Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Value of T1-weighted Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Cholesteatoma Detection.

OBJECTIVE To reveal the usefulness of T1-weighted (T1W) imaging on diagnostic magnetic resonance (MR) imaging for cholesteatoma. STUDY DESIGN A retrospective case review. SETTING Tertiary referral center. PATIENTS Fifty-three patients (57 ears) suspected to have cholesteatomas and treated (6-82 yr of age). INTERVENTION Preoperative MR imaging, including non-echo planar (non-EP) diffusion-weighted (DW) and T1W imaging. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Primary outcome measures included the comparison between the diagnostic accuracy for the detection of cholesteatomas using non-EP DW imaging alone (criterion 1) and non-EP DW imaging along with T1W imaging (criterion 2). Diagnostic accuracy was evaluated in each case by comparing MR imaging with surgical findings. Secondary outcome measures included the comparison of the rates of cases showing a high T1W signal between cholesteatomas and noncholesteatomas which showed a high non-EP DW signal. RESULTS The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy according to criterion 1 were 93.5, 63.6, and 87.7% and those according to criterion 2 were 89.1, 100, and 91.2%, respectively. Of 43 cholesteatoma cases indicating a high non-EP DW signal, only 2 cases showed a high T1W signal (5%). On the other hand, all four noncholesteatoma cases indicating high non-EP DW signal showed a high T1W signal (100%), and these rates were significantly different (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION Our results suggest that T1W imaging may aid in the exclusion of false-positive cases on diagnostic non-EP DW MR imaging for cholesteatomas. A combination of non-EP DW and T1W imaging may improve the specificity and accuracy compared with non-EP DW imaging alone.
Evaluation of coagulation stages of hemorrhaged swine: comparison of thromboelastography and rotational elastometry

Thromboelastography (TEG) or rotational thromboelastometry (ROTEM) assesses blood viscoelastic properties and clotting kinetics that can be measured by Haemoscope TEG and Pentapharm ROTEM devices using slightly different methodologies. These devices were compared by measuring blood samples associated with various degrees of coagulopathy. Blood samples, collected from swine undergoing three types of severe injury and resuscitation protocol resulting in normal, hypercoagulopathy, and hypocoagulopathy, were assessed with TEG or ROTEM before the surgical procedures, and after injury, fluid resuscitation, and simulated hospital phase. Standard clotting parameters were compared by Student's t-test at a significance of a P value less than 0.05. Regression analysis indicated a positive correlation between TEG and ROTEM for reaction time (R), clotting rate (K), and maximum amplitude (Ma) parameters. With samples of normal coagulation, R (440 ± 136 vs. 391 ± 73 s), K (99 ± 39 vs. 81 ± 20 s), and Ma (74 ± 4 vs. 69 ± 5 mm) were higher, whereas (α) (68 ± 8 vs. 75 ± 3 mm) was lower with TEG than ROTEM, respectively; a P value is less than 0.05. The magnitude of changes from baseline in hypercoagulable or hypocoagulable samples due to level of injury was equivalent with TEG and ROTEM indicating comparable use of the instruments. However, when samples were extremely hypocoagulopathic due to resuscitation fluid, the TEG values could not be readily determined. Overall, TEG readings were higher than ROTEM readings; this disparity between the two instruments was attenuated with hypercoaguable samples. Both devices yielded similar information regarding the status of coagulation related to trauma. Because of operating characteristics, the same instrument should be used for monitoring the same patient or study.
Novel boundary condition for the finite-element solution of arbitrary planar junctions

A novel boundary condition for a two-dimensional finite-element method (2D-FEM) is developed to simulate accessing waveguides to planar optical junctions. This new boundary condition is based on a paraxial approximation to the field's derivatives over the junction's ports. The formulation is very easily adapted within the 2D-FEM framework while providing good simulation results. Two examples are provided to show the applicability and reliability of the present method: a waveguide step discontinuity and a sharp waveguide bend.
Identification of a streptomycin resistance gene and a partial Tn3 transposon coding for a beta-lactamase in a periodontal strain of Eikenella corrodens

