Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparative assessment of three image reconstruction techniques for image quality and radiation dose in patients undergoing abdominopelvic multidetector CT examinations.

OBJECTIVE To compare image quality and radiation dose of abdominal CT examinations reconstructed with three image reconstruction techniques. METHODS In this Institutional Review Board-approved study, contrast-enhanced (CE) abdominopelvic CT scans from 23 patients were reconstructed using filtered back projection (FBP), adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction (ASiR) and iterative reconstruction in image space (IRIS) and were reviewed by two blinded readers. Subjective (acceptability, sharpness, noise and artefacts) and objective (noise) measures of image quality were recorded for each image data set. Radiation doses in CT dose index (CTDI) dose-length product were also calculated for each examination type and compared. Imaging parameters were compared using the Wilcoxon signed rank test and a paired t-test. RESULTS All 69 CECT examinations were of diagnostic quality and similar for overall acceptability (mean grade for ASiR, 3.9±0.3; p=0.2 for Readers 1 and 2; IRIS, 3.9±0.4, p=0.2; FBP, 3.8±0.9). Objective noise was considerably lower with both iterative techniques (p<0.0001 and 0.0016 for ASiR and IRIS). Recorded mean radiation dose, i.e. CTDI(vol), was 24% and 10% less with ASiR (11.4±3.4 mGy; p<0.001) and IRIS (13.5±3.7 mGy; p=0.06), respectively, than with FBP: 15.0±3.5 mGy. CONCLUSION At the system parameters used in this study, abdominal CT scans reconstructed with ASiR and IRIS provide diagnostic images with reduced image noise and 10-24% lower radiation dose than FBP. ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE CT images reconstructed with FBP are frequently noisy on lowering the radiation dose. Newer iterative reconstruction techniques have different approaches to produce images with less noise; ASiR and IRIS provide diagnostic abdominal CT images with reduced image noise and radiation dose compared with FBP. This has been documented in this study.
The human amylin analog, pramlintide, corrects postprandial hyperglucagonemia in patients with type 1 diabetes.

Mealtime amylin replacement with the human amylin analog pramlintide as an adjunct to insulin therapy improves postprandial glycemia and long-term glycemic control in type 1 diabetes. Preclinical animal studies indicate that these complementary effects may result from at least 2 independent mechanisms: a slowing of nutrient delivery to the small intestine and a suppression of nutrient-stimulated glucagon secretion. The former effect of pramlintide has previously been demonstrated in patients with type 1 diabetes. The present studies characterize the effect of pramlintide on postprandial glucagon secretion in this patient population. Plasma glucagon and glucose concentrations were measured before and after a standardized liquid meal in 2 separate randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies of pramlintide administration to patients with type 1 diabetes. In a 2-day crossover study, 18 patients received a 5-hour intravenous infusion of pramlintide (25 microg/h or 50 microg/h) or placebo in addition to subcutaneous (SC) insulin injections. In a 14-day parallel-group study, 84 patients received SC injections of 30, 100, or 300 microg of pramlintide or placebo 3 times daily in addition to SC injections of insulin. In both studies plasma glucagon concentrations increased in response to the meal in the placebo-plus-insulin group but not in any of the pramlintide-treated groups (all pramlintide treatment arms v placebo, P <.05). We conclude that mealtime amylin replacement with pramlintide prevents the abnormal meal-related rise in glucagonemia in insulin-treated patients with type 1 diabetes, an effect that likely contributes to its ability to improve postprandial glucose homeostasis and long-term glycemic control.
Promoção da atividade física no Sistema Único de Saúde tendo como promotores os Agentes Comunitários de Saúde

