Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Quartz and Dust Exposure in Swedish Iron Foundries

Exposure to respirable quartz continues to be a major concern in the Swedish iron foundry industry. Recommendations for reducing the European occupational exposure limit (EU-OEL) to 0.05 mg/m 3 and the corresponding ACGIH® threshold limit value (ACGIH-TLV) to 0.025 mg/m 3 prompted this exposure survey. Occupational exposure to respirable dust and respirable quartz were determined in 11 Swedish iron foundries, representing different sizes of industrial operation and different manufacturing techniques. In total, 436 respirable dust and 435 respirable quartz exposure measurements associated with all job titles were carried out and are presented as time-weighted averages. Our sampling strategy enabled us to evaluate the use of respirators in certain jobs, thus determining actual exposure. In addition, measurements using real-time dust monitors were made for high exposure jobs. For respirable quartz, 23% of all the measurements exceeded the EU-OEL, and 56% exceeded the ACGIH-TLV. The overall geometric mean (GM) for the quartz levels was 0.028 mg/m 3 , ranging from 0.003 to 2.1 mg/m 3 . Fettler and furnace and ladle repair operatives were exposed to the highest levels of both respirable dust (GM = 0.69 and 1.2 mg/m 3 ; range 0.076–31 and 0.25–9.3 mg/m 3 and respirable quartz (GM = 0.041 and 0.052 mg/m 3 ; range 0.004–2.1 and 0.0098–0.83 mg/m 3 . Fettlers often used respirators and their actual quartz exposure was lower (range 0.003–0.21 mg/m 3 , but in some cases it still exceeded the Swedish OEL (0.1 mg/m 3 . For furnace and ladle repair operatives, the actual quartz exposure did not exceed the OEL (range 0.003–0.08 mg/m 3 , but most respirators provided insufficient protection, i.e., factors less than 200. In summary, measurements in Swedish iron foundries revealed high exposures to respirable quartz, in particular for fettlers and furnace and ladle repair workers. The suggested EU-OEL and the ACGIH-TLV were exceeded in, respectively, 23% and 56% of all measurements regardless of the type of foundry. Further work on elimination techniques to reduce quartz concentrations, along with control of personal protection equipment, is essential.
A Performance Simulation Study of the Ethernet and Token Bus Local Computer Networks

This paper presents a detailed comparative performance simulation study for the Ethernet and Token Bus local computer networks. The simulation models are built using discrete-driven simulation. SIMSCRIPT 11.5 is used to develop the simulation models. The performance metrics considered in this paper are the throughput and average packet delay. Results obtained show that the throughput declines as the normalized propagation delay increases. However, the Token Bus channel utilization is higher than that of Ethernet especially when the Token Bus is operating in the exhaustive service case. The Token Bus exhaustive service has better maximum throughput - normalized propagation delay, a, characteristics especially for large values of a. It is found that delay - throughput comparisons between Ethernet and Token Bus topologies are sensitive to the network parameters. The results obtained show that Ethernet is inappropriate for high load conditions due to the increased number of collisions. Finally, it is found that the Token Bus provides relatively better performance measure for applications that are systematic in nature such as assembly line applications in factories.
Treatment difficulty with acute GVHD - frequent cause of mortality after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

