Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Conductance fluctuations and ionic pores in membranes.

This review describes recent progress in the analysis of statistical fluctuations in membrane conductance. The discussion is limited to cases where noise analysis was performed for the sake of obtaining information about the molecular properties of the membrane constituents and, therefore, does not cover work concerned with systems analysis that uses noise driving. The presentation is divided into two parts. The first part begins with a simplified treatment of the mathematical theory, based on the restrictive assumption that ionic channels open and close independently and can exist in only two states (open and closed). This minimal mathematical theory provides the basis for making certain kinds of inferences about the properties of single channels in artificial biJayers and post junctional synaptic membranes. Specifically, in these relatively simple instances, analysis of conductance fluctuations can give estimates of two important channel characteristics, the mean length of time a channel remains open and the conduc­ tance of its open state. The second part treats the mathematical basis for fluctuation analysis from a more general point of view without the restrictions imposed in the simplified development: channels are permitted to have more than two states. In this part, the analysis is extended to include inferences beyond those involving simply amplitude and duration as discussed in the first part, and we stress the relation between the kinetics of channel gating as revealed by fluctuation analysis and the relaxation kinetics measured in standard voltage clamp experiments. The extended theory provides the background for surveying applications of fluctuation analysis to more complicated situations in the pharmacologically modified postsynaptic mem­ brane and in gating of sodium and potassium channels of axons.
Measurement of the maintenance process from a demand-based perspective

While various figures have been published on the workload distribution of maintenance activities, this information is at best indicative of management perceptions, most of it originating from surveys, and almost none based on actual data. The reason for such a lack of published data is very simple: the industry does not measure or collect maintenance-type data in a timely and accurate fashion. This article presents empirical data from a two-year measurement effort in the maintenance environment of a Canadian financial institution. The findings reported here are based on a daily data-collection process including 2152 work requests, which required 11 332 days to complete. Based on the supply/demand paradigm, maintenance data have been collected and analysed to investigate the basis of productivity analyses through such concepts as the product group, the product mix and the product mix changes on the demand side, as well as resource allocation by product classification and quarterly and yearly distribution changes. This paper includes a discussion on the measurement program implemented, and illustrates how insights into the maintenance process are gained through various measurements. The paper also presents hard data on the demand side and on the supply side of the maintenance process, as well as an analysis of the data collected. The findings reported are part of a larger measurement program introduced to manage the maintenance area in the same way as any other business unit.
Copper bromide laser treatment of facial telangiectasia: Results of patients treated over five years

Various yellow light lasers have been used over the past decade in an attempt to eradicate facial telangiectasia. Based on their power output, spot size, and pulsing characteristics, these lasers belong to one of two categories that exist at either end of a spectrum—high power, short pulse, and large spot size, or low power, long exposure, and small spot size. The copper bromide laser clearly belongs in the latter group, but with higher available power than most other lasers in this group, it exists further along the spectrum toward the region in which the laser parameters might be considered closer to theoretical ideals for treating certain cutaneous vascular pathologies. The objective of this study was to ascertain the role and efficacy of the copper bromide laser on treatment of a variety of facial telangiectasia.
A New CPW-fed Patch Antenna for UWB Applications

In this paper, the design and analysis of a compact size coplanar waveguide (CPW)-fed antenna for ultrawideband (UWB) applications is presented. The antenna has a compact size of 20×20× 1.5 mm and provides a good impedance matching over the entire bandwidth of 3.2–14.3 GHz. The characteristics parameters, i.e. return loss, VSWR and radiation pattern, are analyzed using HFSS 11.0 software. Keywords—planar antenna, ultra wideband, wireless communication.
The Barometer of Life

A broader taxonomic base to threatened species assessments will enable better conservation and policy decisions. On 11 January 2010, the United Nations inaugurated the International Year of Biodiversity in Berlin. This initiative is timely, because the environmental movement suffers from an imbalance between its sense of urgency and its intensity of activity. Center stage is now occupied by concerns for the physical environment—in particular, climate change, pollution, and depletion of nonrenewable resources. However, if the living world is to be kept in anything approaching a sustainable condition that can adapt to changes, then politicians, government officials, scientists, and the public will need to give biodiversity the urgent attention that they are starting to give to the physical environment.
Treatment of malignant mesothelioma with methotrexate and vinblastine, with or without platinum chemotherapy.

