Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Platelet kinetics in asthmatic patients with and without aspirin intolerance.

BACKGROUND: A reduced platelet survival time has been described in asthmatic patients. There is also good evidence that platelets are involved in aspirin induced asthma. Since aspirin intolerant patients usually suffer from an active disease and often require anti-inflammatory treatment, it has been suggested that platelet survival time may be shorter in aspirin intolerant asthmatic subjects than in aspirin tolerant subjects. The objective of this study was to investigate this hypothesis. METHODS: Thirteen asthmatic subjects (six aspirin tolerant and seven aspirin intolerant) in a stable clinical condition and ten healthy subjects were studied. Platelet kinetics and survival time were measured with indium-111 labelled autologous platelets. RESULTS: Mean (SD) platelet sequestration ratios in the spleen and liver were lower in asthmatic (2.3 (0.9) and 0.6 (0.2) respectively) than in healthy subjects (3.2 (0.7) and 1.1 (0.4) respectively). However, mean (SD) platelet survival time in asthmatic subjects (8 (2.7) days) did not differ from that in healthy subjects (7.6 (1.1) days). No differences were observed in platelet kinetics between aspirin tolerant and aspirin intolerant patients. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest the existence of an active non-splenic pool of platelets in patients with asthma. However, they failed to show platelet kinetic differences among asthmatic subjects with and without aspirin intolerance and do not support previous studies suggesting an altered platelet survival in stable asthma.
3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors improve myocardial high-energy phosphate metabolism in men.

PURPOSE We intended to prove that 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors or statins have a beneficial impact on the human myocardial, high-energy, phosphate metabolism. METHODS The present study included 18 male patients (mean age 49.8 +/- 10.3) with statin-treated, familiar hypercholesterolemia (FH) and 13 male patients with untreated FH (mean age 44.6 +/- 9.5). Twenty-six healthy male volunteers served as controls (mean age 44.2 +/- 12.1). Phosphorus-31, two-dimensional chemical shift imaging (31P 2D CSI) of the heart was performed in all subjects using a 1.5 Tesla whole-body magnetic resonance (MR) scanner. The ratios between phosphocreatine (PCr) and beta-adenosine-triphosphate (beta-ATP) were calculated for the left ventricular myocardium. Furthermore, echocardiographic evaluation and stress tests were performed in all individuals. RESULTS The untreated patients with FH exhibited a significant decrease in left ventricular PCr to beta-ATP ratios (1.78 +/- 0.34) compared with statin-treated FH patients (2.15 +/- 0.26, p < 0.001) and healthy controls (2.04 +/- 0.26, p = 0.009). The left ventricular PCr-to-beta-ATP ratios of the treated FH patients were in the range of the healthy controls. CONCLUSIONS Our study shows for the first time an-improvement of the high-energy, phosphate metabolism in the left ventricular myocardium of patients with statin-treated FH compared with untreated FH patients.
Review: Cav2.3 R-type Voltage-Gated Ca2+ Channels - Functional Implications in Convulsive and Non-convulsive Seizure Activity

Background: Researchers have gained substantial insight into mechanisms of synaptic transmission, hyperexcitability, excitotoxicity and neurodegeneration within the last decades. Voltage-gated Ca2+ channels are of central relevance in these processes. In particular, they are key elements in the etiopathogenesis of numerous seizure types and epilepsies. Earlier studies predominantly targeted on Cav2.1 P/Q-type and Cav3.2 T-type Ca2+ channels relevant for absence epileptogenesis. Recent findings bring other channels entities more into focus such as the Cav2.3 R-type Ca2+ channel which exhibits an intriguing role in ictogenesis and seizure propagation. Cav2.3 R-type voltage gated Ca2+ channels (VGCC) emerged to be important factors in the pathogenesis of absence epilepsy, human juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME), and cellular epileptiform activity, e.g. in CA1 neurons. They also serve as potential target for various antiepileptic drugs, such as lamotrigine and topiramate. Objective: This review provides a summary of structure, function and pharmacology of VGCCs and their fundamental role in cellular Ca2+ homeostasis. We elaborate the unique modulatory properties of Cav2.3 R-type Ca2+ channels and point to recent findings in the proictogenic and proneuroapoptotic role of Cav2.3 R-type VGCCs in generalized convulsive tonic–clonic and complex-partial hippocampal seizures and its role in non-convulsive absence like seizure activity. Conclusion: Development of novel Cav2.3 specific modulators can be effective in the pharmacological treatment of epilepsies and other neurological disorders.
Low-dose remifentanil to modify hemodynamic responses to tracheal intubation: comparison in normotensive and untreated/treated hypertensive Korean patients

