Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Patterns of arteriosclerotic lesions of the lower extremity in a West Indian population based on angiographic findings and ethnicity.

INTRODUCTION This study aimed to determine whether ethnic differences show different patterns of arterial disease in the lower limb. METHODS A prospective analysis of 100 consecutive patients with 160 lower limb arteriograms was performed looking at the pattern of disease with relation to ethnicity in Trinidad and Tobago. RESULTS There were 53 male and 47 female patients with an age range of 43-90 years (mean: 66 years). Of the 100 patients, 45 were of East Indian descent, 36 of Afro-Caribbean descent, 14 of mixed descent and 5 had other backgrounds. There were 32 smokers and 69 diabetics. The most commonly affected artery in East Indians was the anterior tibial artery (ATA, 70%) followed by the peroneal artery (60%), superficial femoral artery (SFA, 60%), posterior tibial artery (PTA, 57%) and tibioperoneal trunk (TPT, 39%). In Afro-Caribbeans, the most commonly affected artery was the ATA (79%) followed by the PTA (74%), peroneal artery (66%) and TPT (55%). The mixed group showed the PTA (85%) to be most diseased followed by the peroneal artery (75%), ATA (70%), SFA (70%), dorsalis pedis artery (DPA, 60%) and TPT (50%). Overall, the most diseased vessel in all groups was the ATA (73%) followed by the PTA (66%), peroneal artery (64%), SFA (59%), TPT (46%), DPA (38%), popliteal artery (31%) and medial plantar artery (MPA, 29%), with the proximal vessels not being affected severely. CONCLUSIONS Ethnic divisions were only statistically significant (p<0.05) with East Indians showing worse disease in the profunda femoris artery and Afro-Caribbeans showing worse disease in the PTA, DPA and MPA. This suggests that environmental factors may play a significant role in the disease process including smoking and dietary factors rather than purely genetics.
MORPHOLOGY OF THE MYASTHENIC NEUROMUSCULAR JUNCTION * †

For nearly fifty years, there was no further advance, although in 1953 Adams, Denny-Brown and Pearson stated that the telodendria of the end plates, in two cases they studied with silver impregnation, were thin and difficult to stain, though they considered this within normal limits. The previous year Co&s (1952) had introduced his technique of vital staining of muscle biopsies with methylene blue, and in 1954 he and I applied it to two cases of myasthenia gravis. My case concerned a child of 12 years, in whom I considered the end plates entirely normal, though looking again a t the original preparations, I have been able to detect amongst the relatively few end plates seen one characteristically elongated end plate (FIGURE 1) . On the other hand, in CoCrs' congenital case there was no doubt as to the abnormal form of the end plates; their elongated nature could be seen both in vitally stained and cholinesterase preparations (FIGURE 2). In the former the tendency of the terminal axoplasmic expansions to arise from a single long filament was clearly visible, and the hemispherical shape of the expansions, which we have come to associate with myasthenia, was also clear. In the cholinesterase preparations, the cup-like elements of the subneural apparatus were arranged in a line instead of in a group as they are normally. We insisted that the elongated end plates seen in the second
Blood pressure control with cilnidipine treatment in Japanese post-stroke hypertensive patients: The CA-ATTEND study

ABSTRACT Blood pressure control is important in post-stroke hypertensive patients and antihypertensive treatment is recommended for such patients. Ca-channel blockers are recommended as the medications of choice for the treatment of post-stroke patients. Here, we report the results of a large-scale prospective post-marketing surveillance study of post-stroke hypertensive patients (n = 2667, male 60.4%, 69.0 ± 10.9 years) treated with cilnidipine, with regard to blood pressure control and adverse reactions. Cilnidipine treatment caused a decrease in both clinic and home blood pressures 2 months after the beginning of treatment, and the decreased blood pressure was maintained until the end of 12 months’ observation. The proportion of patients in whom clinic blood pressure was well controlled (<140/90 mmHg) increased from 21.5% to 65.3% in cilnidipine treatment, with no differences in effectiveness among the various clinical subtypes of stroke. In total, 346 adverse events occurred, with an overall incidence of 8.9% (238 of 2667 patients). In the elderly group, specifically, a fall and a hip fracture each occurred in 1 (0.1%) patient. These results indicate that cilnidipine was effective in treating uncontrolled blood pressure and was well tolerated in Japanese post-stroke hypertensive patients in a real-world clinical setting.
Assessing Groundwater Depletion and Dynamics Using GRACE and InSAR: Potential and Limitations