OBJECTIVE Acute graft-versus-host disease (aGvHD) remains a significant cause of morbidity and mortality after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). METHODS In this study, we have retrospectively evaluated the major risk factors for the development of aGvHD in 100 patients who underwent allogeneic transplantation at the University Hospital in Bratislava between January 2007 and December 2011. RESULTS 29 patients acquired acute GvHD (Grade I - 12 patients, G II - 5 , G III - 3, G IV - 9). We proved a higher incidence of developing aGvHD in patients with unrelated donor type, TBI conditioning and cyclosporine (CsA) replacement with mycophenolate mofetil due to CsA nephrotoxicity, while other risk factors such as older patient age, the use of peripheral blood progenitor cells and donor/recipient sex mismatch were without statistical significance. The average time of onset of aGvHD has been 57 days (range 13-260) after HSCT. Corticosteroids were used as standard initial therapy with 52 % complete response (CR) rate, although the likelihood of response rapidly decreased with increasing severity of disease (G IV - 100 % refracterness). The response to primary therapy also correlated with overall survival. Patients with steroid-refractory aGvHD received a different second-line therapies (antithymocyte globulin, anti-TNFα antibody, anti CD52 antibody) with response rate 45 % (CR - 18 %, PR - 27 %). CONCLUSION Outcome for the patients with steroid-refractory aGvHD was poor, disease very often returned or progressed with one year mortality rate 81 % , that represents an important therapeutic problem (Tab. 2, Ref. 10).
An approach for the treatment of penile carcinoma

One hundred cases were studied in detail using lymphangiograms (LAG), anatomic dissections, and/or microscopic evaluation. LAG performed via the dorsal lymphatics of the penis demonstrate the existence of specific lymph node center, the so‐called sentinel lymph node (SLN). This appears to be the primary site of metastases from penile carcinoma. The SLN is visualized radio‐graphically, on the antero‐posterior view, at the junction of the femoral head and the ascending ramus of the pubis. Anatomically, the SLN is part of the lymphatic system around the superficial epigastric vein. Forty‐six SLN biopsies were performed with 15 positve for metastatic disease. In these 15 patients, an inguinofemoroiliac dissection was performed; in 12 cases there was no involvement of other lymph nodes. Lymphatic channels draining into the iliac lymph nodes without first draining into the sentinel lymph node were never demonstrated, nor were the inguinal‐femoral lymph nodes involved in the absence of SLN involvement. On this bases, we recommend preliminary bilateral SLN biopsy to be followed by inguinofemoroiliac dissection when biopsy of the SLN is positive. When biopsy of the SLN is negative for metastatic disease, no further sugical therapy is immediately indicated. With negative SLN, 5‐year survival was 90%. When SLN alone was involved, 5‐year survival was 70%. Five‐year survival was 50% with both SLN and other inguinal nodes involved. When iliac metastases were also present, 3‐year survival was 20%.
Ethical and legislative perspectives on liver transplantation in the People's Republic of China

Following the first unsuccessful effort at clinical liver transplantation in 1978, liver transplantation in the People’s Republic of China (PRC) has evolved over 3 decades and now, has become accepted as an effective therapeutic modality for many types of end-stage liver disease. Because of the high incidence of liver diseases and improving standards of living in the PRC, the demand for liver transplantation has increased; with improved outcomes, liver transplant activity has also increased dramatically. It is projected that the PRC will continue to rise in the rankings of countries performing liver transplantation. However, ethical issues lag behind the rapid technical advances, and the legislation to govern its clinical application, such as organ donation, procurement, and allocation, have not been fully established. Indeed, the lack of a legal framework for declaration of brain death and subsequent organ donation has fostered suspicions of unethical practices from within and outside of the PRC which prevent the country from joining the global transplant community. With globalization, the PRC has been exposed to many facets of medical, social, and ethical practices, and the resultant integration of these practices into liver transplant practices have resulted in dynamic changes. Thus, it is necessary to illustrate the progress that has been achieved and the challenges that the PRC faces, and goals must be defined in a way to accomplish and facilitate the further disciplined development of liver transplantation in the PRC. History and Current Status of Liver Transplantation in China
HEAVY METALS AND NUTRITIONAL COMPOSITION OF SOME NATURALLY GROWING AQUATIC MACROPHYTES OF NORTHERN EGYPTIAN LAKES