Background Remifentanil has been shown to be effective at treating potentially adverse hemodynamic responses to tracheal intubation even at low doses (< 1 µg/kg/min), which needs to be evaluated in patients with diverse cardiovascular conditions. Methods A low-dose regimen of remifentanil (continuous infusion of 0.1 µg/kg/min, preceded by 0.5 µg/kg bolus) was given before induction with bolus propofol and rocuronium, and heart rate as well as systolic, diastolic, and mean arterial pressures were measured at 1 min intervals from before induction to 5 min after tracheal intubation in normotensive patients, untreated hypertensive patients, and patients with known hypertension. Results The low-dose regimen of remifentanil resulted in parallel hemodynamic responses in all three groups, and was effective at limiting hemodynamic responses to tracheal intubation without excessive cardiovascular depression. Hemodynamic responses in our study showed a similar pattern to that reported in previous investigations, except for elevations in heart rate and arterial pressures over the baseline values immediately after intubation. Conclusions We suggest that the low-dose regimen of remifentanil in our study could be routinely used to modify hemodynamic responses to tracheal intubation in patients with diverse hemodynamic characteristics. However, the development of supplementary regimens is still needed to control the brief, but exaggerated responses to tracheal intubation, especially in untreated hypertensive patients.
Automated force‐free flux rope identification

We describe a method developed to automatically identify quasi force‐free magnetotail flux ropes from in situ spacecraft magnetometer data. The method locates significant (greater than 1σ) deflections of the north‐south component of the magnetic field coincident with enhancements in other field components. The magnetic field data around the deflections are then processed using Minimum Variance Analysis (MVA) to narrow the selection down to those that exhibit the characteristics of flux ropes. The subset of candidates that fulfills the requirements are then compared to a cylindrical, linear (constant‐α) force‐free model. Those that can be well approximated as force free are then accepted. The model fit also provides a measure of the physical parameters that describe the flux rope (i.e., core field and radius). This process allows for the creation of a repeatable, consistent catalog of flux ropes. Automation allows a greater volume of data to be covered, saving time and allowing the exploration of potential selection biases. The technique is applied to MESSENGER (MErcury Surface, Space ENvironment, GEochemistry, and Ranging) magnetometer data in the Hermean magnetotail and successfully locates flux ropes, some of which match previously known encounters. Assumptions of the method and potential future applications are discussed.
The photometric Reconstruction of a Dynamic Textured Surface from just one Colour Image Acquisition 1

HAL is a multi-disciplinary open access archive for the deposit and dissemination of scientific research documents, whether they are published or not. The documents may come from teaching and research institutions in France or abroad, or from public or private research centers. L’archive ouverte pluridisciplinaire HAL, est destinée au dépôt et à la diffusion de documents scientifiques de niveau recherche, publiés ou non, émanant des établissements d’enseignement et de recherche français ou étrangers, des laboratoires publics ou privés. Photometric reconstruction of a dynamic textured surface from just one color image acquisition Benjamin Bringier, David Helbert, Majdi Khoudeir
An Improved Genetic Algorithm with Gene Value Representation and Short Term Memory for Shape Assignment Problem

