Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Rhupus : Étude de Deux Observations à Conakry, Guinée

Rhupus is a combination of RA and SLE clinical manifestations. It is a rare clinical entity which still remains controversial. We reported two (2) clinical cases which illustrate its existence by taking into account the review of medical literature. The diagnosis of both diseases was reached according to 2010 EULAR (European League Against Rheumatism)/ACR (American College of Rheumatology) classification criteria for RA and the 1997 ACR classification criteria for SLE. Although it is rare, the association of the two diseases is a real entity. Le rhupus est une association de polyarthrite rhumatoide et de lupus erythemateux systemique. Il s’agit d’une entite clinique rare qui reste controversee. Nous en rapportons deux nouvelles observations de patients chez un homme de 48 ans et une femme de 26 ans qui illustrent, en confrontation avec les donnees de la litterature, la realite de son existence. Le diagnostic de PR (Polyarthrite rhumatoide) et de LES (lupus erythemateux systemique) etait porte sur des arguments cliniques et paracliniques en accord avec les criteres ACR (American College of Rheumatology) / EULAR (European League Against Rheumatism) 2010 pour la PR et ACR 1997 pour le LES. L’association de la polyarthrite rhumatoide et du lupus est rare mais reelle.
Coping with Water Scarcity in Eastern Africa : The Potential Role of Intra-regional Virtual Water Trade

Virtual wateris the amount of water required for the production of a commodity. Trading commodities implies Virtuol Water Trade(VWT). This study was conducted to determine the VWT derived from intra-regional tade of six cereals (maize, paddy rice, millet, sorghum, wheat and barley) for ten countries within Eastern Africa from 1998 to 2003. It involved quantifying the VWT, assessing the role of water scarcity in shaping VWT and determining the quantity and nature of water savings generated. Quantifying the VWT included delineating major crop growing zones and calculating Crop Water Requirement (CWR) using a model, Crop Wat. Virtual water contents derived from CWR were multiplied with intra-regional cereal trade flows to obtain the VWT. Results show that virtual water contents vary significantly within the region, being higher in the arid countries htan the humid countries, partly because of water scarcity in these countries. Virtual water flows for the region averaged 150 Mm3 year−1 of water whilst “water savings” averaged 31 Mm3 year−1. Sudan, Uganda and Tanzania are the only net virtual water exporters, exporting a combined volume of 110 Mm3 year−1, whilst the other seven countries are net importers, the largest importer being Ethopia. No correlation was found between a nation’s water scarcity status and virtual water imports, suggesting that intra-regional cereal-derived VWT is not a conscious choice but arises for other reasons like comparative advantage. Shorghum and maize trade accounted for the largest virtual water flows, 36% and 38% respectively, the former due to the high unit virtual water content of the major exporting countries and the latter due to the large tonnage traded. In a regional virtual water policy, Kenya, Sudan, Djibouti, Eritrea and Somalia can be potential virtual water importers, whilst Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, and Ethopia can be potential virtual water exporters. It was concluded that VWT had a big role in water savings in water scarce countries. This has been considered as a change in water resources systems and hence maintenance in water security and insurance in integrated management.
Alleviation of chilling injury in postharvest tomato fruit by preconditioning with ultraviolet irradiation.

BACKGROUND Tomato fruit is usually stored at low temperatures for delayed ripening and extended shelf life. However, tomato fruit is susceptible to chilling injury when exposed to low temperatures. In this study, the potential effects of preconditioning with UV-C or UV-B irradiation on chilling injury of postharvest tomato fruit were investigated. RESULTS Mature-green tomato fruit were exposed to 4 kJ m(-2) UV-C or 20 kJ m(-2) UV-B irradiation and stored for 20 days at 2 °C and subsequently 10 days at 20 °C. UV irradiation was effective in reducing chilling injury index and delaying ethylene peak. Furthermore, UV irradiation preserved storage quality as manifested by reduced weight loss, better retention of firmness, and higher contents of total soluble solids, soluble protein and soluble sugar during subsequent storage at 20 °C. UV-C irradiation significantly delayed the development of the red colour after 10 days of storage at 20 °C. On the other hand, UV irradiation decreased total phenolics content and antioxidant capacity, suggesting possibly reduced stress response to low temperature resulted from enhanced physiological adaptation by UV preconditioning. CONCLUSION Our results suggest that preconditioning with UV-C or UV-B irradiation in appropriate doses had a positive effect on alleviating chilling injury in postharvest tomato fruit.
Squamous cell carcinoma of the ascending colon: two cases

