Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
EXPERIMENTAL TRACHOMA PRODUCED BY CULTURED VIRUS

BECAUSE it has been authoritatively estimated that a quarter of the inhabitants of the globe are affected by trachoma and because this disease undoubtedly results in more visual incapacity than any other, it is difficult to over-stress the importance of the isolation of the causative agent. The aetiological role of the virus can be proved only by its isolation from trachomatous patients, its serial passage in the laboratory, the subsequent demonstration of its ability to reproduce the clinical picture of trachoma with the development of typical cytoplasmic inclusion bodies, and the re-isolation of the virus. Since animal inoculations in this disease give atypical results, it is unfortunately necessary in the present state of our knowledge to use human volunteers for this purpose. In a previous paper (Collier and Sowa, 1958) the isolation of viruses from cases of trachoma in Gambia was described, using a technique employed by T'ang, Chang, Huang, and Wang (1957), whereby the virus was grown in the yolk-sac of embryonate eggs. In its morphological and serological characteristics the virus closely resembles those of the psittacosislymphogranuloma group (Fig. 1). It is interesting that the virus has been
Malignant lymphoma of the larynx

It is generally known that squamous cell carcinoma is by far the most common malignant tumor of the larynx. Although malignant lymphoma is frequently seen in various parts of the body, primary involvement of the larynx is extremely rare. This paper deals with four such cases seen and treated at the Massachusetts General Hospital and the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary during the past 20 years. Their clinical course and management are presented in detail (Table I).
Investigation of metasurface using fishnet and closed ring structures on microstrip-fed slot antenna

Two types of resonator with fishnet and closed ring structures are combined in a square unit cell, resulting in ENG, MNG, and NZI properties on metasurface (MS). Moreover, Minkowski fractal pattern is applied on square fishnet (SF) surface for MS miniaturization. In term of MS investigation, it is placed on a microstrip-fed slot antenna (MFSA) as radiator. Obviously, the MFSA with metasurface can generate slot and cavity resonant modes, resulting in bandwidth enhancement of 1.11–1.44 GHz. Electromagnetic (EM) wave behaviors on MS are probed via results of antenna radiation patterns in operating frequency. Fortunately, the MS can induce MFSA to provide three different radiations including of unidirectional pattern peaked at 180 degree with ENG, bidirectional pattern with NZI, and unidirectional pattern peaked at 0 degree with MNG.
(Recombinant Human Parathyroid Hormone or rhPTH) BONMAX

WARNING: POTENTIAL RISK OF OSTEOSARCOMA In rats, teriparatide caused an increase in the incidence of osteosarcoma, a malignant bone tumor. Because of the uncertain relevance of the rat osteosarcoma inding to humans, prescribe teriparatide only for patients for whom potential beneits outweigh potential risk. Teriparatide should not be prescribed for patients at increased baseline risk for osteosarcoma (e.g., those with Paget’s disease of bone or unexplained elevations of alkaline phosphatase, pediatric and young adult patients with open epiphyses, or prior external beam or implant radiation therapy involving the skeleton). (see WARNINGS and PRECAUTIONS; Preclinical Safety Data)
Using Performance Information for Budgeting: Clarifying the Framework and Investigating Recent State Experience

The 1990s witnessed a resurgence of the effort to introduce more performance information into the budget processes of many governments across the world. In the United States, this has manifested itself in moves toward “performance-based budgeting” in the national government as well as in state and local governments. Despite these efforts and numerous attempts to study these new reforms, a specific and clear framework that integrates performance information into the budget process has been elusive. In particular, much of the extant literature on “performance-based budgeting” focuses almost exclusively on the use of performance information by elected officials to make macro-level resource allocation decisions. While this is certainly a relevant focus, it is not a complete one. Such a narrow view of performance measurement and budgeting runs a great risk of oversimplifying a very complex system. This paper argues that the more important (and complete) question concerns the extent to which performance information is available and used at each stage of the budget process—budget preparation, budget approval, budget execution, and audit and evaluation. By framing the question in this way, the researcher may be able to identify a great many more subtle differences from one place (agency, state, local government) to another. After suggesting this more complete framework for consideration of the availability and use of performance information for budgeting, the paper uses 1998 data on state governments collected by the Government Performance Project (a joint effort of Syracuse University and Governing magazine, funded by the Pew Charitable Trusts) to attempt to determine the extent of availability and use of performance information in the states. The paper finds that strategic planning is widespread, although the incidence of agency-level planning is greater than that of statewide planning. Further, almost half of the states have made significant progress in developing cost accounting systems. While two-thirds of the states have outcome measures, only 10 of them were using these measures to set targets for performance. Finally, the availability and use of performance information in the budget process is greater at the agency level than it is in the central budget offices or (particularly) in the agencies. The paper argues that scholars should consider studying performance-based budgeting by focusing more attention on analysis of agencies or policy areas, and less attention exclusively on centralized institutions. Changing the research focus in this way would provide a more complete picture of the availability and use of performance information for budgeting. It might prevent scholars and practitioners from reaching erroneous conclusions concerning the effect of these reforms. Through broadening the scope of research we are more likely to discover how much progress has been made, and how much work remains to be done.
Morphometric and histological study of coronary plaques in stable angina and acute myocardial infarctions.

