Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
NASS Comments on Draft AHRQ Technology Assessment on Pain Management Injection Therapies for Low Back Pain

The North American Spine Society (NASS) appreciates the opportunity to comment on the AHRQ draft technology assessment, Pain Management Injection Therapies for Low Back Pain. NASS is a multispecialty medical organization dedicated to fostering the highest quality, evidence-based, ethical spine care by promoting education, research and advocacy. NASS is comprised of more than 8,000 physician and non-physician members from several disciplines, including orthopedic surgery, neurosurgery, physiatry, pain management, neurology, radiology, anesthesiology, research, physical therapy and other spine care professionals. Questions may be submitted to Pam Hayden, Director of Research & Quality Improvement at phayden@spine.org or 630.230. 3690.
A noise reference input to an adaptive filter algorithm for signal processing in a wearable pulse oximeter

A wearable battery-operated pulse oximeter has been developed for rapid field triage applications. The wearable system comprises three units: a small (Phi = 22 mm) and lightweight (4.5 g) reflectance-mode optical sensor module (SM), a receiver module (RM), and personal digital assistant (PDA). The information acquired by the forehead-mounted SM is transmitted wirelessly via a RF link to the waist-worn RM which processes the data and transmits it wirelessly to the PDA. Since photoplethysmographic (PPG)-based measurements, which are used by the pulse oximeter to determine arterial oxygen saturation (SpO2) and heart rate (HR), can be degraded significantly during motion, the implementation of a reliable pulse oximeter for field applications requires sophisticated noise rejection algorithms. To minimize the effects of motion artifacts, which can lead to measurement dropouts, inaccurate readings and false alarms, a 16"'-order, least-mean squares (LMS), adaptive noise canceling (ANC) algorithm was implemented off-line in Matlab to process the PPG signals. This algorithm was selected because its computational requirement is comparable to a finite impulse response filter. Filter parameters were optimized for computational speed and measurement accuracy. A tri-axial MEMS accelerometer (ACC) served as a noise reference input to the ANC algorithm.
Effect of Digitoxin and Quinidine on Intracellular Electrolytes of the Rabbit Heart.∗

Conclusions 1. 32 rabbits were injected intramuscularly in the gluteal region with 0.12 g of quinidine gluconate twice daily and 21 rabbits were similarly injected daily with 0.3 mg digitaline nativelle for 5 days and 10 days respectively. 2. A gain in intracellular cardiac potassium as expressed in liters of intracellular water was observed in the quinidine treated animals (from 108 to 124 mEq). A loss in intracellular cardiac sodium from 13.6 to 6.8 was also observed. 3. The mechanism of digitoxin toxicity and its reversal by quinidine is discussed. It is suggested that one of the actions of quinidine may be to reverse the ionic flow of sodium and potassium (and perhaps other ions) in cardiac muscle which occurs in digitoxin toxicity.
Molecular and Antigenic Comparison ofEhrlichia canis Isolates from Dogs, Ticks, and a Human in Venezuela

ABSTRACT We previously culture isolated a strain of Ehrlichia canis, the causative agent of canine ehrlichiosis, from a human in Venezuela. In the present study, we examined whether dogs and ticks are infected with E. canis in Venezuela and, if so, whether this is the same strain as the human isolate. PCR analysis usingE. canis-specific primers revealed that 17 of the 55 dog blood samples (31%) and all three pools of four Rhipicephalus sanguineus ticks each were positive. An ehrlichial agent (Venezuelan dog Ehrlichia [VDE]) was isolated and propagated in cell culture from one dog sample and was further analyzed to determine its molecular and antigenic characteristics. The 16S rRNA 1,408-bp sequence of the new VDE isolate was identical to that of the previously reported Venezuelan human Ehrlichia isolate (VHE) and was closely related (99.9%) to that of E. canisOklahoma. The 5′ (333-bp) and 3′ (653-bp) sequences of the variable regions of the 16S rRNA genes from six additional E. canis-positive dog blood specimens and from three pooled-tick specimens were also identical to those of VHE. Western blot analysis of serum samples from three dogs infected with VDE by using several ehrlichial antigens revealed that the antigenic profile of the VDE was similar to the profiles of VHE and E. canis Oklahoma. Identical 16S rRNA gene sequences among ehrlichial organisms from dogs, ticks, and a human in the same geographic region in Venezuela and similar antigenic profiles between the dog and human isolates suggest that dogs serve as a reservoir of human E. canis infection and that R. sanguineus, which occasionally bites humans residing or traveling in this region, serves as a vector. This is the first report of culture isolation and antigenic characterization of an ehrlichial agent from a dog in South America, as well as the first molecular characterization of E. canis directly from naturally infected ticks.
Myosin heavy chain isoform expression in human extraocular muscles: Longitudinal variation and patterns of expression in global and orbital layers

