Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Age, blood pressure, and vessel diameter as factors influencing the arterial retinal flicker response.

PURPOSE The present study investigated whether age, blood pressure (BP), and baseline vessel diameter influence the retinal arterial response to flicker light. METHOD Thirty healthy subjects (mean age, 46.3; range, 22-73 years) and 15 patients with untreated essential arterial hypertension (mean, 50.9; range, 26-69 years) were examined. The diameter of the retinal arterioles was measured by a Retinal Vessel Analyzer (RVA; Imedos, Weimar, Germany). Each examination consisted of a 100-second baseline measurement and five 20-second periods of flicker stimulation, followed by an 80-second observation period. The five stimulation periods were then averaged. The rectangular luminance flicker operated at 12.5 Hz at a wavelength of 530 to 600 nm. The baseline-corrected flicker response (bFR) was defined as the difference between the peak dilatation and subsequent constriction after flicker stimulation minus the fluctuation of the baseline. The BP was measured at 1-minute intervals during the examination. RESULTS In 26 subjects with normal BP, flicker light induced a bFR of +6.4% +/- 2.7%. The bFR decreased nonsignificantly in healthy subjects with increasing age (y = 8.48-0.048x; r = 0.26). The baseline diameter did not influence the amplitude of the flicker response over a range of 70 to 140 measuring units. The hypertensive patients reacted with a bFR of +2.2% +/- 2.5% (P < 0.001). Four hitherto healthy subjects with elevated BP during the examination were excluded from analysis. CONCLUSIONS A significant correlation of age and bFR was not found in the small sample examined. Untreated arterial hypertension appeared to be associated with a reduced flicker response. The value of such functional vessel properties in the screening of vasosclerosis and in diagnostics in arterial hypertension should be examined in further studies.
Quantitative measurement of HCV RNA in the serum: A comparison of three assays based on different principles

Quantitative measurement of hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA is useful in patients with chronic hepatitis C, especially with interferon treatment. We examined the clinical usefulness of the AMPLICOR monitor assay, a newly developed assay for quantitative measurement, by comparing it with two other assays with different principles. A total of 48 patients with chronic hepatitis C who were treated with interferon‐α (IFN‐α) were studied: 19 were complete responders and 29 were non‐responders. Hepatitis C virus RNA was measured quantitatively by AMPLICOR, branched DNA (bDNA) probe, and competitive polymerase chain reaction (C‐PCR) assays. An internal quantification standard was used in the AMPLICOR assay. A cDNA competitor with a deletion of 15 base pairs in the middle portion was used in the C‐PCR method. The concentration of HCV RNA was significantly correlated between the three assays adopted in this study. Sensitivity of assays was 100% by C‐PCR, 90% by AMPLICOR and 69% by bDNA assays. The active quantitative range was best with the C‐PCR assay and worst with the bDNA assay. The bDNA assay had a tendency to exhibit lower values for patients with serotype 2 than did the other two assays. The predictive rate of the long‐term response to IFN‐α therapy, before its initiation, was over 75% in all three assays. The predictive rate just after completing IFN‐α therapy was as high as 80% by C‐PCR and the AMPLICOR assays, but was low (58%) with the bDNA assay. The handling of the bDNA and AMPLICOR assays was much easier than the C‐PCR assay, which required time and skill. These results indicate that the AMPLICOR assay is a simple and reliable method for measuring the serum concentrations of HCV RNA, and thus is suitable for clinical application.
Visualizing rhythms of intimacy in email communication

Visualizing Rhythms of Intimacy in Email Communication. (December 2004) Mirko Mandic, B.S., Charleston Southern University Chair of Advisory Committee: Dr. Andruid Kerne Email has developed into one of the most extensively used computer applications. Email interfaces, on the other hand, have gone through very few transformations since their inception. As the growing volumes of email data accumulate in users' email boxes, these interfaces fail to provide effective message handling and browsing support. Saved email messages provide not only a vast and pulsating record of one's electronic past, but also a potential source of valuable insights into the structure and dynamics of one's social network. In this thesis, we introduce a visualization approach to email that draws upon email’s inherently personal character and uses intimacy as a key parameter. We have developed faMailiar, a novel email interface that visualizes email in a chronological manner through two alternative, calendar-like views that present email activity on different time granularity scales. Visual mappings of email data and support for filtering help the user see rhythms and patterns in her social interactions. Zooming, panning and implicit semantic zooming facilitate navigation across large email collections.
Normothermic cardioplegia prevents intracellular calcium accumulation during cardioplegic arrest and reperfusion.

