Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Approach to acute or subacute myelopathy

Improved understanding of the differential diagnosis and improved investigative techniques, particularly neuroimaging and serologic testing, have facilitated the diagnosis of patients with acute and subacute myelopathy and reduced the proportion of patients who are labeled as having “idiopathic transverse myelitis. ” Additionally, these advances have identified subgroups of patients in whom progression of deficit or future relapses are anticipated, allowing intervention and prophylaxis as appropriate. However, early management remains empiric and consists of high-dose corticosteroids for most patients. In the event of an inadequate response to corticosteroids or a subsequent atypical course, further investigations to detect diagnoses other than “transverse myelitis” should be considered and additional treatments, such as plasmapheresis, may be appropriate. Individualized diagnosis and treatment is more feasible now than in the past. Localizing an acute neurologic process to the spinal cord is often, but not always, straightforward (table 1). The ascending sensory symptoms of acute inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (AIDP) may confuse the diagnosis, as this complaint is also highly associated with acute myelopathy. Unequivocal upper motor neuron signs exclude AIDP, but are often not apparent in the early stages of a spinal cord insult. Although not invariably present, an unequivocal sensory level on the torso, sensory loss indicating involvement of spinal tracts (e.g., spinothalamic modality impairment contralateral to motor findings), or urinary retention localize to the spinal cord. Myopathy or neuromuscular junction disorders may be mistaken for myelopathy, particularly if the lower limbs are predominantly affected, but the absence of any sensory abnormality should suggest the correct localization. Bilateral mesial frontal lobe lesions (e.g., bilateral anterior cerebral artery distribution infarcts) could mimic a myelopathy, although abulia or other signs of frontal lobe dysfunction typically coexist. Autoimmune or paraneoplastic muscle stiffness syndromes, such as stiff-person syndrome associated with glutamic acid decarboxylase or amphiphysin autoantibodies, may be confused with spasticity …
A Cognitive Model of Document Use During a Research Project. Study I. Document Selection

This article proposes a model of document selection by real users of a bibliographic retrieval system. It reports on Part 1 of a longitudinal study of decision making on document use by academics during an actual research project. (Part 2 followed up the same users on how the selected documents were actually used in subsequent stages.) The participants are 25 self-selected faculty and graduate students in Agricultural Economics. After a reference interview, the researcher conducted a search of DIALOG databases and prepared a printout. The users selected documents from this printout; they were asked to read and think aloud while selecting documents. Their verbal reports were recorded and analyzed from a utility-theoretic perspective. The following model of the decision-making in the selection process emerged: document information elements (DIEs) in document records provide the information for judging documents on 11 criteria (including topicality, orientation, quality, novelty, and authority); the criteria judgments are combined in an assessment of document value along five dimensions (epistemic, functional, conditional, social, and emotional values), leading to the use decision. This model accounts for the use of personal knowledge and decision strategies applied in the selection process. The model has implications for the design of an intelligent document selection assistant. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Is craving mood-driven or self-propelled? Sensitization and "street" stimulant addiction.

Pharmacological sensitization is defined as an increasing effect of a given drug dose after repeated administrations. Detected over 65 years ago during observations of animal behavior, sensitization provided an anti-thesis to the concept of pharmacological tolerance. In modern neuro-science, the sensitization concept has evolved to reflect neuroadaptive, or perhaps neurotoxic, processes and pharmacodynamics, rather than pharmacokinetic changes in plasma or brain concentrations of a drug.
Improving Assessment on MOOCs Through Peer Identification and Aligned Incentives

Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) use peer assessment to grade open ended questions at scale, allowing students to provide feedback. Relative to teacher based grading, peer assessment on MOOCs traditionally delivers lower quality feedback and fewer learner interactions. We present the identified peer review (IPR) framework, which provides non-blind peer assessment and incentives driving high quality feedback. We show that, compared to traditional peer assessment methods, IPR leads to significantly longer and more useful feedback as well as more discussion between peers.
Spatio-Temporal Symbolization of Multidimensional Time Series