Introduction: We investigated the distribution of myosin heavy chain (MyHC) isoforms along the length of the global and orbital layers of human extraocular muscles (EOMs). Methods: Whole muscle tissue extracts of human EOMs were cross‐sectioned consecutively and separated into orbital and global layers. The extracts from these layers were subjected to electrophoretic analysis, followed by quantification with scanning densitometry. Results: MyHC isoforms displayed different distributions along the lengths of EOMs. In the orbital and global layers of all EOMs except for the superior oblique muscle, MyHCeom was enriched in the central regions. MyHCIIa and MyHCI were most abundant in the proximal and distal ends. Conclusions: A variation in MyHC isoform expression was apparent along the lengths of human EOMs. These results provide a basis for understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying the functional diversity of EOMs. Muscle Nerve, 2012
A review on powder bed fusion technology of metal additive manufacturing

Additive manufacturing is a novel method of manufacturing parts directly from digital model by using layer by layer material build-up approach. This tool-less manufacturing method can produce fully dense metallic parts in short time, with high precision. Features of additive manufacturing like freedom of part design, part complexity, light weighting, part consolidation and design for function are garnering particular interests in metal additive manufacturing for aerospace, oil & gas, marine and automobile applications. Powder bed fusion, in which each powder bed layer is selectively fused by using energy source like laser or electron beam, is the most promising additive manufacturing technology that can be used for manufacturing small, low volume, complex metallic parts. This review presents evolution, current status and challenges of powder bed fusion technology. It also compares laser and electron beam based technologies in terms of performance characteristics of each process, advantages/disadvantages, materials and applications.
All lesions great and small, part 1: Diagnostic cytology in veterinary medicine

Cytopathology is a minimally invasive, rapid, and cost‐effective diagnostic modality with broad utilization in veterinary medicine. Primary care clinicians often screen common cutaneous and subcutaneous aspirates, with other samples most frequently evaluated by board certified veterinary clinical pathologists in reference laboratories. Wright–Giemsa stains are frequently utilized with the application of ancillary diagnostics such as cytochemistry, immunocytochemistry, flow cytometry, and molecular diagnostic techniques complicated by the need to develop and validate species specific reagents and protocols. The interpretation of veterinary cytology samples must be undertaken with extensive knowledge of the breadth of animal species, which includes familiarity with the frequency and biological behavior of inflammatory, infectious, and neoplastic lesions that are influenced by species, breed, and husbandry conditions. This review is the first of two parts that focus on the most common domestic companion animal species (dog, cat, and horse), taking an organ system approach to survey important lesions that may be unique to veterinary species or have interesting correlates in human medicine. The first of the two‐part series covers skin and subcutaneous tissue, the musculoskeletal system, and lymphoid organs. The cytologic features and biological behavior of similar lesions are compared, and selected molecular mechanisms of disease and ancillary diagnostics are reviewed when characterized. Supporting figures illustrate a subset of lesions. While not a comprehensive catalog of veterinary cytology, the goal is to give cytopathologists working in human medicine a general impression of correlates in veterinary practice. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2014;42:535–543. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Recalibration of a Framingham risk equation for a rural population in India

