Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Tularemia: A 30‐Year Experience With 88 Cases

Drawing upon our experience with 88 cases and a survey of the English literature, we reviewed the clinical, pathophysiological, and epidemiological aspects of tularemia. Tularemia can be thought of as two syndromes--ulceroglandular and typhoidal. This dichotomy simplifies earlier nomenclature and emphasizes the obscure typhoidal presentation. Clinical manifestations suggest that the two syndromes reflect differences in host response. In ulceroglandular tularemia the pathogen appears to be well contained by a vigorous inflammatory reaction. Pneumonia is less common and the patient's prognosis is good. In typhoidal disease there are few localizing signs; pneumonia is more common; and the mortality without therapy is much higher, suggesting that the host response is somehow deficient. Francisella tularensis is an extremely virulent pathogen capable of initiating infection with as few as 10 organisms inoculated subcutaneously. During an incubation period of 3 to 6 days the host responds first with polymorphonuclear leukocytes and then macrophages. Granulocytes are unable to kill the pathogen without opsonizing antibody leaving cellular immunity to play the major role in host defense. One to 2 weeks after infection, a vigorous T-lymphocyte response can be detected in vitro with lymphocyte blast transformation assays and in vivo with an intradermal skin test, which, unfortunately, is not commercially available. Humoral immunity, often used as a diagnostic modality, appears 2 to 3 weeks into the illness. Cellular immunity is long-lasting, accounting for the common reoccurrence of localized disease upon repeated exposures to the pathogen. There are no symptoms that distinguish the ulceroglandular from the typhoidal syndrome. A pulse-temperature dissociation is seen in less than half of the patients. The location of ulcers and enlarged lymph nodes give a clue to the likely vector since lesions located on the upper extremities are more commonly associated with mammalian, and those of the head and neck and lower extremities with arthropod, vectors. Pharyngitis, pericarditis, and pneumonia can complicate both syndromes, although the latter is much more common in typhoidal disease. Hepatitis, usually of a mild degree, is common and occasionally erythema nodosum is seen. No specific laboratory tests characterize tularemia, and cultures of the pathogen are often difficult to obtain because of the special growth requirements of Francisella tularesis and the inability of many clinical laboratories to handle the dangerous pathogen. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
B19 parvovirus induced fetal hydrops: rapid and simple diagnosis by detection of B19 antigens in amniotic fluids

In our study we describe the direct detection of parvovirus B19 capsid antigens in amniotic fluid samples for the rapid and simple prenatal diagnosis of B19 induced fetal hydrops. The assay was performed on amniotic fluid specimens from fetal hydrops dotted on nylon membranes. The two capsid antigens, VP1 and VP2, which represent four per cent and 96 per cent of the capsid, respectively, were detected using a pool of monoclonal antibodies directed against these two proteins and the complex was visualized by immunoperoxidase staining. The assay could be performed in about four hours and positive results were revealed at the end of the reaction as dark blue spots on the nylon membrane.
Fatigue in ankylosing spondylitis: causes, consequences and self-management.

OBJECTIVES To explore the perceived causes, consequences and management of fatigue in ankylosing spondylitis (AS). METHODS In this single-cohort qualitative study, ten participants completed a seven-day diary and participated in a semi-structured interview exploring possible causes, consequences and self-management of fatigue. Interviews were recorded, transcribed and analysed using 'framework' analysis. Ethical approval was obtained. RESULTS Three themes emerged: patterns and causes, consequences and management of fatigue. While patients' descriptions of fatigue were similar, the patterns and perceived causes of fatigue varied between individuals. Fatigue impacted on social life, relationships and work. Two approaches to fatigue management were observed: help and support from others and self-management, with four participants having sought medical help for fatigue. CONCLUSIONS The study suggested that fatigue has a negative impact on quality of life in people with AS. Future practice should include a comprehensive fatigue assessment and the development of treatment programmes directed at enhancing self-management techniques.
Theoretical performance of the capacitor-diode voltage multiplier fed by a current source

The theory of the incomplete capacitor-diode voltage multiplier (CDVM) under conditions of impressed input current and constant output voltage is developed. It is demonstrated that, under these conditions, the CDVM operation is quite different from that described in classical treatments. The operating modes of the CDVM are described, and expressions for the voltages and currents are derived from the incomplete configuration. The results can be immediately extended to any input waveform. The case of sinusoidal current input is fully characterized, giving useful design expressions. <<ETX>>
Precipitin test identification of blood meals of Stomoxys calcitrans (L.) caught on California poultry ranches, and observations of digestion rates of bovine and citrated human blood.

