Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Risk factors for bronchiectasis in children with cystic fibrosis.

BACKGROUND Bronchiectasis develops early in the course of cystic fibrosis, being detectable in infants as young as 10 weeks of age, and is persistent and progressive. We sought to determine risk factors for the onset of bronchiectasis, using data collected by the Australian Respiratory Early Surveillance Team for Cystic Fibrosis (AREST CF) intensive surveillance program. METHODS We examined data from 127 consecutive infants who received a diagnosis of cystic fibrosis after newborn screening. Chest computed tomography (CT) and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) were performed, while the children were in stable clinical condition, at 3 months and 1, 2, and 3 years of age. Longitudinal data were used to determine risk factors associated with the detection of bronchiectasis from 3 months to 3 years of age. RESULTS The point prevalence of bronchiectasis at each visit increased from 29.3% at 3 months of age to 61.5% at 3 years of age. In multivariate analyses, risk factors for bronchiectasis were presentation with meconium ileus (odds ratio, 3.17; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.51 to 6.66; P=0.002), respiratory symptoms at the time of CT and BAL (odds ratio, 2.27; 95% CI, 1.24 to 4.14; P=0.008), free neutrophil elastase activity in BAL fluid (odds ratio, 3.02; 95% CI, 1.70 to 5.35; P<0.001), and gas trapping on expiratory CT (odds ratio, 2.05; 95% CI, 1.17 to 3.59; P=0.01). Free neutrophil elastase activity in BAL fluid at 3 months of age was associated with persistent bronchiectasis (present on two or more sequential scans), with the odds seven times as high at 12 months of age and four times as high at 3 years of age. CONCLUSIONS Neutrophil elastase activity in BAL fluid in early life was associated with early bronchiectasis in children with cystic fibrosis. (Funded by the National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia and Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Therapeutics.)
A literature review on modeling and control design for electrostatic microactuators with fringing and squeezed film damping effects

A literature review concerning the modeling and control design aspects of electrostatic micro-actuators is presented in this article. The modeling issues of electrostatic micro actuators with fringing and squeezed film damping effects are presented followed by control strategies that have already been applied in such systems. As a special use, the analytic model and suboptimal robust control of a micro Cantilever Beam (μCB) with fringing and squeezed thin film damping effects is presented. The suspended clamped-free μCB can move via the application of an external electrically induced force. The nonlinear model of the μCB is linearized in multiple operating points with respect to the beam's tip-end displacement. A robust H∞-controller relying on the LMI-theory is designed for the set of the resulting multiple operating models. Particular attention is paid in order to examine the stability issue within the intervals of the operating points. Simulation results investigate the efficacy of the suggested modeling and control techniques.
On the Nature of Numerical Plane Waves in FDTD

The nature of uniform plane waves in the standard finite-difference time domain (FDTD) grid is investigated. In particular, it is shown that for the waves to be truly planar in the grid, they can only propagate at a countably infinite set of rational angles defined by integer ratios of grid-cells. The plane wave can then be expressed on a one-dimensional (1D) grid with uniform spacing, where each 1D point is directly associated with field locations in the main three-dimensional (3D) grid. Furthermore, it is shown that angles used in the projection of field components that account for the field nonorthogonality are inherently contained in the dispersion equation, and hence, a consistent set of projection operators is defined from it.
Inter-organizational technology transfer: the case of the NSF science and technology centers

This article provides a brief overview of the National Science Foundation's objectives in the formation of Science and Technology Centers at twenty-five U.S. Universities. Survey respondents at the centers and industry participants express conflicting opinions over what they define as technology transfer, effectiveness of technology transfer, and factors and methods for facilitating technology transfer. Four levels of technology transfer are defined and include research and development, technology acceptance, technology implementation, and technology utilization. <<ETX>>
Simultaneous assessment of regional adrenergic activity and perfusion with 123I‐MIBG and 201Tl in congestive heart failure