BACKGROUND Development of intracellular calcium overloading is to be a primary factor in cellular injury during myocardial reperfusion. We studied the effects of different temperatures during continuously perfused cardioplegic arrest on the changes of intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) level in isolated rat hearts. METHODS AND RESULTS Rat hearts were perfused by the Langendorff technique with Krebs-Henseleit bicarbonate (KHB) buffer. The [Ca2+]i was monitored by loading the heart with fura-2 acetoxymethyl ester and by using a [Ca2+]i analyzer. [Ca2+]i was calculated by determining the maximal and minimal fluorescent intensity for each heart. The hearts (n = 6 in each group) were subjected to cardioplegic arrest by continuous perfusion of oxygenated crystalloid K+ (15 mEq/L) cardioplegic solution (CPS) at different temperatures (4 degrees C, 20 degrees C, 28 degrees C, 37 degrees C) for 120 minutes, followed by 30 minutes of normothermic KHB buffer reperfusion. A fifth group received continuous perfusion as a control with 37 degrees C KHB buffer. The baseline values of [Ca2+]i were comparable in all experimental groups. In hearts perfused with 4 degrees C CPS, [Ca2+]i increased significantly during reperfusion (from 221 +/- 24 nmol/L [mean +/- SEM] at baseline to 341 +/- 19 at the end of reperfusion, P < .05). CPS perfusion at 20 degrees C also induced significant Ca2+ overloading during reperfusion, but not as much as in the 4 degrees C group. No significant [Ca2+]i increase occurred at 28 degrees C or 37 degrees C. CONCLUSIONS Continuous cardioplegic perfusion at lower temperatures (ie, 4 degrees C or 20 degrees C) induces Ca2+ overloading during reperfusion, which is detrimental to the optimal recovery of ventricular performance, while normothermic cardioplegic perfusion prevents the development of Ca2+ accumulation. These results provide experimental evidence for a detrimental effect of prolonged hypothermic continuous cardioplegia.
Dimensionality Reduction via Program Induction

How can techniques drawn from machine learning be applied to the learning of structured, compositional representations? In this work, we adopt functional programs as our representation, and cast the problem of learning symbolic representations as a symbolic analog of dimensionality reduction. By placing program synthesis within a probabilistic machine learning framework, we are able to model the learning of some English inﬂectional morphology and solve a set of synthetic regression problems.
Self-Rated Global Measure of the Frequency, Intensity, and Burden of Side Effects

No standard side-effect measure currently available can be easily used in clinical practice for patients receiving treatment for depression. The Frequency, Intensity, and Burden of Side Effects Rating (FIBSER) Scale was developed to document these three domains of side effects in patients treated in the Sequenced Treatment Alternatives to Relieve Depression (STAR*D) project. This article presents data on the reliability and validity of the FIBSER. The STAR*D prospectively enrolled 4,041 outpatients with nonpsychotic major depressive disorder (MDD) who were seeking medical care (as opposed to symptomatic volunteers recruited via advertisements). The patients were treated with citalopram. Clinical assessments, including the FIBSER, were completed at 2, 4, 6, 9, 12, and, if necessary, 14 weeks after enrollment. The FIBSER was shown to be reliable, with high correlations between observations taken a short time apart, and correlations decreasing as time between observations increased. There were also consistent relationships between items over time. The FIBSER has both face and construct validity. Thus, the FIBSER is a reliable and valid self-report measure of side effects in a population receiving treatment for depression. Although it does not measure the impact of specific side effects, it does measure three domains of impact: frequency, intensity, and burden of the side effects. Its brevity makes it a useful tool for routine clinical practice. These advantages are not available in other side-effect measures.
Structural domains of chimeric dopamine-noradrenaline human transporters involved in the Na(+)- and Cl(-)-dependence of dopamine transport.