STUDY OBJECTIVE To determine the efficacy of methotrexate, vinblastine, and platinum chemotherapy in patients with diffuse unresectable malignant mesothelioma. DESIGN Patients with histologically confirmed malignant mesothelioma were evaluated for treatment with methotrexate, vinblastine, and cisplatin chemotherapy. If the patient had preexisting hearing loss or neuropathy, or was significantly disabled (eg, spending greater than half of the day in bed or a chair), cisplatin therapy was withheld. SETTING All patients were initially evaluated at the University of Washington Medical Center and received chemotherapy at the University of Washington or in the community. INTERVENTIONS Between 1990 and 1994, 17 patients received this chemotherapy. Ten patients received cisplatin, 100 mg/m2 IV on day 1, methotrexate, 30 mg/m2 IV on days 8, 15, and 22, and vinblastine, 3 mg/m2 IV on days 8, 15, and 22, in 28-day cycles. One patient had carboplatin substituted for cisplatin due to preexisting hearing loss. Six patients received weekly methotrexate and vinblastine at the same doses without platinum. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS Nine of the 17 (53%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 28 to 77%) patients responded, including two complete remissions, two partial remissions, and five regressions. Median time to progression is 8 months. The median survival time for all patients is 14 months. Projected 2-year survival is 35% (95% CI, 12 to 60%). CONCLUSIONS Although the number of the patients in this study is small, the response rate and projected 2-year survival of 35% are better than those typically reported for unresectable malignant mesothelioma. Further investigation is warranted in confirmatory trials.
The Dragonfly Splint: A New Disposable Device Designed to Prevent Both Medial and Lateral Turbinate Synechiae After Sinonasal Surgery

AbstractPeriturbinal adhesions are among the most frequent and challenging complications of sinonasal surgery. Endonasal paraseptal splints have proved to be very efficient in preventing “medial synechiae,” that is, adhesions located between the medial faces of the middle/inferior turbinates and the septum. However, none of these devices for guiding mucosal healing can prevent “lateral synechiae” (adhesions between the lateral face of the middle turbinate and the lateral nasal wall) inside the middle meatal cleft, which is a very critical area for the physiology of the anterior sinus system. For this reason, if followed by the formation of lateral synechiae, the surgical maneuvers used to treat sinus diseases could paradoxically become a cause of persistent functional impairment and lead to iatrogenic sinusitis or mucocele.We describe our preliminary experience with a new endonasal splint called “Dragonfly” (because of its shape), which has been designed to prevent both medial and lateral postsurgical synechiae. This device has a long lateral wing designed to separate the mucosal surfaces of the middle meatal/ethmoid cavities and prevent adhesions during the postoperative process of healing. The device must be kept in situ for 3 to 4 weeks to permit the re-epithelialization of the internal nasal surfaces. Our experience shows that the splints are well tolerated and highly efficient, preventing both medial and lateral synechiae in 100% of cases. A randomized controlled study has now been started to confirm these positive preliminary findings in a larger patient population.
Prevalence of mutations in the short stature homeobox containing gene (SHOX) in Madelung deformity of childhood