SummarySimultaneous assessment of regional adrenergic activity and perfusion with 123I-meta-iodobenzylguanidine (123I-MIBG) and 201Tl in various organs was performed in 13 patients with congestive heart failure (CHF) and 13 subjects without heart failure. In order to reduce the crosstalk of 201Tl to the 123I energy window to less than 5%, a dose of 123I-MIBG more than five times greater than that of 201Tl was administered following 201Tl scintigraphy. Regional uptake of 201Tl (% dose) was significantly increased in the heart (left ventricle) and lung (both P < 0.01) in the patients with CHF. The increased global cardiac uptake could have been related to the enlarged left ventricle. The patterns of regional uptake of 123I-MIBG (% dose) at 15 min were similar to those of 201Tl, suggesting that early 123I-MIBG uptake could in part depend on regional perfusion in both groups. At 3 h, regional uptake of 123I-MIBG was significantly increased in the heart, lung and kidney (all P < 0.01) in the patients with CHF. The delayed 123I-MIBG uptake indicates the degree of neuronal accumulation of the tracer, and therefore reflects adrenergic activity. Interestingly, the cardiac 123I-MIBG (adrenergic activity) to 201Tl (unit of perfusion) ratio decreased significantly in the heart (P < 0.01) but increased significantly in the kidney (P < 0.01) in the patients with CHF compared with the control group. Cardiac 123I-MIBG washout was also significantly increased in the CHF patients. Moreover, the cardiac 123I-MIBG;201Tl ratio was negatively correlated with plasma norepinephrine concentration (r = −0.74, P < 0.01), but positively correlated with LVEF (r = 0.60, P < 0.01). These data suggest that there may be impairment of both the neuronal uptake function and the vesicular storage function in the failing heart, and an increment in neuronal uptake function in the kidneys in patients with CHF. We suggest that dual-tracer scintigraphy is a useful non-invasive method for the simultaneous assessment of adrenergic activity and perfusion in various organs in patients with heart failure.
Environmental Hazard Screening of a Metal-polluted Site Using Pressurized Liquid Extraction and Two In Vitro Bioassays

Abstract Rapid screening methods can improve the cost effectiveness, throughput, and quality of risk assessments of contaminated sites. In the present case study, the objective was to evaluate a combination of pressurized liquid extraction and 2 in vitro bioassays for the hazard assessment of surface soil sampled from 46 points across a pyrotechnical industrial site. Pressurized liquid extraction was used to rapidly produce soil-water extracts compatible with 2 high-capacity bioassays. Hazard assessment using combined toxicological and chemical screening revealed zones with relatively high potential risks of metal pollution. Multivariate data analysis provided indications that significant inhibition in the bioassays was correlated with levels of metals in the extracts, suggesting an elevated toxic potential from certain metals. Low pH and high concentrations of dissolved organic carbon were associated with increased cytotoxicity of extracts, indicating that these factors influence metal bioavailability. The cytotoxicity observed was more strongly correlated to metal concentrations in the extracts than in the soil, suggesting that measurements of total metal concentrations in soils do not provide good indications of the soil's potential toxicity.
Industrial Diversity In Urban Areas: Alternative Measures and Intermetropolitan Comparisons

In his Preface to Urban Economics, Wilbur Thompson describes, in terms of industry mix, a system of urban area tradeoffs among income level, income equality, and income stability [9, Chapter 2]. For example, Flint, Michigan, will have a relatively high level of income because of its relatively large fraction of employment in higher paying durable manufacturing industries and a relatively more equal distribution of earnings because of the strong union influence in durable manufacturing industries; but precisely because of the dominance of durable goods industries, it will be subject to a relatively high degree of cyclical instability. The issues of urban income level and urban income
Adequate antiplatelet regimen in patients on chronic anti-vitamin K treatment undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention.

