Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Evolution of Climate Over the Last Millennium

Knowledge of past climate variability is crucial for understanding and modeling current and future climate trends. This article reviews present knowledge of changes in temperatures and two major circulation features—El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO)—over much of the last 1000 years, mainly on the basis of high-resolution paleoclimate records. Average temperatures during the last three decades were likely the warmest of the last millennium, about 0.2°C warmer than during warm periods in the 11th and 12th centuries. The 20th century experienced the strongest warming trend of the millennium (about 0.6°C per century). Some recent changes in ENSO may have been unique since 1800, whereas the recent trend to more positive NAO values may have occurred several times since 1500. Uncertainties will only be reduced through more extensive spatial sampling of diverse proxy climatic records.
A Socioeconomic Approach to Assessing Price Competition between Private Labels and National Brands: The Case of Shredded Cheese

An LA/AIDS model is developed to estimate demand elasticities for packages of 8-oz shredded cheese for higher- and lower-income consumers. Data used in this study are scanner data for six supermarket stores in two distinct socioeconomic areas. Results show that: (1) lower-income shoppers are more price-sensitive than higher-income shoppers for both private labels and national brands; (2) compared with private labels, consumers are very sensitive to national brands price changes even in higher-income areas; (3) cross-price elasticities between private labels and national brands are all positive, i.e., private labels and national brands are substitutes in both lower- and higher-income stores; and (4) the number of promoted items does not have a statistically significant impact on sales; instead, the percentage of price discount affects sales for both private labels and national brands.
A pyroelectric infrared sensor-based indoor location-aware system for the smart home

Smart home is expected to offer various intelligent services by recognizing residents along with their life style and feelings. One of the key issues for realizing the smart home is how to detect the locations of residents. Currently, the research effort is focused on two approaches: terminal-based and non-terminal-based methods. The terminal-based method employs a type of device that should be carried by the resident while the non-terminal-based method requires no such device. This paper presents a novel non-terminal-based approach using an array of pyroelectric infrared sensors (PIR sensors) that can detect residents. The feasibility of the system is evaluated experimentally on a test bed
Clinicopathologic and Molecular Features of 122 Brazilian Cases of Nodal and Extranodal NK/T-Cell Lymphoma, Nasal Type, With EBV Subtyping Analysis

Extranodal natural killer/T-cell lymphoma, nasal type (NK/TCL) is more prevalent in Asia and in some areas of South and Central America, but it is rarely seen in the United States and Europe. In this study, a series of 122 cases of NK/TCL from Brazil was analyzed with respect to clinicopathologic features. Clinical characteristics and geographic distribution were evaluated in 97 cases of nasal/nasopharyngeal region and 23 cases in extranasal sites including 6 nodal cases. Clinical staging and follow-up information was available in a subset of 21 patients. All cases harbored Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), 95% and 85% expressed cytoplasmic CD3 and CD56, respectively, and all cases were positive for at least 1 marker for cytotoxic granules. The global distribution of EBV subtypes showed predominance of strain subtype A, 89%, and subtype B, 11%. No dual infections were detected. TCR-&ggr; TCR-gene rearrangement was observed in 7 cases; all of them extranodal. Three of TCR-&ggr;+ cases showed EBV subtype A. Two TCR-&ggr;+/CD56+ cases showed EBV subtype B. Geographic distribution of NK/TCL showed higher frequency in the southeast and northeast regions of Brazil. Striking differences among geographic regions were seen with the vast majority of EBV subtype B (86%) occurring in the south and southeast regions.
HOME MANAGEMENT OF FEVER IN CHILDREN: RATIONAL OR RITUAL?