The present study proposes a new symbolization algorithm for multidimensional time series. We view temporal sequences as observed data generated by a dynamical system, and therefore the goal of symbolization is to estimate symbolic sequences that minimize loss of information, which is called generating partition in nonlinear physics. In order to utilize the theoretical property of symbol dynamics in data mining, our algorithm estimates symbols on multivariate time series by integrating both spatial and temporal information and selecting those dimensions in multidimensional time series containing useful information. Probabilistic symbolic sequences derived from our symbolization method can be used in various supervised and unsupervised data-mining tasks. To demonstrate this, the algorithm is evaluated by applying it to both simulated data and a real-world dataset. In both cases, the new algorithm outperforms its alternative approaches.
Causal Framework through Retroduction and retrodiction

While the discussion in the IS research community has moved from describing critical realism as simply a compromise philosophy between positivists and interpretivists to its acceptance in its own right, it is still lacking in a choice of methods or processes for the IS researcher to utilise. This paper presents a proposed method that can be used by IS researchers following the critical realist paradigm. The suitability of a critical realist approach to IS research is discussed, and the importance of the combined ontological and epistemological elements described. The relevance of the search for causal mechanisms is shown and the benefits of the processes of retroduction and retrodiction in this search. A ‘causal framework’ is proposed as an artefact in the IS critical researcher’s “toolkit” and an example provided to show how it can be used. A three step process is described which uses causal frameworks the guide the analysis.
PakB binds to the SH3 domain of Dictyostelium Abp1 and regulates its effects on cell polarity and early development

Dictyostelium PakB, a p21-activated kinase implicated in the activation of class I myosins, is shown to bind directly to actin filaments and to the SH3 domain of actin-binding protein 1 (dAbp1). The interaction with PakB is needed to localize dAbp1 to actin-rich sites in the cell and control its activity during chemotaxis and early development.
Fractal Electrodynamics of the Heartbeat a

We have proposed that the physiological function of the heart on a number of different structural and functional levels of organization is related to its fractal geometry and fractal Fractal objects are most simply defined by their self-similar ar~hitecture. ' . ~ Inspection of a fractal object reveals multiple layers of detail such that the small-scale structure resembles the larger scale form. As a consequence, fractal structures do not have a single (characteristic) scale of length. Fluffy clouds, craggy coastlines, and branching coral formations are all examples of fractals. Many anatomic structures also appear to be fractal. '-' Examples include the folds of the brain and bowel, the tracheobronchial tree, branching vascular and neural networks, and the pancreatebiliary duct system. The fractal-like structure of the heart has been described previously.I4 The coronary arterial and venous systems are self-similar networks. The mitral and tricuspid valves are anchored to the papillary muscles by branched connective tissue structures, the chordae tendineae. Certain of the cardiac muscle bundles also have a fractal-like branching structure. Of particular interest to electrophysiologists is the fractal-like appearance of the His-Purkinje network that transmits the depolarization wave from atria to ventricles. ' To review briefly, the normal pacemaker of the heart is the sinoatrial (sinus) node, located in the upper part of the right atrium. The heart rate is regulated by the firing rate of this spontaneous pacemaker. Sinus-node depolarization, in turn, activates the atria, represented by the P wave on the electrocardiogram. Electrical stimulation of the atria is followed by activation of the AV node, located at the anatomic junction between atria and ventricles. AV nodal activation is followed by rapid depolarization of the specialized conduction fibers that make up the ramifying His-Purkinje network. The trunk of this tree is the His-bundle that bifurcates into the left and right main bundle branches. The bundle branches undergo a series of further bifurcations down to the level of the microscopic Purkinje fibers (FIG. 1). The final phase of this sequence is depolarization of the ventricular myocardium, represented by the QRS complex on the electrocardiogram.
Epigenetic Inheritance across the Landscape

