Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Multimodal Imaging in Masquerade Syndromes

ABSTRACT Masquerade syndromes present to uveitis clinics due to the appearance of inflammatory signs and chronic symptoms that are not responsive to conventional treatment. They are frequently misdiagnosed and treated as refractory inflammatory conditions, which delays appropriate diagnosis and management. This review of literature focuses on the commonly encountered masquerade syndromes and discusses the role of multimodal imaging in addressing these complex clinical presentations. We review the conventional imaging techniques for these patients and discuss emerging technological advances that may help in establishing a diagnosis. We present cases highlighting the utility of multimodal imaging in identifying the etiology.
The Pathogenesis of Acquired Cholesteatoma of the Human Middle Ear: Support for the Migration Hypothesis

Hypothesis That acquired cholesteatoma of the human middle ear and mastoid process can be caused by migration of squamous epithelium from the tympanic membrane. Objective To provide histologic evidence in humans of the potential for medial epithelial migration toward the middle ear. Background The origin of cholesteatomas of the middle ear complex of humans is still not clearly understood. The most popular theory, the medial migration of squamous epithelium from the external auditory canal/tympanic membrane through a perforation of the tympanic membrane to form a cholesteatoma, was first proposed over a century ago independently by Bezold (1899) and Habermann (1899) based on their observations during surgery. Neither author had histologic proof. Despite much experimental efforts in animals, histologic evidence in the human continues to be the missing link. Method We examined the histologic sections of the temporal bones of 60 children aged 1 day to 12 years with evidence of acute otitis media. We present our findings in the temporal bones of 3 infants. Results We find evidence of the propensity of the squamous epithelium of the tympanic membrane particularly in the pars flaccida to become very active and to migrate medially toward the middle ear. Conclusion Our concept is that this material supports the migration theory that cholesteatomas are formed by the medial migration of the stimulated squamous epithelium of the tympanic membrane.
Storage sites in seeds of Caesalpinia echinata and C. ferrea (Leguminosae) with considerations on nutrients flow

The seeds of Caesalpinia echinata and C. ferrea behaved as typical endospermic seeds, despite their different morphological classification (exendospermic seeds were described for C. echinata and endospermic seeds for C. ferrea). Then, the aim of this work was to compare, under ultrastructural and histochemical terms, the nature of the storage substances and their accumulation sites, as well as the nutrient flow in seeds of these species. Cotyledons in C. echinata accumulate carbohydrates, lipids and proteins, which are mobilized from the outer to the inner parts as revealed by the position of plasmodesmata. Endosperm in C. ferrea accumulates carbohydrates and in C. echinata accumulates substances during the initial embryogenic phases. Such tissue develops a chalazal haustorium that is responsible for the transport of substances into the endosperm itself and from it into the embryo, confirmed by the presence of transference cells.
Probabilistic encoding of stimulus strength in astrocyte global calcium signals

Astrocyte calcium signals can range in size from subcellular microdomains to waves that spread through the whole cell (and into connected cells). The differential roles of such local or global calcium signaling are under intense investigation, but the mechanisms by which local signals evolve into global signals in astrocytes are not well understood, nor are the computational rules by which physiological stimuli are transduced into a global signal. To investigate these questions, we transiently applied receptor agonists linked to calcium signaling to primary cultures of cerebellar astrocytes. Astrocytes repetitively tested with the same stimulus responded with global signals intermittently, indicating that each stimulus had a defined probability for triggering a response. The response probability varied between agonists, increased with agonist concentration, and could be positively and negatively modulated by crosstalk with other signaling pathways. To better understand the processes determining the evolution of a global signal, we recorded subcellular calcium “puffs” throughout the whole cell during stimulation. The key requirement for puffs to trigger a global calcium wave following receptor activation appeared to be the synchronous release of calcium from three or more sites, rather than an increasing calcium load accumulating in the cytosol due to increased puff size, amplitude, or frequency. These results suggest that the concentration of transient stimuli will be encoded into a probability of generating a global calcium response, determined by the likelihood of synchronous release from multiple subcellular sites. GLIA 2016;64:537–552
Vasodilators in the treatment of heart failure.