OBJECTIVE To compare the morphological difference of coronary plaques in acute myocardial infarction and stable angina to clarify the occurrence basis of these two different myocardial events. METHODS Sixty-eight acute myocardial infarction cases and 34 stable angina postmortem cases were studied. The coronary arteries were dissected en block, fixed, decalcified, sectioned at a 3 mm interval and processed routinely for histologic examination. A computor-aided planimeter was used to measure plaque and lipid core area. RESULTS Among the total 4089 coronary blocks in acute myocardial infarction, 2087 (51.0%) had a lipid core over 40% of the plaque area; while among the total 2030 blocks in stable angina, only 209 (10.3%) had a lipid core over 40% of the plaque area (P < 0.05). Sixty-one of the 68 (89.7%) acute myocardial infarction cases had thrombi among which 56 occurred on ruptured plaques; while no thrombus was found in stable angina. In addition, atheroemboli were found in most of the thrombus-negative acute myocardial infarction cases (6/7) but none in SA cases. CONCLUSIONS Acute myocardial infarction and stable angina had different morphologic basis of the coronary plaques. The former had more plaques with a large lipid core than the latter. Acute myocardial infarction was caused mainly by plaque rupture and associated thrombus. But atheroembolus could be another very important cause of acute myocardial infarction.
Extreme Machine Learning: Feed Forward Networks

The class of adaptive systems known as Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) was motivated by the amazing parallel processing capabilities of biological brains (especially the human brain). The main driving force was to recreate these abilities by constructing artificial models of the biological neuron. This paper is focused to feed-forward networks. The field has become so vast that a complete and clear-cut description of all the approaches is an enormous undertaking. The power of biological neural structures stems from the enormous number of highly interconnected simple units. The simplicity comes from the fact that, once the complex electro-chemical processes are abstracted, the resulting computation turns out to be conceptually very simple. These artificial neurons have nowadays little in common with their biological counterpart in the ANN paradigm. Rather, they are primarily used as computational devices, clearly intended to problem solving: optimization, function approximation, classification, time-series prediction and others. In practice few elements are connected and their connectivity is low. Keywords—Adaptive systems, ANN paradigm, feed-forward networks, Optimization, parallel processing
Binding of the low‐density lipoprotein by streptococcal collagen‐like protein Scl1 of Streptococcus pyogenes

Several bacterial genera express proteins that contain collagen‐like regions, which are associated with variable (V) non‐collagenous regions. The streptococcal collagen‐like proteins, Scl1 and Scl2, of group A Streptococcus (GAS) are members of this ‘prokaryotic collagen’ family, and they too contain an amino‐terminal non‐collagenous V region of unknown function. Here, we use recombinant rScl constructs, derived from several Scl1 and Scl2 variants, and affinity chromatography to identify Scl ligands present in human plasma. First, we show that Scl1, but not Scl2, proteins from different GAS serotypes bind the same ligand identified as apolipoprotein B (ApoB100), which is a major component of the low‐density lipoprotein (LDL). Scl1 binding to purified ApoB100 and LDL is specific and concentration‐dependent. Furthermore, the non‐collagenous V region of the Scl1 protein is responsible for LDL/ApoB100 binding because only those rScls, constructed by domain swapping, which contain the V region from Scl1 proteins, were able to bind to ApoB100 and LDL ligands, and this binding was inhibited by antibodies directed against the Scl1‐V region. Electron microscopy images of Scl1–LDL complexes showed that the globular V domain of Scl1 interacted with spherical particles of LDL. Importantly, live M28‐type GAS cells absorbed plasma LDL on the cell surface and this binding depended on the surface expression of the Scl1.28, but not Scl2.28, protein. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the non‐collagenous globular domains of Scl1 and Scl2 evolved independently to form separate lineages, which differ in amino acid sequence, and these differences may account for the variations in binding patterns of Scl1 and Scl2 proteins. Present studies provide insight into the structure‐function relationship of the Scl proteins and also underline the importance of lipoprotein binding by GAS.
Evaluation of two assays, MSRV and RV, for the isolation of Salmonella spp. from wastewater samples and broiler chickens