Objective: Assess the effect of interventions conducted by Community Health Workers in physical activity promotion. Methods: Systematic search on five electronic databases (LILACS, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science SportDiscus) and a manual search in reference lists were conducted for papers published until May 2014. The inclusion criteria were interventions delivered in adults by Community Health Workers, having as one of its objectives the physical activity promotion. Results: Of the 950 references initially retrieved, 27 were included in the descriptive synthesis. Seventeen (63%) studies reported positive results in different parameters of physical activity, including increases in its total amount (12), walking (3) and the number of steps per day (2). At the operational level, action strategies were predominantly based on the model of health education based in counseling, and delivered in populations at risk or diagnosed with chronic non-communicable diseases. Only three studies had the primary outcome the physical activity promotion, and regarding physical activity assessment method, twenty-six studies used indirect methods for its evaluation. Conclusions: The positive results in physical activity promotion highlighted the potential of Community Health Workers in the Primary Health Care setting. Future trials may involve these professionals in more heterogeneous samples and include objective assessments.
Hypochord, an enigmatic embryonic structure: Study of the axolotl embryo

The hypochord of the axolotl embryo is first visible at an early tailbud stage, forming a rod‐like structure, situated immediately under the notochord. A profusion of extracellular matrix fibrils is attached to the dorsolateral regions of the hypochord, linking it with the somites. A basal lamina develops around the hypochord, indicating an epithelial type of cell differentiation. Abundant rough endoplasmic reticula in the hypochord cells suggest lively synthetic activity. Prospective endoderm cells were vitally labeled with the lipophilic dye 1,1‐dioctadecyl‐3,3,3′,3′‐tetramethylindodicarbocyanine perchlorate (DiD) at the gastrula stage. Cells labeled with the dye were later found in the hypochord as well as in the gut endoderm. This shows that the hypochord is of endodermal origin, contrary to recent suggestions that the hypochord is of mesodermal origin, but consistent with histological data. After about 8 days of existence, the hypochord disappears. Experimental results, using an apoptosis detection kit, indicate that the hypochord cells may disintegrate by a type of apoptotic cell death. The close association between the hypochord and developing dorsal aorta suggests that the hypochord could be involved in the positioning of the dorsal aorta, which forms under it. J Morphol 232:57–66, 1997. © 1997 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Towards Self-Powering Touch/Flex-Sensitive OLED Systems

In this work, we present a novel design for an organic light-emitting system integrated with a mechanical energy harvesting and energy storage polymer films (patent pending). The system is configured into multiple stacked layers to form a thin, flexible, and lightweight assembly. The thin “film-like” device can be deformed and flexed to generate energy up to 0.5 mW within 100 s with ease. This platform technology finds applications in energy harvesting displays, electronic papers, key-input-pads, novel packaging, smart-IDs, disposable lab-on-a-chip optomicrofluidic systems, and much more. Results on the energy storage characteristics of the ionic polymer-metal composite film, the performance of a polyfluorene-based organic light-emitting device, and the mechanical energy transduction of the piezoelectric polymer energy harvester are presented. The polymeric nature of this platform system further makes it suitable for roll-to-roll print manufacturing, supporting applications requiring high volume and low cost.
Evidence of linkage and association on 18p11.2 for psychosis

The genetic basis of bipolar disorder (BPD) and schizophrenia (SCZ) has been established through numerous clinical and molecular studies. Although often considered separate nosological entities, evidence now suggests that the two syndromes may share some genetic liability. Recent studies have used a composite phenotype (psychosis) that includes BPD, SCZ, psychosis not otherwise specified, and schizoaffective disorder, to identify shared susceptibility loci. Several chromosomal regions are reported to be shared between these syndromes (18p, 6q, 10p, 13q, 22q). As a part of our endeavor to scan these regions, we report a positive linkage and association finding at 18p11.2 for psychosis. Two‐point linkage analysis performed on a series of 52 multiplex pedigrees with 23 polymorphic markers yielded a LOD score of 2.02 at D18S37. An independent set of 159 parent offspring trios was used to confirm this suggestive finding. The TDT analysis yielded support for association between the marker D18S453 and the disease allele (χ2 = 4.829, P < 0.028). This region has been implicated by several studies on BPD [Sjoholt et al. (2004); Mol Psychiatry 9(6):621–629; Washizuka et al. (2004); Biol Psychiatry 56(7):483–489; Pickard et al. (2005); Psychiatr Genet 15(1):37–44], SCZ [Kikuchi et al. (2003); J Med Dent Sci 50(3):225–229; Babovic‐Vuksanovic et al. (2004); Am J Med Genet 124(3):318–322] and also as a shared region between the two diseases [Ishiguro et al. (2001); J Neural Transm 108(7):849–854; Reyes et al. (2002); Mol Psychiatry 7(4):337–339; Craddock et al. (2005); J Med Genet 42(3):193–204]. Our findings provide an independent validation of the above reports, and suggest the presence of susceptibility loci for psychoses in this region. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Disorder Movements in Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Altered Control of Visual Fixation and Saccadic Eye

