Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Assessment of perfused foveal microvascular density and identification of nonperfused capillaries in healthy and vasculopathic eyes.

PURPOSE To analyze the foveal microvasculature of young healthy eyes and older vasculopathic eyes, imaged using in vivo adaptive optics scanning light ophthalmoscope fluorescein angiography (AOSLO FA). METHODS AOSLO FA imaging of the superficial retinal microvasculature within an 800-μm radius from the foveal center was performed using simultaneous confocal infrared (IR) reflectance (790 nm) and fluorescence (488 nm) channels. Corresponding IR structural and FA perfusion maps were compared with each other to identify nonperfused capillaries adjacent to the foveal avascular zone. Microvascular densities were calculated from skeletonized FA perfusion maps. RESULTS Sixteen healthy adults (26 eyes; mean age 25 years, range, 21-29) and six patients with a retinal vasculopathy (six eyes; mean age 55 years, range, 44-70) were imaged. At least one nonperfused capillary was observed in five of the 16 healthy nonfellow eyes and in four of the six vasculopathic eyes. Compared with healthy eyes, capillary nonperfusion in the vasculopathic eyes was more extensive. Microvascular density of the 16 healthy nonfellow eyes was 42.0 ± 4.2 mm(-1) (range, 33-50 mm(-1)). All six vasculopathic eyes had decreased microvascular densities. CONCLUSIONS AOSLO FA provides an in vivo method for estimating foveal microvascular density and reveals occult nonperfused retinal capillaries. Nonperfused capillaries in healthy young adults may represent a normal variation and/or an early sign of pathology. Although limited, the normative data presented here is a step toward developing clinically useful microvascular parameters for ocular and/or systemic diseases.
Solar ultraviolet-B radiation and insect herbivory trigger partially overlapping phenolic responses in Nicotiana attenuata and Nicotiana longiflora.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS Plants exposed to solar ultraviolet-B radiation (UV-B, 280-315 nm) frequently suffer less insect herbivory than do plants that receive attenuated levels of UV-B. This anti-herbivore effect of solar UV-B exposure, which has been documented in several ecosystems, is in part mediated by changes in plant tissue quality. Exposure to UV-B can modify the abundance of a number of secondary metabolites, including phenolic compounds with potential impacts on insect herbivores. The aim of this study is to assess the potential anti-herbivore role of UV-B-induced phenolic compounds by comparing the phenolic profiles induced by UV-B and simulated insect herbivory in two wild species of the genus Nicotiana. METHODS Plants grown under field and glasshouse conditions were exposed to contrasting levels of UV-B. Half of the plants of the attenuated UV-B treatment were given a simulated herbivory treatment, where leaves were mechanically damaged and immediately treated with oral secretions of Manduca sexta caterpillars. This treatment is known to mimic the impact of real herbivory on the expression of plant defences in Nicotiana. Phenolic profiles induced by UV-B and simulated herbivory were characterized using high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS). KEY RESULTS UV-B induced the accumulation of several UV-absorbing phenolic compounds that are known to play a significant role in UV-B screening. Interestingly, there was a significant convergence in the phenolic profiles induced by UV-B and simulated herbivory: chlorogenic acid and dicaffeoylspermidine isomers, in particular, displayed a similar pattern of response to these stimuli. In contrast, rutin, the only flavonoid that accumulated in significant quantities in the experiments, was only induced by UV-B. CONCLUSIONS The results suggest that the anti-herbivory effect induced by UV-B may be mediated at least in part by the accumulation of phenylpropanoid derivatives that are similar to those induced by the plant in response to insect herbivory.
Isolation of Campylobacter jejuni from retail mushrooms

Campylobacter jejuni was isolated from 3 (1.5%) of 200 retail, polyvinyl chloride film-wrapped, fresh mushrooms. These results indicate that fresh mushrooms may indeed be a source of C. jejuni and support previously reported epidemiological data (Seattle-King County Department of Public Health, Surveillance of the Flow of Salmonella and Campylobacter in a Community, 1984) which revealed an an elevated relative risk of developing campylobacter enteritis in individuals who consume mushrooms.
NeuroBEL: Resultados en población cubana y española de un nuevo test de cribado del deterioro cognitivo-lingüístico en el adulto-mayor