In the last decade, remote sensing of the temporal variation of ground level and gravity has improved our understanding of groundwater dynamics and storage. Mass changes are measured by GRACE (Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment) satellites, whereas ground deformation is measured by processing synthetic aperture radar satellites data using the InSAR (Interferometry of Synthetic Aperture Radar) techniques. Both methods are complementary and offer different sensitivities to aquifer system processes. GRACE is sensitive to mass changes over large spatial scales (more than 100,000 km2). As such, it fails in providing groundwater storage change estimates at local or regional scales relevant to most aquifer systems, and at which most groundwater management schemes are applied. However, InSAR measures ground displacement due to aquifer response to fluid‐pressure changes. InSAR applications to groundwater depletion assessments are limited to aquifer systems susceptible to measurable deformation. Furthermore, the inversion of InSAR‐derived displacement maps into volume of depleted groundwater storage (both reversible and largely irreversible) is confounded by vertical and horizontal variability of sediment compressibility. During the last decade, both techniques have shown increasing interest in the scientific community to complement available in situ observations where they are insufficient. In this review, we present the theoretical and conceptual bases of each method, and present idealized scenarios to highlight the potential benefits and challenges of combining these techniques to remotely assess groundwater storage changes and other aspects of the dynamics of aquifer systems.
College Tuition Subsidies and Bilateral Uncertainty

This paper investigates why some U.S. colleges o er positive tuition subsidies while others do not. I develop a model in which students face uncertainty in the quality of education at a school and schools in the quality of students that attend the school. These uncertainties help explain why di erent tuition subsidies exist. An empirical investigation of 1115 U.S. colleges in 1994 shows that students typically underestimate the quality of education they receive and that schools typically overestimate the ability of students. JEL Classi cation: I21, D12
Silicon photomultiplier performance tests in magnetic resonance pulsed fields

We are investigating the performance of silicon photomultipliers (SiPM) in a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) environment with a view to exploiting the potential advantages in a combined positron emission tomography / magnetic resonance imaging (PET/MR) system. SiPMs are attractive for PET because they are compact, provide high gain at low bias voltage, and fast response times. Importantly for combined PET/MR applications, they offer performance comparable to that of the photomultiplier tube (PMT) and are insensitive to magnetic fields. To study the effect of MR static magnetic, pulsed gradient and radio-frequency fields on SiPM performance, we have acquired data whilst switching magnetic fields with the SiPM positioned in the MR system. The wide 'dynamic range' of SiPMs facilitates their use in both low light level and PET applications; we have acquired 'single photoelectron' and 22Na energy spectra to demonstrate SiPM performance for this application. As expected, no degradation in inherent SiPM performance in an MR environment is observed.
Water Treatment Residuals and Biosolids Long‐Term Co‐Applications Effects to Semi‐Arid Grassland Soils and Vegetation