ABSTRACT Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the colon without known primary source is a rare finding that needs aggressive management. We report two cases of SCC of the colon without any clear extra-colonic source despite extensive workup. In our experience, the clinical course and prognosis are largely dependent on the presence of metastatic disease at diagnosis. The main treatment is surgery, with chemotherapy having less defined role.
Epidemiology, clinical manifestations, and diagnosis of Cryptococcus neoformans meningoencephalitis in HIV-infected patients Authors

INTRODUCTION — Disseminated Cryptococcus neoformans infection is a serious opportunistic infection that occurs in patients with untreated AIDS [1]. Although cryptococcal infection begins in the lungs, meningitis is the most frequently encountered manifestation of cryptococcosis among those with advanced immunosuppression. However, the infection is more properly characterized as "meningoencephalitis" rather than meningitis since the brain parenchyma is almost always involved on histologic examination [2,3].
HLA‐A, B, Cw, DRB1, DQB1 and DPB1 alleles and haplotypes in the genetically homogenous Irish population

The frequencies of human leucocyte antigen (HLA) class I and II alleles and haplotypes of 250 Irish unrelated bone marrow donors were determined by high resolution polymerase chain reaction (PCR), using a combination of reverse line blot hybridization and PCR with sequence‐specific primers. Phylogenetic analyses indicate that this Irish population is closely related to British, North‐western European, American and Australian Caucasian populations. These observations are consistent with recognized historical, geographical, cultural, ethnic and linguistic relationships between these populations and suggest that Irish haematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients have a greater likelihood of finding a phenotypically matched donor within registries based on these populations. HLA‐A, B, Cw, DRB1, DQB1 and DPB1 analysis confirms that this young homogenous population is characterized by features of a North‐western European anthropological type with limited influence of additional ethnic haplotypes.
Drivers and Surface Signal of Interannual Variability of Boreal Stratospheric Final Warmings

Springtime stratospheric final warming (SFW) variability has been suggested to be linked to the tropospheric circulation, particularly over the North Atlantic sector. These findings, however, are based on reanalysis data that cover a rather short period of time (1979 to present). The present work aims to improve the understanding of drivers, trends and surface impact of dynamical variability of boreal SFWs using chemistry‐climate models. We use multidecadal integrations of the fully coupled chemistry‐climate models Community Earth System Model version 1 (Whole Atmosphere Community Climate Model) and ECHAM/Modular Earth Submodel System Atmospheric Chemistry‐O. Four sensitivity experiments are analyzed to assess the impact of external factors; namely, the quasi‐biennial oscillation, sea surface temperature (SST) variability, and anthropogenic emissions. SFWs are classified into two types with respect to their vertical development; that is, events which occur first in the midstratosphere (10‐hPa first SFWs) or first in the upper stratosphere (1‐hPa first SFWs). Our results confirm previous reanalysis results regarding the differences in the time evolution of stratospheric conditions and near‐surface circulation between 10 and 1‐hPa first SFWs. Additionally, a tripolar SST pattern is, for the first time, identified over the North Atlantic in spring months related to the SFW variability. Our analysis of the influence of remote modulators on SFWs revealed that the occurrence of major warmings in the previous winter favors the occurrence of 10‐hPa first SFWs later on. We further found that quasi‐biennial oscillation and SST variability significantly affect the ratio between 1‐hPa first and 10‐hPa first SFWs. Finally, our results suggest that ozone recovery may impact the timing of the occurrence of 1‐hPa first SFWs.
Excitation by irritant chemical substances of sensory afferent units in the cat's cornea.

