allow the measurement of denitrification isotope effects in Paracoccus denitrificans. With [dO2] between 0 and 1.2 μM, the N stable-isotope effects of NO3− and N2O reduction were constant at 28.6‰ ± 1.9‰ and 12.9‰ ± 2.6‰, respectively (mean ± standard error,n = 5). This estimate of the isotope effect of N2O reduction is the first in an axenic denitrifying culture and places the δ15N of denitrification-produced N2O midway between those of the nitrogenous oxide substrates and the product N2 in steady-state systems. Application of both isotope effects to N2O cycling studies is discussed.
Bilateral symmetry of radial pulse in high-level tennis players: implications for the validity of central aortic pulse wave analysis

Background Reconstruction of the central aortic pressure wave from the noninvasive recording of the radial pulse with applanation tonometry has become a standard tool in the field of hypertension. It is not presently known whether recording the radial pulse on the dominant or the nondominant side has any effect on such reconstruction. Method We carried out radial applanation tonometry on both forearms in young, healthy, male volunteers, who were either sedentary (n = 11) or high-level tennis players (n = 10). The purpose of including tennis players was to investigate individuals with extreme asymmetry between the dominant and nondominant upper limb. Results In the sedentary individuals, forearm circumference and handgrip strength were slightly larger on the dominant (mean ± SD respectively 27.9 ± 1.5 cm and 53.8 ± 10 kg) than on nondominant side (27.3 ± 1.6 cm, P < 0.001 vs. dominant, and 52.1 ± 11 kg, P = NS). In the tennis players, differences between sides were more conspicuous (forearm circumference: dominant 28.0 ± 1.7 cm nondominant 26.4 ± 1.5 cm, P < 0.001; handgrip strength 61.4 ± 10.8 vs. 53.4 ± 9.7 kg, P < 0.001). We found that in both sedentary individuals and tennis players, the radial pulse had identical shape on both sides and, consequently, the reconstructed central aortic pressure waveforms, as well as derived indices of central pulsatility, were not dependent on the side where applanation tonometry was carried out. Conclusion Evidence from individuals with maximal asymmetry of dominant vs. nondominant upper limb indicates that laterality of measurement is not a methodological issue for central pulse wave analysis carried out with radial applanation tonometry.
Assessing Legislative Potential to Institute Error Transparency: A State Comparison of Malpractice Claims Rates

&NA; The prevalence of medical errors and malpractice claims has been attributed to deficits in error reporting and disclosure. Increasingly, states are adopting error reporting and apology laws to reduce these information gaps thereby instituting error‐transparent medical cultures. At the same time, doubts have been expressed about the capacity for legislation to influence medical professionals. In order to assess legislative potential to establish error transparency, a cross‐sectional research design compared differences in malpractice claim rates among states adopting different legislative approaches. Two one‐way analysis of variance tests were performed. The first analysis indicated that there are no significant mean differences in claims rates between states enacting only an apology law, only an error reporting law, both laws, and neither law, F (3,47)=1.13, p=. 34. The second analysis indicated that there are no significant mean differences in claims rates between states enacting both laws, either law, and neither law, F (2,48)=1.08, p=. 35. The findings show that legislation does not have a significant capacity to regulate malpractice claims rates. This suggests that laws governing error transparency are too remote from the delivery of healthcare services to regulate disclosure behavior and that fundamental changes in our medical culture should be initiated at an organizational level.