Water treatment residuals (WTRs) and biosolids are byproducts from municipal water treatment processes. Both byproducts have been studied separately for land application benefi ts. Th ere are possible environmental benefi ts of WTRs and biosolids co-application but these studies are limited. Our objectives were to determine relative long-term (13-15 yr) eff ects of a single and short-term (2-4 yr) eff ects of repeated WTR-biosolids co-applications on soil chemistry, microbiology, and plant community structure in a Colorado semiarid grassland. Only relative changes associated between co-applications were studied, as we assumed WTR application would only occur if used as a management practice. Th ree WTR rates (5, 10, and 21 Mg ha -1 ) were surface co-applied (no incorporation) with a single biosolids rate (10 Mg ha -1 ) once in 1991 (long-term plots) and again in 2002 (short-term plots). Soil 0- to 8-, 8- to 15-, and 15- to 30-cm depth pH, electrical conductivity (EC), NO 3 -N, NH 4 -N, total C, and total N were not aff ected by WTR application in 2004, 2005, or 2006. Ammonium-bicarbonate diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (AB-DTPA)- extractable soil Al was unaff ected by WTR application, but extractable P and Mo decreased with increasing WTR rate because of WTR adsorption. Plant tissue P and Mo content decreased with specifi c plant species and years due to adsorption to WTR; no defi ciency symptoms were observed. Plant community composition and cover were largely unaff ected by WTR application. Soil microbial community structure was unaff ected by WTR co-application rate (total ester-linked fatty acid methyl ester (EL-FAME) concentrations ranged from 33.4 to 54.8 nmol g -1 soil), although time since biosolids-WTR application aff ected a subset of microbial community fatty acids including markers for Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Overall, WTR-biosolids co-applications did not adversely aff ect semiarid grassland ecosystem dynamics. Abbreviations: AB-DTPA, ammonium-bicarbonate diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid; EC, electrical conductivity; EL-FAME, ester-linked fatty acid methyl ester; PCA, principal component analysis; WTR, water treatment residual.
Glaucoma Suspect: Diagnosis and Management

AbstractGlaucoma suspect is a diagnosis reserved for individuals who do not definitively have glaucoma at the present time but have characteristics suggesting that they are at high risk of developing the disease in the future based on a variety of factors. This review provides a practical approach to individuals classified as glaucoma suspects caused by one or more of the following risk factors or indicators of disease: ocular hypertension, optic nerve features suggestive of glaucoma, visual field abnormalities, and other characteristics placing them at greater risk than the average population. In addition to diagnostic considerations, this overview provides information on therapeutic approaches to the glaucoma suspect.
Nano-plasmonic biosensors: A review

In this paper, first the fundamental concept of nano-optical biosensing is studied. Since Raman scattered signal is very weak to be recognized by current measuring equipments, the signal must be amplified. SPR and LSPR are utilized to enhance the incident field of the target molecules, to improve the sensitivity of the sensor. The paper focuses on the use of LSPR to enhance Raman signal in SERS technology. Different structures of nano-particles in LSPR to improve enhancement of the SERS signal are reviewed and compared.
Input Impedance Modeling of Multipulse Rectifiers by Harmonic Linearization

Multipulse rectifiers are used in large industrial drives, aircraft, electric ships, and other systems, where limits on harmonic currents prohibit the use of conventional three-phase, six-pulse rectifiers. The large power rating of these rectifiers and the dynamic nature of the loads often necessitate the study of their dynamic interactions with the source, which can lead to system stability and power quality problems if not properly designed. This paper presents input impedance models for multipulse rectifiers that can be used for such system stability and dynamic power quality analysis. The modeling method is based on the concept of harmonic linearization and makes use of analytical mapping functions that describe voltage and current transfer through multiphase diode rectifiers. Input impedance models are developed first for general N-phase rectifiers, and then combined with a model of the phase-shifting transformer to define the three-phase input impedance. Magnetizing inductance and line commutation due to transformer leakage inductance are also considered. Details of the modeling method are presented using an 18-pulse rectifier as example, and experimental measurement results are also presented to validate the models.
Genomic mapping of Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO.

The extent of knowledge of genome arrangement in any bacterium is directly proportional to the degree of interest in the organism, its importance to medicine, agriculture, the environment and industry and the availability of means of genetic analysis. Until the introduction of recombinant DNA techniques, genome mapping was dependent on the availability and user-friendliness of systems of genetic exchange conjugation, transduction and transformation being the most common. New DNA technologies have enabled the genetic mapping of those organisms for which in vivo systems of analysis are not available, and this topic has been recently reviewed (Smith & Condemine, 1990; Holloway, 1993). For Psewdomonas aerzlginosa, a fortunate situation has been created by the availability of all three major systems of in vivo gene exchange, conjugation, transduction and transformation (Holloway & Morgan, 1986), as well as the newer technologies (Holloway e t al., 1992). Combined with an increasing research interest in this organism, mainly stimulated by its medical importance, the extent of genome mapping has increased markedly in the last few years.
A comparison of conventional spin-echo and turbo spin-echo imaging of soft tissues adjacent to orthopedic hardware.