La bateria NeuroBEL es una prueba breve que permite una valoracion de cribado de un posible deterioro de los procesos basicos de comprension y produccion del lenguaje en el adulto-mayor. Objetivo : Realizar un estudio de los valores de referencia iniciales y puntos de corte de esta bateria utilizando dos muestras de adultos-mayores de Cuba y Espana, con y sin deterioro cognitivo. Material y Metodo : NeuroBEL consta de 8 tareas que analizan el correcto funcionamiento del lenguaje oral desde el modelo teorico propuesto por la neurociencia cognitiva . Ciento cincuenta participantes adultos-mayores de las ciudades de La Habana (Cuba) y Malaga (Espana) de ambos sexos, 50 con Enfermedad de Alzheimer (EA), 50 con deterioro cognitivo leve (DCL) y 50 participantes sin deterioro cognitivo (Controles) fueron evaluados mediante NeuroBEL y pruebas complementarias. Resultados : Existen diferencias significativas entre los tres grupos. Los participantes con EA son significativamente peores en la puntuacion total de NeuroBEL. Asi mismo, los participantes con DCL obtienen significativos peores resultados que los Controles. No se hallaron diferencias significativas entre paises. NeuroBEL muestra una alta correlacion con el MMSE (0,89) y Sensibilidad (0,96) en la determinacion de EA vs DCL + Controles sanos y en la determinacion del deterioro cognitivo (EA+DCL vs Controles sanos). El area bajo curva ROC (AUC) es de 0,97 en el contraste de EA vs Controles (DCL + sanos) y de 0,96 en la determinacion de deterioro cognitivo (EA+DCL vs Controles sanos). Conclusiones: NeuroBEL se muestra como un test "muy bueno" (0.90-0.97) en la deteccion del deterioro cognitivo-linguistico en el adulto-mayor.
Long‐term adherence to sublingual therapy: literature review and suggestions for management strategies based on patients’ needs and preferences

Sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) is an at‐home, self‐administered, long‐term therapy. As with other chronic diseases, patient adherence is a prerequisite for the success of SLIT. Its ease of intake and convenience should ensure adequate patient compliance; however, a recent post‐marketing manufacturers’ survey has shown a very high rate of discontinuation. The available literature on patient adherence to SLIT is reviewed in the present article. Great differences exist between controlled studies, which show a satisfactory adherence rate, and long‐term real‐life studies, which show poor compliance with SLIT. Remarkable divergence in the weight placed on different reasons for SLIT discontinuation is reported in the various studies. The main reasons for withdrawal are analysed and discussed. Data from placebo‐controlled studies demonstrate that adherence depends less on the patient's perception of the inefficacy of therapy or other causes than on the patient's motivation, that is the patient's decision to participate in the trial and to meet the researcher's expectations. The enrolment of patients who agree to enter a blind, placebo‐controlled trial is conceptually similar to a concordance process. Concordance is a consultation process that aims to establish a therapeutic alliance between the physician and patient and to bring about agreement on a therapeutic programme. Concordance is based on the patient's beliefs and needs and implies actions that support the patient's adherence. Suggestions are given for a SLIT management strategy based on the concordance process and designed to integrate the patient's viewpoints into treatment‐related decisions and to meet patients’ preferences and their health‐system‐related needs.
Magnetic Maneuvering of Endoscopic Capsules by Means of a Robotic Navigation System

The use of video capsules for noninvasive explorations of the digestive tube is progressively increasing today. At present, the motion of these wireless endoscopic devices cannot be controlled and they proceed by means of visceral peristalsis and gravity. Aimed at enabling a motion control, the technique described here uses an external magnetic field applied to the video capsule, previously coated with a magnetic shell. As a source of controlled magnetic field, a robotic magnetic navigation system, recently introduced in the clinical practice to magnetically steer cardiovascular interventional devices, was suggested in a previous study to be deserving of investigation. The attractive potentialities of this system, along with its current limitations, in order to maneuver endoscopic capsules were studied in this work for the first time, both from a theoretical and an experimental point of view. The actual capabilities were experimentally assessed with preliminary motion control tests on a conventional video capsule inside a human-sized plastic phantom. Results demonstrated the possibility of achieving controlled magnetic maneuvers within the considered environment.
Airway geometry and wall mechanical properties estimated from subglottal input impedance in humans.

