Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Distribution of radiodense contrast medium after perineural injection of the palmar and palmar metacarpal nerves (low 4-point nerve block): an in vivo and ex vivo study in horses.

REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY Evidence-based information is limited on distribution of local anaesthetic solution following perineural analgesia of the palmar (Pa) and palmar metacarpal (PaM) nerves in the distal aspect of the metacarpal (Mc) region ('low 4-point nerve block'). OBJECTIVES To demonstrate the potential distribution of local anaesthetic solution after a low 4-point nerve block using a radiographic contrast model. METHODS A radiodense contrast medium was injected subcutaneously over the medial or the lateral Pa nerve at the junction of the proximal three-quarters and distal quarter of the Mc region (Pa injection) and over the ipsilateral PaM nerve immediately distal to the distal aspect of the second or fourth Mc bones (PaM injection) in both forelimbs of 10 mature horses free from lameness. Radiographs were obtained 0, 10 and 20 min after injection and analysed subjectively and objectively. Methylene blue and a radiodense contrast medium were injected in 20 cadaver limbs using the same techniques. Radiographs were obtained and the limbs dissected. RESULTS After 31/40 (77.5%) Pa injections, the pattern of the contrast medium suggested distribution in the neurovascular bundle. There was significant proximal diffusion with time, but the main contrast medium patch never progressed proximal to the mid-Mc region. The radiological appearance of 2 limbs suggested that contrast medium was present in the digital flexor tendon sheath (DFTS). After PaM injections, the contrast medium was distributed diffusely around the injection site in the majority of the limbs. In cadaver limbs, after Pa injections, the contrast medium and the dye were distributed in the neurovascular bundle in 8/20 (40%) limbs and in the DFTS in 6/20 (30%) of limbs. After PaM injections, the contrast and dye were distributed diffusely around the injection site in 9/20 (45%) limbs and showed diffuse and tubular distribution in 11/20 (55%) limbs. CONCLUSIONS AND POTENTIAL RELEVANCE Proximal diffusion of local anaesthetic solution after a low 4-point nerve block is unlikely to be responsible for decreasing lameness caused by pain in the proximal Mc region. The DFTS may be penetrated inadvertently when performing a low 4-point nerve block.
Creativity and innovation in organisations

The presentations start with a theoretical model by Kaufmann, distinguishing two types of creativity, proactive versus reactive, important when dealing with the goal of innovative activity. The next contribution, made by Hoff, empirically investigates in school children the importance for creativity of differences in imaginativeness, when facing competition or not. As regards another factor, feedback/evaluation, Unsworth has collected empirical evidence from aerospace organisations that self-confidence and creative identity are moderating factors, together with time pressure, on the effects of negative feedback. In non-profit organisations, Jaskyte explores what their members consider highly characteristic for innovation in the organization. The final presentation, by Dackert, is an empirical study in small companies showing the influence of leadership style on creative climate.
Big thoughts in small brains? Dogs as a model for understanding human social cognition

In this review we argued that dogs can provide a good model for both the evolution of human social-cognitive abilities and studying the underlying neural and genetic structures of these behavioural features. The key difference between the present and other approaches for modelling human social evolution lies in the assumption that there is a large overlap between the human and dog behaviour complex because during their evolution in close contact with human groups dogs evolved functionally similar social skills. Thus the parallel investigation of the human and dog behaviour complex widens our possibility for understanding human social cognition because it allows the modelling of the interaction between various components in contrast to other models which are often restricted to modelling a single aspect of human social cognitive skills.
Attributes of Child Care Centers and Outdoor Play Areas Associated With Preschoolers’ Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior

This study examined characteristics of child care centers associated with preschoolers’ moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and sedentary behavior while in child care (MVPA-C, SB-C), and attributes of outdoor play areas associated with the same behaviors during outdoor time (MVPA-O, SB-O). Participants were 89 children (3 -5 years) recruited from 10 child care centers in Brisbane, Australia. Children’s activity was measured by accelerometer over a 3-day period. Center characteristics and outdoor play area attributes were identified through survey and observation. We found that children were mostly sedentary while in child care. Lower child-staff ratios and using indoor play areas for motor activity were associated with more MVPA-C and less SB-C. Fixed play equipment in outdoor areas was conducive to more MVPA-O and less SB-O. This study suggests the possibility of enhancing preschoolers’ activity levels through changing these attributes. Further research with more centers from diverse settings is needed to test these findings.
A cognitive meta-analysis of design approaches to interruptions in intelligent environments