T echniques may now be used to minimize metal susceptibility artifact, allowing successful imaging of soft tissues adjacent to orthopedic hardware [1-4]. Although Tartaglino et al. [I ] have demonstrated imaging of the postoperative spine using fast (turbo) spin-echo sequences that minimize artifact adjacent to fixation plates, to our knowledge no previous study has prospectively compared the use of conventional and turbo spin-echo imaging taibred to a heterogeneous group of orthopedic patients with a range of hardware components (of varying geometry) in situ.
Corticosterone administration and high-energy feed results in enhanced fat accumulation and insulin resistance in broiler chickens

1. Two experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of exogenous corticosterone administration (30 mg/kg diet) and dietary energy level on feed or energy intake and fat deposition in broiler chickens of 1 and 4 weeks of age. 2. Corticosterone treatment significantly suppressed body weight (BW) gain and reduced feed and caloric efficiencies. The retarded growth may conceal the stimulatory effect of corticosterone on feed consumption or metabolisable energy (ME) intake. A high-energy diet may increase energy intake and partially alleviate the suppressing effect of corticosterone on growth of broilers. 3. Corticosterone administration promoted the conservation of energy stores as fat at both abdominal and subcutaneous sites and this process occurred regardless of dietary energy level in ad libitum feeding status. A high-energy diet increased fat accumulation and showed no significant interaction with corticosterone treatment. 4. The suppressed development of breast and thigh muscles by corticosterone treatment was observed only in 1-week-old chickens fed on the low-energy diet. In contrast, the yield of breast muscle but not thigh muscle was significantly decreased by corticosterone in 4-week-old chickens, suggesting that the tissue specificity to corticosterone challenge is age dependent. 5. Plasma concentrations of glucose, insulin, triglyceride, non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) and very low density lipoprotein were increased by corticosterone treatment regardless of diet treatment. A high-energy diet increased plasma levels of NEFA and resulted in hyperinsulinism in 4-week-old chickens but not in 1-week-old chickens. 6. Lipoprotein lipase (LPL) activities in adipose tissues may have been up-regulated by corticosterone treatment and showed tissue specificity. The increased LPL activities at ad libitum feeding status were not necessarily linked with the increased fat accumulation in corticosterone challenged chickens. 7. Corticosterone resulted in augmented energy consumption and altered energy redistribution toward lipid deposition. The induced insulin resistance and enhanced hepatic de novo lipogenesis by corticosterone are likely to be responsible for the increased fat deposition.
Microwave dielectric properties of a silt-loam at high frequencies

Microwave brightness temperatures at three frequencies (23.8, 36.5, and 90 GHz) of a carefully smoothed silt-loam were measured over a large range of near-surface soil moisture conditions. The microwave data were collected simultaneously with ground observations of soil moisture, soil temperature, and bulk density. The atmospheric downwelling radiation is computed from the French weather forecast model outputs and cloud coverage surface observations. Assuming that roughness effects are negligible for the studied surface, Fresnel coefficients are used to model soil reflectivities. The relationship between soil moisture and soil reflectivity at high frequencies is then analyzed through existing semi-empirical models of the soil complex dielectric permittivity. >
Towards a better understanding of the legibility bias in performance assessments: the case of gender-based inferences.

