Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Thalamocortical and other synapses involving nonspiny multipolar cells of mouse SmI cortex

Golgi‐impregnated and ‐deimpregnated neurons having somata in layer IV of mouse posteromedial barrel subfield (PMBSF) cortex were identified with the light microscope and then extensive portions of them were examined with the electron microscope. Dendrites of nine nonspiny multipolar cells and eight of their cell bodies were reconstructed from serial thin sections to determine the numbers and types of symmetrical, asymmetrical, and thalamocortical synapses they formed. Results of this analysis show that cells of the same general morphological class may form widely different patterns of synaptic connections: some nonspiny multipolar cells had dendrites that formed a high proportion of their synapses with thalamocortical axon terminals, whereas dendrites belonging to other cells formed only very small proportions of thalamocortical synapses. A similar diversity characterized the synaptic connections of cell bodies: some formed more symmetrical than asymmetrical synapses, others the reverse. Some formed high proportions of thalamocortical synapses, others much less. Comparisons of thalamocortical synaptic input to cell bodies and dendrites showed that one cell formed about the same proportions of thalamocortical synapses with its cell body as with its dendrites. For two other cells the proportions of thalamocortical synapses formed with their somata was about double that formed with their dendrites. The remaining five cell bodies examined formed far higher proportions of thalamocortical synapses than did their dendrites. That different nonspiny multipolar cells form such contrasting synaptic patterns suggests that included within this morphological classification are cells which are likely to have very different functional roles.
Relation between cardiorespiratory fitness and selected risk factors for coronary heart disease in a population of Canadian men and women.

OBJECTIVE To determine the relation between cardiorespiratory fitness, as determined with the Canadian Aerobic Fitness Test (CAFT), and selected risk factors for coronary heart disease (CHD) in a Canadian population. DESIGN Cross-sectional study. On the basis of age-specific and sex-specific national percentile scores, subjects were classified as being in the low-fitness, moderate-fitness or high-fitness category according to maximum oxygen consumption (VO2 max) predicted from performance on the CAFT. PARTICIPANTS A total of 4082 male and 1205 female Canadian federal public servants aged 30 to 59 years who participated in a voluntary fitness testing program between 1984 and 1991. OUTCOME MEASURES Body composition (body mass index, triceps skinfold thickness, sum of four skinfold measurements, predicted percentage of body fat and waist-hip ratio), blood lipid levels (total cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol [HDL-C], low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and ratio of total cholesterol to HDL-C) and hemodynamic measurements (heart rate and blood pressure at rest and during exercise and predicted VO2 max). MAIN RESULTS For both men and women the mean anthropometric measurements, blood lipid levels and blood pressure measurements at rest and after exercise were significantly associated with fitness category (p less than 0.05). CONCLUSIONS In both men and women a higher level of aerobic fitness, as defined by VO2 max predicted from performance on the CAFT, is associated with a more favourable CHD risk profile. The results support the use of VO2 max predicted from performance on the CAFT as a valid procedure for classifying people according to fitness level.
Recurrence and survival following laparoscopic radical nephroureterectomy with various forms of bladder cuff control.

PURPOSE We document recurrence and survival following laparoscopic radical nephroureterectomy (LNUX) for upper tract transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) using primarily 2 methods of managing the bladder cuff. MATERIALS AND METHODS The records of 60 patients undergoing LNUX at our institution for upper tract TCC were reviewed retrospectively. En bloc excision of the bladder cuff was primarily performed transvesically by our described cystoscopic secured detachment and ligation method (CDL) or extravesically using a laparoscopic stapling device (LS). RESULTS Median followup was 23 months (range 1 to 45). Recurrence developed in 27%, 7% and 12% of cases in the bladder at a median of 5 months, retroperitoneum at 8 months and distant sites at 8 months, respectively. Compared to the novel CDL technique LS resulted in a higher positive margin rate (p = 0.046). Overall survival correlated with bladder recurrence (p = 0.003), upper tract TCC stage (p = 0.01) and method of bladder cuff control when comparing CDL vs LS (p = 0.04). Freedom from recurrent upper tract disease was related to pathological stage (p = 0.015) and bladder cuff excision method (p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS These data underscore the aggressive nature of high stage, high grade upper tract TCC and validate the importance of complete excision of the distal ureter and bladder cuff during LNUX. In patients without coexisting bladder tumor the CDL method, which allows formal bladder cuff excision in a secured manner akin to that of established open surgical principles, appears oncologically valid.
HIV-1 Protease Catalytic Efficiency Effects Caused by Random Single Amino Acid Substitutions

