Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Argon and neodymium YAG laser therapy of dark nodular port wine stains in older patients

Thirty‐seven patients of mean age 52 with large dark nodular port wine stains were treated with argon and neodymium YAG lasers. The level of patient satisfaction was high (mean 7.1 on scale of 10) despite residual color in 36 of 37 patients. It was possible to accomplish flattening of the lesion and removal of nodules in all patients. In four patients, it was necessary to use neodymium YAG laser for removal of residual large vascular nodules following previous argon therapy. Twenty‐nine patients required a mean number of 1.6 retreatments for residual tufts of vessels. An unusual finding was that of recurrent color deepening of lesion in three patients after initial improvement. This recurrence responded to treatment.
Pharmacokinetics of acetazolimide after intravenous and oral administration in horses.

OBJECTIVE To determine the pharmacokinetics of acetazolamide administered IV and orally to horses. ANIMALS 6 clinically normal adult horses. PROCEDURE Horses received 2 doses of acetazolamide (4 mg/kg of body weight, IV; 8 mg/kg, PO), and blood samples were collected at regular intervals before and after administration. Samples were assayed for acetazolamide concentration by high-performance liquid chromatography, and concentration-time data were analyzed. RESULTS After IV administration of acetazolamide, data analysis revealed a median mean residence time of 1.71 +/- 0.90 hours and median total body clearance of 263 +/- 38 ml/kg/h. Median steady-state volume of distribution was 433 +/- 218 ml/kg. After oral administration, mean peak plasma concentration was 1.90 +/- 1.09 microg/ml. Mean time to peak plasma concentration was 1.61 +/- 1.24 hours. Median oral bioavailability was 25 +/- 6%. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Oral pharmacokinetic disposition of acetazolamide in horses was characterized by rapid absorption, low bioavailability, and slower elimination than observed initially after IV administration. Pharmacokinetic data generated by this study should facilitate estimation of appropriate dosages for acetazolamide use in horses with hyperkalemic periodic paralysis.
Setting proteins free: Progresses and achievements in proteomics of formalin‐fixed, paraffin‐embedded tissues

Formalin fixation, followed by paraffin embedding, is long established as the standard procedure for the stabilization and preservation of tissue architecture, essential for enabling microscopic examination and long‐term storage of samples. During the years, this has led to the generation of a worldwide repository of patient tissues with associated complete clinical records. As such, this represents a golden mine for all those attempting to identify proteomic signatures of disease, aimed to the understanding of pathological processes and to the identification of new biomarkers. However, access to this resource has been hampered by the stable cross‐linked network generated on tissue molecules during formalin fixation. Recently, researchers have been actively working to overcome this limitation, reaching unexpected achievements. This review aims to discuss and compare the various strategies devised for extracting full‐length proteins or peptides from fixed tissues, and to provide a general perspective on studies comparing matched fixed and fresh‐frozen tissue proteomes, applying proteomic techniques for biomarker discovery from archival tissues, and attempting to exploit gel‐based approaches. In addition, the concomitant progresses in understanding the impact of tissue processing variables and the extent and nature of formaldehyde‐induced modifications are presented. In conclusion, the future perspectives and open challenges in this field are discussed.
Adaptive scheduling algorithm for link recovery in smart metering mesh networks

Wireless mesh networks are widely considered for interconnecting large number of smart metering devices in a locality. For efficient link scheduling, Spatial Time Division Multiple Access (STDMA) is considered over the conservative CSMA/CA scheme where the spectral efficiency improvement primarily comes from spatial reuse and concurrent transmissions. The link scheduling algorithm finely balances the spatial reuse and interference among concurrent transmissions. Nevertheless, the link quality may still get affected due to various sources of noises and changes in the interference environment. As a result, link breakage events are very likely to happen when the SINR level is below the communication threshold. This paper presents an adaptive rescheduling algorithm that reschedules some of the concurrent transmissions in order to reduce the aggregate interference in the precinct of the affected link and thereby improving the chances of link revival. The proposed STDMA link rescheduling algorithm is neck-node centric that is aiming to exploit sector localisation of a large mesh network. The performance of the algorithm is evaluated in terms of schedule length and link revival success rate. The performance results illustrate that with minimal tradeoff in schedule length, a higher success rate of link revival can be achieved. It also shows that the algorithm is potentially scalable for larger number of nodes in the network.
Fundamental niche prediction of the pathogenic yeasts Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii in Europe

