Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Bilateral Asymmetries in Clinical Measures of Lower-Extremity Anatomic Characteristics

Objective:To quantify side-to-side differences in lower-extremity anatomic characteristics, and to compare the magnitude of left-right differences with the measurement error for each variable. Design:Descriptive. Setting:Applied neuromechanics research laboratory. Participants:One hundred healthy participants (50 male, 50 females). Assessment of Risk Factors:One examiner measured 14 anatomic characteristics on the left and right lower extremities. The value on the left was subtracted from value on the right, and 68% (±1 SD) and 95% (±1.96 SD) confidence intervals were constructed around the mean differences, respectively. These values were compared with the examiner's absolute measurement error for each measure. Main Outcome Measurements:Total leg length, pelvic angle, hip anteversion, standing and supine quadriceps angle, tibiofemoral angle, knee laxity, genu recurvatum, femur and tibia length, tibial torsion, rearfoot angle, and navicular drop. Results:Left-right differences in pelvic angle, tibial torsion, and navicular drop exceeded the measurement error in more than 32% of the cases. Five to thirty-two percent of the cases had left-right differences exceeding the measurement error for hip anteversion, standing and supine quadriceps angle, tibiofemoral angle, knee laxity, genu recurvatum, and femur length. Asymmetries in limb length were not observed. Conclusions:Bilateral asymmetries exist in many clinical alignment characteristics, indicating that measurements taken on one limb may not be representative of the contralateral limb. We recommend measuring both extremities when anatomic characteristics are included as part of preseason screenings and prospective study designs to ensure valid comparison.
GPU-Based Volume Rendering for Medical Imagery

We present a method for fast volume rendering using graphics hardware (GPU). To our knowledge, it is the first implementation on the GPU. Based on the Shear-Warp algorithm, our GPU-based method provides real-time frame rates and outperforms the CPU-based implementation. When the number of slices is not sufficient, we add in-between slices computed by interpolation. This improves then the quality of the rendered images. We have also implemented the ray marching algorithm on the GPU. The results generated by the three algorithms (CPU-based and GPU-based ShearWarp, GPU-based Ray Marching) for two test models has proved that the ray marching algorithm outperforms the shear-warp methods in terms of speed up and image quality. Keywords—Volume rendering, graphics processors
Monotone optimal policies in discounted Markov decision processes with transition probabilities independent of the current state: existence and approximation

In this paper there are considered Markov decision processes (MDPs) that have the discounted cost as the objective function, state and decision spaces that are subsets of the real line but are not necessarily finite or denumerable. The considered MDPs have a cost function that is possibly unbounded, and dynamic independent of the current state. The considered decision sets are possibly non-compact. In the context described, conditions to obtain either an increasing or decreasing optimal stationary policy are provided; these conditions do not require assumptions of convexity. Versions of the policy iteration algorithm (PIA) to approximate increasing or decreasing optimal stationary policies are detailed. An illustrative example is presented. Finally, comments on the monotonicity conditions and the monotone versions of the PIA that are applied to discounted MDPs with rewards are given.
Neuromorphic readout integrated circuits and related spike-based image processing

Unlike conventional framing cameras, neuromorphic readout integrated circuit (ROIC) outputs contain only asynchronous spikes of +1 or −1 bit signals. This is analogous to a biological retina that outputs ON and OFF pulses. A neuromorphic ROIC has a fast pixel response; outputs sparse data (small changes at the pixel level that represent only motion or temporal changes); and has very low latency. We demonstrate basic spike-based algorithms that can simultaneously: reconstruct full intensity, super-resolution images; and detect and recognize high-speed events that would otherwise not be possible with traditional framing cameras.
Depressive symptoms in the late postpartum among low socioeconomic status women.