We measured input impedance between 16 and 2,048 Hz in intubated subjects at functional residual capacity. The corresponding subglottal impedances (ZSG) were then computed using a model where the endotracheal tube was represented by a distributed-parameter two-port network. ZSG was well described by a model based on Horsfield's asymmetric airway geometry at total lung capacity (TLC) with nonrigid walls. The walls of the cartilaginous airways included separate cartilage and soft tissue compartments, whereas the noncartilaginous airway walls had only a soft tissue compartment. Both compartments consisted of a series resistance, inertance, and compliance, the values of which were computed from airway dimensions and wall material properties (viscosity, density, and Young's modulus). Airway wall thickness was determined by scaling an airway wall area-diameter relationship. Airway lengths and diameters were scaled from the Horsfield TLC values by a single factor and by an order-dependent sigmoidal curve, respectively. The estimated soft tissue viscosity and Young's modulus were 1.04 +/- 0.21 cmH2O.s and 593 +/- 319 cmH2O, respectively. Airway lengths and tracheal diameters were not statistically different from the Horsfield values. The estimated diameters of the more peripheral airways were significantly reduced compared with the Horsfield TLC values (e.g., approximately 40% at the terminal airway), which is consistent with the reduction in airway caliber when the lung deflates from TLC to functional residual capacity. These results indicate that high-frequency ZSG is sensitive to subglottal airway geometry and wall properties and that by use of appropriate structural models one can estimate airway geometry and airway wall parameters.
An application of informational divergence to Huffman codes

A classification of all probability distributions over the finite alphabet of an information source is given, where the classes are the sets of distributions sharing the same binary Huffman code. Such a classification can be used in noiseless coding, when the distribution of the finite memoryless source varies in time or becomes gradually known. Instead of applying the Huffman algorithm to each new estimate of the probability distribution, if a simple test based on the above classification is passed, then the Huffman code used previously is optimal also for the new distribution.
Sequence analysis and expression of the bacterial dichloromethane dehalogenase structural gene, a member of the glutathione S-transferase supergene family

The nucleotide sequence of a cloned 2.8-kilobase-pair BamHI-PstI fragment containing dcmA, the dichloromethane dehalogenase structural gene from Methylobacterium sp. strain DM4, was determined. An open reading frame with a coding capacity of 287 amino acids (molecular weight, 37,430) was identified as dcmA by its agreement with the N-terminal amino acid sequence, the total amino acid composition, and the subunit size of the purified enzyme. Alignment of the deduced dichloromethane dehalogenase amino acid sequence with amino acid sequences of the functionally related eucaryotic glutathione S-transferases revealed three regions containing highly conserved amino acid residues and indicated that dcmA is a member of the glutathione S-transferase supergene family. The 5' terminus of in vivo dcmA transcripts was determined by nuclease S1 mapping to be 82 base pairs upstream of the GTG initiation codon of dcmA. Despite a putative promoter sequence with high resemblance to the Escherichia coli -10 and -35 consensus sequences, located at an appropriate distance from the transcription start point, dcmA was only marginally expressed in E. coli. The strong induction of dichloromethane dehalogenase in Methylobacterium sp. by dichloromethane was abolished by deleting the 1.3-kilobase-pair upstream region of dcmA. Plasmid constructs devoid of this region directed expression of dichloromethane dehalogenase at a constitutively induced level.
Evidence for Translational Regulation by the Herpes Simplex Virus Virion Host Shutoff Protein