[PDF] [Abstract] , July , 2009; 13 (1): 66-77. Journal of Attention Disorders Laurent Querne and Patrick Berquin Distinct Response Time Distributions in Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Subtypes [PDF] [Full Text] [Abstract] , October , 2009; 102 (4): 2334-2341. J Neurophysiol Kristen A. Ford and Stefan Everling Neural Activity in Primate Caudate Nucleus Associated With Proand Antisaccades [PDF] [Full Text] [Abstract] , August 4, 2010; 30 (31): 10507-10516. J. Neurosci. Reza Shadmehr, Jean Jacques Orban de Xivry, Minnan Xu-Wilson and Ting-Yu Shih Temporal Discounting of Reward and the Cost of Time in Motor Control [PDF] [Full Text] [Abstract] , November , 2010; 36 (6): 1167-1186. Schizophr Bull Canan Karatekin, Christopher Bingham and Tonya White Youth-Onset Psychosis and Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Oculomotor and Pupillometric Indices of Proand Antisaccade Performance in [PDF] [Abstract] , December , 2010; 24 (12): 1779-1784. J Psychopharmacol Leibenluft and Monique Ernst Sven C Mueller, Pamela Ng, Veronica Temple, Michael G Hardin, Daniel S Pine, Ellen Perturbed reward processing in pediatric bipolar disorder: an antisaccade study
Genetics. Genealogy databases enable naming of anonymous DNA donors.

By applying an algorithm to anonymized genomes from a research database and doing some online sleuthing with popular genealogy Web sites, researchers were able to guess the true identities of DNA donors. Privacy concerns have been raised about publicly accessible genome data before, and managers of a popular repository were aware of the risks posed, but few people had guessed how easy deanonymizing the data was. As genealogy databases and other resources improve, how can individuals be protected, and what are the implications?
Generic case complexity of the Graph Isomorphism Problem

Abstract The edge test is a partial algorithm for the Graph Isomorphism Problem based on comparison the number of edges. We perform a probabilistic analysis of the efficiency of the edge test. With the binomial distribution B(n,p) on the set of inputs, we estimate the asymptotic failure probability of the edge test depending on the rate of decay of parameter p. In particular, if p ≤ 1/2, np → λ > 0, then the asymptotic failure probability is nonzero, so that the edge test does not solve generically the Graph Isomorphism Problem. On the other hand, if p ≤ 1/2, np → ∞, then the failure set is negligible and the edge test generically solves the Graph Isomorphism Problem in polynomial time.
Can Looking at a Hand Make Your Skin Crawl? Peering into the Uncanny Valley for Hands

It is postulated that there is an uncanny valley, whereby human-like stimuli such as robots or animated characters that fall short of being fully human are perceived as eerie or unsettling. Previous research has explored the existence of this effect for faces and whole bodies, while here we explore responses to photographs of real and artificial hands. In keeping with the notion of an uncanny valley, prosthetic hands that were of intermediate human-likeness were given the highest ratings of eeriness. However, within the categories of hands, ratings of eeriness reduced as human-likeness increased, suggesting a more complex pattern. Further investigation of this effect will be of relevance to the design of prosthetic limbs and could be used to test theories of the uncanny valley and social perception with simple stimuli.
Phase Transformation, Coalescence, and Twinning of Monodisperse FePt Nanocrystals

The phase transformation, coalescence, and twin structure of thermally annealed 6 nm FePt nanocrystals under high vacuum on an amorphous carbon surface have been investigated. A1-FePt phase to L10-FePt phase transformation occurs at 530 °C. The multilayered nanocrystal assemblies coalesce to form larger grains at 600 °C. These coalesced nanocrystals do not form a single grained structure; instead, twinning becomes a characteristic structure feature. The surface of the coalescent grains consists of {111} and (001) facets.
The Role of Exogenous Fibroblast Growth Factor‐2 on the Reprogramming of Primordial Germ Cells into Pluripotent Stem Cells

