Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Estimating Long-Term Average Particulate Air Pollution Concentrations: Application of Traffic Indicators and Geographic Information Systems

Background. As part of a multicenter study relating traffic-related air pollution with incidence of asthma in three birth cohort studies (TRAPCA), we used a measurement and modelling procedure to estimate long-term average exposure to traffic-related particulate air pollution in communities throughout the Netherlands; in Munich, Germany; and in Stockholm County, Sweden. Methods. In each of the three locations, 40–42 measurement sites were selected to represent rural, urban background and urban traffic locations. At each site and fine particles and filter absorbance (a marker for diesel exhaust particles) were measured for four 2-week periods distributed over approximately 1-year periods between February 1999 and July 2000. We used these measurements to calculate annual average concentrations after adjustment for temporal variation. Traffic-related variables (eg, population density and traffic intensity) were collected using Geographic Information Systems and used in regression models predicting annual average concentrations. From these models we estimated ambient air concentrations at the home addresses of the cohort members. Results. Regression models using traffic-related variables explained 73%, 56% and 50% of the variability in annual average fine particle concentrations for the Netherlands, Munich and Stockholm County, respectively. For filter absorbance, the regression models explained 81%, 67% and 66% of the variability in the annual average concentrations. Cross-validation to estimate the model prediction errors indicated root mean squared errors of 1.1–1.6 &mgr;g/m3 for PM2.5 and 0.22–0.31 *10−5m−1 for absorbance. Conclusions. A substantial fraction of the variability in annual average concentrations for all locations was explained by traffic-related variables. This approach can be used to estimate individual exposures for epidemiologic studies and offers advantages over alternative techniques relying on surrogate variables or traditional approaches that utilize ambient monitoring data alone.
Graves' ophthalmopathy: current concepts regarding pathogenesis and management.

Referring to the hyperadrenergic theory on the pathogenesis of Graves' ophthalmopathy, a 1934 JAMA editorial (513) stated "the mechanism of exophthalmos is well understood though the knowledge would seem to be poorly disseminated. " Several subsequent theories on pathogenesis, stated equally emphatically, have experienced a similar fate to that prompting this remark, but not before negatively impacting upon the management of patients suffering from this disorder. Thus, it is with an element of caution that we conclude that the sequence of events contributing to the pathogenesis of Graves' ophthalmopathy has become progressively more lucid, due to the assiduous efforts of many investigators in this field. Demonstration of an inextricable link between the eye and the thyroid in Graves' ophthalmopathy seems limited only by our ability to detect subtle involvement of one or the other of these two organs in exceptional cases, although not all authors share this viewpoint (514). The factors modulating the degree of expression of the thyroid component, such as concurrent lymphocytic thyroiditis or qualitative differences in TRAb seem more tangible than those affecting the clinical expression of eye involvement. Environmental factors such as smoking are associated, to a degree that matches or surpasses that known for genetic predisposition to this disorder. Local anatomy, including such factors as vulnerability to obstruction of venous drainage, must play a role as evidenced by asymmetric eye involvement and rapid relief of inflammatory changes after orbital decompression surgery. The transition from palliative to curative measures in Graves' ophthalmopathy will require further advances in our understanding of the putative shared thyroid-eye antigens, demonstration that these antigens are etiologically important and concomitant advances in antigen-specific immune therapy.
Augmented mobile tagging

In this paper a framework for a novel kind of applications called Augmented-Mobile-Tagging (AMT) applications is presented. AMT applications augment classic Mobile Tagging applications with information from existing Location Based Services (LBS) in a seamless way. This leads to very powerful mobile applications without loosing the efficiency, intuitiveness and robustness of the visual tagging application. We have implemented two AMT applications based on this concept and are currently running two field trials, one a campus information system on the university campus and another, called LocalTagging, running in the town and surroundings of Winterthur.
The influence of resection and aneuploidy on mortality in oral leukoplakia.

