Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Echocardiographic measures of atrial function may predict atrial fibrillation in stroke patients

Abstract Objective: In patients with a prior stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA) and atrial fibrillation anticoagulant treatment is indicated. This study’s purpose was to investigate if echocardiography can predict unknown AF in patients after stroke. Design: Prospectively, 174 stroke/TIA patients without diagnosed AF underwent echocardiographic evaluation including tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) focusing on functional parameters of the left atrium and left ventricular diastolic function. AF screening was performed during 30 d. Results: Fifteen patients (8.6%) were diagnosed with AF. Echocardiography in the AF group compared to those without AF, showed larger left atrial volume index (LAVI), (37.2 ± 6.7 vs. 31.6 ± 8.6 ml/m2, p = 0.018), lower A’ velocities in ventricular (5.9 ± 2.2 vs. 7.2 ± 1.6, p = 0.010) and atrial (4.8 ± 1.4 vs. 5.9 ± 1.4, p = 0.013) septa, higher LAVI/A’ in ventricular septum (6.7 (5.0–8.7) vs. 4.2 (3.2–5.5), p = 0.001) and atrial septum (8.5 (5.9–11.0) vs. 5.1 (4.1–6.8), p = 0.003). Receiver operating characteristic analyses to detect AF was performed, area under the curve for LAVI was 0.71 (0.61–0.83), p = 0.008, and for LAVI/A’ in ventricular septum 0.76 (0.59–0.93), p = 0.006 and atrial septum 0.78 (0.63–0.93), p = 0.002, respectively. Conclusions: LAVI and measures of atrial contraction as measured by TDI predict unknown AF in patients after an stroke/TIA and may be used to detect silent AF.
The choices, choosing model of quality of life: description and rationale

A previous paper began with a critical review of current models and measures of quality of life and then proposed criteria for judging the relative merits of alternative models: preference was given to finding a model with explicit mechanisms, linkages to a science base, a means of identifying deficits amenable to rational restorative interventions, and with embedded values of the whole person. A conjectured model, based on the processes of accessing choices and choosing among them, matched the proposed criteria. The choices and choosing (c–c) process is an evolved adaptive mechanism dedicated to the pursuit of quality of life, driven by specific biological and psychological systems, and influenced also by social and environmental forces.
A new approach for modeling the MOSFET using a simple, continuous analytical expression for drain conductance which includes velocity-saturation in a fundamental way

A simple, analytical conduction model is presented which is continuous over both the linear and saturation regimes of device operation. It is based on an analysis of the drain conductance in which g/sub DS/ is modeled as a simple hyperbolic form from which drain characteristics are derived. The model is assessed by a chi-square curvefit analysis to show that it is extremely accurate for both long- and short-channel devices. The approach is supported by an analysis which includes the physics of velocity saturation at the fundamental level. Other short-channel effects associated with MOSFET operation may be developed with longitudinal mobility variation as the model foundation. The equation for the hyperbolic asymptotes will reduce to the traditional parabolic model of the MOSFET when classical assumptions are made for the saturation point. This feature of the model demonstrates the fundamental basis of the approach.
Isolation and Characterization of a cDNA Clone for a Harvest-Induced Asparagine Synthetase from Asparagus officinalis L

A full-length cDNA clone (pTIP27) encoding asparagine synthetase (AS; EC 6.3.5.4) was isolated from a cDNA library prepared from the tip section (apex to 30 mm) of Asparagus officinalis L. spears. The cDNA clone encodes an mRNA of 1978 bp, giving a derived protein of 66.5 kD molecular mass. The derived amino acid sequence is 81% homologous to AS from Pisum sativum. Only low levels of transcript for AS could be detected in growing spears, roots, or ferns. However, AS mRNA levels began to increase in the tips of harvested spears after 2 h at 20[deg]C, and in the other sections of the spear after 4 h, suggesting that all sections of the spear were responding to the same postharvest signal. The results are discussed in relation to metabolic changes occurring in harvested spears.
Comparative evaluation of microleakage of three restorative glass ionomer cements: An in vitro study