The Rappaport Vassiliadis (RV) and the Modified Semi‐solid Rappaport Vassiliadis (MSRV) methods were evaluated in 130 municipal wastewater samples and 30 flocks of broilers. Analysis of the results showed that 71 Salmonella serotypes were isolated in wastewater samples. The positivity of the MSRV method was 33% and of the RV method, 45%. The sensitivity was 95% and 83% with the MSRV and RV, respectively. The concordance between the two methods was 89% (k = 0785). One hundred serotypes were isolated from broiler internal organs and 50 from intestinal samples. For internal organs, the positivity of MSRV was 56% and of RV, 45%. For intestinal samples, the respective percentages were 28 and 22. For internal organs, the sensitivity was 100% with MSRV and 81% with RV, whereas for intestinal samples, the sensitivity was 100% with MSRV and 80% with RV. The specificity was 100% in all cases. The concordance between the two methods was 89% (k = 0790) for internal organs and 94% (k = 0851) for intestinal samples.
The prevalence of measles antibody in human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients in northern California.

The seroprevalence of measles (rubeola) antibody in 619 human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected adults was determined by a standard ELISA. Risk factors for a lack of antibody and presumed susceptibility to measles were examined. Whereas overall, 9.8% of patients (60) were found to lack antibody, 17.8% of those born within the United States in 1957 or later were antibody-negative. Multivariate analysis showed that absence of measles antibody was significantly associated with younger age (born in 1957 or later) (odds ratio [OR], 8.15; 95% confidence interval [CI], 3.7-21.5; P < .0001) and birth within the United States (OR, 4.72; 95% CI, 1.7-19.7; P = .0045). Neither minority status, stage of HIV infection, CD4 cell count, nor a history of opportunistic infection bore any relationship to the presence of antibody. While progression of HIV disease does not affect measles serostatus, younger HIV-infected patients, especially those born in the United States in 1957 or later, are at the greatest risk for measles.
Expression of Porcine Endometrial Prostaglandin Synthase During the Estrous Cycle and Early Pregnancy, and Following Endocrine Disruption of Pregnancy1

Abstract Porcine trophoblast attachment to the uterine surface is associated with increased conceptus and endometrial production of prostaglandins. Conceptus secretion of estrogen on Day 12 of gestation is important for establishment of pregnancy; however, early (Days 9 and 10) exposure to exogenous estrogens results in embryonic mortality. Present studies established the temporal and spatial pattern of endometrial PTGS1 (prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 1) and PTGS2 expression during the estrous cycle and early pregnancy and determined the effect of early estrogen treatment on endometrial PTGS expression in pregnant gilts. Endometrial PTGS1 mRNA expression increased 2- to 3-fold after Day 10 of the estrous cycle and pregnancy, whereas PTGS2 mRNA expression increased 76-fold between Days 5 and 15 of the estrous cycle and pregnancy. Increased expression of the PTGS2 transcript was detected in the lumenal epithelium after Day 10 in both cyclic and pregnant gilts. There was a 10- and 20-fold increase in endometrial PTGS2 protein expression between Days 5 and 18 of the estrous cycle and pregnancy respectively. Administration of estrogen on Days 9 and 10 of gestation increased endometrial PTGS2 mRNA and protein on Day 10, but decreased PTGS2 mRNA and protein in lumenal epithelium (LE) on Day 12 of gestation compared to vehicle-treated gilts. The present study demonstrates that an increase in uterine epithelial PTGS2 expression occurs after Day 10 of the estrous cycle and early pregnancy in the pig. The conceptus-independent increase in the uterine LE indicates that a novel pathway exists for endometrial induction PTGS2 expression before conceptus elongation and attachment to the uterine surface. Epithelial expression of PTGS2 may serve as one of the signals for placental attachment and embryo survival in the pig. Early administration of estrogen on Days 9 and 10 of pregnancy alters endometrial PTGS2 mRNA and protein expression, which may, at least in part, represent a mechanism by which endocrine disruption of pregnancy causes total embryonic loss during implantation in the pig.
Study of propagation of ultra-wide band electromagnetic pulse through a dispersive soil medium for the detection of buried unexploded ordnance

Buried Unexploded ordnance (UXO) poses a serious humanitarian problem. At Present, there is no single equipment/system available to detect the unexploded buried ordnance (UXO), which fully satisfies the United Nations Mine Action Standard (UNMAS) requirements for safe removal and disposal of such ordnance. This paper presents the importance of the soil electrical characteristics and its electromagnetic model in the detection of buried UXO. Frequency domain analysis of EM wave propagation in the lossy dispersive soil media is carried out to study the detection range of the buried target. It is found that for the soil conductivity below 2 mS/m, effect of conductivity on EM wave attenuation in the moist soil can be neglected for the frequency of interest (3–5GHz). From the analysis, incident wave bandwidth between 3–5 GHz offers nominal ground penetrating imaging capability with nominal detection range in the soil media. Studies were carried out to find the importance of dispersive soil dielectric model against the constant permittivity model in the simulation of landmine detection system. Double Debye model is used to model the dielectric permittivity of the soil, Weighted Least Square (WLS) method is used to find the unknown parameters in the Double Debye model using the experimental results available in the literature. It is found that WLS model offers better performance for a wide band spectra dielectric model of the soil. One dimensional Finite Difference Time Domain method (FDTD) along with Piecewise Linear Recursive Convolution (PLRC) is used to simulate the system.
Correction: Collective Human Mobility Pattern from Taxi Trips in Urban Area