Catecholamine transporters constitute the biological targets for several important drugs, including antidepressants, cocaine, and related compounds. Some information exists about discrete domains of these transporters that are involved in substrate translocation and uptake blockade, but delineation of domains mediating the ionic dependence of the transport remains to be defined. In the present study, human neuronal transporters for dopamine and noradrenaline (hDAT and hNET) and a series of six functional chimeras were transiently expressed in LLC-PK1 cells. Substitution of Cl(-) by isethionate reveals that cassette IV (i.e., the region of the transporter encompassing transmembrane domain 9 through the COOH terminal) plays an important role in the Cl(-)- dependence of the uptake. Substitutions of Na(+) and NaCl by Tris(+) and sucrose, respectively, demonstrate that three different segments scattered across the transporter are involved in the Na(+)- dependence of the transport activity: cassette I (i.e., the region from the amino terminus through the first two transmembrane domains), cassette IV, and junction between transmembrane domains 3 to 5 and 6 to 8. Results of the present work also suggest that the use of Tris(+) as a substitute for Na(+) results in a biased estimate of the Hill number value for hDAT. This study provides useful clues for identifying specific residues involved in the uptake function of the catecholamine transporters.
Stem cells and diabetes

Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic syndrome characterized by increased levels of blood glucose. Type 1 diabetic patients and patients with Type 2 diabetes suffering from defective insulin secretion rely on lifelong substitution with exogenous administration of insulin. Whole pancreas and purified pancreatic islet transplantation have offered the potential for independence from insulin injections. A major obstacle, however, is the limited supply of cadaveric human islets. Success in islet transplantation-based therapies for Type 1 diabetes, coupled with a worldwide shortage of transplant-ready islets, has motivated efforts to develop renewable sources of islet-replacement tissues. Stem cells offer the greatest potential for the development of an abundant source of pancreatic islets. Insulin-producing cells for transplantation can be generated from both embryonic and adult stem cells. Before stem cell therapeutic strategies for diabetes mellitus can be transferred to clinical application in humans, stem cell biologists have to address several pressing issues related to appropriate differentiation protocols, functional aspects of insulin secretion, its regulation, cell-maturation processes and control of proliferation, along with ethical norms and safety.
Robust segmentation of road traffic signs using adaptive thresholds

We propose a robust segmentation system for road traffic signs using adaptive thresholds. The main objective is to develop a robust segmentation system under various illumination conditions. The main problem is how to obtain the best suited threshold for relative similarity. It can be got automatically by K-nearest connectivity when K=4 and the two-way connectivity method. Our system utilizes relative similarity of neighborhood pixels and shape information of traffic signs together. The effectiveness of our proposed system is confirmed through experiments under various illumination conditions. In the experiments, 90 images taken under daytime, evening and night-time are used. The system can give 98% successful segmentation rate.
Novel Antiphase-Coupled RTD Microwave Oscillator Operating at Extremely Low DC-Power Consumption

A new resonant tunneling diode (RTD) microwave oscillator operating at extremely low dc-power consumption is proposed, which utilizes the antiphase-coupled quantum-effect RTD oscillations for efficient ac-power generation at a summing node of output based on a push-push principle. The fabricated integrated circuit of the RTD microwave oscillator by using an InP-based RTD/HBT quantum-effect IC technology shows an extremely low total dc-power consumption of 85 ¿W at an oscillation frequency of 29.1 GHz. In order to achieve the extremely low dc-power consumption, the device size of RTD has been scaled down to 0.7 × 0.7 ¿m2. The obtained total dc-power consumption of 85 ¿W at an applied bias of 0.49 V is found to be the lowest reported up to date, corresponding to about 1/170 of that in the conventional-type low-power oscillators in the related frequency range.
Homing of Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Induced Degenerative Intervertebral Discs in a Whole Organ Culture System