BACKGROUND Postpartum depression has been the focus of much research in the past 15 years, but little is known about factors associated with depression of longer duration or later onset. The purpose of this longitudinal study was to analyze the relationship between stressful life conditions and postnatal depression in a group of women of low socioeconomic status from the third week to the sixth month postpartum. METHODS Nulliparas who met criteria for low socioeconomic status were recruited from the prenatal care clinics of four Montreal hospitals. Questionnaires were verbally administered in the home at 30 weeks' gestation, at 3 and 9 weeks postpartum, and at 6 months postpartum. Blockwise multiple linear regression analyses were performed by entering predictor variables that included sociodemographic characteristics, chronic stressors, life events, and social support network. RESULTS Sixty-eight women participated in the study. At 6 months postpartum, 38.2 percent of the mothers had a Beck Depression Inventory score of 10 or more. After accounting for previous depression, analyses indicated that chronic stressors (maternal health problems, infant difficulty, lack of money for basic needs, frequent conflicts with network members) and poor social support (informational and emotional) were associated with postnatal depressive symptoms. CONCLUSIONS Health practitioners should recognize that high depressive symptomatology frequently occurs among low socioeconomic status first-time mothers at six months postpartum. Chronic stressors and inadequate social support are the most important factors associated with this problem.
Bacteriology of experimental gingivitis in young adult humans

From replicate trials of experimental gingivitis in four periodontally healthy subjects, 166 bacterial species and subspecies were detected among 3,034 randomly selected isolates from 96 samples. Of these bacteria, Actinomyces naeslundii (serotype III and phenotypically similar strains that were unreactive with available antisera), Actinomyces odontolyticus (serotype I and phenotypically similar strains that were unreactive with available antisera), Fusobacterium nucleatum, Lactobacillus species D-2, Streptococcus anginosus, Veillonella parvula, and Treponema species A appeared to be the most likely etiological agents of gingivitis. Statistical interpretations indicated that the greatest source of microbiological variation of the total flora observed was person-to-person differences in the floras. The next greatest source of variation was the inflammatory status of the sample sites. Person-to-person differences were smallest at experimental day 4. The floras became more diverse with time and as gingivitis developed and progressed. Analyses indicated that sequential colonization by certain species was repeatable and therefore probably predictable. Variation was relatively small between replicate trials, between two sites on the same teeth sampled on the same day, and between the same sites sampled at the same relative time in a replicate trial.
Endomorphin 1‐ and Endomorphin 2‐Containing Neurons in Nucleus Tractus Solitarii Send Axons to the Parabrachial Nuclei in the Rat

Endomorphin‐1 (EM1) and endomorphin‐2 (EM2) are the selective endogenous ligands for the μ‐opioid receptor (MOR). Since EMs‐expressing neuronal cell bodies or axonal components have been observed, respectively, in the nucleus tractus solitarii or the parabrachial nuclei, we examined if EMs‐expressing neurons in the NTS of the rat might send their axons to the PBN. Immunofluorescent stainings for EM1 or EM2 were combined with retrograde or anterograde tract‐tracing method. After injecting tetramethyl rhodamine dextran‐amine (TMR) into the parabrachial nuclei of rats, some EM1‐ or EM2‐immunoreactive neurons in the nucleus tractus solitarii were labeled retrogradely with TMR. The majority of the EM1/TMR and EM2/TMR double‐labeled neurons were observed in the medial, commissural, and dorsolateral subnuclei of the nucleus tractus solitarii. Following injection of biotinylated dextran amine (BDA) into the medial, commissural, or dorsolateral subnuclei of the nucleus tractus solitarii, EM1‐ or EM2‐immunopositive axons and axon terminals were anterogradely labeled with BDA mainly in the lateral parabrachial nucleus. The present results have indicated that endomorphinergic neurons in the nucleus tractus solitarii project to the parabrachial nuclei. This suggests that EMs released from NTS‐PBN projection fibers may bind to MOR on the PBN neurons to be implicated in processing of visceral information within the parabrachial nuclei. Anat Rec, 292:488–497, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Theoretical Base of Monetary Policy Transparency