ABSTRACT The herpes simplex virus (HSV) virion host shutoff protein (vhs) encoded by gene UL41 is an mRNA-specific RNase that triggers accelerated degradation of host and viral mRNAs in infected cells. We report here that vhs is also able to modulate reporter gene expression without greatly altering the levels of the target mRNA in transient-transfection assays conducted in HeLa cells. We monitored the effects of vhs on a panel of bicistronic reporter constructs bearing a variety of internal ribosome entry sites (IRESs) located between two test cistrons. As expected, vhs inhibited the expression of the 5′ cistrons of all of these constructs; however, the response of the 3′ cistron varied with the IRES: expression driven from the wild-type EMCV IRES was strongly suppressed, while expression controlled by a mutant EMCV IRES and the cellular ApaF1, BiP, and DAP5 IRES elements was strongly activated. In addition, several HSV type 1 (HSV-1) 5′ untranslated region (5′ UTR) sequences also served as positive vhs response elements in this assay. IRES activation was also observed in 293 and HepG2 cells, but no such response was observed in Vero cells. Mutational analysis has yet to uncouple the ability of vhs to activate 3′ cistron expression from its shutoff activity. Remarkably, repression of 5′ cistron expression could be observed under conditions where the levels of the reporter RNA were not correspondingly reduced. These data provide strong evidence that vhs can modulate gene expression at the level of translation and that it is able to activate cap-independent translation through specific cis-acting elements.
LOCOMOTOR CONTROL DURING PLANNED AND UNPLANNED GAIT TERMINATION IN ESSENTIAL TREMOR

Gait termination (GT) is a destabilizing transitional task that requires a shift from a dynamic state of motion to a static position [3]. GT can either be in response to unanticipated or anticipated stopping. While deficits in gait and gait initiation have been reported in individuals with essential tremor (ET), there is an absence in information regarding GT in those with ET, making it difficult for clinicians to design interventions to improve the ability to terminate gait quickly and efficiently.
Findings From The Bone and Joint Decade 2000 to 2010 Task Force on Neck Pain and Its Associated Disorders

Objective: To summarize the key findings of a best-evidence synthesis on neck pain. Methods: A systematic search, critical review, and best-evidence synthesis of the literature on the burden and determinants of neck pain, its assessment and intervention, and its course and prognostic factors. Results: There were 552 studies judged to have adequate internal validity to form the basis of the best-evidence synthesis. Neck pain is common across populations and age groups. Most do not experience a complete resolution of symptoms, and its course of recovery is similar across populations. In the absence of trauma and “red flags,” routine imaging is not needed. Treatments emphasizing activity and return to normal function are more beneficial than those without such a focus. Conclusion: Neck pain is common, and its determinants and prognosis are multifactorial.
Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy

While cancer remains an important public health concern, novel and enhanced treatment modalities have increased the length of survival of individuals diagnosed with the disease. The treatment of most cancers requires the use of chemotherapeutic agents to affect cure, maintain control of the disease, or provide palliation of symptoms. Although the use of chemotherapeutic agents can serve to prolong life, such agents are associated with significant side effects. Increasing clinical evidence suggests treatment of cancer with neurotoxic agents results in some degree of peripheral neuropathy. Specific drug categories implicated in the development of peripheral neuropathy are the plant alkaloids, interferons, antimitotics, taxanes, and platinum-based compounds. Drug-induced peripheral neuropathy is sensory, dose-related and cumulative and is usually delayed, appearing weeks after initiation of therapy. The number of individuals at risk for the development of chemotherapy-induced neuropathy is expected to increase proportionately with clinical protocols utilizing higher or more frequent dosing. As advanced cancer treatments and clinical trials can result in extending the lives of individuals affected by cancer, long-term functional deficits resulting from life-saving treatments must now be addressed. As such, peripheral neuropathy has emerged as an important consequence of cancer therapy.
Penggunaan Teknologi Informasi pada Usaha Kecil dan Menengah : Meta-Analysis Deskriptif

Kajian meta-analysis deskriptif yang dilakukan terhadap 23 publikasi mengenai teknologi informasi dan UKM menunjukkan bahwa semua publikasi tersebut adalah bersifat post-adoption decision. Model analisisnya terdiri dari 2 model yaitu model adopsi teknologi informasi oleh pengguna akhir dan model hubungan antara teknologi informasi dengan kinerja perusahaan. Pada model pertama, metode yang lebih banyak digunakan adalah structural equation model yaitu 55% dari 11publikasi. Jenis teknologi informasi yang diteliti untuk kedua model adalah 26% PC/aplikasi umum, 70% teknologi internet/komunikasi, dan 4 % meneliti kedua kelompok tipe tersebut. Metode pengukuran penggunaan IT pada model 1 semuanya bersifat self-reported. Pada model kedua, metode analisis yang digunakan adalah analisis regresi sebanyak 4 publikasi, analisis non regresi 4 publikasi dan case study sebanyak 3 publikasi.
Laparoscopically Assisted Vaginal Hysterectomy: A Gimmick or An Advance?