The study of epigenomic variation at the landscape-level in plants may add important insight to studies of adaptive variation. A major goal of landscape genomic studies is to identify genomic regions contributing to adaptive variation across the landscape. Heritable variation in epigenetic marks, resulting in transgenerational plasticity, can influence fitness-related traits. Epigenetic marks are influenced by the genome, the environment, and their interaction, and can be inherited independently of the genome. Thus, epigenomic variation likely influences the heritability of many adaptive traits, but the extent of this influence remains largely unknown. Here, we summarize the relevance of epigenetic inheritance to ecological and evolutionary processes, and review the literature on landscape-level patterns of epigenetic variation. Landscape-level patterns of epigenomic variation in plants generally show greater levels of isolation by distance and isolation by environment then is found for the genome, but the causes of these patterns are not yet clear. Linkage between the environment and epigenomic variation has been clearly shown within a single generation, but demonstrating transgenerational inheritance requires more complex breeding and/or experimental designs. Transgenerational epigenetic variation may alter the interpretation of landscape genomic studies that rely upon phenotypic analyses, but should have less influence on landscape genomic approaches that rely upon outlier analyses or genome–environment associations. We suggest that multi-generation common garden experiments conducted across multiple environments will allow researchers to understand which parts of the epigenome are inherited, as well as to parse out the relative contribution of heritable epigenetic variation to the phenotype.
atualização Etiologic Aspects and Management of Acromegaly

Acromegaly is a systemic disease with various etiologies. It can occur as a sporadic or, more rarely, as a familial disease. Numerous complications such as endocrine, cardiovascular, respiratory, metabolic, osteoarticular and neoplastic disturbances occur and must be taken into account when establishing a therapeutic strategy. For this reason, the decision as to a treatment modality of acromegaly must be followed by a thorough evaluation of the patient and once the diagnosis of complications is settled, adequate treatment should be instituted. Follow up of the patients requires periodical re-assessment of complications’ status. (Arq Bras Endocrinol Metab 2005;49/5:626-640)
Longitudinal infant speech perception in young cochlear implant users.

PURPOSE This paper presents longitudinal case studies of children who received (cochlear implants) CIs and a controlled sample of children with normal hearing (NH). Phoneme discrimination (i.e., /sa-ma/, /a-i/, /a-u/, /u-i/, /ta-da/, /pa-ka/) was assessed prior to receiving CIs and monthly for 3 mo following CI activation. RESEARCH DESIGN Case studies. STUDY SAMPLE Three cochlear implant recipients and seven NH control participants were recruited through the University of Colorado Hospital and the University of Colorado, Boulder. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS The study utilized the visual reinforcement audiometry and interactive play assessment of speech pattern contrasts (VRASPAC) algorithm. A comparison of scoring was conducted using Cohen's kappa to determine interrater reliability. RESULTS Findings from this study revealed that CI recipients could discriminate at least three out of five phoneme contrasts at mastery level (≥90%) by 2 mo of device use. None of the CI recipients reached mastery prior to implantation. Following 3 mo of CI use there was no difference in contrast discrimination performance between the CI users and their NH age-matched peers (with the exception of /pa-ka/ for one CI user. CONCLUSIONS The CI users in this case study, who were implanted between 12 and 16 mo of age, were able to master the phoneme contrasts regardless of bilateral or unilateral CI, socioeconomic status, or language spoken at home.
Simulation of Shell Strength Properties by the SSCT Test

Initial shell formation and surface quality in continuous casting are affected by thermal and mechanical stresses which may lead to crack formation during solidification. Thus, detailed knowledge of high temperature strength properties as function of steel composition is required under given conditions. To simulate shell straining by tensile force perpendicular to the main dendrite growth axis, the "Submerged Split Chill Tensile" (SSCT) test was (and still is) further developed. The present report details updated results for ferritic and austenitic iron, and compares different chill materials. The determined effect of P-content on shell strength is quantified. Primary dendrite arm spacing without and with load appears to indicate that tensile elongation is not uniformly distributed over the test length.
Bismuth-filled anisotropically conductive adhesive for flip chip bonding