AIM To investigate the impact of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAT) in patients on anti-vitamin K (AVK) regimen requiring percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). METHODS Between February 2006 and February 2008, 138 consecutive patients under chronic AVK treatment were enrolled in this registry. Of them, 122 received bare metal stent implantation and 16 received drug eluting stent implantation. The duration of DAT, on top of AVK treatment, was decided at the discretion of the clinician. Adequate duration of DAT was defined according to type of stent implanted and to its clinical indication. RESULTS The baseline clinical characteristics of patients reflect their high risk, with high incidence of comorbid conditions (Charlson score ≥ 3 in 89% of the patients). At a mean follow-up of 17 ± 11 mo, 22.9% of patients developed a major adverse cardiac event (MACE): 12.6% died from cardiovascular disease and almost 6% had an acute myocardial infarction. Major hemorrhagic events were observed in 7.4%. Adequate DAT was obtained in only 44% of patients. In the multivariate analysis, no adequate DAT and Charlson score were the only independent predictors of MACE (both P = 0.02). CONCLUSION Patients on chronic AVK therapy represent a high risk population and suffer from a high MACE rate after PCI. An adequate DAT regimen and absence of comorbid conditions are strongly associated with better clinical outcomes.
Serial Intraoperative Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Brain Shift

OBJECTIVEA major shortcoming of image-guided navigational systems is the use of preoperatively acquired image data, which does not account for intraoperative changes in brain morphology. The occurrence of these surgically induced volumetric deformations (“brain shift”) has been well established. Maximal measurements for surface and midline shifts have been reported. There has been no detailed analysis, however, of the changes that occur during surgery. The use of intraoperative magnetic resonance imaging provides a unique opportunity to obtain serial image data and characterize the time course of brain deformations during surgery. METHODSThe vertically open intraoperative magnetic resonance imaging system (SignaSP, 0.5 T; GE Medical Systems, Milwaukee, WI) permits access to the surgical field and allows multiple intraoperative image updates without the need to move the patient. We developed volumetric display software (the 3D Slicer) that allows quantitative analysis of the degree and direction of brain shift. For 25 patients, four or more intraoperative volumetric image acquisitions were extensively evaluated. RESULTSSerial acquisitions allow comprehensive sequential descriptions of the direction and magnitude of intraoperative deformations. Brain shift occurs at various surgical stages and in different regions. Surface shift occurs throughout surgery and is mainly attributable to gravity. Subsurface shift occurs during resection and involves collapse of the resection cavity and intraparenchymal changes that are difficult to model. CONCLUSIONBrain shift is a continuous dynamic process that evolves differently in distinct brain regions. Therefore, only serial imaging or continuous data acquisition can provide consistently accurate image guidance. Furthermore, only serial intraoperative magnetic resonance imaging provides an accurate basis for the computational analysis of brain deformations, which might lead to an understanding and eventual simulation of brain shift for intraoperative guidance.
Defective transport of Sindbis virus glycoproteins in End4 mutant Chinese hamster ovary cells

Mutant V.24. 1, a temperature-sensitive derivative of Chinese hamster ovary cells, defines the End4 complementation group of mutants selected for resistance to protein toxins and has defective lysosomes at the restrictive temperature (P. A. Colbaugh, M. Stookey, and R. K. Draper, J. Cell Biol. 108:2211-2219, 1989). We have investigated the biosynthesis of Sindbis virus envelope glycoproteins in V.24. 1 cells. When the cells were infected at the restrictive temperature, the envelope glycoproteins E1 and E2 were undetectable on the cell surface and proteolytic processing of the precursor protein pE2 to envelope protein E2 did not occur. Protein retained intracellularly was sensitive to endoglycosidase H and, by immunofluorescence localization, appeared to accumulate in the endoplasmic reticulum. We conclude that the genetic defect in V.24. 1 cells impairs the transport of Sindbis virus glycoproteins, apparently at the level of export from the endoplasmic reticulum.
Meropenem Pharmacokinetics During the Initial Phase of Life-Threatening Infections in Critically Ill Patients in Intensive Care Units

