Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Three-year follow-up study of women who participated in a cervical cancer screening intervention while in prison.

OBJECTIVE This study describes rescreening following a prison cervical cancer screening intervention: the numbers of women who received rescreening during the three-year follow-up period; their timing of rescreening in relationship to intervention follow-up recommendations; and socio-demographic factors associated with rescreening. METHODS Socio-demographic information was collected from Corrections Branch records. Clinical and risk factor information was obtained by a self-administered questionnaire. Pap screening histories were collected from Cervical Cancer Screening Program (CCSP) client records using the client ID number for Pap smears taken during the intervention period, during the three-year follow-up period, and during the 30-month period preceding the intervention period. Results were entered in Excel and responses summarized with frequency tables; bivariate analysis of categoric variables was done using chi-square tests of independence. RESULTS During the three-year follow-up period, only 28 (21%) of 138 women who participated in a prison cervical cancer screening intervention were rescreened within 6 months of the recommendation received at intervention Pap test. Women with fewer than 5 multiple names (aliases) were more likely to be rescreened (p = 0.02). Educational level approached statistical significance (p = 0.05), with women with least education receiving highest rescreening. There was no relationship between rescreening and ethnicity, injection drug use, having borne children and current methadone treatment. CONCLUSION Only 50% of women who participated in a specifically designed prison screening intervention were rescreened during the subsequent three years. Further work is needed to design, implement and evaluate follow-up initiatives of community cervical cancer screening programs for women who are at higher risk of developing cervical dysplasia.
Afferent nerves to Clarke's and the lateral cuneate nuclei in the cat.

It is generally stated that Clarke's nucleus extends from the upper thoracic to the upper lumbar portion of the spinal cord and that it is a relay nucleus between the hindlimb and lower trunk and the cerebellum. The lateral cuneate nucleus is likewise believed to be a relay nucleus between the forelimb and the cerebellum. In an earlier study (Liu,131954) on transneuronal degeneration, it was found that Clarke's nucleus receives an extensive supply from the dorsal roots of all body parts except the neck, and that the dorsal root terminals show an extensive overlap within the nucleus. These observations indicated that Clarke's nucleus is supplied by dorsal root afferents from the forelimb, as well as from the trunk and the hindlimb. The aims of the present study were (1) to determine the distribution and termination of representative dorsal roots from various body parts (neck, trunk, tail, and limbs)
Novel tyramide‐based tyrosinase assay for the detection of melanoma cells in cytological preparations

Fine‐needle aspiration (FNA) has been used as a fast, minimally invasive, and reliable method for the evaluation of enlarged lymph nodes. However, there are some cases where the definitive diagnosis cannot be elicited with morphology alone, especially cases without a known primary lesion. Although immunocytochemical studies may be helpful in some situations, they are often complicated by nonspecific staining. Recently, a novel tyramide‐based tyrosinase assay was developed. Since melanocytes, both benign and malignant, produce tyrosinase, we postulated that this assay could be useful as an in situ biochemical diagnostic test. We modified the Perkin Elmer TSA assay, a commercial assay based on tyramide, a tyrosine analog that is a substrate for tyrosinase, for use on air‐dried cytological preparations. We validated the assay on cell lines, then tested a small series of melanoma and nonmelanoma cytology specimens. The YUGEN8 melanoma cell line was used to optimize the assay and it showed abundant reaction product, while HeLa cells served as a negative control. All melanoma cytology specimens were positive and all nonmelanoma specimens were negative. These results suggest that this simple, fast, and inexpensive assay is a sensitive and specific method for detection of melanoma cells in cytology specimens. This method may be a useful ancillary procedure for the resolution of challenging melanoma cases. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2004;31:33–37. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Interactions among Frugivores and Fleshy Fruit Trees in a Philippine Submontane Rainforest

