Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Perceptual Functions in Prosopagnosia

Some patients with prosopagnosia may have an apperceptive basis to their recognition defect. Perceptual abnormalities have been reported in single cases or small series, but the causal link of such deficits to prosopagnosia is unclear. Our goal was to identify candidate perceptual processes that might contribute to prosopagnosia, by subjecting several prosopagnosic patients to a battery of functions that may be necessary for accurate facial perception. We tested seven prosopagnosic patients. Three had unilateral right occipitotemporal lesions, two had bilateral posterior occipitotemporal lesions, and one had right anterior-to-occipital temporal damage along with a small left temporal lesion. These lesions all included the fusiform face area, in contrast to one patient with bilateral anterior temporal lesions. Most patients had impaired performance on face-matching tests and difficulty with subcategory judgments for non-face objects. The most consistent deficits in patients with lesions involving the fusiform face area were impaired perception of spatial relations in dot patterns and reduced contrast sensitivity in the 4 to 8 cycles deg−1 range. Patients with bilateral lesions were impaired in saturation discrimination. Luminance discrimination was normal in all but two patients, and spatial resolution was uniformly spared. Curvature and line-orientation discrimination were impaired in only one patient, who also had the most difficulty with more basic-level object recognition. We conclude that deficits in luminance, spatial resolution, curvature, line orientation, and contrast at low spatial frequencies are unlikely to contribute to apperceptive prosopagnosia. More relevant may be contrast sensitivity at higher spatial frequencies and the analysis of object spatial structure. Deficits in these functions may impair perception of subtle variations in object shape, and may be one mechanism by which the recognition defect in prosopagnosia can extend to other classes of object subcategorization.
Icodextrin reduces insulin resistance in non-diabetic patients undergoing automated peritoneal dialysis: results of a randomized controlled trial (STARCH).

BACKGROUND Insulin resistance is a common risk factor in chronic kidney disease patients contributing to the high cardiovascular burden, even in the absence of diabetes. Glucose-based peritoneal dialysis (PD) solutions are thought to intensify insulin resistance due to the continuous glucose absorption from the peritoneal cavity. The aim of our study was to analyse the effect of the substitution of glucose for icodextrin on insulin resistance in non-diabetic PD patients in a multicentric randomized clinical trial. METHODS This was a multicenter, open-label study with balanced randomization (1:1) and two parallel-groups. Inclusion criteria were non-diabetic adult patients on automated peritoneal dialysis (APD) for at least 3 months on therapy prior to randomization. Patients assigned to the intervention group were treated with 2L of icodextrin 7.5%, and the control group with glucose 2.5% during the long dwell and, at night in the cycler, with a prescription of standard glucose-based PD solution only in both groups. The primary end-point was the change in insulin resistance measured by homeostatic model assessment (HOMA) index at 90 days. RESULTS Sixty patients were included in the intervention (n = 33) or the control (n = 27) groups. There was no difference between groups at baseline. After adjustment for pre-intervention HOMA index levels, the group treated with icodextrin had the lower post-intervention levels at 90 days in both intention to treat [1.49 (95% CI: 1.23-1.74) versus 1.89 (95% CI: 1.62-2.17)], (F = 4.643, P = 0.03, partial η(2) = 0.078); and the treated analysis [1.47 (95% CI: 1.01-1.84) versus 2.18 (95% CI: 1.81-2.55)], (F = 7.488, P = 0.01, partial η(2) = 0.195). CONCLUSIONS The substitution of glucose for icodextrin for the long dwell improved insulin resistance measured by HOMA index in non-diabetic APD patients.
Formulation and Stability of Naltrexone Oral Liquid for Rapid Withdrawal from Methadone