Abstract Protein evolution has occurred by successive fixation of individual mutations. The probability of fixation depends on the fitness of the mutation, and the arising variant can be deleterious, neutral, or beneficial. Despite its relevance, only few studies have estimated the distribution of fitness effects caused by random single mutations on protein function. The human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) protease was chosen as a model protein to quantify protein's tolerability to random single mutations. After determining the enzymatic activity of 107 single random mutants, we found that 86% of single mutations were deleterious for the enzyme catalytic efficiency and 54% lethal. Only 2% of the mutations significantly increased the catalytic efficiency of the enzyme. These data demonstrate the vulnerability of HIV-1 protease to single random mutations. When a second random mutagenesis library was constructed from an HIV-1 protease carrying a highly deleterious single mutation (D30N), a higher proportion of mutations with neutral or beneficial effect were found, 26% and 9%, respectively. Importantly, antagonist epistasis was observed between deleterious mutations. In particular, the mutation N88D, lethal for the wild-type protease, restored the wild-type catalytic efficiency when combined with the highly deleterious mutation D30N. The low tolerability to single random substitutions shown here for the wild-type HIV-1 protease contrasts with its in vivo ability to generate an adaptive variation. Thus, the antagonist epistasis between deleterious or lethal mutations may be responsible for increasing the protein mutational robustness and evolvability.
Residential preferences and neighborhood racial segregation: A test of the schelling segregation model

The debate over the role of the forces that create the patterns of residential separation has identified neighborhood preferences as one of the explanatory variables, but although we possess some empirical data on the nature of neighborhood racial preferences, the theoretical contributions have received only limited empirical evaluation. Among the theoretical statements. Schelling’s model of the effects of small differences in preferences on residential patterns has provided a basic building block in our understanding of preferences, choices, and patterns. Several recent surveys of residential preferences provide the data with which to evaluate the underpinnings of the Schelling model. The preference/tolerance schedules that are derived from the data have a different functional form from that suggested by Schelling, but confirm the view that stable integrated equilibria are unlikely.
Thrombolytic reversal of acute human cerebral ischemic injury shown by diffusion/perfusion magnetic resonance imaging

Diffusion magnetic resonance imaging provides an early marker of acute cerebral ischemic injury. Thrombolytic reversal of diffusion abnormalities has not previously been demonstrated in humans. Serial diffusion and perfusion imaging studies were acquired in patients experiencing acute hemispheric cerebral ischemia treated with intra‐arterial thrombolytic therapy within 6 hours of symptom onset. Seven patients met inclusion criteria of prethrombolysis and postthrombolysis magnetic resonance studies, presence of large artery anterior circulation occlusion at angiography, and achievement of vessel recanalization. Mean diffusion‐weighted imaging lesion volume at baseline was 23 cm3 (95% confidence interval [95% CI], 8–38 cm3) and decreased to 10 cm3 (95% CI, 3–17 cm3) 2.5 to 9.5 hours after thrombolysis. Mean apparent diffusion coefficient lesion volume decreased from 9 cm3 (95% CI, 2–16 cm3) at baseline to 1 cm3 (95% CI, 0.4–2 cm3) early after thrombolysis. A secondary increase in diffusion volumes was seen in 3 of 6 patients at day 7. In all 4 patients in whom perfusion imaging was obtained before and after treatment, complete resolution of the perfusion deficit was shown. Diffusion magnetic resonance signatures of early tissue ischemic injury can be reversed in humans by prompt thrombolytic vessel recanalization. The ischemic penumbra includes not only the region of diffusion/perfusion mismatch, but also portions of the region of initial diffusion abnormality. Ann Neurol 2000;47:462–469.
Engagement of the OX-40 Receptor In Vivo Enhances Antitumor Immunity1