Background: Coronary heart disease (CHD) risk estimation tools are a simple means of identifying those at high risk in a community and hence a potentially cost-effective strategy for CHD prevention in resource-poor countries. Since India has few local data upon which to develop such a tool de novo, in this study a Framingham risk equation has been recalibrated to estimate CHD risks in a population from rural India and the sensitivity of the method to information resources examined. Recent surveys of this population have found high levels of cardiovascular risk factors, particularly metabolic risk factors and a high proportion of mortality due to cardiovascular diseases. Methods: The proportion of a rural Indian population at high risk of CHD using three risk estimation equations was estimated. The first a published version of the Framingham risk equation, the second a recalibrated equation using local mortality surveillance data and local risk factor data, and the third a recalibrated equation using national mortality data and local risk factor data. Results: The mean 10-year probability of CHD for adults >30 years was 10.4% (9.6% to 11.1%) for men and 5.3% (4.9% to 5.7%) for women using the Framingham equation; 10.7% (9.9% to 11.5%) for men and 4.2% (3.9% to 4.5%) for women using the local recalibration; and 18.9% (17.7% to 20.1%) for men and 8.2% (7.6% to 8.8%) for women using the national recalibration. Conclusion: These findings indicate that in India, equations recalibrated to summary national data are unlikely to be relevant to all regions of India and demonstrate the importance of local data collection to enable development of relevant CHD risk tools.
Required Transmit Power Applying Tomlinson-Harashima-Precoding in Scalar and MIMO Broadcast Systems

Tomlinson-Harashima-precoding can be used as dirty-paper-coding method for transmissions over a broadcast channel. However, applying it to the individual user messages the final transmit power may vary from the sum of single user powers. This paper investigates the required transmit power for Tomlinson-Harashima-precoding in two user broadcast systems. Additionally, upper and lower bounds on the required power are derived. First our considerations are done in scalar channels. Then we extend the results to MIMO systems. In order to judge the performance of THP applied as broadcast technique we finally determine the achievable user rates.
The role of the 3 ’ UTR in mRNA sorting to the vicinity of mitochondria is conserved from yeast to human cells

We recently demonstrated, using yeast DNA microarrays, that mRNAs of polysomes that coisolate with mitochondria code for a subset of mitochondrial proteins. The majority of these mRNAs encode proteins of prokaryotic origin. Here, we show that a similar association occurs between polysomes and mitochondria in human cells. To determine whether mRNA transport machinery is conserved from yeast to human cells, we examined the subcellular localization of human OXA1 mRNA in yeast. Oxa1p is a key component in the biogenesis of mitochondrial inner membrane, and is conserved from bacteria to eucaryotic organelles. The expression of human OXA1 cDNA partially restores the respiratory capacity of yeast oxa1 cells. In this study, we demonstrate that: 1) OXA1 mRNAs are remarkably enriched in mitochondrion-bound polysomes purified from yeast and human cells, 2) The presence of the human OXA1 3’UTR is required for the function of the human Oxa1p inside yeast mitochondria. 3) The accurate sorting of the human OXA1 mRNA to the vicinity of yeast mitochondria is due to the recognition by yeast proteins of the human 3’UTR. Therefore, it appears that the recognition mechanism of OXA1 3’UTR is conserved throughout evolution and is necessary for Oxa1p function.
The impact of the FeGa complex on directionally solidified, mono-crystalline, Ga-doped silicon

In this work we show that the high minority carrier lifetime in as-grown Ga-Si wafers is dominated by low levels of iron contamination incorporated during silicon growth. Upon phosphorous diffusion iron is however effectively removed, increasing the bulk carrier lifetime from a few hundred microseconds to well above one milli-second. Lifetime spectroscopy in combination with Shockley Read Hall theory was used to determine the concentrations of Fei and FeGa complexes in the course of the FeGa association. Finally, we use the estimated concentrations of FeGa as a function of time of storage in the dark to validate that FeGa association follows the laws of coulombic attraction similar to FeB.
First record of fusarium wilt of Phoenix canariensis in South Australia