During 1964 and 1965, 350 ♂♂ and 571 ♀♀ Stomoxys calcitrans (L.) were collected on 8 different ranches for potential precipitin determination of the flies' blood meal sources; 186 flies suspected of containing vertebrate blood were subjected to precipitin tests with 158 testing positive. Specimens containing vertebrate blood (155 Bovidae, 2 horse and 1 dog) included 25 of 44 gravid ♀♀ with sufficient undigested blood to react to the test system, and 15 ♂♂ and 118 ♀♀ ranging from about 1/8 to nearly fully engorged. Although all flies were caught on poultry ranches, none had fed on birds. Small to large aggregations of mammals were present within 0.2 to 3.2 km of all poultry ranches sampled. Microscopic observations of the intestinal system of flies and precipitin test identifications of citrated human blood tested between 12–33 hr after flies engorged indicated that ♂♂ digested their meals in 12–46 hr. At 20°C most citrated blood meals imbibed by ♀♀ tested positive up to our endpoint of 33 hr post-engorgement; with bovine blood many ♀♀ held at temperatures fluctuating from 15–21°C had not completed digestion at 70 hr post engorgement. These results are compared with previous reports on digestion rates of S. calcitrans.
The Efficacy of Cognitive Rehabilitation Therapy: A Meta-Analytic Review of Traumatic Brain Injury and Stroke Cognitive Language Rehabilitation Literature

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) and stroke are leading contributors to health impairments and decrements to quality of life. This meta-analysis evaluated 10 studies of cognitive language rehabilitation and recovery among patients who endured a traumatic brain injury (TBI) or stroke. Results indicated a significant effect size in the control conditions (r = .27 p < .05) in which patients received no cognitive language rehabilitation therapy, suggesting that considerable language improvement occurs spontaneously over time. A significant effect size was also present in the intervention conditions (r = .4, p < .05) in which patients received cognitive language rehabilitation therapy. There was a significant difference between these two effects sizes, which suggests that cognitive language rehabilitation therapies are effective therapeutic interventions above and beyond what can be contributed solely to the passage of time.
The Mammalian Degenerin MDEG, an Amiloride-sensitive Cation Channel Activated by Mutations Causing Neurodegeneration in Caenorhabditis elegans(*)

Mutations of the degenerins (deg-1, mec-4, mec-10) are the major known causes of hereditary neurodegeneration in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. We cloned a neuronal degenerin (MDEG) from human and rat brain. MDEG is an amiloride-sensitive cation channel permeable for Na, K, and Li. This channel is activated by the same mutations which cause neurodegeneration in C. elegans. Like the hyperactive C. elegans degenerin mutants, constitutively active mutants of MDEG cause cell death, suggesting that gain of function of this novel neuronal ion channel might be involved in human forms of neurodegeneration.
Role of micro-focus radiography and fluoroscopy in developing improved electrode arrays for cochlear implants

Kennedy DW (1987) Multichannel intracochlear electrodes: mechanism of insertion trauma. Laryngoscope 97(l): 42–49. Nadol JB, Shiao 1Y, Burgess BJ, Ketten DR, Eddington DK, Gantz BJ et al. (2001) Histopathology of cochlear implants in humans. Annals of Otology Rhinology and Laryngology 110: 883–891. Richter B, Aschendorff A, Lohnstein P, Husstedt H, Nagursky H, Laszig R (2001) The Nucleus Contour electrode array: a radiological and histological study. Laryngoscope 111: 508–514. Tykocinski M, Saunders E, Cohen LT, Treaba C, Briggs RJS, Gibson P et al. (2001) The Contour electrode array: safety study and inpatient trials of a new perimodiolar design. Otology and Neurotology 22: 33–41. Tykocinski M, Cohen LT, Pyrnan BC, Roland JT, Treaba C, Palarnara J et al. (2000) Comparison of electrode position in the human cochlea using various perimodiolar electrode arrays. American Journal of Otology 21: 205–211.
The Histidine Kinases CYTOKININ-INDEPENDENT1 and ARABIDOPSIS HISTIDINE KINASE2 and 3 Regulate Vascular Tissue Development in Arabidopsis Shoots[W]

The development and activity of the procambium and cambium, which ensure vascular tissue formation, is critical for overall plant architecture and growth. However, little is known about the molecular factors affecting the activity of vascular meristems and vascular tissue formation. Here, we show that the His kinase CYTOKININ-INDEPENDENT1 (CKI1) and the cytokinin receptors ARABIOPSIS HISTIDINE KINASE2 (AHK2) and AHK3 are important regulators of vascular tissue development in Arabidopsis thaliana shoots. Genetic modifications of CKI1 activity in Arabidopsis cause dysfunction of the two-component signaling pathway and defects in procambial cell maintenance. CKI1 overexpression in protoplasts leads to cytokinin-independent activation of the two-component phosphorelay, and intracellular domains are responsible for the cytokinin-independent activity of CKI1. CKI1 expression is observed in vascular tissues of inflorescence stems, and CKI1 forms homodimers both in vitro and in planta. Loss-of-function ahk2 and ahk3 mutants and plants with reduced levels of endogenous cytokinins show defects in procambium proliferation and an absence of secondary growth. CKI1 overexpression partially rescues ahk2 ahk3 phenotypes in vascular tissue, while the negative mutation CKI1H405Q further accentuates mutant phenotypes. These results indicate that the cytokinin-independent activity of CKI1 and cytokinin-induced AHK2 and AHK3 are important for vascular bundle formation in Arabidopsis.
The role of head-related time and level cues in the unmasking of speech in noise and competing speech