In 1878, Madelung described a painful, disabling, and deforming abnormality of the forearm in which misalignment of the bones of the wrist and forearm resulted in a “spontaneous forward subluxation of the wrist”. 1 A familial form of a bilateral wrist deformity resulting from dorsal dislocation of the ulnar head, accompanied by mesomelic short stature was first reported in 1929 and later termed Leri-Weill dyschondrosteosis (LWD). 2–4 In LWD, the Madelung deformity results from dysplasia located at the medial aspect of the distal radial growth plate, where narrowing and premature fusion of the physis occurs.5 This dysplasia leads to differential growth rates between the lesion and the distal lateral radial physis impeding growth and pulling the lateral radial epiphysis off line as the remaining physis advances.6 In its fully developed form, Madelung deformity leads to shortening and bowing (sometimes marked) of the radius and the involvement of other epiphyses in this disorder results in mesomelia.7 Typically, Madelung deformity does not appear until mid-childhood but is usually preceded by radiological signs.8 Other localised lesions in the ulnar-palmar zone of the distal radius can result in differential growth rates leading to Madelung deformity including Turner, Olliers, and multiple exostoses syndromes and environmental causes.3,4,9 ### Key points
THE RELATION BETWEEN STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION IN HEMOGLOBINS.

Many lines of evidence indicate that the oxygenation of hemoglobin is accompanied by changes in protein structure. Data on the oxygen equilibria of the hemoglobins from a number of animals are discussed in terms of this evidence. Evidence from studies of some hemoglobins (lamprey, frog and tadpole) indicates a major role for subunit dissociation equilibria in explaining two properties of the oxygen equilibria: heme–heme interaction and the "Bohr effect". The importance of subunit dissociation in mammalian hemoglobins is suggested by the known concentration dependence of the oxygen equilibria. Mammalian hemoglobins are composed of two types of polypeptide chains, α and β. The idea that the α and β subunits have different oxygen equilibria and are affected differently by pH is examined. It is concluded that the β-chains appear to play a major role in the mechanism of the Bohr effect not shared by the α-chains. This conclusion is supported by the structural changes in hemoglobin found to occur upon oxygenati.
Evolution of nonspecific duodenal lymphocytosis over 2 years of follow-up.

AIM To assess the evolution of duodenal lymphocytosis (DL), a condition characterized by increased intraepithelial lymphocytes (IELs), over 2 years of follow-up. METHODS Consecutive patients undergoing upper endoscopy/histology for abdominal pain, diarrhea, weight loss, weakness or other extraintestinal features compatible with celiac disease (CD) were included. Evaluation of IELs infiltrate in duodenal biopsy samples was carried out by CD3-immunohistochemistry and expressed as number of positive cells/100 enterocytes. Diagnostic agreement on the IELs count was tested by calculating the weighted k coefficient. All patients underwent serological detection of autoantibodies associated with CD: IgG and IgA anti-tissue transglutaminase and endomysium. Each patient underwent further investigations to clarify the origin of DL at baseline and/or in the course of 2 years of follow-up every six months. Autoimmune thyroiditis, intestinal infections, parasitic diseases, bacterial intestinal overgrowth, hypolactasia and wheat allergy were detected. Colonoscopy and enteric magnetic resonance imaging were performed when necessary. Risk factors affecting the final diagnosis were detected by multinomial logistic regression and expressed as OR. RESULTS Eighty-five patients (16 males, 69 females, aged 34.1 ± 12.5 years) were followed up for a mean period of 21.7 ± 11.7 mo. At baseline, endoscopy/duodenal biopsy, CD3 immunohistochemistry revealed: > 25 IELs/100 enterocytes in 22 subjects, 15-25 IELs in 37 and < 15 IELs in 26. They all had negative serum anti-transglutaminase and anti-endomysium, whilst 5 showed IgG anti-gliadin positivity. In the course of follow-up, 23 developed CD seropositivity and gluten sensitivity (GS) was identified in 19. Other diagnoses were: 5 Helicobacter pylori infections, 4 jejunal Crohn's disease, 1 lymphocytic colitis and 1 systemic sclerosis. The disease in the remaining 32 patients was classified as irritable bowel syndrome because of the lack of diagnostic evidence. At multivariate analysis, the evolution towards CD was associated with an IELs infiltrate > 25 (OR = 1640.4) or 15-25 (OR = 16.95), human leukocyte antigen (HLA) DQ2/8 (OR = 140.85) or DQA1*0501 (OR = 15.36), diarrhea (OR = 5.56) and weakness (OR = 11.57). GS was associated with IELs 15-25 (OR = 28.59), autoimmune thyroiditis (OR = 87.63), folate deficiency (OR = 48.53) and diarrhea (OR = 54.87). CONCLUSION DL may have a multifactorial origin but the IELs infiltrate and HLA are strong predictive factors for CD development and a clinical diagnosis of GS.
Axons modulate the expression of transforming growth factor‐betas in Schwann cells