The OX-40 receptor (OX-40R), a member of the TNFR family, is primarily expressed on activated CD4+ T lymphocytes. Engagement of the OX-40R, with either OX-40 ligand (OX-40L) or an Ab agonist, delivers a strong costimulatory signal to effector T cells. OX-40R+ T cells isolated from inflammatory lesions in the CNS of animals with experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis are the cells that respond to autoantigen (myelin basic protein) in vivo. We identified OX-40R+ T cells within primary tumors and tumor-invaded lymph nodes of patients with cancer and hypothesized that they are the tumor-Ag-specific T cells. Therefore, we investigated whether engagement of the OX-40R in vivo during tumor priming would enhance a tumor-specific T cell response. Injection of OX-40L:Ig or anti-OX-40R in vivo during tumor priming resulted in a significant improvement in the percentage of tumor-free survivors (20–55%) in four different murine tumors derived from four separate tissues. This anti-OX-40R effect was dose dependent and accentuated tumor-specific T cell memory. The data suggest that engagement of the OX-40R in vivo augments tumor-specific priming by stimulating/expanding the natural repertoire of the host’s tumor-specific CD4+ T cells. The identification of OX-40R+ T cells clustered around human tumor cells in vivo suggests that engagement of the OX-40R may be a practical approach for expanding tumor-reactive T cells and thereby a method to improve tumor immunotherapy in patients with cancer.
Pulmonary function and sputum characteristics predict computed tomography phenotype and severity of COPD

Airway obstruction and parenchymal destruction underlie phenotype and severity in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). We aimed to predict, by clinical and pulmonary function data, the predominant type and severity of pathological changes quantitatively assessed by computed tomography (CT). Airway wall thickness (AWT-Pi10) and percentage of lung area with X-ray attenuation values <-950 HU (%LAA-950) were measured in 100 (learning set) out of 473 COPD outpatients undergoing clinical and functional evaluation. Original CT measurements were translated by principal component analysis onto a plane with the novel coordinates CT1 and CT2, depending on the difference (prevalent mechanism of airflow limitation) and on the sum (severity) of AWT-Pi10 and %LAA-950, respectively. CT1 and CT2, estimated in the learning set by cross-validated models of clinical and functional variables, were used to classify 373 patients in the testing set. A model based on diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide, total lung capacity and purulent sputum predicted CT1 (r = 0.64; p<0.01). A model based on forced expiratory volume in 1 s/vital capacity, functional residual capacity and purulent sputum predicted CT2 (r = 0.77; p<0.01). Classification of patients in the testing set obtained by model-predicted CT1 and CT2 reflected, according to correlations with clinical and functional variables, both COPD phenotype and severity. Multivariate models based on pulmonary function variables and sputum purulence classify patients according to overall severity and predominant phenotype of COPD as assessed quantitatively by CT. Pulmonary function and sputum purulence models classify COPD patients by severity and phenotype as quantified by CT http://ow.ly/kyP6d
Pulmonary arterial hypertension: baseline characteristics from the REVEAL Registry.