Transparency is most often defined as the absence of asymmetrical information between financial markets and monetary policy makers. There are different views on the central bank transparency (Assuring, Exacting, Irrelevance, Conditional, Disturbing and Diverting view). The examination of the central bank transparency is actually the examination of the effects of inflation targeting.
A Hexagonal Focused Array for Microwave Hyperthermia: Optimal Design and Experiment

Hexagonal focused arrays operating at 433 MHz for microwave hyperthermia have been designed for the first time by optimizing the power transmission efficiency of the system consisting of the transmitting hexagonal array, a receiving antenna introduced in the target area, with an equivalent phantom representative of human body in between. The excitations of the arrays are obtained by solving an eigenvalue equation from the scattering parameters of the total hyperthermia system, including the transmitting array, body-mimicking phantom, matching layer and a virtual receiving antenna located in the prescribed region. Simulation and experimental results have demonstrated a good focusing capability of the arrays, and such a design has the virtues of rapid implementation and adjustable focusing positions.
Blocking of CTLA-4 on lymphocytes improves the sensitivity of lymphocyte transformation tests in a patient with nickel allergy.

ejd.2012. 1641 Auteur(s) : Kazunari Sugita1 k-sugita@med.uoeh-u.ac. jp, Kenji Kabashima2, Yu Sawada1, Sanehito Haruyama1, Manabu Yoshioka1, Tomoko Mori1, Miwa Kobayashi1, Kouetsu Ogasawara3, Yoshiki Tokura4 1 Department of Dermatology, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Iseigaoka, Yahatanishi-ku, Kitakyushu 807-8555, Japan 2 Department of Dermatology, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan 3 Department of Immunobiology, Institute of Development, Aging and Cancer, [. ]
Conflict monitoring in early frontotemporal dementia

Background: Despite the extensive frontal atrophy and behavioral disinhibition that characterizes behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD), many studies of early bvFTD suggest normal executive functioning (EF). The current study examined cognitive control in patients with bvFTD who otherwise seemed cognitively normal. Methods: Subjects included 7 patients with bvFTD with normal neuropsychological test scores, 7 patients with bvFTD matched for Mini-Mental State Examination score but with impaired neuropsychological test scores, and 14 normal controls. A flanker paradigm and other measures of EF were administered to participants. A semiautomated parcellation program was used to analyze structural MRI scans. Results: On the flanker task, multivariate analysis of variance revealed a significant condition X diagnosis interaction. Both bvFTD groups showed a larger congruency effect than normal controls, i.e., they displayed disproportionately reduced speed and accuracy on incongruent trials relative to congruent trials. Imaging data illustrated significant orbitofrontal atrophy in patients with early bvFTD as compared with controls. Conclusions: Patients with behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD) who performed within normal limits on clinical tests of executive functioning demonstrated a select impairment on an experimental test of cognitive control, suggesting a subtle impairment in inhibiting attention or response to the irrelevant stimuli. Measures of neuropsychological functioning sensitive to the ventromedial prefrontal cortex may be useful in early diagnosis of patients with bvFTD. Our understanding of this syndrome may be increased by considering the efficiency of selective inhibition, a fundamental component of executive cognitive control.
A New Skin Color Based Face Detection Algorithm by Combining Three Color Model Algorithms

Human face recognition systems have gained a considerable attention during last decade due to its vast applications in the field of computer and advantages over previous biometric methods. There are many applications with respect to security, sensitivity and secrecy. Face detection is the most important and first step of recognition system. Human face detection suffers from various challenges due to variation regarding image conditions, size, resolution, poses and rotation. Its accurate and robust detection has been a great task for the researchers. There exist various numbers of methods and techniques for face detection but none can guarantee successful in all conditions for all kinds of faces and images. Some methods are exhibiting good results in certain conditions and others are good with different kinds of images. Face detection based on skin color is found to be more effective technique because of the properties of skin color which is unique and can be easily separated from the other objects present in the image and background. This paper introduces a new approach to face detection systems using the skin color of a subject. This system can detect a face regardless of the background of the picture, which is an important phase for face identification. The images used in this system are color images which give additional information about the images than the gray images provide. In face detection, the two respective classes are the "face area" and the "non-face area". This new approach to face detection is based on color tone values specially defined for skin area detection within the image frame.
Preoperative lateralization of ACTH-secreting pituitary microadenomas by bilateral and simultaneous inferior petrosal venous sinus sampling.