The germ cell lineage is a specified cell population that passes through a series of differentiation steps before giving rise, eventually, to either eggs or sperm. We have investigated the manner in which primordial germ cells (PGCs) are reprogrammed in vitro to form pluripotent stem cells in response to exogenous fibroblast growth factor‐2 (FGF‐2). The response is dependent on time of exposure and concentration of FGF‐2. PGCs isolated in culture show a motile phenotype and lose any expression of a characteristic germ cell marker, mouse vasa homolog. Subsequently, some but not all of the cells show further changes of phenotype, accompanied by changes in expression of endogenous FGF‐2 and up‐regulation of its receptor, fibroblast growth factor receptor‐3, in the nucleus. We propose that it is from this reprogrammed component of the now heterogeneous PGC population that pluripotent stem cells arise.
Increased Susceptibility to Pulmonary Pseudomonas Infection in Splunc1 Knockout Mice

The airway epithelium is the first line of host defense against pathogens. The short palate, lung, and nasal epithelium clone (SPLUNC)1 protein is secreted in respiratory tracts and is a member of the bacterial/permeability increasing (BPI) fold–containing protein family, which shares structural similarities with BPI-like proteins. On the basis of its homology with BPIs and restricted expression of SPLUNC1 in serous cells of submucosal glands and surface epithelial cells of the upper respiratory tract, SPLUNC1 is thought to possess antimicrobial activity in host defense. SPLUNC1 is also reported to have surfactant properties, which may contribute to anti-biofilm defenses. The objective of this study was to determine the in vivo functions of SPLUNC1 following Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection and to elucidate the underlying mechanism by using a knockout (KO) mouse model with a genetic ablation of Splunc1. Splunc1 KO mice showed accelerated mortality and increased susceptibility to P. aeruginosa infection with significantly decreased survival rates, increased bacterial burdens, exaggerated tissue injuries, and elevated proinflammatory cytokine levels as compared with those of their wild-type littermates. Increased neutrophil infiltration in Splunc1 KO mice was accompanied by elevated chemokine levels, including Cxcl1, Cxcl2, and Ccl20. Furthermore, the expression of several epithelial secretory proteins and antimicrobial molecules was considerably suppressed in the lungs of Splunc1 KO mice. The deficiency of Splunc1 in mouse airway epithelium also results in increased biofilm formation of P. aeruginosa. Taken together, our results support that the ablation of Splunc1 in mouse airways affects the mucociliary clearance, resulting in decreased innate immune response during Pseudomonas-induced respiratory infection.
Role of the mevalonate pathway of isoprenoid synthesis in IL‐8 generation by activated monocytic cells

The highly regulated enzyme HMG‐CoA reductase generates mevalonate, the precursor of a complex series of isoprenoids that posttranslationally modify (isoprenylate) certain proteins (e.g., the low‐molecular‐weight GTP‐binding proteins) or that are incorporated into cholesterol and other end products. We recently reported that isoprenoids are required for NADPH oxidase activity in granulocytes via LMW GTP‐binding protein isoprenylation. In this study, we evaluated the effects of isoprenoid depletion on the expression of proinflammatory genes in human monocytic THP‐1 cells. We selected conditions under which pretreatment for 24 h with isoprenoid synthesis inhibitors (HMG‐CoA reductase inhibitor lovastatin or compactin at 10 μM) did not compromise cell viability but markedly suppressed H2O2 generation. Under these conditions interleukin‐8 (IL‐8) production was attenuated (by 50–90%) in response to lipopolysaccharide, granulocyte‐macrophage colonystimulating factor, and phorbol myristate acetate. Coincubation of reductase inhibitor‐treated cells with mevalonate prevented the attenuation of IL‐8 production by reductase inhibitors. The effects of isoprenoid depletion on cytokine production were selective: IL‐1β generation was not inhibited but the production of IL‐6 and IL‐8 was concomitantly suppressed. IL‐8 induction was suppressed at least in part through attenuation of the increase in mRNA in stimulated cells. We conclude that isoprenoid generation through the mevalonate pathway is a requirement for IL‐8 induction by activated monocytic cells in vitro. Isoprenylation inhibitors have the potential to alter monocyte proinflammatory function. J. Leukoc. Biol. 55: 749–755; 1994.
A categorisation framework for a feature-level analysis of social network sites