BACKGROUND Although the standard treatment of oral leukoplakia ranges from watchful waiting to complete resection, the value of these approaches is unknown. METHODS We studied the relations among resection, ploidy status, and death from cancer in 103 patients with diploid dysplastic oral leukoplakia, 20 patients with tetraploid lesions, and 27 patients with aneuploid lesions. Data on cancer-specific mortality and treatment were obtained from the Cancer Registry of Norway, Statistics Norway, and chart reviews. RESULTS Primary oral carcinoma developed in 47 of the 150 patients with leukoplakia (31 percent)--5 with diploid, 16 with tetraploid, and 26 with aneuploid leukoplakia--during a mean follow-up of 80 months (range, 4 to 237). The margin status of the initial leukoplakia resection had no relation to the development of oral cancer (P=0.95). Twenty-six of the 47 patients in whom cancer developed (4 with prior tetraploid and 22 with prior aneuploid lesions) had recurrences (55 percent); the recurrences were more frequently multiple and distant (within the oral cavity) among patients with aneuploid lesions than among those with tetraploid or diploid lesions. All 47 patients underwent a standard regimen of surgery and radiation, followed by chemotherapy in the 26 with recurrent cancer. Only patients with aneuploid leukoplakia died of oral cancer; the five-year rate of death from cancer was 72 percent. Aneuploidy-related first carcinomas were diagnosed at a more advanced stage than were carcinomas originating from diploid or tetraploid leukoplakia (P=0.03) and were more likely to be lethal regardless of the stage. CONCLUSIONS Complete resection of aneuploid leukoplakia does not reduce the high risk of aggressive carcinoma and death from oral cancer.
Genome-wide association analysis in primary sclerosing cholangitis.

BACKGROUND & AIMS We aimed to characterize the genetic susceptibility to primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) by means of a genome-wide association analysis of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers. METHODS A total of 443,816 SNPs on the Affymetrix SNP Array 5.0 (Affymetrix, Santa Clara, CA) were genotyped in 285 Norwegian PSC patients and 298 healthy controls. Associations detected in this discovery panel were re-examined in independent case-control panels from Scandinavia (137 PSC cases and 368 controls), Belgium/The Netherlands (229 PSC cases and 735 controls), and Germany (400 cases and 1832 controls). RESULTS The strongest associations were detected near HLA-B at chromosome 6p21 (rs3099844: odds ratio [OR], 4.8; 95% confidence interval [CI], 3.6-6.5; P = 2.6 x 10(-26); and rs2844559: OR, 4.7; 95% CI, 3.5-6.4; P = 4.2 x 10(-26) in the discovery panel). Outside the HLA complex, rs9524260 at chromosome 13q31 showed significant associations in 3 of 4 study panels. Lentiviral silencing of glypican 6, encoded at this locus, led to the up-regulation of proinflammatory markers in a cholangiocyte cell line. Of 15 established ulcerative colitis susceptibility loci, significant replication was obtained at chromosomes 2q35 and 3p21 (rs12612347: OR, 1.26; 95% CI, 1.06-1.50; and rs3197999: OR, 1.22; 95% CI, 1.02-1.47, respectively), with circumstantial evidence supporting the G-protein-coupled bile acid receptor 1 and macrophage-stimulating 1, respectively, as the likely disease genes. CONCLUSIONS Strong HLA associations and a subset of genes involved in bile homeostasis and other inflammatory conditions constitute key components of the genetic architecture of PSC.
Effect of low-concentration daily topical fluoride application on fluoride release of giomer and compomer: an in vitro study.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVE To determine the effect of low-concentration daily topical fluoride application on fluoride release of Giomer and Compomer and to compare the amount of fluoride release from Giomer to that of Compomer. MATERIALS AND METHODS Forty-eight specimens of each Giomer and Compomer were divided into four treatment groups, namely, control group, fluoridated dentifrice (500 ppm) once-daily group, fluoridated dentifrice (500 ppm) twice-daily group and fluoridated dentifrice (500 ppm) once-daily + fluoridated mouthwash (225 ppm) group. Each specimen was suspended in demineralising solution for 6 h and remineralising solution for 18 h. Fluoride release was measured in both the demineralising solution and the remineralising solution daily for 21 days. Total daily fluoride release for each specimen was calculated by adding the amount released in the demineralising solution to that released in the remineralising solution. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION The fluoride release (ppm) was found to be higher in Giomer when compared with Compomer. The fluoride released from Giomer and Compomer was significantly higher in the acidic demineralising solution than in the neutral remineralising solution. It was found that increasing fluoride exposure significantly increased fluoride release from Giomer and Compomer. It was found that the fluoride release from the subgroups of Giomer and Compomer was in the following order: fluoridated dentifrice twice-daily > fluoridated dentifrice once-daily + fluoridated mouthwash > fluoridated dentifrice once-daily > control group. It was found that Giomer showed a greater fluoride uptake Compomer.
Strumenti di simulazione per il controllo di gestione: dall’analisi dei sistemi alla System Dynamics