Purpose: The aim of this study was to compare the microleakage of glass ionomers (conventional and resin modified) with that of recently introduced nanoionomers. Materials and Methods: Standardized class I and class V cavities were prepared on 120 young permanent teeth. Samples were equally divided into group I (class I restorations) and group II (class V restorations), and further divided into subgroups. The subgroups were restored with Fuji IX, Fuji II LC, and newly introduced Ketac™ N 100 (KN 100). Samples were thermocycled and submerged in Acridine dye for 24 h. Samples were sectioned to view under fluorescent microscope and marginal leakage was evaluated by Chi-square and Kruskal — Wallis test. Results: Fuji IX showed the maximum leakage, followed by LC II and the least was observed in KN 100. In class I restorations, there was significant difference while comparing Fuji IX with Fuji LC II and KN 100 and nonsignificant difference between LC II and KN100. In class V restorations, Fuji IX and KN100, KN 100 and LC II showed significant difference. Fuji IX and LC II showed nonsignificant difference. Conclusion: Within the limitations of this study, Fuji IX showed the maximum microleakage. KN 100 showed minimum leakage, better sealing ability, and was more consistent.
Métastase mammaire d'un adénocarcinome ovarien

Introduction. Les metastases mammaires sont rares. Les tumeurs primitives sont cutanees, pulmonaires, digestives et prostatiques. Une tumeur maligne de l'ovaire est rarement en cause. Observation. Chez une femme de 69 ans apparaissait, 3 ans apres la decouverte d'un adenocarcinome ovarien, une mastite importante unilaterale dans un contexte polymetastatique. L'examen anatomopathologique permettait d'affirmer l'origine ovarienne des nodules mammaires observes. L'evolution etait pejorative et la malade decedait 8 mois apres les premiers signes cliniques mammaires. Commentaires. La difficulte de differencier une mastite carcinomateuse primitive d'une mastite d'origine secondaire est grande si le cancer primitif est inconnu. Dans notre cas, l'etude immunohistochimique n'etait pas discriminante entre une origine mammaire et une origine ovarienne. Le diagnostic a ete finalement pose sur les bases de l'histologie standard et sur la correlation anatomoclinique. La confrontation anatomoclinique est primordiale, puisque les examens immunohistochimiques peuvent etre pris en defaut comme dans notre observation.
Gemfibrozil Ingestions Reported to Texas Poison Control Centers, 2000–2005

Review of the literature failed to identify any information on potentially adverse ingestions of the cholesterol-lowering drug gemfibrozil (GEM) reported to poison control centers. Data from Texas poison control centers were used to describe the pattern of isolated GEM ingestions reported during 2000–2005. A total of 118 cases were identified. The mean maximum dose ingested was 2407 mg (range 300–18,000 mg) or 3.3 tablets/capsules (range 1–30 tablets/capsules). The patient was male in 55% of the cases. The most common circumstances of the exposure were unintentional therapeutic error (49%), general unintentional (34%), and suspected attempted suicide (11%). The management site was on site (84%), already at/en route to a health care facility (10%), referred to a health care facility (5%), and other (2%). The ingestion considered potentially toxic in 3% of the cases and no deaths were reported. A specific adverse clinical effect was listed for 9% of the cases, being gastrointestinal (5%), neurological (3%), or cardiovascular (1%). A specific treatment was listed for 54% of the cases, most frequently decontamination by dilution (39%) or food (15%). Potentially adverse isolated GEM ingestions reported to poison control centers generally do not involve serious medical outcomes and are successfully managed at home with a favorable outcome.
Solar-neutrino problem: Some old solutions reexamined.

Recent experimental data confirm the solar-neutrino problem and imply new neutrino physics. We review some of the less discussed proposals to solve this problem: (1) maximal vacuum mixing of three neutrino flavors, (2) vacuum oscillation of two neutrino flavors, and (3) neutrino decay. Each of these three solutions can fit the {sup 37}Cl and Kamiokande-II solar-neutrino flux measurements. Their implications for the continuing {sup 71}Ga experiments and for other, future experiments are discussed.
Work efficency and respiratory response of trained underwater swimmers using a modified self-contained underwater breathing apparatus.