Fundamental niche prediction of Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii in Europe is an important tool to understand where these pathogenic yeasts have a high probability to survive in the environment and therefore to identify the areas with high risk of infection. In this study, occurrence data for C. neoformans and C. gattii were compared by MaxEnt software with several bioclimatic conditions as well as with soil characteristics and land use. The results showed that C. gattii distribution can be predicted with high probability along the Mediterranean coast. The analysis of variables showed that its distribution is limited by low temperatures during the coldest season, and by heavy precipitations in the driest season. C. neoformans var. grubii is able to colonize the same areas of C. gattii but is more tolerant to cold winter temperatures and summer precipitations. In contrast, the C. neoformans var. neoformans map was completely different. The best conditions for its survival were displayed in sub-continental areas and not along the Mediterranean coasts. In conclusion, we produced for the first time detailed prediction maps of the species and varieties of the C. neoformans and C. gattii species complex in Europe and Mediterranean area.
The rebirth of neural networks

After the hype of the 1990s, where companies like Intel or Philips built commercial hardware systems based on neural networks, the approach quickly lost ground for multiple reasons: hardware neural networks were no match for software neural networks run on rapidly progressing general-purpose processors, their application scope was considered too limited, and even progress in machine-learning theory overshadowed neural networks. However, in the past few years, a remarkable convergence of trends and innovations is casting a new light on neural networks and could make them valuable components of future computing systems. Trends in technology call for architectures which can sustain a large number of defects, something neural networks are intrinsically capable of. Tends in applications, summarized in the recent RMS categorization, highlight a number of key algorithms which are eligible to neural networks implementations. At the same time, innovations in technology, such as the recent realization of a memristor, are creating the conditions for the efficient hardware implementation of neural networks. Innovations in machine learning, with the recent advent of Deep Networks, have revived interest in neural networks. Finally, recent findings in neurobiology carry even greater prospects, where detailed explanations of how complex functions, such as vision, can be implemented further open up the defect-tolerance and application potential of neural network architectures.
Genetic Mapping of the Absence of Third Molars in EL Mice to Chromosome 3

We noted the absence of all 4 third molars (M3) in Epilepsy-Like disorder (EL) mice, an animal model for the study of epilepsy. This study was conducted to identify the major candidate chromosome and to detect the region that included the candidate gene causing the absence of M3 in EL mice. Linkage analysis was performed on genetic crosses of EL mice and MSM (Mus musculus molossinus) strain mice, which had a normal complement of teeth. Genome-wide screening by individual genotyping of F2 intercross mice identified mouse chromosome 3 as one of the candidate chromosomes. Based on high linkage scores in detailed genotyping of F2 intercross and N2 backcross mice, the candidate locus for the absence of M3 in EL mice was mapped on the middle of chromosome 3.
The responsibility to protect and the problem of regime change

The use of attack helicopters by the UN mission in Cote d’Ivoire (UNOCI) to oust Laurent Gbagbo from power in April 2011 and NATO’s decision to interpret Security Council Resolution 1973, passed a few weeks earlier, in such a way as to permit the use of airpower and other forms of assistance to aid the National Transitional Council of Libya in overthrowing the Gaddafi regime provoked a strong and negative response from some quarters in international society. Several states argued that, as a matter of principle, the protection of populations from genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing, and crimes against humanity (hereafter “genocide and mass atrocities”) should never entail “regime change. ” Three members of the emerging “BRICS” (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) group - all of whom had moved over the past few years toward an accommodation with RtoP - spoke out strongly against the actions in Cote d’Ivoire and Libya. China, a permanent member of the UN Security Council, argued: “There must be no attempt at regime change or involvement in civil war by any party under the guise of protecting civilians. ” Brazil concurred:. The protection of civilians is a humanitarian imperative. It is a distinct concept that must not be confused or conflated with threats to international peace and security, as described in the Charter, or with the responsibility to protect. We must avoid excessively broad interpretations of the protection of civilians, which could … create the perception that it is being used as a smokescreen for intervention or regime change. And South Africa noted that: “international actors and external organizations … should nonetheless comply with the provisions of the United Nations Charter, fully respect the will, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country concerned, and refrain from the advancing political agendas that go beyond the protection of civilian mandates, including regime change. ” The expression of these sentiments led some analysts to argue that the UN Security Council’s failure to reach consensus on a timely and decisive response to the crisis in Syria was caused, to some extent, by the global discord generated by intervention in Libya.
Proximal Humeral Fractures