DURING the last few years, there has been a great deal of interest in vasodilator therapy in cases of acute and chronic heart failure. Better understanding of cardiac physiology and development of bedside hemodynamic monitoring techniques using flowdirected catheters have provided impetus to evaluate different physiologic and pharmacologic interventions in acutely ill patients. Most patients with congestive heart failure have elevation of the left ventricular filling pressure (LVFP) and low cardiac output. Elevated LVFP (index of blood volume) is a compensatory phenomenon in the early stage of heart failure to maintain cardiac output. This beneficial effect may later result in excessive myocardial oxygen demand, decreased coronary flow, and symptoms of pulmonary congestion. Similarly, arterial constriction occurring initially in heart failure may be appropriate to maintain circulation to vital organs, but may eventually result in a decrease in cardiac output because of the elevated systemic vascular resistance. 1 Experimental evidence shows
Effects of frequent marijuana use on brain tissue volume and composition

To investigate CNS effects of frequent marijuana use, brain tissue volume and composition were measured using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in 18 current, frequent, young adult marijuana users and 13 comparable, non-using controls. Automated image analysis techniques were used to measure global and regional brain volumes, including, for most regions, separate measures of gray and white matter. The marijuana users showed no evidence of cerebral atrophy or global or regional changes in tissue volumes. Volumes of ventricular CSF were not higher in marijuana users than controls, but were, in fact, lower. There were no clinically significant abnormalities in any subject's MRI. Sex differences were detected in several global volume measures.
Pamidronate effect compared with a steroid on complex regional pain syndrome type I: Pilot randomised trial.

OBJECTIVES This study aims to compare the effectiveness of a bisphosphonate (pamidronate) and a steroid (prednisolone) in complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) type I during four weeks of follow-up in hemiplegic stroke patients. METHODS Twenty-one hemiplegic stroke patients with CRPS type I were enrolled in the study. Patients were randomly assigned to receive either intravenous pamidronate (n = 11; total cumulative dose of 180 mg) or oral prednisolone (n = 10). Subjective pain and hand oedema (circumference of the middle finger, CMF, and the wrist, CW) were measured at baseline and at one, two and four weeks after the end of treatment. RESULTS Both groups showed significant improvement in subjective pain VAS scores at 1-week follow-up and this effect was maintained until 4-week follow-up. Time-by-group interactions were not significant at 4-week follow-up. The reduction of the CMF observed at 1-week follow-up in both groups was maintained until 4-week follow-up in the steroid group, but until 2-week follow-up in the pamidronate group. A significant change in CW was observed at 4-week follow-up in the pamidronate group. There were no significant adverse effects in either treatment group during the follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS Intravenous pamidronate therapy was safe, well tolerated and appeared as effective as a steroid for pain control for post-stroke CRPS. However, this result should be interpreted with caution, since it included a relatively small number of patients. Further larger controlled studies followed over a longer period are needed to validate these findings and to determine clinical treatment standards.
A system dynamics approach for regional environmental planning and management: a study for the Lake Erhai Basin.