Obiettivi di apprendimento: Comprendere quale possa essere l’uso di strumenti e tecniche di simulazione per la risoluzione di problemi manageriali ed a supporto della funzione di controllo di gestione. Assimilare i principi di base della Teoria dei Sistemi Dinamici e della metodologia denominata System Dynamics. Capire quali siano le caratteristiche fondamentali di un progetto volto a sviluppare un modello di simulazione relativo ad un tipico problema dinamico aziendale, come quello connesso alla gestione della Supply Chain.
Removing Object Reflections in Videos by Global Optimization

This paper presents a novel algorithm for the removal of reflections generated by objects on reflecting floors. The algorithm uses both chromatic properties of the reflections and geometrical constraints on their positions; however, it does not make use of a model of the reflected objects, and so it can be applied to scenes containing several kinds of objects (e.g., people, baggage, animals, vehicles, etc.). The proposed method has been validated by an extensive set of experiments on a large video database. In these experiments, the method has been compared to two other recent reflection removal algorithms. The experimental results show that the proposed method is fast and effective, both in absolute terms and in comparison with the other algorithms.
A Multivariate Autoregressive Model of Rain Attenuation on Multiple Short Radio Links

A multivariate autoregressive (AR) model for rain attenuation on a network of radio links is presented. Underlying assumptions are discussed, including the stationarity of rainfall rate in space and time within the region enclosing the links. Formulation of the model is described, together with some considerations for its application in assessing performance of a network of radio links. An example of use of the model for simulation of rain attenuation on two short converging links operating at 30 GHz is given.
A comparison of omeprazole with ranitidine for ulcers associated with nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs. Acid Suppression Trial: Ranitidine versus Omeprazole for NSAID-associated Ulcer Treatment (ASTRONAUT) Study Group.

BACKGROUND Suppressing acid secretion is thought o reduce the risk of ulcers associated with regular use of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), but the best means of accomplishing this is uncertain. METHODS We studied 541 patients who required continuous treatment with NSAIDs and who had ulcers or more than 10 erosions in either the stomach or duodenum. Patients were randomly assigned to double-blind treatment with omeprazole, 20 mg or 40 mg orally per day, or ranitidine, 150 mg orally twice a day, for four or eight weeks, depending on when treatment was successful (defined as the resolution of ulcer and the presence of fewer than five erosions in the stomach, and fewer than five erosions in the duodenum, and not more than mild dyspepsia). We randomly assigned 432 patients in whom treatment was successful to maintenance treatment with either 20 mg of omeprazole per day or 150 mg of ranitidine twice a day for six months. RESULTS At eight weeks, treatment was successful in 80 percent (140 of 174) of the patients in the group given 20 mg of omeprazole per day, 79 percent (148 of 187) of those given 40 mg of omeprazole per day, and 63 percent (110 of 174) of those given ranitidine (P<0.001 for the comparison with 20 mg of omeprazole and P=0.001 for the comparison with 40 mg of omeprazole). The rates of healing of all types of lesions were higher with omeprazole than with ranitidine. During maintenance therapy, the estimated proportion of patients in remission at the end of six months was 72 percent in the omeprazole group and 59 percent in the ranitidine group. The rates of adverse events were similar between groups during both phases. Both medications were well tolerated. CONCLUSIONS In patients with regular use of NSAIDs, omeprazole healed and prevented ulcers more effectively than did ranitidine.
Cigarette smoking is not a risk factor for systemic sclerosis.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the association of cigarette smoking with susceptibility to systemic sclerosis (SSc) in a large, well-defined patient population. METHODS We conducted a review of 1,379 patients with SSc enrolled in the Scleroderma Family Registry and DNA Repository and/or the Genetics versus Environment in Scleroderma Outcome Study cohort. Smoking history was obtained from chart review or via telephone interview. Patients with SSc were subsequently categorized as never smokers or ever smokers. Patients with SSc for whom smoking data were available were matched 2:1 by age, sex, ethnicity, and state of residence to control subjects, using the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. RESULTS The majority of patients were white (74.2%), with Hispanics and blacks representing 11.3% and 9.7%, respectively. Most patients had limited cutaneous involvement (54%). For our comparative analyses, 621 patients were matched with control subjects. There was no significant difference in age, sex, ethnicity, and SSc subtype between matched versus unmatched patients. The majority of patients had never smoked (57%), while 43% of patients were classified as ever smokers. The patients with SSc did not differ from control subjects in terms of their smoking behavior (odds ratio [OR] 1.020, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 0.839-1.240, P=0.842). Anti-topoisomerase I antibody-positive patients were more likely to be never smokers (OR 0.648, 95% CI 0.421-0.998, P=0.049), whereas no such association was observed with anticentromere and anti-RNA polymerase III antibodies. CONCLUSION Unlike its role in rheumatoid arthritis, smoking does not confer a risk for development of SSc, although it may impact disease severity.
N-terminal Prion Protein Peptides (PrP(120–144)) Form Parallel In-register β-Sheets via Multiple Nucleation-dependent Pathways*