Studies of the work efficiency and respiratory responses of trained underwater swimmers were made employing a modified self-contained underwater breathing apparatus (SCUBA). It was found that the work efficiencies were very low (2–8%) as compared to the efficiencies of comparable exercises in air (16–20%). At low swim speeds (.6 and .7 knots) average efficiencies from swimmer to swimmer varied markedly (2–8%) while at higher swim speeds (.7–1.2 k.) the average efficiencies varied little (3–5%). The maximum attainable respiratory responses to an extended exercise period (20 min.) in underwater swimming were much lower than those observed in exercises in air. Thus, maximum pulmonary minute volumes were usually much less than 80 liters and the maximum oxygen consumption was only about 100 liters per square meter body surface per hour. Submitted on September 20, 1956
Gemtuzumab ozogamicin: time to resurrect?

On May 17, 2000, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted accelerated approval for the use of gemtuzumab ozogamicin (GO) in older patients (age ≥ 60 years) with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in first relapse who were not considered candidates for standard cytotoxic chemotherapy.1 Approval for this novel anti-CD33 immunoconjugate was based on a phase II trial demonstrating a 30% response rate (including complete response [CR] and CR with incomplete platelet recovery)2 and was conditional on future demonstration of benefit in treatment of AML. Over the past 10 years, several phase II and III trials have addressed this issue.
Time and Thyme Are not Homophones: The Effect of Lemma Frequency on Word Durations in Spontaneous Speech

Frequent words tend to shorten. But do homophone pairs, such as time and thyme, shorten equally if one member of the pair is frequent? This study reports an analysis of roughly 90,000 tokens of homophones in the Switchboard corpus of American English telephone conversations, in which it was found that high-frequency words like time are significantly shorter than their low-frequency homophones like thyme. The effect of lemma frequency persisted when local speaking rate, predictability from neighboring words, position relative to pauses, syntactic category, and orthographic regularity were brought under statistical control. These findings have theoretical implications for the locus of frequency information in linguistic competence and in models of language production, and for the role of articulatory routinization in shortening.
Interference DAA Technique for Coexisting UWB Radio

Ultra Wideband (UWB) is an attractive technique that enable coexistence with other radio systems to spread spectrum. However, there are potential interferences among those using the same frequency bands and close range. In some country regulations, the interference DAA (detect and avoidance) techniques are required to utilize UWB devices. This paper discusses the interference DAA technique. To utilize multi-carrier pulses made from several narrower sub-band pulses, that is possible to detect and mitigate the interference. The multi-carrier pulses are also suited for the transmitted pulse waveform, since they have advantages for adaptive wave forming. The proposal system is evaluated by the bit error rate performance and signal detection error rate to show their effectiveness. The WiMAX (world interoperability for microwave access) system is considered as an example of the interferer.
Developing technical expertise in emergency medicine--the role of simulation in procedural skill acquisition.

Developing technical expertise in medical procedures is an integral component of emergency medicine (EM) practice and training. This article is the work of an expert panel composed of members from the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine (SAEM) Interest Group, the SAEM Technology in Medical Education Committee, and opinions derived from the May 2008 Academic Emergency Medicine Consensus Conference, "The Science of Simulation in Healthcare. " The writing group reviewed the simulation literature on procedures germane to EM training, virtual reality training, and instructional learning theory as it pertains to skill acquisition and procedural skills decay. The authors discuss the role of simulation in teaching technical expertise, identify training conditions that lead to effective learning, and provide recommendations for future foci of research.
Range synthesis for 3D environment modeling