In recent years, water-quality deterioration associated with rapid socio-economic development in the Lake Erhai Basin, China, has acquired more and more attention from the public and the government. An effective planning for the basin's environmental management system is desired for sustainable regional development. In this study, an environmental system dynamics model, named ErhaiSD, is developed for supporting this planning task. The ErhaiSD consists of dynamic simulation models that explicitly consider information feedback that governs interactions in the system. Such models are capable of synthesizing component-level knowledge into system behaviour simulation at an integrated level. This capability is very useful in analyzing and recommending policy decisions. For the study case, interactions among a umber of system components within a time frame of 15 years are examined dynamically. Four planning alternatives are considered. The base run is based on an assumption that the existing pattern of human activities will prevail in the entire planning horizon, and the other alternatives are based on previous planning studies. The contributions of various nonpoint pollution sources to the lake's eutrophication problems, and the effects of industrial activities and wastewater treatment processes on pollution problems in the Xier River are analyzed through the developed modeling system. The exercise draws attention to the implications of different alternatives to the system's environmental and socio-economic objectives. The modeling results are directly useful for simulating and evaluating a variety of decision actions and their dynamic consequences, and answering questions such as 'What should I do? ', 'What if I do? ' and 'What are the expected consequences? '.
Low-temperature SiGe PECVD epitaxy: From wafer equivalent to ultra-thin crystalline solar cells on inexpensive substrates

A standard RF-PECVD reactor is used to grow epitaxial SiGe layers at 175°C on c-Si (100) substrates. By adding GeH4 to SiH4/H2 plasmas, we show for the first time epitaxial SiGe alloys with Ge atomic fraction up to 35% grown at such low temperature. Few μm thick layers are used as an absorber in the wafer equivalent approach: thin film c-Si(p++)/epi-Si1-xGex/a-Si:H(n+) heterojunction solar cells are fabricated. Structural and electronic properties of these materials are investigated using Ellipsometry, Raman, TEM, J(V) characteristics and EQE. Simulations of device structure are performed with PC1D. Stress induced lift off enables detachment and transfer of ultra-thin Si layers of 1 cm2, on inexpensive substrate. Crystal quality is not affected by the transfer process, and first proof of concept of PECVD epitaxial ultrathin transferred solar diode is obtained.
On the duality between fast QR methods and lattice methods in least squares adaptive filtering

The authors show that fast QR methods and lattice methods in least squares adaptive filtering are duals and follow from identical geometric principles. Whereas the lattice methods compute the residuals of a projection operation via the forward and backward prediction errors, the QR methods compute instead the weights used in the projections. Within this framework, the parameter identification problem is solved using fast QR methods by showing that the reflection coefficients and tap parameters of a least squares lattice filter operating in the joint process mode are immediately available as internal variables in the fast QR algorithms. This parameter set can be readily exploited in system identification, signal analysis, and linear predictive coding, for example. The relations derived also lead to a fast least squares algorithm of minimal complexity that is a hybrid between a QR and a lattice algorithm. The algorithm combines the order recursive properties of the lattice approach with the robust numerical behavior of the QR approach. >
50 years in the development of insulating liquids

The role of electrical insulation is critical for the proper operation of electrical equipment. Power equipment cannot operate without energy losses, which lead to rises in temperature. It is therefore essential to dissipate the heat generated by the energy losses, especially under high load conditions. Failing to do so results in premature aging, and ultimately to failure of the equipment. Heat dissipation can be achieved by circulating certain liquids, which also ensure electrical insulation of energized conductors. The insulating-fluids market is therefore likely to be dominated by liquids, leaving to gases (such as compressed air and SF6) limited applications in power equipment such as circuit breakers and switchgear [1]-[3]. Several billion liters of insulating liquids are used worldwide in power equipment such as transformers (power, rectifier, distribution, traction, furnace, potential, current) [4], resistors [5], reactors [6], capacitors [7], cables [8], bushings [9], circuit breakers [10], tap changers [11], thyristor cooling in power electronics, etc. [12]. In addition to their main functions of protecting solid insulation, quenching arc discharges, and dissipating heat, insulating liquids can also act as acoustic dampening media in power equipment such as transformers. More importantly, they provide a convenient means of routine evaluation of the condition of electrical equipment over its service life. Indeed, liquids play a vital role in maintaining the equipment in good condition (like blood in the human body). In particular they are responsible for the functional serviceability of the dielectric (insulation) system, the condition of which can be a decisive factor in determining the life span of the equipment [13]. Testing the physicochemical and electrical properties of the liquids can provide information on incipient electrical and mechanical failures. In some equipment, liquid samples can be obtained without service interruption.
Task‐dependent reflex responses and movement illusions evoked by galvanic vestibular stimulation in standing humans.