The purpose in shape assignment is to find the optimal solution that combines a number of shapes with attention to full use of area. To achieve this, an analysis needs to be done several times because of the different solutions produce dissimilar number of items. Although to find the optimal solution is a certainty, the ambiguity matters and huge possible solutions require an intelligent approach to be applied. Genetic Algorithm (GA) was chosen to overcome this problem. We found that basic implementation of Genetic Algorithm produces uncertainty time and most probably contribute the longer processing time with several reasons. Thus, in order to reduce time in analysis process, we improved the Genetic Algorithm by focusing on 1) specific-domain initialization that gene values are based on the X and Y of area coordinate 2) the use of short term memory to avoid the revisit solutions occur. Through a series of experiment, the repetition of time towards obtaining the optimal result using basic GA (BGA) and improved GA (IGA) gradually increase when size of area of combined shapes raise. Using the same datasets, however, the BGA shows more repetition number than IGA indicates that IGA spent less computation time.
Writer Identification for Historical Arabic Documents

Identification of writers of handwritten historical documents is an important and challenging task. In this paper we present several feature extraction and classification approaches for the identification of writers in historical Arabic manuscripts. The approaches are able to successfully identify writers of multipage documents. The feature extraction methods rely on different principles, such as contour-, textural- and key point-based and the classification schemes are based on averaging and voting. For all experiments a dedicated data set based on a publicly available database is used. The experiments show promising results and the best performance was achieved using a novel feature extraction based on key point descriptors.
The Strength of Bolted and Bonded Single-Lapped Composite Joints in Tension

This work is primarily concerned with a failure analysis of single-lapped bolted and bonded mixed-composite joints, representing practical situations, both in terms of experimental data and theoretical appreciation. Two kinds of stacking sequences in adherends are tested: quasi-isotropic and cross-ply. The adhesives include thermal-setting and thermal-plastic types. The bolts used to clamp the bonded joints are made of 304 stainless steel, whilst the rivets are of NAS 1919 C05 according to National Aerospace Standards. The important invented techniques in making riveted and bolted joints and measuring their respective clamping pressure are disclosed, and the main contribution of systematic experimental data in contrast with numerical prediction is highlighted as follows. The bolting arrangements can be divided into one (1 x 1), three (1 x 3, 3 x 1), six (2 x 3) and nine (3 x 3) configurations. The empirical results indicate that the joint of six (2 x 3) bolts possess the highest strength, nine (3 x 3) bolts the second strongest, followed by (1 x 3), (3 x 1); while the one bolt geometry is the weakest. The mixed joints with more than three bolts will fail by adhesive delamination and tension failure in adherends transversely. However, the failure mechanism for the one bolt system is different, in that delamination occurs first, then bolt bending and shearing, and finally a tension-type failure. A typical tensile stress-strain diagram is linear before delamination. We also adopt the C-scan non-destructive testing (NDT) technique to examine damage initiation sites and to compare this information with the numerical prediction obtained using the finite element method. The comparison is satisfactory. Finally, the joint strength increases with increasing overlap length, until the strength approaches asymptotically a constant value for longer overlap lengths.
Fast Sign Detection for RNS  $(2^{n}-1,2^{n},2^{n}+1)$