Two experiments investigated the effects of conflicting interaural time and level differences on the masked threshold of speech. Target sentences were prepared using manipulated HRTFs for azimuths of 0° and 60°. Speech reception thresholds (SRTs) were measured against a masker with a 0° simulated azimuth, consisting of either Brown noise (−6 dB/oct. spectral roll-off) or speech. Experiment 1 compared the advantage of spatial separation produced by differences between target and interferer in cues to their azimuth. The introduction of an interaural time delay (ITD) or interaural level difference (ILD) reduced SRTs by 3–4 dB, but their combined effect was about 6 dB. Experiment 2 compared the advantage of spatial separation produced by combined cues that indicated either the same or opposing hemi-fields for the target speech. The combined effects of these two cues were indistinguishable, even when they conflicted with each other regarding the direction of the target speech. These results suggest that the improvements in audibility gained from exploiting ILD and ITD are not constrained by a need to focus attention on a particular direction.
Activity limitations: what are they really doing?

As a physical therapist, I frequently observe my patients walking quite differently in the therapeutic environment than when going about their daily lives at home, in school, or in the community. This ‘clinic walk’ raises the question of ‘what are they really doing physically in their day-to-day lives’? In my years of practice, patients and their families have never expressed the desire to increase their Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM) score1 as a goal for physical therapy. Similarly, I have yet to have a child tell me they want to decrease the Ashworth scores for their leg muscles. So what are our patients really doing (when we are not looking)? Do our interventions impact more than just clinicbased measures of outcome? The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) provides a unified and standard language for the description and testing of influences on health and healthrelated states.2 The ICF proposes measurement of day-to-day physical activity within the component of ‘activity’ from the perspectives of both capability and performance. ‘Capability’ describes what a child is ‘capable’ of doing within a structured environment (i.e. clinical setting or the ‘clinic walk’). ‘Performance’ activity is what a child does within the context of daily life. Interpretation of the activity limitation data should clarify whether ‘capability’ or ‘performance’ activity is being described. For example, data from the GMFM is collected in the clinical setting, while the Activity Scale for Kids (ASK)3 queries what the child did in the last 7 days. The GMFM gives a solid description of the capability related to gross motor skills, but not performance. The ASK (performance version) in contrast, specifically queries daily life performance. Clear level differences have been documented between the capability and performance of mobility skills in children with cerebral palsy (CP). 4 Such work supports the anecdotal ‘clinic walk’ observations, and has implications for treatment, environmental factors, and clinical goal setting. Of the evaluative measures reviewed in the Harvey et al. article in this issue, most items were generated from previous measurement tools and/or developed by professionals working with children with disabilities. Items were not child/family-generated. I propose that in order to understand the life experience of a child with a disability, assessment should include individualized measures of activityand criterion-referenced evaluative measures. Such measures may include the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure and/or the Goal Attainment Scale.5,6 To measure only what is deemed ‘important’ to the clinician excludes the influence of the clinically important ‘personal and environmental factors’ of the ICF. Recent work with accelerometers provides potential physical activity ‘performance’ information about the daily life of our patients. Various accelerometers have been employed to desom m etary Activity limitations: what are they really doing?
CASE STUDY: EFFECT OF COMPOST AND HUMIC ACID IN MOBILITY AND CONCENTRATION OF CADMIUM AND CHROMIUM IN SOIL AND PLANT

The effect of compost and humic acid in mobility and concentration of cadmium and chromium in contaminated soil were investigated. Experiment was carried out with three levels of soil cadmium and chromium and two organic matters (compost and humic acid). The study was performed in a randomized complete block design with 3 replicates. Results indicated that application of organic substances enhanced movement of cadmium and chromium in soil column. Humic acid is more effective than compost on the mobility of cadmium and chromium in soil. Mobility of cadmium and chromium in the lower depths of soil column were increased. Cadmium and chromium concentration in shoots and roots enhanced due to increasing those concentration in soil and application of organic substances. Increase in cadmium in shoots can be attributed to the high mobility of this element in maize plant. Maize root chromium concentration was greater than shoot chromium concentration. Humic acid was more effective than compost as cadmium and chromium concentration in root and shoot was concerned. Low mobility of chromium in plant and accumulation of chromium in roots can be reasons of decreasing of chromium concentration in shoot of plant and its bioaccumulation.
Wireless Interrogation of an Optically Modulated Resonant Tunnelling Diode Oscillator