1. To identify the vestibular contribution to human standing, responses in leg muscles evoked by galvanic vestibular stimulation were studied. Step impulses of current were applied between the mastoid processes of normal subjects and the effects on the soleus and tibialis anterior electromyograms (EMGs), ankle torque, and body sway were identified by post‐stimulus averaging. The responses were measured when subjects stood on a stable platform or on an unstable platform and the effects of eye closure were also assessed. Responses were also recorded during voluntary contraction of the leg muscles and when subjects balanced a load equivalent to their own body in a situation where vestibular postural reflexes would not be useful. 2. At a mean post‐stimulus latency of 56 ms, there were reciprocal changes in soleus and tibialis anterior muscle activity followed, at 105 ms, by larger responses of opposite sign. These were termed the short‐ and middle‐latency responses, respectively. Both responses increased with stimulus intensity, but the short‐latency response had a higher threshold. The early response had a similar latency to EMG responses evoked by rapid postural perturbations. Both responses were larger when the eyes were closed, but eye closure was associated with increased sway and EMG activity, and the responses were of similar magnitude when scaled to background EMG level. 3. Both short‐ and middle‐latency EMG responses in soleus and tibialis anterior muscles produced small transient postural sways. The transient changes in EMG activity were followed by a larger prolonged sway which was not attributable to the activity in these muscles but rather to reflex or volitional adjustments to movements at other body segments. When subjects were prevented from swaying, the galvanic stimulus produced illusory movements in the opposite direction to the sway evoked when standing, and it is possible that the prolonged sway is a reaction to the illusion of sway. 4. The short‐ and middle‐latency responses were modified during different postural tasks according to the dependence on vestibular reflexes. When the support platform was unstable, the EMG responses to galvanic stimulation were larger. There were no vestibular‐evoked responses when seated subjects made voluntary contractions of the leg muscles or when they stood upright with the trunk supported, using the ankles to balance a body‐like load. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Compact bandpass filters for 800-MHz band land mobile radio equipments

Compact bandpass filters for 800-MHz land mobile radio equipment has been developed using coaxial resonators with a high dielectric constant material of εr= 35. The use of dielectric material of high Q and a dielectric substrate for coupling capacitors made possible the construction of compact low-insertion-loss filters. The performance characteristics of these filters are described.
Quality of life in adult survivors of correction of esophageal atresia.

HYPOTHESIS Long-term quality of life (QOL) in adults after correction of esophageal atresia (EA) is comparable with that of healthy adults. DESIGN Outcome study with a consecutive sample and follow-up after 16 years or longer. SETTING Pediatric surgical center (academic center) in a tertiary hospital. PATIENTS AND METHODS A questionnaire was sent to 119 consecutive surviving adults who were treated for EA between 1947 and 1986. The questionnaire was to assess sociodemographic characteristics and generic and disease-specific QOL and contained 3 open-ended questions about the consequences of the disease in daily life. Clinical characteristics were collected from patient case notes. RESULTS Ninety-seven (82%) of the 119 questionnaires were completed and returned. When comparing the generic QOL of patients who had EA with that of healthy subjects, we found no differences in overall physical and mental health. The presence of concomitant congenital anomalies did not influence generic QOL. A third of the patients reported that EA had had negative effects on their daily lives. Gastrointestinal symptoms such as dysphagia were most often mentioned (23%). CONCLUSION In general, after EA correction, patients perceive their generic and disease-specific QOL to be good. The presence of concomitant congenital anomalies did not influence generic QOL. However, a third of patients reported that the disease had had negative consequences.
Gulf oil disaster. Five questions on the spill.