Study Design. Homing of human bone marrow–derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) was studied using ex vivo cultured bovine caudal intervertebral discs (IVDs). Objective. To investigate in a whole organ culture whether metabolic and mechanical challenges can induce BMSC recruitment into the IVD. Summary of Background Data. Cells from injured tissues release cytokines and mediators that enable the recruitment of progenitor cells. BMSCs have the ability to survive within the IVD. Methods. Bovine IVDs with or without endplates were cultured for 1 week under simulated physiological or degenerative conditions; disc cells were analyzed for cell viability and gene expression, whereas media was analyzed for nitric oxide production and chemotaxis. Homing of BMSCs was investigated by supplying PKH-labeled human BMSCs onto cultured IVDs (1 × 106 cells/disc on d 8, 10, and 12 of culture); on day 14, the number of homed BMSCs was microscopically assessed. Moreover, a comparative study was performed between transduced BMSCs (transduced with an adenovirus encoding for insulin-like growth factor 1 [IGF-1]) and nontransduced BMSCs. Disc proteoglycan synthesis rate was quantified via 35S incorporation. The secretion of IGF-1 was evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay on both simulated physiological and degenerative discs. Results. Discs cultured under degenerative conditions showed reduced cell viability, upregulation of matrix degrading enzymes, and increased nitric oxide production compared with simulated physiological discs. Greater homing occurred under degenerative compared with physiological conditions with or without endplate. Media of degenerative discs demonstrated a chemoattractive activity toward BMSCs. Finally, discs homed with IGF-1–transduced BMSCs showed increased IGF-1 secretion and significantly higher proteoglycan synthesis rate than discs supplied with nontransduced BMSCs. Conclusion. We have demonstrated for the first time that degenerative conditions induce the release of factors promoting BMSC recruitment in an ex vivo organ culture. Moreover, IGF-1 transduction of BMSCs strongly increases the rate of proteoglycan synthesis within degenerative discs. This finding offers a new delivery system for BMSCs and treatment strategy for IVD regeneration.
Nucleolar re‐activation is delayed in mouse embryos cloned from two different cell lines

Aim of this study was to evaluate and compare embryonic genome activation (EGA) in mouse embryos of different origin using nucleolus as a marker. Early and late 2‐cell and late 4‐cell stage embryos, prepared by in vitro fertilization (IVF), parthenogenetic activation (PG), and nuclear transfer of mouse embryonic fibroblast (MEF) and mouse HM1 embryonic stem cells (HM1), were processed for autoradiography following 3H‐uridine incubation (transcriptional activity), transmission electron microscopy (ultrastructure) and immunofluorescence (nucleolar proteins; upstream binding factor, UBF and nucleophosmin, B23). All early 2‐cell embryos showed transcriptional activity only in nucleoplasm, not over nucleolar precursor bodies (NPBs). UBF was diffusely localized to cytoplasm and B23 to cytoplasm and nucleoplasm. Late 2‐cell IVF and PG embryos displayed transcription over nucleoplasm and NPBs. Ultrastructurally, the latter were developing into functional nucleoli. NT‐MEF and NT‐HM1 embryos displayed transcription over nucleoplasm, but not over NPBs. Development of NPBs into nucleoli was lacking. UBF was in both groups localized to nucleoplasm or distinctly to presumptive NPBs. B23 was distinctly localized to NPBs. All 4‐cell embryos presented nucleoplasmic transcription and developing fibrillo‐granular nucleoli. UBF and B23 were distinctly localized to nucleoli. However, whereas fully transformed reticulated fibrillo‐granular nucleoli were found in IVF and PG embryos, NT‐MEF and ‐HM1 embryos displayed early NPBs transformation. In conclusion, despite normal onset of EGA in cloned embryos, activation of functional nucleoli was one cell cycle delayed in NT embryos. NT‐MEF embryos displayed normal targeting but delayed activation of nucleolar proteins. Contrary, in NT‐HM1 embryos, both of these processes were delayed. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 76: 132–141, 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Report ty in Grapheme-Color Synesthesia and Its Modulation