Abstract: We assessed the potential effect of frugivore extinctions on forest regeneration in the North Negros Forest Reserve, a forest fragment that is one of the last remaining wet tropical rainforest ecosystems in the biogeographic region of the central Philippine Islands. We evaluated foraging observations of 19 species of birds, fruit bats, and other mammals in three successional habitats and identified tree species that are potentially at risk because their seeds are dispersed by frugivores that are seriously endangered. The relative abundance of zoochorous trees in this forest community was exceptionally high (80%), suggesting that the process of forest regeneration will change drastically if endangered frugivores are hunted to extinction. We grouped 45 tree species as early‐, mid‐, or late‐successional species based on their population structure and we demonstrated that early‐successional tree species were visited by a wide spectrum of frugivores, whereas mid‐ and late‐successional species were visited mostly by hornbills (Bucerotidae) and fruit pigeons (Columbidae). Late‐successional tree species were most specialized with respect to dispersers and could therefore be susceptible to extinction. We recommend tree species that could be useful for assisted natural regeneration projects in the reserve because they are visited by a variety of frugivores. Of those, we recommend early‐successional trees for open‐field plantations and mid‐successional tree species for enrichment plantings.
Activities of a New Oral Streptogramin, XRP 2868, Compared to Those of Other Agents against Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus Species

ABSTRACT MIC methodology was used to test the antibacterial activity of XRP 2868, a new oral combination of two semisynthetic streptogramins, RPR 132552A and RPR 202868, compared to activities of other antibacterial agents against pneumococci, Haemophilus influenzae, and Haemophilus parainfluenzae. For 261 pneumococci, XRP 2868 and pristinamycin MICs were similar, irrespective of penicillin G and erythromycin A susceptibilities (MIC at which 50% of isolates were inhibited [MIC50], 0.25 μg/ml; MIC90, 0.5 μg/ml), while quinupristin/dalfopristin had MICs which were 1 to 2 dilutions higher. Single components of both XRP 2868 and quinupristin/dalfopristin had higher MICs. Erythromycin A, azithromycin, clarithromycin, and clindamycin MICs were higher for penicillin G-intermediate and -resistant than -susceptible pneumococci. Against 150 H. influenzae strains, all compounds tested had unimodal MIC distributions. XRP 2868 had an overall MIC50 of 0.25 μg/ml and an MIC90 of 1.0 μg/ml, with no differences between β-lactamase-positive, β-lactamase-negative, and β-lactamase-negative ampicillin-resistant strains. Of note was the similarly low activity of one of its components, RPR 132552A. Pristinamycin and quinupristin/dalfopristin had MICs of 0.125 to 8.0 μg/ml; quinupristin alone had MICs of 8.0 to >64.0 μg/ml, and dalfopristin had MICs of 1.0 to >64.0 μg/ml. Erythromycin A, azithromycin, and clarithromycin had modal MICs of 4.0, 1.0, and 8.0 μg/ml, respectively. MICs of all compounds against H. parainfluenzae were 1 to 2 dilutions higher than against H. influenzae. XRP 2868 showed potent activity against pneumococci and Haemophilus strains irrespective of their susceptibility to other agents.
Staying the course: chemical signal spatial properties and concentration mediate cross-stream motion in turbulent plumes

SUMMARY This study examined the role of broadly distributed sensor populations in chemosensory searching, especially cross-stream heading adjustment. We used three-dimensional laser-induced fluorescence to collect chemical concentration data simultaneously with behavior observations of actively tracking blue crabs (Callinectes sapidus). Our analysis indicates that the spatial distribution of the odorant concentration field is necessary and sufficient to mediate correct cross-stream motion, although concentration provides information that supplements that obtained from the spatial distribution. Crab movement is continually adjusted to maintain an upstream heading, with corrections toward the source modulated only in the presence of chemical cues. Crabs detect and respond to shifts in the position of the center-of-mass (COM) of the odorant concentration distribution as small as 5% of the leg span, which corresponds to ∼0.8–0.9 cm. The reaction time after a 5% threshold shift in the position of the COM is in the range of 2–4 s. Data also indicate that these steering responses are dependent on stimulus history or other characteristics of the plume, with crabs taking longer to respond in conditions with large-scale spatial meanders. Although cross-stream motion is determined by chemical signal inputs to receptors on the walking legs, crabs do make rotational movements in response to chemical signals impinging on the antennules. These rotational movements do not affect the direction of travel, but rather, determine the crab's body angle with respect to the flow. Interestingly, these body angles seem to represent a compromise between reducing drag and obtaining better chemical signal information, and this trade-off is resolved differently under different plume conditions.
An implementation method of poisson image editing on FPGA