Fusarium wilt of the Canary Island Date Palm (Phoenix canariensis), caused by Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. canariensis, was recorded for the first time in South Australia. The identity of the fungus was substantiated using a polymerase chain reaction-based technique with primers specific for this particular pathogen.
Kinetics of enzymatic degradation of cyanide

CYANIDASE@ is a new enzyme preparation capable of degrading cyanide in industrial wastewaters to ammonia and formate in an apparently one‐step reaction, down to very low concentrations. This enzyme has both a high selectivity and affinity toward cyanide. A granular form of the biocatalyst was used in a recirculation fixed bed reactor in order to characterize the new biocatalyst with respect to pH, ionic strength, common ions normally present in wastewaters, mass transfer effects, and temperature. Long term stability was investigated. The kinetics of the enzymatic degradation of cyanide were studied in a batch reactor using the powdered immobilized enzyme preparation and modeled using a simple Michaelis‐Menten equation.
Confidence Interval of the Difference Between Two Proportions with Overdispersion

Abstract In confidence interval estimation of the difference between two proportions with overdispersion due to positive correlations, the usual asymptotic normality-based method generally has lower coverage rates than desired, especially when sample size is moderate. Applying the concept of effective sample size to existing methods for independent data, we propose three new asymptotic normality-based methods. It is demonstrated through an extensive Monte Carlo study that the proposed methods generally perform better than the usual method. The proposed methods are illustrated in the application to a motivating data example.
Carbon Deprivation-Driven Transcriptome Reprogramming in Detached Developmentally Arresting Arabidopsis Inflorescences1[C][W][OA]

Senescence is genetically controlled and activated in mature tissues during aging. However, immature plant tissues also display senescence-like symptoms when continuously exposed to adverse energy-depleting conditions. We used detached dark-held immature inflorescences of Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) to understand the metabolic reprogramming occurring in immature tissues transitioning from rapid growth to precocious senescence. Macroscopic growth of the detached inflorescences rapidly ceased upon placement in water in the dark at 21°C. Inflorescences were completely degreened by 120 h of dark incubation and by 24 h had already lost 24% of their chlorophyll and 34% of their protein content. Comparative transcriptome profiling at 24 h revealed that inflorescence response at 24 h had a large carbon-deprivation component. Genes that positively regulate developmental senescence (ARABIDOPSIS NAC DOMAIN CONTAINING PROTEIN92) and shade-avoidance syndrome (PHYTOCHROME INTERACTING FACTOR4 [PIF4] and PIF5) were up-regulated within 24 h. Mutations in these genes delayed degreening of the inflorescences. Their up-regulation was suppressed in dark-held inflorescences by glucose treatment, which promoted macroscopic growth and development and inhibited degreening of the inflorescences. Detached inflorescences held in the dark for 4 d were still able to reinitiate development to produce siliques upon being brought out to the light, indicating that the transcriptional reprogramming at 24 h was adaptive and reversible. Our results suggest that the response of detached immature tissues to dark storage involves interactions between carbohydrate status sensing and light deprivation signaling and that the dark-adaptive response of the tissues appears to utilize some of the same key regulators as developmental senescence.
Bienestar psicológico en profesores de una Universidad privada del distrito de Santa Marta