Minimizing interruptions to users is a crucial and acknowledged precondition for the adoption of new intelligent technologies such as ubiquitous and proactive computing. This paper takes a step toward achieving a consensus among the numerous existing approaches addressing the challenge posed by interruptions. We start by explicating why interruptions are considered important. We then reveal similarities and differences among the approaches from a cognitive viewpoint. It appears that the approaches draw from different assumptions about human cognition. Some of the approaches contain inconsistencies. The cognitive analysis also inspires directions for future work.
Developmental expression of glutamic acid decarboxylase and of γ‐aminobutyric acid type B receptors in the ascidian Ciona intestinalis

We describe Ciona intestinalis γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA)‐ergic neurons during development, studying the expression pattern of Ci‐GAD (glutamic acid decarboxylase: GABA synthesizing enzyme) by in situ hybridization. Moreover, we cloned two GABAB receptor subunits (Ci‐GABABRs), and a phylogenetic analysis (neighbor‐joining method) suggested that they clustered with their vertebrate counterparts. We compared Ci‐GAD and Ci‐GABABRs expression patterns in C. intestinalis embryos and larvae. At the tailbud stage, Ci‐GAD expression was widely detected in central and peripheral nervous system (CNS/PNS) precursors, whereas Ci‐GABABRs expression was evident at the level of the precursors of the visceral ganglion. GABA was localized by immunohistochemistry at the same developmental stage. In the larva, Ci‐GAD transcripts and GABA immunofluorescence were also detected throughout the CNS and in some neurons of the PNS, whereas transcripts of both GABAB receptor subunits were found mainly in the CNS. The expression pattern of Ci‐GABABRs appeared restricted to Ci‐GAD‐positive territories in the sensory vesicle, whereas, in the visceral ganglion, Ci‐GABABRs transcripts were found in ventral motoneurons that did not express Ci‐GAD. Insofar as GABAergic neurons are widely distributed also in the CNS and PNS of vertebrates and other invertebrate chordates, it seems likely that GABA signaling was extensively present in the protochordate nervous system. Results from this work show that GABA is the most widespread inhibitory neurotransmitter in C. intestinalis nervous system and that it can signal through GABAB receptors both pre‐ and postsynaptically to modulate different sensory inputs and subsequent swimming activity. J. Comp. Neurol. 506:489–505, 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Four families (MRX43, MRX44, MRX45, MRX52) with nonspecific X-linked mental retardation: clinical and psychometric data and results of linkage analysis.

Four families are described in which mental retardation segregates in an X-linked fashion. Mental retardation was the only consistent clinical finding in all affected males. The degree of retardation varied from mild to profound both between and within families. Linkage analysis localized the genetic defect of MRX43 to Xp22. 31-p21.2, MRX44 to Xp11.3-p11.21, MRX45 to Xp11.3-p11.21, and MRX52 to Xp11.21-q21.33 with LOD scores of >2 at straight theta = 0.0 in all four families.
Elevated Circulating Level of Ghrelin in Cachexia Associated With Chronic Heart Failure: Relationships Between Ghrelin and Anabolic/Catabolic Factors

Background—Ghrelin is a novel growth hormone (GH)-releasing peptide, isolated from the stomach, that may also cause a positive energy balance by stimulating food intake and inducing adiposity. We sought to investigate the pathophysiology of ghrelin in the cachexia associated with chronic heart failure (CHF). Methods and Results—Plasma ghrelin was measured in 74 patients with CHF and 12 control subjects, together with potentially important anabolic and catabolic factors, such as GH and tumor necrosis factor (TNF-&agr;). Patients with CHF were divided into two groups, those with cachexia (n=28) and those without cachexia (n=46). Plasma ghrelin did not significantly differ between all CHF patients and controls (181±10 versus 140±14 fmol/mL, P =NS). However, plasma ghrelin was significantly higher in CHF patients with cachexia than in those without cachexia (237±18 versus 147±10 fmol/mL, P <0.001). Circulating GH, TNF-&agr;, norepinephrine, and angiotensin II were also significantly higher in CHF patients with cachexia than in those without cachexia. Interestingly, plasma ghrelin correlated positively with GH (r =0.28, P <0.05) and TNF-&agr; (r =0.31, P <0.05) and negatively with body mass index (r =−0.35, P <0.01). Conclusions—Plasma ghrelin was elevated in cachectic patients with CHF, associated with increases in GH and TNF-&agr; and a decrease in body mass index. Considering ghrelin-induced positive energy effects, increased ghrelin may represent a compensatory mechanism under catabolic-anabolic imbalance in cachectic patients with CHF.
Geostatistical Space-Time Models, Stationarity, Separability, and Full Symmetry

