Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Impact of Chronic Intrauterine Inflammation on the Physiologic and Neurodevelopmental Consequences of Intermittent Umbilical Cord Occlusion in Fetal Sheep

Objective: To determine the effect of intrauterine inflammation on fetal responses to umbilical cord occlusion (UCO). Study Design: In pregnant sheep, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or saline (SAL) was infused intra-amniotically for 4 weeks from 80 days of gestation (d). At 110 d, fetuses were instrumented for UCOs (5 × 2-minutes, 30-minute intervals: LPS + UCO, n = 6; SAL + UCO, n = 8) or no UCO (sham, n = 6) on 117 and 118 d. Tissues were collected at 126 d. Results: Fetal physiological responses to UCO were similar between LPS + UCO and SAL + UCO. Histologic chorioamnionitis and increased amniotic fluid interleukin 8 (IL-8) were observed in LPS + UCO pregnancies (versus SAL + UCO, P < .05). CNPase-positive oligodendrocyte number in the cerebral white matter was lower in LPS + UCO and SAL + UCO than sham (P < .05); there was no effect on astrocytes or activated microglia/macrophages. Two of the SAL + UCO fetuses had white matter lesions; none were observed in LPS + UCO or sham. Conclusion: Chronic pre-existing intrauterine inflammation did not exacerbate fetal brain injury induced by intermittent UCO.
Comparison of BRYAN Cervical Disc Arthroplasty With Anterior Cervical Decompression and Fusion: Clinical and Radiographic Results of a Randomized, Controlled, Clinical Trial

Study Design. A prospective, randomized, multicenter study of surgical treatment of cervical disc disease. Objective. To assess the safety and efficacy of cervical disc arthroplasty using a new arthroplasty device at 24-months follow-up. Summary of Background Data. Cervical disc arthroplasty preserves motion in the cervical spine. It is an alternative to fusion after neurologic decompression, whereas anterior decompression and fusion provides a rigorous comparative benchmark of success. Methods. We conducted a randomized controlled multicenter clinical trial enrolling patients with cervical disc disease. Ultimately 242 received the investigational device (Bryan Cervical Disc), and 221 patients underwent a single-level anterior cervical discectomy and decompression and fusion as a control group. Patients completed clinical and radiographic follow-up examinations at regular intervals for 2 years after surgery. Results. Analysis of 12- and 24-month postoperative data showed improvement in all clinical outcome measures for both groups; however, 24 months after surgery, the investigational group patients treated with the artificial disc had a statistically greater improvement in the primary outcome variables: Neck disability index score (P = 0.025) and overall success (P = 0.010). With regard to implant- or implant/surgical-procedure-associated serious adverse events, the investigational group had a rate of 1.7% and the control group, 3.2%. There was no statistical difference between the 2 groups with regard to the rate of secondary surgical procedures performed subsequentto the index procedure. Patients who received the artificial cervical disc returned to work nearly 2 weeks earlier than the fusion patients (P = 0.015). Conclusion. Two-year follow-up results indicate that cervical disc arthroplasty is a viable alternative to anterior cervical discectomy and fusion in patients with persistently symptomatic, single-level cervical disc disease.
Reducing the global burden of blood pressure-related cardiovascular disease.