Abstract Social media (SM) have enabled new forms of communication, interaction, and connectivity that affect individuals on a personal and professional level. But SM is a broad term that encompasses a wide range of technologies with both distinct and shared capabilities. In addition, while there is an agreed-upon definition of these systems, a comprehensive list of features and their affordances does not exist. Hence, this study sought to create a feature-level categorisation framework for analysing the use of social network sites (SNS). This categorisation was undertaken using the concept of affordances, which framed the high-level characteristics as well as distinct SNS features, to better understand the divergence in SNS capabilities and inform the study of different types of SM. The framework was created from an analysis of the literature on SNS affordances and a system investigation into three types of SNS (Facebook, YouTube and Twitter). The comprehensive review was undertaken using two families of SNS affordances (social and content affordances) identified in the literature to categorise and compare the platforms. The study reveals a diverse collection of features which afford behaviour in six areas of activity: profile building, social connectivity, social interactivity, content discovery, content sharing and content aggregation. Finally, the framework provides a basis from which the usage and management of SM within organisations can be more rigorously investigated.
A Meta-Analysis of an Implicit Measure of Personality Functioning: The Mutuality of Autonomy Scale

The Mutuality of Autonomy scale (MA) is a Rorschach variable designed to capture the degree to which individuals mentally represent self and other as mutually autonomous versus pathologically destructive (Urist, 1977). Discussions of the MA's validity found in articles and chapters usually claim good support, which we evaluated by a systematic review and meta-analysis of its construct validity. Overall, in a random effects analysis across 24 samples (N = 1,801) and 91 effect sizes, the MA scale was found to maintain a relationship of r =. 20, 95% CI [. 16,. 25], with relevant validity criteria. We hypothesized that MA summary scores that aggregate more MA response-level data would maintain the strongest relationship with relevant validity criteria. Results supported this hypothesis (aggregated scoring method: r =.24, k = 57, S = 24; nonaggregated scoring methods: r =.15, k = 34, S = 10; p =.039, 2-tailed). Across 7 exploratory moderator analyses, only 1 (criterion method) produced significant results. Criteria derived from the Thematic Apperception Test produced smaller effects than clinician ratings, diagnostic differentiation, and self-attributed characteristics; criteria derived from observer reports produced smaller effects than clinician ratings and self-attributed characteristics. Implications of the study's findings are discussed in terms of both research and clinical work.
Trends in atmospheric patterns conducive to seasonal precipitation and temperature extremes in California

Northeastern Pacific atmospheric patterns conducive to California drought have occurred more frequently in recent decades. Recent evidence suggests that changes in atmospheric circulation have altered the probability of extreme climate events in the Northern Hemisphere. We investigate northeastern Pacific atmospheric circulation patterns that have historically (1949–2015) been associated with cool-season (October-May) precipitation and temperature extremes in California. We identify changes in occurrence of atmospheric circulation patterns by measuring the similarity of the cool-season atmospheric configuration that occurred in each year of the 1949–2015 period with the configuration that occurred during each of the five driest, wettest, warmest, and coolest years. Our analysis detects statistically significant changes in the occurrence of atmospheric patterns associated with seasonal precipitation and temperature extremes. We also find a robust increase in the magnitude and subseasonal persistence of the cool-season West Coast ridge, resulting in an amplification of the background state. Changes in both seasonal mean and extreme event configurations appear to be caused by a combination of spatially nonuniform thermal expansion of the atmosphere and reinforcing trends in the pattern of sea level pressure. In particular, both thermal expansion and sea level pressure trends contribute to a notable increase in anomalous northeastern Pacific ridging patterns similar to that observed during the 2012–2015 California drought. Collectively, our empirical findings suggest that the frequency of atmospheric conditions like those during California’s most severely dry and hot years has increased in recent decades, but not necessarily at the expense of patterns associated with extremely wet years.