Objective: To evaluate the laparoscopically assisted vaginal hysterectomy (LAVH) in terms of indications, uterine size that can be operated upon, surgical procedures and their safety, intraoperative complications and blood loss, operative time, concomitant surgical procedures, postoperative period and complications, and average total cost.
Alternative multitouch gestures for map interaction

Interaction with virtual maps is a common task on tabletop interfaces, particularly in the context of command-and-control applications. In nearly all cases, widely known gestures such as pinch-to-zoom are employed. To explore alternatives and variations of this mode of interaction, we have defined five alternative gesture sets for the tasks of modifying the map view and selecting map objects in an emergency management scenario. In our demo we will present an interactive map on a multitouch table, which provides an overview in an emergency situation. To interact with the map a variety of gestures can be explored by the conference attendees.
Minimum Advertised Pricing: Patterns of Violation in Competitive Retail Markets

Manufacturers in many industries frequently use vertical price policies, such as minimum advertised price (MAP), to influence prices set by downstream retailers. Although manufacturers expect retail partners to comply with MAP policies, violations of MAP are common in practice. In this research, we document and explain both the extent and the depth of MAP policy violations. We also shed light on how retailers vary in their propensity to violate MAP policies, and the depth by which they do so.Our inductive research approach documents managerial wisdom about MAP practices. We confront these insights from practice with a large empirical study that includes hundreds of products sold through hundreds of retailers. Consistent with managerial wisdom, we find that authorized retailers are more likely to comply with MAP than are unauthorized partners. By contrast to managerial wisdom, we find that authorized and unauthorized markets are largely separate, and that violations in the authorized channel have a small association with violations in the unauthorized channel. Last, we link our results to the literatures on agency theory, transaction cost analysis, and theories of price obfuscation.Data, as supplemental material, are available at http://dx.doi. org/10.1287/mksc.2015. 0933.
Cooperative MISO and Relay Comparison in Energy Constrained WSNs

In wireless distributed networks where multiple antennas can not be installed in one wireless node, cooperative relay and cooperative Multi-Input Multi-Output (MIMO) techniques can be used to exploit the spatial and temporal diversity gain in order to reduce the energy consumption. The simplicity and the energy efficiency of cooperative Multi-Input Single-Output (MISO) and relay techniques is very useful for the energy constrained Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN). In this paper, the performance and the energy consumption of the cooperative MISO and relay techniques are investigated over a Rayleigh fading channel. If under ideal conditions cooperative MISO has been proved to be better than relay, the latter is a better solution when transmission synchronization errors occur. The comparison between these two cooperative techniques helps us to choose the optimal cooperative strategy for energy constrained WSN applications.
Nanomechanical properties of mineralised collagen microfibrils based on finite elements method: biomechanical role of cross-links

Hierarchical structures in bio-composites such as bone tissue have many scales or levels and synergic interactions between the different levels. They also have a highly complex architecture in order to fulfil their biological and mechanical functions. In this study, a new three-dimensional (3D) model based on the finite elements (FEs) method was used to model the relationship between the hierarchical structure and the properties of the constituents at the sub-structure scale (mineralised collagen microfibrils) and to investigate their apparent nanomechanical properties. The results of the proposed FE simulations show that the elastic properties of microfibrils depend on different factors such as the number of cross-links, the mechanical properties and the volume fraction of phases. The results obtained under compression loading at a small deformation < 2% show that the microfibrils have a Young's modulus (Ef) ranging from 0.4 to 1.16 GPa and a Poisson's ratio ranging from 0.26 to 0.3. These results are in excellent agreement with experimental data (X-ray, AFM and MEMS) and molecular simulations.