In this paper, we propose a fast algorithm for sign-extraction of a number given in the Residue Number System (2n-1,2n,2n+1) . The algorithm can be implemented using three n-bit wide additions, two of which can be done in parallel. It can be used in a wide variety of problems, i.e., in algorithms for dividing numbers in the RNS, or in evaluating the sign of determinant in computational geometry, etc.
The effects of daily exercise on susceptibility to sudden cardiac death.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of daily exercise on susceptibility to sudden cardiac death. A 2 min coronary occlusion was initiated during the last minute of an exercise stress test and continued for 1 min after cessation of exercise in chronically instrumented dogs with a healed anterior wall myocardial infarction. Thirteen dogs developed ventricular fibrillation (VF; susceptible), while five did not (resistant). Before the exercise plus ischemia test, the baroreflex was evaluated with a bolus injection of phenylephrine (10 micrograms/kg). The changes in heart rate caused by a 30 mm Hg increase in systolic arterial pressure as well as the slopes of either heart rate or RR interval plotted against systolic arterial pressure were significantly lower in dogs that developed VR (resistant, -49.6 +/- 7.8; susceptible, -15.3 +/- 6.4 beats/min; p less than .001). Four resistant and eight susceptible animals were then placed on a 6 week daily exercise program, while eight susceptible dogs had an equal period of rest. At the end of the 6 week period the exercise plus ischemia test was repeated; no susceptible animal that performed daily exercise developed VF, and all but one of the rested animals did. Daily exercise improved baroreflex control of heart rate in the susceptible group but not in the resistant group. Rest did not alter baroreflex function (change in heart rate after 30 mm Hg increase in systolic arterial pressure: after 6 weeks of exercise, resistant -43.3 +/- 18.9 beats/min, susceptible -60.8 +/- 16.6 beats/min; after 6 weeks of rest, susceptible 27.4 +/- 11.0 beats/min). We conclude that daily exercise prevents VF induced by acute myocardial ischemia in a subpopulation of dogs that were previously identified as susceptible to sudden cardiac death. Exercise also altered the autonomic control of the heart, possibly decreasing sympathetic and/or increasing parasympathetic tone. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Impact on Health Authorities of the introduction of Primary Care Groups and Trusts

The National Tracker Survey of Primary Care Groups (PCGs) and Trusts (PCTs) in the UK has provided evidence about how PCGs and Health Authorities managed the transition to PCTs. This was a major challenge for both organizations. Devolution of responsibilities was dependent on the capacity and readiness of PCGs to take on their new roles. The development of good working relationships between the principal parties was critical to this process. Health Authorities started to let go and all put in place basic mechanisms for holding PCGs to account in their first year. However, a number of PCGs regarded their Health Authority as authoritarian. Most Health Authorities were found to have started to provide information to support PCGs in their core functions, but resources were frequently problematic. It will be important for Health Authorities and PCG/Ts to negotiate a shared view of their respective roles and responsibilities. The future role of Health Authorities in providing strategic leadership for their local health economies was not sufficiently well defined or understood.
Vancomycin-resistant Leuconostoc mesenteroides and Lactobacillus casei synthesize cytoplasmic peptidoglycan precursors that terminate in lactate

The emergence of acquired high-level resistance among Enterococcus species has renewed interest in mechanisms of resistance to glycopeptide antibiotics in gram-positive bacteria. In Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium, resistance is encoded by the van gene cluster and is due to the production of a peptidoglycan precursor terminating in D-alanyl-D-lactate, to which vancomycin does not bind. Most Leuconostoc and many Lactobacillus species are intrinsically resistant to high levels of glycopeptide antibiotics, but the mechanism of resistance has not been elucidated. To determine whether the mechanisms of resistance are similar in intrinsically resistant bacteria, cytoplasmic peptidoglycan precursors were isolated from Leuconostoc mesenteroides and Lactobacillus casei and analyzed by mass spectrometry, revealing structures consistent with UDP-N-acetylmuramyl-L-Ala-D-Glu-L-Lys-(L-Ala)-D-Ala-D-lactate and UDP-N-acetylmuramyl-L-Ala-D-Glu-L-Lys-D-Ala-D-lactate, respectively.
JST: Towards a Usable Web Site Development Method

Based on the separation between content and presentation in web site development, the authors analyze several problems evidenced during years of work with XML/XSLT technologies. The paper proposes JST, an usable development method focused on reducing the interaction between the HTML designers and the programmers. The paper concludes with a performance evaluation of the technique.
Massage Therapy Protocol for Post–Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome: A Case Report

Background: The intent of the present study was to determine the effectiveness of massage therapy in the rehabilitation of post–anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction patellofemoral pain syndrome. The primary complications following surgical repair of the anterior cruciate ligament—classified as patellofemoral pain syndrome—are hamstring flexion contracture and quadriceps weakness, leading to patellofemoral dysfunction and retropatellar pain. Methods: Treatment included lymphatic drainage, myofascial release, neuromuscular techniques including trigger point release, muscle energy techniques and cross-fiber friction. Orthopedic physical assessment tests were used to chart changes in patellofemoral function and changes in range of motion in the knee during the course of the massage interventions. Subjective reporting on pain level and function were also documented. Results: A decrease in pain level, hamstring flexion contracture and lateral tracking of the patella were documented. Conclusion: Massage therapy was determined to be an effective complementary therapy in the treatment of patellofemoral pain syndrome.
Can computer assisted diagnosis (CAD) be used as a screening tool in the detection of pulmonary nodules when using 64-slice multidetector computed tomography?