OBJECTIVE: To assess the stability of naltrexone oral liquid prepared from tablets and powder, and to evaluate its use in precipitating rapid withdrawal from methadone. DESIGN: Naltrexone 1 mg/mL oral liquids were prepared from tablets and powder and stored in the dark at 4, 25, and 70 °C. Similar formulations containing 5 mg/mL were stored at 70 °C. The 1-mg/mL formulation prepared from tablets was clinically evaluated in inducing rapid withdrawal in two drug-dependent individuals receiving methadone maintenance treatment using a naltrexone dose titration protocol. SETTING: A university pharmacy school and affiliated urban teaching hospital. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Samples removed at six time points were analyzed for naltrexone concentration to assess decomposition over 90 days. An opioid withdrawal symptom checklist was used to assess the severity of the withdrawal symptoms prior to, and 30 minutes after, each dose of naltrexone. RESULTS: Decomposition of naltrexone in all formulations stored at 4 and 25 °C was not significant over 90 days. Both patients tolerated naltrexone 1 mg/mL oral liquid, but found it bitter and gritty. Withdrawal symptoms were experienced immediately after the first dose, but were resolving by the end of day 3 of naltrexone treatment, at which stage both patients were able to tolerate a 50-mg tablet of naltrexone as maintenance. CONCLUSIONS: Naltrexone 1 mg/mL oral liquids prepared from tablets or powder are stable when stored in the dark for 60 days at 4 °C and for 30 days at 25 °C. The formulation prepared from tablets provides flexible dosing in patients undergoing rapid withdrawal from methadone.
Multimodality Imaging of Cardiac Transthyretin Amyloidosis 16 Years After a Domino Liver Transplantation

We report the case of a 62‐year‐old man hospitalized in May 2015 for symptomatic heart failure. His medical history included two liver transplantations. The first liver transplantation was performed in 1999 for a mixed alcoholic and hepatitis C–related cirrhosis and the patient received the liver of another patient with Val30Met transthyretin amyloidosis using the domino technique. In 2008, he complained of neuropathic pains and an iatrogenic‐acquired transthyretin amyloidosis was diagnosed. On cardiac evaluation, amyloidosis was suspected. In March 2010, a second liver transplantation was performed with a deceased donor without complication. In May 2015, a first episode of symptomatic heart failure occurred and cardiac amyloidosis was investigated by a multimodality evaluation. Electrocardiogram, cardiac biomarkers, echocardiography, and cardiac MRI were in favor of the diagnosis of amyloidosis, whereas 99mTc‐dicarboxypropane diphosphonate scintigraphy was not. Endomyocardial biopsy finally confirmed the positive diagnosis of iatrogenic‐acquired cardiac amyloidosis. This case is, to the best of our knowledge, the first to report biopsy‐proven cardiac amyloidosis induced by domino liver transplantation and progressing heart failure in spite of retransplantation. The diagnostic modalities are discussed. This case should alert physicians to the cardiac risk in domino liver transplanted patients.
Acute brain death abolishes the cardioprotective effects of ischemic preconditioning in the rabbit.

BACKGROUND Myocardial preconditioning with brief coronary artery occlusions before a sustained ischemic period is reported to reduce infarct size. We wished to evaluate whether ischemic preconditioning (IP) is efficient in an experimental brain death (BD) model in the rabbit. METHODS Rabbits were randomized into four experimental groups of eight animals each. In the control group (CTRL), anaesthetized rabbits were subjected to 30 min of left coronary marginal branch occlusion and 90 min of reperfusion without any pretreatment. In the CTRL+IP group, anaesthetized rabbits were preconditioned with a 3-min ischemia and 3-min reperfusion sequence before coronary occlusion. In the BD group, rabbits were subjected to 90 min of BD before 30 min of coronary occlusion and 90 min of reperfusion. In the BD+IP group, BD rabbits were preconditioned as in the CTRL+IP group before coronary occlusion. BD was induced by rapid inflation of an intracranial balloon and was validated by clinical and electroencephalographic examinations. At the termination of the experiment, left ventricular volume (LVV), myocardial volume at risk (VAR) and infarct volume (IV) were determined with methylene blue and tetrazolium staining and were measured using planimetry. RESULTS LW was not significantly different among the four experimental groups (CTRL, 6.54+/-0.90 cm3; CTRL+IP, 5.92+/-0.60 cm3; BD, 5.87+/-0.81 cm3; BD+IP, 6.16+/-0.95 cm3; P=ns). Furthermore, myocardial VAR, expressed as a percentage of LVV, was not significantly different between groups (CTRL, 20.0+/-4.2%; CTRL+IP, 22.32+/-2.25%; BD, 21.38+/-3.36%; BD+IP, 21.64+/-3.39%; P=NS). IV, expressed as a percentage of VAR, was significantly reduced in the CTRL+IP group compared with the CTRL group (15.76+/-8.47% vs. 49.95+/-1.51%; P<0.0001). In contrast, there was no significant difference in IV, expressed as a percentage of VAR, between the BD and the BD+IP groups (50.0+/-1.52% vs. 49.72+/-1.58%; P=NS). CONCLUSION The data indicate that the infarct-limiting effect of IP is lost in BD rabbits. Thus, the clinical potential of IP in the context of organ transplantation seems to be severely compromised.
Design and development of phasor measurement unit on FPGA