This paper examines a novel method we have developed for computing range data in the context of mobile robotics. Our objective is to compute dense range maps of locations in the environment, but to do this using intensity images and very limited range data as input. We develop a statistical learning method for inferring and extrapolating range data from a combination of a single video intensity image and a limited amount of input range data. Our methodology is to compute the relationship between the observed range data and the variations in the intensity image, and use this to extrapolate new range values. These variations can be efficiently captured by the neighborhood system of a Markov random field (MRF) without making any strong assumptions about the kind of surfaces in the world. Experimental results show the feasibility of our method.
From Computing Machinery to Interaction Design

When asked to project 50 years ahead, a scientist is in a bit of a quandary. It is easy to indulge in wishful thinking, or to promote favorite current projects and proposals, but it is a daunting task to anticipate what will actually come to pass in a time span that is eons long in our modern accelerated age. If fifty years ago, when the ACM was founded, biologists had been asked to predict the next 50 years of biology, it would have taken amazing prescience to anticipate the science of molecular biology. Or for that matter, only a few years before the initiation of the ACM even those with the most insight about computing would have been completely unable to foresee today's world of pervasive workstations, mobile communicators, and gigabit networking.
Computer algebraic efficiency of matrix polynomials for a system of integral equations

Many computer algebra systems include facilities for the solutions of the systems of ordinary differential and integral equations. Besides, classical areas of computer algebra are dominated by algorithms which are based on algebraic concepts and emphasize on using computer algebra systems for computing symbolic solutions. Consider the algebra of all complex matrices, the univariate matrix polynomial is defined as follows:
A Qualitative Study of Patients' Perceptions of a ‘Minimal’ Psychological Therapy

Background: Access to psychological therapy is often difficult. Problems with access may be overcome through ‘minimal interventions’ (such as books and computer programs), which encourage self-help for mental health problems and are less dependent on the availability of specialist therapists. However, to be effective, such interventions must be acceptable to patients. Aims: To use qualitative methods to explore patient attitudes, by examining patient expectancies of psychological therapy and their experiences with a ‘minimal intervention’ (guided self-help). Methods: Qualitative interviews (N = 24) were conducted with patients after they had received guided self-help for depression as part of a randomised controlled trial. Results: There were important gaps between patients' expectancies of psychological therapy and their experience of the guided self-help. These gaps related to the process of therapy (e.g. time, professional expertise) and outcomes. Particularly salient was a theme relating to explanatory models. Patients were often seeking insight into the ‘cause’ of their current difficulties, whereas the minimal intervention was largely focused on symptom resolution. Conclusions: The effective implementation of ‘minimal interventions’ requires an understanding of the expectancies of patients concerning psychological therapy, in order to provide a basis for effective communication and negotiation between professionals and patients.
Social versus nonsocial cues and responses: a reply to Alizon

Alizon (2013) provides an interesting and constructive reply to my experimental demonstration of plastic responses to siderophore cheating in Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Harrison, 2013). I fully agree with his statement that ‘[t]he increase in siderophore production in the presence of cheaters cannot (yet) be interpreted in the context of social evolution theory’, and I hope that the debate we have started highlights gaps in the field that are ripe for exploration. That an apparently ‘social’ behaviour can be a response to aspects of the nonsocial environment is a valid and important point, and Alizon’s simple model of the effects of cheats as siderophore sinks is a neat contribution to understanding the mechanistic underpinnings of the responses I measured. However, the model may have limited applicability because pyoverdine is recycled (Imperi et al., 2009; K€ ummerli & Brown, 2010), meaning that uptake of a molecule by a cell is not necessarily equivalent to its loss from the environment. Further, I would stress that behaviours that evolved as responses to nonsocial cues can still have social consequences. This is exemplified by the recent diffusion sensing/quorum sensing (QS) debate (Redfield, 2002; West et al., 2012) where it was argued (Redfield, 2002) that it is most parsimonious to explain autoinducer molecules as inferring diffusion properties of their environment rather than gauging the density of their producer clone. It is quite possible that QS molecules actually evolved to sense diffusion, but in sensing local molecular concentrations they unavoidably also gather information on social conditions (number of cells). This has consequences for other social behaviours because the responses controlled by QS include the production of factors that are undeniably public goods and so evolve under social as well as nonsocial selection pressures (see West et al., 2012). Additionally, Cornforth & Foster (2013) have explored the potential for responses to environmental stresses typically thought of as asocial to have a strong social cause. In particular, these authors suggest that nutrient limitation can correlate with competitor density and so could be co-opted into a ‘competition sensing’ response. In the case of the Pseudomonas siderophore system, the critical points to note are:
Is It Dating Violence or Just “Drunken Behavior”? Judgments of Intimate Partner Violence When the Perpetrator Is Under the Influence of Alcohol