Fever is extremely common in childhood. Parents have been shown to have unrealistic fears, resulting in inappropriate management of fever in their children. This study was conducted to survey parents about their knowledge concerning home management of fever in children in their care. Parents of 560 febrile children were randomly recruited and interviewed in the waiting areas of the outpatient clinics or emergency room in four hospitals in Riyadh city using a standard questionnaire. Most of the interviewees were mothers, aged within 20‐39 years. Although more than one‐half of fathers and one‐third of mothers in the study were well educated, most were misinformed about recognition and definition of fever. Most parents had poor knowledge regarding minimum temperatures for administering correct doses of antipyretic drugs or for sponging/bathing with water of the correct temperature. Most parents demonstrated a poor understanding of the appropriate frequency for checking the child's temperature and administering antipyretics. Only one‐third of parents indicated a reasonable educational imprint by health‐care providers. Considerable efforts will be required to educate parents about fever and its management. (Int J Clin Pract 2000; 54(3): 138‐142)
Applying Analysis Tools of Heart Rate Variability Upon Determining P-Wave Interval of ECG

One aspect in analysis of soundness of the heart is to monitor the variation of p-p interval in ECG the electrocardiogram. This paper reports an efficient hardware method of identifying the p-wave in the ECG and counting the time interval between successive p-waves. The hardware unit named as PWLL (p-wave locked loop) gets locked to the p-wave of the given ECG automatically and provides the p-p interval count in both analog and digital form. This count is read to PC for further analysis. Alternatively, in a software method an algorithm is used to identify the p-wave from the samples of ECG and the time interval is counted and presented. Graphical presentation of the current p-p time interval is made on the monitor screen. Also, important analysis tasks such as autocorrelation of p-p interval and its power spectral density are estimated and presented instantaneously. The visual presentation of these information enables the cardiologists to diagnose the functioning of the heart more effectively.
Superiority of Enoxaparin Over Unfractionated Heparin for the Treatment of Acute Coronary Syndromes

A recent article by Drs. Noviasky and Gaffney questioned the evidence for the use of the lowmolecular-weight heparin (LMWH) enoxaparin versus the use of unfractionated heparin (UFH) as antithrombotic treatment for acute coronary syndromes. Indeed, the recent American College of Chest Physicians’ guidelines, which use an evidence-based medicine approach, recommend both UFH and LMWH with a grade 1A recommendation, stating, “overall the trials have shown LMWHs are associated with as favorable if not better results than UFH. ” The evidence supporting the use of enoxaparin in non–ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction and unstable angina comes mainly from two large clinical studies—the Efficacy and Safety of Subcutaneous Enoxaparin in Non–Q-wave Coronary Events (ESSENCE) trial and the Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) 11B study—and the subsequent prospectively planned meta-analysis of both studies. Drs. Noviasky and Gaffney present four major criticisms of the ESSENCE and TIMI 11B studies, and we address each of them in turn.
Hybrid encoding analysis of fractal image compression method based on wavelet transform

Firstly, the principle and characteristics of fractal image encoding is introduced, and a kind of hybrid image compression method is developed for the improvement of image compression quality, which is the combination of fractal image encoding and wavelet decomposition. In the process of encoding, the image is dealt by three level wavelet decomposition, and the high frequency section of the decomposed image adopts scatheless predicting encoding, while the low frequency section adopts fractal compression encoding. In the process of decoding, the high frequency section carries out scatheless predicting decoding, while the low frequency section is decoded to IFS (iterative function system) code which is used for subimage reconstruction. The experimental result shows that the application of the designed hybrid image compression method can increase the signal-to-noise ratio of an image while the high compression ratio of the image is guaranteed.
Outpatient Parenteral Antimicrobial Therapy (OPAT): a review of experience at Auckland Hospital.

AIM To review the Auckland Hospital Outpatient Parenteral Antimicrobial Therapy (OPAT) Service. METHODS Patients (>15 years of age) were referred to the Service and assessed for suitability for outpatient therapy by an infectious diseases physician and a specialist nurse. Patient demographics, referring service, site of infection, and infecting organism, antimicrobial agent/s and outcomes of treatment including complications were recorded. RESULTS Over a 20-month period 100 patients were treated with 107 courses of outpatient parenteral antibiotic therapy. Bone and joint infections accounted for close to two thirds (60%) of the referrals; discitis/osteomyelitis (36%), septic arthritis (14%) and infected metalware/prosthetic joint infections (10%). Staphylococcus aureus was the most frequently isolated organism (42%), and in 21% of cases no organism was identified. In general, antibiotics prescribed were narrow spectrum and all but six patients self-administered up to four times daily. Eighty-eight percent of treatment courses resulted in a cure. Complications related to therapy occurred in 35% of patients. CONCLUSIONS We have found that parenteral antibiotic therapy can be administered safely and successfully in an outpatient setting despite relatively frequent dosing intervals. The majority of complications were minor, and 88% of patients were cured.
c-erbB-2 expression and response to adjuvant therapy in women with node-positive early breast cancer.