The prion diseases are a family of fatal neurodegenerative diseases associated with the misfolding and accumulation of normal prion protein (PrPC) into its pathogenic scrapie form (PrPSc). Understanding the fundamentals of prion protein aggregation and the molecular architecture of PrPSc is key to unraveling the pathology of prion diseases. Our work investigates the early-stage aggregation of three prion protein peptides, corresponding to residues 120–144 of human (Hu), bank vole (BV), and Syrian hamster (SHa) prion protein, from disordered monomers to β-sheet-rich fibrillar structures. Using 12 μs discontinuous molecular dynamics simulations combined with the PRIME20 force field, we find that the Hu-, BV-, and SHaPrP(120–144) aggregate via multiple nucleation-dependent pathways to form U-shaped, S-shaped, and Ω-shaped protofilaments. The S-shaped HuPrP(120–144) protofilament is similar to the amyloid core structure of HuPrP(112–141) predicted by Zweckstetter. HuPrP(120–144) has a shorter aggregation lag phase than BVPrP(120–144) followed by SHaPrP(120–144), consistent with experimental findings. Two amino acid substitutions I138M and I139M retard the formation of parallel in-register β-sheet dimers during the nucleation stage by increasing side chain-side chain association and reducing side chain interaction specificity. On average, HuPrP(120–144) aggregates contain more parallel β-sheet content than those formed by BV- and SHaPrP(120–144). Deletion of the C-terminal residues 138–144 prevents formation of fibrillar structures in agreement with the experiment. This work sheds light on the amyloid core structures underlying prion strains and how I138M, I139M, and S143N affect prion protein aggregation kinetics.
Human cortical area responding to stimuli in apparent motion

APPARENT motion is the perception of the realistic smooth motion of an object which flashes first at one place then at another. To investigate human cortical responses to stimuli in apparent motion, we used a multi-channel biomagnetometer to record the magnetic fields evoked by these stimuli in four normal subjects. The results showed the presence of a localized cortical area exclusively sensitive to apparent motion stimuli that is identical to that for smooth motion. In three subjects this area corresponded to the human homologue of MT/V5. Moreover, the same region in the extrastriate cortex was involved in the short range (0.1°) apparent motion process as well as the long range (1.0°) process.
Clinical Chemistry: Vitamin B12 -Binding Proteins in Human Gastric Mucosa General Pattern and Demonstration of Intrinsic Factor Isoproteins Typical of Mucosa