In this paper, we describe an FPGA system for the real-time processing of Poisson image Editing. Poisson Image Editing is a powerful method to overlay an image on another image seamlessly. In this method, however, a simple equation is repeatedly applied to each pixel, and this repetition makes its computational complexity very high. In our system, a very deep pipeline is used to apply the equation. One repetition is executed on each stage of the pipeline, and all repetitions are applied to all pixels during one scan of the image. In our current implementation, to reduce the circuit size, a color image is scanned three times, for R-, G-, and B-plane, but its processing speed is still fast enough for real-time processing of HD images.
How the Use of Design Patterns Affects the Quality of Software Systems: A Preliminary Investigation

In this paper we analyze at the class level the quality of the software portions including classes participating in design patterns instances (DP classes) with respect to the remaining software portions (NoDP classes). The performed study is based on 10 software systems from which information about design pattern instances and CK (Chidamber and Kemerer) metrics were obtained by exploiting repositories of pattern instances and the tool Understand, respectively. The analysis revealed that the use of design patterns impacts on the quality of the software.
The Pig Genome Project Has Plenty to Squeal about

Significant progress on pig genetics and genomics research has been witnessed in recent years due to the integration of advanced molecular biology techniques, bioinformatics and computational biology, and the collaborative efforts of researchers in the swine genomics community. Progress on expanding the linkage map has slowed down, but the efforts have created a higher-resolution physical map integrating the clone map and BAC end sequence. The number of QTL mapped is still growing and most of the updated QTL mapping results are available through PigQTLdb. Additionally, expression studies using high-throughput microarrays and other gene expression techniques have made significant advancements. The number of identified non-coding RNAs is rapidly increasing and their exact regulatory functions are being explored. A publishable draft (build 10) of the swine genome sequence was available for the pig genomics community by the end of December 2010. Build 9 of the porcine genome is currently available with Ensembl annotation; manual annotation is ongoing. These drafts provide useful tools for such endeavors as comparative genomics and SNP scans for fine QTL mapping. A recent community-wide effort to create a 60K porcine SNP chip has greatly facilitated whole-genome association analyses, haplotype block construction and linkage disequilibrium mapping, which can contribute to whole-genome selection. The future ‘systems biology’ that integrates and optimizes the information from all research levels can enhance the pig community’s understanding of the full complexity of the porcine genome. These recent technological advances and where they may lead are reviewed.
Chemical and biological properties of the hemagglutination antigen, a lipopolysaccharide, of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, var. hominis.