The beta-lactamase gene from a periodontal strain of Eikenella corrodens, resistant to penicillins and streptomycin, was inserted into pBGS9 and transformed into Escherichia coli DH5 alpha. A 4.7-kb insert of pJML1, one of the transformants, was partially sequenced and found to contain the right section of transposon Tn3 from the middle of the TnpR resolvase gene to the right inverted repeat RI(R), including the TEM-1 gene. Sequences identical to RSF1010 were found on either side of the Tn3 sequence. pJML1 also contained a streptomycin resistance gene, probably identical to that of RSF1010. A portion of the pJML1 insert was not homologous to either Tn3 or RSF1010 but was homologous to the chromosomal DNA of E. corrodens ATCC 23834. It is assumed that the insert of pJML1 was derived from the chromosomal DNA of E. corrodens EC-38.
Alcohol Intake and Colorectal Cancer Risk by Molecularly Defined Subtypes in a Prospective Study of Older Women

Increased alcohol consumption is a putative colorectal cancer (CRC) risk factor. However, existing data are less conclusive for women than men. Also, to date, relatively few studies have reported alcohol-related CRC risks based on molecularly defined tumor subtypes. We evaluated associations between alcohol intake and incident CRC, overall and by microsatellite instability [MSI high (MSI-H) or MSI low/microsatellite stable (MSI-L/MSS)], CpG island methylator phenotype (CIMP positive or CIMP negative), and BRAF mutation (mutated or wild-type) status in the prospective, population-based Iowa Women's Health Study (IWHS; n = 41,836). Subjects were 55 to 69 years at baseline (1986), and exposure data were obtained by self-report. Incident CRCs were prospectively identified and archived, paraffin-embedded tissue specimens were collected from 732 representative cases, diagnosed through December 31, 2002. Multivariate Cox regression models were fit to estimate relative risks (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Among alcohol consumers, the median intake (range) was 3.4 (0.9–292.8) g/d. Compared with nonconsumers, alcohol intake levels of 3.4 g/d or less (RR = 1.00; 95% CI, 0.86–1.15) and more than 3.4 g/d (RR = 1.06; 95% CI, 0.91–1.24) were not significantly associated with overall CRC risk. Analyses based on alcohol intake levels of 30 g/d or less and more than 30 g/d or quartile distributions yielded similar risk estimates. Null associations were also observed between each alcohol intake level and the MSI-, CIMP- or, BRAF-defined CRC subtypes (P > 0.05 for each comparison). These data do not support an adverse effect from alcohol intake on CRC risk, overall or by specific molecularly defined subtypes, among older women. Cancer Prev Res; 4(12); 2035–43. ©2011 AACR.
Clutch-size manipulations in the Yellow-Headed Blackbird: a test of the individual optimization hypothesis

To test the critical short-term predictions of the individual optimization hypothesis (IOH), Yellow-headed Blackbird (Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus) clutches of three and four eggs were experimentally enlarged or reduced by one egg, and broods were monitored until fledging. Predictions that control clutches would a) have greater fledging success than experimental clutches, and b) produce heavier or bigger offspring than enlarged broods were generally not supported. Within control clutches, the number of nestlings that fledged did not increase with clutch size. In fact, three-egg clutches were more productive than the most common clutch size of four eggs. The IOH appears to be unsupported for this population, at least up until the time of fledging. We suggest a potential insurance value exists for the fourth-laid egg, thus explaining the maintenance of a modal clutch size of four eggs in this species
THE IMPORTANCE OF AMPLITUDE ENVELOPE: SURVEYING THE TEMPORAL STRUCTURE OF SOUNDS IN PERCEPTUAL RESEARCH