Synesthesia is an unusual condition characterized by the over-binding of two or more features and the concomitant automatic and conscious experience of atypical, ancillary images or perceptions [1–3]. Previous research suggests that synesthetes display enhanced modality-specific perceptual processing [4–7], but it remains unclear whether enhanced processing contributes to conscious awareness of color photisms. In three experiments, we investigated whether grapheme-color synesthesia is characterized by enhanced cortical excitability in primary visual cortex and the role played by this hyperexcitability in the expression of synesthesia. Using transcranial magnetic stimulation, we show that synesthetes display 3-fold lower phosphene thresholds than controls during stimulation of the primary visual cortex. We next used transcranial direct current stimulation to discriminate between two competing hypotheses of the role of hyperexcitability in the expression of synesthesia. We demonstrate that synesthesia can be selectively augmented with cathodal stimulation and attenuated with anodal stimulation of primary visual cortex. A control task revealed that the effect of the brain stimulation was specific to the experience of synesthesia. These results indicate that hyperexcitability acts as a source of noise in visual cortex that influences the availability of the neuronal signals underlying conscious awareness of synesthetic photisms.
A wideband microstrip balun structure

A wideband microstrip balun structure has been proposed, investigated and demonstrated. In contrast to other wideband balun structures, the balun in this paper does not use tight coupled strip lines, transitions (among CPW, CPS, slotline, and double-sided parallel strips) with ground defects, or phase shifters to realize 180° out-of-phase outputs. The proposed wideband balun is based on the higher order mode microstrip line and the 180° out-of-phase and equal magnitude of the balun outputs can be achieved inherently. The experimental results show that the balun has wideband impedance matching, low loss, and excellent amplitude/phase imbalance performance.
Mismatch of the Short Straight Cephalomedullary Nail (PFNA-II) With the Anterior Bow of the Femur in an Asian Population

Objectives: The aims of this study were to evaluate the morphologic discrepancies between the short straight proximal femoral nail antirotation—Asian version (PFNA-II) and the anterior bow of the femur in Chinese patients and to propose a further design modification. Design: Retrospective study. Setting: Level I academic trauma center. Patients/Participants: A consecutive 158 cases (35 men and 123 women with mean age of 77.2 years) with unstable per/intertrochanteric fractures (AO/OTA 31 A2 and A3) treated by PFNA-II from August 2008 to December 2010 participated in this study. Intervention: Nailing of PFNA-II. Main Outcome Measurements: The nail tip position was classified to a 5-grade scale on postoperative lateral radiographs of the femur. The distance between the nail axis and the canal axis at the tip level was measured. The degree of the theoretical bent curvature and its corresponding radius were calculated, assuming that the anterior protrusive nail tip was placed back to the central canal axis. Results: The distal tip of PFNA-II was located anterior to the femur canal central axis in 118 cases (74.7%), of which 55 cases abutted against the anterior cortex (contact between nail and internal cortex) (34.8%). With longer nails, the abutment occurred more often and was more prominent. For nail lengths of 170, 200, and 240 mm, the theoretical distance to replace the nail tip to the central canal axis was 1.42 ± 0.18, 1.77 ± 0.39, and 2.46 ± 0.20 mm, respectively; the corresponding bent curvature angle was 2.51 ± 2.40, 2.13 ± 1.65, and 2.09 ± 0.98 degrees, respectively; and the bent curvature radius was 1483 ± 818, 2329 ± 1293, and 3710 ± 1957 mm, respectively. Conclusions: There is a mismatch between the current short straight PFNA-II and the anterior bow of the femur in the Chinese population. In light of the documented complications and technical problems related to this mismatch, further modifications with an anterior bow are proposed.
Evidence and leadership: The tools for change

Abstract Evidence based practice is seen to be a vehicle through which nurses can deliver more cost-effective care and improve patient outcomes. Despite this, however, ‘evidence’ does not always appear to influence policy and practice. Routine and traditional practices such as pre-operative fasting protocols seem particularly resistant to change. The research literature which repeatedly argues for reduced pre-operative fasting periods for clear fluids dates back to the 1800s. Current research indicates that the ingestion of clear fluids is safe two to four hours pre-operatively. Despite this evidence, however, pre-operative fasting for clear fluids, even for healthy young adults undergoing elective surgery, still persist for periods of up to twelve hours’ duration. ‘Evidence’ was used in a surgical unit in a private hospital in Sydney to reduce pre-operative clear fluid fasting periods for patients requiring elective bowel surgery. This paper will describe the process of implementation of the reduced fasting guidelines. More specifically, it will detail what was done and how it was done; it will also demonstrate the crucial role of strong nursing leadership in this evidence based change to existing practice.