In any electrical transmission and distribution system, measurement of voltage, current and different power are necessarily for smooth functioning of a power system. The magnitude and phasor of these quantities are used in implementing different relays for power system protection, monitoring, control, communicating data to central control station, data logging and self-diagnosis. Phasor Measurement Unit (PMU) is a coordinated measurement technology which provides wide area monitoring, protection and controlling of system. Since electric distribution networks are widely extended, control systems can carry out measurements of electrical quantities simultaneously. A sequential implementation of PMU based on microprocessor/ microcontroller increases the time taken in computing the results and it affects the efficiency of the controlling system. In this paper the pipelined architecture based PMU is implemented on Field Programmable Gate Arrays, which senses-processes-communicates at the same time. The PMU is implemented on GENESYS XILINX VIRTEX 5 XC5VLX50T FPGA board with communication facility. Recommended Minimum Specific Global Navigation Satellite System (GPRMC) header is obtained by connecting Global Positioning System (GPS) to the PMU. Results are displayed on hyper terminal with help of Universal Asynchronous Receiver and Transmitter (UART) interface.
Development of PCR Assay for Identification of Buffalo Meat

A polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay was developed to differentiate buffalo meat from the meat of Ceylon spotted deer (Axis axis ceylonensis), Ceylon sambhur (Cervus unicolor unicolor), cattle (Bovine), goat (Caprine), pig (Porcine), and sheep (Ovine). A set of primers were designed according to the sequence of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene of bubalus bubalis and by PCR amplification a band of approximately 242 bp band was observed with buffalo DNA. These primers did not cross-react with DNA of other animal species tested in the study under the specified reaction conditions. A band of 649 bp was observed for all animal species tested when DNA was amplified with the universal primers indicating the presence of mitochondrial DNA in the samples. The technique was sensitive enough to identify rotten (10 days post slaughter), dried and cooked buffalo meat. The absence of a cross reaction with human DNA using the buffalo specific primers eliminates possible false positive reactions. (Asian-Aust. J. Anim. Sci. 2003. Vol 16, No. 7 : 1046-1048)
Immunodiagnosis of Tuberculosis: State of the Art

Undiagnosed and mismanaged tuberculosis (TB) continues to fuel the global TB epidemic. Rapid, accurate and early diagnosis of TB is therefore a priority to improve TB case detection and interrupt transmission. Although considerable improvements have been made in TB diagnostics, there are two major gaps in the existing diagnostics pipeline: (1) lack of a simple accurate point-of-care test that can be used for rapid diagnosis at the primary care level; (2) lack of a biomarker (or combination of biomarkers) that can be used to identify latently infected individuals who will benefit most from preventive therapy. Currently available commercial serological (antibody detection) tests are inaccurate and do not improve patient outcomes. Despite this evidence, dozens of serological tests are sold and used in countries (e.g. India) with weak regulatory systems, especially in the private sector. Recognizing the threat posed by these suboptimal tests, a World Health Organization (WHO) Expert Group has strongly recommended against the use of serological tests for the diagnosis of pulmonary and extra-pulmonary TB. Another WHO Expert Group has discouraged the use of interferon-γ release assays for active pulmonary TB diagnosis in low- and middle-income countries. All existing tests for latent TB infection appear to have only modest predictive value and further research is needed to identify highly predictive biomarkers.
Laboratory Diagnosis of Sexually Transmitted Infections in Estonia in 2001–2002: Shortcomings With Impact on Diagnostic Quality and Surveillance