Strain: Mycobacterium tuberculosis var. hominis, Aoyama B (virulent) grown on the surface of Sauton's media for 8 weeks at 37•Ž was autoclaved for 20 minutes at 120•Ž. After washing with water, the bacterial mass was air-dried and extracted with alcohol-ether (1:1) and chloroform, successively. The defatted bacteria served as a starting material. Analytical methods: Unless otherwise stated, hexose and pentose were determinedd by the anthrone method with glucose as a reference standard and orcinol method with arabinose, respectively. Protein content was measured by Cu-Folin (Lowry et al., 1951) method with bovine serum albumin as a standard. Phosphorus was assayed colorimetrically and nitrogen by Nesslerization. Lipid content was expressed as yield percent of ether soluble fraction derived from the hydrolysate of a sample with 1 N HCl at 100•Ž for 30 minutes. Reducing sugars were determined according to Somogyi's method. Hemagglutination reaction: The procedure followed principally the method reported by Sorkin and Boyden (1955). Washed sheep red cells were suspended in physiological saline buffered at pH 7.2 with phosphate to make a 2% suspension. One cc of the red cell suspension was mixed with 1 cc of serial dilutions (two fold) of a test material and was incubated at 37•Ž for 1 hour with occasional gentle shakings. Sensitized red cells separated by centrifugation were washed twice with the same buffer and finally suspended in 1%. Anti-Aoyama B horse serum, kindly supplied by the Chiha Serum Institute was used throughout this work because of the constant antibody titer. Before use, it was kept at 56•Ž for 30 minutes and then absorbed by mixing with one tenth volume of washed sheep red cells for 30 minutes at room temperature. Three tenths cc of antiserum of one fiftieth dilution was mixed with 0.15 cc of sensitized sheep red cell suspension and the mixture was incubated at 37•Ž for 1 hour. Tubes were kept in a cold room overnight and hemagglutination reaction was checked at the room temperature. Hemagglutina-
What Happened to the Streptococci: Overview of Taxonomic and Nomenclature Changes

SUMMARY Since the division of the Streptococcus genus into enterococci, lactococci, and streptococci in 1984, many changes in the nomenclature and taxonomy of the Streptococcus genus have taken place. The application of genetic comparisons has improved the proper classification of the different species. The Lancefield system of serogrouping the streptococci by the expression of beta-hemolysis on blood agar plates is still very useful for the identification of streptococci for patient management. The Lancefield grouping system cannot be used in itself for accurate identification of specific beta-hemolytic species, but it can be a useful part of the identification procedure. Except for identification of the “Streptococcus bovis group” of species and Streptococcus suis, Lancefield grouping is of little value in identification of the non-beta-hemolytic streptococci and related genera. In fact, identification of the non-beta-hemolytic species is problematic for conventional as well as commercially available identification procedures. A combination of conventional tests and specific chromogenic tests suggested by several investigators is presented and discussed. Tables are included that suggest tests and procedures to guide investigators attempting to identify all the species.
Tooth substance loss resulting from mechanical, sonic and ultrasonic root instrumentation assessed by liquid scintillation.

AIMS This study investigated the loss of tooth substance (microg) by means of liquid scintillation in combination with profilometric and SEM analyses in order to evaluate the roughness and morphological changes of the root surface before and after instrumentation. METHOD 40 polished and irradiated bovine root surfaces were scaled in vitro while covered with 50 ml distilled water using a sonic prototype (Periosonic 1/2), a magnetostrictive ultrasonic (Cavitron with Slimline inserts) scaler and a hand curette. Pressures were applied for the Periosonic, Cavitron and hand curette at 500, 500 and 30 g respectively, for 30-s intervals, up to 120 s. Loss of apatite (microg) was determined from the decays/min (32P) of the water samples using the radiochemical method of liquid scintillation. Replicas were made of the specimens for SEM and profilometric analyses. RESULTS The least substance loss was noted significantly (p<0.01) at all time intervals after Slimline, followed by the fine sonic prototype Periosonic 2, then the Periosonic 1 and finally the hand curette. In contrast, profilometric and SEM analyses revealed the smoothest root surfaces after the hand curette, whereas Cavitron produced a less smooth surface. CONCLUSION It can be concluded that this method can reveal very precisely small quantities of substance lost and, in combination with SEM analysis and microroughness measurements, be of considerable value in evaluating the aggressiveness and efficacy of periodontal instruments.
An Online Frequency Tracking Algorithm Using Terminal Voltage Spectroscopy for Battery Optimal Charging