The purpose of our study was to biomechanically compare, under cyclic loading conditions, fracture site motion, humeral head collapse, and intra-articular hardware penetration in simulated 3-part osteoporotic proximal humeral fractures stabilized with 1 of 2 locking-plate constructs. We performed fixation on simulated 3-part proximal humeral fractures in 10 pairs of cadaveric osteoporotic humeri with a Hand Innovations S3 Proximal Humerus Plate (S3 plate) or an LCP Proximal Humerus Plate (LCP plate; 1 each for each pair). The specimens were potted, mounted on a materials testing machine, and subjected to 5000 cycles of abduction in the scapular plane, loading through the supraspinatus tendon. Interfragmentary displacement at 2 virtual points (the most medial aspect of the calcar and the most superior aspect of the osteotomy line between the greater tuberosity and humeral head) was measured using an optical tracking system. Humeral head rotation was also measured. We used a generalized linear latent and mixed model to check for an effect of cyclic loading and treatment on the parameters of interest (significance, P < .05). After cyclic loading, the S3 plate humeri showed significantly greater displacement of the greater tuberosity fragment and rotation of the humeral head and a trend (not a significant difference) toward greater displacement at the calcar. No hardware penetration was noted for either repair. Although the S3 plate repairs resulted in significantly more fracture site motion, it is unknown whether the magnitude of the motion is clinically significant.
Efficacy and safety of ultrasound-guided implantation of fiducial markers in the liver for stereotactic body radiation therapy

Objective Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) for the treatment of a malignancy in the liver requires the perilesional implantation of fiducial markers for lesion detection. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of ultrasound (US) -guided marker implantation for SBRT. Methods We retrospectively reviewed 299, US–guided, intrahepatic fiducial markers implanted in 101 patients between November 2013 and September 2014. SBRT-planning CT images were analyzed to determine the technical success of the implantation, the mean distance between the tumor margin and the marker, with the ideal location of fiducials defined as the distance between a marker and a tumor less than 3 cm and the distance between markers greater than 2 cm according to the tumor conspicuity seen on gray-scale US and the artifact obscuring tumor margins. We also evaluated procedure-related major and minor complications. Results Technical success was achieved in 291 (97.3%) fiducial marker implantations. The mean distance between the tumor and the marker was 3.1 cm (S.D., 2.1 cm; range, 0–9.5 cm). Of 101 patients, 72 lesions (71.3%, 2.2 ± 1.0 cm; range, 0–3.0 cm) had fiducial markers located in an ideal location. The ideal location of fiducials was more common in visible lesions than in poorly conspicuous lesions (90.2% vs. 52.0%, P < 0.001). Seventeen markers (5.8%) developed beam-hardening artifacts obscuring the tumor margins. There were no major complications, although 12 patients (11.9%) developed minor complications. Conclusions US-guided implantation of fiducial markers in the liver is an effective and safe procedure with only rare complications.
Degraded Switching Characteristics of a High-Current, High-Action Reversely Switched Dynistor

High-voltage, high-current, and high-coulomb transfer closing switches are required for many high-pulsed power systems. This letter presents the degraded switching characteristics of a high-power reversely switched dynistor (RSD). The degraded switching characteristics of the RSD were tested with a working voltage of 10 kV, the repetition rate of 0.2 Hz, and a peak current of about 107 kA. The action is about 1.45 MA2·s. The transferred charge and energy per shot are about 20 C and 100 kJ, respectively. Only minimal changes in the leakage current and voltage drop were witnessed after a serial test of 50 000 shots. The degraded switching characteristics of the RSD were investigated based on two different methods with the special parameters of static volt-ampere characteristics and dynamic voltage drop on RSD, respectively. The degraded switching model of RSD under high-current conditions for long-pulse application was established using the method of numerical fitting. The results show that these two methods agree well with each other.
Biomass Burning in the Tropics: Impact on Atmospheric Chemistry and Biogeochemical Cycles

Biomass burning is widespread, especially in the tropics. It serves to clear land for shifting cultivation, to convert forests to agricultural and pastoral lands, and to remove dry vegetation in order to promote agricultural productivity and the growth of higher yield grasses. Furthermore, much agricultural waste and fuel wood is being combusted, particularly in developing countries. Biomass containing 2 to 5 petagrams of carbon is burned annually (1 petagram = 1015 grams), producing large amounts of trace gases and aerosol particles that play important roles in atmospheric chemistry and climate. Emissions of carbon monoxide and methane by biomass burning affect the oxidation efficiency of the atmosphere by reacting with hydroxyl radicals, and emissions of nitric oxide and hydrocarbons lead to high ozone concentrations in the tropics during the dry season. Large quantities of smoke particles are produced as well, and these can serve as cloud condensation nuclei. These particles may thus substantially influence cloud microphysical and optical properties, an effect that could have repercussions for the radiation budget and the hydrological cycle in the tropics. Widespread burning may also disturb biogeochemical cycles, especially that of nitrogen. About 50 percent of the nitrogen in the biomass fuel can be released as molecular nitrogen. This pyrdenitrification process causes a sizable loss of fixed nitrogen in tropical ecosystems, in the range of 10 to 20 teragrams per year (1 teragram = 1012 grams).
Insoles for Prevention and Treatment of Back Pain: A Systematic Review Within the Framework of the Cochrane Collaboration Back Review Group