Objectives: The objectives of this study were to comprehensively characterize the range, content, and performance of sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing services in Estonia during the period 2001 to 2002 and to determine if the observed diagnostic laboratory practices and methods adhered to international evidence-based recommendations. Study: Survey data, focusing on organization and performance characteristics of STI diagnostics services, were assessed using questionnaires, telephone interviews, and site visits to all responding facilities providing STI diagnostics services in Estonia. Guidelines of international evidence-based recommendations for STI testing were used as references. Results: There were significant shortcomings in STI testing availability and practices. Among all participating laboratories diagnosing STIs, only a minority (n = 16, 28%) offered testing for the full minimum range of relevant STIs in Estonia, i.e., Treponema pallidum, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Chlamydia trachomatis, and Trichomonas vaginalis. In addition, because testing methods used were not properly selected, confirmation of several infections in accordance with evidence-based requirements was not possible, which has an impact both on STI diagnostic quality and surveillance.
Long‐term effective population sizes, temporal stability of genetic composition and potential for local adaptation in anadromous brown trout (Salmo trutta) populations

We examined the long‐term temporal (1910s to 1990s) genetic variation at eight microsatellite DNA loci in brown trout (Salmo trutta L) collected from five anadromous populations in Denmark to assess the long‐term stability of genetic composition and to estimate effective population sizes (Ne). Contemporary and historical samples consisted of tissue and archived scales, respectively. Pairwise θST estimates, a hierarchical analysis of molecular variance (amova) and multidimensional scaling analysis of pairwise genetic distances between samples revealed much closer genetic relationships among temporal samples from the same populations than among samples from different populations. Estimates of Ne, using a likelihood‐based implementation of the temporal method, revealed Ne ≥ 500 in two of three populations for which we have historical data. A third population in a small (3 km) river showed Ne ≥ 300. Assuming a stepping‐stone model of gene flow we considered the relative roles of gene flow, random genetic drift and selection to assess the possibilities for local adaptation. The requirements for local adaptation were fulfilled, but only adaptations resulting from strong selection were expected to occur at the level of individual populations. Adaptations resulting from weak selection were more likely to occur on a regional basis, i.e. encompassing several populations. Ne appears to have declined recently in at least one of the studied populations, and the documented recent declines of many other anadromous brown trout populations may affect the persistence of local adaptation.
PWM Inverters and Double Star Asynchronous Machine drive - Sliding mode solution

The PWM inverters and double star asynchronous machine (DSAM) drive shows drawbacks concerning stator currents quality which depend directly on the inverter's control law, phase-shift between the two stars, and stator leakage inductance. The machine model is established based on the vectorial formalism. It shows that only the voltages and currents in the alphabeta plane are related to electromechanical energy conversion. The non sequential (xy) current components don't contribute to electromechanical energy conversion and cause losses. Therefore the control of DSAM has a double objective; better control of torque and minimization of the non sequential current amplitude. The variable structure system (VSS) approach for the design of a control of this drive type appears to meet these two criteria thanks to the possibility to attract the variable on the sliding surface and to maintain it on this surface. A mathematical model of the DSAM and of the supply are derived in form suitable for analysis. And a set of simple surfaces have been chosen for each variable. Then, the following problems are discussed: selection of the switching functions in the form that allows clear optimization of twelve configurations and the algorithm to choose the suitable configuration regarding to different parameters. Simulation and few experimental results are presented
Probing treatment response of glutaminolytic prostate cancer cells to natural drugs with hyperpolarized [5‐13C]glutamine

The correlation between glutamine metabolism and oncogene expression in cancers has led to a renewed interest in the role of glutamine in cancer cell survival. Hyperpolarized [5‐13C]glutamine is evaluated as a potential biomarker for noninvasive metabolic measurements of drug response in prostate cancer cells.
A New Sensorless Commutation Drive for Brushless DC Motors and Alternators