BACKGROUND Handwriting legibility systematically biases evaluations in that highly legible handwriting results in more positive evaluations than less legible handwriting. Because performance assessments in educational contexts are not only based on computerized or multiple choice tests but often include the evaluation of handwritten work samples, understanding the causes of this bias is critical. AIMS This research was designed to replicate and extend the legibility bias in two tightly controlled experiments and to explore whether gender-based inferences contribute to its occurrence. SAMPLE(S) A total of 132 students from a German university participated in one pre-test and two independent experiments. METHOD Participants were asked to read and evaluate several handwritten essays varying in content quality. Each essay was presented to some participants in highly legible handwriting and to other participants in less legible handwriting. In addition, the assignment of legibility to participant group was reversed from essay to essay, resulting in a mixed-factor design. RESULTS The legibility bias was replicated in both experiments. Results suggest that gender-based inferences do not account for its occurrence. Rather it appears that fluency from legibility exerts a biasing impact on evaluations of content and author abilities. CONCLUSIONS The legibility bias was shown to be genuine and strong. By refuting a series of alternative explanations, this research contributes to a better understanding of what underlies the legibility bias. The present research may inform those who grade on what to focus and thus help to better allocate cognitive resources when trying to reduce this important source of error.
Observation of similar radio signatures at Saturn and Jupiter: Implications for the magnetospheric dynamics

We report on radio signatures observed at Saturn by the Cassini RPWS experiment which are strikingly similar to the Jovian “energetic events” observed by Galileo. They consist of sudden intensifications of the auroral radio emission (SKR) followed by the detection of a periodic narrowband radiation which most likely originates from Saturn's plasma disk. About ten “events” have been observed in 2006, showing on average temporal scales ∼3 times longer than their Jovian counterparts. We analyze the conditions of generation and the visibility of the narrowband radiation and conclude that the Kronian “events” are most likely associated with plasma evacuation from the disk. These observations provide new insights on the role of internal energy releases in Saturn's magnetosphere, known from other observations to be mainly driven by the solar wind.
Attitude Control of a Micro AUV through an Embedded System

This paper shows the design, modeling and control of a micro submarine (Cookie ROV) for inspection tasks in closed areas. The prototype include an embedded system (gumstix) in order to apply the control algorithms. This vehicle is made of materials and devices of low cost. The main goal consists of implementation and the comparison of controllers: PD, PID and saturated PD for stabilizing attitude of vehicle using an IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit). The Dynamic model is described by Newton-Euler equations. It presents vehicle's performance validation with help of MatLab Simulink and experimental results in real time. The contribution of this work is the original and compact design of the prototype to obtain a dynamic uncoupled in orientation and position, as well as its construction and integration of versatile and modular electronic components of small size, besides the implementation and validation of the different strategies of control systems to compare and obtain the best performance.
A Quality Use of Medicines program for continuity of care in therapeutics from hospital to community

IN OTHER JOURNALS . 297 MOULDING THE SURGICAL MIND William Hunter, 18th-century obstetrician and medical educator, once described surgeons as “savages with knives”. Ironically, one of these savages, his brother John, became one of surgery’s icons. In their time, patients were pinned down, screaming and squirming, by burly assistants, and the surgeon’s fame rested on his dexterity, precision and speed. Then, surgeons were feared, surgery was limited in frequency and scope, and plagued by deadly sepsis. The arrivals of anaesthesia, antisepsis and asepsis changed all that. Now, surgeons are revered, surgery’s scope is virtually unlimited, and waiting list numbers swell. But what is the image of the modern surgeon? In their recent review, Surgeons and cognitive processes, Australian surgeons John Hall and Jeffrey Hamdorf and educator Carleen Ellis focus on this image. Surgery continues to be a maledominated fraternity of adherents of resolute action, aggression, technology and defensive detachment in practice. Their expertise is bound up in experience, and entry into their ranks is influenced by sex and an “intolerance of ambiguity, excessive reliance on high technology, a negative orientation towards psychological problems and a Machiavellianism.expressed as ‘the means justifies the end’ or ‘whatever it takes’. ” But Hall and his colleagues believe that something is missing in the moulding of surgical minds — an emphasis on analysis, problem-solving, evaluation, discrimination and judgement. In short, surgeons’ training is short on thinking, reasoning and understanding. The call by Hall and colleagues to move the focus from action to reflection is not new. Eminent US surgeon William J Mayo once observed that “Surgery is more a matter of mental grasp than it is of handicraftsmanship. ” Stressing this mental grasp requires a seismic shift in surgery’s culture.