Esta investigacion se realizo desde la perspectiva de la Psicologia Positiva, con el fin de describir el grado de bienestar psicologico, segun la edad, sexo, estado civil, profesion, tiempo y tipo de vinculacion laboral, que presentan los Docentes de una Universidad Privada del Distrito de Santa Marta, Colombia. Se trata de una investigacion descriptiva, con diseno transversal, en el cual participaron 480 Docentes, de donde se obtuvo una muestra estratificada de 192 (109 hombres y 83 mujeres), con edades desde mayores de 29 anos a mayores de 46, todos vinculados laboralmente en tres modalidades (91 TC, 9 MT, y 92 CAT) con la Universidad participante A ellos se les aplico la Escala de Bienestar Psicologico de Ryff (1989), adaptada a poblacion espa- nola por Diaz et al (2006). Los datos fueron procesados mediante el software SPSS 18.0v. Se encontro que los Docentes presentaron bajos niveles de bienestar psicologico en cuatro de las siete escalas que mide la prueba: autonomia (9.9%), Dominio del Entorno (9.4%), crecimiento personal (15.6%) y proposito en la vida (12%); pero, presentan altos niveles de bienestar psicologico en otras dos escalas: auto aceptacion (14.6%) y relaciones positivas (13.5%). No se hallaron correlaciones significativas por genero ni por tiempo de vinculacion, pero si por tipo de vinculacion respecto a la escala de aceptacion de si mismo. Los autores concluyen que los docentes se encuentran en probable riesgo de “malestar psicologico”, por lo que recomiendan el diseno y puesta en marcha de programas de bienestar y mejora de la calidad de vida laboral para los docentes.
HOUSEHOLD WILLINGNESS TO PAY FOR IMPROVED SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT IN OSUN STATE, NIGERIA

Environmental quality value can be estimated from what people are willing to pay (WTP) to improve or to restore their environment, using valuation techniques which measure peoples’ preferences. The study examined the general features of the existing solid waste management, household willingness potential for improved waste disposal, identified the socio economic variables and other factors influencing WTP for improved waste disposal services. Primary data collected from 120 households in Osogbo metropolis, was analysed using descriptive statistics and logit regression model. The result reveals that 65 percent of the respondents are male while 67 percent are married with an average household size of 4 members. Majority of the respondents are in their active age with mean age of 42 years. Most of the respondents have formal education, the average years of education is 5 years. Fifty-three percent of the respondents are engaged in the civil service as their primary occupation. About 37 percent of the households dispose their solid waste through burning, while 60 percent claim to dispose off their waste on a weekly basis. Irrespective of non-reliability of waste vendors, 52.5 percent of the respondents paid between N400N600 monthly to dispose waste. Majority of the households (87 percent) are willing to pay for improved waste services while most of the respondents will be willing to pay less than 5 percent of their monthly income on waste management services. The logit result reveals that sex, household expenditure and years of education are statistically significant at 10, 5 and 1 percents respectively while other factors are insignificant statistically. It was recommended that programmes that will facilitate investors (private sector) in waste disposing be initiated while payment for this service should be made affordable to encourage those households that are willing to pay.
A practical guide for novice supervisors of master's thesis

The objective of this work in progress is to present and to get feedback from the community on a guide for supervising Master's Thesis. The target audience are the novice supervisors of Master Thesis, who demand a practical guide about how to proceed efficiently when assigning the tasks to the student and when performing his/her own tasks. The proposed guide consists of a set of activities that are easy to implement. The proposed activities are oriented to the development of the Master Thesis itself and the application of a quality assurance process on it. In addition to some modern learning theories, the definition of the activities is supported by a review of the literature, the experience of the authors and a survey performed on supervisors and students. The theoretical basis is implicitly included in the activities so that the application of the modern learning theories is straightforward.
Properties of Complex Hallucinations Associated with Deficits in Vision

Complex visual hallucinations are known to occur in individuals with impaired vision yet whose emotional and intellectual functions are within the normal range. These hallucinations, which were first reported by Charles Bonnet in 1760, have been described in many case studies, but have not been analyzed empirically to determine their major properties. In the present study, sixty complex hallucinators labeled as Charles Bonnet hallucinators were administered a questionnaire to determine the properties of their hallucinations. Combined use of multiple-correspondence analysis and hierarchical cluster analysis reveals a set of features that characterize the ‘typical’ Charles Bonnet hallucinatory experience: the hallucinators' experience occurs while they are alert and with the eyelids open; a sharply focused image appears suddenly, without any apparent trigger or voluntary control; the hallucination is present for seconds, does not move during this time, then suddenly vanishes. These features are discussed in terms of a ‘dimension’ of hallucinatory/perceptual experience, which ranges from discrete perceptual experiences to multiple, changing experiences. Possible mechanisms that underlie the Charles Bonnet hallucinations are discussed.