BACKGROUND The Registry to EValuate Early And Long-term pulmonary arterial hypertension disease management (REVEAL Registry) was established to provide updated characteristics of patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and to improve diagnosis, treatment, and management. METHODS Fifty-four US centers enrolled consecutively screened patients with World Health Organization group I PAH who met expanded hemodynamic criteria of mean pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP) > 25 mm Hg at rest (30 mm Hg with exercise), pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP) <or= 18 mm Hg, and pulmonary vascular resistance >or= 240 dynes x s x cm(-5). Patients meeting the traditional hemodynamic definition (PCWP <or= 15 mm Hg) were compared with those with a PCWP of 16 to 18 mm Hg. RESULTS Between March 2006 and September 2007, 2,967 patients enrolled. Among 2,525 adults meeting traditional hemodynamic criteria, the mean age was 53 +/- 14 years, and 2,007 (79.5%) were women. The mean duration between symptom onset and diagnostic catheterization was 2.8 years, and 1,008 (41.3%) patients were treated with more than one pulmonary vascular-targeted medication. Compared with patients meeting the traditional hemodynamic definition of PAH, patients with a PCWP of 16 to 18 mm Hg were older, more obese, had a lower 6-min walk distance, and had a higher incidence of systemic hypertension, sleep apnea, renal insufficiency, and diabetes. CONCLUSIONS Patients in the REVEAL Registry are older and more often female than in previous descriptions. Delays between symptom onset and diagnostic catheterization persist. Many treatment regimens are fundamentally empirical, and data will be required to determine outcomes, improve risk stratification, and develop and validate more precise prognostic tools. Patients with PCWP of 16 to 18 mm Hg differ in a number of important respects from those meeting the traditional hemodynamic definition of PAH.
Dopant-segregated source/drain technology for high-performance CMOS

Schottky barrier MOSFETs (SBTs) have attracted much attention as a candidate for achieving high-performance in future ULSIs. Their potential advantages are low electrode resistance, short channel effect immunity and high carrier injection velocity, and many more. The major obstacle is however, to reduce the Schottky barrier height (øb) in these devices (both n- and pMOSFETs) since large øb severely limits the current drivability. One promising candidate to achieve the low øb, is dopant-segregated Schottky (DSS) junctions. In this paper, we report process and characteristics of DSS junctions.
Fatigue after TBI: Association with neuroendocrine abnormalities

Objective: Evaluate the association between neuroendocrine findings and fatigue after traumatic brain injury (TBI) Research design: Prospective, observational. Methods and procedures: Sixty-four individuals at least 1 year post-TBI underwent neuroendocrine testing including thyroid, adrenal, gonadal axes and growth hormone (GH) after glucagon stimulation with assessment of fatigue using the Global Fatigue Index (GFI) and the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS). Main outcomes and results: GFI and FSS scores were significantly higher within this sample compared to published control data. At least one pituitary axis was abnormal in 90% of participants. Higher GH levels were significantly associated with higher FSS scores. There was a noted trend between lower basal cortisol and higher scores on both the FSS and GFI. Conclusions: The association between higher GH levels and greater fatigue contradicted the prevailing hypothesis that post-acute TBI fatigue is associated with GH deficiency. The association between lower basal cortisol and greater fatigue was in the expected direction. While no other trends were noted, the fatigue derived from neuroendocrine abnormalities alone may be masked by fatigue induced by other factors commonly experienced following TBI. Given the high prevalence of pituitary abnormalities, screening for hypopituitarism after TBI is a reasonable recommendation. The contribution of GH deficiency to diminished quality of life post-TBI remains unclear.
Reflection, Refraction, and Self-Jamming

The ambition of achieving road traffic without serious injuries, since 1997 referred to as “Vision Zero,” has influenced the development of new car generations during the last decades. Since the early beginnings, radar sensors have taken responsibility for receiving this goal and played a major role for achieving the subsequent vision of accident-free driving. An increasing list of applications already covers comfort and safety functions for various traffic conditions. Besides already established applications like adaptive cruise control (ACC) as illustrated in Figure 1, other examples are the lane change assistant (LCA), watching for traffic when starting an overtaking maneuver (see Figure 2) and cross traffic alert (CTA), warning of approaching vehicles at a junction. However, those examples are just a few of the constantly increasing list of functions [1][2].
[Blood lead levels in children from the city of La Plata, Argentina. Relationship with iron deficiency and lead exposure risk factors].