Objectives To evaluate (1) whether or not the addition of computer-assisted diagnosis (CAD) to 64-slice multidetector computed tomography (CT) can be used as a screening tool for detection of pulmonary nodules in routine CT chest examinations and (2) whether or not to advocate the incorporation of CAD as a screening tool into our daily practice. Materials and methods A retrospective cross-sectional analysis of 109 consecutive patients who had all undergone routine contrast-enhanced CT chest examinations for indications other than lung cancer at the Radiology Department of Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, between November 2010 and January 2011. All examinations were evaluated in terms of the detection of pulmonary nodules by a consultant radiologist and CAD (ImageChecker CT Algorithm R2 Technology) software. The ability of CAD software to detect pulmonary nodules was evaluated against the reference standard. In addition, a chest radiologist also calculated the number of pulmonary nodules. The sensitivity and specificity of the CAD software were calculated against the reference standard by using a 2 × 2 table. The Mann–Whitney U test was applied to compare the performances of CAD and the radiologist. Results CAD detected 610 pulmonary nodules while the radiologist detected only 113. The reference standard declared 198 pulmonary nodules to be true nodules. CAD detected 95% of all true nodules (189/198), whereas the radiologist detected only 57% (113/198). In the detection of true pulmonary nodules, CAD had 98% sensitivity compared with the radiologist who had 57% sensitivity; the statistical difference between their performances had a P value <0.001. Conclusion Considering the high sensitivity of CAD to detect nearly all true pulmonary nodules, we advocate its application as a screening tool in all CT chest examinations for the early detection of pulmonary nodules and lung carcinoma.
Potential for Using Waste Glass in Portland Cement Concrete

Local recycling pressures are providing an impetus to examine the use of unconventional materials in construction such as waste glass in Portland cement concrete. It is well known that the silica in glass can be highly reactive with the alkalis in cement paste and that this reaction can lead to expansion and cracking of the concrete (alkali-silica reaction or ASR). The potential is examined for controlling ASR and achieving concrete of suitable strength and durability that uses waste glass as the aggregate. Laboratory and field research have been completed with concrete mixtures designed primarily for paving or flat-work applications. Various gradations of glass particle sizes added at various fractions of total aggregate content have been studied. Compressive strength and wet prism expansion are two of the parameters monitored. The study has spanned several years and has revealed both glass aggregate concrete mixtures that show great promise as well as mixtures that fail rapidly. Continued monitoring of the performance of the successful mixes over a period of several more years will provide an important step toward defining those situations where waste glass can be used in concrete.
The Landfall and Inland Penetration of a Flood-Producing Atmospheric River in Arizona. Part I: Observed Synoptic-Scale, Orographic, and Hydrometeorological Characteristics

AbstractAtmospheric rivers (ARs) are a dominant mechanism for generating intense wintertime precipitation along the U.S. West Coast. While studies over the past 10 years have explored the impact of ARs in, and west of, California’s Sierra Nevada and the Pacific Northwest’s Cascade Mountains, their influence on the weather across the intermountain west remains an open question. This study utilizes gridded atmospheric datasets, satellite imagery, rawinsonde soundings, a 449-MHz wind profiler and global positioning system (GPS) receiver, and operational hydrometeorological observing networks to explore the dynamics and inland impacts of a landfalling, flood-producing AR across Arizona in January 2010. Plan-view, cross-section, and back-trajectory analyses quantify the synoptic and mesoscale forcing that led to widespread precipitation across the state. The analyses show that a strong AR formed in the lower midlatitudes over the northeastern Pacific Ocean via frontogenetic processes and sea surface latent-hea.