BACKGROUND The role of molecular markers in predicting the response to treatment of breast cancer is poorly defined. The Cancer and Leukemia Group B (CALGB) conducted a randomized adjuvant-chemotherapy trial (CALGB 8541) comparing three doses (high, moderate, and low) of cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, and fluorouracil in 1572 women with node-positive breast cancer. This study (CALGB 8869) was designed to determine whether the DNA index, the S-phase fraction, c-erbB-2 expression, or p53 accumulation could be used as a marker to identify a subgroup of patients more likely than others to benefit from high doses of chemotherapy. METHODS Tissue blocks were obtained from 442 patients randomly selected from the larger CALGB trial. Paraffin sections from the primary lesions were analyzed for DNA content, S-phase fraction, c-erbB-2 expression, and p53 accumulation. RESULTS Patients randomly assigned to the high-dose regimen of adjuvant chemotherapy had significantly longer disease-free and overall survival if their tumors had c-erbB-2 overexpression. No further information was gained by adding the data on S-phase fraction or p53 accumulation to the analysis. There was no clear evidence of a dose-response effect in patients with minimal or no c-erbB-2 expression. CONCLUSIONS There is a significant dose-response effect of adjuvant chemotherapy with cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, and fluorouracil in patients with overexpression of c-erbB-2 but not in patients with no c-erbB-2 expression or minimal c-erbB-2 expression. Overexpression of c-erbB-2 may be a useful marker to identify the patients who are most likely to benefit from high doses of adjuvant chemotherapy.
CARACTERIZAÇÃO DE BIOMARCADORES FUNCIONAIS EM CÉLULAS-TRONCO MESENQUIMAIS MURINAS MANTIDAS IN VITROEM DIFERENTES PASSAGENS

Celula-tronco e definida como um tipo celular que tem a capacidade unica de dife renciacao em outros tipos celulares e autorrenovacao por periodos indefinidos. Isso remete ao fato de que elas podem ser expandidas in vitro e dados os sinais corretos de inducao, uma celula multipotente pode se diferenciar em varios tipos celulares. Existem as celulas-tronco embrionarias ( embryonic stem cell - ESC) que podem ser isoladas a partir da massa interna do embriao durante o periodo de blastocisto. Alem da pluripotencialidade , que e uma das principais caracteristicas desse tipo celular, as ESC podem formar corpos embrioides , agregados celulares que contem as tres camadas germinativas embrionarias enquanto em cultura, e podem formar teratomas in vivo. As celulas-tronco multipotentes exi stem nos tecidos adultos. Essas celulas foram primeiramente isoladas de medula ossea adulta e entao foram identificadas em varios outros tecidos adultos. Dada sua importância medica, a identificacao de celulas-tronco adultas tem evocado grande entusiasmo, porem elas estao presentes em baixas proporcoes nos tecidos adultos. A capacidade de isolar celulas-tronco de tecidos adultos foi primeiramente demonstrada em estudos no final da decada de 1960, quando celulas estromais osteogenicas foram identificadas na medula ossea . Estudos subsequentes demonstraram que essas celulas aderentes possuem capacidade de autorrenovacao e sao capazes de formar celulas mes enquimais , tais como adipocitos, osteoblastos, condroblastos e miocitos . Baseados nessas propriedades, essas celulas sao conhecidas como celulas-tronco mesenquimais ( mesenchymal stem cell – MSC). As MSC podem ser cultivadas in vitr o por longos periodos e cultivo celular prolongado pode induzir alteracoes indesejadas no potencial de reparo das celulas-tronco . Apesar de conhecimentos ja adquiridos ate o momento, ainda e necessario explorar mais os aspectos das ce lulas-tronco mesenquimais mantidas em cultura por longos periodos. O presente trabalho visa comparar caracteristicas de celulas-tronco mesenquimais de ratos entre passagens iniciais e avancadas, tanto para celulas derivadas de tecido adiposo (ASC) como par a celulas derivadas de medula ossea (BMSC).
Mejoras en la ejecución de BPM incluyendo conceptos de Green IT