1. Single‐unit electrical activity was recorded from thin myelinated sensory nerve fibres innervating the cornea of deeply anaesthetized cats. 2. Based on their responses to mechanical (calibrated von Frey hairs), chemical (10 mM‐acetic acid and/or 616 mM‐NaCl) and thermal (ice‐cold or heat up to 51 degrees C) stimuli, corneal A delta fibres were classified as polymodal nociceptors (63%), high‐threshold mechanoceptors (22%) and mechano‐heat nociceptors (15%). Thin myelinated fibres responding only to cold were found in the limbus of the eye. 3. Application of 10 mM‐acetic acid on the corneal surface for 30 s evoked in polymodal fibres a brisk discharge of impulses often followed by a low‐frequency impulse activity. NaCl (616 mM) produced a more gradual and sustained firing response. 4. The responses of polymodal fibres to acid were proportional to extracellular pH values (pH range: 4.5‐6.0). After sensitization to repeated heating, most mechano‐heat units developed a sensitivity to acidic stimulation. 5. Topical 0.33 mM‐capsaicin excited polymodal nociceptors of the cornea; 5 min after capsaicin about 15% of these fibres were inactivated to all subsequent stimuli. In the rest of the fibres, chemical and thermal sensitivity disappeared after 0.33‐3.3 mM‐capsaicin, but mechanosensitivity was preserved. 6. Corneal mechanoceptors and limbal cold receptors were not affected by capsaicin (up to 33 mM). 7. These experiments demonstrate that the cornea of the cat is innervated by polymodal as well as mechanoceptive A delta nociceptors. In polymodal nociceptive fibres, mechanical and chemical sensitivities appear to be subserved by separate transduction mechanisms.
Astaxanthin: A Review of its Chemistry and Applications

Astaxanthin is a carotenoid widely used in salmonid and crustacean aquaculture to provide the pink color characteristic of that species. This application has been well documented for over two decades and is currently the major market driver for the pigment. Additionally, astaxanthin also plays a key role as an intermediary in reproductive processes. Synthetic astaxanthin dominates the world market but recent interest in natural sources of the pigment has increased substantially. Common sources of natural astaxanthin are the green algae Haematococcus pluvialis, the red yeast, Phaffia rhodozyma, as well as crustacean byproducts. Astaxanthin possesses an unusual antioxidant activity which has caused a surge in the nutraceutical market for the encapsulated product. Also, health benefits such as cardiovascular disease prevention, immune system boosting, bioactivity against Helycobacter pylori, and cataract prevention, have been associated with astaxanthin consumption. Research on the health benefits of astaxanthin is very recent and has mostly been performed in vitro or at the pre-clinical level with humans. This paper reviews the current available evidence regarding astaxanthin chemistry and its potential beneficial effects in humans.
Blue Ocean or Stormy Waters? Buying Nix Check Cashing

Kinecta Federal Credit Union has the opportunity to purchase Nix Check Cashing as part of their "blue ocean" strategy to reach the financially underserved and increase credit union membership and deposits. But they face financial as well as reputational risk. Check cashing, payday lending and other alternative financial services are maligned in mainstream financial circles. This case asks students to evaluate both organizations, their respective industries, and the proposed $45 million deal and determine whether or not it makes sense for Kinecta to purchase Nix.
Role of Prostanoids in the Regulation of Cerebral Blood Flow During Normoxia and Hypoxia in the Fetal Sheep