We have investigated the expression of transforming growth factor (TGF)‐β1,‐β2, and ‐β3 in developing, degenerating, and regenerating rat peripheral nerve by immunohistochemistry and Northern blot analysis. In normal adult sciatic nerve, TGF‐β1, ‐β2, and ‐β3 are detected in the cytoplasm of Schwann cells, and the levels of TGF‐β1 and ‐β3 mRNAs are constant during post‐natal development. When sciatic nerves are transected to cause axonal degeneration and prevent axonal regeneration, the level of TGF‐β1 mRNA in the distal nerve‐stump increases markedly and remains elevated, whereas the level of TGF‐β3 mRNA falls modestly and remains depressed. When sciatic nerves are crushed to cause axonal degeneration and allow axonal regeneration, the level of TGF‐β1 mRNA initially increases as axons degenerate, and then falls as axons regenerate. TGF‐β2 mRNA was not detected in developing or lesioned sciatic nerves at any time. Cultured Schwann cells have high levels of TGF‐β1 mRNA, the amount of which is reduced by forskolin, which mimicks the effect of axonal contact. These data demonstrate that Schwann cells express TGF‐β1, ‐β2, and ‐β3, and that TGF‐β1 and ‐β3 mRNA predominate over TGF‐β2 mRNA in peripheral nerve. Axonal contact and forskolin decrease the expression of TGF‐β1 in Schwann cells. © 1993 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Meaningful and Satisfactory Work as a Pathway to Integration ; Bosnian Refugees in the West

This article traces the pathways of Bosnian refugee-immigrants from the war-torn for­ mer Yugoslavia of the early 1990s to the Western welfare-states in which they came to reside anci settle. The study was undertaken in an effort to evaluate degree to which the transition away from refugee status and toward meaningful participation in host societies has taken place among differently situated immigrant groups. Empirical questionnaire and interview re­ search was conducted to assess perceived levels of job opportunity and job satisfaction within host societies, and analysis was then undertaken in order to situate this data within the theo­ retical framework of the welfare-state itself.
Web-based Software Management System

In this paper, we propose a Web-based software management system (WebSMS) for providing the device-independent software execution environment to users. We classify software into three types based on the software execution mechanism - local software, streaming software and portable software. The proposed system merges heterogeneous software execution modules and provides Web-based interface. And it minimizes the dependencies among components and provides seamless software using interface for users.
Kanamori earthquake Andaman − Lessons from the 2004 Sumatra

References l.html#ref-list-1 http://rsta.royalsocietypublishing. org/content/364/1845/1927.ful This article cites 29 articles, 9 of which can be accessed free Rapid response 1845/1927 http://rsta.royalsocietypublishing. org/letters/submit/roypta;364/ Respond to this article Email alerting service here in the box at the top right-hand corner of the article or click Receive free email alerts when new articles cite this article sign up
Detection of Salmonella typhimurium in dairy products with flow cytometry and monoclonal antibodies

Flow cytometry, combined with fluorescently labelled monoclonal antibodies, offers advantages of speed and sensitivity for the detection of specific pathogenic bacteria in foods. We investigated the detection of Salmonella typhimurium in eggs and milk. Using a sample clearing procedure, we determined that the detection limit was on the order of 10(3) cells per ml after a total analysis time of 40 min. After 6 h of nonselective enrichment, the detection limits were 10 cells per ml for milk and 1 cell per ml for eggs, even in the presence of a 10,000-fold excess of Escherichia coli cells.
Primary care in the accident and emergency department: II. comparison of general practitioners and hospital doctors