Marcoullis, G. & Grasbeck, R. Vitamin B12-Binding Proteins in Human Gastric Mucosa. General Pattern and Demonstration of Intrinsic Factor Isoproteins Typical of Mucosa. Scand. J. din. Lab. Invest. 35, 5–11, 1975.Extracts of human stomach mucosa were shown to contain immunoreactive intrinsic factor and small amounts of R protein and transcobalamin 11. In gel filtration the mucosal vitamin B12-intrinsic factor complex behaved as though its molecular weight were smaller than the corresponding complex in gastric juice. In isoelectric focusing both the gastric juice and mucosal vitamin B12-intrinsic factor complexes resolved into numerous isoproteins. These findings were verified by DEAE-cellulose chromatography. The mucosal intrinsic factor isoprotein pattern contained, in addition to the isoproteins found in gastric juice, components with higher isoelectric points that is, pH 5.73–6.64.
Use of a probiotic to decrease enteric hyperoxaluria.

BACKGROUND Patients with inflammatory bowel disease have a 10- to 100-fold increased risk of nephrolithiasis, with enteric hyperoxaluria being the major risk factor for these and other patients with fat malabsorptive states. Endogenous components of the intestinal microflora can potentially limit dietary oxalate absorption. METHODS Ten patients were studied with chronic fat malabsorption, calcium oxalate stones, and hyperoxaluria thought to be caused by jejunoileal bypass (1) and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery for obesity (4), dumping syndrome secondary to gastrectomy (2), celiac sprue (1), chronic pancreatitis (1), and ulcerative colitis in remission (1). For 3 months, patients received increasing doses of a lactic acid bacteria mixture (Oxadrop), VSL Pharmaceuticals), followed by a washout month. Twenty-four-hour urine collections were performed at baseline and after each month. RESULTS Mean urinary oxalate excretion fell by 19% after 1 month (1 dose per day, P < 0.05), and oxalate excretion remained reduced by 24% during the second month (2 doses per day, P < 0.05). During the third month on 3 doses per day oxalate excretion increased slightly, so that the mean was close to the baseline established off treatment. Urinary oxalate again fell 20% from baseline during the washout period. Calcium oxalate supersaturation was reduced while on Oxadrop, largely due to the decrease in oxalate excretion, although mean changes did not reach statistical significance. CONCLUSION Manipulation of gastrointestinal (GI) flora can influence urinary oxalate excretion to reduce urinary supersaturation levels. These changes could have a salutary effect on stone formation rates. Further studies will be needed to establish the optimal dosing regimen.
Epidemiology of speech and language impairment in a nationally representative sample of 4- to 5-year-old children.

PURPOSE To draw on multiple sources of information to determine prevalence of speech and language impairment in young Australian children. METHOD Information about 4,983 children (ages 4-5 years) from Growing Up in Australia: The Longitudinal Study of Australian Children (Australian Institute of Family Studies, 2007) was obtained via parent interviews and questionnaires, teacher questionnaires, and direct assessment. Data were statistically weighted to the Australian population of 253,202 children in the target age group. RESULTS Parent-reported prevalence: 25.2% had concerns about how their child talked and made speech sounds (11.8% "concerned"; 13.4% "a little concerned"), and 9.5% had concerns about how their child understood language (4.4% "concerned"; 5.1% "a little concerned"). Parents who reported concerns identified "speech not clear to others" as the most frequent area of difficulty (12.0%). Teacher-reported prevalence: 22.3% of children were considered to be less competent than others in their expressive language ability (6.7% "much less competent"; 15.6% "less competent"); 16.9% were considered to be less competent than others in their receptive language ability (4.0% "much less competent"; 12.9% "less competent"). The match between parent and teacher identification was higher for expressive speech and language concern than for receptive language. Direct assessment: 13.0% of children were 1-2 SDs below the mean on the Adapted Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test-III (S. Rothman, 2003), and a further 1.7% were > 2 SDs below the mean. Parent and teacher reports were significantly correlated with scores obtained via direct assessment. Period prevalence: Parents and teachers reported that 14.5% of children had accessed speech-language pathologist (SLP) services. 2.2% indicated that they needed but could not access an SLP. CONCLUSION Multiple indicators of speech and language impairment in diverse contexts confirmed the high prevalence of this condition in early childhood and a concomitant need for SLP services.