Pathophysiological changes during life-threatening infections have an influence on alteration of pharmacokinetics (PK) of antimicrobial agents. The aim of this study was to characterize meropenem PK during the initial phase of lifethreatening infections in critically ill patients. The PK studies were conducted during the first dose of a 1-h infusion of 1 g of meropenem every 8 h in critically ill patients with life-threatening infections in the intensive care unit. The mean PK parameters of meropenem were compared to the mean values obtained from healthy subjects. Fourteen patients were enrolled in this study and the PK parameters of meropenem in this group were found to be variable. The volume of distribution, half-life and the area under the concentration-time curve between 0-8 h (AUC0-8) were 26.36 ± 13.37 L, 3.30 ± 3.45 h, and 121.64 ± 56.79 mg.h/L, respectively, which were significantly increased, whereas, total clearance was 9.39 ± 6.67 L/h which was decreased but not significantly different from the values obtained from healthy subjects. PK changes of meropenem can occur during the initial phase of life-threatening infections, resulting in variability and unstable plasma concentrations and thus affecting the antimicrobial efficacy of this agent.
Orthogonal precoding for sidelobe suppression in DFT-based systems using block reflectors

Sidelobe suppression has always been an important part of crafting communications signals to keep interference with users of adjacent spectrum to a minimum. Systems based on the discrete Fourier transform, such as orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) and single-carrier frequency-division multiple access (SC-FDMA) are especially prone to out-of-band power leakage. Although many techniques have been proposed to suppress sidelobes in DFT-based systems, a satisfactory balance between computational complexity and out-of-band power leakage has remained elusive.
Rat carotid arteriotomy: c-myc is involved in negative remodelling and apoptosis

Objective c-myc is the main proto-oncogene responsible for restenosis in cardiovascular surgery. The aim of our study was to evaluate the effects of c-myc antisense (AS) phosphorothioate oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs) in the remodelling process induced by surgical carotid arteriotomy on an experimental rat model. Methods Fifty-five rats with carotid stenosis and apoptosis induced by arteriotomy were submitted to gene expression analysis 4 h after surgery, to TUNEL assay 48 h after surgery and to histological analysis 30 days later. Results AS ODNs induced a 60% decrease in target c-myc mRNA in injured carotid arteries compared to control sense and scrambled ODN-treated carotid arteries (P < 0.05). Histological evaluation revealed that stenosis stimulated by arteriotomy was mainly due to adventitial constrictive remodelling rather than to neointimal hyperplasia, observed only in a limited number of samples. Morphometric analysis showed that lumen area in c-myc AS ODN-treated carotid arteries was 35% greater than in control arteries (P < 0.05), whereas the media/lumen area ratio showed a 63% reduction in AS ODN-treated carotid arteries in comparison to control arteries (P < 0.05). Surgical injury affected the expression of apoptosis-related genes Bcl-2, Bax, Bcl-xL and Bcl-xS, inducing a mean 3.5-fold decrease in the Bcl-2/Bax ratio and a 9-fold decrease in the Bcl-xL/S ratio 4 h after injury as compared with uninjured carotid arteries. TUNEL assay experiments revealed increased apoptosis in AS ODN-treated carotid arteries in comparison to control carotid arteries. Conclusions c-myc AS ODNs reduce the negative remodelling induced by arteriotomy. The imbalance between proliferative stimulus represented by surgery and the c-myc mRNA decrease induced greater apoptosis in AS ODN-treated carotid arteries without further affecting mRNA levels of Bcl-2, Bax, Bcl-xL and Bcl-xS genes.
A comparative study of optimal fundamental, second- and superharmonic imaging