Our lab’s research has repeatedly documented significant differences in the outcomes of perception experiments using flat (i.e. sustained) vs. percussive (i.e. decaying) tones [1, 2]. Some of these findings contrast with well-established theories and models, and we suspect this discrepancy stems from a traditional focus on flat tones in psychophysical research on auditory perception. To explore this issue, we surveyed 94 articles published in Attention, Perception & Psychophysics, classifying the temporal structure (i.e. amplitude envelope) of each sound using five categories: flat (i.e. sustained with abruptly ending offsets), percussive (i.e. naturally decaying offsets), click train (i.e. a series of rapid sound-bursts), other , and not specified (i.e. insufficient specification with respect to temporal structure). The use of flat tones (31%) clearly outnumbered percussive (4.5%) . This un-der-utilization of percussive sounds is intriguing, given their ecological prevalence outside the lab [3,4]. Interest-ingly, 55% of the tones encountered fell within the not specified category. This is not indicative of general ne-glect, as these articles frequently specified other details such as spectral envelope, headphone model, and model of computer/synthesizer. This suggests that temporal structure’s full importance has not traditionally been recognized, and that it represents a rich area for future research and exploration.
Research using qualitative, quantitative or mixed methods and choice based on the research

Research is fundamental to the advancement of medicine and critical to identifying the most optimal therapies unique to particular societies. This is easily observed through the dynamics associated with pharmacology, surgical technique and the medical equipment used today versus short years ago. Advancements in knowledge synthesis and reporting guidelines enhance the quality, scope and applicability of results; thus, improving health science and clinical practice and advancing health policy. While advancements are critical to the progression of optimal health care, the high cost associated with these endeavors cannot be ignored. Research fundamentally needs to be evaluated to identify the most efficient methods of evaluation. The primary objective of this paper is to look at a specific research methodology when applied to the area of clinical research, especially extracorporeal circulation and its prognosis for the future.
Oral challenge with increasing doses of LPS modulated the patterns of plasma metabolites and minerals in periparturient dairy cows

We showed recently that repeated oral exposure to LPS stimulated humoral immune responses in periparturient dairy cows. Here, metabolic and mineral responses to repeated oral administration of LPS were investigated. Sixteen clinically healthy, pregnant Holstein cows were orally administered 3 ml of saline solution (control) or 3 ml of saline solution containing 3 increasing doses of LPS, at 07:00 h, as follows: (i) 0.01 µg/kg body mass (BM) on d −14 and −10, (ii) 0.05 µg/kg BM on d −7 and −3, and (iii) 0.1 µg/kg BM on d 3 and 7 relative to parturition. Blood samples were measured shortly before, and at 8 different time-points after (up to 6 h), the first challenge of each LPS dosage to evaluate the post-challenge plasma profile, as well as weekly up to 4 wk postpartum. Results showed that oral administration of LPS lowered concentrations of non-esterified fatty acids (P < 0.01) and β-hydroxy-butyrate (P < 0.01) in the plasma, particularly after the third LPS challenge. Also, after the third oral LPS challenge, treatment tended to increase plasma glucose. Plasma calcium did not change, but concentrations of insulin (P < 0.01) and zinc (P < 0.01) were greater, while that of copper was lower (P < 0.01) in the plasma of treated cows. This is the first report to indicate a potential role for repeated oral administration of LPS around parturition to modulate the profile of plasma metabolites and minerals postpartum.
ICSH guidelines for the verification and performance of automated cell counters for body fluids

One of the many challenges facing laboratories is the verification of their automated Complete Blood Count cell counters for the enumeration of body fluids. These analyzers offer improved accuracy, precision, and efficiency in performing the enumeration of cells compared with manual methods. A patterns of practice survey was distributed to laboratories that participate in proficiency testing in Ontario, Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Japan to determine the number of laboratories that are testing body fluids on automated analyzers and the performance specifications that were performed. Based on the results of this questionnaire, an International Working Group for the Verification and Performance of Automated Cell Counters for Body Fluids was formed by the International Council for Standardization in Hematology (ICSH) to prepare a set of guidelines to help laboratories plan and execute the verification of their automated cell counters to provide accurate and reliable results for automated body fluid counts. These guidelines were discussed at the ICSH General Assemblies and reviewed by an international panel of experts to achieve further consensus.
HORMONAL MANAGEMENT OF HEREDITARY HEMORRHAGIC TELANGIECTASIA