OBJECTIVE To assist in prioritisation for strategies for the control of cardiovascular disease (CVD) worldwide, by estimating the size of the contribution of elevated blood pressure and, more importantly, the likely effects of its modification. DESIGN We estimated the size of the disease burden attributable to increased blood pressure in Eastern Asia and describe a method for estimating the likely effects of blood pressure lowering strategies. METHODS Attributable risk estimates were calculated to assess the likely contribution of increased blood pressure to death from CVD in Asia. Estimates were also made of the possible effects of population-wide (2% lower diastolic blood pressure [DBP] for all) and targeted (7% lower DBP for those with DBP > or =95 mm Hg) blood pressure lowering interventions. These estimates were based on data from several sources, including surveys of blood pressure values in Asian populations, estimates of the incidence of cardiovascular disease in Asia, studies of the associations of blood pressure with cardiovascular disease risks in Asia and elsewhere, and randomized trials of blood pressure lowering treatments. RESULTS The results suggest that DBP values of 80 mm Hg or more account for about 57% of all stroke deaths and about 24% of all coronary heart disease deaths in Eastern Asian populations. The two intervention strategies proposed would each be expected to avert about 1 in 6 stroke deaths and about 1 in 20 coronary heart disease deaths. This would amount to about 1 million deaths per year throughout Asia by 2020, with about half of those deaths averted in the People's Republic of China. The benefits of the two different approaches would be approximately additive. CONCLUSIONS Increased blood pressure levels are directly responsible for the majority of stroke deaths (more than 50%) and a substantial minority of deaths from coronary heart disease (about 25%) in Eastern Asia. Both modest population-wide blood pressure reductions and more moderate targeted reductions in those with hypertension could be expected to produce large reductions in the burden of cardiovascular disease in these and other Asian regions.
Prediction of vocalization using time-frequency information of mu rhythm

Vocal control is one of the most important motor function in human. When the function is impaired due to lesions, it may be useful way to communicate with others through Brain Computer Interface (BCI). In this study, we investigated a possibility of BCI for speech communication using rhythmic brain activity in brain. We measured event related de-synchronization (ERD) through magnetoencephalography (MEG) when the subject performed either vocalization, or observation of video of vocalization. After transforming the measured signal to time-frequency representation (TFR), we tested whether the TFR could predict the subject's actual behavior, that is, vocalization or just looking at video of vocalization. Preliminary result showed that the TFR could distinguish the subject's tasks at a certain degree of accuracy. This result implies that the BCI for communication has possible applications for people who are impaired vocal functions.
Using Media-Based Data in Studies of Politics

Political scientists have made broad use of data that are drawn from media sources. These data tend to be of two kinds: measures of the volume of media attention to an issue, or counts of events reported in the media for which there is no other systematic data source. With increasing access to full-text data archives, there will be many more opportunities for scholars to create media-based data. This paper reviews a number of issues having to do with potential bias and error in such data. Some practical solutions are described, and a media-based data series having to do with monetary policy is used to illustrate how to probe for the validity of a media-based events count. olitical scientists have often used media reports-usually print media-as the basis for data on important aspects of politics and the policy process. Many scholars drawing on data sets for measures of coups, riots, demonstrations, elections, and other political events (e.g., Polity III and the World Handbook of Political and Social Indicators) are utilizing data originally drawn from newspaper accounts. We rely extensively on "media-based event counts. " With the growing availability of computerized text retrieval systems, one can anticipate even more use of such indicators in the future. It is a propitious moment to review the issues raised by these data. We use media-based counts extensively, and we probably should do so more often, especially in studies of public policy. For example, many conceptions of the policy process suggest that changing beliefs, expectations, or information of critical actors may be associated with changes in policy outcomes and outputs. Mobilizing support often depends on generating favorable media attention. Media accounts provide information on these variables over time and over political jurisdictions. I examine problems scholars confront when using media-based event counts. Scholars may easily go astray exploiting these opportunities, and using online sources does not appear to be a panacea. Many problems do not have a simple and direct solution; for others, additional empirical research may help. Here I draw broadly on research dealing with media data (see also Franzosi 1987 and Kaufman, Dykers, and Caldwell 1993). Although scholars in foreign policy and comparative politics have often examined the problems of media-based event counts, few scholars in American politics and public policy refer to that work. I shall also analyze a data series involving U.S. monetary policy, showing with a real example how scholars can probe the validity of media-based data.
Efficiency VS. irradiance characterization of PV modules requires angle-of-incidence and spectral corrections

Photovoltaic simulation tools vary in the way they model efficiency as a function of irradiance. These differences are particularly evident at low irradiance below 500 W/m2, however these differences have a significant effect on annual yield. Field validation of efficiency vs irradiance is complicated by the fact that low irradiance is associated with high airmass and/or high angles of incidence which affect both the irradiance sensor and the module response. In this paper we demonstrate that characterization of module efficiency vs. irradiance profile is dependent on the testing conditions and type of irradiance sensor used to make the measurement. We demonstrate a method based on the Sandia Model1 to correct the irradiance measurement for spectrum and angle-of-incidence effects. We demonstrate this method for two irradiance sensors and two module technologies, and show that the analysis is greatly simplified (resulting in less uncertainty) when using a spectrally matched reference cell. Finally, we show that the impact of simulating PV production using uncorrected model inputs can impact annual yield by as much as 4.5%.
[A study of adolescent smoking and use of snuff in 2004 and 2007].