Hoy en día las organizaciones y los gobiernos están más interesados y comprometidos con la ecología. Surgen nuevos retos que conllevan a redefinir las formas de trabajo para minimizar impactos en el medio ambiente. Los procesos de negocio no están ajenos a esta realidad, por lo que las organizaciones deben trabajar teniendo en cuenta esta problemática inminente. En esta investigación se analizan conceptos asociados a Green IT y Green BPM y la manera de combinarlos (usando Social BPM) para aportar una mejora en la ejecución de las procesos. Se plantea una monitorización dinámica y con rastros enriquecidos que aporten a la mejora continua de un proceso "verde".
Suppression by Human Placental Protein 14 of Natural Killer Cell Activity

ABSTRACT: Human decidua of early pregnancy contains considerable numbers of CD3− CD56+ natural killer (NK) cells. In this study, two major protein products of the decidua, placental protein 14 (PP14) and placental protein 12 (PP12), were tested for the ability to regulate human NK cell activity. In vitro overnight exposure to PP14 of blood lymphocytes or purified large granular lymphocytes (LGL) resulted in suppression of cytotoxicity against K562 target cells in a 4‐h 51Cr release assay. The NK inhibition was dependent on concentrations of PP14, being detectable at 5 μg/ml and reaching maximum at 50 μg/ml. Manifestation of PP14‐induced NK suppression required 18‐h contact with NK cells. The suppression of NK activity by PP14 was not abolished by indomethacin. In a target binding assay the number of PP14‐treated LGL binding to K562 was comparable to that of untreated ones. By contrast with PP14, PP12 produced no effects on NK cells. These results indicate that PP14 suppresses the function of NK cells, which might be involved in prevention of maternal immune rejection of fetus at the fetomaternal interface.
Hepatobiliary transporter expression in percutaneous liver biopsies of patients with cholestatic liver diseases

Reduced hepatobiliary transporter expression could explain impaired hepatic uptake and excretion of bile salts and other biliary constituents resulting in cholestasis and jaundice. Because little is known about alterations of hepatobiliary transport systems in human cholestatic liver diseases, it was the aim of this study to investigate such potential changes. Hepatic mRNA levels in hepatobiliary transport systems for bile salts (NTCP, BSEP), organic anions (OATP2, MRP2, MRP3), organic cations (MDR1), phospholipids (MDR3), and aminophospholipids (FIC1) were determined in 37 human liver biopsies and control livers by competitive reverse‐transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR). Transporter tissue distribution was investigated by immunofluorescence microscopy. In patients with inflammation‐induced icteric cholestasis (mainly cholestatic alcoholic hepatitis), mRNA levels of NTCP, OATP2, and BSEP were reduced by 41% (P < .001), 49% (P < .005), and 34% (P < .05) compared with controls, respectively. In addition, NTCP and BSEP immunostaining was reduced. MRP2 mRNA levels remained unchanged, but canalicular immunolabeling for MRP2 was also decreased. mRNA expression of MRP3, MDR1, MDR3, and FIC1 remained unchanged. In contrast to the alterations of transporter expression in inflammation‐induced icteric cholestasis, transporter expression did not change in anicteric cholestasis caused by primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) stages I and II. In conclusion, reduced expression of hepatobiliary transport systems for bile salts and other organic anions may contribute to inflammation‐induced cholestasis in humans. Reduction of transporter gene expression can occur at the mRNA level as observed for NTCP, OATP2, and BSEP. However, reduced MRP2 immunostaining in the presence of conserved MRP2 mRNA levels suggests an additional role for posttranscriptional/posttranslational mechanisms.
Functional MRI Evidence for Motor Cortex Reorganization Adjacent to a Lesion in a Primary Motor Cortex