PREVIOUS reports have established the utility of selective catheterization of the inferior petrosal sinus for determination of plasma ACTH concentrations in the diagnosis of pituitary-dependent hypercortisolism.1 2 3 4 5 Preliminary studies suggest that hormonal secretion from a laterally located microadenoma drains preferentially into the ipsilateral inferior petrosal sinus.6 7 8 If this occurs consistently, simultaneous sampling of bilateral venous blood should provide a means of localizing the microadenoma in one side of the pituitary gland, aiding the surgeon's search for small lesions or, if the microadenoma cannot be found, allowing excision of the half of the gland containing the tumor. In this study we correlated .
High Reading Skills Mask Dyslexia in Gifted Children

This study investigated how gifted children with dyslexia might be able to mask literacy problems and the role of possible compensatory mechanisms. The sample consisted of 121 Dutch primary school children that were divided over four groups (typically developing [TD] children, children with dyslexia, gifted children, gifted children with dyslexia). The test battery included measures of literacy (reading/spelling) and cognitive abilities related to literacy and language (phonological awareness [PA], rapid automatized naming [RAN], verbal short-term memory [VSTM], working memory [WM], grammar, and vocabulary). It was hypothesized that gifted children with dyslexia would outperform children with dyslexia on literacy tests. In addition, a core-deficit model including dyslexia-related weaknesses and a compensational model involving giftedness-related strengths were tested using Bayesian statistics to explain their reading/spelling performance. Gifted children with dyslexia performed on all literacy tests in between children with dyslexia and TD children. Their cognitive profile showed signs of weaknesses in PA and RAN and strengths in VSTM, WM, and language skills. Findings indicate that phonology is a risk factor for gifted children with dyslexia, but this is moderated by other skills such as WM, grammar, and vocabulary, providing opportunities for compensation of a cognitive deficit and masking of literacy difficulties.
Relationship of absorption, depersonalisation, and self-focused attention in subjects with and without hallucination proneness

Introduction The purpose of this work was to study the relationship of absorption, depersonalisation, and self-focused attention in subjects prone to hallucination. Methods A sample of 218 healthy subjects was given the LSHS-R Hallucination Scale (Bentall & Slade, 1985). Three groups, subjects with high, medium, and low hallucination proneness, were formed from this sample. The Tellegen Absorption Scale (TAS; Tellegen & Atkinson, 1974), Cambridge Depersonalisation Scale (CDS; Sierra & Berrios, 2000), and Self-Absorption Scale (SAS; McKenzie & Hoyle, 2008) were also given to all the participants. The Metacognitions Questionnaire (MCQ-30; Wells & Cartwright-Hatton, 2004) was used as a covariant to control for the effects of emotional vulnerability on the dependent variables studied. Results The results showed that subjects highly prone to hallucinations had significantly higher absorption, depersonalisation, and self-focused attention than the subjects in the other two groups. A hierarchical regression analysis showed that absorption and depersonalisation predict hallucination proneness. Conclusions The importance of the absorption, depersonalisation, and self-focused attention variables for understanding the aetiology of hallucinations is discussed in the Conclusions, where some approaches to its treatment are also suggested.
A Comparative Analysis of Caries Inhibitory Effect of Remineralizing Agents on Human Enamel Treated With Er:YAG Laser: An In-vitro Atomic Emission Spectrometry Analysis.