Background: Previous research has shown a strong bias for laypersons to believe alcohol use and aggression to go hand-in-hand (see Quigley & Leonard, 2006). Furthermore, research has shown that alcohol use can be seen as a mitigating circumstance for aggression, resulting in a reduction of blame and accountability (Bullock, 2002; Katz & Arias, 2001; Tryggvesson, 2004). Objectives: The present study investigated observers’ judgments of intimate partner violence (IPV) when the perpetrator was under the influence of alcohol. We hypothesized that participants would view violent behavior as more common and less abusive if they thought the perpetrator was under the influence of alcohol. Methods: College students (n = 79) viewed a video depicting an increasingly abusive interaction between college-age dating partners (see Witte & Kendra, 2010) and half of the participants were lead to believe that the perpetrator was drinking alcohol prior to the interaction. Participants rated the videotaped vignette at four timepoints to assess the degree to which they believed the interaction was normal/common and abusive. Results: Observers judged the abusive behavior as more common and less abusive when alcohol was involved, but only for psychologically abusive behaviors and moderately severe physically abusive behaviors. Conclusions/Importance: The results of this study provide support for the notion that direct observers of IPV judge moderately abusive behavior as more common and less abusive when alcohol is involved. With this, theories concerning alcohol expectancies and interpretations of interpersonal violence can be more readily applied to real-life scenarios, such as in the validity of eye-witness testimony.
Identification of novel microRNA signatures linked to human lupus disease activity and pathogenesis: miR-21 regulates aberrant T cell responses through regulation of PDCD4 expression

Objective MicroRNAs (miRNAs) regulate the expression of genes involved in immune activation. A study was undertaken to characterise the miRNA signature and identify novel genes involved in the regulation of immune responses in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Methods The expression of 365 miRNAs in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of patients with SLE and healthy controls was analysed using TaqMan Low Density Arrays. The results were validated by quantitative real-time PCR and potential target genes were identified using prediction analysis software. The effect of miR-21 on T cell function was assessed by transfection with antago-miR-21 or pre-miR-21. Results A 27-miRNA signature was identified in patients with SLE; 19 miRNAs correlated with disease activity. Eight miRNAs were deregulated specifically in T cells and four miRNAs in B cells. miR-21 was upregulated and strongly correlated with SLE disease activity (r2=0.92). Compared with controls, CD4 T lymphocytes from patients with SLE had higher basal and activation-induced miR-21 expression. Silencing of miR-21 reversed the activated phenotype of T cells from patients with SLE—namely, enhanced proliferation, interleukin 10 production, CD40L expression and their capacity to drive B cell maturation into Ig-secreting CD19+CD38hiIgD−(plasma cells. Overexpression of mMiR-21 in normal T cells led to acquisition of an activated phenotype. Investigation of putative gene- targets showed that PDCD4 (a selective protein translation inhibitor) was suppressed by miR-21 and its expression was decreased in active SLE. Conclusions miRNAs represent potential biomarkers in SLE as their expression reflects underlying pathogenic processes and correlates with disease activity. Upregulated miR-21 affects PDCD4 expression and regulates aberrant T cell responses in human SLE.
Tubuloglomerular feedback in adenosine A1 receptor-deficient mice.

“the sun will not rise until after the first cup of coffee. ” Who has not once required a mug of coffee to get going? Among the first things to do after draining the cup is to rebalance the body fluids. In fact, more volume is excreted than the amount of coffee consumed. Why is this so? Four