The purpose of this paper is to report a new method for reducing the tendency to hemorrhage in patients with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (Osler-Rendu disease). Although the periods of observation of the patients treated were of short duration, the longest having been just over one year, the results to date of writing were of sufficient interest to merit a preliminary report. DEFINITION The term hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia was first advocated by Hanes1in 1909. He defined this disease as a "hereditary affection manifesting itself in localized dilatations of the capillaries and venules forming distinct groups of telangiectases which occur upon the skin of the face, nasal and buccal mucous membranes, and give rise to profuse hemorrhage either spontaneously or as a result of trauma. " The cardinal findings for the establishment of the diagnosis of this disease are contained in Hanes' definition: (1) the hereditary tendency toward the disease, (2)
Effects of freezing and freeze‐drying on the biomechanical properties of rat bone

The effects of various preservation techniques on the biomechanical properties of bone have been investigated in a rat model. Freezing of the specimens to −20°C, −70°C, and −196°C did not adversely affect the strength of long bones tested in torsion or of vertebral bodies tested in compression. Freeze‐drying did not markedly affect the compression properties of the vertebral specimens; however, it did produce a significant deleterious reduction in the torsional strength of the long bones.
Common Plant-Derived Terpenoids Present Increased Anti-Biofilm Potential against Staphylococcus Bacteria Compared to a Quaternary Ammonium Biocide

The antimicrobial actions of three common plant-derived terpenoids (i.e., carvacrol, thymol and eugenol) were compared to those of a typical quaternary ammonium biocide (i.e., benzalkonium chloride; BAC), against both planktonic and biofilm cells of two widespread Staphylococcus species (i.e., S. aureus and S. epidermidis). The minimum inhibitory and bactericidal concentrations (MICs, MBCs) of each compound against the planktonic cells of each species were initially determined, together with their minimum biofilm eradication concentrations (MBECs). Various concentrations of each compound were subsequently applied, for 6 min, against each type of cell, and survivors were enumerated by agar plating to calculate log reductions and determine the resistance coefficients (Rc) for each compound, as anti-biofilm effectiveness indicators. Sessile communities were always more resistant than planktonic ones, depending on the biocide and species. Although lower BAC concentrations were always needed to kill a specified population of either cell type compared to the terpenoids, for the latter, the required increases in their concentrations, to be equally effective against the biofilm cells with respect to the planktonic ones, were not as intense as those observed in the case of BAC, presenting thus significantly lower Rc. This indicates their significant anti-biofilm potential and advocate for their further promising use as anti-biofilm agents.
Activated protein C inhibits local coagulation after intrapulmonary delivery of endotoxin in humans.

RATIONALE Acute lung injury and pneumonia are associated with pulmonary activation of coagulation and suppression of fibrinolysis, resulting in fibrin deposition in the lung. Activated protein C (APC) has systemic anticoagulant effects in patients with sepsis. OBJECTIVE To determine the effect of systemic administration of recombinant human APC on endotoxin-induced hemostatic alterations in the bronchoalveolar space in humans. METHODS Healthy humans received intravenous APC (24 microg/kg/hour; n = 8) or vehicle (n = 7); all subjects were administered saline in one lung subsegment and endotoxin (4 ng/kg) into the contralateral lung. Bronchoalveolar lavage was performed 16 hours after saline and endotoxin administration. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS Endotoxin induced local activation of coagulation, as reflected by elevated levels of thrombin-antithrombin complexes (1.9 +/- 0.1 ng/ml) and soluble tissue factor (15.0 +/- 0.6 pg/ml) in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, which was inhibited by APC (1.4 +/- 0.1 ng/ml and 12.3 +/- 0.4 pg/ml, respectively; both p < 0.01). Concurrently, endotoxin suppressed fibrinolysis, as indicated by reduced bronchoalveolar levels of plasminogen activator activity accompanied by elevated levels of plasminogen activator inhibitor type I activity. APC diminished the rise in plasminogen activator inhibitor type I activity (from 3.9 +/- 0.1 to 3.0 +/- 0.2 ng/ml, p = 0.002), while not significantly influencing plasminogen activator activity levels. Endotoxin reduced bronchoalveolar protein C concentrations, which was prevented by APC. Protein C did not influence the endotoxin-induced rise in local soluble thrombomodulin levels. CONCLUSION APC exerts an anticoagulant effect in the human lung challenged with endotoxin.
The Effect of Bispectral Index Monitoring on End-Tidal Gas Concentration and Recovery Duration After Outpatient Anesthesia