BACKGROUND During the last decades, the proportion of smokers has declined and the use of snus has increased. We examined changes in 16 - 20-year-olds' use of tobacco products after introduction of stricter smoking regulations in 2004. MATERIAL AND METHODS 16 - 20-year-olds' use of and attitudes towards tobacco-products were assessed in national surveys representative for the age-group (n 2004 =2400 and n 2007 =2415) in 2004 and 2007. We compared use of such products at the two measurement points and to what extent the decline in smoking and increase in snus. RESULTS The same proportion of adolescents used snus or smoked in both surveys (28.8 %), but the distribution was markedly changed. In 2004, 22.5 % of the girls and 20.3 % of the boys smoked daily or every week; corresponding figures in 2007 were 17.3 % and 17.0 %. In 2004, 18.2 % of the boys used snus daily or every week and in 2007 the proportion had increased to 24.9 %. Among the girls, this figure tripled between the two surveys, from 2.4 % to 7.3 %. INTERPRETATION A further reduction in smoking rates can be expected if we presume that the changes we found are stable. The increased use of snus calls for more knowledge about how this product affects health.
Clinical, pathologic, and immunologic features of human T-lymphotrophic virus type I-associated infective dermatitis in children.

OBJECTIVES To define the clinical and laboratory features associated with infective dermatitis (ID) and confirm its association with human T-lymphotrophic virus type I (HTLV-I). DESIGN A case series of patients with ID were compared with patients with atopic dermatitis (AD), which is an important disease in the differential diagnosis of ID. SETTING Patients were recruited from dermatology and pediatric clinics at the University Hospital of the West Indies and the Bustamante Children's Hospital, Kingston, Jamaica. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Clinical and laboratory features of patients with AD were compared with those of patients with ID. PATIENTS Consecutive patients older than 1 1/2 years diagnosed as having ID (n=50) and AD (n=35) were enrolled based on clinical findings. RESULTS The mean ages of patients with ID and AD were 6.9 and 7.8 years, respectively. Histologically, both diseases were predominantly chronic dermatitis with propensity for skin colonization with Staphylococcus aureus and beta-hemolytic streptococci; however, the distribution of sites of skin involvement differed. Infection with HTLV-I was the most distinguishing feature among patients with ID, with seropositive results in 100%; only 5 (14%) of the 35 patients with AD had results seropositive for HTLV-I. Infective dermatitis was further characterized by dermatopathic lymphadenitis in 16 (67%) of 24 patients with palpable nodes. Anemia, lymphocytosis, and low albumin and elevated serum globulin levels were more prevalent among patients with ID. Significant elevations of IgA, IgD, and IgG levels were observed among patients with ID compared with those with AD. However, both patients with AD and those with ID had levels of IgD and IgE elevated above the normal range. T-cell subsets among patients with ID revealed T-cell activation with a high percentage of HLA-DR antigen positivity, elevated CD4 (2.4 x 10(9)/L) and CD8 (1.4 x 10(9)/L) cell counts, with an increased CD4/CD8 ratio of 1:73. CONCLUSION Infective dermatitis is a distinct clinical entity associated with HTLV-I, which plays a role in the pathogenesis and immune perturbations observed.
3H-adenosine uptake selectively labels rod horizontal cells in goldfish retina