Jang SH, Han BS, Chang Y, Byun WM, Lee J, Ahn SH: Functional MRI evidence for motor cortex reorganization adjacent to a lesion in a primary motor cortex. Am J Phys Med Rehabil 2002;81:844–847. Objective The object of this study was to verify motor cortex reorganization in patients with primary motor cortex injury using functional magnetic resonance imaging. Design Ten control subjects and two patients with primary motor cortex injury, caused by a traumatic brain injury in patient 1 and meningioma in patient 2, were evaluated. Functional magnetic resonance imaging was performed using the blood oxygenation level–dependent technique at 1.5 T with hand movements. Results The contralateral primary sensorimotor cortex was activated by unaffected hand movements. However, only the contralateral primary sensory cortex in patient 1 and the premotor area in patient 2 were activated by affected hand movements, which were totally absent in control subjects. Conclusion We believe that the hand motor function of injured primary motor cortex was shifted into the primary sensory cortex in patient 1 and premotor area in patient 2. In conclusion, this finding may reflect a functional reorganization of the motor area in patients with a primary motor cortex injury.
Cerebrospinal fluid GABA and seizure control with vigabatrin.

1. To evaluate the relationship between the clinical response and enhancement of GABAergic neurotransmission, for 6 months we administered vigabatrin (gamma-vinyl-GABA, GVG) to 75 patients with complex partial epilepsy. Total GABA (TGABA), free GABA (FGABA), homocarnosine (HC), and GVG concentrations were measured in CSF of these patients before and during GVG treatment. 2. Over 50% reduction in seizures was found in 55% of the patients. Dose-reduction resulted in a relapse, i.e. the return of seizures. 3. At baseline TGABA, FGABA, and HC did not differ in responders and nonresponders. After GVG treatment, the TGABA and HC levels were lower in nonresponders (P less than 0.001), but the GVG and FGABA levels did not differ. The GVG dose reduction resulted in a concomitant decrease in TGABA, FGABA, HC and GVG (P less than 0.001). 4. According to our results GVG is an effective anticonvulsant drug in complex partial seizures. In nonresponders the poor anticonvulsant response may be related to the lower elevation of the CSF markers of GABAergic neuronal activity in this group compared with the responders.
Correlation between carotid intima–media thickness and hematocrit and hemoglobin values in renal transplant recipients

Background: Cardiovascular diseases are the main causes of morbidity and mortality in kidney transplant recipients. Blood viscosity plays an important role in the development of arteriosclerosis in the general population. Since hematocrit (Ht) and hemoglobin (Hb) values are determinants of blood viscosity, we decided to perform a study to check the possible relevance between these hemorheological factors and carotid intima–media thickness (IMT) in renal transplant recipients. Patients and methods: The study was performed on 33 clinically stable renal transplant recipients and 19 healthy persons. All subjects underwent ultrasonographic measurements of IMT. Analyzed clinical parameters included: age, sex, body mass index (BMI), mean arterial blood pressure (MAP), pulse pressure (PP) time from renal transplantation, and time on dialysis. The following biochemical parameters were assessed: Hb, Ht, fibrinogen (Fbg), and homocysteine (tHcy) concentrations (estimated by enzyme immunoassay). Results: The two analyzed groups did not differ in respect to age and BMI. Mean concentrations of Hb and Ht values were lower in the patients group. Mean carotid IMT, Fbg, tHcy, MAP, and PP were significantly higher in the renal transplant recipients group when compared to the control group. IMT was positively correlated with age (r=0.55; p=0.001), Hb (r=0.36; p=0.04), Ht (r=0.34; p<0.05), PP (r=0.35; p<0.05), Fbg (r=0.4; p=0.02), and time on dialysis prior to transplantation (r=0.50; p=0.003) in the patients group. Multiple regression analysis in renal transplant recipients showed that the IMT was independently related to age, Hb or Ht values, and Fbg. Conclusions: The results for the first time show positive association between IMT and Ht and Hb values in renal transplant recipients. The results may implicate the role of these rheological factors in progression and acceleration of arterial remodeling in renal transplant recipients.