In this communication a new bismuth (Bi)-filled anisotropically conductive adhesive (ACA), which can be used to bond pure tin (Sn) or any Sn-based contact areas, is presented. In this study the adhesive was used to join tin-lead (SnPb) -bumped test chips to SnPb-coated contact pads on FR4-substrate. Due to the metallurgical characteristics of the SnPbBi system, the process temperature and bonding pressure remain low. With the help of pure Bi particles, the SnPb bumps are fused with the SnPb-coated contact pads above 92/spl deg/C forming small local solder joints, while the adhesive acts as an underfill. The microscopic solder interconnections retain their electrically continuity even though the adhesive matrix relaxes in service. Good quality metallurgical interconnections were produced by the bonding procedure with relatively low bonding temperature (160/spl deg/C) and pressure (24.5 g/bump). No intermetallics are formed in this bonding system. The Bi-filled ACA exhibits good reliability under high temperature and high humidity conditions (85/spl deg/C/85%RH). Thermal shock test (-40/spl deg/C/+125/spl deg/C, total cycle time 1 hour) showed that good reliability can be achieved even though the bonding process is not yet optimized. The failure of the joints is due to the formation of small liquid phases in the Bi-rich (over 10 at-%) areas in the solid lentils at the upper thermal shock temperature. This can be avoided by using higher bonding temperature. The discrepancy of reliability results is explained by the fact that the temperature of bonding has not been exactly the same for all the samples bonded.
Culturing human intestinal stem cells for regenerative applications in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease

Both the incidence and prevalence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is increasing globally; in the industrialized world up to 0.5% of the population are affected and around 4.2 million individuals suffer from IBD in Europe and North America combined. Successful engraftment in experimental colitis models suggests that intestinal stem cell transplantation could constitute a novel treatment strategy to re‐establish mucosal barrier function in patients with severe disease. Intestinal stem cells can be grown in vitro in organoid structures, though only a fraction of the cells contained are stem cells with regenerative capabilities. Hence, techniques to enrich stem cell populations are being pursued through the development of multiple two‐dimensional and three‐dimensional culture protocols, as well as co‐culture techniques and multiple growth medium compositions. Moreover, research in support matrices allowing for efficient clinical application is in progress. In vitro culture is accomplished by modulating the signaling pathways fundamental for the stem cell niche with a suitable culture matrix to provide additional contact‐dependent stimuli and structural support. The aim of this review was to discuss medium compositions and support matrices for optimal intestinal stem cell culture, as well as potential modifications to advance clinical use in IBD.
pH1N1 influenza A: timing is everything.

On June 11, 2009, the World Health Organization declared the outbreak of a novel influenza A virus that began in the small village of La Gloria, Mexico, a pandemic, the first of the 21st century. Just like in 1918, a novel H1N1 virus caused this pandemic. The 2009 pH1N1 virus emerged as a reassortment between two swine influenza lineages and contains a hemagglutinin surface protein that is ultimately derived from the 1918 virus (1). Early reports from Mexico suggested an atypically high rate of severe disease and complications, especially in previously healthy young individuals (2), but as the pandemic spread worldwide, subsequent data demonstrated that the overall disease severity and rate of complications resulting from pH1N1 influenza infection was similar to that of seasonal influenza (3, 4).
Macroaggregation of an albumin-stabilized technetium-tin(II) colloid.