In this work, a resonant tunnelling diode‐photo‐detector based microwave oscillator is amplitude modulated using an optical signal. The modulated free running oscillator is coupled to an antenna and phase locked by a wireless carrier that allows remote extraction of the information contained in the modulation. An off‐the‐shelf demodulator has been used to recover the envelope of the baseband data originally contained in the optical signal. Data were successfully transmitted at a rate of 1 MSym/s with a bit error rate below 10−6. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 55:1728–1730, 2013
A CMOS capacitive micromechanical oscillator driven by a phase-locked loop

This work describes the design and characterization of integrated CMOS (complementary metal oxide semiconductor) oscillators comprising of a capacitively transduced micromechanical resonator and a phase-locked loop (PLL) driving circuit. Inclusion of a PLL is beneficial for sustaining oscillations at resonant frequencies within the PLL capture range. The micromechanical resonator has a measured resonant frequency of 117.3 kHz. The CMOS PLL circuit has a closed-loop bandwidth of 1.8 kHz with a capture range between 111 kHz to 118.4 kHz. The start-up times for oscillation are shortened in the scheme utilizing a PLL as it provides an initial driving signal at its free-running frequency. The measured noises for the presented two oscillator schemes are -75 dB below the resonant peak at a 10-Hz offset.
Autonomous Mental Development: A New Interdisciplinary Transactions for Natural and Artificial Intelligence

A LTHOUGH some baby animals can get up and walk within hours after birth, what a human child learns during the first two years of life easily exceeds what those animals learn in their entire lifetime. Furthermore, besides the explosive growth that occurs during this period, it is now well documented that a human brain continues its life-long development and learning [1]. The human brain is one of the most complex systems we know of in the world, composed of about 100 billion strongly interconnected neurons. A single neuron may have more than 10 000 connections to other neurons. For thousands of years, the mind has been the center of myths and human beings have endeavored to understand our own brain and the mind arising from it. With the recent advances in cognitive science and neuroscience, e.g., with the help of brain imaging technologies such as the fMRI, EEG and PET, and many other direct observation and intervention techniques, more and deeper details of the brain’s inner workings are being revealed. Together with the advances in computational intelligence, computer science, and robotics, these discoveries have stimulated the birth and rapid growth of a new interdisciplinary research field known as Autonomous Mental Development (AMD) [2]. Mental development is a process during which a brain-like natural or artificial embodied system, under the control of its intrinsic species-specific developmental program, develops mental capabilities through its real-time interactions with its environment (including the brain’s own internal environment) using its own sensors and effectors. The mental capabilities that develop in this way include perceptual, cognitive, behavioral, motivational, and all other mental capabilities that are exhibited by humans, higher animals, and artificial systems. The intrinsic developmental program and the interaction with the environment are both important for normal mental development: The environment affects how the developmental program in the genes works, which in turn regulates how the environment and experience give rise to the brain’s internal representations, mental capabilities, and internal and external behaviors. In recognition of the gains made in this field and to support its further development, the IEEE has approved this new IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON AUTONOMOUS MENTAL DEVELOPMENT (TAMD). Published four times a year, it will serve as an archival repository for significant work on this subject. The scope of TAMD includes: — Computational modeling of mental development, including mental architecture, theories, algorithms, properties and experiments; — Experimental investigations relevant to the goal of achieving a computational understanding of develop-
Nonlinear acoustics in pant hoots of common chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes): Frequency jumps, subharmonics, biphonation, and deterministic chaos

The pant hoot calls produced by common chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) are multi‐call vocalizations that have figured prominently in investigations of acoustic communication in this species. Although pant hoots are predominantly harmonically structured, they can exhibit an acoustic complexity that has recently been linked to nonlinearity in the vocal‐fold dynamics underlying typical mammalian sound production. We examined the occurrence of these sorts of nonlinear phenomena in pant hoot vocalizations, contrasting quieter and lower‐pitched “introduction” components with loud and high‐pitched “climax” calls in the same bouts. Spectrographic evidence revealed four kinds of nonlinear phenomena, including discrete frequency jumps, subharmonics, biphonation, and deterministic chaos. While these events were virtually never observed during the introduction, they occurred in more than half of the climax calls. Biphonation was by far the most common phenomenon, followed by subharmonics, chaos, and frequency jumps. Individual callers varied in the degree to which their climax calls exhibited nonlinear phenomena, but were consistent in showing more biphonation than other forms. These outcomes show that nonlinear phenomena are routinely present in chimpanzee pant hoots, and help lay the foundation for investigating the function of such events. Am. J. Primatol. 64:277–291, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.