Geostatistical approaches to modeling spatio-temporal data rely on parametric covariance models and rather stringent assumptions, such as stationarity, separability and full symmetry. This paper reviews recent advances in the literature on space-time covariance functions in light of the aforementioned notions, which are illustrated using wind data from Ireland. Experiments with time-forward kriging predictors suggest that the use of more complex and more realistic covariance models results in improved predictive performance.
Channel Estimation methods with low complexity for 3GPP/LTE

OFDM based pilots channel estimation methods with processing into the transform domain appear attractive owing to their capacity to highly reduce the noise component effect. However, in current OFDM systems, null subcarriers are placed at the edge of the spectrum in order to assure isolation from interfering signals in neighboring frequency bands; and the presence of these null carriers may lead, if not taken into account, to serious degradation of the estimated channel responses due to the “border effect” phenomenon. In this paper an improved algorithm based on truncated SVD is proposed in order to correctly support the case of null carriers at border spectrum. A method for optimizing the truncation threshold whatever the system parameters is also proposed. To make the truncated SVD channel estimation method applicable to any SISO or MIMO OFDM system and whatever the system parameters, a complexity reduction algorithm based on the distribution of the power in the transfer matrix (based on DFT or DCT) is proposed.
Phospholipase D and RalA Cooperate with the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor To Transform 3Y1 Rat Fibroblasts

ABSTRACT 3Y1 rat fibroblasts overexpressing the epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor (EGFR cells) become transformed when treated with EGF. A common response to oncogenic and mitogenic stimuli is elevated phospholipase D (PLD) activity. RalA, a small GTPase that functions as a downstream effector molecule of Ras, exists in a complex with PLD1. In the EGFR cells, EGF induced a Ras-dependent activation of RalA. The activation of PLD by EGF in these cells was dependent upon both Ras and RalA. In contrast, EGF-induced activation of Erk1, Erk2, and Jun kinase was dependent on Ras but independent of RalA, indicating divergent pathways activated by EGF and mediated by Ras. The transformed phenotype induced by EGF in the EGFR cells was dependent upon both Ras and RalA. Importantly, overexpression of wild-type RalA or an activated RalA mutant increased PLD activity in the absence of EGF and transformed the EGFR cells. Although overexpression of PLD1 is generally toxic to cells, the EGFR cells not only tolerated PLD1 overexpression but also became transformed in the absence of EGF. These data demonstrate that either RalA or PLD1 can cooperate with EGF receptor to transform cells.
Tumor-Infiltrating T Cells Correlate with NY-ESO-1-Specific Autoantibodies in Ovarian Cancer

Background Tumor-infiltrating CD8+ T cells are correlated with prolonged progression-free and overall survival in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). A significant fraction of EOC patients mount autoantibody responses to various tumor antigens, however the relationship between autoantibodies and tumor-infiltrating T cells has not been investigated in EOC or any other human cancer. We hypothesized that autoantibody and T cell responses may be correlated in EOC and directed toward the same antigens. Methodology and Principal Findings We obtained matched serum and tumor tissue from 35 patients with high-grade serous ovarian cancer. Serum samples were assessed by ELISA for autoantibodies to the common tumor antigen NY-ESO-1. Tumor tissue was examined by immunohistochemistry for expression of NY-ESO-1, various T cell markers (CD3, CD4, CD8, CD25, FoxP3, TIA-1 and Granzyme B) and other immunological markers (CD20, MHC class I and MHC class II). Lymphocytic infiltrates varied widely among tumors and included cells positive for CD3, CD8, TIA-1, CD25, FoxP3 and CD4. Twenty-six percent (9/35) of patients demonstrated serum IgG autoantibodies to NY-ESO-1, which were positively correlated with expression of NY-ESO-1 antigen by tumor cells (r = 0.57, p = 0.0004). Autoantibodies to NY-ESO-1 were associated with increased tumor-infiltrating CD8+, CD4+ and FoxP3+ cells. In an individual HLA-A2+ patient with autoantibodies to NY-ESO-1, CD8+ T cells isolated from solid tumor and ascites were reactive to NY-ESO-1 by IFN-γ ELISPOT and MHC class I pentamer staining. Conclusion and Significance We demonstrate that tumor-specific autoantibodies and tumor-infiltrating T cells are correlated in human cancer and can be directed against the same target antigen. This implies that autoantibodies may collaborate with tumor-infiltrating T cells to influence clinical outcomes in EOC. Furthermore, serological screening methods may prove useful for identifying clinically relevant T cell antigens for immunotherapy.
A Nonl inear Tracking Control ler for a Hapt i c Interface