The fetal cardiovascular responses to hypoxia include decreased peripheral blood flow and increased cerebral, cardiac, and adrenal blood flow. Prostanoids, metabolites of cyclooxygenase enzyme activity, have potent effects on vascular tone in both the adult and the fetus. To examine the role of prostanoids in the regulation of fetal cerebral blood flow (CBF) during acute hypoxic stress, eight near term fetal sheep were studied after infusing vehicle or diclofenac, a cyclooxygenase inhibitor, followed by a 30-min period of hypoxia (arterial Po2 12 Torr). In the control experiments, CBF, measured continuously with laser Doppler flowmetry, increased to 148% of baseline values (p < 0.01) and cerebral vascular resistance decreased to 70% of baseline values after 30 min of hypoxic stress. During diclofenac infusion, hypoxia resulted in a CBF increase to only 129% of baseline, a significant attenuation (p < 0.05), accompanied by decreased plasma prostanoid concentrations. Increases in mean arterial blood pressure during hypoxia were also attenuated by diclofenac infusion. Flow and pressure responses were not accompanied by changes in cerebral vascular resistance. These results indicate that prostanoids indirectly modulate fetal CBF responses to hypoxia, but that their effects are mediated through modulation of systemic rather than cerebral vascular tone.
Deviations from uncovered interest parity: A Kalman filter approach to the Mark/Dollar rate and the Swiss Franc/Dollar rate

The present paper analyzes deviations from Uncovered Interest Parity by applying a Kalman filter procedure based on optimal initial information to the estimation of this arbitrage equilibrium for the Mark/Dollar rate and the Swiss Franc/Dollar rate. The results demonstrate that the hypothesis of a time-varying deviation from Uncovered Interest Parity in these equations cannot be rejected. Furthermore, these models are shown to out-perform the random walk in forecasting. An examination of the stochastic disturbances indicates that the shocks responsible for the deviations cover a wide range of economic and political issues.
Data‐Based Model‐Free Hysteretic Restoring Force and Mass Identification for Dynamic Systems

Most of the currently available vibration‐based damage detection approaches identify structural damage in the form of decrease in structural stiffness based on extracted eigenparameters and/or their derivates, and the basic hypothesis behind them is the system should be linear and the mass distribution of the system is usually known. Different from the stiffness degradation, the hysteretic restoring force of a dynamic system provides a more informative and direct description on the initiation and development of damage in structures under dynamic loadings and can be employed to quantitatively evaluate the energy dissipation during vibration. In this study, a data‐based model‐free hysteretic behavior identification approach with incomplete external excitations was proposed for the identification of structural hysteretic restoring force without the prior knowledge of structural mass distribution and the numerical model of the nonlinearity of the structure. The accuracy and feasibility of the approach for both structural mass and hysteretic behavior identification was illustrated: first, via numerical simulation with a lumped‐mass multi‐degree‐of‐freedom structure incorporating nonlinear magnetorheological (MR) dampers and a consistent mass plane truss structure incorporating a pseudo‐elastic shape memory alloy model to mimic the nonlinearity in dynamic systems. Second, a dynamic test on a four‐story frame structure equipped with MR dampers was carried out and the corresponding dynamic response was employed to validate the reliability of the proposed approach for both structural mass and hysteretic behavior identification. The results show that the proposed approach is capable of identifying different types of structural nonlinearity, which numerical model is unknown, with incomplete inputs and unknown mass distribution. The approach provides a promising way for damage detection and monitoring in the form of hysteretic behavior and energy dissipation for engineering structures under dynamic loadings, which should be dealt with as nonlinear systems.
Tone-dependent coronary arterial-venous pressure differences at the cessation of venous outflow during long diastoles.

BACKGROUND The origin and magnitude of the back pressure opposing diastolic coronary inflow remain controversial. The arterial pressure at which coronary inflow stops during a prolonged diastole, ie, "zero-flow pressure," is higher than coronary venous pressure. However, because of capacitive discharge as distending pressure falls, flow at the microcirculatory level exceeds inflow, and coronary outflow ceases later than inflow. If coronary arterial pressure continues to exceed venous pressure at the point of venous flow cessation, zero-flow pressure cannot be an artifact of capacitive discharge. METHODS AND RESULTS Coronary inflow and outflow, arterial pressure, and right atrial pressure have been measured during long diastoles in closed-chest dogs chronically instrumented with volumetric flow probes on the great cardiac vein or coronary sinus as well as the circumflex artery. Although venous outflow continued for 1 to 4 seconds after arterial inflow ceased, coronary artery pressure at the point of venous flow cessation (Pfv = 0) always exceeded right atrial pressure (13 +/- 1.3 mm Hg [SEM] vs 6 +/- 0.7 mm Hg, P < .001). When vasomotor tone was augmented using vasopressin, the diastolic pressure-flow relation shifted to the right, with Pfv = 0 increasing to 21 +/- 2.4 mm Hg despite an unchanged right atrial pressure (6 +/- 0.5 mm Hg). CONCLUSIONS Transcoronary pressure differences persist when venous outflow stops and are larger when vasomotor tone is augmented. Measurements of zero-flow pressure that exceed venous pressure cannot be considered an artifact of continuing capacitive discharge after the cessation of arterial inflow. Diastolic coronary back pressure exceeds right atrial pressure and is tone dependent.
Recurrent Inflammatory Flares in HIV-Infected Patients: Consider Castleman Disease!