A number of ultrasound methods are available for medical imaging. Fundamental imaging uses the echoes from the same spectral band as the transmitted pulse. Tissue harmonic imaging (THI) utilizes frequencies at multiple(s) of the fundamental and effectively suppresses reverberations, and off-axis and near-field artifacts. Two types of THI comprise second- and superharmonic imaging (SHI). The former uses the second harmonic of the echoes and the latter combines the third to fifth harmonics. Clinical research showed that the optimal transmit frequency for fundamental and second harmonic cardiac imaging is 3.5 and 1.8 MHz respectively. As the level of the harmonics is determined by a balance of nonlinear propagation and attenuation, the optimal frequency for SHI is expected to be lower. The first goal of this study was to investigate the optimal transmit frequency for SHI by simulating the entire imaging chain based on an adapted SONAR equation. Two simulation cases are examined: the first uses cardiac tissue properties and the second is based on a mix of 50% cardiac tissue and 50% blood. Using the SONAR equation the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) for the second to fifth harmonics was computed up to 15 cm for 1–2.5 MHz transmit frequencies. The transducer's transmit and receive transfer was modeled, as well as its noise. The adaptation included nonlinear forward propagation calculated with axisymmetric KZK, the backpropagation was linear. The highest frequency yielding a 30 dB dynamic range at the required imaging depth was assumed optimal. The second goal of this study was to compare the beams produced by optimal fundamental, second — and SHI for cardiac applications. To this end we used a 3D KZK implementation for rectangular apertures. The optimal transmit frequency for SHI was 1.0–1.2 MHz at 13 cm using cardiac tissue properties, this increased to 1.7 MHz if the properties of the cardiac tissue/blood mix were used. The −6 dB lateral beam width of the optimal fundamental, second- and SHI at 10 cm was 1.2, 1 and 0.7 cm respectively. The normalized intensity 1 cm off the beam axis was −14, −20 and −25 dB for the fundamental, second harmonic and superharmonic respectively. The optimal transmit frequency for cardiac SHI is 1.0–1.7 MHz providing a feasible dynamic range. The lateral resolution of SHI in the far field is higher compared to fundamental and second harmonic imaging.
Assessment of Oral Hygiene Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices among Medical Students in a medical college in the State of Telangana: A Cross-sectional Survey

Context: KAP model of analysing the knowledge of oral hygiene aids, performance and measures among medical students. Aim: The aim of the study is to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice of oral hygiene among medical students aged 17-35 years. Materials and methods: A 500 medical students of various grades were self-administration of pre-tested structured closed-ended questionnaire was given to each student in their classrooms. All the questions regarding oral hygiene were filled by the students in 15 min duration. Results: 95.4 % of subjects agree that oral health is important for general health. 69.4% of the participant’s brush their teeth once daily, 28.4% of them brush twice daily 64.0% of the participants prefer combined type of motion. 49.0% individuals change their toothbrush once in 2-3 months. 92.2% of subjects change their brushes in 2-3 months. Conclusion: The knowledge regarding oral hygiene was satisfactory except knowledge about dental floss. Visiting a dentist is still not considered a preventive dental behaviour.
Cell Morphology on Poly(methyl methacrylate) Microstructures as Function of Surface Energy

Whilst the significance of substrate topography as a regulator of cell function is well established, a systematic analysis of the principles underlying this is still unavailable. Here we evaluate the hypothesis that surface energy plays a decisive role in substrate-mediated modulation of cell phenotype by evaluation of cell behaviour on synthetic microstructures exhibiting pronounced differences in surface energy. These microstructures, specifically cubes and walls, were fabricated from a biocompatible base polymer, poly(methyl methacrylate), by variotherm injection molding. The dimensions of the cubes were 1 μm x 1 μm x 1 μm (height x width x length) with a periodicity of 1:1 and 1:5 and the dimensions of the walls 1 μm x 1 μm x 15 mm (height x width x length) with a periodicity of 1:1 and 1:5. Mold inserts were made by lithography and electroplating. The surface energy of the resultant microstructures was determined by static contact angle measurements. Light scanning microscopy of the morphology of NT2/D1 and MC3T3-E1 preosteoblast cells cultured on structured PMMA samples in both cases revealed a profound surface energy dependence. “Walls” appeared to promote significant cell elongation, whilst a lack of cell adhesion was observed on “cubes” with the lowest periodicity. Contact angle measurements on walls revealed enhanced surface energy anisotropy (55 mN/m max., 10 mN/m min.) causing a lengthwise spreading of the test liquid droplet, similar to cell elongation. Surface energy measurements for cubes revealed increased isotropic hydrophobicity (87° max., H2O). A critical water contact angle of ≤ 80° appears to be necessary for adequate cell adhesion. A “switch” for cell adhesion and subsequently cell growth could therefore be applied by, for example, adjusting the periodicity of hydrophobic structures. In summary cell elongation on walls and a critical surface energy level for cell adhesion could be produced for NT2/D1 and MC3T3-E1 cells by symmetrical and asymmetrical energy barrier levels. We, furthermore, propose a water-drop model providing a common physicochemical cause regarding similar cell/droplet geometries and cell adhesion on the investigated microstructures.