A high performance bidirectional DC/AC converter is required for low emission and high efficiency propulsion systems, such as electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs). In order to increase the reliability of the drive system, this paper presents the design, analysis, and implementation of a cost effective sensorless control scheme for the extensively used brushless DC motors and alternators. Taking into consideration cost and ease of implementation, the commutation signals are obtained without the motor neutral voltage, multistage analog filters, A/D converters, and the complex digital phase shift (delay) circuit which are indispensable in the conventional sensorless control algorithms. In the proposed approach, instead of detecting the zero crossing point of the non-excited phase back EMF to the neutral voltage, the commutation signals are extracted directly from the specific average line to line voltages with simple RC circuits and comparators. As a result, the proposed control algorithm can be easily implemented with the low cost CPLDs or 8-bit micro-controllers. Because of the inherent low cost property, the proposed control algorithm is particularly suitable for cost sensitive products such as electric bikes, electric scooters, hybrid electric scooters, home appliances, automotive components, etc. Theoretical analysis and experimental results show that the proposed control algorithm exhibits satisfactory performance over a wide operation range in both motor and alternator operations
INSTITUTIONAL CHANGE IN LARGE LAW FIRMS: A RESOURCE DEPENDENCY AND INSTITUTIONAL PERSPECTIVE

We integrate resource dependency and institutional theory to argue that resource scarcity drives, and legitimacy enables, institutional change. Building on a historical account, we examine the sources and timing of innovation departing from standard human resource practices using event history analysis of over 200 principal offices of large law firms. Offices with human resource scarcity innovated to acquire alternative resources; highly prestigious offices had the legitimacy to be first or early adopters. Our findings highlight the value of looking to the resource side and to the notion of legitimacy in building an institutional theory of change.
Reference range for the pulsatility index ductus venosus Doppler measurement between 11 and 13 + 6 weeks of gestation in a Brazilian population

Abstract Objective: To establish reference range for the pulsatility index (PI) ductus venosus (DV) Doppler measurement between 11 and 13 + 6 weeks of gestation in a Brazilian population. Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study was performed with 430 singleton pregnancies. The PI DV Doppler measurement was performed as routine during the first trimester screening. DV was identified by color Doppler and the pulsed Doppler gate was placed in the distal portion of the umbilical sinus. When at least three typical DV waveforms were obtained, PI DV was measured manually in one waveform. Polynomial regression was used to obtain the best fit using PI DV Doppler measurement and crown-rump length (CRL) with adjustments by the determination coefficient (R 2). 5th, 50th and 95th percentiles for the PI DV Doppler measurements at each gestational were determined. Results: The mean of PI DV Doppler measurement was 1.1 ± 0.2 (range 0.8–3.7). The linear regression was the best fit: PI DV measurement = 1.288–0.0034*CRL (R 2 = 0.03). Conclusions: Reference range for the PI DV Doppler measurement between 11 and 13 + 6 weeks of gestation in a Brazilian population was established.
Excess APP O-glycosylation by GalNAc-T6 decreases A&bgr; production

Alterations of the structure and/or amount of glycans present on proteins are associated with many diseases. We previously demonstrated that changes in N-glycans alter A&bgr; production. In the present study, we focused on the relationship between Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and O-glycan, another type of glycan. The UDP-N-acetylgalactosamine:polypeptide N-acetylgalactosaminyltransferase (GalNAc-T) family functions in the first step of mucin-type O-glycan synthesis. Analysis of the expression of GalNAc-Ts in the human brain using real-time PCR revealed that the expression of several GalNAc-Ts was altered with sporadic AD progression. Three of these GalNAc-Ts (GalNAc-T1, GalNAc-T4 and GalNAc-T6) were transfected into HEK293T cells to examine their impact on A&bgr; production. Transfection of GalNAc-T6 significantly reduced both A&bgr;1-40 and A&bgr;1-42 generation, but GalNAc-T1 and GalNAc-T4 only reduced A&bgr;1-40 generation. Although these three GalNAc-Ts exhibited enzymatic activities on soluble amyloid precursor protein (APP), the GalNAc transferase activity of GalNAc-T6 to APP was most prominent. The expression of &agr;-secretase and &bgr;-secretase was slightly altered in the transfected cells, but the activities of &agr;-secretase and &bgr;-secretase were not significantly altered. These data suggest that excess O-glycosylation on APP by GalNAc-T6 inhibits A&bgr; production.