This paper proposes an online tracking algorithm to allocate and track the optimal charging frequency for common batteries in real time under any condition. The optimal frequency refers to the frequency of the sinusoidal component of the charging current at which the internal ac impedance of the battery is minimal. The ac impedance depends on the physical properties of the batterys electrodes and electrolyte. It also varies nonlinearly with temperature, state-of-charge (SOC), and state-of-health (SOH). Although the ac impedance can be determined offline using sophisticated ac battery models or measurement equipment, there is no direct way to measure it in real time. The proposed technique has the capability of allocating and tracking the optimal frequency in real time without using an ac battery model or measurement equipment. Moreover, the proposed technique is simple, inexpensive to implement, and applicable to any battery cell or pack. Derivation of the proposed technique is presented and followed by simulation and experimental verification.
Long‐term antiviral therapy for recurrent hepatitis C after liver transplantation in nonresponders: Biochemical, virological, and histological impact

More than 50% of patients with a recurrent posttransplant hepatitis C virus infection fail to respond to antiviral treatment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the interest of a long‐term antiviral treatment maintained for more than 48 weeks. Seventy treated patients, with a histological follow‐up > 1 year, were enrolled in this observational, retrospective study. The duration of antiviral treatment, tolerance, and occurrence of virological, biochemical, and histological responses were recorded. Thirty‐two patients were nonresponders after 48 weeks of treatment. Combined antiviral therapy was maintained for >12 months in 26 and for >18 months in 21. Twelve patients had to discontinue their treatment. At 48 weeks, the rates of virological response and sustained virological response were 37% and 24.3%, respectively; at the end of the follow‐up, they were 48.5% and 35.7%. Virological response was significantly associated with a higher incidence of biochemical and histological response, regardless of its time of occurrence (before or after 6 months). Even in the absence of virological response, the rate of progression of fibrosis was significantly slowed in patients treated for more than 6 months. Our results show the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of long‐term antiviral therapy in nonresponder patients with a recurrent posttransplant hepatitis C virus infection. Liver Transpl 15:54–63, 2009. © 2008 AASLD.
Nonlinear Dynamic Indications in Time Series of Epilepsy Electroencephalogram

Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disorder that is characterized by recurrent unprovoked seizures. These seizures are due to abnormal, excessive or synchronous neuronal activity in the brain. For a neural network, such as brain, nonlinearity is necessary to descript the complexity of dynamic system. In this study, we compared some nonlinear dynamic indictions, such as Hurst exponent, sample entropy, and detrended fluctuation in time series of epilepsy electroencephalogram regarding different physiological and pathological brain states. We found that The Hurst exponent did not differ between healthy volunteers and intracranial patients (p≫0.05). The sample entropy value did not differ between healthy volunteers and seizure active patients (p≫0.05). In other cases we found statistical significant differences between investigated data sets. We concluded that using nonlinear dynamic indications we could discriminate the electroencephalogram regarding different physiological and pathological brain states of epilepsy patients.
Decreased Levels of Intrathecal Interleukin 1 Receptor Antagonist in Alzheimer’s Disease

A growing body of evidence points out the potential role of inflammatory mechanisms in the pathophysiology of brain damage in dementia. In previous studies, we have demonstrated intrathecal production of the proinflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor (TNF)α in patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The aim of the present study was to investigate the downstream products of TNF-α expression including interleukin (IL)1β and its naturally occurring antagonist IL-1 receptor agonist (ra) in patients with AD. The cytokine levels were related to neuronal damage, as measured by intrathecal τ and β-amyloid concentration and certain clinical features of the disease. Fifty-two patients with AD and 25 healthy controls were analyzed with respect to cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of IL-1β and IL-1ra. CSF IL-1β was neither detectable in CSF of AD nor in control CSF. In contrast, a significantly lower (p < 0.01) number of patients (24 of 49) than of controls (20 of 24) showed detectable levels of IL-1ra in the CSF. The intrathecal levels of IL-1ra were significantly lower in patients with AD than in the controls. Our study demonstrates a decreased production of the anti-inflammatory compound IL-1ra, suggesting a propensity towards inflammation in patients with AD.