A nonlinear tracking controller is presented in this paper for the haptic interface in steer-by-wire automotive systems. Specifically, the controller is designed to ensure that the steering mechanism (i.e., directional control assembly) follows the operator corn-rnanded maneuvers at the driver interface. Further, the controller provides the driver with tunable force feedback , proportional to the reaction forces at the tire-road interface, and hence enhances the driver's performance. The controller ensures that the corresponding tracking errors are asymptotically forced to zero in the presence of parametric uncertainity; however, torque rneasur-rnents are required. An extension is also presented that eliminates torque measurements.
Serological diagnosis of human immuno-deficiency virus in Burkina Faso: reliable, practical strategies using less expensive commercial test kits.

Reported are the results of a cross-sectional survey in Burkina Faso to identify reliable, practical strategies for the serological diagnosis of HIV-1 and/or HIV-2 infections, using less-expensive commercial test kits in various combinations, as an alternative to the conventional Western blot (WB) test, which costs US$ 60. Serum samples, collected from blood donors, patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and pregnant women, were tested between December 1995 and January 1997. Twelve commercial test kits were available: five Mixt enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA), three Mixt rapid tests, and four additional tests including monospecific HIV-1 and HIV-2 ELISA. The reference strategy utilized a combination of one ELISA or one rapid test with WB, and was conducted following WHO criteria. A total of 768 serum samples were tested; 35 were indeterminate and excluded from the analysis. Seroprevalence of HIV in the remaining 733 sera was found to be 37.5% (95% confidence interval: 34.0-41.1). All the ELISA tests showed 100% sensitivity, but their specificities ranged from 81.4% to 100%. GLA (Genelavia Mixt) had the highest positive delta value, while ICE HIV-1.0. 2 (ICE) produced the most distinct negative results. Among the rapid tests, COM (CombAIDS-RS) achieved 100% sensitivity and SPO (HIV Spot) 100% specificity. Various combinations of commercial tests, according to recommended WHO strategies I, II, III, gave excellent results when ICE was included in the sequence. The best combination of tests for strategy II, which achieved 100% sensitivity and specificity, was to use ICE and COM, the cost of which was US$ 2.10, compared with US$ 55.60 for the corresponding conventional strategy. For strategy III, the best combination, which achieved 100% sensitivity and specificity, was to use ICE, ZYG (Enzygnost Anti HIV-1/HIV-2 Plus) and COM, the cost of which was US$ 2.90 (19.2 times lower than the corresponding strategy requiring WB). No rapid test combination showed 100% sensitivity and specificity. Our results indicate that the serodiagnosis of HIV in Burkina Faso is possible by using reliable, less-expensive strategies which do not require Western blot testing. Moreover, there is a choice of strategies for laboratories working with or without an ELISA chain.
Inhibitory and bactericidal activities of levofloxacin, ofloxacin, erythromycin, and rifampin used singly and in combination against Legionella pneumophila