INTRODUCTION Environmental exposure to lead and the subsequent poisoning are a main public health concern worldwide. Children have a higher vulnerability to lead toxic effects, and many reports have shown the association between iron deficiency and lead poisoning. In Argentina, reports about lead levels in children are scarce. Our aims were to assess blood lead levels in children and determining their relationship with iron deficiency and known lead exposure risk factors. MATERIAL AND METHODS We performed a cross-sectional study in a sample of 93 children (age range, 6 months to 5 years) receiving care at La Plata Children s Hospital. A social and environmental survey was done, and blood lead, hemoglobin and ferritin levels were assessed. RESULTS Geometric mean blood lead level was 4.26 microg/dl (95% CI, 3.60-5.03); prevalence of blood lead levels >or=10 microg/dl was 10.8%. Higher blood lead levels were found in children living in households with lead-handling contaminating activities (6.74 vs. 3.78 microg/dl; p= 0.005) and in very low-income households (5.68 vs. 3.71 microg/ dl; p= 0.020). The presence of blood lead levels >or=10 microg/dl was strongly associated with iron deficiency (OR 5.7; 95% CI: 1.34-23.41) and with lead-handling activities at home (OR 4.8; 95% CI: 1.12-20.16). CONCLUSION The prevalence of blood lead levels >or=10 microg/dl is a matter of concern in the population studied. Iron deficiency and development of lead-handling activities at home were the risk factors associated with high blood lead levels.
Production and perception of the english /h/: the case of native portuguese speakers of english as a foreign language

vii RESUMO . ix List of abbreviations . xv List of figures . xvii List of tables . xix INTRODUCTION . 1 CHAPTER 1 THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK . 13 1.1 Second Language Speech Acquisition . 13 1.1.1 Speech Production . 14 1.1.2 Speech perception . 22 1.1.3 Interface between production and perception . 25 1.1. 4 Transference and interference . 28 1.2 A brief articulatory description of the phoneme /h/ . 34 1.2.1 Place of articulation . 35 1.2.2 Manner of articulation . 35 1.3 The realization of /h/ by non-native speakers . 35 1.3. 1 Omission . 36 1.3. 2 Hypercorrection . 37 CHAPTER 2 METHOD . 39 2.1 Research questions and hypothesis . 39 2.2 Participants . 41 2.2.1 L2 speakers . 41
Essays on financial crises

The thesis focuses on political and institutional aspects of financial crises. The first two chapters study the impact of political regime type and government popularity on the probability of experiencing financial crises. The third chapter evaluates the effectiveness of fiscal stimulus at times of economic recessions and crises. Overall, the thesis concludes that political and institutional factors are as important in explaining crises, as the economic variables.
Improved prophylaxis and decreased rates of preventable harm with the use of a mandatory computerized clinical decision support tool for prophylaxis for venous thromboembolism in trauma.

OBJECTIVE Venous thromboembolism is associated with substantial morbidity and mortality and is largely preventable. Despite this fact, appropriate prophylaxis is vastly underutilized. To improve compliance with best practice prophylaxis for VTE in hospitalized trauma patients, we implemented a mandatory computerized provider order entry-based clinical decision support tool. The system required completion of checklists of VTE risk factors and contraindications to pharmacologic prophylaxis. With this tool, we were able to determine a patient's risk stratification level and recommend appropriate prophylaxis. To evaluate the effect of our mandatory computerized provider order entry-based clinical decision support tool on compliance with prophylaxis guidelines for venous thromboembolism (VTE) and VTE outcomes among admitted adult trauma patients. DESIGN Retrospective cohort study (from January 2007 through December 2010). SETTING University-based, state-designated level 1 adult trauma center. PATIENTS A total of 1599 hospitalized adult trauma patients with a hospital length of stay greater than 1 day. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES The primary outcome measure was the proportion of patients who were ordered risk-appropriate guideline-suggested VTE prophylaxis. The secondary outcome measure was the proportion of patients with any preventable VTE (defined as VTE in a patient not ordered guideline-appropriate VTE prophylaxis), pulmonary embolism, and/or deep vein thrombosis. RESULTS Compliance with guideline-appropriate prophylaxis increased from 66.2% to 84.4% (P < .001). The rate of preventable harm from VTE decreased from 1.0% to 0.17% (P = .04). CONCLUSIONS Implementation of a mandatory computerized provider order entry-based clinical decision support tool significantly improved compliance with VTE prophylaxis guidelines in hospitalized adult trauma patients. This improved compliance was associated with a significant decrease in the rate of preventable harm, which was defined as VTE events in patients not ordered appropriate prophylaxis.