Abstract There are four types of horizontal cell in the goldfish retina, three cone- and one rod-type. The neurotransmitter of only one type, the H1 (cone) horizontal cell, has been identified as GABA. 3H-adenosine uptake was examined as a possible marker for the other classes of horizontal cell. Isolated goldfish retinae were incubated in 3H-adenosine (10–40 μCi) in HEPES-buffered saline for 30 min, then fixed, embedded in plastic, and processed for light-microscopic autoradiography (ARG). For double-label immuno/ARG studies, l-μm-thick sections were processed for GABA postembed immunocytochemistry, then for ARG. 3H-adenosine uptake was localized to cone photoreceptors, presumed precursor cells in the proximal outer nuclear layer, and to a single, continuous row of horizontal cell bodies in the inner nuclear layer. No uptake was localized to the region of horizontal cell axon terminals. 3H-adenosine uptake did not colocalize with GABA-IR in H1 horizontal cells, but it did colocalize with adenosine deaminase immunoreactivity. It is concluded that 3H-adenosine uptake selectively labels rod horizontal cells in the goldfish retina based on position and staining pattern, which are similar to rod horizontal cells stained by Golgi or HRP injection methods. The use of 3H-adenosine uptake may provide a useful tool to study other properties of rod horizontal cells (i.e. development) as well as provide clues as to the transmitter used by these interneurons.
Modulation of murine cytokine responses to mycobacterial antigens by helminth-induced T helper 2 cell responses.

BALB/c mice inoculated with live Brugia malayi microfilariae (mf), or immunized with a soluble filarial extract (B. malayi Ag (BmA)), develop a pronounced Th2-like response over time. In contrast, single or repeated immunizations with a soluble Mycobacterium tuberculosis Ag preparation (purified protein derivative, PPD) stimulates a Th1, but not Th2 response (IFN-gamma >> IL-4, IL-5). To determine if the Th1 response to PPD can be modulated by the ongoing helminth-induced Th2 activity, mice were: 1) immunized simultaneously with BmA and PPD; 2) immunized first with BmA, then with PPD; or 3) inoculated with live mf and immunized with PPD at various times thereafter. Simultaneous immunization with both Ag had no effect on the Th response induced by PPD, i.e., it was strictly Th1. In contrast, establishment of a Th2 response by either inoculation of live mf or immunization with BmA before administration of PPD skewed the PPD-specific Th response such that IL-4 and IL-5 were produced in addition to IFN-gamma. IL-4 and IL-5 levels produced in response to PPD under these conditions were further elevated in vitro in the presence of neutralizing IFN-gamma. Finally, in vivo neutralization of IL-4 diminished induction of Th2 responses to PPD. These results demonstrate that ongoing Th2 responses to helminth Ag modulate the Th response to mycobacterial Ag by an IL-4 dependent mechanism.
Impact of Dividend Policy and Earnings on Selected Quoted Companies in Nigeria

This study considers the impact of Dividend policy and Earnings on selected quoted companies in Nigeria and it covers the period from 2004 -2013 also the study majorly employed secondary data for the statistical analysis. The secondary data were obtained through the internet from stock broking firm’s online database. Furthermore, the study made use of stratified sampling technique in selecting the twenty-five (25) companies considered in this research work which cut across seven (7) sectors of the companies listed on the Nigeria Stock Exchange. The study used multiple regression and Durbin Watson in testing the hypothesis considered in this study, and the statistical analysis was done using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS version 20). The findings revealed that there was a significant relationship between dividend and market value but, this relationship can only be established between earning per share and dividend yield, because, it is the only proxies of dividend polices that had a P-value (0.020) which is less than the alpha value of (0.05) which implies that there is relationship with market value proxy (i.e. earnings per share) while the other proxies of dividend policy did not show any relationship. Therefore, the study recommends that investors, shareholder and stockbrokers should pay more attention to dividend yield of quoted companies in Nigeria because it can easily be used to determine the extent to which the earnings of the quoted companies are either increasing or decreasing since, it is the only proxies of dividend policy that show relationship with the chosen proxies of earnings considered in this study.
Automatic detection of retinal anatomy to assist diabetic retinopathy screening