The Scjentjflc Exhibits Committee announces that abstracts of exhjbjts are now being revjewed for the 20th Annual Meeting. Abstracts of exhibits, large or small, are welcomed from members, nonmembers, and organmzations.Exhibits supporting scjentjfic papers are encouraged. Vjew boxes for transilluminated material will be available.
A network mechanism for the determination of apparent orientation

Proposes a network mechanism for the determination of apparent tilt based on human psychophysics and physiology. The network model is capable of determining the apparent orientation of bars, including those in various types of tilt illusion. The model extracts local orientation information by VI-cell-like units with a Gabor-like receptive field. The activities of the units are grouped together based on collinear synchronization observed in a VI superficial layer. The model shows good quantitative agreement with human responses in the determination of the apparent orientations of bars in a variety of bar junctions.
Efficacy and safety of oral doxercalciferol in the management of secondary hyperparathyroidism in chronic kidney disease stage 4

This study was carried out to evaluate the efficacy and safety of doxercalciferol as therapy for secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT) in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) stage 4 in a prospective clinical trial. A total of 35 CKD-4 patients who had a baseline parathyroid hormone (iPTH) >150 pg/mL and had not received any vitamin D analog in the preceding 8 weeks were followed up at intervals of 6 weeks for 18 weeks on oral therapy with doxercalciferol. The starting dose was 1.5 μg/day, and the dose was increased in steps of 1 μg/day if iPTH did not decrease by at least 30% on the subsequent visit. Doxercalciferol was stopped temporarily if low iPTH (<70 pg/mL), hypercalcemia (>10.7 mg/dL), or severe hyperphosphatemia (>8.0 mg/dL) occurred, and was restarted at a lower dose on reversal of these abnormalities. Calcium acetate was the only phosphate binder used. Mean iPTH decreased by 35.4 ± 4.4% from 381.7 ± 31.3 pg/mL to 237.9 ± 25.7 pg/mL (P < 0.001). The proportion of patients who achieved 30% and 50% suppression of iPTH levels was 83% and 72%, respectively. Mean serum calcium, phosphorus, and calcium-phosphorus product values did not differ significantly from the baseline values. Four, two, and nine patients developed hypercalcemia, severe hyperphosphatemia, and high CaxP (>55), respectively. Almost all patients recovered to an acceptable level within 2 weeks of stopping doxercalciferol and adjusting the phosphate binder dose. In all, 21 patients required temporary stoppage of therapy. Most of them were restarted on therapy at a reduced dose during the study. It can, therefore, be concluded that doxercalciferol is effective in controlling SHPT in CKD-4 patients with an acceptable risk of hyperphosphatemia and hypercalcemia.
Cancer patients without a known primary: Incidence and survival trends in Sweden 1960–2007

Background. Metastatic cancer from an unknown primary tumour (CUP) is a common and heterogeneous clinical entity. In Sweden like in many other countries, the continuum of care for such patients remains to be established. Material and methods. Data on CUP cases reported to the Swedish Cancer Registry during 1960 through 2007 was used to assess time trends for incidence, survival, and histological tumour type. Results. There was an upward trend for the age-adjusted incidence until the late 1990s. This roughly paralleled the increase for all reported cancers during the same period. The increase of CUP mainly concerned patients aged above 50 years, and tumours classified as adenocarcinomas. The relative survival at 12 months after a diagnosis of CUP was estimated at 20%. However, after 12 months the relative survival levelled of and the 5-year estimate was 10–15% which suggests that a small proportion of CUP cases may be cured. Relative survival was highly dependent on age with substantially better outcome for young patients, particularly those aged below 30 years. We observed no time trend for survival. Discussion. Cases diagnosed as CUP includes patients with metastatic spread from a wide variety of tumours although certain tumour types probably are overrepresented, for example, cancers in sites that are difficult to examine clinically. Incidence trends probably represent the sum of trends for these cancers as well as diagnostic trends. The decreased incidence observed during the last decade might thus be explained in terms of a combination of improved diagnostic methods to detect primary tumours and decreasing incidence for e.g. pancreatic cancer and lung cancer among males. There is a need of evidence-based programs that define the continuum of care for CUP patients. Such a program is currently being developed through collaboration between all health care regions in Sweden.