Aquatic Macrophytes are unchangeable biological filters and they carry out purification of the water bodies therefore, the determination of element compositions in aquatic Macrophytes is essential for understanding their nutritive importance. Macrophytes are known as good indicators of heavy metal contamination in aquatic ecosystems and they act as biological filters by accumulating heavy metals from the surrounding environments. Concentrations of heavy metals such as Fe, Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn were measured in macrophytes samples collected from different physiographic locations from lake Burullus and Manzala. The collected plants were Lemna gibba, Pistia stratiotes, Ceratophyllum demersum, Potamogeton pectinatus and myriophylum spicatum The results of the present study indicated that, values of some metals like iron, zinc and copper are higher in almost all the specimens, in addition to Lemna gibba and potamogeton pectinatus showed the higher capacity of heavy metal accumulation than the other aquatic plants, Accordingly they could be used as reliable way for biomonitoring of heavy metals and in sustainable development, management and pollution assessment in the northern deltaic lakes of Egypt.
Pre-Service EFL Teachers’ Perception of Blended Learning

Due to its great prospects to maximize the advantages of both online learning and faceto-face learning, blended learning (BL) has been growing as one of the most important educational advances of the 21st century. Current studies have revealed that BL is very potential to help address students’ diverse need and learning style, advance students’ learning experience by developing their engagement, motivation, and capacity for reflection, and provide learners with direct experience with technology-supported skills essential for 21st-century success style. This study aimed at investigating the perception of pre-service EFL teachers of blended learning in learning English as a foreign language (EFL) setting. Employed a mixed methods research design, quantitative and qualitative data were collected from 32 students of the English Education Department of Universitas Kristen Indonesia Jakarta. The findings revealed thatthe students’ perception towards blended learning was positive. The participants also valued learning using the online platform not only because it offers convenience, flexibility, and immediate access but also increases their engagement and independence and develops their technical and information literacy skills. However, they viewed face-to-face instruction more effective for it is more realistic due to the presence of direct interaction, immediate response, and the convenience of reading printed texts.
Effects of pulmonary acid aspiration on the regional pulmonary blood flow within the first hour after injury: An observational study in rats.

INTRODUCTION Gastric aspiration events are recognized as a major cause of pneumonitis and the development of acute respiratory distress syndrome. The first peak in the inflammatory response has been observed one hour after acid-induced lung injury in rats. The spatial pulmonary blood flow (PBF) distribution after an acid aspiration event within this time frame has not been adequately studied. We determined therefore PBF pattern within the first hour after acid aspiration. METHODS Anesthetized, spontaneous breathing rats (n = 8) underwent unilateral endobronchial hydrochlorid acid instillation so that the PBF distributions between the injured and non-injured lungs could be compared. The signal intensity of the lung parenchyma after injury was measured by magnetic resonance tomography. PBF distribution was determined by measuring the concentration of [68Ga]-radiolabeled microspheres using positron emission tomography. RESULTS Following acid aspiration, magnetic resonance images revealed increased signal intensity in the injured regions accompanied by reduced oxygenation. PBF was increased in all injured lungs (171 [150; 196], median [25%; 75%]) compared to the blood flow in all uninjured lungs (141 [122; 159], P = 0.0078). CONCLUSIONS From the first minute until fifty minutes after acid-induced acute lung injury, the PBF was consistently increased in the injured lung. These blood flow elevation was accompanied by significant hypoxemia.
Hypothalamic hamartomas and ictal laughter: Evolution of a characteristic epileptic syndrome and diagnostic value of magnetic resonance imaging

Detailed study of 4 patients and review of the literature allowed us to delineate further the epileptic syndrome associated with hypothalamic hamartomas, which characteristically begins in infancy with laughing seizures. Because early childhood psychomotor development is usually normal, the condition appears benign and may not even be recognized. The episodes of laughter are brief, frequent, and mechanical in nature. These features distinguish it from other forms of epileptic laughter, particularly that which occurs in temporal lobe epilepsy. Subsequently, the seizures become longer, other seizure types appear, and between the ages of 4 and 10 years, the clinical and electroencephalographic features of secondary generalized epilepsy develop. Cognitive deterioration occurs and severe behavior problems are frequent. Prognosis for seizure control and social adjustment is poor. Cortical abnormality occurs in association with the hypothalamic hamartoma. The lesions are best detected by magnetic resonance imaging but may be difficult to identify by computed tomographic scanning.
Chapter 8: The FHCRC Lung Cancer Model