Screening programmes for diabetic retinopathy are being introduced in the United Kingdom and elsewhere. These require large numbers of retinal images to be manually graded for the presence of disease. Automation of image grading would have a number of benefits. However, an important prerequisite for automation is the accurate location of the main anatomical features in the image, notably the optic disc and the fovea. The locations of these features are necessary so that lesion significance, image field of view and image clarity can be assessed. This paper describes methods for the robust location of the optic disc and fovea. The elliptical form of the major retinal blood vessels is used to obtain approximate locations, which are refined based on the circular edge of the optic disc and the local darkening at the fovea. The methods have been tested on 1056 sequential images from a retinal screening programme. Positional accuracy was better than 0.5 of a disc diameter in 98.4% of cases for optic disc location, and in 96.5% of cases for fovea location. The methods are sufficiently accurate to form an important and effective component of an automated image grading system for diabetic retinopathy screening.
S-Ketamine Modulates Hyperalgesia in Patients With Chronic Pancreatitis Pain

Background and Objectives: Upper abdominal pain is a dominant feature of chronic pancreatitis. A key phenomenon in this context is hyperalgesia, typically associated with N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor activation. This exploratory study evaluates acute effects of S-ketamine, a noncompetitive N-methyl-d-aspartate antagonist, in modulating generalized hyperalgesia in chronic pancreatitis pain. Methods: In a blinded crossover trial, 10 chronic pancreatitis pain patients received S-ketamine for 3 hrs at 2 &mgr;g · kg−1 · min−1 or placebo infusion at an equivalent rate in randomized order. Clinical pain was assessed via visual analog scale (VAS) and short Dutch Language Version McGill Pain Questionnaire (sf-MPQ-DLV). Pressure pain thresholds (PPTs) were measured in dermatome C5, T4, dorsal T10, L1, and L4, and the sum of PPTs (SOPPT) calculated before, at end of, and after infusion. Results: Nine patients completed the study. Median pain VAS before infusion was 29 mm at rest, 32 mm during activity; sf-MPQ-DLV score was 4. For the S-ketamine session median SOPPT change at infusion end was significantly higher than in the placebo session (218; interquartile range [IQR], 116-527, versus −123 [IQR, −330 to 24]; P = 0.005) and significant versus preinfusion values (2109 [IQR, 964-3035] vs 1914 [IQR, 842-2884]; P = 0.03). The SOPPT was unchanged versus preinfusion values and similar between groups at 1 hr after infusion end. No significant changes in VAS and sf-MPQ-DLV occurred. Conclusions: S-ketamine infusion is more effective than placebo in increasing PPTs in chronic pancreatitis pain patients immediately after infusion. This effect did not outlast the infusion. Further research is warranted into S-ketamine use for reducing generalized hyperalgesia and chronic pancreatitis pain.
Monte-Carlo Simulation of Decananometric Double-Gate SOI devices: Multi-Subband vs. 3D-Electron Gas with Quantum Corrections

In this paper, two Monte-Carlo simulators implementing different models of the influence of carrier quantization on the electrostatics and transport are applied to sub-100nm double-gate SOI devices. To this purpose a new stable and efficient scheme to implement the contacts in the simulation of DG SOI devices is introduced first. Then, results in terms of drain current and microscopic quantities are compared, providing a comparison between a well assessed semiclassical tool and a more rigorous multi-subband code
Effects of Sublethal Pyrethroid Exposure on the Host-Seeking Behavior of Female Mosquitoes

ABSTRACT: A common method of adult mosquito control consists of residual application on surfaces and aerial spraying often using pyrethroids. However, not all insects that contact insecticides are killed. Sublethal exposure to neurotoxic compounds can negatively affect sensory organs and reduce efficiency of host location. Flight tracks of host-seeking female Culex quinquefasciatus, Anopheles albimanus, and Aedes aegypti in a wind tunnel were video-recorded to compare activation of host-seeking and patterns of flight orientation to host odors. During host-seeking flights, all three mosquito species differed significantly in flight duration, velocity, turn angle, and angular velocity. Mosquitoes were then exposed to sublethal levels (LD25) of pyrethroid insecticides to evaluate the effects of the neurotoxicants 24 hours post-exposure. Significant reductions in time of activation to flight and flight direction were observed in mosquitoes exposed to deltamethrin and permethrin. Additionally, pesticide-treated Cx. quinquefasciatus mosquitoes flew significantly slower, spent more time in flight, and turned more frequently than untreated controls.