INTRODUCTION The tug of war to maintain tooth integrity is dependent on a ratio between demineralization and remineralization. Hence, demineralization should be retarded and remineralization should be enhanced to maintain a natural equilibrium in the oral cavity. AIM To compare in-vitro acid resistance of human enamel when using Casein Phosphopeptides Amorphous Calcium Phosphate (CPP-ACP) [GC Tooth mousse] cream, Casein Phosphopeptide Amorphous Calcium Fluoride Phosphate (CPP-ACFP) [GC Tooth mousse plus] cream, Er:YAG laser alone, combination of CPP-ACP with Er:YAG laser, CPP-ACFP with Er:YAG laser. MATERIALS AND METHODS An in-vitro study was done on 100 specimens which were prepared from 50 human premolars to investigate the caries inhibitory effect of remineralizing agents and laser on enamel using an atomic emission spectrometry analysis. The enamel specimens were randomly allocated into 6 groups: Untreated (control); CPP-ACP (GC Tooth mousse); CPP-ACFP (GC Tooth mousse plus); Er:YAG laser treatment alone; CPP-ACP with Er:YAG laser; CPP-ACFP with Er: YAG laser. Then specimens were immersed individually in 5ml of acetate buffer solution (0.1mol/L, pH 4.5) and incubated at 37°C for 24 hours, to determine the acid resistance by analyzing the calcium release using atomic emission spectrometry. An ANOVA model was constructed (p-value 0.05), followed by post-hoc Tukey's test for multiple pair wise comparisons of mean values. RESULTS There was a significant difference among the various groups with respect to amount of calcium released (p<0.001). The lowest mean score of calcium release was observed for CPP-ACFP with Er:YAG laser followed by CPP-ACFP but the differences between these groups were statistically not significant (p>0.05). Similarly the differences between CPP-ACP with Er:YAG laser and CPP-ACP also were not significant (p>0.05). The highest mean score of calcium release was for Er:YAG laser and no significant statistical difference was noticed in comparison with control group (p>0.05). CONCLUSION Combination of CPP-ACFP with Er:YAG laser is more effective in decreasing enamel demineralization when compared with other groups.
Development of an IPMSM for in-wheel type electric vehicles

This paper deals with a design approach to an interior permanent magnet synchronous motor (IPMSM) used in in-wheel motor drive systems of electric vehicles. The approach is divided into three parts overall. First, the constant power region of IPMSM and gear ratio are investigated in order to meet the specifications of the in-wheel motor system. Second, the range of inductance and back-EMF to satisfy the given design conditions of the IPMSM is estimated. Finally, the preliminary geometry satisfying the range is decided by PM type, current density, and fill factor and so on, and then the detailed design is carried out by means of finite element analysis in consideration of magnetic saturation.
Mean Telomere Length and Risk of Incident Colorectal Carcinoma: A Prospective, Nested Case-Control Approach

Recent studies have shown telomere length shortening in colorectal carcinoma (CRC). However, to date, no prospective, epidemiologic data are available on examining mean leukocyte telomere length as a risk predictor. Using leukocyte DNA samples collected at baseline in a prospective cohort of 14,916 initially healthy American men, we examined the relationship of mean telomere repeat copy number to single gene copy number (T/S ratio), using a modified quantitative PCR protocol, among 191 incident CRC cases (all white males), matched to 306 controls by age, smoking status, and length of follow-up. An inverse correlation between T/S ratio and age was observed in our sample population (P = 0.038). However, the T/S ratios were similar between cases and controls (P = 0.650). Furthermore, in a multivariable adjusted analysis, we found no evidence for an association of the observed T/S ratios with CRC risk (adjusted odds ratio, 1.249; 95% confidence interval, 0.863-1.808; P = 0.238). In summary, the present investigation found no evidence for an association of leukocyte mean telomere length with risk of incident CRC and further suggests that leukocyte mean telomere length may not be a useful indicator for risk assessment. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2009;18(8):2280–2)