Study Design. A systematic review of randomized controlled trials. Objective. To determine the effectiveness of shoe insoles in the prevention and treatment of nonspecific back pain compared with placebo, no intervention, or other interventions. Summary of Background Data. There is lack of theoretical and clinical knowledge of the use of insoles for prevention or treatment of back pain. Methods. We searched electronic databases from inception to October 2008. We reviewed reference lists in review articles, guidelines, and in the included trials; conducted citation tracking; and contacted individuals with expertise in this domain. One review author conducted the searches and blinded the retrieved references for authors, institution, and journal. Two review authors independently selected the relevant articles. Two different review authors independently assessed the methodological quality and clinical relevance and extracted the data from each trial using the criteria recommended by the Cochrane Back Review Group. Results. Six randomized controlled trials met inclusion criteria: 3 examined prevention of back pain (2061 participants) and 3 examined mixed populations (256 participants) without being clear whether they were aimed at primary or secondary prevention or treatment. No treatment trials were found. There is strong evidence that the use of insoles does not prevent back pain. There is limited evidence that insoles alleviate back pain or adversely shift the pain to the lower extremities. Conclusion. There is strong evidence that insoles are not effective for the prevention of back pain. The currentevidence on insoles as treatment for low back pain does not allow any conclusions.
Characterization and variability analysis of Rice genotypes with reference to Cooking Quality Parameters

A study was conducted with 65 rice genotypes during the wet season of 2014 following RCBD with three replications and two checks; cooking quality parameters of the genotypes along with the yield were evaluated. Analysis of variance was conducted to determine GCV, PCV, Heritability and GA of the genotypes with respect to important quality parameters like amylose content, alkali spreading value, gel consistency, elongation ratio, hulling%, milling%, head rice recovery% and yield per plant. Significant variation was observed among the genotypes. Correlation analysis was done for determining the nature of interaction among the characters. A cluster analysis was performed and a dendogram was constructed which evinced the nature of phylogenetic classification among the genotypes of the population.
Innovation Pattern and Performance of China Industry——Experiential Analysis Based on Industry Panel Data of 2003—2011

The paper followed Gerschenkron’s hypothesis about "industry innovation patterns was born in characteristics of different industry development period,and entered further technology position variable,and using China industry panel data with three-code classified of 2003—2011,estimated the effect made by different industry innovation patterns to industry total factor productivity.The paper found: in mid-to-late period of China’s industrialization,positive correlations is more significant between independent innovation and industry total factor productivity than simulating innovation,because technology position greatly ahead caused the effect of complexity of technology and learning cost rapid rise.The Change of industry ownership structure,whose leading character is private enterprises proportion increased,has a positive effect to enterprises with market-oriented innovation urge,and strengthen the contribution of independent innovation to industry total factor productivity.The paper’s find indicated: the change from simulating innovation to independent innovation is objective requirement of China’s industry development in new period.Optimization of industry ownership structure can improve configuration structure of industry innovation to pull off.It is propitious to quicken the change course in nature.Potential proceeds of industry policy is the increase of potential independent innovation spillover effects which caused by the improving of common service systematic efficiency of support independent innovation and configuration efficiency of innovation resource.
Physicians for Social Responsibility

Eban Goodstein, PhD, Associate Professor of Economics, Lewis & Clark College John B. Hall, PhD, Department of Economics and International Studies Faculty, Portland State University Andy Harris, MD, PSR Board Member and Ophthalmologist Charles Hudson, Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission Tony Kravitz, MD, MPH, Assistant Professor, Director Preventive Medicine Residency Program, Oregon Health & Science University William E. Lambert, PhD, Scientist, Center for Research on Occupational and Environmental Toxicology (CROET), and Associate Professor, Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University Kyle Martin, MS, Mainstem Hydrologist, Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission Michael McCally, MD, PhD, Professor, Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University Alan Melnick, MD, MPH, Director, Joint Residency in Family Medicine, Public Health, and General Preventive Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University Philip Mote, PhD, JISAO/SMA Climate Impacts Group, University of Washington Hal T. Nelson, CFA Gary Rischitelli, MD, MPH, JD, Assistant Scientist, Center for Research on Occupational and Environmental Toxicology, Oregon Health & Science University Jack T. Spadaro, PhD, Environmental Scientist