As a member of the Cancer Intervention and Surveillance Modeling Network (CISNET), the lung cancer (LC) group at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center (FHCRC) developed a model for evaluating U.S. lung cancer mortality trends and the impact of changing tobacco consumption. Model components include a biologically based two‐stage clonal expansion (TSCE) model; a smoking simulator to generate smoking histories and other cause mortality; and adjustments for period and birth cohort to improve calibration to U.S. LC mortality. The TSCE model was first calibrated to five substantial cohorts: British doctors, American Cancer Society CPS‐I and CPS‐II, Health Professionals’ Follow‐Up Study (HPFS), and Nurses’ Health Study (NHS). The NHS and HPFS cohorts included the most detailed smoking histories and were chosen to represent the effects of smoking on U.S. LC mortality. The calibrated TSCE model and smoking simulator were used to simulate U.S. LC mortality. Further adjustments were necessary to account for unknown factors. This provided excellent fits between simulated and observed U.S. LC mortality for ages 30–84 and calendar years 1975–2000. The FHCRC LC model may be used to study the effects of public health information on U.S. LC trends and the impact of tobacco control policy. For example, we estimated that over 500,000 males and 200,000 females avoided LC death between 1975 and 2000 due to increasing awareness since the mid 1950s of the harmful effects of smoking. We estimated that 1.1 million male and 0.6 million female LC deaths were avoidable if smokers quit smoking in 1965.
Clinical utility of the percentage of positive prostate biopsies in defining biochemical outcome after radical prostatectomy for patients with clinically localized prostate cancer.

PURPOSE To determine the clinical utility of the percentage of positive prostate biopsies in predicting prostate-specific antigen (PSA) outcome after radical prostatectomy (RP) for men with PSA-detected or clinically palpable prostate cancer. METHODS A Cox regression multivariable analysis was used to determine whether the percentage of positive prostate biopsies provided clinically relevant information about PSA outcome after RP in 960 men while accounting for the previously established risk groups that are defined according to pretreatment PSA level, biopsy Gleason score, and the 1992 American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) clinical T stage. The findings were then tested using an independent surgical database that included data for 823 men. RESULTS Controlling for the known prognostic factors, the percentage of positive prostate biopsies added clinically significant information (P <.0001) regarding time to PSA failure after RP. Specifically, 80% of the patients in the intermediate-risk group (1992 AJCC T2b, or biopsy Gleason 7 or PSA > 10 ng/mL and </= 20 ng/mL) could be classified into either an 11% or 86% 4-year PSA control cohort using the preoperative prostate biopsy data. These findings were validated in the intermediate-risk patients using an independent surgical data set. CONCLUSION The validated stratification of PSA outcome after RP using the percentage of positive prostate biopsies in intermediate-risk patients is clinically significant. This information can be used to identify men with newly diagnosed and clinically localized prostate cancer who are at high risk for early (</= 2 years) PSA failure and, therefore, may benefit from the use of adjuvant therapy.
The Third Pillar of Medical Education

In 2001, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) and the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) attributed substantial problems in the quality of American medicine to four domains: growing complexity of science and technology; the increase in chronic conditions; a poorly organized delivery system; and constraints on exploiting the revolution in information technology (IT). Although all of these domains have been improved by IT systems within the last decade, the U.S. health care systems has been slow to adopt these developments. We propose one way to combat such quality problems by incorporating a medicine-specific computer science (CS) curriculum as the third of Abraham Flexner’s pillars of medical education.
11 Muscle Amino Acid Metabolism at Rest and During Exercise: Role in Human Physiology and Metabolism