Abstract Objective:To compare the process and outcome of “primary care” consultations undertaken by senior house officers, registrars, and general practitioners in an accident and emergency department. Design:Prospective, controlled intervention study. Setting:A busy, inner city accident and emergency department in south London. Subjects:Patients treated during a stratified random sample of 419 three hour sessions between June 1989 and May 1990 assessed at nurse triage as presenting with problems that could be treated in a primary care setting. 1702 of these patients were treated by sessionally employed local general practitioners, 2382 by senior house officers, and 557 by registrars. Main outcome measures:Process variables: laboratory and radiographic investigations, prescriptions, and referrals; outcome variables: results of investigations. Results:Primary care consultations made by accident and emergency medical staff resulted in greater utilisation of investigative, outpatient, and specialist services than those made by general practitioners. For example, the odds ratios for patients receiving radiography were 2.78 (95% confidence interval 2.32 to 3.34) for senior house officer v general practitioner consultations and 2.37 (1.84 to 3.06) for registrars v general practitioners. For referral to hospital specialist on call teams or outpatient departments v discharge to the community the odds ratios were 2.88 (2.39 to 3.47) for senior house officers v general practitioners and 2.57 (1.98 to 3.35) for registrars v general practitioners. Conclusion:Employing general practitioners in accident and emergency departments to manage patients with primary care needs seems to result in reduced rates of investigations, prescriptions, and referrals. This suggests important benefits in terms of resource utilisation, but the impact on patient outcome and satisfaction needs to be considered further.
Proliferative glomerulonephritis with monoclonal IgG deposits: a distinct entity mimicking immune-complex glomerulonephritis.

BACKGROUND Renal disease related to the deposition of monoclonal immunoglobulins containing both heavy and light chains can occur in type 1 cryoglobulinemia, Randall type light and heavy chain deposition disease (LHCDD), and immunotactoid glomerulonephritis. We report a novel phenotype of glomerular injury that does not conform to any of the previously described patterns of glomerular involvement by monoclonal gammopathy. METHODS Ten cases of unclassifiable proliferative glomerulonephritis manifesting glomerular monoclonal immunoglobulin G (IgG) deposits were identified retrospectively from the archives of the Renal Pathology Laboratory of Columbia University over the past 3 years (biopsy incidence 0.21%). RESULTS The monoclonal immunoglobulins formed granular electron dense deposits in mesangial, subendothelial, and subepithelial sites, mimicking ordinary immune complex-mediated glomerulonephritis and producing a diffuse endocapillary proliferative or membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis. However, by immunofluorescence, the deposits were monoclonal, staining for a single light chain isotype and a single gamma subclass (including two IgG1kappa, one IgG1lambda, one IgG2lambda, four IgG3kappa, and one IgG3lambda). All cases stained for the three constant domains of the gamma heavy chain (CH1, CH2, and CH3), suggesting deposition of a nondeleted immunoglobulin molecule. Tissue fixation of complement was observed in 90% of cases, and 40% of patients had hypocomplementemia. Clinical presentations included renal insufficiency in 80% (mean serum creatinine 2.8 mg/dL, range 0.9 to 8.0), proteinuria in 100% (mean urine protein 5.8 g/day; range 1.9 to 13.0), nephrotic syndrome in 44%, and microhematuria in 60%. A monoclonal serum protein with the same heavy and light chain isotype as that of the glomerular deposits was identified in 50% of cases (including three IgGkappa and two IgGlambda); however, no patient had clinical or laboratory features of type 1 cryoglobulinemia. No patient had overt myeloma or lymphoma at presentation or over the course of follow-up (mean 12 months). CONCLUSION Glomerular deposition of monoclonal IgG can produce a proliferative glomerulonephritis that mimics immune-complex glomerulonephritis by light and electron microscopy. Proper recognition of this entity requires confirmation of monoclonality by staining for the gamma heavy chain subclasses.