Sizing up the weeks-long spill in the Gulf of Mexico and its impacts is proving a challenge for marine and coastal scientists. The source is beneath 1600 meters of seawater, the winds and currents spreading the oil can be capricious, and the marine life in the oil9s path is spread over hundreds of square kilometers, from the sea floor to the surface. Commercial fisheries have already been affected, and fragile coastal marshlands are at risk. Just monitoring all these ecosystems is the first challenge; gauging the toll taken and sounding the all clear will come later. Scientists will be trying to answer five key questions over the coming months and years.
The effects of baseball bat mass properties on swing mechanics, ground reaction forces, and swing timing

Abstract Swing trajectory and ground reaction forces (GRF) of 30 collegiate baseball batters hitting a pitched ball were compared between a standard bat, a bat with extra weight about its barrel, and a bat with extra weight in its handle. It was hypothesised that when compared to a standard bat, only a handle-weighted bat would produce equivalent bat kinematics. It was also hypothesised that hitters would not produce equivalent GRFs for each weighted bat, but would maintain equivalent timing when compared to a standard bat. Data were collected utilising a 500 Hz motion capture system and 1,000 Hz force plate system. Data between bats were considered equivalent when the 95% confidence interval of the difference was contained entirely within ±5% of the standard bat mean value. The handle-weighted bat had equivalent kinematics, whereas the barrel-weighted bat did not. Both weighted bats had equivalent peak GRF variables. Neither weighted bat maintained equivalence in the timing of bat kinematics and some peak GRFs. The ability to maintain swing kinematics with a handle-weighted bat may have implications for swing training and warm-up. However, altered timings of kinematics and kinetics require further research to understand the implications on returning to a conventionally weighted bat.
Causes of elevated troponin in patients with normal coronary angiography

Troponin rise indicates myocardial cell injury. However, elevated values of troponin are not always consequence of infarction or ischemia. In this paper, aim was to elucidate diverse etiologies of elevated troponin in patients with normal coronary angiography. At KBC Zagreb in 2014 there was 976 patients identified from catheterization database who underwent coronary angiography due to suspicion of acute coronary syndrome (ACS). We identified 30 (3.1%) patients who had alternative cause for myocyte injury other than coronary artery disease (CAD), meaning that there was less than 30 % coronary arterial luminal stenosis. The elevation of cardiac troponin T (cTnT) in patients with normal coronary angiography was attributed to diverse etiologies, including hypertensive crisis, Takotsubo syndrome, severe aortic stenosis, atrial fibrillation (AF), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbation, advanced heart failure, hypertensive cardiomyopathy, acute pulmonary embolism, malignant disease progression, and cardiogenic shock. Apart from ACS, cTnT could be elevated in a number of different conditions, which should be considered according to clinical presentation, different diagnostic procedure, and still could reflect myonecrosis, even in the absence of significant angiographic CAD.
In vivo radioprotection by ocimum flavonoids: survival of mice.

Two flavonoids, orientin and vicenin, isolated from the leaves of the Indian plant Ocimum sanctum were tested for their radioprotective effect in mice. Both compounds provided protection against death from gastrointestinal syndrome as well as bone marrow syndrome when injected intraperitoneally (i.p.) before whole-body exposure to 11 Gy gamma radiation. The optimum drug dose for protection was 50 microg/kg body weight: An increase in the drug dose did not increase protection. No acute toxicity was observed at doses as high as 100 mg/kg body weight of either compound. Maximum protection was obtained when either compound was injected i.p. 30 min before irradiation. Changing the route of administration or the interval between drug injection (i.p.) and irradiation reduced protection. Drug treatment after irradiation was not very effective. Vicenin was slightly better than orientin in increasing survival at 30 days; protection by vicenin also lasted longer. Dose modification factors (DMFs) for the LD50 were 1.37 for vicenin and 1.30 for orientin. Radical scavenging activity has been demonstrated for both orientin and vicenin, and this appears to be one of the mechanisms of protection by these flavonoids.