There is an error in author Ka-Chun Wong's affiliations. The author should be affiliated with: 5. Department of Computer Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, 6. Terrence Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada,
Autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in autoimmune diseases

The term ‘autoimmune diseases’ encompasses a spectrum of diseases whose clinical manifestations and, possibly, biological features vary widely. The results of conventional treatment are considered unsatisfactory in aggressive forms, with subsets of patients having short life expectancies. Relying on wide experimental evidence and more feeble clinical data, some research groups have used autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) in the most disabling autoimmune diseases with the aim of resetting the patient’s immune system. Immunoablative conditioning regimens are preferred over their myeloablative counterparts, and some form of in vivo and/or ex vivo T-cell depletion is generally adopted. Despite 15 years’ experience, published controlled clinical trials are still lacking, with the evidence so far available coming from pilot studies and registry surveys. In multiple sclerosis, clinical improvement, or at least lasting disease stabilization, can be achieved in the majority of the patients; nevertheless, the worst results are observed in patients with progressive disease, where no benefit can be expected from conventional therapy. Concerning rheumatologic diseases, wide experience has been acquired in systemic sclerosis, with long-term improvements in cutaneous disease being frequently reported, although visceral involvement remains unchanged at best. Autografting has proved to be barely effective in rheumatoid arthritis and quite toxic in juvenile idiopathic arthritis, whereas it leads to clinical remission and the reversal of visceral impairment in the majority of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. A promising indication is Crohn’s disease, in which long-term endoscopic remission is frequently observed. Growing experience with autologous HCST in autoimmune diseases has progressively reduced concerns about transplant-related mortality and secondary myelodysplasia/leukemia. Therefore, a sustained complete remission seems to be within the reach of autografting in some autoimmune diseases; in others, the indications, risks and benefits of autografting need to be better defined. Consequently, the search for new drugs should also be encouraged.
Antibiotics for Sepsis: Does Each Hour Really Count, or Is It Incestuous Amplification?

‘Each hour’s delay in initiating antibiotics costs lives’ is a doctrine that has attained quasireligious status. Like most (quasi-)religions this is founded more on faith and hope than hard fact. With the failure of other beliefs, previously touted as incontrovertible, such as the 24hour sepsis management bundles (2) and, more recently, a specific early goal-directed therapy strategy (3), we need to believe we are offering some benefit to our acutely ill patients. A blind faith in the primacy of early antibiotics suits this purpose, yet I confess to being decidedly agnostic, and fearful. Increasing levels of antimicrobial resistance is rightly viewed as a global crisis (4). The indiscriminate and inappropriate use of antibiotics will only serve to accelerate this problem. Furthermore, antibiotics themselves also cause harm, for example, organ injury, mitochondrial dysfunction, the impact on the microbiome, and overgrowth by fungi and Clostridium difficile (5-8).
Analysis of the RMB exchange rate formation mechanism based on the currency basket

In this paper, we study the RMB exchange rate formation mechanism based on the weights of each currency in the currency basket. To figure out the composition of the currency basket of RMB exchange rate and construct the weight model of the currency basket in empirical study, we use the monthly data of the import and export among China and USA, euro area, Japan, South Korea during the period of January 2006 to December 2012. Since 2005, the People's Bank of China claimed that RMB exchange rate system will be reformed transferring from the actual pegged to the currency basket system. However, Compared with the proportion of U.S. dollar, euro, yen and won in the basket currency, we find that, at this stage, our exchange rate system is still pegged to the U.S. dollar, which will do harm to the economic development in a long term. It is essential and helpful for the formation of exchange rate to study on the composition of the currency basket in such a situation. Finally, some conclusions are get about the RMB exchange rate formation mechanism.
Single stub tuning application via semi-rigid coaxial cables for VHF and UHF monopole antennas on RASAT

For maximum power transfer impedance matching is an important subject in communication systems. Besides, minimum complexity is another important concept in order to obtain cheaper, reliable and feasible matching networks. In this study, a single stub matching implementation applied while improving the return loss characteristic of blade antennas used in VHF/UHF communication system of RASAT is presented. RASAT will be the first observation satellite designed and manufactured in Turkey.