Six amino acids are metabolized in resting muscle. They are leucine, isoleucine, valine, asparagine, aspartate, and glutamate. These amino acids provide the amino groups and probably the ammonia required for synthesis of glutamine and alanine, which are released in excessive amounts in the postabsorptive state and during ingestion of a protein-containing meal. Only leucine and part of the isolecine molecule can be oxidized in muscle as they are converted to acetyl-CoA. The other carbon skeletons are used solely for de novo synthesis of TCA-cycle intermediates and glutamine. The carbon atoms of the released alanine originate primarily from glycolysis of blood glucose and from muscle glycogen (about half each in resting conditions). After consumption of a protein-containing meal, BCAA and glutamate are taken up by muscle and their carbon skeletons are used for de novo synthesis of glutamine. About half of the glutamine released from muscle originates from glutamate taken up from the blood, both after overnight starvation, after prolonged starvation, and after consumption of a mixed meal. Glutamine produced by muscle is an important fuel and regulator of DNA and RNA synthesis in mucosal cells and immune system cells, and fulfils several other important functions in human metabolism. The alanine aminotransferase reaction functions to establish and maintain high concentrations of TCA-cycle intermediates in muscle during the first 10 min of exercise. The increase in concentration of TCA-cycle intermediates probably is needed to increase the flux of the TCA-cycle and meet the increased energy demand of exercise. A gradual increase in leucine oxidation subsequently leads to a carbon drain on the TCA-cycle in glycogen-depleted muscles, and may thus reduce the maximal flux in the TCA-cycle and lead to fatigue. Deamination of amino acids and glutamine synthesis present alternative anaplerotic mechanisms in glycogen-depleted muscles, but only allow exercise at 40-50% of Wmax. One-leg exercise leads to the net breakdown of muscle protein. The liberated amino acids are used for synthesis of TCA-cycle intermediates and glutamine. Today, the importance of this process in endurance exercise in the field (running or cycling) in athletes who ingest carbohydrates is not clear. It is proposed that the maximal flux in the TCA-cycle is reduced in glycogen-depleted muscles due to insufficient TCA-cycle anaplerosis, and that this presents a limitation for the maximal rate of fatty acid oxidation. Interactions between the amino acid pool and the TCA-cycle are suggested to play a central role in the energy metabolism of the exercising muscle.
An Improved Electrogeometric Model for Transmission Line Shielding Analysis

An improved electrogeometric model - intended for transmission line lightning shielding analysis - is presented, based upon previous empirical and analytical studies of the lightning striking process. In contrast to earlier approaches, the model provides a rational basis for taking account of the influence of structure height and is essentially independent of any assumptions regarding striking distances to ground. Sample applications of the model show comparatively good agreement with line experience, both in the estimation of shielding failure outage rates, and in the calculation of the requisite critical shielding angles.
A methodology for morphological feature extraction and unsupervised cell classification

Cell morphology is an important indicator of cell state, function, stage of development, and fate in both normal and pathological conditions. Cell shape is among key indicators used by pathologists to identify abnormalities or malignancies. With rapid advancements in the speed and amount of biological data acquisition, including images and movies of cells, computer-assisted identification and analysis of images becomes essential. Here, we report on techniques for recognition of cells in microscopic images and automated cell shape classification. We illustrate how our unsupervised machine-learning-based approach can be used to classify distinct cell shapes from a large number of microscopic images. Technical Abstract We develop a methodology to segment cells from microscopy images and compute quantitative descriptors that characterize their morphology. Using unsupervised techniques for dimensionality reduction and density-based clustering, we perform label-free cell shape classification. Cells are identified with minimal user input using mathematical morphology and region-growing segmentation methods. Physical quantities describing cell shape and size (including area, perimeter, Feret diameters, etc.) are computed along with other features including shape factors and Hu’s image moments. Correlated features are combined to obtain a low-dimensional (2-D or 3-D) embedding of data points corresponding to individual segmented cell shapes. Finally, a hierarchical density-based clustering algorithm (HDBSCAN) is used to classify cells. We compare cell classification results obtained from different combinations of features to identify a feature set that delivers optimum classification performance for our test data consisting of phase-contrast microscopy images of a pancreatic-cancer cell line, MIA PaCa-2.