We performed this study to determine whether instituting monitoring of bispectral index (BIS) throughout an entire operating room would affect end-tidal gas concentration (as a surrogate for anesthetic use) or speed of recovery after outpatient surgery. Primary caregivers (n = 69) were randomly assigned to a BIS or non-BIS Control group with cross-over at 1-mo intervals for 7 mo. Data were obtained in all outpatients except for those having head-and-neck surgery. Mean end-tidal gas concentration and total recovery duration were compared by unpaired t-test. Overall, 469 patients (80%) received propofol for induction and sevoflurane for maintenance. This homogeneous group was selected for statistical analysis. Mean end-tidal sevoflurane concentration was 13% less in the BIS group (BIS, 1.23%; Control, 1.41%;P < 0.0001); differences were most evident when anesthesia was administered by first-year trainees. Mean BIS values were 47 in the BIS-Monitored group. Total recovery was 19 min less with BIS monitoring in men (BIS group, 147 min; Controls, 166 min;P = 0.035), but not different in women. We conclude that routine application of BIS monitoring is associated with a modest reduction in end-tidal sevoflurane concentration. In men, this may correlate with a similar reduction (11%) in recovery duration.
Representations of Race and Racism in American Anthropology1

After a panel on racism at the International Congress of Anthropological and Ethnological Sciences in Williamsburg, Va. , in July 1998, a South African colleague remarked to me that American anthropologists had not yet assumed the lead in elucidating techniques for combating racism—an initiative awaited by the international community of professional anthropologists. That remark was part of the impetus for this paper. American anthropology, currently one of the country’s least-integrated or “whitest” professions (Cross 1998, Huber 1998), has apparently failed to come to a consensus on what race means in American society and on how to deal with racism. Among the consequences of this failure are that American anthropologists deliver inchoate messages about anthropological understandings of race and racism, especially in introductory textbooks, and that they do not participate actively in public discussions of race and racism. I will present some evidence of this from a study of the renderings of race and racism in contemporary American sociocultural anthropology textbooks and discuss the images of anthropology or anthropologists that appear in the public discourse on these topics in the United States. I will go on to discuss some new approaches to teaching race and racism that I believe we should consider if we are to communicate, first, to our
Atomic force microscopy imaging and single molecule recognition force spectroscopy of coat proteins on the surface of Bacillus subtilis spore

Coat assembly in Bacillus subtilis serves as a tractable model for the study of the self‐assembly process of biological structures and has a significant potential for use in nano‐biotechnological applications. In the present study, the morphology of B. subtilis spores was investigated by magnetically driven dynamic force microscopy (MAC mode atomic force microscopy) under physiological conditions. B. subtilis spores appeared as prolate structures, with a length of 0.6–3 µm and a width of about 0.5–2 µm. The spore surface was mainly covered with bump‐like structures with diameters ranging from 8 to 70 nm. Besides topographical explorations, single molecule recognition force spectroscopy (SMRFS) was used to characterize the spore coat protein CotA. This protein was specifically recognized by a polyclonal antibody directed against CotA (anti‐CotA), the antibody being covalently tethered to the AFM tip via a polyethylene glycol linker. The unbinding force between CotA and anti‐CotA was determined as 55 ± 2 pN. From the high‐binding probability of more than 20% in force–distance cycles it is concluded that CotA locates in the outer surface of B. subtilis spores. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
MANAGING DIGITAL LIBRARIES : THE VIEW FROM 30 , 000 FEET Digital learning object repositories

Purpose – This paper aims to provide an overview of the issues related to developing a digital repository for learning objects. Given the unique nature of digital learning objects, compared to other types of digital materials, several factors must be considered when establishing a learning object repository. Design/methodology/approach – The conclusions of the paper are drawn from a review of the current state of the learning object repository market. Findings – The issues related to creating digital learning object repositories are, in some cases, significantly different from those in creating “traditional” digital repositories. Staffing, metadata, and use considerations must be carefully considered in this unique environment. Originality/value – This paper fills a gap in the current literature by providing a general overview of the current state of software and related practices in the learning object repository area.