Background. Transient inflammatory flares are common in clinical care of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)–infected patients. In-depth investigations are not performed routinely because patients often recover without therapeutic interventions, and therefore, the etiologies of these inflammatory flares frequently remain unknown. Case. We report a case of an HIV-infected patient with recurrent inflammatory flares during several years in whom diagnostic workup with a lymph node biopsy finally revealed multicentric Castleman disease (MCD). The patient was treated with etoposide and rituximab until November 2013 and achieved ongoing complete clinical remission. Conclusion. Recent effective therapeutic regimens offer an opportunity to prevent serious complications of MCD including its malignant transformation, provided that the diagnosis is established early enough. Therefore, clinicians should consider MCD in the differential diagnosis of self-limiting inflammatory flares, especially in HIV-infected patients.
Towards Smart Assistance Systems for Physical and Manual Tasks

Although automation of physical work is continuously accelerated by advances in information technol-ogy, many complex tasks, such as in manufacturing, assembly or maintenance still require human work. In this context, Smart Physical and Manual Task Assistance Systems (SPMTAs) support workers by adapting to their current situation or task. Since the importance of physical work is still evident in a digitized economy, there is a need for properly designed SPMTAs in order to increase job satisfaction and performance of workers by taking off physical and cognitive strain. However, scientific literature on how to design SPMTAs is sparse. Combining sociotechnical systems and work design theory, we derived propositions and conducted interviews with workers of a German car component manufacturer as part of a design science project. The company uses three SPMTAs for assembly, final inspection, and tool management. As a result, we elicited 18 design requirements for SPMTAs to increase job satisfac-tion and performance. In this research-in-progress paper, we present our preliminary results and dis-cuss next steps.
Influence of market-level and inter-firm differences in costs on product positioning and pricing

ABSTRACT The objective of this article is to study the impact of differentiation and firm positioning on firm’s pricing decisions in a horizontally differentiated competitive market. We build a parsimonious game-theoretic model and analyse simultaneous entry of firms. The effect of differentiation is modelled as an additional cost incurred by both firms based on the degree of differentiation between the firms. The cost of positioning is modelled as a market level cost affecting both firms whereby firms incur a cost if they want to position themselves away from the centre of distribution of consumers. Our analysis provides some surprising results, explains some conflicting empirical observations documented in previous research and may also be useful for further empirical research in this area by providing sharper predictions about the impact of various types of costs on market outcomes. For example, we find that if the cost of positioning is sufficiently high, then a firm with lower cost of differentiation charges a higher price in equilibrium, even when no differences in exogenous costs exist. We also find that under some circumstances the cost disadvantaged firm can enjoy higher price-cost margins compared to the cost leader thereby suggesting that higher costs could be a blessing in disguise.
Radiation Sensitivity of EDFAs Based on Highly Er-Doped Fibers

We have studied the effect of gamma-radiation on the small signal gain and on the noise figure of several EDFAs with similar characteristics and based on special highly Er-doped fibers. Those fibers were fabricated using direct nanoparticle deposition technology, with different Er 3+ doping levels. The results show that the use of this technology allows improving the EDFA's radiation tolerance by increasing the concentration of Er3+ ions provided this is not accompanied with higher concentrations of other dopants, which influence the radiation sensitivity of the fiber.