The susceptibilities of 56 Legionella pneumophila isolates (43 clinical and 15 environmental isolates) to levofloxacin, ofloxacin, erythromycin, and rifampin were studied with buffered charcoal yeast extract (BCYE) agar (inoculum, 10(4) CFU per spot), and the susceptibilities of five isolates were studied with buffered yeast extract (BYE) broth (inoculum, 10(5) CFU/ml). The MICs inhibiting 90% of strains tested on BCYE agar were 0.125, 0.25, 1.0, and < or = 0.004 micrograms/ml for levofloxacin, ofloxacin, erythromycin, and rifampin, respectively. The MICs by the BYE broth dilution method were 1 to 3, 2, 1 to 2, and 1 tube lower than those by the agar dilution method for levofloxacin, ofloxacin, erythromycin, and rifampin, respectively. The MBCs were 1 to 2 tubes higher than the broth dilution MICs for levofloxacin, 1 to 3 tubes higher than the broth dilution MICs for ofloxacin, 1 to 3 tubes higher than the broth dilution MICs for erythromycin, and the same as the broth dilution MICs for rifampin. In kinetic time-kill curve studies, at drug concentrations of 1.0 and 2.0 times the MIC, the most active drugs were levofloxacin and rifampin. At 72 h, concentrations of levofloxacin and rifampin of 2.0 times the MIC demonstrated a bactericidal effect against L. pneumophila. In contrast, at concentrations of 1.0 and 2.0 times the MICs regrowth was observed with ofloxacin and only a gradual decrease in the numbers of CFU per milliliter was observed with erythromycin. Only a minor inhibitory effect was observed with 0.25 or 0.5 time the MICs of all drugs at 24 to 48 h, with regrowth occurring at 72 h. In contrast to erythromycin or ofloxacin plus rifampin at 0.25 time the MICs, only levofloxacin plus rifampin demonstrated synergy. Thus, levofloxacin demonstrated the best inhibitory and bactericidal effects against L. pneumophila when it was studied alone or in a combination with rifampin.
Expression of the EGF Receptor Family Members ErbB2, ErbB3, and ErbB4 in Germinal Zones of the Developing Brain and in Neurosphere Cultures Containing CNS Stem Cells

The epidermal growth factor receptor family consists of four related tyrosine kinases: the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGF-R or ErbB), ErbB2, ErbB3, and ErbB4. These receptors are capable of extensive cross-activation upon the binding of their ligands – the EGF family of peptides for EGF-R and the neuregulins for ErbB3 and ErbB4. Since EGF-R is expressed by proliferating cells in the central nervous system (CNS), including multipotent CNS stem cells, we examined the expression of ErbB2, ErbB3 and ErbB4 in the germinal epithelia of the developing rat brain using in situ hybridization. ErbB2 and ErbB4 mRNAs were widely distributed within the germinal zones as early as E12. However, as development proceeded, ErbB2 mRNA was mainly present within the layers of cells immediately adjacent to the ventricular surface – the ventricular zone, while ErbB4 mRNA was predominantly expressed by subventricular zone cells, in the regions where these specialized germinal epithelia were present. ErbB3 mRNA distribution within germinal epithelia was more restricted, primarily confined to the diencephalon and rostral midbrain. Cultured neurospheres, which contain CNS stem cells, expressed ErbB2, ErbB4 and, to a lesser extent, ErbB3 protein as demonstrated by Western blot analysis. This expression declined during following differentiation. Heregulin-β1, a neuregulin, had no effect on the proliferative capacity of neurospheres. Overall, our results indicate that ErbB2, ErbB3 and ErbB4 may play important and distinct roles in the genesis of the CNS. However, our in vitro data do not support a role for neuregulins in proliferation, per se, of CNS stem cells.
Bilateral cataract surgery and driving performance

Background: Cataract surgery is one of the most common medical procedures undertaken worldwide. Aims: To investigate whether cataract surgery can improve driving performance and whether this can be predicted by changes in visual function. Methods: 29 older patients with bilateral cataracts and 18 controls with normal vision were tested. All were licensed drivers. Driving and vision performance were measured before cataract surgery and after second eye surgery for the patients with cataract and on two separate occasions for the controls. Driving performance was assessed on a closed-road circuit. Visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, glare sensitivity and kinetic visual fields were measured at each test session. Results: Patients with cataract had significantly poorer (p<0.05) driving performance at the first visit than the controls for a range of measures of driving performance, which significantly improved to the level of the controls after extraction of both cataracts. The change in contrast sensitivity after surgery was the best predictor of the improvements in driving performance in patients with cataract. Conclusions: Cataract surgery results in marked improvements in driving performance, which are related to concurrent improvements in contrast sensitivity.